JPH11288197A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to surely obtain the print of the whole document by preventing the occurrence of failure that the user erroneously holds a printing paper in the process of ejection before the print of the whole document is finished, because a printing time per one sheet is taken when printing is executed in an image forming system, for instance, facsimile reception printing is executed. SOLUTION: This image forming device is provided with respective LEDs for detecting the presence of an ejected sheet in respective bins of a sorter 220 in a printing sheet output/ejection part 208 and a means for detecting the presence of the next image data in an image input part, thus it is decided whether the whole sheet is ejected or not, and a buzzer 240 alarms when the sheet is removed before the whole sheet is ejected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming system including an image forming apparatus and a sheet processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of image forming system, for example, a facsimile, a facsimile reception print,
A system for controlling the user's use conditions at the time of printer output printing includes, for example, display of a discharge tray, discharge end sound,
It has been developed to provide various modes of control, such as a display during discharge.

[0003]

However, in an image forming system based on the above technology, for example, in facsimile reception printing, it takes time to print one sheet, and before printing of all documents is completed,
There was a problem that a user accidentally took a print sheet that was ejected halfway.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described aspects. When an attempt is made to carry a print sheet that is being discharged, an alarm is issued to draw the user's attention, and the entire document is printed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming system capable of performing printing reliably and delivering it to a user.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, the present invention aims to achieve the above object by providing an image forming apparatus according to any one of the following items (1) to (3): Image input means for inputting an image signal, image forming means for forming an image on the input image sheet, storage means for storing sheets discharged from the image forming means, and discharge sheet in the storage means. Discharged sheet detecting means for detecting whether or not the next image data is present in the image input means; and whether all sheets have been discharged based on the image data detecting means. Discharge judgment means for judging whether or not the sheet is removed before all sheets are discharged using the discharge judgment means and the discharged sheet detection means. Image forming apparatus.

(2) The image forming apparatus according to the above (1), wherein the alarm means stops the alarm by returning the removed sheet to its original state.

(3) The image according to the above item (1), wherein the alarm means does not operate when a plurality of the storage means are provided and a discharge sheet other than the storage means to be discharged at present is removed. Forming equipment.

[0008]

According to the configuration of the present invention as described above, the print paper output from the image forming apparatus can be reliably delivered to the user in the state of being printed.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail based on an embodiment with reference to the drawings.

[0010]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus using an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an image input device (reader unit) for converting a document into image data, which functions as a first image input means, and a plurality of types of recording means for functioning as an image output means. An image output device (printer unit) 3 having a paper cassette and outputting image data as a visible image on recording paper in response to a print command is an external device electrically connected to the reader unit 1. It has various functions to be described.

That is, the external device 3 functioning as the second image input means accommodates the telephone line 13 and the facsimile unit 4 (hereinafter referred to as "FA") to which the hard disk 12 is connected.
X "), a file unit 5, an external storage device 6 connected to the file unit 5, and a computer 14 (PC
/ WS) and a computer interface unit 7 for connecting to the LAN 15, a formatter unit 8 for converting information from the computer 14 into a visible image, storing information from the reader unit 1, and being sent from the computer 14. An image memory unit 9 for temporarily storing the stored information, a core unit 10 for controlling the above-described function processing, and the like.

Further, CONT1 is a reader control unit, CON
T2 is a printer control unit that is configured to be able to communicate with the core unit of the external device 3, and includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a sectional configuration of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 shown in FIG. The configuration and operation will be described below: In FIG.
The originals stacked on the original 1 are sequentially conveyed one by one onto the original platen glass surface 102. When the document is conveyed to a predetermined position on the glass surface 102, the lamp 103 of the scanner unit is turned on, and the scanner unit 104 moves to irradiate the document. The reflected light of the original is reflected by each of the mirrors 105, 106, 1
07, CCD image sensor 1 via lens 108
09 (hereinafter referred to as “CCD”).

The image processing section 110 performs image processing set by various operation sections. It also has an image memory and has a function of rotating the output direction of an image.

The external switching circuit of the image processing unit 110 includes a selector for switching a signal from the reader unit 1 shown in FIG. 1 to the printer unit 2 or the external device 3. A function of selecting one of the signals from the printer unit 3 and connecting to the printer unit 2 is also provided.

In an external switching circuit of the image processing unit 110, the electric signal connected to the printer unit 2 irradiates a photosensitive member (drum) 202 converted into an optical signal modulated by an exposure control unit 201. I do. Photoconductor 2 by irradiation light
The latent image formed on the image 02 is developed by the developing device 203. The transfer paper is conveyed from the transfer paper loading unit 204 or the transfer paper loading unit 205 at the same timing as the leading end of the latent image, and the developed image is transferred in the transfer unit 206. After the transferred image is fixed on the transfer paper by the fixing unit 207, the image is discharged from the paper discharge unit 208 to the outside of the apparatus. The transfer paper output from the paper discharge unit 208 is discharged to each bin of the sorter 220.

A paper presence / absence detection sensor (not shown) is provided on each bin of the sorter 220, and can detect whether or not the paper has been removed.

The sorter 220 has a buzzer 240 inside, and is configured to sound an alarm when the paper printed on the output bin of the sorter 220 is removed before the printing is completed.

Each bin is provided with an LED 250 for displaying the presence / absence of paper in the sorter 220. The LED of each bin during printing blinks, and the L of the bin for which printing has been completed is performed.
Turn on the ED. When the paper in the bin where printing is completed is removed, the LED 250 is turned off.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of an operation panel provided in the reader unit 1 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 3001 denotes a display unit;
Display operation status and messages. The display unit 300
The surface of 1 is a touch panel, and functions as a selection key by touching the surface. Numeral 3002 is a key for inputting numbers. Reference numeral 3003 denotes a start key, and the operation is started by pressing this key.

(Operation) Next, referring to the flowcharts of the respective function processing procedures (Nos. 1 to 9) shown in FIGS.
The operation of the present embodiment will be described. FIGS. 4 to 12 are flowcharts showing an example of the procedure of each function in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

First, after the power is turned on, the initialization shown in FIG. 4 is performed (step S101). Next, an operation mode selection key is displayed on the display unit 1101 of the operation panel shown in FIG. 3, and the mode is selected by touching the panel on the selection key. It is determined whether the selected mode is the copy mode (step S102). If the selected mode is the copy mode, the process proceeds to step S201 in FIG.

On the other hand, in the determination of step S102 in FIG.
If it is determined that the copy mode has not been selected,
It is determined whether the facsimile transmission mode is selected (step S103). If the facsimile transmission mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S301 shown in FIG.

On the other hand, in the determination in step S103 of FIG.
If it is determined that the FAX transmission mode has not been selected, it is determined whether the file mode has been selected (step S104).
The process moves to step S401 shown in FIG.

On the other hand, in the determination of step S104 in FIG.
If it is determined that the file mode has not been selected, it is determined whether or not the input mode from the computer interface unit 7 in FIG. 1 has been selected (step S105). ,
The process moves to step S501 shown in FIG.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S105 of FIG. 4 that the input mode is not selected, the FA
It is determined whether or not the X reception mode has been selected (step S106). If the FAX reception mode has been selected, the process proceeds to step S601 shown in FIG.

On the other hand, in the determination of step S106 in FIG.
If it is determined that the FAX reception mode has not been selected, the process returns to step S102 and the same processing is repeated.

If it is determined in step S102 shown in FIG. 4 that the copy mode has been selected, the flow shown in FIG. 5 is started, and initialization of the copy operation is first performed (step (S201) ), Read the keys input from the operation panel and set copy conditions (step S20)
2) Wait for input of start key 3003 (S20)
3). Next, when the start key 3003 (FIG. 3) is pressed, the original is read by the reader unit 1 (FIG. 1) (step S204), and printing (recording) is performed by the printer unit 2 (step S205). Then, after printing is completed, the process returns to step S101 shown in FIG. 4 for initial setting.

Further, step S103 shown in FIG.
If the FAX transmission mode has been selected in the determination of (1), the flow shown in FIG. 6 is started, first, initialization of FAX transmission is performed (step S301), and keys input from the operation panel are read. , FAX transmission conditions are set (step S302), and the start key 3003 (FIG. 3)
(Step S303).

Next, when the start key 3003 is pressed, the original is read by the reader unit 1 (step S30).
4) Send the image data to the facsimile unit 4 (FIG. 1).
The facsimile unit 4 performs facsimile transmission according to the set format and the determined protocol (step S305),
After the transmission is completed, the process returns to step S101 shown in FIG.

If it is determined in step S104 shown in FIG. 4 that the file mode has been selected, the flow shown in FIG. 7 is started, and the initialization of the file operation is first performed (step S104). S401). On the operation panel,
A mode selection of file recording or file search is displayed, and a key input from the operator is provided (step S40).
2). Next, when the recording key is selected, the recording conditions are set (step S403), the original is read from the reader unit 1 (step S404), the data is sent to the file unit 5, and the external storage device 6 of the file unit 5 is read. (Step S405).

On the other hand, if a file search key is selected in step S402, search conditions are set (step S406), and a file search is performed from the external storage device 6 in FIG. 2 (step S407). Is output. Then, after completion of file recording or file search, the process returns to step S101 shown in FIG. 4 for initialization.

Further, step S105 shown in FIG.
When the command data is input from the outside in the determination of (1), the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 is started, the command is received by the computer interface unit 7 (FIG. 1) (step S501), and the command is passed through the core unit 10. The data is sent to the formatter unit 8 for interpretation, and the information is developed on the bitmap memory (step S502). Subsequently, in the process of step S503, it is determined whether or not the printer unit 2 is operating, and the process waits for the operation to end.

When the operation is completed, an appropriate sheet is selected,
Paper feeding is started (step S504). Paper is fed from each of the paper cassettes 204 and 205 (FIG. 1) and moves to the transfer unit 206. Here, the image developed on the bitmap memory in the process of step S502 is read.
The read image information is sent to the exposure control unit 201 (FIG. 2), and performs the above-described printing process (step S505).
Subsequently, an alarm process is performed (step S506), and after printing is completed, the process returns to step S101 shown in FIG. 4 for initialization. The alarm processing will be described later.

Further, step S106 shown in FIG.
If it is determined that the fax is received, the flow shown in FIG. 9 is started, the fax is received by the facsimile unit 4 in FIG. 1 (step S601), and the printer unit 2 in FIG. Is determined (step S60).
2) If not in operation, an appropriate sheet is selected, and sheet feeding is started (step S603).

Each paper cassette 204, 20 in FIG.
5, the paper is fed and moves to the transfer unit 206. Here, the image received by fax in the process of step S601 is read. The read image information is sent to the exposure control unit 201, and performs the above-described printing process (step S604).
Subsequently, an alarm process is performed (step S605), and after printing is completed, the process returns to step S101 shown in FIG. 4 for initialization. The alarm processing will be described later.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S602 that the printer unit 2 in FIG. 1 is operating, the hard disk 1 of the facsimile unit 4 in FIG.
2 (step S606), and moves to step S603 when the printer unit 2 is not operating.

The above mode is selected by the selection key 3001 on the operation panel in FIG. 3 or the facsimile unit 4 in FIG.
Or the computer interface unit 7 detects an external command.

Some of these operations can be operated simultaneously at the same time, and some can be operated independently at the same time. The core unit 10 controls the priority setting and the like.

Next, the alarm processing described above will be described with reference to FIG.
Description will be made with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 0: First, an alarm start process is performed (step S701), and it is determined whether or not there is print data (step S702). The alarm start processing will be described later. Whether there is print data or not is determined by whether or not there is a continuation of the image information developed in the bit map memory generated in the processing in step S502 in the case of the processing flow from step S505 in FIG. judge. In the case of the processing flow from step S604 in FIG. 9, it is determined whether or not there is a continuation of the image data received by the facsimile unit 4 in the processing in step S601.

If it is determined in step S702 in FIG. 10 that print data exists, print processing is performed (step S703). This print processing (step S70)
3) In the command data input mode,
The paper feed & print of FIG. 8 is performed (steps S503, 504), and in the FAX reception mode, the paper feed & print of FIG. 9 (steps S603, 604) is performed.

After step S703 in FIG. 10, it is determined whether or not the discharged sheet has been removed (step S703).
704). The determination that the discharged paper has been removed is performed by a paper presence / absence detection sensor (not shown) provided on each bin of the sorter 220 in FIG.

If it is determined in step S704 that the discharged paper has been removed, the buzzer 240 in the sorter 220 in FIG. 2 sounds as an alarm operation (step S705). This is because all the discharged papers are discharged or the discharged papers removed are returned to the original bin, and the buzzer 240 stops sounding. Step S7
After 05, the flow returns to step S702 to determine whether there is the next print data.

If it is determined in step S702 that there is no print data, the process advances to step S706.
It is determined whether or not the discharged paper has been removed (step S
706). The determination method is the same as step S704,
If the ejected paper is removed, an alarm will be activated,
The buzzer 240 in the sorter 220 in FIG. 2 sounds (step S707). Then, it waits until the discharge of all the sheets is completed (step S708), and when the discharge of all the sheets is completed, an alarm end process is performed (step S70).
9). Then, the process returns to the previous flow.

Next, the above-described alarm start processing will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
Wait for the first sheet to be discharged (step S80)
1) When the first sheet is discharged, the LED 250 corresponding to each bin on the sorter 220 in FIG.
The LED 250 corresponding to the bin currently output is blinked (step S802).

Next, using the paper presence / absence detection sensors provided for each bin on the sorter 220 in FIG. (Step S803).

Conversely, for bins other than those scheduled to be discharged, the buzzer 240 does not sound even during printing. Then, the process returns to the previous flow.

The above-described alarm end processing will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 12. Since the discharge of all the sheets has been completed in the preceding stage, the LED shown in FIG.
250 is turned on (step S901). next,
The buzzer sounding of the buzzer 240 is stopped (step S90).
2). Then, the process returns to the previous flow.

[0051]

As described above, according to the present invention,
To solve the problem that, when printing per sheet takes a long time, such as in the case of printer output and FAX reception output, the user misunderstands that printing has been completed and carries the print paper halfway. Becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus using the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a reader unit and a printer unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of an operation panel provided in the reader unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of each function processing procedure (part 1).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of each function processing procedure (part 2 copy mode);

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of each function processing procedure (part 3 facsimile transmission mode).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of each function processing procedure (part 4 file mode).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of each function processing procedure (part 5 command data input mode).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of each function processing procedure (6FA).
X reception mode)

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of each function processing procedure (part 7 alarm processing).

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of each function processing procedure (No. 8 alarm start processing).

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of each function processing procedure (part 9: alarm termination processing);

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 reader unit 2 printer unit 3 external device unit 10 core unit 14 computer (PC / WS) 101 document feeder 104 scanner unit 109 image sensor (CCD) 110 image processing unit 202 photoconductor (drum) 203 developing unit 206 transfer unit 207 Fixing section 208 Paper discharge section 220 Sorter 240 Buzzer 250 LED 3001 Display section 3003 Start key

Claims (3)

[Claims] An image input unit for inputting an image signal; an image forming unit for forming an image on the input image sheet; a storing unit for storing a sheet discharged from the image forming unit; A discharged sheet detecting means for detecting whether or not there is a discharged sheet, an image data detecting means for determining whether or not the next image data is present in the image input means, and all the sheets based on the image data detecting means Discharge determining means for determining whether or not the sheet has been discharged, and alarm means for issuing an alarm when the sheet is removed before all the sheets are discharged using the discharge determining means and the discharged sheet detecting means. An image forming apparatus comprising: 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the alarm unit stops the alarm by returning the removed sheet to its original state. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of storage units, wherein the alarm unit does not operate when a discharge sheet other than the storage unit currently scheduled to be discharged is removed. .