JP2001305914A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device excellent in the handleability of a double-side printing machine by facilitating paper jamming disposal and improving the utilization condition double-side printing. SOLUTION: Even in a state where positional information on paper is not initialized in the case of opening/closing the double-side printing machine provided on the outside of a device main body, information on the paper at the time of actuating the double-side printing machine is accurately grasped, and the switching of application and the lapse of a specified time from such a state are recognized as switching of the arranging state of the paper, and the positional information on the paper at the time of actuating the double-sided printing machine is initialized in this image forming device. Thus, the jamming disposal is facilitated and the utilization condition of the double-sized printing is improved. When the paper remains in the double-side printing machine, this state is regarded as occurrence of jamming, and a user is urged to remove the ineffective paper or the ineffective paper is automatically discharged to the outside of the device main body.

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 which operates as a printer which prints a copy, a facsimile (hereinafter referred to as a facsimile) or, for example, an output of a computer on a local area network, and transfers images to both sides of a sheet. The present invention relates to an apparatus, particularly to a digital image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus which operates as a copier, a facsimile, a printer and performs double-side transfer is provided for discharging a sheet provided above a main body of the apparatus from a sheet cassette in which sheets are stored. There is a configuration in which the paper is conveyed toward a paper discharge tray. In this conventional image forming apparatus, a duplex machine for transporting a sheet in a vertical direction is provided outside the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus.

In an image forming apparatus provided with such a double-sided machine externally, a paper jam may occur in the apparatus body. In this case, in order to remove the jammed paper in the apparatus main body, open the double-sided machine so as to be inclined with respect to the apparatus main body, and then open the door of the apparatus main body side which has been closed by the double-sided machine, and It is necessary to remove the jammed paper from inside.

[0004] In addition to the removal of the jammed paper in the apparatus main body, it is necessary to remove the paper in the duplex machine. This is for example to set the sequence for transporting the paper to a normal initial state. In this case, the paper in the duplex machine where no jam has occurred is discarded, and the paper is wasted.

[0005] For this reason, an image forming apparatus which does not need to dispose of paper in a double-sided machine where no jam occurs has been proposed.
For example, it is disclosed in JP-A-8-76648.
In this image forming apparatus, if the paper in the duplex machine is made effective without being disposed, the relationship between front and back printing between the current paper and the next paper to be conveyed tends to be unclear.
That is, it is difficult to clearly determine which of the front and back surfaces in double-sided printing is related to the document surface and the conveyance state.

[0006]

Therefore, from the viewpoint of the workability of removing the jammed paper, it is advantageous to remove the paper free of the jam in the duplex machine as a result. Otherwise, there is a problem that the jam processing is difficult, the convenience of the double-sided transfer is impaired, and the usability of the double-side machine is poor.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the conventional example. Even when a duplex machine provided outside the apparatus body is opened and closed, the position information of the paper is not initialized. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that accurately grasps information of a sheet when a double-sided function is activated, facilitates jam processing, and improves the usability and convenience of double-sided transfer.

Further, according to the present invention, as described above, the position information of the sheet when the double-sided function is operated is initialized, and if a sheet remains in the double-sided machine, this state is regarded as a jam and the user is notified. By prompting the removal of invalid paper,
Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which the jam processing is facilitated and the convenience of double-sided transfer is improved.

Further, according to the present invention, as described above, the position information of the sheet when the double-sided function is activated is initialized, and if a sheet remains in the duplexer, this state is regarded as a jam and invalidated. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of facilitating jam processing by automatically discharging paper out of the apparatus main body and improving the convenience of double-sided transfer.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of application units for executing copy, facsimile, and printer functions; a document reading unit; an image forming unit; In an image forming apparatus equipped with a paper cassette, a duplex machine for turning over and stopping paper is provided outside the main body of the apparatus, and the paper in the duplex machine is opened even when the duplex machine is opened and closed with the paper stopped in this duplex machine. With the paper stopped in the duplexer, start the timer after switching to select multiple applications,
If the application before switching is not returned after a lapse of a predetermined time after the activation, the information of the paper in the duplex machine is invalidated.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the sheet is stopped in the duplex machine.
After switching to select a plurality of applications, a timer is started, and if the application before switching is not returned after a lapse of a predetermined time after the start, the information of the paper in the duplex machine is invalidated and the paper remaining in the duplex machine is invalidated. Is treated as jam paper.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a timer is started after switching a plurality of applications in a state in which the paper is stopped in the duplex machine, and after the start, If the application before switching is not returned after the elapse of the predetermined time, the information of the paper in the duplex machine is invalidated, and the paper remaining in the duplex machine is automatically discharged from the apparatus.

With such a configuration, the invention according to the first aspect of the present invention can be applied to a configuration in which the position information of the sheet is not initially set when the duplex machine provided outside the apparatus body is opened and closed.
The paper information when the duplex function is activated is accurately grasped, the application is switched, and the elapse of a predetermined time from this state is recognized as the switching of the paper arrangement state, and the paper when the duplex function is activated is recognized. Initialize location information for. As a result, the jam processing is facilitated, and the convenience of double-sided transfer is improved.

According to the second aspect of the invention, as in the first aspect, the position information of the sheet when the double-sided function is activated is initially set, and the sheet remains in the duplexer. In this case, this state is regarded as a jam occurrence, and the user is prompted to remove the invalid paper, for example, by displaying the screen.
As a result, the jam processing is facilitated, and the convenience of double-sided printing is improved.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, as in the first aspect of the present invention, the position information of the sheet when the double-sided function is activated is initially set, and the print sheet is left in the duplexer. In this case, this state is regarded as a jam occurrence, and the invalid paper is automatically discharged to the outside of the apparatus main body. As a result, the jam processing is facilitated, and the convenience of double-sided printing is improved.

[0016]

Next, an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes an apparatus main body 1, a document table 2, a duplex machine 3, a paper feed cassette 4, and an operation / display unit 5.

In FIG. 2, the operation / display section 5 includes a program mode registration / call key 6 used for registering and calling up a program mode, an interrupt key 7 for instructing an interruption of an operation, and an initial setting. Initial setting key 8, a facsimile shortcut key 9 used for allocating a program in the FAX mode, a numeric keypad 11 for allocating a program in the copy mode in addition to performing various settings, copy, FA
X, switch key to each application of printer 12,
A start key 15 for instructing operation start and the like is provided, along with a light emitting diode group 13 for displaying various operation states by lighting or blinking, and a liquid crystal display 14 for displaying various operation states by characters, marks, and the like. Have been
The switching key 12 transfers the operation unit display right to the application corresponding to the pressed key.

One of the major features of digital copiers that have recently been used is that an image is converted into an electric signal and read.
By restoring the electric signal by the image forming apparatus and having means for changing and transmitting the read electric signal in various ways, in addition to image data such as read copy, facsimile, and printer data, a scanner and a file system can be used. Image data such as each data is processed in an extended manner and can be applied to a wide range of fields other than the copying machine such as FAX, printer, scanner, file system, etc. pointing.

The initial setting is to change the initial setting value of each function such as copy, facsimile, printer and the like, and to set operation conditions. The initial settings include "system initial settings" for setting the entire copier system,
There are “copy initial setting” limited to the setting of the function in the copy mode, “FAX initial setting” limited to the setting of the function in the fax mode, and the like. For example, "System Initial Settings"
"Auto-clear time setting" to return to the power-on state when no operation is performed for a certain period of time after key operation
In "Initial copy settings", you can change the upper limit of the number of copies that can be set. , “Double-sided copy left binding width” and the like. The "FAX initial setting" includes "setting of reception time printing" for selecting a function for printing the reception time, "destination registration" for registering a telephone number of a frequently used partner, and the like.

In order to configure a multitasking system, functional units are treated as resources called resources, and the resources refer to functional unit units shared by a plurality of applications.

In FIG. 3, the application layer includes a copy application, a printer application,
The system control layer includes an AX application and other applications. The system control layer includes a system control, an operation unit control, a peripheral device control, an image forming unit control, and an image reading unit control. The device control layer includes input / output control.

In recent digital copiers, instead of mounting only one application as described above,
A plurality of applications are simultaneously installed to share one resource, and such a copying machine is called a system. Such a system requires a system controller for controlling as described above, and such a system controller is shown in FIG. 3 as a system control layer.

FIG. 3 also shows a device control layer. The device control layer is provided with a clutch and a sensor for actually operating the apparatus from logical instructions such as commands and control signals from the system control layer. , And performs conversion to drive and input mechanical inputs and outputs of a motor and the like.

FIG. 3 shows an application layer. This application layer can coexist with a plurality of applications such as copy, printer, and facsimile as extended functions by a function provided from the system control layer. Layer.

Referring to FIG. 4, a hardware configuration example shown in FIG. 4 includes a system controller 16, a copy application 17, a printer application 18, and an F
An AX application 19 is provided. These applications are executed by the CPUs 17-1 and 18-, respectively.
1, 19-1, and the system control layer and the device control layer are controlled by one CPU, but each application, system control, each resource is provided with a CPU, and a command from the system controller to each controller is controlled by a control signal. Hardware communicating by wire is also conceivable. The copy application 17 stores the page memory 17-2. The printer application 18 stores the page memory 18-2.
The AX application 19 includes a page memory 19-2.

On the other hand, the key card device is connected to the main body by a control line, and in the present invention, serial communication is used. In this figure, there is an operation unit control bus for controlling the operation unit. However, it is naturally considered that the operation is performed by exchanging commands using the control signal lines. Because of the configuration, it is not limited to the one shown in FIG.

In the above-described system, the system controller 16 is provided with an operation section 16- for issuing various operation instructions.
1, and the reflected light of the document illuminated by the light source
An image reading unit 16 that reads a solid-state image sensor composed of a line sensor by X and Y scanning and outputs this photoelectric conversion signal
-2. Also, the system controller 16
An image forming unit 16-3 for forming an image from the image reading unit 16-2 on plain paper or heat-sensitive paper by electrophotography, thermal transfer, thermal transfer, ink-jet, or the like; and a unit for controlling each unit in the system controller 16 CPU16
-4.

The system controller 16 executes system control of one resource that stores a plurality of applications in the image forming apparatus. This resource is a functional unit shared by a plurality of applications. The functional unit includes an image reading unit, an image forming unit, an operation unit, a memory,
There are a document feed unit and a feed stock unit for transfer paper after transfer, that is, a peripheral portion such as a sorter.

In this embodiment, the image data output from the image reading unit 16-2 is input to the image forming unit 16-3, and the processing described in detail below is performed. The synchronization establishment signal in this process is called a video signal. A signal used when the video signal is exchanged between the image reading unit 16-2, the image forming unit 16-3, and the application is called a control signal or a command. The video signal collectively refers to an electric signal converted by the image reading unit 16-2 and a signal for synchronizing with an electric signal of an image input to the image forming unit 16-3.

Although the hardware configuration is as shown in FIG. 4 as described above, this is an example and the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a CPU is provided in each resource together with each application and system controller, and commands to each CPU are exchanged via a control signal line.

In the hardware configuration shown in FIG.
Copy application 17, printer application
18, FAX application 19 and system controller
16 is connected by a control signal line to perform serial data communication. Further, although a control bus line for operation control in the operation unit 16-1 is provided, this may be changed to a configuration in which commands are exchanged through the control signal line 20.

The program processing in the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 4 corresponds to the configuration shown in FIG. 3, and comprises an application layer, a system control layer, and a device control layer. The application layer enables a plurality of applications such as a copy, a printer, and a facsimile to coexist as extended functions through functions provided from the system control layer.

The system control layer processes function units as resources in a multi-function multi-task system such as a copy, printer, and facsimile, and performs management for sharing one resource with a plurality of applications. is there. The device control layer performs mechanical input / output driving of clutches, sensors, motors, etc., and conversion for signal input in order for the device to operate, based on commands from the system control layer and instructions of logical values such as control signals. It is.

Next, the function and operation of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining a provision state of a function in which a virtual resource exists in each application. The system control layer shown in FIG. 4 provides a function such that a virtual source exists in each of all applications when viewed from the application layer as shown in FIG. With this function, the application layer does not particularly need to manage the state of the system, and the system control layer can manage all applications under the same conditions.

That is, the application sends a use request to the system control when a resource to be used occurs. In this system control, the result is sent to the requesting application by judging from the resource usage at this point. Based on this result, the requesting application determines that the application is executable and executes it. Basically, execution rights are managed by the same procedure.

In the program processing in the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 4, there is only one resource. For this reason, in the system control, when virtual resource use requests for each application conflict, it is necessary to perform exclusive processing or time division allocation in order to pass the actual resource use right. Whether to perform the exclusion process or the time-sharing allocation depends on the type of resource and the setting of the user.

The system shown in FIG. 3 has only one resource. For this reason, in the system control, when the use requests of the virtual resources for each application conflict, it is necessary to perform exclusive control or time division allocation in order to pass the actual resource use right. Whether to perform such exclusive control or time-division allocation is determined by the type of resource and the setting of the user.

4 and 5 will be supplementarily described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. In FIGS. 6 and 7, a dotted line indicates a virtual resource,
The state in which the execution right has not been acquired is shown, and the resources surrounded by the solid lines indicate the state in which the execution right has been acquired.

FIG. 6 shows an interleaving operation between the copy application and the printer application. Here, interleaving is also referred to as insertion output, and is mainly used to explain the operation at the time of image output. Normal image output does not execute other operations until a series of operations having the same purpose, that is, one job is completed. For example, in a recent digital copying machine, functions are integrated, and a combination of a copying machine + FAX or a printer or a combination of more than one is integrated. However, most of them output one job at a time so as to switch to printer output after the copy function is completed, for example. On the other hand, for example, during the output of a copying machine, the output of one job is inserted into the output of another job so that the output of the printer is realized without stopping the machine operation.

In such a state, the copy application in FIG. 6 has acquired the execution right of all the resources of the operation unit, the image forming unit, and the image reading unit, and is executing it. At this time, if only the use request of the image forming unit resources is made from the printer application, and if the interleave mode is enabled by the user setting, the system control executes the time division allocation control of the resources of the image forming unit. This time-sharing allocation control dynamically changes the execution right of a resource among a plurality of applications. As a result, the output from the image forming apparatus is a mixture of the output of the copy application and the output of the printer application. During this time, the image forming apparatus can be changed without stopping, thereby minimizing the waiting time between the two. Can be.

FIG. 7 shows that the FAX application has the display right of the operation unit, and the printer application and the F
It shows a parallel operation of transfer with the AX application. The FAX application is, for example, a case where only the resources of the operation unit and the image reading unit are used in the FAX transmission mode or the like, while the printer application is a case where only the resources of the image forming unit such as output are required.

Therefore, the printer application and F
Even if the AX application requests resources at the same time, resource conflict does not occur, so that there is no need for exclusive or time division allocation. Therefore, it is possible to accept the requests of both the printer application and the FAX application.
As a result, the operations of both the printer application and the FAX application can be performed simultaneously.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show details of the apparatus main body 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In such an embodiment, an alternate long and short dash line indicates a sheet conveyance path, and Paper is fed from the paper cassette 4 by a paper feed roller 21. This paper passes through a registration sensor (not shown),
The transport is temporarily stopped by the registration roller 22 in order to align the leading edge of the image with the printing timing. LD
The laser light generated by the unit 23 is
24 enlarges the width of the image to form a latent image on the photoconductor 26. Next, an image is formed by applying toner to the latent image portion by the developing device 27, and this image is transferred to a sheet by the transfer unit.

The paper temporarily stopped by the registration roller 22 is
The leading edge of the image on the photoconductor 26 is conveyed to the transfer unit 28 in consideration of the timing of reaching the transfer unit 28. The image is transferred onto the sheet by the transfer unit 28, and then passes through the fixing unit 29. In the fixing unit 29, toner and the like are fixed on the sheet by heat and pressure, and further discharged outside the apparatus main body 1 by a discharge roller 31.

In this embodiment, the paper is conveyed upward from the paper feed cassette 4 to a paper discharge unit disposed above. For this reason, the duplexer 3 for reversing the sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 29 and sending it again to the image unit is arranged outside the apparatus main body 1. The duplexer 3 changes the conveyance path of the sheet after the fixing unit 29 by controlling the branching claw 33 for branching the sheet from the fixing unit 29 inside the apparatus main body 1. At this time, if the duplex function is activated, the paper
The branch claw 33 is inclined so as not to be conveyed to the 31 side.

As described above, the sheet conveyed into the duplex machine 3 is reversed in the conveying direction by the two-side reversing roller 34, and is conveyed downward by switching the two-side reversing claw 36. Further, the sheet is temporarily stopped by the two-sided conveyance roller 38 using the two-sided conveyance sensor 37. Then, the sheet is fed into the apparatus main body 1 again by the sheet feeding start signal indicating the back side in the duplex printing function. The sheet is sent to the photoreceptor 26, the developing unit 27, the fixing unit 29, and the like through the registration roller 22, where the transfer to the back surface of the sheet is performed.

In this series of operations, the document table 2, document feeder 39, image reading section 16-2, ADF drive motor 42, scanner drive motor 43, manual feed section 44, toner bottle 46, and P sensor 47 and the like also operate, but the description of this operation is omitted.

Next, the removal of jammed paper when the duplexer 3 is arranged outside the apparatus main body 1 will be described. In FIG. 9, when the double-sided printing function is activated, the door of the duplexer 3 is opened to remove the jammed paper. Further, the paper remaining inside the apparatus main body 1 is opened once by inclining the duplexer 3, and the door 10 of the apparatus main body 1 shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart for explaining the processing state of the operation corresponding to claim 1. If a jam occurs during the operation of the duplex function using the duplex machine 3, the occurrence of the jam is recognized. When such a jam occurs,
Since this embodiment has a function of stopping paper in the duplex machine 3, the paper transported into the duplex machine 3 stops at the position of the duplex transport roller 38 (S1).

Even after the transfer operation is stopped due to the jam, the sheet information indicating the state of the sheet is held at the position of the double-sided conveying roller 38 in the double-sided machine 3. Next, in order to remove the jammed paper, the duplex machine 3 is opened so as to be inclined (S2), and the main body door 10 closed by the duplex machine 3 is further opened. Thereafter, the jammed paper is removed. Even after the jammed paper is removed and the duplexer 3 is closed, the information indicating the status of the paper in the duplexer 3 is still valid (S3, S4).

Here, the user inputs a double-sided function in the copy function, for example, and operates the key input on the operation / display unit 5 in a state in which the paper is held in the double-sided machine 3 and interrupted. When the switching to the FAX function is detected (S5: Yes), the timer is started from here, and the detection of the elapse of a predetermined time after the start is started (S6, S7).

If it is detected that the application has returned to the original application before the switching before the timer finishes counting (S7: No, S8: Yes), the sheet in the duplex machine 3 is left as it is (S10). Transition. If the timer has finished counting (S7: Yes), and if it is detected that a predetermined time has elapsed since the transfer of the application, the information of the paper in the duplex machine 3 is invalidated, and a series of processing ends (S9).

If the switch to the facsimile function is not detected in (S5) (No), the double-sided printing process is continued, and it is determined whether the sheet is fed from the duplexer 3 in the apparatus main body 1 side.
If the paper is fed from the duplex machine 3, the process is terminated and the duplex machine 3
If the paper is not fed from the printer, the process returns to (S5) to execute the above-described processing. That is, it is possible to determine whether the paper remaining in the duplex machine 3 becomes unnecessary by switching the application or becomes necessary by returning before the occurrence of a jam.

As described above, in the operation according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the door of the duplex machine 3 provided outside the apparatus main body 1 is opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body 1, the position information of the paper is stored. When the initial setting is not performed, the information of the sheet when the double-sided function is activated can be accurately grasped, and the switching of the application and the lapse of a predetermined time from this state are recognized as the switching of the sheet arrangement state. Then, the paper position information in the operation of the double-sided function is initialized. This facilitates processing when a jam occurs, improves the convenience of the duplex function, and improves the usability of the duplex machine 3.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart for explaining the processing state of the operation according to the second aspect of the present invention. If a jam occurs during transfer using the duplex machine 3,
Recognize this jam occurrence. When such a jam occurs, the sheet has a function of stopping the sheet inside the duplex machine 3, so that the sheet conveyed into the duplex machine 3 stops at the position of the duplex conveying roller 38 (S21). ).

Even after the transfer operation is stopped due to the jam, the sheet information indicating that there is a sheet is held at the position of the double-sided conveying roller section 38 in the double-sided machine 3. Next, in order to remove the jam, the duplex machine 3 is opened so as to be inclined (S22), and the apparatus body door 10 closed by the duplex machine 3 is further opened. Thereafter, the jammed paper in the apparatus main body 1 is removed. Even after the jammed paper is removed and the duplexer 3 is closed, the information on the status of the paper in the duplexer 3 is still valid (S2).
3, S24).

Here, for example, a facsimile
In the function, the operation of the double-sided function is specified, and while the paper is held in the double-sided machine 3, the keypad or the like on the operation / display unit 5 is used to interrupt other applications such as the facsimile function in a suspended state. When the switching is detected (S25: Yes), the timer is started from here, and the detection of the elapse of a predetermined time after the start is started (S26, S2).
7).

If it is detected that the application has returned to the original application before the switching before the timer ends counting (S27: No, S28: Yes), the sheet in the duplex machine 3 is left as it is (S32). Transition. When the timer finishes counting and (S27: Yes), the elapse of a predetermined time from the shift of the application is detected, the paper information at the time of operation of the duplex machine 3 is invalidated (S29).

After the information of the duplex machine 3 is invalidated, the paper remaining in the duplex machine 3 is determined to be jammed paper and displayed on the liquid crystal display 28 of the operation / display section 5 to remove the jammed paper. To the user (S30, S31).

If it is not detected in (S25) that the switching to the FAX function has been performed (No), the normal double-sided transfer processing is continued, it is determined whether or not the sheet is fed by the double-sided function, and the feeding by the double-sided function is performed. In the case of paper, the processing is terminated. If the paper is not fed by the operation of the double-sided function, the flow returns to (S25) to execute the above-described processing from here (S32). That is, the duplex machine 3
It is possible to determine whether the paper remaining inside becomes unnecessary due to the switching of the application, or becomes necessary by returning before the occurrence of the jam.

As described above, in the operation corresponding to the second aspect, the double-sided machine 3 provided outside the apparatus main body 1 is connected to the apparatus main body 1.
When the sheet is opened and closed, when the position information of the sheet is not initialized, the information of the sheet in the duplex machine 3 can be accurately grasped, the application is switched, and the elapse of a predetermined time from this state is indicated by the sheet. The position information of the sheet when the double-sided function is operated is initialized by recognizing that the arrangement state has been switched. As a result, the jam processing is facilitated, the use state of double-sided printing is improved, and the usability of the duplex machine 3 is improved.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart for explaining the processing state of the operation corresponding to claim 3. If a jam occurs during the transfer using the duplex machine 3, the occurrence of the jam is recognized. When such a jam occurs, the sheet has a function of stopping the sheet inside the duplex machine 3, so that the sheet conveyed into the duplex machine 3 is moved to the position of the duplex conveying roller 38 shown in FIG. To stop (S41).

Even after the transfer operation is stopped due to the jam, the sheet information indicating the state of the sheet is held at the position of the double-sided conveying roller section 38 in the double-sided machine 3. Next, in order to remove the jam, the duplex machine 3 is opened so as to be inclined (FIG. 9, S42),
Further, the main body door 10 closed by the duplex machine 3 is opened. Thereafter, the jammed paper is removed. Even after the jammed paper is removed and the duplexer 3 is closed, the information on the state of the paper in the duplexer 3 is still valid (S43, S44).

Here, for example, FA
In the X function, the operation of the double-sided function is designated. In a state where the paper is held in the double-sided machine 3 and the operation is suspended, the key is input to the operation / display unit 5 and the like.
If it is detected that the application has been switched to another application such as the AX function (S45: Yes), the timer is started from here, and the detection of the elapse of a predetermined time after the start is started (S45).
46, S47).

If it is detected before the timer has finished counting that it has returned to the original application before the switching (S47: No, step S48: Yes), the sheet in the duplex machine 3 is left as it is and the step (S52). ).
When the timer has finished counting (S47: Yes, when the elapse of a predetermined time from the shift of the application), the information of the paper in the duplex machine 3 is invalidated (S49).

After the information of the printing paper in the duplex machine 3 is invalidated, the paper remaining in the duplex machine 3 is detected as a jam paper. Based on this detection, the paper remaining in the duplex machine 3 is automatically discharged out of the apparatus (S50, S51).

If it is not detected in S45 that the facsimile function has been switched to the facsimile function (No), the normal double-sided transfer function operation is continued, it is determined whether the paper is fed from the duplex machine 3, and the If the sheet is not fed from the duplex machine 3, the process returns to (S45) and the above-described process is executed from here (S52). That is, it is possible to determine whether the paper remaining in the duplex machine 3 becomes unnecessary by switching the application, or becomes necessary by returning before the occurrence of a jam.

As described above, in the operation corresponding to the third aspect of the present invention, the double-sided machine 3 provided outside the apparatus main body 1 is used.
When the printer is opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body 1, when the position information of the paper is not initialized, the information of the paper in the duplex machine 3 can be accurately grasped, and the application can be switched.
Also, the elapse of a predetermined time from this state is recognized as switching of the paper arrangement state. Then, the position information of the sheet when the double-sided function is activated is initialized. When sheets remain in the duplexer 3, this state is regarded as a jam, and invalid sheets are automatically discharged to the outside of the apparatus main body 1. As a result, the jam processing is facilitated, the convenience of the duplex printing is improved, and the usability of the duplex machine 3 is improved.

[0069]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the double-sided machine provided outside the apparatus main body is opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body, the positional information of the paper is obtained. Even in a configuration that is not initialized, the information of the printing paper when the double-sided function is activated is accurately grasped, the application is switched, and the passage of a predetermined time from this state is recognized as the switching of the paper arrangement state, Since the paper position information when the double-sided function is activated is initially set, jam processing is facilitated, and there is an effect that the convenience of double-sided printing is improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, as described in the first aspect, the position information of the printing paper when the double-sided function is activated is initially set, and the printing paper is present in the duplexer. In this case, this state is set as the occurrence of a jam, and the user is prompted to remove the invalid print paper by a screen display or the like, so that the jam processing is facilitated and the convenience of the duplex printing is improved.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, as in the first aspect of the present invention, the position information of the sheet when the double-sided function is activated is initially set, and the sheet is present in the duplexer. In this case, this state is regarded as a paper jam, and the invalid paper is automatically discharged out of the apparatus main body, so that the paper jam processing is facilitated and the convenience of double-sided printing is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a detailed arrangement of an operation / display unit according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a system software configuration example according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system hardware configuration according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between the application layer and a control layer.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an interleaving operation between the copy application and the printer application.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a parallel operation of the FAX application and the printer application.

FIG. 8 is a front view for explaining a state in which an image is formed on a sheet and is conveyed in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a state where a duplex machine is arranged in the embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a side view for explaining a state of removing jammed paper.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an operation state of the embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining an operation state of the embodiment of the invention described in claim 2;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining an operation state of the embodiment of the invention described in claim 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 2 Document table 3 Double-sided machine 4 Paper cassette 5 Operation / display section 6 Program mode registration / recall key 7 Interrupt key 8 Initial setting key 9 Fax shortcut key 10 Main body door 11 Numeric keypad 12 Application switching key 13 Light emitting diode Group 14 Liquid crystal display 15 Start key 16 System controller 17 Copy application 18 Printer application 19 FAX application 21 Paper feed roller 22 Registration roller 23 LD unit 24 Polygon mirror unit 26 Photoconductor 27 Developing unit 28 Transfer unit 29 Fixing unit 31 Discharge roller 33 Branch claw 34 Double-sided reversing roller 36 Double-sided reversing claw 37 Double-sided conveyance sensor 38 Double-sided conveyance roller 39 Document feeder 41 Image reader 42 ADF drive motor 43 Scanner drive motor 44 Manual feed unit 46 Toner bottle 47 P sensor

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G03G 15/00 526 H04N 1/00 108M 3F100 H04N 1/00 108 B41J 3/00 S 5C062 9A001 F term (Reference) ) 2C061 AP03 AP04 AR03 BB10 BB15 CE07 HJ02 HK08 HK11 HK19 HN02 HN18 HN23 2C062 RA06 2H027 DA38 DC07 DC14 EC20 ED16 ED30 EE02 EE07 EF09 EK09 FA13 ZA07 2H028 BA06 BA01 A16 A02 A02 A07 A02 CB04 DA05 EA03 5C062 AA02 AA05 AB17 AB29 AB40 AB46 AC09 AC14 AC58 AC69 AD02 AD06 AE15 BA00 9A001 HH34 JJ35 KK42 LL09

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising a plurality of application units for executing copy, facsimile, and printer functions, a document reading unit, an image forming unit, and a paper feed cassette, a duplex machine for reversing a sheet outside the apparatus body. Provided, a mechanism for stopping the paper in this duplex machine is provided, even if the duplex machine is opened and closed with the paper stopped, the paper in the duplex machine is enabled, and the paper is stopped in the duplex machine,
An image forming apparatus, wherein a timer is started after switching to select a plurality of applications, and information of paper in the duplex machine is invalidated when the application before switching is not returned after a predetermined time has elapsed after the start. . 2. A method in which a timer is started after switching to select a plurality of applications in a state where paper is stopped in the duplex machine, and when the application before switching is not returned after a lapse of a predetermined time after the start, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information on the sheet is invalidated, and the sheet remaining on the duplex machine is handled as a jam sheet. 3. 3. In a state where the paper is stopped in the duplex machine, a timer is started after switching to select a plurality of applications, and after returning to the application before switching after a lapse of a predetermined time from the start, the timer in the duplex machine is set. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information on the sheet is invalidated, and the sheet remaining on the duplex machine is automatically discharged.