JP2003015474A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve image quality on a tab portion of tab paper in an electrophotographic image forming device. SOLUTION: The electrophotographic image forming device which forms an image on tab paper has a switching means that switches processing conditions under which an image is formed on a photoreceptor and transfer paper. When the device recognizes that the transfer paper on which an image is to be formed is the tab paper, the image forming device selects in advance a processing condition matching the tab paper, and then carries out image formation on the tab paper.

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, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus capable of forming an original image on a tab sheet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus, an image is formed on a standard sheet and a tab sheet from a set of standard size originals to obtain an ordered set of the standard sheet and the tab sheet. The specification of a specific original to be image-formed on paper has been performed by the user by using an input unit such as an operation unit.

For a document designated as a tab sheet, an image of the document is formed on the tab by moving the document image to the tab position of the tab sheet. At this time, the image formation on the tab of the tab sheet is performed under the same process conditions and the same image processing as the normal image formation.

[0004]

However, in the image forming apparatus using the drum as the photoconductor, the above-mentioned conventional example has a drawback in that the image is not properly placed at the tab position, especially the characters are thin. This is because the tab paper is usually thick paper, and the tab position is on the rear end side with respect to the paper transport direction, so the stress between the paper causes the gap between the drum and the transfer paper to become slightly wider, and This is because the toner transfer is not sufficiently performed.

Therefore, in view of the above points, the object of the present invention is to
An object of the present invention is to provide a suitable image forming apparatus for forming an image on a tab sheet, which can obtain a high quality image even at the tab position of the tab sheet.

[0006]

In order to achieve such an object, the present invention provides a process condition for forming an image on a photoconductor and a transfer sheet in an image forming apparatus using electrophotography for forming an image on a tab sheet. Is equipped with a switching means for switching, and when it is recognized that the transfer sheet for image formation is a tab sheet,
This is to improve the quality of the image formed on the tab sheet by selecting the process condition suitable for the tab sheet in advance.

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION (First Embodiment) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is an example of a digital compound machine according to the present invention.

The document placing section 20 of the automatic document feeder 201
The document placed on the No. 3 is separated by the paper feed roller 204,
The sheet is fed and passed through the conveyance guide 206, and then the reading device 2
It is transported to 02. Further, it is conveyed at a constant speed by the conveyor belt 208, and is ejected to the outside by the paper ejection roller 205. During this period, the image illuminated by the illumination system 209 at the reading position of the reading device 202 is reflected by the reflecting mirrors 210, 211,
An image reading unit 213 converts the image signal into an image signal by an optical system including 212. The image reading unit 213 includes a lens, a CCD that is a photoelectric conversion element, a drive circuit for the CCD, and the like. When reading an original, the original is conveyed at a constant speed, and the reading system is stopped to read the original, and the original is placed on the original glass table 214 of the reading apparatus 202 and the illumination system 209 and the mirrors 210, 211, 212 are read. There is a fixed mode that moves and reads at a constant speed. Normally, a sheet-like document is read in the flow-reading mode, and a bound document is read in the fixed mode.

The image signal is processed by the image processing unit 103 (not shown), and then the image reproducing apparatus 301 is processed page by page.
It is reproduced on recording paper with. The image signal is modulated into an optical signal by a semiconductor laser (not shown) or the like. The modulated laser light is an optical scanning device 31 using a polygon mirror.
1. After passing through the mirrors 312 and 313, the photosensitive drum 309 whose surface is uniformly charged by the charger 310 is exposed to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device 314.
Is developed with the toner of No. 1 and the toner image is transferred to the recording paper by the transfer separator 315. Recording paper is paper cassette 3
02 and 304. In this embodiment, standard paper is stored in the paper cassette 302 and tab paper is stored in the paper cassette 304. Paper cassette 302
The recording paper (standard paper in this embodiment) from the paper feed roller 30
The sheet is fed by 3, and is transported by the transport roller 306, adjusted in timing with an image by the registration roller 308, and transported to the transfer position of the photosensitive drum. On the other hand, the recording paper (tab paper in this embodiment) in the paper cassette 304 is fed by the paper feed roller 305, and is conveyed by the conveyance rollers 307, 3.
Then, the registration roller 308 adjusts the timing of the image with the registration roller 308, and the sheet is conveyed to the transfer position of the photosensitive drum. Here, in the case of forming an image on the tab portion of the tab sheet, as described later, when the timing of the registration roller 308 is adjusted, the tab sheet is fed earlier by the amount of the tab to align the image position with the tab portion of the tab sheet. To be transported. The recording belt on which the toner image is transferred is the conveyor belt 31.
At 7, the toner is conveyed to the fixing device 318 and the toner on the recording paper is fixed.

When the single-sided mode is set, the recording paper from the fixing device 318 is discharged outside the machine by the fixing discharge roller 319 and the discharge roller 324. When the duplex mode is set, the recording paper is fixed to the fixing discharge roller 319.
Is conveyed to the reversing path 325 by the reversing roller 321 via the conveying roller 320. Further, immediately after the trailing edge of the recording paper passes through the confluence point with the double-sided path 326, the rotation of the reversing roller 321 is reversed so that the recording paper is reversed and conveyed to the double-sided bus 326. The recording sheet conveyed to the double-sided path is conveyed by rollers 322 and 323, and again through the conveying roller 306, the registration roller 308 adjusts the timing with the back side image, and then is transferred and fixed, and then discharged outside the machine.

When the front and back sides of the recording paper from the fixing device 318 are reversed and discharged to the outside of the machine, the recording paper is once conveyed to the conveying roller 320 and the rear end of the recording paper is conveyed. Immediately before passing through the roller 320, the rotation of the transport roller 320 is reversed, and the sheet is discharged to the outside by the sheet discharge roller 324.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the copy controller 105 of this apparatus. This device is all system controller 15
It is totally controlled by 1. The system controller 151 mainly plays a role of driving each load in the apparatus, collecting and analyzing information of sensors and the image controller 100 described above, and also exchanging data with the operation unit 600, that is, a user interface. There is. The internal configuration of the system controller 151 has the function of C
The PU 151a is installed, and the CPU 151a is the ROM 1 similarly installed in the system controller 151.
The program stored in 51b executes various sequences related to a predetermined image forming sequence. In addition, at that time, in order to store rewritable data that needs to be temporarily or permanently stored, a RAM is used.
151c is also installed. The RAM 151c stores, for example, a high voltage set value for the high voltage control unit 155, which will be described later, various data described later, image formation command information from the operation unit 152, and the like.

The system controller 151 sends to the image control section 100 the specification set value data of each section necessary for the image processing section 102, and also receives signals from each section, such as a document image density signal. Then, the high voltage control unit 105 and the image processing unit 103, which will be described later, are controlled to make settings for optimal image formation.

In addition to obtaining information such as the copy magnification and the density setting value set by the user, the operating unit 600 receives the status of the image forming apparatus, for example, whether the number of images is being formed or whether images are being formed. It sends out information and data to indicate the occurrence of jam and its location to the user. Further, as will be described later, various settings for tab sheets and exchanges for displaying a warning for tab sheets are performed.

Next, driving of each load in the apparatus and information collection and analysis of sensors will be described. This device is equipped with DC load such as motor, clutch / solenoid, etc.
Sensors such as a photo interrupter and a micro switch are arranged. In other words, various sensors are used to convey the transfer material and drive each unit by appropriately driving the motor and each DC load, and monitoring the operation thereof. Therefore, the system controller 151
Based on the signals from various sensors 159, the motor control unit 157 controls each motor, and at the same time,
The DC load control unit 158 operates the clutch / solenoid to smoothly advance the image forming operation.

Further, by sending various high voltage control signals to the high voltage controller 155, various chargers constituting the high voltage unit 156, that is, the primary charger 310, the transfer charger 315,
Appropriate high pressure is applied to the developing roller of the developing device 314. Further, each of the fixing rollers in the fixing device 318 described above has a built-in heater 161 for heating the roller, and each heater is turned on by the AC driver 160.
N / OFF controlled. At this time, each fixing roller is provided with a thermistor 154 for measuring the temperature thereof, and after the A / D 503 converts the resistance value change of the thermistor 154 according to the temperature change of each fixing roller into a voltage value, System controller 151 as a digital value
Entered in. The AC driver 160 described above is controlled based on this temperature data.

FIG. 4 shows an arrangement configuration example of the operation unit 600 of the image forming apparatus. In FIG. 4, a reset key 601 is used to set the copy mode to the standard mode. 6
A stop key 02 is used to stop copying. A start key 603 is used to start copying. A numeric keypad 604 is used for setting the number of copies and inputting a numerical value from the numeric keypad. A clear key 605 is used to set the number of copies to 1 and to clear the numerical value input from the ten keys. 606 is a secret key,
Used when setting the PIN mode. A preheat key 607 is used when setting / releasing the preheat mode. When the preheat mode is set, the temperature of the fixing device can be lowered to reduce power consumption. Reference numeral 608 denotes an interrupt key, which is used when making an interrupt copy. A user mode key 609 is used to set / cancel the user mode such as specification setting and timer setting. A guide key 610 is used to display the mode description.

Reference numeral 700 denotes a message display, 32
0 * 240 dot transmissive LCD (liquid crystal) unit 70
1 and a backlight 702 composed of a cold cathode tube, a touch panel 703 having a 15 * 20 key matrix is arranged on the surface, and various setting mode displays, various status displays, and keys corresponding to the touch panel key input. Display etc. is performed.

FIG. 5 shows an example of display and key arrangement on the message display 700. FIG. 5a shows a screen in the standard state, and 710 is a display unit for the magnification, the selected paper feed cassette, the number of copies, and the like. A reduction / enlargement key 711 is used when reducing / enlarging a standard variable magnification. Reference numeral 712 denotes a unity magnification key, which is used to return the magnification to the same size (100%). A paper selection key 712 is used for automatic paper selection, the upper cassette 302,
Used when selecting the lower cassette 304. A zoom key 714 is used when setting the zoom mode. 71
5 is a slightly smaller key, which reduces the original image slightly (93
%) To use when copying. A copy density key 716 is used to manually adjust the copy density. Reference numeral 717 denotes an AE key, which is used when setting / releasing the AE mode (automatic density adjustment). A sorter key 718 is optionally displayed when a sorter (not shown) is connected, and is used when the sort mode, staple sort mode, or group mode is selected. 719 is a double-sided key,
Used to set / cancel the duplex mode. An application mode key 720 is used to select an application mode that is not displayed on the basic screen.

FIGS. 5b and 5c show a tab sheet setting screen, in which the tab sheet setting is selected from the application modes (not shown) displayed when the application mode key 720 of FIG. 5a is selected. Sometimes displayed. 5b is a screen 750 when the key 752 is pressed and the automatic selection of the tab sheet based on the recognition of the original image is selected to be off, and FIG.
This is the screen 760 in which the key 751 is pressed and the automatic selection of the tab sheet is turned on. On screen 750, press key 75
3 is used when setting the number of tabs of the tab sheet to be used, the number of tabs to be used is input by the ten keys 604, and the set number of tabs is displayed on the key 753. A key 754 is a key for setting the number of originals of a set of originals to be output on the tab sheet. A page is input by the ten keys 604, and the input page is additionally set by the key 755. . A key 756 is a key for confirming a page number set as a tab sheet document, and key 7
When 56 is pressed, a list of set page numbers is displayed. When the key 757 is pressed, the settings relating to the tab sheet are completed, and in the present embodiment, the screen returns to the standard screen FIG. 5a. On the screen 760, the key 763 is used when setting the number of tab sheets to be used, and the ten key 604 is used.
The number of tabs to be used is input by, and the number of tabs set in the key 753 is displayed. Key 764 and key 7
The output paper is selected by the user 65 when the original is recognized as a blank paper, and the standard paper is set by the key 764 and the tab paper is set by the key 765. When the key 766 is pressed, the setting relating to the tab sheet is completed, and in the present embodiment, the standard screen FIG. 5a is restored.

FIG. 5d is a warning screen for the tab sheet setting. When the tab sheet automatic selection is canceled and there is no image data area in a predetermined position with respect to the document set as the tab sheet. It is a screen 770 displayed when it is recognized. In this embodiment, when the screen 770 is displayed, the Coby operation is temporarily stopped, and when the key 771 is pressed on the screen 770, the copy operation is continuously performed. When the key 772 is pressed, the copy operation is restarted, but the copy operation ends when a part of the copy is completed. When the key 773 is pressed, the copy operation ends at that point.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a tab sheet having four tabs.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a document image on a tab sheet of a tab sheet of 3 tabs. When the tab sheet automatic selection is set to on, it is shown in FIGS. 7a, 7b, and 7c. When it is recognized that the image data exists in only one of the three surrounding areas represented by the characters in the original image, tab paper is selected and the original image is delayed with respect to the paper feeding direction. Control is performed so that image formation is performed on the tab portion of the tab sheet (advance the sheet with respect to the original image). Also, when the tab sheet automatic selection is set to off, the image data of the document image that is set to select the tab sheet exists in the image data other than the area around the character position in the figure. Then, when it is recognized, a warning is displayed.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the image processing unit 102 of the present invention. The image data read by the image reading unit 101 is input to the image processing unit 102, and the image processing circuit 40
After the predetermined image processing is performed in 2, the data is input to the memory control circuit. Under the control of the CPU 401, the memory control circuit 403 stores the input image data in the memory 404, reads the image data for forming an image from the memory 404, and outputs the image data to the image writing unit 103.

The CPU 401 controls the memory control circuit 403 to store the input image data in the memory 404 and the image writing unit 1 for the image data stored in the memory 404.
03, the image data stored in the memory 404 is read out, the image area in which the image data to be actually imaged is present is detected in the image data of one page, and the copy control unit 105 To notify.

The copy control unit 105 controls the automatic selection of tab sheets and displays a warning for the tab sheets based on the image area notified from the CPU 401 of the image processing unit 102.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a flowchart showing the control procedure of the system controller 151 of the copy controller 105 of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

When the copying operation is started, step 801
In step 802, it is determined whether or not the tab sheet mode is selected. If it is selected, it is determined in step 802 whether the tab sheet mode is selected. This is because the tab number of tab sheets and the tab sheet original designation are input on the display shown in FIG. 5 described above, and the system controller determines which page of the job is calculated by calculating the tab sheet number. . Here, if it is determined that the page is a tab sheet, step 803.
Then, the process proceeds to step S4, and the tab sheet is fed from the tab sheet feeding stage. Then, in step 804, the developing bias is changed to the tab sheet, in step 805, the sheet feed timing is changed to the tab sheet, and in step 806, the image forming operation on the tab sheet is performed. After that, in step 807, the paper discharge process is performed, the process proceeds to step 808, it is determined whether there is a next page, and if there is no page, the process is ended.

If it is determined in step 801 that the tab sheet mode is not set, standard paper is fed in step 809, the developing bias is set for standard paper in step 810, and the image forming operation is performed in step 811. Then, in step 807, the paper discharge process is performed. Similarly, if it is determined in step 802 that the mode is the tab sheet mode but not the tab sheet page, step 8
After 09, 810 and 811, the sequence proceeds to the sheet discharge processing 807.

As for the setting of the developing bias in steps 804 and 810, there is a voltage setting for standard paper and a voltage setting for tab paper, which are not shown, in the high voltage controller 155 of the copy controller 105 in FIG. The system controller switches depending on the type of paper to be transferred.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
6 is an example showing a control procedure of a system controller 151 of the copy control unit 105.

When the copying operation is started, step 821
In step 822, it is determined whether or not the tab sheet mode is selected, and when it is selected, it is determined in step 822 whether or not the tab page is selected. This is because the tab number of tab sheets and the tab sheet original designation are input on the display shown in FIG. 5 described above, and the system controller determines which page of the job is calculated by calculating the tab sheet number. . If it is determined that the page is a tab sheet, step 823.
Then, the process proceeds to step S4, and the tab sheet is fed from the tab sheet feeding stage. Then, in step 824, the laser power is changed to the tab sheet, in step 825 the paper feed timing is changed to the tab sheet, and in step 826, the image forming operation on the tab sheet is performed. Thereafter, in step 827, the paper discharge process is performed, and the process proceeds to step 828 to determine whether there is a next page. If there is no page, the process ends. If there is, the sequence returns to the beginning of step 822.

When it is determined in step 821 that the tab sheet mode is not set, standard paper is fed in step 829, laser power is set for standard paper in step 820, and image forming operation is performed in step 821. Then, in step 827, the paper discharge process is performed. Similarly, if it is determined in step 822 that the mode is the tab sheet mode but not the tab sheet page, the step 8
After 29, 830, and 831, the sequence proceeds to the paper discharge process 827.

The setting of the laser power in steps 824 and 830 is performed by the image writing unit 103 in FIG.
There is a voltage setting for standard paper and a voltage setting for tab paper (not shown) in the light amount setting section of the laser driver inside, and these are switched depending on the type of paper transferred by the system controller.

Since the laser power can be changed instantly, if a sensor is provided on the paper conveying path and a means for detecting the tab portion of the tab sheet is provided, only when the image is formed on the tab portion of the tab sheet. It is also possible to change the laser power for the tab.

[0036]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In an electrophotographic system that uses a cylindrical photoreceptor,
When forming an image on a tab sheet, when developing an image on a tab sheet, you can change the developing bias or the laser power so that the toner is sufficiently placed on the drum. There is an effect that it is possible to provide a suitable image forming apparatus that makes image formation on the tab portion advantageous and improves the image quality of the tab sheet.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an image processing unit of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional configuration diagram showing an example of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a copy control unit of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an arrangement configuration example of an operation unit 600 of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows an example of display and key arrangement on a message display 700 of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a tab sheet with four tabs.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an original image on a tab sheet of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a control procedure of the copy control unit of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

201 Automatic document feeder 202 reader 203 Document Plate 204 paper feed roller 205 paper ejection roller

Continued front page    F term (reference) 2H027 DC00 DC14 ED06 ED09 ED16                       ED17 ED19 EE02 EJ03 FA05                       FA06 FA07 FA13 FA16 FA18                       FA22 FA30 FA35 FA37 FB19                       FC04 FD03 FD08 GA14 GA15                       GA20 GB05 GB06 GB14

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus using electrophotography for forming an image on a tab sheet, comprising switching means for switching a process condition for forming an image on a photoconductor and a transfer sheet, and the transfer sheet for forming an image is the tab sheet. An image forming apparatus, which switches the process condition when recognizing that there is a certain condition. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the process condition changing means in the image forming apparatus is a changing means for changing a developing condition, and the developing condition is changed when an image is formed on a tab sheet. Forming equipment. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein in the image forming apparatus, the means for switching the developing condition is means for controlling the voltage of the developing bias. 4. The process condition switching means in the image forming apparatus is a switching means for switching a latent image condition, and the latent image condition is switched when a tab sheet image is formed. The image forming apparatus described. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the latent image is formed by a laser scanner unit including a laser scanning system, and the latent image condition switching means is a laser power switching means. Image forming device. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a detection unit that detects a tab position of the tab sheet, and switches a latent image condition when forming an image at the tab position of the tab sheet. Image forming device.