JP2007145541A - Paper feeding device, image recording device, image reading device, and image reading and recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect the number of stacked paper sheets before starting recording and reading without wasting paper sheets in a paper feeding device for an image recording device and an image reading device. <P>SOLUTION: Information about thickness of one paper sheet is obtained from a result of detection by a paper sheet type detecting means for detecting surface condition of the stacked paper sheets, and the number of stacked paper sheets is computed on the basis of the obtained thickness information and a result of detection by a means for detecting total thickness of paper sheets. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus such as a printer, an image reading apparatus such as a scanner, and an image reading and recording apparatus such as a copying machine. More specifically, the present invention relates to paper stacking of a paper feeding apparatus that stacks and holds sheets and supplies them to a recording unit and reading unit. The present invention relates to a number detection method.

  In recent years, image recording apparatuses such as printers and image reading apparatuses such as scanners are widely used, and are provided with various functions for improving user convenience. For example, it detects the ink or toner out and informs the user, detects the function of preventing misprinting, and detects the total amount of paper stacked and held in the paper feeder that feeds originals and recording paper and informs the user. In addition, a function for preventing paper out is provided.

  However, a relatively small image recording device used on a desk in a home or office or a paper feeding device of an image reading device uses a plurality of types of paper, and more original and recording paper than a large paper feeding device. Since the number of stacked sheets is small, there is a large variation in the number of stacked sheets when detecting the total amount of sheets, and the user cannot be notified of the exact number of stacked sheets.

As a method for detecting the number of sheets stacked in such a sheet feeding device, it has means for detecting the thickness, light transmittance, pressing force, etc. of one sheet fed, and the detection result is stored in the storage means. Information on thickness and weight per sheet is obtained by referring to the data, and means for detecting the total thickness or total weight of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking means. A form (for example, refer to Patent Document 1) in which the number of sheets stacked is calculated based on thickness and weight information per sheet is disclosed.
JP 2000-211771 A

  However, with these conventional technologies, one sheet of paper must be fed in order to detect the number of sheets stacked, and whether one sheet of paper is wasted to know the number of sheets stacked Alternatively, there is a problem that the number of stacked sheets cannot be known before recording or reading is started.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to know the number of sheets stacked before starting recording or reading without wastefully feeding sheets, and to provide a user-friendly image recording apparatus, image reading apparatus, and image reading and recording apparatus. It is to provide a paper device.

  In order to achieve the above object, a paper feeding device according to the present invention is a paper feeding device that transports sheets one by one from a paper stacking unit that stacks and holds a plurality of sheets, and is stacked on the paper stacking unit. A sheet type detecting unit for detecting the surface state of the sheet, a storage unit storing information on the surface state and thickness of each sheet for each of a plurality of sheet types, and a total thickness of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking unit. A total thickness detecting means for detecting, and by referring to the detection result of the paper type detecting means with reference to the storage means, the thickness per sheet and the detection result of the total thickness detecting means, The number of sheets is calculated.

  The image recording apparatus according to the present invention includes the sheet feeding device and a recording unit that records an image on a sheet fed by the sheet feeding device. The image recording apparatus further calculates the number of sheets stacked by an image recording command or a sheet stacking number calculation command, and notifies the fact when the calculated sheet stacking number is insufficient with respect to the image recording command. Means are provided.

  The image reading apparatus according to the present invention includes the paper feeding device and a reading unit that reads an image of the paper fed by the paper feeding device. The image reading device further calculates the number of sheets stacked by an image reading command or a sheet stacking number calculation command, the calculated sheet stacking number, the image storage capacity and the image reading time calculated from the number and the image reading command Is provided with a means for informing the user.

  An image reading and recording apparatus according to the present invention includes the recording paper feeding device, a recording unit that records an image on a paper fed by the recording paper feeding device, the read document feeding device, And a reading unit that reads an image of the document fed by the read document feeding device. The image reading and recording apparatus further calculates the number of sheets of originals and recording sheets according to an image recording command, an image reading instruction, or a document and recording sheet stacking number calculation command, In the case where the number of recording paper sheets is insufficient with respect to the required number of paper sheets calculated from the number of original sheets and the image reading / recording command, a means for notifying the fact is provided.

  According to such a configuration, the paper type detection unit of the paper feeding device according to the present invention detects the paper type in a state where the paper is stacked on the paper stacking unit. It is possible to calculate the number of sheets stacked before starting recording or reading without wastefully feeding one sheet to know the number of sheets stacked.

  In addition, the image recording apparatus according to the present invention can notify the number of sheets stacked before image recording by allowing the user to calculate the number of sheets stacked by a sheet stacking number calculation command not accompanied by an image recording command. Alternatively, by calculating the number of stacked sheets in accordance with an image recording command to the image recording apparatus, if the number of stacked sheets is insufficient with respect to the number of recorded images, the user is informed so that the number of printed sheets can be reduced. Can prompt for addition.

  In addition, the image reading apparatus according to the present invention can notify the number of stacked sheets before the image reading by allowing the user to calculate the number of stacked sheets by a sheet stacking number calculation command not accompanied by an image reading command. Alternatively, by calculating the number of sheets stacked in accordance with an image reading command to the image reading apparatus, it is possible to notify the user of the required reading time of the stacked read original and the storage capacity of the read image. Further, when the capacity of the storage medium for storing the read image is insufficient, the user can be informed so that reduction of the number of read sheets and replacement of the storage medium can be promoted.

  In addition, the image reading and recording apparatus according to the present invention calculates the number of sheets stacked in accordance with a copy command, and notifies the user when the number of recording sheets is insufficient compared to the number of reading and copying. It is possible to promote the reduction of the number of reading and copying and the addition of recording paper.

  As described above, by providing the paper feeding device according to the present invention in the image recording device, the image reading device, and the image reading and recording device, a user-friendly device can be provided to the user.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is applicable to any recording medium to be recorded by the recording apparatus described herein, or a recording / original medium made of a recordable flexible sheet such as a plastic sheet as well as paper as an original to be read by the reading apparatus. it can.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image reading and recording apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image reading unit 10 includes an image reading unit 11 and a document feeding unit 12 that feeds a read document. On the other hand, the image recording unit 20 includes an image recording unit 21 and a recording sheet feeding unit 22 that feeds recording sheets.

  Details of the paper feed unit will be described with reference to FIG. 2 by taking the recording paper feed unit 22 as an example.

  A plurality of recording sheets 80 are stacked and held on the sheet stacking section 23 of the recording sheet feeding section 22. A sensor arm 24 on which a paper type detection unit 25 and a total paper thickness detection unit 26 are mounted is provided above the paper stacking unit 23.

  The paper type detection unit 25 includes a light source LED, a light sensor, and a photoelectric conversion element at the tip of the sensor arm 24, detects the amount of light reflected by the surface of the recording paper 80, and holds it in the storage unit 60 of the image reading and recording apparatus 1. The paper type is determined by collating with the reflected light amount data for each paper type. The total sheet thickness detecting means 26 includes an optical encoder mounted on the sensor arm 24 and an optical scale held by the sheet feeding unit. The total thickness of the loaded recording medium 80 is detected.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the image reading and recording apparatus according to the present invention. The image reading / recording apparatus 1 includes a CPU 30, a display unit 40, an operation unit 50, a storage unit 60, and the like in addition to the image reading unit 10 and the image recording unit 20 described above, and a storage medium 70 can be attached to the storage unit 60. It has become. The image reading and recording apparatus 1 can be connected to the host computer 100 to perform reading and recording operations and various operations.

  When an image reading / recording (copying) command is sent from the host computer 100 or by operating the operation unit 50, a read document is fed from the document feeding unit 12 to the image reading unit 11, and a reading operation is performed. On the other hand, a recording sheet is fed from the recording sheet feeding unit 22 to the image recording unit 21, and an image recording operation is performed based on the read data.

  The document feeder 12 and the recording paper feeder 22 respectively calculate the number of originals and recording paper stacks before the paper feeding operation. That is, in each of the paper feeding units 12 and 22, the sensor arm 24 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 2 and the leading end comes into contact with the surface of the recording paper 80, and the paper type detection means 25 detects the paper type and the paper. The total thickness detection means 26 detects the total thickness of the sheet. Thereafter, the sensor arm 24 rotates clockwise and is separated from the surface of the recording paper 80, so that the paper feeding operation is not hindered.

  The CPU 30 calculates the required number of recording sheets from the number of read originals detected by the original feeder 12 and the number of copies designated by the copy command. When the number of recording paper sheets detected in the recording paper feeding unit 22 is insufficient with respect to the calculated required number of recording papers, the CPU 30 displays that fact on the display unit 40 or the host computer 100 and the user records. The user can select whether to replenish the sheet 80 and continue the copy command, reduce the number of copies, or cancel. At the same time, the detected paper type may be displayed so that the user can check the type of the recording paper 80.

  In the image reading and recording apparatus 1 according to the present invention, it is also possible to send a detection command for the number of originals and recording sheets to be stacked from the host computer 100 or by operating the operation unit 50. At this time, the CPU 30 displays the detected number and type of originals and recording sheets on the display unit 40 or the host computer 100, so that the user can replace or replenish the originals and recording sheets in advance.

  The image reading / recording apparatus 1 according to the present invention also detects the number of originals or stacked recording sheets prior to a paper feeding operation when an image reading command or an image recording command is sent even when performing only image reading or only image recording. I do.

  When reading an image, the user can be notified of not only the type and number of originals detected, but also the detection result, the required reading time calculated from the image reading command, and the storage capacity of the read image. Further, when the read image is stored in the storage medium 70 such as a memory card, the storage capacity of the read image is compared with the free capacity of the storage medium 70. If the free capacity of the storage medium 70 is insufficient, the CPU 30 A message to that effect is displayed on the display unit 40 or the host computer 100 so that the user can select whether to continue the reading command by reducing the number of reading sheets, to replace the storage medium 70, or to cancel.

  When recording an image, the CPU 30 displays the display unit 40 not only when the number and number of recording sheets detected but also when the number of recording sheets detected by the recording sheet feeding unit 22 is insufficient for the image recording command. Alternatively, the fact is displayed on the host computer 100 so that the user can select whether to replenish the recording paper 80 and continue or cancel the copy command.

  In the present embodiment, the image reading and recording apparatus having one document feeding unit 12 and one recording sheet feeding unit 22 has been described. However, either the document feeding unit 12 or the recording sheet feeding unit 22 is used. Alternatively, the present invention can also be applied to an image reading and recording apparatus provided with a plurality of each. For example, in an image reading and recording apparatus provided with two recording sheet feeding sections 22a and 22b for stacking and holding recording sheets 80, the number of recording sheets stacked is detected and the recording sheet feeding section 22a designated by the user is detected. When there is a shortage of paper, the user can select to feed paper from the other recording paper feed unit 22b. At this time, only when the detection result of the paper type detection unit 25 is the same between the two recording paper feeding units 22a and 22b, it may be possible to select the paper feeding from the other recording paper feeding unit 22b.

  The paper type detection means 25 and the total paper thickness detection means 26 are not limited to the detection method described in the present embodiment, and detect the paper type and the total paper thickness by another detection method having the same action. Also good.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image reading and recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a paper feed unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of an image reading and recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image reading and recording apparatus 10 Image reading means 11 Image reading part 12 Document feeding part 20 Image recording means 21 Image recording part 22 Recording paper feeding part 23 Paper stacking part 24 Sensor arm 25 Paper type detection means 26 Paper total thickness detection means 30 CPU
40 display unit 50 operation unit 60 storage unit 70 storage medium 80 recording paper 100 host computer

Claims (7)

  A sheet feeding device that conveys sheets one by one from a sheet stacking unit that loads and holds a plurality of sheets, a sheet type detection unit that detects a surface state of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking unit, and a plurality of sheets Storage means for storing information on the surface condition and thickness per sheet for each type, and total thickness detection means for detecting the total thickness of the paper stacked on the paper stacking means, A sheet feeding device that calculates the number of sheets stacked from a thickness per sheet obtained by referring to the storage unit with a detection result and a detection result of the total thickness detection unit.   An image recording apparatus comprising: the sheet feeding device according to claim 1; and a recording unit configured to record an image on a sheet fed by the sheet feeding device.   The image recording apparatus further calculates the number of sheets stacked by an image recording command or a sheet stacking number calculation command, and notifies the fact when the calculated sheet stacking number is insufficient with respect to the image recording command. The image recording apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means.   An image reading apparatus comprising: the sheet feeding device according to claim 1; and a reading unit configured to read an image of a sheet fed by the sheet feeding device.   The image reading device further calculates the number of sheets stacked by an image reading command or a sheet stacking number calculation command, the calculated sheet stacking number, the image storage capacity and the image reading time calculated from the number and the image reading command 5. The image reading apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising means for informing the user.   The recording paper feeding device according to claim 1, recording means for recording an image on a paper fed by the recording paper feeding device, the read original feeding device according to claim 1, and the read original An image reading and recording apparatus comprising: a reading unit that reads an image of a document fed by a sheet feeding device.   The image reading and recording apparatus further calculates the number of sheets of originals and recording sheets according to an image recording command, an image reading instruction, or a document and recording sheet stacking number calculation command, 7. The image reading and recording according to claim 6, further comprising means for notifying that when the number of sheets of recording paper is insufficient with respect to the required number of sheets calculated from the number of originals and the image reading and recording command. apparatus.

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