JP2005043816A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing appropriate image forming processing regardless of the sides and the direction of paper to be fed. <P>SOLUTION: A digital composite machine 1 capable of performing print on standard-size paper such as a postal card successively fed from a manual feeding tray 35 is provided with a memory 60 in which image data used in print processing is stored, sensors 71 to 74 and a length detection sensor 80 detecting a paper fed state including the sides and the direction of the paper fed to an image forming unit from the tray 35, and an image processing part 55 enlarging or reducing image data supplied to the image forming unit from the memory 60 based on detection signals from the sensors 71 to 74 and the sensor 80. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that executes an image forming process on a sheet based on image data input from an external device such as a personal computer.

  A Japanese word processor is widely used as an apparatus for efficiently printing a destination address / name and a sender's address / name on a standard form such as a government-made postcard or a New Year's postcard. The Japanese word processor has a simple structure, and it is easy for the user to understand the relationship between the printing surface of the paper and the print head, so the user can set how to set the paper to be printed when using the Japanese word processor. I rarely get lost.

  Furthermore, in some Japanese word processors, when sending information such as a pre-entered address / name and address / name of the sender to a postcard, the Japanese word processor sends a round-trip postcard. In some cases, the user's labor is reduced by printing information such as the address / name of the address and the address / name of the sender so as to suit each of the screen and the reply surface (for example, Patent Document 1 and (See Patent Document 2).

JP-A 64-9744 JP-A-1-161524

  However, with the spread of personal computers in recent years, there is an increasing number of cases where address printing such as postcards is performed by a printer connected to a personal computer, instead of printing the name such as postcards with the above-mentioned Japanese word processor. Along with this, the following problems have arisen.

  There are multiple types of printers connected to personal computers, such as laser printers and inkjet printers, and the internal structure of the paper transport mechanism and the like is different for each printer. It is difficult for the user to understand how the paper is to be set.

  For this reason, it is easy to generate inconveniences such as printing with the paper set up wrong and upside down or upside down. When such a printing error occurs, the image forming process cannot be performed smoothly. However, when a printing error occurs especially on a standard paper such as a postcard, there are many time and cost losses, so printing on a standard paper such as a postcard. It is necessary to prevent mistakes from occurring.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of executing an appropriate image forming process regardless of the paper feeding state including the front and back sides and the direction of the paper to be fed.

  The present invention has the following configuration.

(1) a paper feed tray on which paper to be subjected to image forming processing is placed, and an image forming means for performing image forming processing based on image data supplied to paper sequentially fed from the paper feeding tray In an image forming apparatus having
First storage means for storing image data used for image forming processing;
A paper feed detection means for detecting a paper feed state including the front and back sides and orientation of paper fed from the paper feed tray to the image forming means;
Image processing for performing image processing for matching the image data supplied from the first storage unit to the image forming unit with the state of the image forming surface of the fed sheet based on the detection result of the sheet feeding detection unit Means.

  In this configuration, the state of the paper fed from the paper feed tray to the image forming means is detected by the paper feed detecting means, and the paper feed detecting means is adapted to match the state of the image forming surface of the fed paper. Image processing is performed on the image data supplied to the image forming unit according to the detection result.

  (2) The paper feed detection means is a paper feed conveyance formed between the paper feed tray and the image forming means via a registration roller that controls the timing of paper feeding to the image forming means. In the vicinity of the path, at least the length in the paper feeding direction of the paper to be fed is arranged upstream of the registration roller in the paper feeding direction.

  In this configuration, the paper feed detection unit is disposed on the upstream side of the registration roller in the paper feed conveyance path, and in particular, the registration roller is considered in consideration of the time required to perform the necessary image processing on the image data. Is taken into consideration.

(3) The paper feed detecting means includes a paper discriminating unit for detecting images attached to both sides of the paper to be fed, and a size detecting unit for detecting the size of the paper to be fed. And

  In this configuration, the paper discriminating unit detects images attached to both sides of the fed paper, and the size detecting unit detects the size of the fed paper. The direction is detected.

(4) The present invention is characterized in that, after detecting the size of the paper fed by the size detection unit, images attached to both sides of the paper fed by the paper discrimination unit are detected.

  In this configuration, the paper size is detected by the size detection unit, and then the image attached to the paper is detected by the paper discrimination unit.

(5) The size detection unit includes a paper width regulation guide that is movable in a direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction and formed integrally with the paper discrimination unit,
The size of the paper is detected based on the position of the paper width regulation guide.

  In this configuration, the paper width that reciprocates in the width direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction and the paper discriminating unit for detecting images attached to both sides of the paper to be fed contacts both ends of the paper in the width direction. It is formed integrally with the regulation guide.

(6) The image processing means enlarges or reduces the image data based on a detection signal from the paper discriminating unit.

  In this configuration, the image data supplied to the image forming unit is enlarged or reduced by the image processing unit based on the detection signal from the paper discrimination unit.

(7) The image forming apparatus further includes a second storage unit that stores a signal pattern output from the paper feed detection unit and a state of an image forming surface corresponding to the signal pattern.

  In this configuration, the second storage unit stores the signal pattern output from the paper feed detection unit and the state of the image forming surface corresponding to the signal pattern for the standard paper that is frequently used by the user.

(8) The image forming apparatus further includes an operation mode for stopping the operation of the image forming unit when the sheet feeding state including the front and back sides and the direction of the sheet to be fed is not detected by the sheet feeding detecting unit.

  In this configuration, in the operation mode for preventing an image formation error, the image forming process is not executed when the paper feed state including the front and back and the direction of the paper fed by the paper feed detecting unit is not detected.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) When placing the paper to be fed on the paper feed tray, such as whether the paper is placed in the horizontal or vertical orientation and the front or back side of the paper is placed on the upper side Even without the user's awareness, image data that does not conform to the state of the image forming surface of the fed paper is not supplied to the image forming unit, so that it is possible to appropriately prevent an image forming error from occurring. Is possible.

(2) It is possible to secure time for executing image processing on image data after the detection of the paper feeding state including the front and back sides and orientation of the paper is completed until the image forming unit executes the image forming processing. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately prevent image formation mistakes.

(3) By detecting a characteristic image on a standard paper such as a face value portion of a postcard and the size of the paper to be fed, the front and back and orientation of the fed paper can be reliably detected with a simple configuration. In addition, it is possible to prevent an image formation error from occurring due to erroneous detection of the front and back sides and orientation of the fed paper.

(4) Since the detection signal from the paper discrimination unit is obtained using the detection signal from the size detection unit as a trigger, and the detection signal from the paper discrimination unit can be analyzed, the size of the paper to be fed can be determined. It is possible to simplify the control for specifying the optimum image processing for adapting the data to the state of the image forming surface of the paper, and to improve the reliability.

(5) As the paper width regulation guide is moved in accordance with the width of the fed paper, the paper discriminating unit moves to a position suitable for reading an image attached to the fed paper. Therefore, it is possible to reliably discriminate the paper by the paper discriminating means regardless of the width of the fed paper.

(6) When printing image data for public postcards on an echo postcard having a small image-formable area on the image-forming surface, the image data is enlarged or reduced to fit the size of the image-formable area. Regardless of the type of paper fed, it is possible to prevent image formation errors.

(7) After setting the signal pattern and the state of the image forming surface for the standard paper that is frequently used by the user, it can be stored in the second storage means, increasing the types of paper that can be discriminated, and versatility. In addition, convenience can be improved.

(8) In the operation mode for preventing an image formation error, the image formation process is not forced even though the paper feed state is not specified, so that it is possible to prevent an image formation error from occurring. .

  Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of executing an appropriate image forming process regardless of the paper feeding state including the front and back sides and orientation of the paper to be fed.

  Hereinafter, a digital multi-function peripheral which is an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a digital multi-function peripheral. As shown in the figure, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is supplied to a document reading unit 10 that reads image data of a document, an image forming unit 20 that performs a printing process based on the supplied image data, and an image forming unit 20. A paper feeding unit 30 for storing the paper to be stored.

  The document reading unit 10 includes a document table 11 on which a document is placed, a document pressing cover 12 that is supported rotatably on the document table 11 on the upper surface side of the document table 11, and opens or closes the document table 11. A document scanning body that is disposed below the document table 11 and reads image data of the document placed on the document table 11.

  The document pressing cover 12 is provided with an operation unit (not shown) for inputting a job to the digital multifunction machine 1. The document scanning body includes a first scanning unit 14, a second scanning unit 15, an optical lens 12, and a CCD 13. The first scanning unit 14 has an exposure lamp that exposes the image surface of the document and a first mirror that deflects the reflected light image from the document in the direction of the second scanning unit 15. The second scanning unit 15 has a second mirror and a third mirror that deflect the reflected light image from the original deflected by the first mirror in the first scanning unit 14 in the direction of the CCD 13. . The optical lens 12 reduces the reflected light image that is deflected by the second mirror and travels toward the CCD 13 to form a light image at a predetermined position. The CCD 13 is a photoelectric conversion element that sequentially photoelectrically converts the light image reduced by the optical lens 12 and outputs a reflected light image from the document as an electrical signal. The document image information converted into an electrical signal by the CCD 13 is transferred to an image processing unit, and processing based on a predetermined procedure is executed as image data.

  The image forming unit 20 includes a paper conveyance path formed between the paper feeding unit 30 and the paper discharge roller 29, and an image forming unit and a fixing unit are disposed along the paper conveyance path.

  The image forming unit includes a photoreceptor 21 as an image carrier. Around the photosensitive member 21, a charger 22 for uniformly charging the photosensitive member 21, and the surface of the photosensitive member 21 is exposed based on the supplied image data to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive member 21. A laser scanner unit (LSU) 23, a document device 24 for supplying a developer to an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 21 to form a developer image, and a developer formed on the surface of the photoconductor 21 A transfer discharger 25 for transferring the image onto the paper and a cleaning device 26 for removing the developer remaining on the photoreceptor 21 are provided. In this embodiment, the image forming unit constitutes the image forming means of the present invention.

  The laser scanner unit (LSU) 23 includes a semiconductor laser element that emits dot light modulated according to image data and an fθ lens for deflecting light from the semiconductor laser element in the main scanning direction. A pixel signal is supplied.

  A fixing device 27 for fixing the unfixed developer image transferred onto the sheet to the sheet is disposed on the downstream side of the image forming unit in the sheet conveyance path. A switching gate 38 is disposed downstream of the fixing device 27 in the paper conveyance direction, and the paper that has passed through the fixing device 27 is selectively guided to the discharge roller 29 or the switchback conveyance path 39 at the switching gate 38. Is done. Note that the sheet guided to the discharge roller 29 is guided to the sheet discharge tray 41, and the sheet guided to the switchback conveyance path 39 is guided again to the image forming unit via the double-sided tray 34.

  On the other hand, on the upstream side of the image forming unit in the paper transport path, a registration roller 37 for controlling the timing of transporting the paper to the image forming unit is disposed.

  The paper feed unit 30 is disposed below the image forming unit 20 and includes paper trays 31 to 33 for storing paper to be printed and a manual feed tray 35. The paper trays 31 to 33 store regular-sized plain paper, and the paper stored in the paper trays 31 to 33 is separated one by one by a paper feeding mechanism (not shown) and conveyed to the image forming unit 20. On the other hand, on the manual feed tray 35, paper that cannot be set in the paper trays 31 to 33 such as thick paper, an OHP sheet, various postcards, and envelopes is set. The manual feed tray 35 includes a paper feed / separation mechanism 36 that conveys the paper placed on the manual feed tray 35 to the image forming unit 20 while separating the paper.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 in the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 includes an image reading unit 10, an image forming unit 20, an operation unit 53, a device control unit 50, a communication unit 52, a hard disk 54, and a management unit 51.

  The operation unit 53 includes an input unit 53A including various input keys and a display unit 53B including a display unit such as a liquid crystal display unit, and a job for the digital multi-function peripheral 1 via the operation unit 53. An input or the like is performed, and the operating state of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is indicated to the user.

  The image forming unit 20 includes a volatile memory 60 and an image processing unit 55 in addition to the above-described configuration. The volatile memory 60 temporarily stores image data read by the document reading unit 10, image data input via the network 100, or image data stored in the hard disk 54. The image processing unit 55 constitutes an image processing unit of the present invention, and executes image processing such as rotation and enlargement / reduction on the image data to be printed stored in the memory 60.

  The device control unit 50 monitors the operation of each unit constituting the digital multifunction device 1 and controls the entire operation so as to perform an accurate operation as the multifunction device. The communication unit 52 controls communication between a client machine such as a personal computer installed on the network and the digital multifunction peripheral 1. In the present embodiment, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is connected to two personal computers 101 to 102 via a network 100. The number of personal computers connected to the network 100 is not limited to two and can be any number.

  The hard disk 54 stores image data read by the document reading unit 10 and image data input via the network 100. The management unit 51 manages information necessary for controlling each unit of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 in the device control unit 50.

In the present embodiment, the volatile memory 60 constitutes the first storage means of the present invention. The first storage means of the present invention is not limited to the volatile memory 60, and the first storage means may be constituted by the hard disk 54, and is preserved even if it is removed from the digital multifunction peripheral 1. The first storage unit may be composed of a non-volatile memory that can hold the image data, a memory having a backup function, or the like.
FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the manual feed tray 35 in the digital multi-function peripheral 1. As shown in the figure, the manual feed tray 35 includes a movable guide 90 that is movable in a direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction (hereinafter referred to as a width direction), four light-reflective detection sensors 71 to 74, and A length detection sensor 80 for detecting the length of the paper in the paper feeding direction is provided.

  The guides 90 abut against both ends in the width direction of the paper placed on the manual feed tray 35 to prevent oblique feeding during paper feeding. The sensors 71 to 74 determine the front and back of the paper set on the manual feed tray 35. The sensors 71 and 72 are disposed at positions facing the upper surface of the paper to be fed. The sensor 74 is disposed at a position facing the lower surface of the paper to be fed. Each of the sensors 71 to 74 includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, irradiates light to a detected object such as paper from the light emitting unit, and detects reflected light from the irradiated object by the light receiving unit. Note that the configuration of the detection sensors 71 to 74 is not limited to the above-described configuration. For example, the detection sensors 71 to 74 may be configured by combining a reduction optical system and a color CCD.

  The length detection sensor 80 is disposed at a position facing the lower surface of the paper to be fed, and detects the time required for the paper to pass above the length detection sensor 80. In the present embodiment, the length in the sheet feeding direction is detected from the signal output time from the length detection sensor 80 and the sheet feeding speed. In the present embodiment, the sensors 71 to 74 constitute the paper discrimination unit of the present invention, the length detection sensor 80 constitutes the size detection unit of the present invention, and the sensors 71 to 74 and the length detection sensor 80 constitute the present invention. Paper feed detection means.

  FIG. 4 shows a configuration in the vicinity of the paper feed conveyance path formed between the manual feed tray 35 and the registration rollers 37. As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, a length detection sensor 80, detection sensors 71 to 74, a paper feed / separation mechanism 36, and a registration roller 37 are arranged in this order from the upstream side in the paper feed direction. .

  In the present embodiment, the length detection sensor 80 and the detection sensors 71 to 74 are respectively disposed outside the digital multi-function peripheral 1, but in the paper feed direction of the paper feed / separation mechanism 36 inside the digital multi-function peripheral 1. You may make it arrange | position the length detection sensor 80 and the detection sensors 71-74 in the downstream. In the figure, the variation of the arrangement position of the length detection sensor 80 and the detection sensors 71 to 74 is represented by a length detection sensor 80 ', detection sensors 71' to 74 ', and a length detection sensor 80 "and a detection sensor 71". Indicated by 74 ″.

  Here, in order to properly implement the present invention, the length detection sensor 80 and the detection sensors 71 to 74 are arranged upstream of the positions of the length detection sensor 80 'and the detection sensors 71' to 74 'shown in the drawing. It is preferable to do.

Specifically, as shown in the figure, the length L of the sheet in the paper feeding direction, the distance S from the nip portion of the registration roller 37 to the detection sensors 71 to 74, and the length detection sensor 80 from the nip portion of the registration roller 37. The relative relationship of the distance Q to
Q>S> L
It is preferable to satisfy.

  This is because the detection from the detection sensors 71 to 74 is triggered by a detection signal output from the length detection sensor 80 when printing a plurality of image data to be printed in an appropriate state. This is because a signal can be obtained and the control processing time required for image processing is taken into account, whereby control is facilitated and reliability is improved.

  In the above-described digital multi-function peripheral 1, the present invention prevents a printing error from occurring due to an improper loading state of a postcard when printing is performed by setting a standard paper such as a postcard on a manual feed tray. It is characterized by that.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a postcard set in the digital multifunction peripheral 1. 5A shows a New Year's postcard, FIG. 5B shows an official postcard, FIG. 5C shows an echo postcard, and FIG. 5D shows a camomail. FIG. 6 shows a configuration of a reciprocating postcard fed and conveyed from the manual feed tray 35.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each type of postcard has a unique pattern and color. In the digital multi-function peripheral 1, the postcard is placed on the manual feed tray 35 using the detection sensors 71 to 74. The front and back sides of the paper are judged by detecting the features of the patterns and colors of the upper and lower surfaces of the paper such as postcards.

  First, as a judgment criterion for front and back, in the case of a normal government-made postcard, it is confirmed whether it is front or back by detecting the presence or absence of a face portion. Further, in the case of a round-trip postcard, the color of the face value portion differs between forward credit and reply, so the front and back of the round-trip postcard are confirmed by detecting the color of the face value portion.

  Furthermore, even for paper other than postcards, for example, on papers such as dishes (menus) used at restaurants, specific images (patterns, logos, etc.) are printed in advance on the surface, and There is a plain back surface, and by detecting such a specific image using the detection sensors 71 to 74, it is possible to determine the front and back of the paper other than the postcard.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 will be described with a postcard as an example. When the postcard 2 is set on the manual feed tray 35 and name printing or text printing is performed on the postcard 2, the detection sensors 71 to 72 facing the upper surface of the postcard 2 and the lower surface of the postcard 2 are faced. Features such as image patterns on both sides of the postcard 2 are detected by the detection sensors 73 to 74.

  7 and 8 show a state in which both sides of the postcard 2 are detected by the detection sensors 71 to 74. 7 (a), FIG. 7 (b), FIG. 8 (c), and FIG. 8 (d) show the surface side of the postcard 2, and FIG. 7 (c), FIG. 7 (d), and FIG. FIG. 8B shows the back side of the postcard 2.

  The detection sensors 71 to 74 are arranged at positions facing characteristic portions such as the face value of the postcard 2. In the drawing, the postcard 2 is conveyed in the paper feeding direction indicated by the arrow 3. As the postcard 2 is fed, a signal based on the image pattern applied to the upper surface of the postcard 2 is output from the detection sensor 71 and the detection sensor 72, and based on the image pattern applied to the lower surface of the postcard 2. The detected signal is output from the detection sensor 73 and the detection sensor 74.

  The signals output from the detection sensors 71 to 74 differ depending on the colors and patterns applied to the upper and lower surfaces of the postcard 2, and the upper and lower surfaces of the postcard 2 being fed by analyzing this output signal. You can grasp the state of. For example, when the output signal based on the image pattern given to the surface of the New Year's postcard 2 is stored in the management unit 51 or the like, the New Year's postcard 2 is positioned on the upper printing surface when the New Year's postcard 2 is fed. It is possible to determine whether the postcard 2 is the front side or the back side, and it is also possible to detect whether the front and rear ends of the new year postcard 2 are not inverted.

  Further, when a table of output signals related to the color of the face image is created and stored in the management unit 51, the table stored in the management unit 51, the detection signals detected by the detection sensors 71 to 74, Can also be used to determine the color of the face value image. For this reason, in the digital multi-function peripheral 1, face value information on various postcards such as government-made postcards, new year postcards, camo mails, echo postcards, and round-trip postcards is managed by the management unit 51, and the manual feed tray 35 is detected by the detection sensors 71 to 74. It is possible to identify the type of postcard above.

  FIG. 7 shows a state where the surface of the New Year's postcard 2 is located on the upper side, and FIG. 8 shows a state where the surface of the New Year's postcard 2 is located on the lower side. As shown in these drawings, the output patterns of signals output from the detection sensors 71 to 74 are different between the case where the front surface of the New Year's card is located on the upper side and the case where the rear surface of the New Year's card is located on the upper side. In addition, as shown in FIG. 7 (a) and FIG. 7 (b) or in comparison with FIG. 8 (c) and FIG. 8 (d), the front end side and the rear end side of the New Year's postcard are reversed. As a result, the output patterns of the signals output from the detection sensors 71 to 74 are different.

  FIG. 9A shows a configuration of image data supplied to the image forming unit 20. FIG. 9B shows a variation of the state of the postcard 2 to be fed. As shown in FIG. 9A, the image data used for printing the postcard 2 in this embodiment has job information including a print mode, a paper size, a paper tray to be used, a paper feeding direction, and the like as a header. The address and name of the address to be printed on the front side of the government postcard (A part in the figure), and the greeting text to be printed on the back side of the government postcard and the text data of the event contact information (figure B portion in FIG.

  In the digital multi-function peripheral 1, the detection sensors 71 to 74 and the length detection sensor 80 detect whether the postcard to be fed corresponds to one of the feeding states (1) to (8) in FIG. ing. That is, the postcard 2 to be fed is in state 1 (landscape / front / no reversal), state 2 (landscape / front / reverse), state 3 (landscape / back / no reversal), state 4 (landscape / rear / reverse) State 5 (Portrait / Front / Inversion), State 6 (Portrait / Front / No inversion), State 7 (Portrait / Back / Counterclockwise 90 degree rotation), or State 8 (Portrait) The detection sensors 71 to 74 and the length detection sensor 80 detect whether the state is the back surface or the clockwise rotation of 90 degrees. Here, the reversal means that the front end and the rear end of the postcard in the paper feeding / conveying direction are reversed.

  After detecting whether the state of the postcard 2 is the above-described state (1) to state (8) based on the detection signals of the detection sensors 71 to 74, the device control unit 50 performs the image processing unit 55. Is controlled to rotate the image data by 0 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, or 270 degrees. For this reason, since the state of the image forming surface of the postcard 2 and the state of the image data always match, the printing process is properly executed regardless of the state of the postcard 2 placed on the manual feed tray 35.

  For example, when it is determined by the detection sensors 71 to 74 that the postcard 2 is in the state (1), the device control unit 50 causes the image forming unit 20 to perform the printing process as it is. Further, if the detection sensors 71 to 74 determine that the postcard 2 is in the state (2), the device control unit 50 outputs a control signal to the image forming unit 20 after inverting the image data by 180 degrees. The print process is executed.

  Further, when the postcard 2 to be fed is in the state (3), the device control unit 50 first executes the printing process for the image data B for the back side of the postcard, and in the state (4), The printing process is executed after inverting the image data B by 180 degrees. In the case of state (5), the printing process is executed after rotating the image data A by 90 degrees. In the case of state (6), the image data is executed. The printing process is executed after rotating A by 270 degrees. In the state (7), the printing process is executed after rotating the image data B by 90 degrees. In the case of the state (8), the printing process is performed. After rotating it 270 degrees, the printing process is executed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the type and conveyance direction of the postcard fed by the output signals from the detection sensors 71 to 74 and the length detection sensor 80 are identified, and the supply order of the image data to the image forming unit is determined. Since it is possible to perform adjustment and image processing on the image data and execute printing processing according to the orientation of the postcard 2, a printing error caused by the mismatch between the state of the set of the postcard 2 and the image data is avoided. Can be prevented.

  FIG. 10 shows the configuration of the manual feed tray 35 in the second embodiment. As shown in the figure, the basic configuration of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is the same as that of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 in the first embodiment. However, the manual feed tray 35 in this embodiment is an improvement over the manual feed tray in the first embodiment.

  Similar to the first embodiment, also in this embodiment, guides 90 that contact both ends of the sheet in the width direction are provided on the manual feed tray 35. In the present embodiment, the sensors 71 to 74 are attached at predetermined positions in the guide 90, and the sensors 71 to 74 and the guide 90 are integrally configured. For this reason, the sensors 71 to 74 move in the width direction as the guide 90 slides. Further, in the present embodiment, width detection sensors 91 to 93 for detecting the width of the paper are disposed at predetermined positions on the manual feed tray 35 along the width direction. The guide 90 is formed with a sensor light-shielding portion 95 that shields light from the width detection sensors 91 to 93. In this embodiment, the sensors 71 to 74, the width detection sensors 91 to 93, the length detection sensor 80, and the sensor light shielding unit 95 constitute a paper feed detection unit of the present invention.

  After the postcard or the reciprocating postcard is placed on the manual feed tray 35 in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction, when the guide 90 is brought into contact with both ends in the width direction of the postcard, the sensor light-shielding portion 95 formed in the guide 90 causes the width detection sensor The sensor light-shielding part 95 is arrange | positioned in the position facing any one of 91-93. For this reason, the width of the postcard placed on the manual feed tray 35 is detected by detecting which one of the width detection sensors 91 to 93 is opposed to the sensor light-shielding unit 95. be able to.

  FIG. 11 shows a sensor detection list of postcard type / direction / front and back. Further, FIG. 12 shows variations in the sheet feeding state of postcards (public postcards and reciprocating postcards). In the figure, for the postcards placed sideways, the “government side A” with the front side positioned on the upper side, the “government side B” with the “government side A” inverted, and the back side with the “government side postcard” The detection states of the sensors 71 to 74, the length detection sensor 80, and the width detection sensors 91 to 93 in the feeding state of “public D” and “government horizontal C” obtained by inverting “public D” are shown. Yes.

  Similarly, for a government-made postcard placed in a vertical orientation, the “government-made vertical B” whose surface is located on the upper side, the “government-made vertical A” obtained by inverting the “government-made vertical B”, and the “government-made postcard” whose rear side is located on the upper side. The detection states of the sensors 71 to 74, the length detection sensor 80, and the width detection sensors 91 to 93 in each of the four paper supply states of “Vertical D” and “Public Vertical C” obtained by inverting “Vertical D” Show.

  In addition, for round-trip postcards placed sideways, “round-trip horizontal B” with the green return side frame portion positioned on the upper side, “round-trip horizontal A” with “round-trip horizontal B” reversed, blue outgoing side frame Sensors 71 to 74, length detection sensor 80, and width detection sensor in each of the four feeding states of “reciprocating lateral D” and “reciprocating lateral C” in which “reciprocating lateral D” is inverted. The detection states 91 to 93 are shown.

  For the reciprocating postcards placed vertically, the green return side face portion is located on the upper side, “reciprocal vertical A”, “reciprocal vertical B” in which “reciprocal vertical A” is inverted, and blue outgoing side The sensors 71 to 74, the length detection sensor 80, and the width detection in each of the four feeding states of “reciprocating length D”, “reciprocating length D” in which “the reciprocating length D” is inverted with the frame portion positioned on the upper side The detection states of the sensors 91 to 93 are shown. For the sake of convenience, in this embodiment, “vertical” means that the postcard placed on the manual feed tray 35 is vertical as seen from the user, and “horizontal” means that the postcard placed on the manual feed tray 35 is It means that it is sideways as seen from the user.

  In the digital multi-function peripheral 1, first, it is confirmed which of the sensors 71 to 74 detects the postcard face portion. Thereby, the front and back of the postcard and the presence or absence of inversion are detected. Here, in the case of a round-trip postcard, the green face portion on the return side is detected.

  Next, the length of the postcard in the paper feeding / conveying direction is determined by the length of time during which a signal is output from the length detection sensor. As shown in FIG. 12, the length of the postcard in the paper feeding and conveying direction has three stages, “reciprocal horizontal” is the longest, “government horizontal” and “reciprocal vertical” are the next longest, and the shortest is “ "Vertical made by the government".

  On the other hand, the width of the postcard is detected by using the width detection sensors 91 to 93. There are also three levels of postcard width, with “reciprocal length” being the longest, “government vertical” and “reciprocal horizontal” being the next longest and shortest being “government horizontal”.

  Since the postcard type / direction / front / back sensor detection list table shown in the figure is stored in the management unit 51, the device control unit 50 determines which sensor of the sensors 71 to 74 detects the face portion, Whether the detection time of the length detection sensor 80 is “long”, “medium”, or “short”, the detection width of the width detection sensors 91 to 93 is “large”, “medium”, or “small”. It is detected whether the postcard on the manual feed tray 35 is a public postcard or a reciprocating postcard, and whether the postcard is located on the upper surface side (image forming surface) is the front surface or the back surface. It is possible to confirm whether the orientation being performed is portrait orientation or landscape orientation and whether the orientation is reversed.

  Here, as an example of the operation of the digital multi-function peripheral 1, an operation for printing a reciprocating postcard based on image data sent from the personal computer 101 connected to the digital multi-function peripheral 1 will be described. In the round-trip postcard, the image of the face portion on the outgoing side is blue, and the back side is plain white. Further, the image of the face portion on the reply side is green, and the back surface is plain.

  Usually, the address and name of the other party are printed on the outgoing side (the side having the blue face value portion), and the matters to be communicated to the other party such as the date and time of the event are printed on the back side. In addition, the address and name of the sender are printed on the reply side (the side having the green face value), and the intention of the other party such as attendance at the event is written on the back side.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of the configuration of image data printed on a reciprocating postcard. Among the image data of the round-trip postcard shown in the figure, the first “image data C” includes the sender's address / name data for the reply side, and the date / place of the event for the back side Includes data such as contact information.

  On the other hand, the second “image data D” includes data describing the other party's intentions, such as the address / name of the other party for the outgoing side and the attendance for the back side event It is.

  For example, when the device control unit 50 determines that the postcard on the manual feed tray 35 is a reciprocating postcard and the paper feeding state is “reciprocating horizontal B” in FIGS. “Image data C” consisting of side and back data is selected, and the device control unit 50 outputs a control signal to the image forming unit 20 and executes printing processing based on “image data C”.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the postcard on the manual feed tray 35 is a reciprocating postcard according to the detection state of each sensor and the paper feeding state is “reciprocating lateral A” in FIGS. “Image data C” is selected and the image processing unit 55 rotates (inverts) “image data C” by 180 degrees, and then executes print processing based on “image data C”.

  As described above, when printing a reciprocating postcard, it is confirmed whether the first data to be printed is “image data C” or “image data D”, and the selected image data is rotated. After confirming whether or not it is necessary to perform the printing, printing for the reciprocating postcard is executed, so that it is possible to drastically reduce the occurrence of printing mistakes during printing of the reciprocating postcard.

  14 and 15 show the operation of the printing process for the echo postcard. Here, the echo postcard is a postcard in which a part of the postcard fee is borne by the advertiser by placing an advertisement on the print surface, and the printable area on the print surface is narrower than that of a normal postcard.

  In FIG. 14, the echo postcard is placed on the manual feed tray 35 with the surface facing up. At this time, the advertisement formed on the printing surface is detected by the sensor 71 and the sensor 72, and a corresponding pattern signal is output. The device control unit 50 detects that an advertisement is formed on the printing surface based on output signals from the sensors 71 and 72, and the postcard 2 placed on the manual feed tray 35 is an echo postcard. Make sure.

  FIG. 15 shows the configuration of image data for print processing for an echo postcard. When printing on the echo postcard, the device control unit 50 reduces the “image data A” printed on the surface of the echo postcard and then executes a printing process based on the “image data A”. Since the back side of the echo postcard has a printable area in the same range as that of a normal postcard, the “image data B” is not reduced in this embodiment.

  As described above, by reducing a part of the image data printed on the echo postcard, it is possible to prevent a printing defect from occurring even in an echo postcard in which the printable area of the front writing portion is narrow.

  FIG. 16 shows the configuration of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 in the third embodiment. The digital multifunction device 1 in the third embodiment has the same configuration as the digital multifunction device 1 in the first embodiment except that a signal pattern registration / deletion function is added.

  The signal pattern registration / deletion in the third embodiment will be described. The signal patterns obtained from the sensors 71 to 74 are stored in the memory 61 and compared with various signal patterns recorded in the hard disk 54. The type of paper and the transport direction are determined.

  The pattern of the output signal from the sensors 71 to 74 for a frequently used paper such as a postcard is created in advance and recorded in the hard disk 54. However, a postcard such as a menu item used at a restaurant is used. For other sheets, the frequency of use is different for each user, and it is extremely difficult to create a signal pattern in advance at the time of factory shipment.

  Therefore, in the digital multi-function peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to register the pattern of the output signal from the sensors 71 to 74, the paper type corresponding to the signal pattern, the paper feed state, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the signal pattern output from the sensors 71 to 74 is stored in the memory 61. The user registers, for the signal pattern stored in the memory 61 via the input unit 53A and the display unit 53B in the operation unit 53, the correspondence relationship between the signal pattern and the name / paper feeding state of the fed paper. Etc. can be performed. Note that these registration operations may be performed not from the operation unit 53 but from the personal computer 101.

  The registered signal pattern data is recorded on the hard disk 54. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the hard disk 54 constitutes the second storage means of the present invention. By performing the registration work in this way, it is possible to deal with paper that is frequently used by the user as well as postcards, and it is possible to register the paper that the user wants to discriminate according to the user's preference. 1 versatility is improved.

  In contrast to the above registration operation, it is also possible to delete the registration data regarding the signal pattern recorded on the hard disk 54. By selecting the registered data according to the user's preference and deleting it from the hard disk 54, the storage area of the hard disk 54 can be secured.

  Finally, a case where the feature of a specific image printed in advance on a sheet cannot be recognized will be described. When the characteristics of a specific image printed in advance on the paper to be fed cannot be recognized, the display of the connected personal computer 101 or the display unit 53B of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 indicates “The state of the paper printing surface cannot be confirmed. An operation mode in which the print processing is not executed can be provided by displaying a confirmation message such as “Cancel the execution of“.

  By providing such an operation mode, when the state of the printing surface of the fed paper cannot be confirmed, the subsequent printing process is stopped, so that it is possible to prevent a printing error from occurring. .

  In this case, a confirmation message such as “Please specify the paper discharge destination. Do you want to use the paper discharge tray or the intermediate tray?” Is displayed on the display of the connected personal computer 101 or the display unit 53B of the digital multifunction peripheral 1. And encourages the user to make decisions.

  If the paper that has not been printed is automatically discharged to a paper discharge tray or an intermediate tray based on the user's decision, the place where the print is canceled is automatically specified by the user. Therefore, the processing burden on the user can be reduced and operability can be improved.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral according to the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital multi-function peripheral. It is a figure which shows the structure of the manual feed tray in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in the vicinity of a paper feed conveyance path in a digital multifunction peripheral. It is a figure which shows the variation of the postcard printed by a digital multifunctional device. It is a figure which shows the structure of the reciprocating postcard printed by a digital multi-function peripheral. It is a figure which shows the state which detects the image of both surfaces of a postcard. It is a figure which shows the state which detects the image of both surfaces of a postcard. It is a figure which shows the printing process with respect to a postcard. It is a figure which shows the structure of the manual feed tray in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the correspondence of the detection state of each sensor, and the kind, front, back, and orientation of a postcard. It is a figure which shows the variation of a kind, front, back, and direction of a postcard. It is a figure which shows the printing process with respect to a reciprocating postcard. It is a figure which shows the state of the detection operation | work with respect to an echo postcard. It is a figure which shows the printing process with respect to an echo postcard. It is a figure which shows the structure of the digital multifunctional device in 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1- Digital multifunction device 10- Document reading part 20- Image forming part 30- Paper feed part 35- Paper feed tray 36- Paper feed / separation mechanism 71-74- Detection sensor 80- Length detection sensor

Claims (8)

A paper feed tray on which paper to be subjected to image forming processing is placed; and image forming means for performing image forming processing based on image data supplied to the paper sequentially fed from the paper feeding tray. In the image forming apparatus,
First storage means for storing image data used for image forming processing;
A paper feed detection means for detecting a paper feed state including the front and back sides and orientation of paper fed from the paper feed tray to the image forming means;
Image processing for performing image processing for matching the image data supplied from the first storage unit to the image forming unit with the state of the image forming surface of the fed sheet based on the detection result of the sheet feeding detection unit And an image forming apparatus.   The paper feed detecting means is in the vicinity of a paper feed conveyance path formed between the paper feed tray and the image forming means through a registration roller that controls the timing of feeding paper to the image forming means. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is disposed upstream of the registration roller by at least a length in a sheet feeding direction of a sheet to be fed.   The paper feed detecting means includes a paper discriminating unit for detecting images attached to both sides of the fed paper, and a size detecting unit for detecting the size of the fed paper. Item 2. The image forming apparatus according to Item 1.   The image formation according to claim 3, wherein after the size of the paper fed by the size detection unit is detected, images attached to both sides of the paper fed by the paper discrimination unit are detected. apparatus. The size detection unit includes a paper width regulation guide that is movable in a direction perpendicular to the paper feeding direction and formed integrally with the paper discrimination unit,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the size of the sheet is detected based on a position of the sheet width regulation guide.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image processing unit enlarges or reduces the image data based on a detection signal from the paper discrimination unit.   7. The image according to claim 1, further comprising a second storage unit that stores a signal pattern output from the paper feed detection unit and a state of an image forming surface corresponding to the signal pattern. Forming equipment.   The operation mode for stopping the operation of the image forming unit when the sheet feeding state including the front and back sides and the direction of the fed sheet is not detected by the sheet feeding detecting unit is further provided. 8. The image forming apparatus according to 7.

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