JP2003327362A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device as improvement of a conventional arrangement in which one can not know presence or absence of a transcribing material in a sheet exhaust tray from a remote position from the image forming device and must remove the seat each time he should confirm presence or absence of the transcribing material to get to the place where the image forming device is installed for confirming the exhaust tray visually, to lead to complicated works, increase in the physical burden, and a drop in the working efficiency. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming device includes a transcribing material sensor to sense presence or absence of any transcribing material in a sheet exhaust tray, whereby an alarming sound is emitted from the image forming device and an alarm is displayed in an operation part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic copying machine,
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile, a printer, or a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions of these, and more particularly, to a sheet discharge tray of an image forming apparatus that receives a discharged transfer material.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, there has been a strong demand from users for reducing the effective installation area of OA equipment such as copying machines, and the number of products in which the discharge portion of a document or a transfer material is contained inside the equipment body as much as possible is increasing.

For example, the original placing table for the unread originals is located at the uppermost part of the main body of the apparatus, and the discharging section for the read originals is arranged directly below the original placing table.

However, in the image forming apparatus, since the document placing table, which is frequently used, is placed at the height at which the operator can easily use it, the transfer material discharging section and the sheet discharging tray below the document placing table are not provided. Since it is hidden behind the original placing table, it is difficult to confirm the presence or absence of the transfer material from a position slightly away from the image forming apparatus.

[0005]

When confirming the presence or absence of the transfer material, the conventional movable discharge tray is pulled toward the front side to check whether or not the transfer material is loaded inside the box-shaped tray. Since it is visually recognized, it is difficult to confirm the presence or absence of the transfer material from a place away from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

When the image forming apparatus is a multi-function peripheral (hereinafter, also referred to as an image forming apparatus) and a facsimile function is added, even if the facsimile signal is received and the image-formed transfer material is discharged, it is mounted. Since the presence or absence of the transfer material cannot be confirmed unless the movable discharge tray is moved, the facsimile reception cannot be recognized from a position away from the image forming apparatus, and the transfer material is likely to be forgotten.

For example, when the image forming apparatus is installed in a corner of the office, the presence or absence of the transfer material cannot be known from a position away from the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the user leaves the seat each time the presence or absence of the transfer material is confirmed. However, the operator has to go to the place where the image forming apparatus is installed and visually check the paper discharge tray, which is a troublesome work for the operator.

In such a state, even when the network printer function is added, the user generally operates the image forming apparatus while watching the display on the console screen of the information equipment such as a personal computer and a workstation. However, since the operating place is not executed at the place where the image forming apparatus is installed, sometimes the transfer material discharged to the movable sheet discharge tray of the image forming apparatus may be forgotten in the same manner as above. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to reduce the physical burden on the operator and improve the operability and work efficiency.

[0010]

The objects of the present invention can be achieved by the following constitutions.

(1) A document table on which a document to be transferred is placed, image reading means for reading image information of the document, and image formation for forming an image on a transfer material based on the read image information. Means, a paper feed means for feeding the image forming means as a transfer material, and a paper feed storage means for storing the transfer material to be fed from the paper feed means,
In an image forming apparatus having a space for receiving and stacking a discharged transfer material on which an image is formed under the document table, a movable discharge tray is provided in the space, and the transfer discharged onto the movable discharge tray is performed. A transfer material detection unit for detecting the material is provided, and when it is detected that the transfer material is loaded on the paper discharge tray, a warning sound is emitted and the display unit displays that the transfer material is detected. An image forming apparatus having a control unit.

(2) Based on a detection signal of the transfer material detecting means provided in the paper discharge tray, the control section has a time measuring means for measuring an elapsed time after detecting the transfer material, and emits the warning sound. The image forming apparatus according to (1), further comprising an input unit capable of changing a time setting until display.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS.

The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.
Reference numeral 00 will be described as a multifunction peripheral having a digital copying machine, a network printer, a facsimile function, and the like.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram for explaining the functions of the image forming apparatus 100. The functions of a digital copying machine, a network printer, and a facsimile are integrated into a local area network (LAN) and a telephone line 800. The image forming apparatus 100 is connectable.

The scanner section 200 is an image reading means for optically reading image information of a document, performing photoelectric conversion / image processing, and outputting monotone scan data.

The printer unit 300 can output (image transfer to a transfer material) image data transferred from an information device (a personal computer, a workstation, a print server, etc.) connected via a LAN, and the scanner unit 200 reads the image data. The image forming means is capable of outputting the scan data and further outputting the facsimile data received by the facsimile unit described later.

In the following description, the printer section 300 will be described as an example in which an electrophotographic laser printer engine is adopted, but an ink jet method, a thermal sublimation transfer method or the like can also be adopted.

The facsimile unit 400 transmits the scan data of the image information of the original read by the scanner unit 200 as a facsimile signal at the time of transmission, analyzes the received facsimile signal at the time of reception, extracts the image data, and then the printer unit. Transfer to 300. The image forming apparatus 100 is connected to the telephone line 800 via the facsimile unit 400.

The network unit 500 is a module connected to a LAN. The main control unit 600 controls the operation of each unit according to a user's command, the remaining amount of materials, and the like, and displays the state on the display unit.

The information equipment 700 is a personal computer (PC), a workstation (WS) or the like connected to the LAN, and is connected to the image forming apparatus 100 via the network section 500.

With the above-mentioned configuration, the image forming apparatus 10
When 0 operates as a copying machine, the image information of the original set on the scanner unit 200 is read and the printer unit 300 is read.
To output. When operating as a facsimile, the printer unit 300 outputs the image data extracted by the facsimile unit 400 in the receiving operation, and the scanner unit 2 in the transmitting operation.
The scan data of the original read in 00 is transmitted from the facsimile section 400 to another facsimile apparatus via the telephone line 800. When operating as a printer, the printer unit 300 outputs the image data taken in from the network unit 500.

FIG. 2 shows an image forming apparatus 1 to which the present invention is applied.
00 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of No. 00. FIG.

In FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a paper ejection tray 2, a column 3, a paper ejection tray fixing release button 4, a document tray 5, an ADF unit 6, a scanner unit 200, a facsimile unit 400, a network unit 500, and a control unit. A document table unit 1 including a unit 10, a display unit 11, a key input unit 12, a cover 13, a discharge tray detection sensor 14, a transfer material detection sensor 16 and the like, and a main body unit 20 including a printer unit 300, a paper feeding unit 15 and the like. Composed of.

Further, the movable sheet discharge tray 2 is arranged so as to be housed in the space between the lower portion of the document table portion 1 of the image forming apparatus 100 and the main body portion 20.

This is based on the fact that the image forming apparatus 100 of the present invention gives priority to more effectively utilizing the installation space as a multifunctional machine (copier, printer, facsimile, etc.) having multiple functions.

Therefore, the image is transferred from the main body 20,
The fixed transfer material is ejected to a paper ejection tray 2 which is arranged so as to be hidden under the document table 1 as shown in FIG.

The paper discharge tray 2 is arranged adjacent to a paper discharge port (not shown), and as shown in FIG. 3, has a box-like shape in which a frame is provided on four sides of a substantially rectangular flat plate. A column-shaped support column 3 penetrates the left back corner of the flat plate in the direction perpendicular to the flat plate.

The paper discharge tray 2 is fixed to and supported by the support column 3 at this penetrating portion, and when the support column 3 rotates, it can be rotationally moved in the horizontal direction about the support column 3.

Further, among the frames provided on the four sides of the flat plate of the paper ejection tray 2, one side frame that contacts the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a claw 2a, which is shown in FIG.
The paper discharge tray 2 can be fixed by inserting it into the locking port 2b provided in the.

As shown in an enlarged view of the locking port 2b in FIG. 5, the locking port 2b for fixing the claw 2a is in a normal state, as shown in FIG. 2a is fixed, but when the paper discharge tray fixation release button 4 is pressed, the door opens to both ends as shown in FIG.
The fixation of a is released. The fixing means of the paper discharge tray 2 to the image forming apparatus 100 is not limited to the claw 2a, and other fixing means may be used as long as it can be fixed.

Further, in order to surely receive the discharged transfer material by the discharge tray 2, a discharge tray detection sensor 14 for detecting the position of the discharge tray 2 is provided in the discharge tray 2 or the image forming apparatus 100. May be. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a sheet discharge tray detection sensor 14 is provided below the document table 1 of the image forming apparatus 100 to send and receive signals, so that the sheet discharge tray 2 can receive the transfer material. You may detect whether it is in. Note that P2 (see FIG. 3) indicates a detection mark on the discharge tray detected by the discharge tray detection sensor 14 (indicating that the discharge tray 2 is at a position where the transfer material can be received).

Continuing with FIG. 2, the support column 3 will be described.
Passes through one corner of the flat plate of the discharge tray 2
And supports both ends thereof with a rotating mechanism provided inside the image forming apparatus 100 below the document tray 5. Further, when the paper discharge tray 2 is in a form attachable to and detachable from the image forming apparatus 100, the support column 3 is configured to be easily attachable to and detachable from the image forming apparatus 100.

The discharge tray fixing release button 4 is provided at a position where the operator can easily operate it, such as in the vicinity of the document tray 5, and when the button is pressed, the main body portion 20 is pressed.
Release the fixed state of the paper ejection tray 2 that is fixed to.
That is, the fixing of the claw 2a that is inserted and fixed in the locking opening 2b (see FIG. 4) on the main body 20 side is released.

The document tray 5 is provided on the upper surface of the cover 12 at the document insertion port of the ADF portion 6 integrally provided on the left end portion of the cover 12 in the drawing so that the set document faces the document insertion port. It is annexed to. Also, the document tray 5
Can set a plurality of originals.

ADF (Auto Document F
The feeder 6 is provided integrally with the document tray 5 on the left end of the cover 13 in the figure, and the documents set on the document tray 5 by a sheet feeding mechanism (not shown) are contacted one by one under the cover 13 (not shown). It is conveyed to the original reading surface of the glass.

The scanner section 200 comprises a scanner on the original reading surface of a contact glass (not shown) below the cover 13 and on the lower part of the contact glass.
The image data of the document conveyed by the F unit 6 is read.

The scanner includes a light source, a lens, a CCD (Ch
The image forming apparatus is composed of an image coupled device) and reads the image information of the original by imaging and photoelectrically converting the reflected light of the light illuminated and scanned from the light source to the original, and outputs the read image data to the printer unit 300.

Alternatively, in the facsimile section 400, the facsimile signal received via the telephone line 800 is composed of control data and compressed image data, and the compressed image data is stored in the facsimile circuit board provided in the facsimile section 400. Image data is demodulated by the digital signal processing unit and output to the printer unit 300.

The image data is not limited to image data such as graphics and photographs, but also includes text data such as characters and symbols.

The network section 500 comprises a network connection board (not shown) and transfers the received data to the main control section 600.

The display unit 11 is an LCD (Liquid C
physical display) and EL (Electr)
o Luminescence) or the like, and displays an input instruction status from the key input unit 12, an image formation status, an error display for notifying an error, and the like on the screen.

The key input unit 12 is configured to include numeric keys and function keys for switching various settings when forming an image. Although the display unit 11 and the key input unit 12 are independent of each other here, the display unit 11 is provided with a pressure-sensitive (resistive film type) touch panel in which transparent electrodes are arranged in a grid pattern. It is also possible to include an input unit of a pointing device that detects the XY coordinates of a force point pressed by a finger or a dedicated touch pen with a voltage value and that uses the detected position signal as an operation instruction.

The cover 13 includes the document tray 5 and the ADF section 6.
Is integrally formed with the contact glass to cover and protect the entire image reading surface formed of the lower contact glass, and blocks outside light from entering the contact glass.

The printer section 300 comprises a photosensitive drum, toner, etc., performs image processing on the image data output from the scanner section 200, conveys the transfer material from the paper feeding section 15, and After the electrostatic latent image of the image-processed image data is transferred and fixed on the transfer material exposed by the photoconductor drum, the toner is ejected from a paper ejection port (not shown) to the paper ejection tray 2.

The paper feeding section 15 uses the transfer material for the printer section 300.
It has a paper feeding and storing means configured to store the transfer material for each size and orientation.

The transfer material detection sensor 16 is attached to the lower surface of the document table 1 facing the paper discharge tray 2, detects that the transfer material is discharged to the paper discharge tray 2, and outputs the detection signal as a main signal. It is a transfer material detecting means to be sent to the control unit 600, and an audible alarm such as a buzzer sound is generated as a warning sound by the control unit 10 in the operation unit 30 based on a command from the main control unit 600, or on the display unit 11. Display a visual alarm (display a message such as "There is transfer material on the output tray"). Note that P1 (see FIG. 3) indicates a detection point of the transfer material detection sensor 16 on the discharge tray 2.

Next, the image forming apparatus 1 having the above configuration
A method of using the paper ejection tray 2 using 00 will be described with reference to FIG.

The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present invention.
Functions as a multi-function peripheral equipped with a digital copying machine, a network printer, and a facsimile, but in this description, the case of a digital copying machine will be described.

That is, the network printer and the facsimile have the same function of receiving the transmitted image data and discharging the transfer material onto which the image has been transferred to the discharge tray 2. Therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

First, when the transfer material on which the image of the original has been transferred is discharged to the discharge tray 2, it is detected by the transfer material detecting sensor 16 and the operation signal is detected by the operation unit 30 based on a command from the main controller 600. The control unit 10 in FIG. 2 can generate an audible alarm such as a buzzer sound as a warning sound to notify a user who is far from the image forming apparatus 100. Further, the control unit 10 can operate as a visual alarm by using the operation unit 30. Is displayed on the display section 11 of (displaying a message such as "There is transfer material in the discharge tray"),
You can check the contents of the audible alarm.

As a result, it is possible to prevent the transfer material from being left behind from the paper discharge tray 2 and to prevent the transfer material from being left behind. In addition, it is possible to prevent the transfer material from being mixed with a transfer material that is copied and discharged later, and it is also effective to prevent the transfer material from being lost.

Further, the operation shown in the flow chart of FIG. 6 can be performed.

That is, the transfer material on which the image of the original is transferred is discharged to the discharge tray 2 and started, and the transfer material detection sensor 16 detects the transfer material in the discharge tray 2.

In step S1, it is judged whether or not there is a transfer material in the discharge tray 2, and when the transfer material detecting sensor 16 detects that there is the transfer material in the discharge tray 2 (YES). In step S2, the measurement of the elapsed time from the time when the timing means mounted on the control unit 10 is detected by the transfer material detection sensor 16 is started.

The time measuring means can set the time until the warning sound is generated and is displayed, and the user-friendly conditions (for example, delay the transfer material detection sensor 16 and change the delay time according to the work content). It is possible to change the operation efficiency, etc.) with a button of the key input unit 12 of the operation unit 30.

It is judged in step S3 whether or not the transfer material remains in the paper discharge tray 2 even after a predetermined time has elapsed, and the transfer material detection sensor 16 detects that the transfer material remains. Then, (YES), it is determined that the transfer material is left behind or left behind.

Based on the detection signal of the transfer material detection sensor 16, the main control unit 6 receives the detection signal in step S4.
By generating an audible alarm such as a buzzer sound in the control unit 10 as a warning sound based on the command 00, the user who is far from the image forming apparatus 100 can be informed, and in step S5 Is displayed on the display unit 11 of the operation unit 30 as a static alarm (a message such as "There is transfer material in the discharge tray" is displayed).
You can check the contents of the audible alarm.

When there is no transfer material in the paper discharge tray 2 in step S1 (NO), it is determined that the transfer material has not been forgotten or left, and the normal paper discharge operation is continued.

If there is no transfer material in the paper discharge tray 2 in step S3, it is determined that the user has taken out the transfer material from the paper discharge tray 2 within the fixed time, and the normal paper discharge operation is performed. To continue.

As described above, by detecting the transfer material in the discharge tray 2 and providing an audible alarm, the image forming apparatus 100 for confirming the presence or absence of the transfer material in the discharge tray 2.
Up to this point, it is not necessary to go through each time, and it is possible to reduce operator's complicated work and physical burden, and improve operability and work efficiency.

Next, when the transfer material discharged to the discharge tray 2 is taken out, the discharge tray fixing release button 4 is pressed by the operator. When the discharge tray fixing release button 4 is pressed during the image forming operation, the image forming operation is stopped and an error screen is displayed on the display unit 11 notifying that an error has occurred.

When the discharge tray fixing release button 4 is pressed, the claw 2a is disengaged from the locking opening 2b of the image forming apparatus 100, and the discharge tray 2 is released from fixing. When the operator pulls the released paper discharge tray 2 toward the operator side, the paper discharge tray 2 is rotated about the support column 3 as shown in FIG.
The image forming apparatus 100 can be pulled out toward the front side by rotating and moving in the horizontal direction as indicated by the arrow A.

As described above, since the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with the rotatable movable discharge tray 2, the operator simply presses the discharge tray fixing release button 4 when taking out the discharged transfer material. The transfer material can be easily taken out from the paper discharge tray 2, and the workability can be improved. Further, since the discharge tray 2 can be easily pulled out and visually recognized without groping, the transfer material can be prevented from being damaged.

The paper discharge tray 2 is used for the image forming apparatus 10.
Since the image forming apparatus 100 is housed in 0 and pulled out to the front, it does not project to the side surface or the back surface of the image forming apparatus 100, and the installation space of the image forming apparatus 100 can be minimized.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the case where the image forming apparatus is a multi-function peripheral has been described, but the copying machine, the facsimile and the printer can be implemented as image forming apparatuses each having a single function.

[0067]

By providing the transfer material detection sensor for detecting the transfer material on the movable discharge tray, the presence or absence of the transfer material can be confirmed even from a place away from the image forming apparatus. It is possible to prevent forgetting.

Further, the operator can go to the place where the image forming apparatus is installed just to confirm the presence or absence of the transfer material and confirm the presence or absence of the transfer material on the discharge tray. It is possible to reduce the physical burden on the operator and improve operability and work efficiency.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing functions of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a form of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a paper discharge tray according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a locking port for fixing a claw of the paper discharge tray according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state of a locking port for fixing a claw of the paper discharge tray according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a relationship between detection of a transfer material in a paper discharge tray and an alarm according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Platen section 2 Paper ejection tray 3 props 4 Output tray fixing release button 10 Control unit 11 Display 12 Key input section 14 Output tray detection sensor 15 Paper feeder 16 Transfer material detection sensor 20 body 30 Operation part 100 image forming apparatus 200 Scanner section 300 Printer section 400 fax department 500 Network Department 600 Main control unit

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 1/00 108 H04N 1/00 108C F term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP03 AP04 AP07 CQ24 CQ32 CQ34 HJ04 HJ07 HK06 2H072 AA07 AA17 AA22 AB27 AB29 FB01 FB10 3F048 AA02 AA04 AA05 AB01 BA05 BC05 CB04 DA09 DC00 EB04 EB37 3F054 AA01 AC02 AC03 AC05 BA02 BA03 BC13 CA10 CA37 5C062 AA02 AA05 AB08 AB35 AC05 AC65 AD03

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A document table on which a document to be transferred is placed, image reading means for reading image information of the document, and image forming means for forming an image on a transfer material based on the read image information. A sheet feeding unit that feeds the image forming unit as a transfer material, a sheet feeding and storing unit that stores the transfer material to be fed from the sheet feeding unit, and an image is formed and ejected under the document table. In an image forming apparatus having a space for receiving and stacking a transfer material, a movable paper discharge tray is provided in the space, and a transfer material detecting unit for detecting the transfer material discharged onto the movable paper discharge tray is provided. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit which, when detecting that the material is stacked on the discharge tray, emits a warning sound and displays on the display means that the transfer material is detected. 2. The control unit, based on a detection signal of the transfer material detection means provided on the paper discharge tray, includes a time measuring means for measuring an elapsed time after detecting the transfer material, and outputs the warning sound. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an input unit capable of changing a time setting until display.