JPH082677B2 - Printer - Google Patents

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to electrophotographic printers.

2. Description of the Related Art Electrophotographic printers having a manual paper feed mechanism in addition to a cassette paper feed mechanism have been proposed (JP-A-60-72763 and JP-A-60-72772).

The paper inlet is a printer data donor or host.
Specified on the computer. Normally, in the host computer, one paper feed port is designated for a series of (collectively) print data (hereinafter referred to as job data).

However, for example, when processing the job data by designating the cassette paper feed port, it may be desired to switch to the manual paper feed. For example, if you want to print a particular page to color paper instead of blank. In such a case, in the conventional example, the pause key is operated to temporarily stop the printing operation, the operator goes to the host computer, and specifies that the next or subsequent page data is manually fed. Then, the user comes to the printer again to cancel the pause, and manually feed the paper.
When the manual feeding is completed, it is necessary to go back to the host computer and specify to return to the cassette paper feeding. However, it is very annoying to have to go back and forth between the host and the computer during the printing operation.
Further, in the case of a system in which one printer is shared by a plurality of host computers, the work of specifying the host also becomes a burden, and the operator's feeling of complexity becomes stronger.

Background of the Invention Therefore, in order to eliminate this kind of troublesomeness and inconvenience,
It is considered that a switch for setting the paper feed port mode is provided on the print side, and the feed port mode can be changed by operating the switch in the same manner as designated by the host computer.

The switch of the paper feed port mode by this switch is effective regardless of whether the printer is operating or not. For example, when switching to the manual feed mode during processing of one job data, first, Press the pause switch to pause the processing operation. Then, the switch is used to switch the paper feed port mode to manual feed. Then, the operator inserts a sheet into the manual sheet feeding port. The paper insertion sensor should be activated and printing should resume. However, the printing operation does not start. This is because the hibernate state of the printer has not been released. That is, in this case
The pause switch must be re-operated to release the pinter from hibernation, and then manual feeding procedures must be followed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above background, the present invention has an object to simplify an operation procedure, particularly a switch operation, in a printer.

For this reason, the printer of the present invention is a printer that has a plurality of paper feed ports for feeding paper and is capable of designating paper feed ports on the host side that supplies print data from outside the printer. Therefore, the pause means for suspending the print operation of a series of print data, the switching means for switching to a paper feed opening different from the paper feed opening designated by the host side, and the switching means during the pause status by the pause means The present invention is characterized by further comprising release means for releasing the idle state when the operation of switching the paper feed port is performed.

Action According to the configuration of the above invention, when the switching means is operated,
Without the need for any special action to wake it up
The dormant state is automatically released by the operation of the releasing means.

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to examples shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a printer according to an embodiment. The printer (1) comprises a photoconductor drum (3) exposed by a light source (2). Various elements for the electrophotographic process are arranged around the photosensitive drum (3). The configuration and operation of these elements are well known in copiers and the like and will not be described in detail.

The printer (1) has a paper feed port (5) from a cassette (4) (referred to as a cassette paper feed port) as a paper feed port for the printer paper, and a paper feed port (6) (manual paper feed) manually fed by an operator. Called the mouth). The print paper (7) contained in the cassette (4) is sent out by the sending-out roller (8), and is conveyed by the conveying rollers (9),
It is sent to the transfer section by (10). On the other hand, when the manually supplied print paper (11) is inserted into the manual paper feed port (6), the pacer sensor (12) is activated to cause the conveyance roller (1).
0) rotates and is fed to the transfer portion by the transport roller (10). The print paper on which the toner image has been transferred by the transfer charger (13) of the transfer unit is conveyed by the belt (14), processed by the fixing roller (15), and discharged to the tray (16). The ejection of the print paper is detected by the sensor (17).
The tray (16) has a function of shifting in a direction orthogonal to the print paper discharge direction for each job.

FIG. 2 shows the operation panel of the printer (1). Display devices (20) to (29) and switches (37), (38) and (39) are arranged. READ when the printer is ready for use
The Y display (20) lights up. BUS if the printer is running
The Y display (21) lights up. (22) is a PARER JAM display that indicates a paper jam inside the printer, and (23) is a T prompting for toner replenishment.
ONER EMPTY display, (24) is a PARER EMPTY display showing that the print paper in the cassette is empty. The 7-segment, 2-digit display (25) displays the number of print settings (copies) and, when a trouble occurs in the printer, the trouble code. When a problem occurs that the recovery process cannot be performed without turning off the power, the CHECK display (26) lights up.

The switch (37) is operated when the printing operation is temporarily stopped, and is operated again when the paused state (paused state) is released. When the switch (37) is operated to pause, the PAUSE display (27) lights up, and if the printer is paused, it lights up continuously. The switch (38) is operated when feeding print paper from a paper feed port different from the paper feed port designated by the host computer. If the switch (38) is pressed when the cassette paper feed port (5) is designated, the cassette paper feed port mode is switched to the manual paper feed port mode. The MANUAL indicator (28) lights up when the manual feed slot mode is set.
The switch (39) is operated when switching the discharge tray (16) from the fixed mode to the shift mode. When set to shift mode, the SHIFT indicator (29) lights up.

FIG. 3 illustrates a circuit configuration for controlling the operation of the printer (1). The printer (1) is connected to the host computer (60) by a cable and is under the control of the host computer (60). The printer (1) is provided with a plurality of microcomputers (or microprocessors, which are referred to as CPUs) as a main control circuit, and the first CPU (51) controls the main printing operation and the second CPU
(52) mainly controls the communication channel with the host computer (60). 1st CPU (51) and 2nd CPU (5
A first interface (I / F) (53) intervenes between 2) and a second interface (I / F) (54) intervenes between the second CPU (52) and the host computer (60).

The second CPU (52) processes the control data and the image data transmitted from the host computer (60) via the second I / F (54), and the first C via the first I / F (53).
Transmits commands and states to PU (51). Further, the image data is transmitted to the image processing section (42).

On the other hand, the first CPU (51) centrally controls the operation panel (40), the mechanism (mechanical) section (41), and the image processing section (42),
The command is transmitted to the second CPU (52) via the first I / F (53).
Each display (20) on the operation panel (40) of FIG.
While outputting the lighting control signal to (29), switch (3
Receive the operation input signals from 7) to (39). Mechanical part (41)
Includes all mechanical elements of an image forming system including a print paper conveying system and a photoconductor drum. The image processing section (42) includes a data processing section for converting the image data transmitted from the second CPU (52) into human-readable image information and forming it as a latent image on the photosensitive drum (3), and an optical system.

Specific contents of the control performed by the second CPU (52) and the first CPU (51) will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 5 (a) to (f).

FIG. 4 is a second main routine showing the processing operation of the second CPU (52), and FIG. 5 (a) is a first main routine showing the processing operation of the first CPU (51). f) shows the details of the subroutine in the first main routine. Before entering the concrete contents, the instruction, the state of the second CPU, the second C
The definition of the flag in the PU and the flag in the first CPU and the outline of the contents are shown. The host computer is abbreviated as the host.

[Instruction] Print instruction A command to activate the print operation for one page. Source is No.
The destination is the first CPU with 2 CPUs.

END command A command to notify the end of printing operation for one page. The source is the first CPU and the destination is the second CPU.

[Second CPU state] BUSY Indicates that the printer is operating, and becomes "1" when image data is received from the host and "0" at the end of a series of printing operations.

Paper feed port designation It is determined by the host and is either "cassette" or "manual feed".

Shift designation Either "shift" or "non-shift" is determined according to the designation from the host.

Set number of sheets The number of prints (number of copies) for one page (original) is determined by designation from the host.

The state of this second CPU is always reported to the first CPU in the form of a signal.

[Flag of second CPU] EDIT Indicates whether image data for one page is being processed.
“0” indicates that no processing is in progress, and “1” indicates that processing is in progress.

[1st CPU flag] Branch Flag for sequence control of print operation, "0"
Is not in operation, "1" paper feeding operation, "2" print
During operation, "3" indicates that the print operation is being completed.

Paper feed mode A flag that determines the paper feed port for paper feeding, "cassette" indicates that paper is fed from the cassette paper feed port, and "manual feed" indicates that paper is fed from the manual paper feed port.

FDRQ A flag that indicates a paper feed request. If "0", paper feed is not requested,
When it becomes “1”, paper feeding is requested.

Pause A flag that indicates whether the print operation is paused (paused). "0" indicates not paused, and "1" indicates paused.

Even if the STOP print command is received, it does not operate immediately,
This is a flag for shifting to the pause state. When "0", pause is prohibited, and when "1", pause is allowed.

Now, in the second main routine shown in FIG. 4, when the printer is powered on, the program starts,
First, in step (# 1), the EDIT flag and BUSY signal are initialized to "0".

In step (# 2), the presence / absence of data received from the host is determined. If not, the process proceeds to step (# 7) to determine whether the EDIT flag is "0". If "0",
Set the BUSY signal to "0" in step (# 8)
Return to 2). The EDIT flag is "1" in the above step (# 7).
In that case, since the image data is being processed, nothing is done and the process returns to step (# 2).

If there is received data in step (# 2), the process proceeds to step (# 3). In step (# 3), the type of received data is determined. If it is control data, step (# 3)
If it is image data, go to step (# 4).
In step (# 9), the control data is processed. That is, if there is a change in the set number of sheets specified by the host side, the paper feed port designation, or the shift designation, the set number of sheets assigned to the second CPU for the state, the paper feed port designation, or the shift designation area is corrected. .

On the other hand, in step (# 4), since the image data is received, the BUSY signal is set to "1", and in the following step (# 5), the EDIT flag is set to "1" for editing the image data, and the step (# In 6), the image data is processed. In step (# 10), it is determined whether the processing of the image data for one page is completed, and if not, step (# 2)
Return to and receive the next data. On the other hand, when one page has been completed, the EDIT flag is reset in step (# 11), and a "print command" is transmitted to the first CPU in step (# 12).

In step (# 13), printing processing of the processed data for one page is performed. In step (# 14), it is determined whether the "END command" transmitted from the first CPU has been received. The printing process in the above step (# 13) is performed until the END command is received. When the END command is received, the process returns to step (# 2) and waits for the next incoming data.

FIG. 5A shows a first main routine which is a general flow of operation control performed by the first CPU (51).
When the printer is turned on, this program also starts, and the initial setting is first performed in step (# 15).
Then, in step (# 16), Branch, STOP, Pause,
Each flag of FDRQ is set to "0", the paper feed port mode is set to "cassette", and the shift mode is set (set) to "shift".

In the next step (# 17), output processing to the operation panel (40) is performed. If the Pause flag is set to "1", the paper feed port mode is set to "manual feed", and the shift mode is set to "shift", the corresponding display, that is, the PAUSE display (27),
Light the MANUAL display (28) and SHIFT display (29). If the BUSY signal, which is the state of the second CPU, is "1", the BUSY display (21) is turned on. step 1
In 8), input processing on the operation panel (40),
That is, signal input processing is performed by operating the switches (37) to (39). Further, in this step, the processing of the first I / F (53) originating from the second CPU (52) is also performed.

Therefore, in step (# 19), it is determined whether or not the "print command" transmitted from the second CPU (52) has been received. If received, it is determined in step (# 20) whether the STOP flag is "1". If it is "1", step (# 23)
And set the Pause flag to "1" and step (# 24)
Set the STOP flag to "0". On the other hand, the above step (# 2
When "0" is determined in (0), the Branch flag is set to "1" in step (# 21), and the paper feed request flag FDRQ is set to "1" in step (# 22). Here, the STOP flag is
As described above, this is a flag for entering the pause state without starting the print operation even when the "print command" is received. If the "print command" is not received in step (# 19), steps (# 20) to (# 24) are skipped and the process proceeds to step (# 25).

The step (# 25) executes a pause process in connection with the pause switch (37). Details of this subroutine are shown in FIG. 5 (c).

The step (# 26) executes the processing relating to the sheet feeding port setting including the relation with the sheet feeding port switching switch (38). The details of this subroutine are shown in FIG. 5 (d).

The step (# 27) executes the process related to the shift setting of the tray (16) including the relation with the shift switch (39). Details of this subroutine are shown in FIG. 5 (e).

In step (# 28), processing relating to the sequence of the printing operation is executed. The details of this subroutine are shown in FIG. 5 (b).

In step (# 29), processing other than the above processing, such as JAM or EMPTY state detection processing, is performed. When the processing of this step ends, the process returns to step (# 17). Then, this loop is repeatedly executed.

FIG. 5B is a detailed flow of the sequence processing subroutine. Here, the Branch flags “0”, “1”, “2”,
Different processing is performed depending on "3".

First, in step (# 30), the value of the Branch flag is determined. If it is "0", nothing is done and the process returns to the main routine. When the Branch flag is "1", the paper feeding process is performed. That is, the FDRQ flag is determined in step (# 31), and if it is "1", the paper feed port mode set in step (# 32) is determined. If this is a "cassette", cassette paper feed processing is performed (step (# 33)), and if it is "manual feed", manual paper feed processing is performed (step (# 34)). Next, in step (# 35), it is determined whether the set number of sheets have been fed. That is, the set number of sheets which is the state of the second CPU,
It is determined whether or not the paper feed count value in the 1C internal paper feed counter matches, and if they match, the FDRQ flag is set to "0". If they do not match, the multi-printing has ended, so step (# 36) is skipped, and the process proceeds to step (# 37). In step (# 37), the Branch flag is set to "2" and the process returns to the main routine. If FORQ is "0" in the above step (# 31), the Branch flag is set to "3" and the process returns.

When the Branch flag is determined to be "2" in step (# 30), the process proceeds to step (# 39) to perform print processing. When the processing is completed (step (# 40)), step (#
41), the set number of sheets which is the state of the second CPU,
It is determined whether or not the number of printed sheets in the internal print counter of one CPU matches, and if they match, an "END command" is sent to the second CPU (step (# 42)). Step (# 4
If they do not match in 1), do nothing and step (# 43)
Then, the Branch flag is set to "1" here and the process returns to the main routine. If the processing is not completed in the above step (# 40), the process immediately returns.

When it is determined that the Branch flag is "3" in step (# 30), the process proceeds to step (# 44), where the print operation end process is performed. When the process is completed (step (# 4
5)), the Branch flag is reset to "0" in the initial state in step (# 46), and the process returns to the main routine.

In other words, in this sequence processing routine, a series of print operations such as paper feed, printing, and end processing after the print operation is started by a "print command" is controlled.

FIG. 5C is a detailed flow of the pause processing subroutine. First, in the first step (# 47), it is determined whether or not the pause switch (37) (Fig. 2) has been pressed. When it is pressed, the following processing is performed only when the BUSY signal is determined to be "1" in step (# 48), otherwise, immediately if the pause switch is not pressed or if it is not BUSY even if it is pressed, immediately. Return to the main routine.

In step (# 49), it is determined whether the Pause flag is "1". If the state is "1", that is, the pause state, the BDRQ flag and the Branch flag are set to "1", the Pause flag is reset, and the process returns. (Step (# 50) ~
(# 52)). By this processing, the pause is released and the sequence processing routine of FIG. 5 (b) is re-entered so that the printing operation can be restarted.

If the Pause flag is determined to be "0" in step (# 49), the process proceeds to step (# 53) to determine whether the FDRQ flag is "1". If it is "1", this flag is reset and the Pause flag is set to "1" and the process returns (steps (# 54), (# 55)). This is a process when the pause operation is performed when the set number of sheets has not been finished yet, and the sheet supply is temporarily stopped and the printing operation is interrupted by the sequence process of FIG. 5B.

If the FDRQ flag is determined to be "0" in the above step (# 53), proceed to step (# 56) to determine the STOP flag, and if it is "1", it is "0". For example, change this flag to "1" and return (step (# 57), (#
58)). This is a process after feeding the set number of sheets, and if the STOP flag becomes "1", even if the "print command" is received in the step (# 19) (Fig. 5 (a)), the print operation is performed. It will not start and will be in a pose (Step (# 20), (# 2
3), (# 24)).

FIG. 5D is a detailed flow of the paper feed port setting processing subroutine.

First, in the first step (# 59), it is determined whether the FDRQ flag is "0". If the value is "1", the paper feeding from the preset supply port is valid, and the process directly returns. On the other hand, if the FDRQ flag is "0", the paper feed port can be changed, and the process proceeds to step (# 60). In step (# 60), it is determined whether or not there is a change in the paper feed port designation that is the state of the second CPU. If there is a change, the contents of the designated paper feed port are judged in step (# 61), and if "manual feed", the paper feed port mode is set to "manual feed" in step (# 62). On the other hand, "cassette"
If it is determined that the sheet feed mode is set to "cassette" in step (# 63).

In the following step (# 64), it is determined whether or not the switch (38) for switching the paper feed port mode (see FIG. 2, which is referred to as a manual feed switch (SW) in this flow) is pressed. If it is not pressed, nothing is done and the process returns to the main routine. On the other hand, when pressed, this changes the currently set paper feed mode,
If a pause is in progress, the process for canceling this state is also performed. Since the paused state is released, the printing operation can be performed immediately in the changed paper feed port mode. That is, when the printer is BUSY, it is not necessary to cancel the pause by re-operating the pause switch as shown in FIG. 5 (c). (Steps (# 47), (# 52)).

If it is determined in step (# 64) that the switch (38) has been pressed, this first CPU is currently selected in the next step (# 65).
The type of the paper feed port mode set to is determined. If it is determined to be "manual feed", the paper feed port mode is changed to "cassette" in step (# 66). On the other hand, if it is determined to be "cassette", the paper feed port mode is changed to "manual feed" in step (# 67). When any of the change settings is completed, the process proceeds to step (# 68).

In step (# 68), it is determined whether the Pause flag is "1". If it is "0", it returns as it is. When it is "1", it means that the pause switch was operated before the manual feed switch was operated, and the step (# 69)
And set the FDRQ flag to "1" in step (# 70)
Set the Branch flag to "1" and reset the Pause flag in step (# 71). With the above flag setting, the printing operation is restarted.

FIG. 5 (e) is a detailed flow of the shift setting processing subroutine of FIG. 5 (a). In step (# 72), it is determined whether the FDRQ flag is "0", and if it is "1", the process returns. If it is "0", proceed to step (# 73).

In step (# 73), a change in the shift designation, which is the state of the second CPU, is determined, and if there is a change, shift is performed in accordance with the shift designation in steps (# 74), (# 75), and (# 76). Set the mode to "shift" or "non-shift". If no change is determined in step (# 73), the process proceeds to step (# 77) without doing anything.

In step (# 77), it is determined whether or not the shift switch (39) has been pressed. If pressed, step (# 7
The shift mode currently set is judged in 8), and if it is "shift", it is changed to "non-shift", and if it is "non-shift", it is changed to "shift" (step (# 79),
(# 80)). If it is determined in step (# 77) that there is no switch operation, nothing is done and the process immediately returns to the main routine.

FIG. 5 (f) is a detailed flow of the operation panel input processing subroutine of FIG. 5 (a). First, step (# 8
1), switches (37), (3) on the operation panel (40)
8), (39) input processing (switch matrix processing)
Perform In steps (# 82) and (# 83), it is determined whether or not there is a switch input or whether the BUSY signal is "1". In other words, it is determined whether the switch has been pressed or the printer is operating, and if either, the TIME is determined in step (# 84).
Set a certain time in R and return. If neither is the case, this TIMER is subtracted in step (# 85), and the time-up is determined in the following step (# 86). If the time is up, proceed to step (# 87), otherwise return.

In steps (# 87), (# 88) and (# 89), the second CPU
The paper feed port designation which is the state of is determined, and the paper feed port mode corresponding to the designation is set. Similarly, step (# 9
In 0), (# 91), and (# 92), the shift designation which is the state of the second CPU is determined, the shift mode is set according to the designated contents, and the process returns to the main routine.

That is, in steps (# 82) to (# 92), after any switch is pressed or after the series of printing operations of the printer is completed, a new switch operation is not performed during the fixed time counted by TIMER, or When a new print operation is not activated, the setting is changed to the mode currently specified by the second CPU, that is, the mode specified by the host, and the superiority of the setting on the printer side is canceled.

In the above embodiment, when the paper feed port mode is switched from the cassette designated by the host to the manual feed, the changeover switch on the operation panel is operated. However, the changeover switch is replaced or a manual switch is provided with this switch. It may be possible to switch to the paper feed port mode. The change-over switch on the operation panel depends on the operator's intention, but it automatically operates based on the operator's manual "operation", for example, a paper insertion sensor provided near the paper feed port or a manual paper feed port. When a folding table that guides to the table is provided, it can be a switch that operates when the table is set.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the host that supplies print data to the printer is located in the same area as the printer.
Although it is a computer, the donor of data is not particularly limited to such a host computer. The print data may be given to the printer via a cable, and may be data via a telephone line, for example.

According to the present invention, when the sheet feeding port is switched on the print side after the operation of the pausing unit, the pause state is released in association with the operation of switching the sheet feeding port, so that the operator does not need to release the pausing unit. The printing operation can be restarted immediately.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view of an operation panel, FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a printer system, and FIG. Flow chart, Fig. 5 (a), (b), (c),
(D), (e) and (f) are flowcharts of operation control controlled by the first CPU. 1 ... Printer, 3 ... Photosensitive drum, 5 ... Cassette paper feed port, 6 ... Manual feed port, 40 ... Operation panel, 37 ...
… Pause switch, 38 …… Switch for changing paper feed port,
60: Host computer, 51: Microcomputer (1st CPU), 52: Microprocessor (2nd CPU).

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A printer having a plurality of paper feed ports for feeding paper, wherein the print data is supplied from the outside of the printer, and the paper feed port can be designated by the host side. The printing operation of a series of print data is suspended. The pause means for setting the state, the switching means for switching to the paper feed opening different from the paper feed opening designated by the host side, and the pause when the paper feed opening is switched by the switching means during the pause state by the pause means A printer comprising: a release unit that releases the state.