JP2000203732A - Picture forming device and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To operate copying with high productivity by detecting a size of a document to make a picture formable, even in the case that the size of fixed form can not be detected due to that sheets of document are loaded in disorder on a tray and due to that sheets of document of equal size are loaded in disorder thereon. SOLUTION: This picture forming device 1 comprises an automatic document feeder 2 having a first document size detection means S1 detecting the size of a document in a condition loading it in a document loading tray 200, a second document size detection means S2 detecting the size of fed document, and a document read part 3, and a picture forming part having a transfer material feeder means. The device 1 is further provided with a control means selecting and feeding a transfer material of concerned size in the case that document size information detected in the first document size detection means S1 is a size of fixed form, detecting a size of the document in the second document size detection means S2 in the case that the information is not the size of fixed form, and performing control so as to select and feed the transfer material of concerned size.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus to which an electrophotographic method is applied, such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile, and a control method thereof. The present invention relates to a digital image forming apparatus for automatically selecting a transfer material and forming an image, and a control method therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, digital image forming apparatuses which read a document image and form an image based on the read image data have been used. In this type of image forming apparatus, a document image is read by a CCD image sensor or the like, and the read image data is temporarily stored in a memory. The image data stored in the memory is output after being subjected to image processing such as reduction, enlargement, and rotation of the image in response to a request from the user, a latent image is formed on the photoconductor, and then developed. The toner image is developed by the developer, and the toner image is transferred to a predetermined transfer material to form an image.

In order to start the image forming operation, a memory area suitable for the size of the document is set in advance, and then the image forming operation starting with reading an image and feeding a transfer material is started. Has become.

On the other hand, in order to improve the productivity in image formation, during image reading, a transfer material having a size suitable for the document size is selected from the document size information, and the feeding of the transfer material is started in advance, and the feeding is started. It is effective to wait at the position of the registration roller in the paper section. Therefore, in order to improve the productivity of the digital image forming apparatus, it is premised that the document size and the transfer material size are detected or set in advance. However, the transfer material size can be automatically selected from the document size information, and the detection of the document size is an important factor.

On the other hand, the image forming apparatus is provided with an automatic document feeder in order to eliminate the trouble of a user setting a document on a platen one by one. It can be copied easily by setting it on the tray. Further, a document mode corresponding to various types of documents is provided.For example, the same-series document mode in which an image is formed only with the same size and a fixed size document, a document of an irregular size or a document of a different size is mixed. A different-series mixed original mode in which an image is formed in a different manner is applied.

In an image forming apparatus provided with such an automatic document feeder, an image is formed by automatically detecting a document size and automatically selecting a corresponding transfer material. I have.

Various methods are known as methods for detecting the document size. The first method, which is frequently used in a conventional analog copying machine, is to place a document on it. In this method, a document is conveyed onto a platen for performing image exposure, and the size of the document is detected using an exposure light source on the platen. In the first method, since the document size is detected after the document is transported from the automatic document feeder to the platen, the time required to transport the document to the platen is required, and the time required to start image formation is required. And the copying productivity is reduced.

In the second method, the width of the document is detected by the position of the width regulating plate on the document tray, and the document is fed and the leading edge and the trailing edge are detected. ) Is detected to detect the document size. In the second method, since a sensor for detecting the document size is provided in the transport path, the document size cannot be detected unless the document is fed and fed by the entire length (length). Although the method is slightly improved as compared with the first method, it does not substantially improve. As in the first method, it requires time to convey the document, and the time required until image formation is started. And the copying productivity is reduced.

A third solution to the first and second problems.
As a method of the present invention, the present applicant has previously proposed a method capable of starting image formation immediately by detecting the length and width of a document size on a document placing tray and immediately copying with high productivity. The disadvantage of the second method has been eliminated, and the productivity of copying has been improved.

[0010]

However, as the inventors of the present invention have conducted intensive studies from the viewpoint of reliability, it has been found that the above-described document size detection has a new problem. In other words, when the user places a plurality of documents on the document placing tray, it is not always the case that all the documents are correctly placed without deviations. For this reason, if the originals are placed irregularly, the irregular originals are detected by a sensor that detects a larger original, and the vertical or horizontal length is detected to be larger than the original size. However, it becomes impossible to detect that it is a standard size. For example, in a case where the document size is detected by arranging a document detection sensor corresponding to each standard size in the document size detection, when an A4R size document is placed, the width of the A4R size document is set. Even if it can be detected as horizontal, if the length direction is detected as vertical of B4 size longer than A4R size, horizontal will be detected as A4R size and vertical will be detected as B4 size. It cannot detect that there is.

At this time, if the same-series original mode is set, the transfer material of the corresponding size cannot be selected from the transfer materials of the standard size, and the image forming operation must be stopped. Also, when the same-series original mode is set for an original of an irregular size, the image forming operation cannot be started in the same manner, and must be stopped.

On the other hand, in the case of originals of the same size in productivity of image formation, if there is original size information of the first sheet, the original sizes of the second and subsequent sheets are not detected, and the originals are regarded as having the same size. Since the size detection step and the step of automatically selecting the transfer material can be omitted and the sheet feeding operation can be started early, the productivity of image formation can be increased. However, when a different-series original mode for different types of original sizes is executed, it is necessary to detect the original size of each original and to form an image even if the originals are the same size. Cannot be fed, causing a problem that the productivity of image formation is reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problem, and it is an object of the first original size to determine that an original is irregularly placed on an original placing tray and the original size is a standard size. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image without stopping the image formation even when the detection cannot be performed by a detecting unit, and a control method thereof. Another object of the present invention is to detect a document size without stopping the image forming apparatus when it is not possible to detect that the document is of a standard size because the documents of the same size are not arranged evenly. To provide an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image by using the same and a control method thereof.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of copying with high productivity in the case where a fixed size original of the same size is placed, even when the originals are placed irregularly, as in the case where the originals are placed together. An apparatus and a control method thereof are provided.

[0014]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the present invention has the following constitution.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an original placing tray, first original size detecting means for detecting the size of the original placed on the original placing tray, and feeding and feeding the original. An automatic document feeder having a second document size detecting means for detecting the size of the paper document, a document reading section for reading a document image, and an image forming section having a transfer material feeding means In the image forming apparatus, when the document size information detected by the first document size detecting means is a standard size, a transfer material of a corresponding size is selected and fed, and the first document size detecting means is used. If the document size information detected by is not a standard size,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that detects a document size by the second document size detection unit, and controls so as to select and feed a transfer material of a corresponding size. ].

According to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, for example, since the same size originals of irregular size are placed irregularly, the first original size detecting means provided on the original placing tray detects the regular size. Even if it is not possible to detect that the original is the original, the second original size detection means detects the original size again and detects that it is a standard size, so that image formation due to erroneous detection of the original size is not stopped, Even when the originals are placed irregularly, it is possible to form images with high productivity.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a document loading tray, first document size detecting means for detecting the size of a document placed on the document loading tray, and feeding and feeding the document. An automatic document feeder having a second document size detecting means for detecting the size of the paper document, a document reading section for reading a document image, an image forming section having a transfer material feeding means, and document size information A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: control means for selecting a corresponding transfer material and performing paper feeding based on the document size information, wherein the document size information detected by the first document size detection means is fixed. If it is the size, the transfer material of the corresponding size is selected and fed, and if the document size information detected by the first document size detecting means is not the standard size, the second document size detecting means is selected. It detects much original size, method of controlling an image forming apparatus and controls to perform sheet feeding and selection of the transfer material to the appropriate size. ].

According to the control method of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, for example, the first original size detecting means provided on the original placing tray because irregularly sized originals of the same size are placed irregularly. Even if it is not possible to detect that the document is a standard size document, the second document size detecting means detects the document size again and detects the standard size, thereby stopping image formation due to erroneous detection of the document size. Therefore, it is possible to form images with high productivity even when the originals are placed irregularly.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a document loading tray, first document size detecting means for detecting the size of a document placed on the document loading tray, and feeding from the document loading tray. An automatic document feeder having a second document size detecting means for detecting the size of the paper document, a document reading section for reading a document image, an image forming section having a transfer material feeding means, and document size information A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a control unit that controls selection and feeding of a corresponding transfer material based on a document selection unit that selects a same-series document mode and a different-series document mode. An operation unit, wherein, when the same-series document mode is selected, the control unit selects and feeds a transfer material based on the document size information detected by the first document size detection unit. When the different series mode is selected, the document size is detected by the second document size detecting means for each document, and a transfer material of a corresponding size is selected and fed, and the first document size detection is performed. If the document size detected by the means is not the standard size, the mode is switched to a different-sequence document mode, and control is performed so that image formation is performed by detecting the document size by the second document size detection means. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus. 』
It is.

According to the control method of the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, even though the same-sequence original mode is selected, for example, fixed-size originals of the same size are placed irregularly. , The first provided on the document placing tray
Even when the original size detection unit cannot detect that the original is a fixed size original, the mode is automatically switched to the different series original mode, and the original size can be detected by the second original size detection unit. If the same-series original mode is selected without stopping the image formation due to the detection, it is possible to form the image even when the originals are placed irregularly.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a document loading tray, first document size detecting means for detecting the size of a document placed on the document loading tray, and feeding and feeding the document. A second document size detecting means for detecting the size of the paper document, an automatic document feeder having a document reading section for reading a document image, an image forming section having a transfer material feeding means; A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a control unit that controls selection of a corresponding transfer material and paper feeding based on the first document size detection unit. If the size is the standard size, the transfer material corresponding to the standard size is selected and fed, and if the original size detected by the first original size detecting means is not the standard size, the second original size is selected. Detecting the size of the first original by the detection means, when the first sheet original size is fixed size, without detection of the document size of the second and subsequent, 1
A control method for an image forming apparatus, characterized in that control is performed so as to feed a transfer material selected based on size information of a sheet. ].

According to the control method of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, even when the first original size detecting means provided on the original placing tray cannot detect that the original is a fixed size original, (2) By detecting the document size again by the document size detecting means, the erroneous detection of the document size is eliminated to enable image formation, and when the same-series document mode is selected, the document sizes of the second and subsequent sheets are set. By omitting detection, copying can be performed with high productivity.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus and a control method thereof according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the arrangement of sensors in a document feeding section and the arrangement state of documents, and FIG. It is. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an operation unit 80,
An automatic document feeder (ADF) 2, an original reading unit 3, an image processing unit 7, an image writing unit 4, an image forming unit 5 having a transfer material feeding unit, and a paper feeding unit 6.

The operation unit 80 is provided with switches, numeric keys, a liquid crystal touch panel, and the like, and can input desired image forming conditions such as the number of sheets, scaling, copy density, double-sided copying, transfer material size selection, and start. .

The automatic document feeder 2 includes a document tray 2
00, a document feeder 203 having a feed roller 201 and a separation roller 202, a registration sensor S5 for correcting and timing the bending of the document d fed from the document feeder 203, and a registration unit having a registration roller 210. 21
1 and a transport roller 2 for transporting to the document reading position 230
20, a transport unit 222 having a rotating roller 221, a document reading position 230, a document reversing unit 241 having a reversing roller 240, a paper discharging roller 250, a paper discharging tray 260
The document d placed on the document placing tray 200 of the document feeder 203 is sequentially conveyed to the document reading position 230 to read the document d, and discharged to the discharge tray 260.

When reading on both sides, the first
After reading the front side (front side), the original is reversed by the document reversing unit 241 and transported to the original reading position 230 again, where the second side (back side) is read and then discharged to the paper output tray 260.

Document loading tray 200 of document feeding section 203
As shown in FIG. 2A, a document detection sensor S0 including an empty sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a document d;
A first document size detection sensor S1 as first document size detection means for detecting a document size in a state where the document is placed is provided. The first document size detection sensor S1 includes a document width detection sensor S11 for detecting the width of the document in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction, and a document length detection sensor S12 for detecting the length of the document in the transport direction. It is composed of

The document width detecting sensor S11 is a regulating plate 2 for regulating and aligning documents on both sides of the document placing tray 200.
65 is provided so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the document conveying direction, and a plate 261 is provided on the regulating plate 265. A rack 262 is formed on the opposite side of the plate, and the rack 262 is provided on the pinion 264 of the rotation shaft 263. Are engaged. By moving the regulating plate 265 in the document width direction according to the width of the document d, the rotation shaft 263 is rotated via the plate 261 and the amount of rotation is used as the document width detection sensor S11.
To detect. The document width detection sensor S11 is constituted by, for example, a rotary volume. The original length detecting sensor S12 provided on the original placing tray 200 includes a plurality of original length detecting sensors S12a to S1 arranged at predetermined positions in the paper feeding direction.
2c.

In this embodiment, the original length detecting sensor S1
Three 2a to S12c are arranged. The document length detection sensors S12a to S12c are configured by, for example, limit switches and optical sensors. In this embodiment, the document width detection sensor S11 and the document length detection sensors S12a to S12c are used.
Constitute the first document size detection sensor S1, and detects the size of the document from the document width information and the document length information and uses it as control information of the image forming apparatus. A method of detecting the document size by the first document size detection sensor S1 will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2B, when only the document length detection sensor S12a is turned on, the size of the document is set to B5 or A4 based on the document width information of the document width detection sensor S11.
Is determined to be the size of The original length detection sensor S1
2a and S12b are on, the document width detection sensor S
11 to B5R or A4
It is determined whether the size is R or not. Further, the original length detecting sensor S
When 12a, S12b, and S12c are on, the size of the original is set to B based on the original width information of the original width detection sensor S11.
It is determined whether the size is 4 or A3.

As described above, the first original size detecting sensor S1
Are a document width detection sensor S11 and a document length detection sensor S1.
2a to S12c, and the original placing tray 200
Can easily and reliably detect the size of the document placed on the document. On the downstream side of the document placing tray 200, a paper feed roller 201 and a separation roller 202 are sequentially arranged. The paper feed roller 201 is normally in a standby state, moves from a standby position to a paper feed position by operation of a paper feed clutch, rotates at a predetermined timing, and feeds a document d. The separation roller 202 is arranged to face the separation pad 202a, and separates and feeds only one document d so that a plurality of documents d are not sent out.

Downstream of the document feeder 203, a drum-shaped rotary roller 221 and a transport roller 220 are arranged. Around the drum-shaped rotary roller 221, a transport roller 220 and a registration roller 210 are arranged. The document d is transported to the reading position 230. A document detection sensor S6 is provided downstream in the vicinity of the registration roller 210, and a document reading sensor and a second sensor for detecting a document size are provided.
A second document size detection sensor S serving as a document size detection unit
Also serves as 2. When the leading edge of the document d is detected by the document reading sensor including the document detection sensor S6, a document reading trigger signal is output. The leading edge of the document d is detected by the document reading sensor, and when the document d reaches the registration roller 210 after a predetermined time, the document d temporarily stops and enters a standby state. When a reading start signal is received from the control unit, conveyance of the document d is restarted, and when the document d passes the reading position 230,
The image of the document is read by the reading means.

The second document size detection sensor S2 composed of the document detection sensor S6 detects the leading edge and the trailing edge of the document d, thereby detecting the length of the document corresponding to the transport direction of the document d. Further, by arranging sensors at positions corresponding to the width of a fixed size document, the width of the document can be detected. It is preferable to use a line sensor for the second document size detection sensor S2 composed of the document detection sensor S6 because the width and length of the document can be detected.

When the document size is detected by the second document size detection sensor S2, the document is fed once until the rear end of the document passes through the second document size detection sensor S2, and then the front end is detected by the document detection sensor S6. Then, the sheet is fed back to the position of the registration roller 210 again to be in a standby state. When the reading start signal comes, the fed original is read again from the registration roller 210. The document that has been read is discharged to the discharge tray 260. In the case of a double-sided document, the document is switched back by the reversing roller 240 of the document reversing unit 241, conveyed again to the document reading position 230, scans the back surface, and then is discharged to the paper discharge tray 260.

The original reading unit 3 includes a platen glass 300 for exposing reading while moving the original, a platen glass 301 for placing the original and exposing for reading, a light source 302, mirrors 303, 304, and 305;
It comprises an imaging optical system 306, an image sensor 307 composed of a CCD, and an optical drive system. In the document reading section 3, light is emitted from a light source 302 composed of a xenon lamp to a document d on the platen glasses 300, 301, and the reflected light is guided to mirrors 303, 304, 305 and passes through an imaging optical system 306 to a CCD. The image is captured by the image sensor 307.

As a result, an image of the document d is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD image sensor 307. Here, platen glass 3
When an original is placed on the original 01, the optical drive system scans the original along the platen glass 301, thereby
An image is read by the image sensor 307. When the original is automatically fed by the automatic document feeder 2, the light source 302 and the mirrors 303 and 3 are provided below the platen glass 300.
Images are read by the CCD image sensor 307 while the original is being conveyed in a state where 04 and 305 are fixed. The image data read by the document reading unit 3 is stored in the storage unit 8 after predetermined image processing is performed by the image processing unit 7.

The paper feeding section 6 has paper feeding trays 41A to 41D.
Are provided, and transfer materials P of various sizes are stored in the paper feed trays 41A to 41D. A transfer material having a size automatically selected based on the information from the first or second document size detection sensors S1 and S2 is fed out from one of the paper feed trays 41A to 41D and fed to the image forming unit 5.

The image forming section 5 starts an image recording operation when an image signal is input to the image writing section 4. That is,
The photoconductor drum 31 rotates clockwise as indicated by the arrow, and after being neutralized, is given a charge by the charger 32. Therefore, the original d is placed on the photoconductor drum 31 by the laser beam by the image writing unit 4. The electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image is formed. Thereafter, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 31 is subjected to reversal development by the developer of the developing device 33 to become a visible toner image.

On the other hand, from the paper feed cassettes 41A to 41D loaded in the paper feed unit 6, one transfer material P of the size automatically selected based on the information from the first or second original size detection sensors S1 and S2 is obtained. The image is transferred by the discharge rollers 42 </ b> A to 42 </ b> D, and transferred to the image transfer unit 3 via the discharge roller 43.
Feed paper toward 4. The fed transfer material P is sent out onto the photosensitive drum 31 by a registration roller 44 that operates in synchronization with the toner image on the photosensitive drum 31. The toner image on the photosensitive drum 31 is transferred to the transfer material P by the operation of the transfer device 34, separated from the photosensitive drum 31, and then passed through the transport belt 45 to the fixing device 37.
After being fused and fixed, the sheet is discharged by a discharge roller 38 to a tray 54 outside the apparatus.

The photosensitive drum 31 further continues to rotate, and the toner remaining on the surface thereof without being transferred is removed and cleaned by a cleaning device 39, and after the charge is removed again, the charge is applied by the charger 32 in a simple manner. Then, the next image forming process is started.

The sheet feeding section 6 is provided with a reversing section 46, and the fixed transfer material P is conveyed downward via a guide 47 and enters the reversing section 46. Next, the transfer material P contained in the reversing section 46 is fed out again by the reversing roller 48 and sent to the image forming section 5 again via the reversing conveyance path 49, where the next image is formed.

Next, the control of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the control. On the touch panel display of the operation unit 80, a document mode selection unit 80a for selecting a document mode corresponding to the type of the document is arranged. In the original mode, the same-series original mode and a different-series original mode can be selected. In a standard state immediately after the power is turned on, the same-series original mode is set. The user can set the document mode by selecting from the touch panel. That is, there are a same-series original mode for only originals of the same size and a different-series mixed original mode for multiple mixed originals of different sizes.

At the start of the image forming operation, the original mode is determined, and the image is formed in the original mode selected by the operation unit 80. When the same-series original mode is selected, the first original size detection sensor S1 provided on the original placing tray 200 of the automatic original feeder 2
The document size is detected, and a memory area is secured, and a transfer material and a paper feed tray are selected according to the document size according to the document size information. When the same-series mode is set, since the sizes of all originals are the same, original size detection is not performed for the second and subsequent originals, and the same as the original original size is performed. As a result, the same automatic selection of the transfer material as that of the first sheet and the securing of the memory area are performed, and image formation is continuously performed (high productivity mode). As described above, by continuously performing image formation while omitting the detection of the document size of the second and subsequent sheets, it is preferable in that the image formation time can be reduced and high productivity can be obtained.

On the other hand, in the different-series mixed original mode, since originals of different sizes are targeted, the original size of a plurality of originals is detected, and the transfer material is automatically set for each original in accordance with this detection information. I have to choose. For this reason, the first original size detection sensor S1 for detecting the original size in the placed state cannot detect the original size for each sheet, and the second original size detection sensor S2 for detecting the original size for each sheet. Detect document size. The second document size detection sensor S2 is provided in the conveyance path of the automatic document feeder 2, and detects the size of the document while the document is being fed and conveyed for each sheet. The originals d placed on the original placing tray 200 of the automatic original feeder 2 are automatically fed one by one sequentially from the topmost original, and the image is read by the reading unit, and then the original is placed on the output tray 260. Is discharged downward. The control unit 20 constituting the control means includes a document detection sensor S0, a document width detection sensor S11 constituting the first document size detection sensor S1, three document length detection sensors S12 (S12a to S12c), a separation sensor S
4, detection information from registration sensor S5, document detection sensor S6 (second document size detection sensor S2), reversing sensor S7, and ejection sensor S8, document mode selection means 80a of operation unit 80, image density, image forming conditions Setting means 80
b and the setting information from the transfer material number setting means 80c and the transfer material size selecting means 80d. The original mode selection means 80a is composed of a button for setting the same-series or different-series original mode. In an initial state immediately after turning on the power, the same-series original mode is automatically set, and each time the button is pressed, Switching is performed so that one of the above two modes can be selected.

Based on the sensor information and the setting information, the control unit 20 controls the sheet feeding clutch 332, the registration clutch 340, the DC motor M1 and the pulse motor M2,
The solenoid SOL2 and a transfer material selecting means to be described later are controlled. The DC motor M1 drives the rotating roller 221, the sheet feeding roller 201, and the separation roller 202, and also drives the reversing roller 240. The pulse motor M2 includes a registration roller 210, a conveyance roller 220, and a discharge roller 25.
Drive 0. Further, the DC solenoid SOL2 releases the pressing of the reversing roller 240 for a predetermined time.

Next, the procedure of copying by automatic document size detection in the image forming apparatus having the automatic document feeder 2 configured as described above will be described with reference to the first flowchart of FIG. First, the user uses the operation unit 80 to set a document mode, image forming conditions, the number of copies, and the like as necessary. Next, when a document is stacked on the document placing tray 200, the document detection sensor S composed of an empty sensor is used.
0 indicates that a document is present, the size is detected by the first document size detection sensor S1, and document size information is recorded in a predetermined memory area. By pressing the copy start button, a series of copy operations is started.

In FIG. 4, first, in step a1, when a document is placed on the document placing tray 200, the presence of the document is detected by the document detection sensor S0. The document size is detected by the detection sensor S1, and it is determined in step a3 whether the document size is the standard size. If it is determined that the size is the standard size, when the copy lead is turned on in step a4, the process proceeds to step a5, where a transfer material having a size matching the document size and a stored paper feed tray are selected and set. .

In the case where a standard size original is placed and copied, if it is determined that the original is a standard size original, the size of the second and subsequent originals is the same as the size of the first original. Therefore, a high productivity mode in which a subsequent copy operation is performed on a transfer material having the same size as the transfer material selected by the first document size information without detecting the size of the second and subsequent documents is performed. Preferably, step a
At 6, the high productivity mode is set.

Next, in step a7, an image is formed. In step a8, it is determined whether or not the next original exists. If there is the next original, the image formation is repeated, and it is detected that there is no more original. Then, it ends.

If it is determined in step a3 that the document is not of the standard size, the process proceeds to step a9. When the copy button is turned on, the document is fed in step a10. In step S12, the size of the original is detected. In step a12, a determination is made as to whether or not the size is the standard size. If the size is the standard size, the process proceeds to step a5, where the transfer material having the size corresponding to the original size is stored and stored. The selected paper feed tray is set, and the operation from step a6 to step a8 is performed.

At step a13, if the size is not the standard size, a size larger than the image of the document or a maximum mounted transfer material and paper feed tray are selected and set. Then, image formation is executed in step a14, and it is determined in step a15 whether or not the next original exists.
If there is a next original, image formation is repeated, and when it is detected that there are no more originals, the process ends.

As described above, for example, the fixed size originals of the same size are irregularly placed, so that the original placing tray 20
Even if the first original size detection sensor S1 provided at 0 cannot detect that the original is a standard size original, the second original size detection sensor S2 detects the original size again and detects that the original is the standard size. As a result, image formation due to erroneous detection of the document size is not stopped, and it is possible to form images with high productivity even when documents are placed irregularly.

FIG. 5 is a second flowchart. First, in step b1, when a document is placed on the document placing tray 200, the presence of the document is detected by the document detection sensor S0, and the next step b2 is performed. Proceed to. In step b2, the document mode is determined. If the same-series original mode is selected, the same-series mode is set in step b3, and the process proceeds to the next step b4.

If the different series mode is selected in step b2, the different series mode is set in step b11, and the different series mode from step b12 is executed.

In step b4, the document size is detected by the first document size detection sensor S1, and it is determined in step b5 whether the document size is the standard size. If it is determined that the size is the standard size, when the copy lead is turned on in step b6, the process proceeds to step b7, where a transfer material having a size matching the document size and a stored paper feed tray are selected and set. . If it is determined in step b5 that the size is not the fixed size, the process proceeds to step b11.

After step b5, copying may be started immediately. Normally, when the user selects the same-series original mode, a standard-size original is placed and copied, so the same-series original mode is selected and it turns out that the original is a standard-size original Then, since the size of the second and subsequent documents is the same as the size of the first document, the size of the transfer material selected by the first document size information without detecting the size of the second and subsequent documents is detected. It is preferable to set the high productivity mode in step b8 so as to execute the high productivity mode in which the subsequent copying operation is performed on the transfer material.

Next, image formation in step b9 is executed,
At step b10, it is determined whether or not there is a next document. If there is a next document, image formation is repeated.

If it is determined in step b5 that the document is not a fixed-size original, the flow advances to step b11 to set a different series mode. Next, in step b12, when the copy button ON is detected, the flow proceeds to step b13. A document feeding operation is performed, and the second document size detection sensor S2 of step b14 is performed.
The document size is detected, and the process proceeds to step b15.
Select and set a transfer material and paper feed tray of a size matching the document size. Thereafter, execution of image formation in step b16 and presence / absence of the next document in step b17 are determined, and the process ends when image formation is performed on all documents.

In spite of the fact that the same-series original mode is selected in this way, for example, originals of the same size and of a fixed size are irregularly placed, so that the first original size detection sensor S1 provided on the original placing tray is provided. Automatically switches to the different-sequence document mode even if it is not possible to detect that the document is a fixed-size document.
2, the document size can be detected. If the same-sequence document mode is selected without stopping image formation due to erroneous detection of the document size, the image formation can be performed even when the documents are placed irregularly. Can be possible.

FIG. 6 is a third flowchart. In this embodiment, the operations from step c1 to step c10 are configured in the same manner as in the embodiment of FIG. If it is determined that it is not the case, the process proceeds to step c12, and in step c12,
When the copy button ON is detected, the document feeding operation of step c13 is performed, the document size is detected by the second document size detection sensor S2 of step c14, the process proceeds to step c15, and the same series mode is set. And step c
The process proceeds to 16 to determine whether the document is of a standard size,
If the size is the standard size, the process proceeds to step c7, and the above-described steps are executed thereafter. If the original is not a fixed size original, the process proceeds to step c17, and a transfer material and a paper feed tray having a size larger than the original image or matching the maximum original size are selected. set. Thereafter, execution of image formation in step c18 and presence / absence of the next original in step c19 are determined, and the process ends when image formation is performed on all originals.

If the same-series mode has not been set in step c15, the flow shifts to step c17, and thereafter, when steps c18 and c19 are executed and all the originals have been subjected to image formation, the processing ends.

As described above, even when the first original size detection sensor S1 provided on the original tray 200 cannot detect that the original is a fixed size original, the second original size detection sensor S2 detects the original size again. This eliminates erroneous detection of the original size and enables image formation, and when the same-series original mode is selected, eliminates the detection of the original size of the second and subsequent pages to copy with high productivity. it can.

[0064]

As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, for example, because originals of the same size in a fixed size are irregularly placed, the first original size detection provided on the original placing tray is performed. Even if it is not possible to detect that the document is a fixed size document by the means, the second document size detecting means detects the document size again and detects that the document is the fixed size, so that image formation due to erroneous detection of the document size can be performed. It is possible to form a highly productive image even when an original is placed irregularly without stopping.

In the control method of an image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, for example, since the same size originals of irregular size are placed irregularly, the first original size detecting means provided on the original placing tray detects the regular size. Even if it is not possible to detect that the original is the original, the second original size detection means detects the original size again and detects that it is a standard size, so that image formation due to erroneous detection of the original size is not stopped, Even when the originals are placed irregularly, it is possible to form images with high productivity.

In the control method of the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, even though the same-series original mode is selected, for example, originals of the same size in a fixed size are irregularly placed. Even if the first document size detecting means provided on the tray does not detect that the document is a fixed-size document, the mode is automatically switched to the different-sequence document mode, and the document size is detected by the second document size detecting means. If the same-series original mode is selected without causing stoppage of image formation due to erroneous detection of the original size, image formation can be performed even when the originals are placed irregularly.

According to the control method of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, even if the first original size detecting means provided on the original placing tray cannot detect that the original is a fixed size original, the second original size can be detected. Detecting the document size again by the detection means eliminates erroneous detection of the document size, enables image formation, and omits the detection of the second and subsequent document sizes when the same-series document mode is selected. By doing so, copying can be performed with high productivity.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of sensors in an original feeding unit and an arrangement state of an original.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a first flowchart showing a procedure of copying by automatic document size detection.

FIG. 5 is a second flowchart showing a procedure of copying by automatic document size detection.

FIG. 6 is a third flowchart showing a procedure of copying by automatic document size detection.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Automatic document feeder 3 Document reading section 200 Document loading tray S1 First document size detecting means (sensor) S2 Second document size detecting means (sensor)

Claims (4)

[Claims] An original placing tray, first original size detecting means for detecting the size of the original placed on the original placing tray, and a size of the original fed by feeding the original; An image forming apparatus comprising: an automatic document feeder having a second document size detecting means for detecting an original, a document reading section for reading a document image, and an image forming section having a transfer material feeding means; If the document size information detected by the first document size detection means is a standard size, a transfer material of a corresponding size is selected and fed, and the document size information detected by the first document size detection means is selected. If the document size is not the standard size, control means for detecting the document size by the second document size detecting means, and selecting and transferring the transfer material of the corresponding size is provided. Image forming apparatus. 2. A document placing tray, first document size detecting means for detecting a size of a document placed on the document placing tray, and a size of the document fed by feeding the document. An automatic document feeder having a document reading unit for reading a document image; an image forming unit having a transfer material feeding unit; and an image forming unit having a transfer material feeding unit. A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a control unit that controls selection and paper feeding, wherein the document size information detected by the first document size detection unit is a standard size. When the original size information detected by the first original size detecting means is not the standard size, the original size is detected by the second original size detecting means. Method of controlling an image forming apparatus and controls the selection of the transfer material of the appropriate size to perform sheet feeding. 3. A document placing tray, first document size detecting means for detecting a size of a document placed on the document placing tray, and a size of the document fed from the document placing tray. An automatic document feeder having a document reading unit for reading a document image; an image forming unit having a transfer material feeding unit; and an image forming unit having a transfer material feeding unit. A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a control unit that controls selection and paper feeding, wherein the operation unit includes a document mode selection unit that selects a same-series document mode and a different-series document mode. ,
When the same-sequence document mode is selected, the control unit selects and feeds a transfer material based on document size information detected by the first document size detection unit,
When the different series mode is selected, the document size is detected by the second document size detecting means for each document, and a transfer material of a corresponding size is selected and fed, and the first document size detection is performed. If the document size detected by the means is not the standard size, the mode is switched to a different-sequence document mode, and control is performed so that image formation is performed by detecting the document size by the second document size detection means. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus. 4. A document placing tray, first document size detecting means for detecting a size of a document placed on the document placing tray, and a size of the document fed by feeding the document. An automatic document feeder having a document reading unit for reading a document image,
A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: an image forming unit having a transfer material feeding unit; and a control unit configured to control selection and feeding of a corresponding transfer material based on document size information. When the original size detected by the first original size detecting unit is a standard size, the control unit selects and feeds a transfer material corresponding to the standard size and detects the original by the first original size detecting unit. If the original size is not the standard size, the size of the first original is detected by the second original size detecting means. If the first original size is the standard size, the second and subsequent original sizes are detected. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: performing control so as to feed a transfer material selected based on first document size information without detecting a size.