JP2007062985A - Image recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image recording device such as a digital complex machine, capable of continuously recording images by continuously feeding paper in the same conditions with a current tray changed over into another tray in accordance with users's instruction. <P>SOLUTION: When a "tray change-over" key is operated during copying operation, whether a tray from which paper can be fed in the same size and quality conditions as of paper fed so far exists or not is searched (Step 2). If such a tray exists (Step 3-Yes), information for a changeable-over tray is given (Step 4), a tray to be changed over is selected (Step 5), the tray is changed over, paper is fed from the tray after changed over (Step 6), and printing is continued in the same conditions (Step 7). The tray before changed over is unlocked to be pulled out and the tray after changed over is locked (Step 8), and then processing is finished. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus such as a copying apparatus, a printer apparatus, a scanner apparatus, a facsimile apparatus, and a multi-function machine having a plurality of functions of these apparatuses, and more specifically, a plurality of recording material supply means and a paper size etc. Image recording apparatus capable of switching the recording material supply means being fed to another recording material supply means according to a user instruction when there is another recording material supply means capable of supplying the recording material under the same conditions About.

  As a conventional image recording apparatus, for example, there is an apparatus that records an image by selecting and using a tray containing a sheet of a desired size from a plurality of trays corresponding to a plurality of sizes of sheets. In particular, in the field of medium- and high-speed machines, many trays are mounted so that most of standard size sheets can be set in advance.

  Also, in the field of high-speed machines, a large-capacity paper feed tray is preinstalled and connected as an option in order to set up an environment that can feed a large amount of paper of a size often used among them. It is configured.

  As such an image recording apparatus, Patent Document 1 discloses that in an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of paper cassettes can be mounted, when there is no paper in the paper cassette currently used during image formation, the same size paper is used. An automatic sheet feeding cassette switching device is provided that includes means for automatically switching to another sheet feeding cassette containing, and continuing image formation while warning.

Further, in Patent Document 2, a tray located on the upstream side of the transport path is preferentially selected, and when the tray runs out of paper, paper is fed from a tray located on the downstream side (side closer to the image forming unit). An image recording apparatus for switching is disclosed. When there are a plurality of selection candidate trays, this image recording apparatus selects a tray located on the upstream side from the plurality of trays, then verifies whether or not paper feeding is possible, and can feed paper. If it is in such a state (if the presence of the sheet is confirmed), the sheet is supplied from the tray located on the upstream side, and the image is recorded until the completion. If the paper supply from the tray located on the upstream side cannot be continued during this recording (out of paper), switching to the paper supply from the tray located downstream containing the same size paper is performed. Continue recording.
JP-A-1-256434 JP 2005-126195 A

  However, in the conventional image recording apparatus, when there is no paper in the paper feed tray that is currently used during image formation, it is automatically switched to another paper feed tray containing the same size paper. "Switching paper feeding" is performed, and if there is no paper in the paper tray currently in use, it will not switch to another paper tray and the remaining amount of paper in the paper tray will be displayed in about 5 levels. This level display is not sufficiently accurate, and it is difficult to predict how long paper feed from the currently used paper feed tray will continue.

  In addition, in order to prevent paper conveyance abnormality, the currently used paper feed tray is locked and cannot be removed. For this reason, when replenishing paper in this paper feed tray, there is no choice but to wait until the paper in the paper feed tray is used up or to temporarily stop image recording. When replenishing paper of a size, the user waits in front of the apparatus or requires an extra operation.

  The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the conventional image recording apparatus, and includes a plurality of recording material supply means (tray) and attempts to replenish the paper of the recording material supply means currently in use. In this case, an object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus capable of switching the currently used recording material supply means and continuing paper feeding from other recording material supply means under the same conditions, and continuing image recording. And

  The present invention also searches for other recording material supply means that can feed paper under the same conditions as the currently used paper, and supplies them under the same conditions such as the same size or paper quality. If there is a recording material supply means capable of paper, according to the user's instruction, the recording material supply means that is currently used is switched and paper feeding from other recording material supply means is continued under the same conditions to record an image. An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus capable of continuing the above.

  In addition, the present invention provides an instruction to switch the currently supplied recording material supply means to another recording material supply means, and when the recording material supply means to be used is switched, the recording material used so far The supply means is unlocked, the recording material supply means is opened, the user is informed that the recording material supply means has been opened, and the recording material supply means can be pulled out and replenished whenever necessary. An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus capable of performing the above.

  The first technical means of the present invention includes an image recording means for recording an image on a recording material, a plurality of recording material supply means for supplying the recording material to the image recording means, and a recording material supply means currently used Instruction means for instructing to switch the recording material to other recording material supply means, and other recording material supply for supplying the recording material under the same conditions as the recording material currently used when the instruction is given by the instruction means It is an image recording apparatus provided with the control means switched to a means.

  According to a second technical means, in the image recording apparatus of the first technical means, the control means has another recording material supply means for supplying a recording material under the same conditions as the recording material currently supplied. It is characterized by having a search means for searching whether or not.

  According to a third technical means, in the image recording apparatus of the second technical means, when there is another recording material supply means for supplying a recording material under the same conditions as the recording material currently supplied, the control means Is characterized in that an operation instruction of the instruction means can be made.

  According to a fourth technical means, in the image recording apparatus according to any one of the first to third technical means, each of the plurality of recording material supply means has a lock means, and the same condition as the recording material currently supplied. When the recording material supply means is switched to another recording material supply means, the recording material supply means used so far is unlocked.

  The fifth technical means switches to another recording material supply means for supplying a recording material under the same conditions as the currently supplied recording material in the image recording apparatus of any one of the first to fourth technical means. And a notification that the recording material supply means has been switched.

  The image recording apparatus of the present invention comprises a plurality of recording material supply means for supplying a recording material to the image recording means, and an instruction means for instructing to switch the currently used recording material supply means to another recording material supply means. When the switching means is instructed by the instructing means, it is provided with a control means for switching to another recording material supply means for supplying the recording material under the same conditions as the recording material currently used. When there are a plurality of recording material supply units that store paper to be fed under the same conditions as the paper, the recording material supply unit currently used is switched to another recording material supply unit according to an instruction from the instruction unit This makes it possible to prevent the user from waiting in front of the apparatus or requesting extra operations when replenishing paper to the recording material supply means currently in use.

  Further, the image recording apparatus of the present invention gives an instruction to switch the recording material supply means to be used, and when the recording material supply means is switched, the recording material supply means used so far is unlocked. Without waiting for the supply means to run out of paper, the recording material supply means can be opened timely to supply paper.

  In addition, the image recording apparatus of the present invention gives an instruction to switch the recording material supply means to be used, and when the recording material supply means is switched, the recording material supply means used so far is unlocked and unlocked. As a result, the recording material supply means that can be pulled out and replenished can be easily identified.

Hereinafter, embodiments of an image recording apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall structure of an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view showing the internal structure of the image recording apparatus of FIG. FIG. 1 shows a state in which a large capacity cassette is attached as an option.
The image recording apparatus 1 of this embodiment is a digital image forming apparatus (digital copying machine) having a copying function, a printer function, a fax function, and a scanner function.

(Overall configuration of image recording device)
As shown in FIG. 1, the digital image recording apparatus 1 is roughly composed of an image reading unit 2 as an original reading device, an image forming unit 3, a paper feeding unit 4, and a paper discharging unit 5. .

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image reading unit 2 includes a document placing table 11 made of transparent glass, a double-sided automatic document feeder (RADF) 12 for automatically feeding a document onto the document placing table 11, a document placing A document image reading unit for scanning and reading an image of a document placed on the table 11, that is, a scanner unit 13 is configured.

  The RADF 12 is a known device that sets a plurality of documents at once on a predetermined document tray and automatically feeds the set documents one by one onto the document placement table 11 of the scanner unit 13. . The RADF 12 includes a conveyance path for a single-sided document, a conveyance path for a double-sided document, a conveyance path switching unit, and the like so that the scanner unit 13 can read one or both sides of the document according to a user's selection. Has been.

  The scanner unit 13 includes a lamp reflector assembly that exposes the surface of the document and a first reflection mirror that guides a reflected light image from the document to a photoelectric conversion element (CCD) 17 that converts an image of the reflected light into an electrical image signal. The scanning unit 14 includes a second scanning unit 15 on which second and third reflecting mirrors are mounted, and an optical lens body 16 for forming a reflected light image on the CCD 17. The first scanning unit 14 travels along the document placement table 11 from left to right at a constant speed V, and the second scanning unit 15 is controlled to travel in the same direction at a speed of V / 2.

  Thus, the image reading unit 2 moves the scanner unit 13 along the lower surface of the document table 11 while sequentially placing the documents to be read on the document table 11 by operations related to the RADF 12 and the scanner unit 13. Thus, the image of the document placed on the document placement table 11 is sequentially formed on the CCD 17 line by line to read the document image.

  The image data obtained by reading the document image with the scanner unit 13 is subjected to various processes and then temporarily stored in the memory. The image data is output from the memory to the image forming unit 3 according to the output instruction. After reproduction as a visible image on the photosensitive drum 22, the image is transferred onto a sheet to form a toner image.

  The image forming unit 3 includes a laser writing unit (LSU) 21 and an electrophotographic process unit 20 for forming an image. The laser writing unit 21 is a semiconductor laser that emits laser light according to image data read from a memory or image data transferred from an external device such as a personal computer, a polygon mirror that deflects the laser light at a constant angular velocity, and a constant angular velocity deflection. It has an f-θ lens and the like that corrects the laser beam thus scanned on the photosensitive drum 22 of the electrophotographic process unit 20 at a constant speed. The electrophotographic process unit 20 has a charging device 23, a developing device 24, a transfer device 25, a peeling device 26, a cleaning device 27, and a charge eliminating device arranged around the photosensitive drum 22 in accordance with a well-known mode. The fixing device 28 is arranged on the downstream side.

  The paper feed unit 4 includes first to third cassettes 31 to 33 and a manual feed tray 35. The first cassette 31 is a tandem tray that accommodates the first tray and the second tray, and both trays can be pulled out from the apparatus main body at the same time. The second cassette 32 and the third cassette 33 accommodate a third tray and a fourth tray, respectively. That is, four trays are accommodated in three cassettes (31 to 33). The sheet feeding / conveying units 37 and 38 include a sheet feeding roller, a conveying roller, and a registration roller for conveying a sheet from the sheet feeding unit 4 to a transfer position between the photosensitive drum 22 and the transfer device 25.

  In the four trays in the first to third cassettes 31 to 33 in the sheet feeding unit 4, sheets are stacked and stored for each size, and cassettes that store sheets of a size desired by the user or When a tray is selected, the sheets are fed one by one from the top of the sheet bundle in the tray, and are sequentially conveyed toward the electrophotographic process unit 20 via the conveyance paths of the sheet conveyance units 37 and 38.

  A paper discharge path 29 is provided on the downstream side of the fixing device 28 in the paper transport direction. The paper discharge path 29 is connected to a paper discharge transport path 41 of the paper discharge unit 5 and a transport unit 42 for duplex copying. Branched.

  In the laser writing unit 21 and the electrophotographic processing unit 20, image data read from the memory is formed as an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 22 by scanning the laser beam with the laser writing unit 21. The toner image visualized by the toner of the developing device 24 is electrostatically transferred by the transfer device 25 onto the surface of the paper conveyed from the paper supply unit 4 and fixed by the fixing device 28.

  The sheet on which the image is formed in this manner is sent from the fixing device 28 to the paper discharge unit 5 or selectively conveyed to the conveyance unit 42 for duplex copying. The paper sent to the paper discharge unit 5 is subjected to predetermined processing such as sorting or stapling as necessary, and is stacked on the first discharge tray 43 or the second discharge tray 44. Further, the sheet sent to the duplex copying conveyance unit 42 is reversed and conveyed to the electrophotographic process unit 20 again, an image is formed on the back side of the sheet, and discharged after fixing.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing the internal structure of the image recording apparatus to which the large capacity cassette shown in FIG. 1 is attached.
The image recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 3 adds a large-capacity cassette 34 as a fifth tray as an option to the image recording apparatus provided with the first to third cassettes 31 to 33 and the manual feed tray 35 in the recording apparatus main body. It is a thing. The large-capacity cassette 34 has an elevator urged upward, and sheets are accumulated in the elevator. The uppermost sheet contacts the sheet feed roller, and the sheet is fed by rotating the sheet feed roller. The paper is separated and sent out to join the paper feeding / conveying section 37 of the recording apparatus main body. Since the large-capacity cassette 34 is a large-capacity tray, it can accommodate standard paper that is most frequently used, for example, A4 size.

4 is a front view showing the internal structure of the image recording apparatus in which a plurality of large-capacity cassettes different from those shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 are attached to the image recording apparatus shown in FIG.
The image recording apparatus shown in FIG. 4 is obtained by adding three large-capacity cassettes 34 different from those shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 to the image recording apparatus as fifth to seventh trays. Paper is stored, and can be classified and stored when there are many types of paper quality, such as standard paper in the middle cassette, recycled paper in the upper cassette, and thick paper in the lower cassette. The configuration of the large-capacity cassette 34 is substantially the same as that of the large-capacity tray 34 shown in FIG. 3, but the recording apparatus main body is a guide means for collecting a plurality of large-capacity cassettes (trays) in the paper feeding / conveying section 37 of the recording apparatus main body. It has.

(System control diagram)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical circuit configuration of the image recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Here, an example in which the large-capacity cassette 34 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 is attached as an option will be described.
In FIG. 5, an image recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an image reading unit (image data input unit) 2 that reads image data of a document, an operation unit 6 for inputting a processing mode, and a copy of image data. An image forming unit (first image processing means) 3 that outputs an object, a device control unit 57 that controls the overall operation, a communication unit 58 that receives image data and the like, a hard disk 56, and a device control unit 57. And a management unit 60 for managing information.

Hereinafter, functions of the image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described based on the flow of image data.
When the digital multifunction peripheral is used as a copying machine, the image data of the original read by the image reading unit 2 is output as a copy from the image forming unit 3 via the memory 53. More specifically, the image reading unit 2 is provided with a CCD 17 and can electronically read an image of a document set at a reading position. The read image data of the original is subjected to appropriate image processing by the image processing unit 54, completed as an output image on the volatile memory 53, output from the image forming unit 3, and temporarily to the hard disk 56. Remembered. When there are a plurality of documents, the reading and storing operations are repeated. The image reading unit 2 is provided with a plurality of document detection sensors 19 for detecting the size of the document set for reading, and the document size is determined according to the document detection signal from each document detection sensor 19. ing. As a method for detecting the document size, a method of prescanning the set document and calculating the document size from the image area obtained from the CCD 17 is also possible.

  Thereafter, based on the processing mode instructed from the input unit 51 of the operation unit 6, the image data stored in the hard disk 56 is sequentially read out at an appropriate timing and returned to the volatile memory 53. Then, the image data is transferred from the memory 53 to the printing unit 21 in accordance with the writing timing to the printing unit (LSU: laser writing unit) 21.

  Similarly, when printing a plurality of read image data, the output image is similarly stored in the hard disk 56 in units of pages and sent from the hard disk 56 to the volatile memory 53 in accordance with the output mode. The data is transferred to the printing unit 21 in accordance with the write timing to the printing unit 21 repeatedly.

  As described above, the paper feed unit 4 of the image recording apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 includes the first to third cassettes 31 to 33, the manual feed tray 35, and the optional large-capacity cassette 34. . The first cassette 31 accommodates the first and second trays and can be pulled out from the apparatus body at the same time.

The first to fifth trays included in the four cassettes of the first to third cassettes 31 to 33 and the optional large-capacity cassette 34 detect the remaining amount of paper stored therein. Sensors 31a ₁ , 31a ₂ , 32a, 33a, 34a, and sensors 31b ₁ , 31b ₂ , 32b, 33b, 34b for detecting the paper size are provided. Information obtained from the sensors is displayed on the display unit 52 of the operation unit 6 as described later. The paper quality (plain paper, recycled paper, cardboard, etc.) of the paper stored in the five trays can be set as appropriate from the operation unit 6.

(Lock mechanism)
The first to third cassettes 31 to 33 and the large-capacity cassette 34 added as an option each have a lock mechanism, and the cassette including the tray that is supplying paper cannot be locked and pulled out from the apparatus main body. The cassette that does not include the tray that is supplying paper is unlocked and can be opened, and maintenance such as replenishment of paper can be performed by pulling it out from the main body.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a lock mechanism of the paper feed cassette. FIG. 6 shows a large-capacity cassette 34 as an example.
Operation switch large cassette 34, the cassette case 34 ₁ having a paper feed roller 34 ₄ at the top, the cassette case 34 ₁ from drawable tray 34 _2, the tray 34 ₂ of the decorative panel 34 _3, the locking mechanism 34 _5, which will be described later 34d. The tray 34 _2, elevator is biased upward as described above is mounted for up and down movable, the elevator sheet is stacked on, contacts the uppermost sheet is the sheet feeding roller 34 _4, the paper feed roller fed to the cassette case 34 ₁ out through the discharge path by 34 _4. Further, as described above, the remaining sheet sensor 34a for detecting the remaining sheet quantity and the sheet size sensor 34b for detecting the sheet size are provided.

Locking mechanism 34 _5, the lock lever 34 ₆ rotatably mounted to the top plate lower surface of the cassette case 34 _1, the spring 34 _7, and a solenoid 34c. When the paper cassette case 34 in ₁ are fed, and lock engaging the distal end hook of the locking lever 34 ₆ to the front plate upper end of the tray 34 ₂ by the spring 34 _7, to disable the drawer. Also, when not using the paper cassette case 34 _1, it excites the solenoid 34c according to an instruction of the device control unit 57, to disengage the front end hook of the lock lever 34 ₆ from the front panel top edge of the tray 34 ₂ unlocks allowing the drawer tray 34 ₂ Te.

Although the large-capacity cassette 34 has been described above, the remaining paper amount sensor 31a ₁ that detects the remaining amount of paper on the tray is similarly applied to the other first to third cassettes 31 to 33 as shown in FIG. , 31a ₂ , 32a, 33a, paper size sensors 31b ₁ , 31b ₂ , 32b, 33b for detecting the paper size on the tray, and solenoids 31c, 32c, 33c of the lock mechanism are provided.

Next, a case where the digital multifunction peripheral of this embodiment is used as a printer will be described.
In this case, the image data received by the communication unit 58 is output from the image forming unit 3 via the memory 53 or the like. More specifically, the communication unit 58 is connected to the network 61 and the Internet 62 by a communication cable or the like (that is, provided with a network communication function), and the personal computer 64, the external personal computer 65, and the Internet connected on the network. Image data is received from a device such as a facsimile machine 66. The image data received by the communication unit 58 is sent to the memory 53 in units of pages as output image data, and is temporarily stored in the hard disk 56. Then, it is sent again from the hard disk 56 to the volatile memory 53 and transferred to the printing unit 21 in the same manner as when used as a copying machine.

Further, when the digital multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment is used as a scanner having a network communication function, image data of a document read by the image reading unit 2 can be arbitrarily transferred from the communication unit 58 via the network 61. The data can be transmitted to a personal computer (local area or global area device) 64. Also here, the image of the document is electronically read by the CCD 17 provided in the image reading unit 2. Then, the read image data of the document is completed as an output image on the volatile memory 53 and is temporarily stored in the hard disk 56. Thereafter, the data is sent again from the hard disk 56 to the volatile memory 53, and is transmitted from the communication unit 58 to a target transmission destination based on transmission destination information (transmission destination address information) instructed via the operation unit 6.
Further, the FAX modem 59 is connected to the telephone line network 63 in addition to the network 61, and the same operation is performed when the digital multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment is used as the facsimile apparatus 67.

  In this embodiment, the case of a digital multi-function peripheral provided with a hard disk 56 is described as a storage device for temporarily storing image data. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and is removed from the apparatus main body. However, it can be configured with a non-volatile memory that can retain stored image data, a memory with a backup function, and other storage devices (mediums) that use magnetic storage media. is there.

  The main components of the image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment are controlled by the device control unit 57, and monitor operation instructions from the input unit 51 such as a tablet and a key group provided in the operation unit 6. Information that should be notified to the user, such as information relating to the state of the apparatus, is accurately displayed through the display unit 52. The management unit 60 also includes information on the first to third cassettes 31 to 33 and the large-capacity cassette 34 managed by the device control unit 57, the size of the sheets stored in the first to fifth trays, and the remaining amount. Information about each component such as quantity and paper quality is managed, and the device control unit 57 controls the operation of the entire apparatus based on such information.

(User interface)
Next, the operation unit 6 including the input unit 51 and the display unit 52 of the image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an operation unit of the image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment.
The operation unit (operation panel) 6 illustrated in FIG. 7 includes an input unit 51 and a display unit 52 as illustrated in FIG. The display unit 52 is configured by a dot matrix type liquid crystal panel, and can display information to be notified to the user in detail as the image recording apparatus of the present embodiment. In addition, a transparent touch panel is provided on the screen of the liquid crystal panel, and the touch panel is operated according to information displayed on the liquid crystal panel. This touch panel is a component of the input unit 51 for inputting as instruction information in the apparatus.

  In addition, the input unit 51 also has a key group arranged adjacent to the liquid crystal panel. A start key 71 for instructing the start of copying and a clear all key 72 for interrupting the processing being executed. A clear key 73 for clearing the contents of the designated mode, a numeric keypad 74 for instructing the number of copies, a switching key 75 to 78 for each mode, a user setting key 79 and the like are included.

  In addition, the display unit 52 stands by with the basic screen displayed in the “copy mode” as an initial screen. An external view 81 of the present apparatus is displayed in a substantially central area of the basic screen so that a system configuration (configuration of a large-capacity paper feeding unit, a finisher unit, etc.) as a digital multi-function peripheral can be visually recognized. In addition, information regarding the selected mode, the selected paper feed tray, image formation, and the like is also displayed.

  In the upper area of the display unit 52, a message display area 82 for notifying the user of the apparatus status and advice is secured. Further, a key group 83 for selecting a basic function (mode) as a digital multifunction peripheral is displayed on the right side of the display unit 52, and a special function (mode) mounted on the digital multifunction peripheral is displayed on the left side. A key group 84 for selecting () is displayed.

  In the external view 81 displaying the system configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral in the operation unit 6 shown in FIG. 7, the digital multifunction peripheral is added as the first to fourth trays as an option in the first to third cassettes. The large-capacity cassette has a fifth tray, and the first to fifth trays contain A4, B5, A4, B4, and A4 size paper, respectively, and the remaining ones. The amount is also displayed in five levels, and it is displayed that 50 sheets are being copied while a large capacity cassette (fifth tray) is currently being fed.

(Feed switching specification)
An operation for switching the currently used tray to another tray containing sheets of the same size during copying will be described.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an operation unit that displays a screen for specifying paper feed switching.
When the “paper” key of the key group 83 for selecting a basic function (mode) is operated on the operation unit 6 shown in FIG. 7, a new window for specifying paper feed switching shown in FIG. The
The new window shown in FIG. 8 is housed in the first to third cassettes 31 to 33 and the large capacity cassette 34 in addition to the message display area 82 and the key group 83 for selecting a basic function (mode). A tray information key group 85 displaying information (size, remaining amount, paper quality, etc.) and a “tray switch” key 86 are displayed.

  In the operation unit 6 shown in FIG. 8, the size and the remaining size of sheets stored in the first to fourth trays in the first to third cassettes 31 to 33 and the fifth tray in the large capacity cassette 34 are displayed. The amount and paper quality are displayed, and it is displayed that copying is currently being performed using A4 size plain paper stored in the fifth tray, and the remaining number of copies is 45. According to the display screen shown in FIG. 8, printing can be continued under the same conditions by switching paper feeding from the large-capacity cassette 34 currently used to paper feeding from the first tray of the first cassette 31. Can be clearly understood.

In the operation unit 6 shown in FIG. 8, the first tray 31 containing paper of the same size and quality as the A4 size plain paper stored in the large-capacity cassette 34 is present in the first cassette 31. If there is no other tray that contains the paper, it cannot be switched to another tray by operating the “tray switch” key 86, so printing is continued using the paper in the currently used large-capacity cassette 34. When the remaining amount of paper becomes 0, this is displayed and an instruction is given to replenish the paper.
If there is no tray (cassette) that can continue printing under the same conditions as the paper, size, and paper quality stored in the currently used tray (cassette), the display unit 52 displays “tray switch”. The key 86 may not be displayed.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an operation unit that displays a display screen for notifying that the tray has been switched.
When the “tray switch” key 86 is operated in the operation unit shown in FIG. 8, it is displayed that the tray (cassette) has been switched. The display screen shown in FIG. 9 indicates that the fifth tray of the large-capacity cassette 34 that has been used so far has been switched to the first tray of the first cassette 31, and also displays that 30 copies are to be made. ing. As a result, the lock of the large-capacity cassette 34 used so far is released, and it becomes possible to grasp the handle and pull it out from the main body of the apparatus. be able to.

(Modification of the embodiment)
In the above embodiment, the tray switching instruction is performed by operating the “tray switching” key 86 of the operation unit 6, but the first to third cassettes 31 to 33 and the large capacity cassette 34 are arranged on the front surface. Operation switches 31 d to 33 d and 34 d are provided adjacent to the disposed handle, and the operation switches 31 d to 33 d and 34 d can be used in place of the “tray switching” key 86.

  In this case, when the operation switches 31d to 34d provided on the front handle of the cassette including the currently feeding tray are operated, an operation signal is input to the device control unit 57, and the printing unit 21 receives the tray being fed. In response to this, a paper feed interruption instruction is issued. If there is a tray containing paper of the same size and quality as the currently supplied paper, the paper is switched from the tray to continue printing. At this time, the tray that has been fed so far is unlocked and can be opened, so that maintenance such as paper replenishment can be performed by pulling out the tray (cassette). Also, the newly switched cassette is locked.

(Processing flow when switching paper feed)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing of the device control unit and the management unit when switching the currently used tray to another tray.
If the “tray switch” key 86 is operated during the copying operation of the image recording apparatus (step 1—Yes), is there a tray containing paper of the same size as that of the currently used tray? If there is a tray that stores paper of the same size as that of the currently used tray (step 3-Yes), the tray to be changed by the user is displayed blinking. (Step 4), the tray to be switched is selected (step 5), and the tray is switched (step 6). As a result, paper feeding is continued using the tray after switching, printing is continued under the same conditions (step 7), and the tray used before switching can be unlocked and pulled out. The subsequent tray is locked so that it cannot be pulled out (step 8), and the process ends. If steps 4 and 5 are omitted and there is a switchable tray, it is possible to switch to that tray as it is.

  In step 3, if there is no tray containing paper of the same size and quality as the paper in the currently used tray (step 3-No), there is no appropriate tray for continuing printing under the same conditions. This is notified to the user (step 9), the “tray switching” key operation is canceled (step 10), and the process is terminated.

  In the above embodiment, when the “tray switch” key is operated, a search is made as to whether there is a tray that can feed paper under the same condition, and there is a tray that can feed paper under the same condition. The image recording apparatus having the first control means for switching the tray to be used and performing manual switching to continue printing has been described. In addition to the first control means, a certain tray is used. A second control means for performing automatic switching so as to automatically continue printing under the same conditions using another tray without interrupting printing when the paper in the tray runs out during printing; The first control unit and the second control unit can be appropriately selected.

1 is a perspective view showing an overall structure of an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view which shows the internal structure of the image recording device of FIG. FIG. 1 is a front view showing an internal structure of an image recording apparatus with a large capacity tray attached to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a front view showing an internal structure of an image recording apparatus in which a plurality of large capacity trays different from those in FIGS. 1 and 3 are attached to the image recording apparatus of FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical circuit configuration of an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the locking mechanism of a paper feed cassette. It is a figure which shows the operation part of the image recording apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation unit that displays a screen for performing a paper feed switching designation. It is a figure which shows the operation part which displayed the display screen which alert | reports that the cassette switched. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the apparatus control part and management part when switching the cassette currently used to another cassette.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image recording apparatus (digital multifunctional device), 2 ... Image reading part, 3 ... Image forming part, 4 ... Paper feed part, 5 ... Paper discharge part, 6 ... Operation part, 11 ... Document placing stand, 12 ... Both sides correspondence Automatic document feeder (RADF), 13 ... Document image reading unit (scanner unit), 14 ... First scanning unit, 15 ... Second scanning unit, 16 ... Optical lens body, 17 ... Photoelectric conversion element (CCD), 20 ... Electrophotographic process section, 21 ... laser writing unit (LSU), 22 ... photosensitive drum, 23 ... charging device, 24 ... developing device, 25 ... transfer device, 26 ... peeling device, 27 ... cleaning device, 28 ... fixing device, 31-33 ... first to third cassettes, 31a ₁ ~34a ... remaining paper sensor, 31b ₁ ~34b ... paper size sensor, 31C～34c ... solenoids, 31D～34d ... operation switch , 34 ... large-capacity cassette, 34 ₁ ... cassette case, 34 ₂ ... tray, 34 ₃ ... decorative panel, 34 ₄ ... feeding roller, 34 ₅ ... lock mechanism, 34 ₆ ... lock lever 34 ₇ ... spring, 35 ... Manual feed tray, 37, 38 ... paper feed conveyance unit, 41 ... paper discharge conveyance path, 42 ... double-sided copy conveyance unit, 43 ... first discharge tray, 44 ... second discharge tray, 51 ... input unit, 52 ... Display unit 53 ... Memory 54 ... Image processing unit 56 ... Hard disk 57 ... Device control unit 58 ... Communication unit 59 ... FAX modem 60 ... Management unit 61 ... Network 62 ... Internet 63 ... Telephone line Net, 71 ... Start key, 72 ... Clear all key, 73 ... Clear key, 74 ... Ten key, 75-78 ... Switching key for each mode, 79 ... User setting key, 81 ... External view, 82 ... Menu Sage display area, 83 ... key group to select a basic function (mode), 84 ... key group to select a special function (mode).

Claims (5)

  An image recording means for recording an image on a recording material, a plurality of recording material supply means for supplying the recording material to the image recording means, and a recording material supply means currently in use are switched to another recording material supply means. And a control means for switching to another recording material supply means for supplying the recording material under the same conditions as the recording material currently used when a switching instruction is given by the instructing means. An image recording apparatus.   The control means includes a search means for searching whether or not there is another recording material supply means for supplying a recording material under the same conditions as the currently supplied recording material. Item 8. The image recording apparatus according to Item 1.   The control means enables an operation instruction of the instruction means when there is another recording material supply means for supplying a recording material under the same conditions as the currently supplied recording material. Item 3. The image recording apparatus according to Item 2.   Each of the plurality of recording material supply means has a lock means, and when the recording material is switched to another recording material supply means for supplying a recording material under the same conditions as the currently supplied recording material, 4. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording material supply unit is unlocked.   2. The recording medium supply means is switched when another recording material supply means for supplying a recording material under the same condition as the currently supplied recording material is switched. 5. The image recording apparatus according to any one of 4 above.

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