JP2006201607A - Image forming apparatus, method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus and method which enable determination to be made whether a light emitting means using an imaging device malfunctions. <P>SOLUTION: The type of a recording material conveyed in a predetermined direction is discriminated (S104), when the recording material reaches the position of a transfer roller, a transfer current is detected (S110), when the recording material is highly optically transparent, whether the value of the detected transfer current is larger than a predetermined value or not is compared (S111), when the transfer current value is larger than the predetermined current value, it is determined that the light emitting means for irradiating the surface of the recording material with light is malfunctioning (S112). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a method, and a program using an electrophotographic process such as a copying machine and a color laser printer, and more particularly to failure detection of a recording material discrimination unit of the image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a recording material discriminating unit using an image sensor has been proposed.

  Hereinafter, the conventional recording material discriminating means will be described with reference to FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of the video reading sensor 123 as a recording material determination unit. In FIG. 7, 33 is an LED (light emitting diode) of the light irradiating means, 34 is a CMOS sensor of the reading means, and 35 and 36 are imaging lenses.

  Light having the LED 33 as a light source is applied to the surface of the recording material conveyance guide 31 or the surface of the recording material 32 on the recording material conveyance guide 31 through the lens 35. The reflected light from the recording material 32 is collected through the lens 36 and imaged on the CMOS sensor 34. Thereby, the surface image of the recording material 32 is read.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between the surface of the recording material 32 read by the CMOS sensor 34 of the image reading sensor 123 and an example in which the output from the CMOS sensor 34 is digitally processed to 8 × 8 pixels. The digital processing is performed by converting the analog output from the CMOS sensor 34 into 8-bit pixel data by A / D conversion (not shown) as conversion means. In FIG. 8, 40 is an enlarged image of the surface of the recording material A, which is so-called rough paper, on which the fibers of the paper on the surface are relatively loose, and 41 is the recording material B, which is commonly used so-called plain paper. 42 is an enlarged image of the surface, and 42 is an enlarged image of the surface of the recording material C, which is glossy paper in which the fibers of the paper are sufficiently compressed. These images 40 to 42 read into the CMOS sensor 34 are digitally processed into images 43 to 45 shown in FIG. Thus, since the intensity of the reflected light varies depending on the type of the recording material, the digitally processed image on the surface of the recording material is different. This is a phenomenon that occurs mainly because the fiber state on the paper surface (the surface state of the recording material) is different. For example, when the surface of a recording material having a high light transmittance such as an OHT (overhead transparency) sheet is read by the CMOS sensor 34, the irradiation light irradiated to the OHT sheet from the LED 33 hardly reflects, that is, the OHT sheet Since the irradiated light hardly reaches the CMOS sensor 34, the digitally processed image on the surface of the recording material is entirely dark as shown in FIG. Therefore, when an image as shown in FIG. 9 is obtained, it is determined that the recording material is an OHT sheet, and the fixing processing conditions (for example, the fixing temperature and the recording material passing through the fixing device) are determined according to the determination result. Control is performed to set the (conveyance speed).

  As described above, in the prior art, the surface of the recording material 32 is read by the CMOS sensor 34, and the recording material is discriminated based on an image obtained by digitally processing the read image.

JP 2002-182518 A JP 2003-098933 A

  However, in the above-described prior art, when the amount of light applied to the surface of the recording material 32 does not reach a predetermined value due to the failure of the LED 33 serving as the light irradiation means, in other words, the reflected light from the recording material is applied to the CMOS sensor 34. When the fixed amount does not reach, an image as shown in FIG. 9 is obtained, and therefore, there is a possibility that all the recording materials to be discriminated are erroneously discriminated as recording materials having high light transmittance such as an OHT sheet. Therefore, for example, in order to prevent misidentification that the recording material is highly light transmissive even though the recording material is not highly light transmissive, it is determined whether or not the light irradiation means has failed. There was a need to do.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to make a failure determination of a light irradiation means in order to prevent erroneous determination of the type of recording material.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a current detection unit, a light irradiation unit for irradiating light on the surface of the recording material, and light received from the light irradiation unit via the recording material. Reading means, recording material discrimination means for discriminating the type of recording material based on the output of the reading means, and determination of failure of the light irradiation means based on the discrimination result of the recording material discrimination means and the current detected by the current detection means And a failure determination means.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a transfer unit that transfers a developer image to a recording material conveyed in a predetermined direction, a high-voltage power source for applying a high voltage to the transfer unit, and a high-voltage power source to the transfer unit. Based on the current detection means for detecting the transfer current, the light irradiation means for irradiating the surface of the recording material with light, the reading means having a plurality of pixels for reading and outputting the image of the surface of the recording material, and the output of the reading means A recording material discriminating means for discriminating the type of the recording material, a failure judging means for judging the failure of the light irradiation means based on the discrimination result of the recording material discriminating means and the detected transfer current value. Features.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the recording material determining unit determines that the recording material is a recording material having high light transmission, the failure determining unit includes a transfer current value and a predetermined current value. It is characterized in that the presence or absence of failure of the light irradiation means is determined based on the result of comparing the above.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a conveyance belt for conveying a recording material, an adsorption unit that adsorbs the recording material to the conveyance belt, a high-voltage power source for applying a high voltage to the adsorption unit, and a high-voltage power source. Current detection means for detecting an adsorption current to the adsorption means, light irradiation means for irradiating light on the surface of the recording material, reading means having a plurality of pixels that read out and output an image of the surface of the recording material, and reading means Recording material discriminating means for discriminating the type of the recording material based on the output of the recording material, a failure judging means for judging the failure of the light irradiation means based on the discrimination result of the recording material discriminating means and the value of the detected adsorption current, It is characterized by providing.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the recording material determining unit determines that the recording material is a recording material having high light transmission, the failure determining unit includes the value of the adsorption current and a predetermined current value. It is characterized in that the presence or absence of failure of the light irradiation means is determined based on the result of comparing the above.

  Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a means for determining the type of the recording material conveyed in a predetermined direction, a means for detecting a transfer current when the recording material reaches the transfer roller position, and the recording material is light transmissive. Means for comparing the detected transfer current value with a predetermined current value, and if the transfer current value is greater than the predetermined current value, light is applied to the surface of the recording material. And means for determining that the light irradiation means for irradiating the light is broken.

  Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes means for discriminating the type of the recording material conveyed in a predetermined direction, means for detecting an adsorption current when the recording material reaches the position of the adsorption roller, and the recording material is light transmissive. Means for comparing the detected adsorption current value with a predetermined current value when it is determined that the recording material is high, and if the adsorption current value is larger than the predetermined current value, light is applied to the surface of the recording material. And means for determining that the light irradiation means for irradiating the light is broken.

  The image forming method of the present invention includes a step of determining the type of the recording material conveyed in a predetermined direction, a step of detecting a transfer current when the recording material reaches the transfer roller position, and the recording material is light transmissive. If the transfer current value is greater than the predetermined current value when the transfer material value is greater than the predetermined current value, the light is applied to the surface of the recording material. And determining that the light irradiating means for irradiating is broken.

  The image forming method of the present invention includes a step of determining the type of recording material conveyed in a predetermined direction, a step of detecting an adsorption current when the recording material reaches the position of the adsorption roller, and the recording material is light transmissive. If it is determined that the recording material is a high recording material, a step of comparing the detected attracting current value with a predetermined current value, and if the attracting current value is larger than the predetermined current value, light is applied to the surface of the recording material. And determining that the light irradiating means for irradiating is broken.

  In addition, the program of the present invention includes a procedure for determining a type of a recording material conveyed in a predetermined direction to a computer, a procedure for detecting a transfer current when the recording material reaches a transfer roller position, and a recording material that transmits light. If it is determined that the recording material is highly resistant, the procedure for comparing the detected transfer current value with a predetermined current value, and if the transfer current value is greater than the predetermined current value, And a procedure for determining that the light irradiating means for irradiating light is broken.

  Further, the program of the present invention includes a computer for determining a type of a recording material conveyed in a predetermined direction, a procedure for detecting an adsorption current when the recording material reaches a suction roller position, and a recording material that transmits light. If it is determined that the recording material is highly resistant, the procedure for comparing the detected adsorption current value with a predetermined current value, and if the adsorption current value is greater than the predetermined current value, And a procedure for determining that the light irradiating means for irradiating light is broken.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to determine the failure of the light irradiation means. The reason is that, for example, even when the recording material is determined to be a highly light-transmitting recording material such as an OHT sheet by the recording material type determination using the light irradiation means, a predetermined current value is measured. This is because when it can be determined that the recording material is not a light-transmitting recording material, it is understood that the light irradiation means has failed. Further, according to the present invention, when it is determined that the light irradiation unit is out of order, the failure of the light irradiation unit is notified to the video controller, and the printing operation is performed without performing the recording material discrimination, thereby Usability at the time can be improved.

Example 1
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the color laser printer of this embodiment.

  The color laser printer 401 includes a deck 402 for storing the recording material 32, a deck paper presence / absence sensor 403 for detecting the presence / absence of the recording material 32 in the deck 402, a pickup roller 404 for feeding the recording material 32 from the deck 402, and a pickup roller A deck sheet feeding roller 405 that conveys the recording material 32 fed out by 404 and a deck sheet feeding roller 405 are paired with a retard roller 406 for preventing the recording material 32 from being double fed.

  A registration roller pair 407 that synchronously conveys the recording material 32 and a pre-registration sensor 408 that detects the conveyance state of the recording material P to the registration roller pair are disposed downstream of the deck paper feed roller 405. Further, an electrostatic attraction transfer belt (hereinafter referred to as ETB) 409 is disposed downstream of the registration roller pair 407, and four colors (yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C, black B) described later are disposed on the ETB. The images formed by the image forming unit comprising the process cartridges 410Y, 410M, 410C, 410B and the scanner units 420Y, 420M, 420C, 420B are sequentially superimposed by the transfer rollers 430Y, 430M, 430C, 430B. An image is formed and transferred and conveyed onto the recording material 32.

  Downstream, in order to thermally fix the toner image transferred onto the recording material 32, the recording material 32 is conveyed from the fixing roller 433, the pressure roller pair 434, and the fixing roller 433 having a heater 432 for heating inside. A pair of fixing paper discharge rollers 435 and a fixing paper discharge sensor 436 for detecting the conveyance state from the fixing unit are provided.

  Each scanner unit 420 scans each photosensitive drum 105 with a laser unit 421 that emits a laser beam modulated based on each image signal sent from a video controller 440 described later. For this purpose, it comprises a polygon mirror 422, a scanner motor 423, and an imaging lens group 424.

  Each process cartridge 410 includes a photosensitive drum 105, a charging roller 103 and a developing roller 102, and a toner storage container 411 necessary for a known electrophotographic process, and is configured to be detachable from the color laser printer 401. .

  When the video controller 440 receives image data sent from a host computer 441 such as a personal computer, the video controller 440 develops the image data into bitmap data and generates an image signal for image formation.

  The DC controller 110 which is a control unit of the color laser printer includes a RAM 207a, a ROM 207b, a timer 207c, a digital input / output port 207d, an MPU (microcomputer) 207 having a D / A port 207e, and various input / output control circuits (not shown). ) Etc.

  The high-voltage power supply unit 106 includes a charging high-voltage power supply (not shown) corresponding to each process cartridge, a development high-voltage power supply (not shown), and a transfer high-voltage power supply described later corresponding to each transfer roller 430.

  The color laser printer 401 includes the image reading sensor 123 described in the background art. The image reading sensor 123 irradiates light onto the surface of the recording material fed from the deck 402 and conveyed by the pickup roller 404 and reflects the light. The light is condensed and imaged, and an image of a predetermined area with the recording material is detected.

  The configuration of the image reading sensor 123 is omitted because it overlaps with the background art example.

  Next, the transfer high-voltage power supply in the high-voltage power supply unit 106 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the transfer high-voltage power supply.

  In FIG. 3, the high-voltage power supply unit 106 is provided with a transfer high-voltage power supply (500B to 500Y) that is a constant voltage power supply, and a voltage control signal (from a D / A port 207e of the CPU 207 provided in the DC controller 110). A voltage corresponding to VcntB to VcntY) is supplied to each transfer roller (430B to 430Y). Also, transfer current detection circuits (501B to 501Y) are connected to the transfer high-voltage power supplies (500B to 500Y), respectively, and current values output from the transfer high-voltage power supplies (500B to 500Y) are detected, and the transfer current detection circuits (501B to 500Y) are detected. The voltage is sent to the A / D port 207f of the CPU 207 as a current detection signal (IsnsB to IsnsY).

  Next, failure determination control of the LED 33 serving as the light irradiation means will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step 101, the LED state internal flag (ERR_LED) is checked to determine whether the image reading sensor 123 is already in a failure state. In step 113, the print mode is set to the plain paper mode, and the process is terminated without performing paper type discrimination.

  In general, plain paper is likely to be used. In step 113, the temperature adjustment temperature of the fixing roller 433 is set to an optimum temperature for plain paper.

  If the LED 33 is not in a failure state in step 101 (EER_LED = 0), the recording material 32 is conveyed to the position of the image reading sensor 123 and waits in step 102 until the recording material 32 is determined. In step 103, an image is read by the video reading sensor 123. In step 104, the paper type is determined based on the read image. In order to set each print mode according to the result of the paper type discrimination in step 104, if the paper type is an OHT sheet, the fixing temperature of the fixing roller 433 is set to the OHT sheet setting in step 105, and the paper type is set. If it is glossy paper, the fixing temperature is set to glossy paper in step 106, if the paper type is rough paper, the fixing temperature is set to rough paper in step 107, and if the paper type is plain paper, step is set. At 108, the fixing temperature is set to plain paper. Further, if the paper type is an OHT sheet, the recording material 32 is conveyed to the transfer roller 430Y position and waits in step 109 until the transfer timing comes, and when the recording material 32 reaches the transfer roller 430Y position, that is, When the transfer timing comes, the transfer current It is detected by the Issy signal in step 110, and in step 111, the value of the detected transfer current It is equal to or greater than a predetermined value Iht (normal transfer current value in the case of an OHT sheet). Compare and judge. If the transfer current value It is greater than the predetermined current value Ioht, since the recording material is actually other than the OHT sheet, a large amount of transfer current flows through the recording material, and the paper type discrimination in step 104 is performed. The OHT sheet is determined because the irradiation light amount of the LED 33 is not the predetermined light amount, that is, the LED 33 is in failure, and the state determination of the LED 33 is set to the failure state (ERR_LED = 1) in step 112. At the same time, information indicating that the LED 33 has failed is transmitted to the video controller 440 to notify the user of the failure of the LED 33 via the host computer 441 or an operation panel (not shown). In step 113, the fixing temperature adjustment temperature is set to the normal paper temperature adjustment, and the process is terminated.

  In addition, when the failure judging means judges that the light irradiating means is out of order, it notifies the video controller of the failure of the light irradiating means and performs the printing operation without performing the recording material discrimination, thereby reducing the cost of the light. It is possible to determine the failure of the irradiating means and improve the usability at the time of failure.

  Although not shown, even if the paper type is determined to be glossy paper, rough paper, or plain paper as a result of the paper type determination in step 104, the determination result and the detected transfer current value Based on the relationship, the presence or absence of a failure of the light irradiation means may be determined.

(Example 2)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the color laser printer of this embodiment.

  The difference from the first embodiment is that an adsorption roller 600 for electrostatically adsorbing the recording material 32 to the ETB 409 is provided downstream of the registration roller pair 407. A high voltage is applied to the suction roller 600 by a suction high voltage power source 610 provided in the high voltage power source unit 106 described later, and a current flowing to the suction roller 600 can be detected by the suction current detection circuit 611.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the adsorption high-voltage power supply 610 of this embodiment.

  In FIG. 5, the high-voltage power supply unit 106 is provided with an adsorption high-voltage power supply 610 that is a constant voltage power supply, and corresponds to a voltage control signal (VcntE) from the D / A port 207 e of the CPU 207 provided in the DC controller 110. The supplied voltage is supplied to the suction roller 600. Further, an adsorption current detection circuit 611 is connected to the adsorption high voltage power source 610, detects the current value output from the adsorption high voltage power source 610, and uses the voltage corresponding to the detected current as the current detection signal (IsnsE) as the A / A of the CPU 207. It is sent to the D port 207f.

  Next, failure determination control of the LED 33 serving as the light irradiation means will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The difference from the first embodiment is that, in step 104, when the paper type discrimination result is an OHT sheet, in step 209, the process waits until the recording material 32 is conveyed to the position of the suction roller 600, and in step 210. When the recording material 32 reaches the position of the suction roller 600, the suction current Ie is detected by the IsnsE signal. In step 211, the detected suction current value Ie and a predetermined value Ioht (normal suction current value in the case of an OHT sheet) are detected. This is the point of comparing and judging. When the value of the adsorption current It is larger than the predetermined current value Ioht, since the recording material is actually other than the OHT sheet, a large amount of adsorption current flows through the recording material, and the paper type discrimination in step 104 is performed. The reason why the sheet is a sheet is that the irradiation light amount of the LED 33 is not the predetermined light amount, that is, it is determined that the LED 33 is out of order. In step 112, the state of the LED 33 is set to the failure state (ERR_LED = 1).

  By using the suction voltage, it is possible to determine the failure of the LED 33 at an earlier timing, and it is possible to switch the print mode at an early stage.

  Although not shown, even if the paper type is determined to be glossy paper, rough paper, or plain paper as a result of the paper type determination in step 104, the determination result and the detected adsorption current value Based on the relationship, the presence or absence of a failure of the light irradiation means may be determined.

3 is a flowchart of failure determination control according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram of a color laser printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a transfer high-voltage power supply according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the color laser printer which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. It is a block diagram of the adsorption high voltage power source concerning the 2nd example of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the failure discrimination control according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the prior art example of a video reading sensor. It is a figure explaining the prior art example of a picked-up image. It is a figure explaining the prior art example of an OHT sheet photography image.

Explanation of symbols

31 Recording material conveyance guide 32 Recording material 33 LED
34 CMOS sensors 35, 36 Imaging lens 40 Rough paper surface enlarged image 41 Plain paper surface enlarged image 42 Gloss paper surface enlarged image 102 Developing roller 103 Charging roller 105 Photosensitive drum 106 High voltage power supply unit 110 DC controller 123 Video reading sensor 207 CPU
207e D / A port 207f A / D port 401 Color laser printer 402 Deck 403 Deck paper presence sensor 404 Pickup roller 405 Deck paper feed roller 406 Retard roller 407 Registration roller pair 408 Pre-registration sensor 409 Electrostatic adsorption transfer belt (ETB)
410 Process cartridge 411 Toner storage container 420 Scanner unit 421 Laser unit 422 Polygon mirror 423 Scanner motor 424 Imaging lens group 430 Transfer roller 432 Heating heater 433 Fixing roller 434 Pressure roller pair 435 Fixing discharge roller pair 436 Fixing discharge Sensor 440 Video controller 441 Host computer 500 Transfer high voltage power supply 501 Transfer current detection circuit 600 Adsorption roller 610 Adsorption high voltage power supply 611 Adsorption current detection circuit

Claims (16)

Current detection means;
A light irradiation means for irradiating the surface of the recording material with light;
A light receiving means for receiving the light emitted from the light irradiating means via the recording material;
Recording material discriminating means for discriminating the type of the recording material based on the output of the light receiving means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a failure determination unit that determines a failure of the light irradiation unit based on a determination result of the recording material determination unit and a current detected by the current detection unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection current is a transfer current or an adsorption current. Transfer means for transferring a developer image to a recording material conveyed in a predetermined direction;
A high-voltage power supply for applying a high voltage to the transfer means;
Current detection means for detecting a transfer current from the high-voltage power source to the transfer means;
Light irradiating means for irradiating light on the surface of the recording material;
Reading means having a plurality of pixels that read and output as an image of the surface of the recording material;
Recording material discriminating means for discriminating the type of the recording material based on the output of the reading means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a failure determination unit that determines a failure of the light irradiation unit based on a determination result of the recording material determination unit and a detected value of the transfer current.   When the recording material determination unit determines that the recording material is a recording material having high light transmission, the failure determination unit determines whether the recording material is based on a result of comparing the transfer current value with a predetermined current value. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the presence or absence of a failure of the light irradiation unit is determined.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the failure determination unit determines that the light irradiation unit has failed when the value of the transfer current is greater than a predetermined current value. A transport belt for transporting the recording material;
Adsorbing means for adsorbing the recording material on the conveying belt;
A high voltage power source for applying a high voltage to the adsorption means;
Current detection means for detecting an adsorption current from the high-voltage power source to the adsorption means;
Light irradiating means for irradiating light on the surface of the recording material;
Reading means having a plurality of pixels that read and output as an image of the surface of the recording material;
Recording material discriminating means for discriminating the type of the recording material based on the output of the reading means;
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a failure determination unit that determines a failure of the light irradiation unit based on a determination result of the recording material determination unit and a value of the detected adsorption current.   When the recording material determining means determines that the recording material is a highly light-transmitting recording material, the failure determining means is based on a result of comparing the value of the adsorption current with a predetermined current value. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the presence or absence of a failure of the light irradiation unit is determined.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the failure determination unit determines that the light irradiation unit has failed when the value of the adsorption current is larger than a predetermined current value.   9. The image forming video controller according to claim 1, wherein when the failure determination unit determines that the light irradiation unit has failed, the failure of the light irradiation unit is notified to a video controller for image formation. The image forming apparatus according to 1.   The image according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein when the failure determination unit determines that the light irradiation unit is out of order, a printing operation is performed without performing recording material determination. Forming equipment. Means for discriminating the type of recording material conveyed in a predetermined direction;
Means for detecting a transfer current when the recording material reaches a transfer roller position;
Means for comparing the detected transfer current value with a predetermined current value when it is determined that the recording material is a recording material with high light transmission;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a light irradiating unit that irradiates light on the surface of the recording material when the transfer current value is larger than the predetermined current value. Means for discriminating the type of recording material conveyed in a predetermined direction;
Means for detecting an adsorption current when the recording material reaches the adsorption roller position;
Means for comparing the detected adsorption current value with a predetermined current value when it is determined that the recording material is a recording material having high light transmission;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a light irradiating unit that irradiates light on the surface of the recording material when the adsorption current value is larger than the predetermined current value. Determining the type of recording material conveyed in a predetermined direction;
Detecting a transfer current when the recording material reaches a transfer roller position;
A step of comparing the detected transfer current value with a predetermined current value when it is determined that the recording material is a recording material with high light transmission;
And determining that the light irradiating means for irradiating light on the surface of the recording material has failed when the transfer current value is larger than the predetermined current value. Determining the type of recording material conveyed in a predetermined direction;
Detecting a suction current when the recording material reaches the suction roller position;
A step of comparing the detected adsorption current value with a predetermined current value when it is determined that the recording material is a recording material having high light transmission;
And a step of determining that the light irradiation means for irradiating light on the surface of the recording material has failed when the adsorption current value is larger than the predetermined current value. On the computer,
A procedure for determining the type of recording material conveyed in a predetermined direction;
A procedure for detecting a transfer current when the recording material reaches a transfer roller position;
A procedure for comparing the detected transfer current value with a predetermined current value when it is determined that the recording material is a highly light-transmitting recording material;
A program for executing a procedure for determining that the light irradiation means for irradiating light on the surface of the recording material has failed when the transfer current value is larger than the predetermined current value. On the computer,
A procedure for determining the type of recording material conveyed in a predetermined direction;
A procedure for detecting the suction current when the recording material reaches the suction roller position;
When it is determined that the recording material is a recording material with high light transmittance, a procedure for comparing the detected adsorption current value with a predetermined current value;
A program for executing a procedure for determining that the light irradiating means for irradiating light on the surface of the recording material has failed when the adsorption current value is larger than the predetermined current value.

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