JP2001117426A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of suppressing the occurrence of jamming on a discharge route. SOLUTION: Corresponding to the class of an image, the destination to discharge a recording medium such as recording paper is set to an upper first discharge tray 15a or lower second discharge tray 15b. When the destination to discharge a copy is set to the upper first discharge tray 15a and the recording medium is an OHP (overhead projector) sheet, the OHP sheet on which the image is recorded, is discharged into the lower second discharge tray 15b. Thus, even when the destination to discharge the copy is set to the upper first discharge tray 15a, the OHP sheet is discharged into the lower second discharge tray 15b. As a result, the OHP sheet is not discharged into the first discharge tray 15a through the long discharge route of a great curvature but is discharged into the lower second discharge tray 15b. The occurrence of jamming of the OHP sheet on the discharge route therefore can be suppressed.

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 such as a facsimile apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus capable of setting a discharge destination of a recording medium (eg, recording paper) on which an image is recorded. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent image forming apparatuses, a method of recording an image on a recording sheet by using an electrophotographic method is frequently used. In such an image forming apparatus, when a start key is pressed after a document is placed on the document table of the reading unit, the document is read, and the read image is printed on a recording sheet conveyed from a recording sheet cassette. Be recorded.

Incidentally, recording media typified by recording paper and the like include, in addition to recording paper, special recording media such as cardboard, postcards (including reciprocating postcards), and OHP sheets. For this reason, some apparatuses have a thick paper mode, a postcard mode, and an OHP mode in addition to the normal copy mode according to each recording medium. That is, in such an apparatus, the transfer voltage of the transfer unit is controlled in accordance with each mode, and the fixing temperature of the heating and fixing unit is controlled, so that the optimal transfer voltage and fixing temperature in each mode are controlled. Will be

[0004] On the other hand, there is an apparatus provided with a plurality of discharge trays, which can arbitrarily set a discharge tray according to received image data or a recording medium.

[0005]

However, in an apparatus having a plurality of discharge trays, the discharge path from the read image is recorded on the recording medium to the discharge tray may be different. That is, for example, when the discharge trays are arranged in upper and lower two stages, usually, one of the upper or lower discharge trays has a longer discharge path,
Moreover, the curvature of the discharge path is large. Here, assuming that an image is to be recorded on an OHP sheet as a recording medium, the read image is converted to an OHP sheet by a transfer voltage from a transfer device.
It is transferred onto a sheet. Thereafter, the image is heated from the heat fixing device to fix the image on the OHP sheet. At this time,
The HP sheet is slightly deformed by its own material. As a result, when the copy discharge tray is set to a discharge tray that has a long discharge path and must pass through a discharge path with a large curvature, an OHP sheet jam may occur in the discharge path.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing occurrence of a jam in a discharge path.

[0007]

To achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control means for setting a plurality of discharge trays and a discharge tray of a discharge destination in advance in accordance with the type of image. In the image forming apparatus provided with, the control means, in the case of a special recording medium, regardless of the setting,
A special recording medium is discharged to a specific discharge tray.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, there is provided an instructing unit for instructing that the recording medium is a special recording medium, and the control unit is configured to perform control based on the instruction from the instructing unit. Is determined to be recording on a special recording medium.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the image forming apparatus further includes a notifying unit for notifying that the sheet is to be discharged to a discharge tray different from the setting. When the paper is discharged to a discharge tray different from the above setting, a notification to that effect is given to the notification means.

In the embodiments of the invention described below, the "image forming apparatus" described in the claims or the means for solving the problems corresponds to the facsimile apparatus 1, and the "discharge tray" similarly corresponds to the first embodiment. The "control means" corresponds to the MPU 11, the ROM 12 and the RAM 13, the "instruction means" corresponds to the mode key 16e, and the "notification means" at least displays. It corresponds to the unit 17 or the sounding unit 24.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is embodied in a facsimile machine will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, a facsimile machine 1
Are MPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, reading unit 1
4, a recording unit 15, an operation unit 16, a display unit 17, an image memory 18, a codec 19, a modem 20, an NCU 21, and an interface 22;
To 22 are respectively connected via a bus 23.

The MPU 11 controls each part of the facsimile machine 1. The ROM 12 stores a program for controlling the facsimile machine 1. RAM 13
Temporarily stores various information on the facsimile machine 1.

The reading unit 14 reads image data on a document and outputs black and white binary image data. The reading unit 14 includes a document sensor 14a for detecting a document.

The recording unit 15 is composed of an electrophotographic printer, and performs a reading unit 1 for receiving image data and copying operation.
The image data of the original read at 4 is recorded on a recording paper. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the recording unit 15
A first discharge tray 15a disposed below the reading unit 14 and disposed in an upper stage, and a second discharge tray 15b disposed in a lower stage
And In the present embodiment, the first discharge tray 15a provided in the upper stage has a longer discharge path and a larger curvature of the discharge path than the second discharge tray 15b provided in the lower stage.

The operation unit 16 includes ten-keys (including * and # keys) 16a for inputting telephone numbers, fax numbers, and the like.
The abbreviated key 16b for registering the abbreviated number or inputting a telephone number or a facsimile number from the abbreviated number, the start key 16c for starting the original reading operation, and
AX) "or communication / copy key 16d for setting to" copy "mode.
Various operation keys such as a mode key 16e for setting a cardboard mode, a postcard mode, and an OHP mode are provided.

A display section 17 such as an LCD displays various information such as the operation state of the facsimile machine 1. The image memory 18 temporarily stores received image data and image data read by the reading unit 14. The codec 19 transmits the image data read by the reading unit 14 to M
Encoding is performed by the H, MR, MMR method or the like. The codec 19 decodes the received image data.

The modem 20 conforms to ITU-T Recommendation T.30. 30 based on a facsimile transmission control procedure according to V.30. 1
7, V. 27ter, V.A. Modulation and demodulation of transmission / reception data according to 29 or the like are performed. The NCU 21 has a function of controlling connection with the telephone line L and detecting transmission and reception of a dial signal corresponding to a fax number of the other party.

The interface 22 controls between the MPU 11 and the personal computer 2. That is, the interface 22 includes a GDI (Graphics Device Interface) function for printing a bit image on an application as it is without using a specific printer language, and a GUI for performing printing operations from the screen of the personal computer 2.
(Graphical User Interface) function, etc., and outputs a detection signal indicating that image data has been transmitted from the personal computer 2 to M
It has a function of transmitting image data transmitted from the personal computer 2 to the recording unit 15 while transmitting the image data to the PU 11.

Next, copy, received image data, personal computer 2
According to the image data sent from the printer, that is, the type of the image, the discharge destination of the recording medium such as the recording paper, the OHP sheet,
The operation when setting the first discharge tray 15a or the second discharge tray 15b will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This operation is executed under the control of the MPU 11 based on a program stored in the ROM 12. Hereinafter, the operation of the facsimile machine 1 is the same.

When a predetermined key is depressed to set a discharge tray setting mode, a message for setting a discharge destination of the copied recording medium is displayed on the display unit 17 in step S1. Then, based on this message, the user sets the discharge destination of the copied recording medium to, for example, the first discharge tray 15a.

In step S2, the destination of the copied recording medium is stored in the RAM 13. Step S
In 3, a message for setting the discharge destination of the recording medium on which the received image data is recorded is displayed on the display unit 17. At this time, the discharge destination of the copied recording medium set previously is displayed on the display unit 17. Then, based on these messages, the user sets the discharge destination of the recording medium on which the received image data is recorded, for example, in the second discharge tray 15b.

In step S4, the destination of the received image data is stored in the RAM 13. In step S5, a message for setting the discharge destination of the recording medium on which the image data sent from the personal computer 2 is recorded is displayed on the display unit 17. At this time, the display unit 17 displays the previously set destination of the copied recording medium and the destination of the recording medium on which the received image data is recorded. Based on these messages, the destination of the recording medium on which the image data sent from the personal computer 2 has been recorded by the user is, for example, the second discharge tray 15b.
Is set to

In step S6, the destination of the recording medium on which the image data sent from the personal computer 2 is recorded is stored in the RAM 13. Next, the image is recorded on recording paper, OH
Regarding the operation when recording on a recording medium such as a P sheet,
This will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

In step S11 shown in FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not a copy is made. Specifically, the determination is made based on the pressing of the communication / copy key 16d and the detection signal from the document sensor 14a. If it is a copy, the process moves to step S12. On the other hand, if it is not a copy,
The process moves to step S21 shown in FIG.

In step S12, it is determined whether the OHP mode has been set. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the OHP mode is set based on the pressing of the mode key 16e. If the OHP mode has been set, the process proceeds to step S13. On the other hand, O
If the HP mode has not been set, step S18
Move to

In step S13, it is determined whether the destination of the copied recording medium is set to the first discharge tray 15a. Specifically, the determination is made based on the settings stored in the RAM 13. Then, the discharge destination of the copied recording medium is the first discharge tray 15a.
If it is set to, the process proceeds to step S14.
On the other hand, if the destination of the copied recording medium is not set to the first discharge tray 15a, that is, if it is set to the second discharge tray 15b, the process proceeds to step S18.

In step S14, a message indicating that the OHP sheet is to be discharged to the second discharge tray 15b is displayed on the display unit 17. Specifically, for example, "OHP
The sheet cannot be discharged to the first discharge tray 15a. Discharge to the second discharge tray 15b. Is displayed on the display unit 17.

In step S15, it is determined whether the start key 16c has been pressed. If the start key 16c has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S16. On the other hand, if the start key 16c is not pressed,
It returns to step S14. As a result, the message continues to be displayed on the display unit 17.

In step S16, after the reading section 14 reads the original, the read image data is
Recorded on the HP sheet. Then, the recorded OHP sheet is discharged to the second discharge tray 15b.

In step S17, the message displayed on display unit 17 is deleted. Step S1
At 8, the user waits for the start key 16c to be pressed.

In step S19, after the original is read by the reading unit 14, the read image data is
For example, it is recorded on recording paper. Then, the recorded recording paper is discharged to the first discharge tray 15a.

In step S21 shown in FIG. 5, it is determined whether or not the received image data is recorded. Specifically, it is determined based on the detection signal from the NCU 21 whether or not image data has been received. If the received image data is recorded, the process proceeds to step S22. On the other hand, if the received image data is not recorded, step S25
Move to

In step S22, the discharge destination of the recording medium on which the received image data is recorded is the first discharge tray 15a.
Is determined. Specifically, R
The determination is made based on the settings stored in the AM 13.
If the destination of the recording medium on which the received image data is recorded is set to the first discharge tray 15a, the process proceeds to step S23. On the other hand, if the discharge destination of the recording medium on which the received image data is recorded is not set to the first discharge tray 15a, that is, if it is set to the second discharge tray 15b, the process proceeds to step S24.

In step S23, the received image data is recorded on recording paper. Then, the recorded recording paper is discharged to the first discharge tray 15a. In step S24, the received image data is recorded on recording paper. And
The recorded recording paper is discharged to the second discharge tray 15b.

In step S25, it is determined whether or not the image data transmitted from the personal computer 2 is recorded. Specifically, the determination is made based on a detection signal from the interface 22. If the image data is transmitted from the personal computer 2, the process proceeds to step S2.
Move to 6. On the other hand, if the image data sent from the personal computer 2 is not recorded, the process is terminated.

In step S26, it is determined whether or not the discharge destination of the recording medium on which the image data sent from the personal computer 2 is recorded is set to the first discharge tray 15a. Specifically, the determination is made based on the settings stored in the RAM 13. If the destination of the recording medium on which the image data sent from the personal computer 2 is recorded is set to the first discharge tray 15a, the process proceeds to step S27. On the other hand, if the discharge destination of the recording medium on which the image data sent from the personal computer 2 is recorded is not set to the first discharge tray 15a, that is, if the discharge destination is set to the second discharge tray 15b, the process proceeds to step S28. Transition.

In step S27, the image data sent from the personal computer 2 is recorded on recording paper. Then, the recorded recording paper is discharged to the first discharge tray 15a.

In step S28, the image data sent from the personal computer 2 is recorded on recording paper. Then, the recorded recording paper is discharged to the second discharge tray 15b.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following operations and effects can be obtained. (1) Depending on the type of image, ie, copy and received image data and image data sent from the personal computer 2, the discharge destination of the recording medium such as recording paper is the first discharge tray 15a provided in the upper row or the lower discharge tray 15a. Is set to the second discharge tray 15b disposed in the second tray. When the copy discharge destination is set to the upper first discharge tray 15a and the recording medium is an OHP sheet, the lower second discharge tray 15b is set.
Then, the OHP sheet on which the image is recorded is discharged. For this reason, the copy discharge destination is the upper first discharge tray 15a.
, The OHP sheet is discharged to the lower second discharge tray 15b. As a result, the OHP sheet is discharged to the lower second discharge tray 15b without being discharged to the first discharge tray 15a passing through a long discharge path having a large curvature. Therefore, it is possible to suppress occurrence of a jam of the OHP sheet in the discharge path.

(2) Based on the depression of the mode key 16e, it is set that the recording medium is an OHP sheet. For this reason, the facsimile machine 1 can reliably determine whether it is a normal recording sheet or a special recording medium. As a result, it is possible to optimally control the transfer voltage of the transfer unit and the fixing temperature of the heat fixing unit. Therefore, even if the recording medium is a special recording medium such as an OHP sheet, an image can be reliably recorded. In addition, even if the recording medium is a special recording medium, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a jam in the discharge path.

(3) When the copy discharge destination is set to the upper first discharge tray 15a and the recording medium is the OHP sheet, the OHP sheet on which the image is recorded is the lower second tray. A message indicating that the sheet is to be discharged to the discharge tray 15b is displayed on the display unit 17. Then, the OHP sheet on which the image is recorded is discharged to the lower second discharge tray 15b. Therefore, the user can recognize that the OHP sheet is discharged to the lower second discharge tray 15b instead of the upper first discharge tray 15a that is discharged during normal copying.

(4) The copy discharge destination can be set to the upper first discharge tray 15a or the lower second discharge tray 15b. Therefore, in the case of a special recording medium such as an OHP sheet, it is necessary to make the user confirm that the recording medium is discharged to the lower second discharge tray 15b regardless of the discharge destination setting. Therefore, as shown in step S15 in FIG. 4, until the start key 16c is pressed.
The message that the OHP sheet recorded on the lower second discharge tray 15b is discharged is displayed on the display unit 17. Therefore, the user can be surely watched the message.

(5) In addition, when the facsimile machine 1 is installed, the discharge destination is set.
Is performed by an administrator or the like. However, an unspecified user uses the facsimile machine 1. For this reason, the copy discharge destination is the upper first discharge tray 15a.
, And when the recording medium is an OHP sheet, the lower second discharge tray 1
A message to the effect that the OHP sheet having the image recorded in 5b is discharged is displayed on the display unit 17. Therefore, even an unspecified user can surely watch the message.

(6) As shown in FIG. 2, the recording unit 15
It has a first discharge tray 15a disposed in an upper stage and a second discharge tray 15b disposed in a lower stage. Moreover, the reading unit 14 is disposed above the recording unit 15. For this reason, the lower second discharge tray 15b is in the upper first discharge tray 15b.
It is easier to visually recognize than the discharge tray 15a. In addition, the first discharge tray 15a disposed in the upper stage has a longer discharge path and a larger curvature of the discharge path than the second discharge tray 15b disposed in the lower stage. For this reason, when the recording medium is an OHP sheet, the recording medium is not discharged to the first discharge tray 15a passing through a long and large curvature discharge path, but to the lower second discharge tray 15b. Therefore, it is possible to provide the facsimile machine 1 that can suppress occurrence of a jam of the OHP sheet in the discharge path and easily recognize the discharge of the special recording medium.

The above embodiment can be embodied with the following modifications. -In the above embodiment,
Although the case where an image is recorded on an OHP sheet as a recording medium has been described, the present invention may be applied to a case where an image is recorded on cardboard or a postcard as a recording medium. In other words, in the case of cardboard or postcards, since the cardboard is thicker than the recording paper, the discharge path is set to be a long discharge path and a discharge tray that must go through a discharge path with a large curvature. Jams may occur in the discharge path. Therefore, if the present invention is applied to a case where the recording medium is a cardboard or a postcard, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a jam in the discharge path.

In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the image read by the reading unit 14 is recorded on an OHP sheet.
The above-described embodiment may be applied to a case where image data sent from the personal computer 2 is recorded on an OHP sheet.

A sensor or the like for judging that the recording medium is a special recording medium is provided, for example, in a recording paper cassette that stores recording paper, and automatically judges in advance that the recording medium is a special recording medium. You may do it. With this configuration, the recording medium on which the image is recorded is automatically discharged to the first discharge tray 15a or the second discharge tray 15b without pressing the mode key 16e according to the special recording medium. Can be. As a result, the mode key 16e can be omitted.

When the copy discharge destination is set to the upper first discharge tray 15a and the recording medium is O
In the case of an HP sheet, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1, instead of displaying a message on the display unit 17 indicating that the OHP sheet having an image recorded on the lower second discharge tray 15b is to be discharged. Sounding unit 2 that sounds a voice message
4 and the copy output destination is the upper first output tray 1
5a and the recording medium is OHP
In the case of a sheet, the sound unit 24 may sound a voice message indicating that the OHP sheet on which the image is recorded is discharged to the lower second discharge tray 15b.

In addition, the copy output destination is the first
When the recording medium is an OHP sheet, the lower second discharge tray 1 is set to the discharge tray 15a.
A configuration may be adopted in which both the display of a message indicating that the OHP sheet having the image recorded in 5b is discharged and the voice message are executed.

The special recording medium is all other than the standard recording paper. Specifically, it refers to a recording medium having different materials, thicknesses, and lengths. That is, the material of the recording medium is different, such as an OHP sheet. The material having a different thickness is thick paper or a postcard. The material having a different length is legal-size recording paper (216 mm × 35 mm).
6 [mm]), F4 size recording paper (210 [mm] ×
330 [mm]).

Further, technical ideas other than the claims grasped from the above embodiment will be described below together with their effects. [1] The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the notification means is a display means for displaying a message.

With this configuration, it is possible to recognize that the sheet is discharged to the discharge tray different from the setting, based on the message displayed on the display means. [2] The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising detecting means for detecting that the recording medium is a special recording medium, wherein the control means, when the detecting means detects that the recording medium is a special recording medium, An image forming apparatus that discharges a special recording medium to a specific discharge tray regardless of the setting.

With this configuration, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a jam in the discharge path based on the recording medium.

[0055]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects. According to the first aspect of the invention, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a jam in the discharge path.

According to the invention described in claim 2, according to claim 1
In addition to the effects of the invention described in (1), an image can be reliably recorded even with a special recording medium. According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first or second aspect of the present invention, it is recognized that the paper is discharged to a discharge tray different from the setting, based on the notification means. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the facsimile machine.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation for setting a discharge destination of a recording medium according to a type of an image.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation when an image is recorded on a recording medium.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation when an image is recorded on a recording medium.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Facsimile machine as an image forming apparatus, 11 ... MPU which comprises a control means, 12 ... R which comprises a control means
OM, 13 RAM constituting control means, 15a first discharge tray as discharge tray, 15b second discharge tray as discharge tray, 16e mode key as instruction means, 17 display unit as notification means , 24... A sounding unit as a notification means.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of discharge trays; and a control unit for setting a discharge tray as a discharge destination in advance in accordance with a type of an image. An image forming apparatus that discharges a special recording medium to a specific discharge tray regardless of the setting. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an instruction unit for instructing that the recording medium is a special recording medium, wherein the control unit is configured to control the special recording medium based on an instruction from the instruction unit. An image forming apparatus that determines that recording is being performed. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notifying unit for notifying that the sheet is discharged to a discharge tray different from the setting, and the control unit controls the discharging tray different from the setting. The image forming apparatus notifies the notification means when the paper is discharged to the printer.