JP2006264935A - Image recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image recording device improved in convenience to users by detecting exchange of the set paper sheets during the time when a power source is cut. <P>SOLUTION: This image recording device is provided with a paper sheet holding means for holding single or a plurality of paper sheets, a paper sheet feeding means for feeding a specific one paper sheet from the paper sheet holding means, a paper feeding preparing means for making the paper sheet feeding means to be brought in contact with the paper sheets set in the paper sheet holding means in positional relation capable of feeding paper sheets, and a paper sheet feeding means position detecting means for detecting positional information about the paper sheet feeding means. Before shifting to the condition impossible to be electrically detected such as cut-off of the power source and power saving mode, the paper feeding preparing means is operated to bring the paper sheet in contact with the paper sheet feeding means, and when resetting to the normal condition from the condition impossible to be electrically detected, whether the paper sheets are operated or not during the condition impossible to be electrically detected is detected on the basis of a result of the detection by the paper sheet feeding means position detecting means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording sheet detection method for detecting that a sheet has been inserted or removed while the power is off.

  As a conventional sheet detection method, there is a method of detecting the presence of a sheet by directly shielding an optical shielding type electric sensor with a recording sheet (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, there is a method in which when a recording sheet is set, a mechanical member moves and the movement is detected by an electric sensor.

JP 2003-276885 A (page 9, FIG. 3 and page 4, FIG. 9)

  In any of the above conventional methods, since an electrical sensor is used, paper insertion / extraction cannot be detected unless the power is on.

  In the power-off state, the apparatus cannot correctly determine the state for an operation performed by the user such as replacing the set paper or replacing the paper.

  However, these operations are operations that the user normally performs unless limited so much. Therefore, the apparatus side must perform processing on the assumption that there is a possibility that the sheet has been replaced during the power-off state.

  For example, the paper size set for each paper cassette becomes an unreliable value when the power is turned off, and the paper size is not set in the initial state when the power is turned on.

  From the viewpoint of the user, this leads to a disadvantage that the same setting as the previous time must be set again even though the cassette has not been replaced.

  Furthermore, in recent years, efforts to reduce power consumption have progressed, and there has been an increase in devices that automatically turn off the entire device if it has not been used for a while or leave only the minimum power that can be restored. Yes.

  For this reason, even if the user does not explicitly turn off the power, the paper size is reset, and unless it is reset, printing cannot be performed frequently.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to detect that the set paper has been replaced while the power is off, and to improve the convenience for the user. It is to provide a recording device.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image recording apparatus according to the present invention includes a sheet holding unit that holds a single sheet or a plurality of sheets, and a sheet for feeding a specific sheet from the sheet holding unit. Detects positional information of a paper feed unit, a paper feed unit, and a paper feed preparation unit that brings the paper set in the paper holding unit into contact with a positional relationship where the paper can be fed. A sheet feeding means position detecting means for operating the sheet feeding preparation means before shifting to a state where electrical detection is not possible, such as power-off or power saving mode. When the sheet is returned to the normal state from the electrically undetectable state, it is detected from the detection result of the sheet feeding unit position detecting unit whether the sheet has been operated during the electrically undetectable state. Configure.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a sheet detection method capable of detecting whether or not a sheet has been replaced at the time of turning on the power or returning from the power saving mode even in a situation where the electrical sensor cannot be used due to the power off or the power saving function. be able to. Further, by this detection method, it is possible to provide an image recording apparatus that can improve the convenience of the user by clearing the paper setting only when it is replaced.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 1 is a mechanical configuration diagram illustrating a state in which a sheet can be set, taking an auto sheet feeder unit as an example in an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, a light-shielding blade 14 is attached to a paper feed roller shaft 13 to which a paper feed roller 12 is attached. The light-shielding blade is rotated at a specific position by the rotation of the paper feed roller shaft. Is configured to change the output of the sensor.

  The printing paper 15 can be set on the printing paper support 16. The interval 19 between the paper feed roller and the printing paper can be adjusted by moving the printing paper support by the printing paper support moving mechanism 17.

  In the print paper ready state, the interval between the paper feed roller and the print paper is widened so that the paper can be easily set.

  FIG. 2 is a mechanical configuration diagram illustrating a state in which sheet feeding is being performed, taking the auto sheet feeder unit as an example, in the image recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, in a state where paper feeding is being executed, the printing paper support is moved so that the gap 19 between the paper feeding roller and the printing paper is brought into close contact. When the paper feed roller 12 is rotated in this state, one sheet of the printing paper 15 that is in contact with the paper feed roller is fed by the paper feed roller and is put into the printing mechanism.

  With the rotation of the paper feed roller, the light shielding blade 14 that has blocked the paper feed roller sensor 11 moves, and the output of the sensor changes. This change in sensor output is used as information for accurately feeding paper.

  FIG. 3 is a mechanical configuration diagram of the automatic sheet feeder unit in the image recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention in a paper pulling-out monitoring state.

  In the drawing, during the paper pull-out monitoring state, the paper feed roller 12 is rotated and the light shielding blade 14 is arranged so as to block the paper feed roller sensor 11. Thereafter, the printing paper support is moved so that the gap 19 between the paper feed roller and the printing paper is brought into close contact.

  The behavior when the user pulls out the printing paper 15 in this state will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a mechanical configuration diagram when pulling out a sheet, taking an auto sheet feeder portion as an example in the image recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, when the user pulls out the uppermost sheet 18 of the printing paper, the feeding roller 12 rotates and the feeding roller rotates because the uppermost sheet of the printing paper is in close contact. The light shielding blade 14 that has blocked the sensor 11 moves and does not block the paper feed roller sensor.

  The same applies to the case where the top sheet of printing paper and all or some of the printing paper 15 are pulled out together.

  When the output of the paper feed roller sensor is checked when the power is turned on, if the sensor is not pulled out, the sensor output is the same as when the power is turned off, but if it is pulled out, it changes to a value different from that when the power is turned off. It will be.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the power-off process in the image recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, in step S501, various end processes that need to be performed prior to the power-off process related to the present invention are performed.

  Next, in step S502, the paper type currently set in the paper feed slot is stored in the nonvolatile memory.

  Next, in step S503, the paper feed roller is driven to a predetermined state. The predetermined state indicates a state in which some sensor output in this state and the output of the sensor when the paper feed roller rotates are changed. For example, a light shielding blade attached to the paper feed roller is disposed so as to shield the paper feed roller sensor.

  Next, in step S504, the printing paper and the paper feed roller are brought into contact with each other and pressurized. For example, the printing paper support base is moved to the paper feed roller side by the printing paper support base moving mechanism, and contact / pressurization is performed. At this step, the power-off process related to the present invention is completed.

  Next, in step S505, various end processes not performed in step S501 other than the end processes related to the present invention are performed.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a change in the state including the movement of the mechanical components when the sheet is pulled out while the power is off in the image recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, in step S601, it is indicated that the user pulled out the sheet while the power is off.

  Next, step S602 indicates that the paper feed roller rotates because the paper in close contact with the paper feed roller has been pulled out.

  Next, in step S603, it is shown that the light shielding blade moves and rotates with the rotation of the paper feed roller.

  Next, in step S604, the sensor output detected when the power is turned on changes because the light shielding blade that has shielded the paper feeding roller sensor due to the change in the position of the light shielding blade disappears.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for confirming that the sheet is pulled out while the power is off in the image recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, in step S701, various initialization processes that need to be performed prior to the power-on process related to the present invention are performed.

  Next, in step S702, the output of the paper feed roller sensor is confirmed.

  In step S703, it is determined whether the output of the paper feed roller sensor is different from the value confirmed before the power is turned off. If there is no change compared to the value before the power is turned off, the process proceeds to step S704, and if it has changed, the process proceeds to step S707.

  Step S704 indicates that the sheet output has not occurred because the sensor output does not change between the value before the power is turned off and the time when the power is turned on.

  Next, in step S705, since it has been confirmed that the paper set before the power is turned off, the paper type stored in the nonvolatile memory before the power is turned off is restored. Up to this point, the initialization process in the case where the sheet has not been pulled out ends, and the process proceeds to step S706.

  Step S707 indicates that the sheet has been pulled out because the sensor output changes between the value before the power is turned off and the time when the power is turned on.

  Next, in step S708, since the information regarding the paper set before the power is turned off has become meaningless, the paper type set in the paper feed slot is reset (= not set). ing. Up to this point, the initialization process when the paper has been pulled out ends, and the process proceeds to step S706.

  Next, in step S706, various initialization processes not performed in step S701 other than the initialization process related to the present invention are performed.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of paper feed processing in the image recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, in step S801, the paper type set for the paper feed port to be fed is confirmed.

  Next, in step S802, it is determined whether the paper type is not set. If it is not set, the process proceeds to step S806, and if it is set, the process proceeds to step S803.

  In step S803, the paper type designated by the print job is compared with the currently set paper type.

  Next, in step S804, it is determined whether the set paper type matches the paper type requested by the print job. If they are different, the process proceeds to step S806. If they match, the process proceeds to step S805.

  In step S806, the user is prompted to set paper types required for the print job and set the paper type. If the set paper is different from the paper required for printing, or if it is not known whether or not they match, the process proceeds.

  In step S806, the user sets paper in step S807. In step S808, the paper type is set.

  In step S809, the apparatus stores the set paper type.

  In step S805, paper feeding is performed in accordance with the already stored paper type or a newly set paper type.

FIG. 3 is a mechanical configuration diagram of a paper setting possible state, taking an auto sheet feeder unit as an example in the image recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a mechanical configuration diagram illustrating a state in which paper feeding is being performed, taking an auto sheet feeder unit as an example in the image recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a mechanical configuration diagram of a state in which sheet pulling is being monitored, taking an auto sheet feeder unit as an example in the image recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a mechanical configuration diagram of a state when pulling out a sheet, taking an auto sheet feeder portion as an example in an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart of power-off processing in the image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart when a sheet is pulled out while the power is off in the image recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart for confirming that a sheet has been pulled out during power-off in the image recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart of paper feed processing in the image recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Paper feed roller sensor 12 Paper feed roller 13 Paper feed roller shaft 14 Shading blade 15 Printing paper 16 Printing paper support stand 17 Printing paper support stand moving mechanism 18 Top sheet of printing paper 19 Paper feed roller and printing paper Interval

Claims (1)

Paper holding means for holding a single paper or a plurality of paper;
A paper feeding means for feeding a specific sheet of paper from the paper holding means;
Paper feeding means; paper feeding preparation means for bringing a paper set in the paper holding means into contact with a positional relationship where paper can be fed;
A paper feed means position detection means for detecting position information of the paper feed means;
Before shifting to a state where electrical detection is not possible, such as when the power is turned off or in a power saving mode, the paper feeding preparation unit is operated to bring the paper into contact with the paper feeding unit, thereby returning from the state where electrical detection is impossible to the normal state. In this case, the image recording apparatus detects whether or not the sheet has been operated during the electrical undetectable state from the detection result of the sheet feeding unit position detecting unit.

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