JP2005164671A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus in which whether option devices have been attached or not can be detected without being affected by malfunction of a main body and the option devices, with high reliability despite the independent simple structure of the main body and the option devices, and with no increase in cost. <P>SOLUTION: From the one-shot pulse generating circuits 101, 111, and 1n1 of option devices 10, 11, and 1n, one-shot pulses P0, P1, and Pn indicating the respective attached states are outputted to the image forming apparatus 20 via transistors TR0, TR1, and TRn with different timing. The level of an I/O input is determined corresponding to each one-shot pulse by the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 20. Thereby, whether each of the option devices 10, 11, and 1n has been attached or not is determined. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  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 that determines whether or not an optional device is mounted in a multifunction peripheral such as a copying machine or a printer.

  In the image forming apparatus, various option devices such as a feeder for automatically feeding a document can be mounted on the image forming apparatus. Necessary control is performed in the image forming apparatus according to each option device. Therefore, it is necessary to determine and control whether or not an optional device is installed in the image forming apparatus.

  As a method for determining whether or not an optional device is mounted, a first method for determining that the optional device is not mounted if serial communication with the optional device cannot be performed. There is a second method of storing in a non-volatile memory.

Japanese Patent No. 2770612 (Patent Document 1) describes the third method. That is, when an optional device that is newly connectable to the main unit is connected, the main unit outputs a pulse signal to the control signal terminal to the optional device, and the optional device outputs the pulse signal to the main unit. A data processing device is described that determines that an optional device is connected when it is detected that a pulse signal waveform corresponding to the pulse signal is input to the main device.
Japanese Patent No. 2770612 (paragraph number 0006, FIG. 1)

  In the first method, for example, even when a finishing device as an optional device is attached, even when communication cannot be performed due to a failure on the optional device side, it may be determined that the optional device is not attached. For this reason, if the user makes an unnecessary copy or printout without knowing it, a paper jam always occurs in the finishing device attached to the paper discharge unit on the image forming apparatus side.

  When a paper jam occurs, not only is it bothersome to remove the jammed paper, but in some cases, different users can repeat the same thing over and over, resulting in a large amount of mistakes in the gap between the main unit discharge section of the image forming apparatus and the finishing device. The copy accumulates. This may cause serious accidents such as fatal mechanical damage and paper breakage / fire due to heat from the fixing unit.

  In addition, even if it does not lead to a fatal problem like a finishing device, it is impossible to distinguish between failure and non-installation of an optional device. Will be greatly impaired. In order to eliminate such concerns, the second method may be used. However, the ease of setup is impaired, and a mistake similar to the first method may occur due to human error.

  Furthermore, the third method in Patent Document 1 determines whether or not an optional device connected to the same connection terminal is connected and its type, but can only determine two types of optional devices that are not attached at the same time. In order to determine the number of optional devices that are installed at the same time, the number of optional devices that can be installed is required regardless of the installation rate of the optional devices. There is a problem that it is not preferable.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide an optional device that has an independent and simple structure with high reliability and is low in cost, regardless of failures on the image forming apparatus side and the optional device side. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that can detect whether or not a user is attached.

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus to which a plurality of option devices can be connected, and each of the plurality of option devices includes a pulse generating means for generating a pulse signal that identifies the mounting of the corresponding option device. And determining means for detecting that a pulse signal from the means is input and determining which of the plurality of optional devices is mounted.

  Preferably, the pulse generating means generates a pulse signal at different timings to identify each corresponding option device, and the discriminating means detects the input timing of the pulse signal input from each option device and corresponds to the corresponding option device. Determine that the device is installed.

  Preferably, the pulse generation means includes a trigger signal generation circuit that generates a trigger signal at a timing for identifying a corresponding option device in response to power being turned on, and 1 in response to a trigger signal from the trigger signal generation circuit. A pulse generating circuit for generating a pulse, and a switching element that is OR-connected to the output of another pulse generating means and outputs one pulse from the one pulse generating circuit to the image forming apparatus. The installation timing of each optional device is determined by detecting the input timing of one pulse.

  Preferably, the trigger signal generation circuit includes a series circuit of a resistor and a capacitor connected between the power source and the ground, and outputs a trigger signal from a connection point between the resistor and the capacitor.

  The image forming apparatus detects the input of a pulse signal specifying each option device from the pulse generation means included in the option device, and determines which of the plurality of option devices is installed. Therefore, the image forming apparatus and the optional apparatus have simple configurations that are independent of each other and are not affected by failures on the image forming apparatus side and the optional apparatus side. Wearing / non-wearing can be determined.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus and an optional apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, an overall schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 20 and the option apparatuses 10, 11,... 1n will be described with reference to FIG.

  The image forming apparatus 20 includes a control unit 21, an image forming unit 22, a communication unit 23, and a power supply unit 24. The option device 10 includes a pulse generation unit 101, a communication unit 102, a control unit 103, and a drive unit 104. The option device 11 similarly includes a pulse generation unit 111, a communication unit 112, a control unit 113, Drive unit 114. The optional device 1n includes a pulse generator 1n1, a communication unit 1n2, a control unit 1n3, and a drive unit 1n4. The control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 20 and the pulse generation units 101, 111... 1n1 of the option devices 10, 11,... 1n are connected by a control line 30, and the communication unit 23 of the image forming apparatus 20; The control units 31 are connected to the communication units 102, 112,..., 1n2 of the option devices 10, 11,. Further, power is supplied from the power supply unit 24 of the image forming apparatus 20 to the option devices 10, 11,.

  The control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 20 exchanges information with the communication units 102, 112... 1n2 of the option devices 10, 11,... 1n via the communication unit 23 and the control line 31, and the image forming unit 22. To form a predetermined image. In the option devices 10, 11... 1n, the control units 103, 113... 1n3 are controlled to drive the corresponding drive units 104, 114... 1n4 based on information from the communication units 102, 112.

  The pulse generators 101, 111... 1n1 of the option devices 10, 11... 1n generate pulse signals at different timings for specifying that the option devices 10, 11... 1n are connected to the image forming apparatus 20, respectively. To do. The control unit 21 detects a pulse signal transmitted from each option device 10, 11... 1n via the control line 30 and determines the timing thereof, thereby determining which option device is connected. .

  2 is a specific circuit diagram of the control unit 21 included in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and the pulse generation units 101, 111... 1n1 included in the option devices 10, 11,. 2, the control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 20 incorporates a CPU 201 as a control unit. The CPU 201 determines whether or not the option devices 10, 11... 1n are mounted on the image forming apparatus 20. Determined. A resistor R11 is connected between the I / O input terminal of the CPU 201 and the detection input terminal 202 of the image forming apparatus 20, and a DC voltage + V is supplied to the detection input terminal 202 via the resistor R12 to obtain “H”. ”Is kept at the level.

  The pulse generation unit 101 of the option device 10 includes a resistor R0, a capacitor C0, a one-shot pulse generation circuit 105, a transistor TR0, and an output terminal 106. The resistor R0 and the capacitor C0 are connected between the power supply line and the ground, and the connection point between the resistor R0 and the capacitor C0 is connected to the trigger input terminal of the one-shot pulse generation circuit 105. Capacitor C0 is charged with DC voltage + V through resistor R0 after power is turned on, and provides a trigger signal to one-shot pulse generation circuit 105 when a predetermined time t0 has elapsed. The predetermined time t0 is determined by the time constant of the resistor R0 and the capacitor C0.

  The one-shot pulse generation circuit 105 is configured by a monostable multivibrator, for example, and generates a one-shot pulse P0 in response to the input of a trigger signal. This one-shot pulse P0 is applied to the base of the transistor TR0. The collector of the transistor TR0 is connected to the output terminal 106, and the emitter is grounded.

  The pulse generator 111 of the option device 11 is configured in the same manner as the pulse generator 101 of the option device 10, and includes a resistor R1, a capacitor C1, a one-shot pulse generator circuit 115, a transistor TR1, and an output terminal 116. including. The pulse generator 1n1 of the option device 1n is configured in the same manner as the pulse generator 101 of the option device 10, and includes a resistor Rn, a capacitor Cn, a one-shot pulse generator circuit 1n5, a transistor TRn, and an output terminal 1n6. including.

  In the optional device 11, the time constant of the resistor R1 and the capacitor C1 is determined so that a trigger signal is given to the one-shot pulse generation circuit 115 when a predetermined time t1 elapses after the power is turned on. The pulse circuit 115 outputs a one-shot pulse P1.

  In the optional device 1n, the time constant of the resistor Rn and the capacitor Cn is determined so that a trigger signal is given to the one-shot pulse generation circuit 1n5 when a predetermined time tn elapses after the power is turned on. The one-shot pulse circuit 1n5 1 shot pulse Pn is output in response. The predetermined times t0, t1... Tn are several milliseconds, and the values of the resistors R0, R1... Rn and the capacitors C0, C1... Cn are selected so that t0 <t1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the detection input terminal 202 of the image forming apparatus 20 and the output terminals 106, 116... 1n6 of the option apparatuses 10, 11,. Therefore, the collectors of the transistors TR0, TR1,... TRn are wired or connected by open collectors.

  FIG. 3 is a time chart of one-shot pulses P0, P1,... Pn output from the one-pulse generation circuits 105, 115.

  When none of the optional devices 10, 11,... 1n are mounted on the image forming apparatus 20, the I / O input terminal of the CPU 201 included in the image forming apparatus 20 is at the “H” level.

  When the option device 10 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 20 and the power is turned on, the DC voltage + V rises as shown in FIG. As a result, the capacitor C0 of the option device 10 is charged via the resistor R0, and a trigger signal is given to the one-shot pulse circuit 105 after time t0 by a time constant determined by the resistor R0 and the capacitor C0. As shown in FIG. 3B, the one-shot pulse generation circuit 105 applies the one-shot pulse P0 rising to the “H” level to the base of the transistor TR0, so that the transistor TR0 becomes conductive and its collector is set to the “L” level. Fall down. This “L” level signal is given to the I / O input terminal of the CPU 201 via the output terminal 106, the control line 30, the detection input terminal 202 of the image forming apparatus 20, and the resistor R11.

  Similarly, when the optional device 11 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 20 and the power is turned on, a one-shot pulse P1 shown in FIG. 3C is generated from the one-shot pulse generation circuit 115 after time t1, and the transistor TR1. The “L” level signal is applied to the I / O input terminal of the CPU 201.

  Similarly, when the optional device 1n is mounted on the image forming apparatus 20 and the power is turned on, a one-shot pulse Pn shown in FIG. 3D is generated from the one-shot pulse generating circuit 1n5 after time tn, and the transistor TRn The “L” level signal is applied to the I / O input terminal of the CPU 201.

  When the optional devices 10, 11... 1n are connected to the image forming apparatus 20, the wired OR outputs of the transistors TR0, TR1... TRn, as shown in FIG. Corresponds to Pn and falls to “L” level.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the determination operation by the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 20 as to whether or not the optional device is installed.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2 thru | or FIG. 4, the specific operation | movement of one Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. In step SP (abbreviated as SP in the drawing) 1 shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 20 determines whether or not the power is turned on, and waits until the power is turned on if the power is not turned on. If the power is turned on, it is determined whether or not the time t0 has elapsed in step SP2. If the time t0 has not elapsed, the CPU 201 waits until the time elapses. When it is determined that the time t0 has elapsed, the I / O input becomes “L” level corresponding to the one-shot pulse P0 in step SP3. It is determined whether or not. If the I / O input is at the “L” level, the CPU 201 determines that the option device 10 is mounted in step SP4.

  When the CPU 201 determines in step SP3 that the I / O input is not “L”, the CPU 201 determines in step SP5 that the optional device 10 is not installed, and whether or not the time t1 has elapsed after the power is turned on in step SP6. If it has not elapsed, it waits until it elapses. When determining that the time t1 has elapsed, the CPU 201 determines in step SP7 whether or not the I / O input is at the “L” level corresponding to the one-shot pulse P1. If the I / O input is at the “L” level, the CPU 201 determines that the option device 11 is mounted in step SP8.

  When the CPU 201 determines in step SP7 that the I / O input is not “L”, it determines in step SP9 that the option device 11 is not installed, and thereafter performs the same processing, and in step SPn-3. It is determined whether the time tn has elapsed after the power is turned on. When determining that the time tn has elapsed, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the I / O input is at the “L” level corresponding to the one-shot pulse Pn in step SPn−2. If the I / O input is at the “L” level, the CPU 201 determines that the optional device 1n is mounted in step SPn-1. If it is determined in step SPn-2 that the I / O input is not "L", it is determined in step SPn that the optional device 1n is not installed.

  Therefore, according to this embodiment, the option devices 10, 11... 1 n output signals indicating that corresponding option devices are mounted at different timings to the image forming apparatus 20. , 11... 1n can be determined for serial communication between the image processing device 20 and each of the optional devices 10, 11.

  Further, on the image forming apparatus 20 side, it is only necessary to determine the signal level of the I / O input regardless of the number of each of the optional devices 10, 11,... 1n. Because it can, cost can be reduced and it becomes economical.

  Furthermore, regardless of the number of option devices 10, 11,..., 1n, on the image processing device 20 side, the option device mounted by one CPU 201 can be determined.

  In the above-described embodiment, the trigger signal generation timing is made different in order to specify each of the option devices 10, 11... 1n. The devices 10, 11... 1n may be specified.

  Further, the optional devices 10, 11,... 1n to which the present invention is applied may be a paper discharge system or a paper supply system.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described with reference to drawings, this invention is not limited to the thing of embodiment shown in figure. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiment within the same range or equivalent range as the present invention.

1 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus and an optional apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a specific circuit diagram of a control unit included in the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 and a pulse generation unit included in an optional device. It is a time chart of 1 shot pulse output from a 1 pulse generation circuit. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation for determining whether or not an optional device of the image forming apparatus is mounted.

Explanation of symbols

  20 Image forming apparatus, 10, 11... 1n Optional device, 21 control unit, 30, 31 control line, 32 power line, 101, 111... 1n1 pulse generation unit, 105, 115... 1n5 1 shot pulse generation circuit, 106, 116 ... 1n6 output terminal, 201 CPU, 202 detection input terminal, TR0, TR1 ... TRn transistors, R0, R1 ... Rn, R11, R12 resistors, C0, C1 ... Cn capacitors.

Claims (4)

In an image forming apparatus to which a plurality of optional devices can be connected,
The plurality of option devices each include a pulse generation means for generating a pulse signal that specifies mounting of the corresponding option device,
The image forming apparatus includes: a determination unit that detects input of a pulse signal from the pulse generation unit and determines which of the plurality of option devices is mounted. The pulse generating means generates the pulse signal at different timings to identify each corresponding optional device;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit detects an input timing of a pulse signal input from each option device, and determines that the corresponding option device is mounted. The pulse generating means includes
A trigger signal generation circuit for generating a trigger signal in response to power being turned on;
A one-pulse generating circuit for generating one pulse in response to a trigger signal from the trigger signal generating circuit;
A switching element that is OR-connected to the output of another pulse generating means and outputs one pulse from the one pulse generating circuit to the image forming apparatus,
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines the mounting of each option device by detecting a timing at which one pulse input via the switching element is input. The image according to claim 3, wherein the trigger signal generation circuit includes a series circuit of a resistor and a capacitor connected between the power source and the ground, and outputs the trigger signal from a connection point between the resistor and the capacitor. Forming equipment.

Images