JP2009096149A - Paper discharging device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a paper discharging device capable of easily determining that if output paper sheets of a plurality of image formation requests are mixed in a paper discharging tray or not and reminding a user so that the user does not erroneously carry away the output paper sheets of another person. <P>SOLUTION: The paper discharging device includes paper discharging trays (S12 and S13) to which the output paper sheets on which images are formed are discharged, a detecting means (S14) which detects whether the output paper sheets are stacked in the paper discharging trays or not, and an informing means (S16) which informs the stacked state of the output paper sheets detected by the detecting means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a paper discharge device and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a paper discharge device and an image forming apparatus used by a plurality of users.

  An image forming apparatus is generally connected to a network and used by a plurality of users. Each user can form an image via a network by using the printer function of the image forming apparatus. Further, the image forming apparatus is provided with a paper discharge tray for discharging output paper on which an image is formed. The output paper on which an image is formed using the printer function is discharged to a paper discharge tray.

  Here, when a plurality of users respectively request image formation from the same image forming apparatus, output sheets in response to a plurality of image formation requests may be discharged together in a discharge tray. In such a case, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-334993 (Patent Document 1) discloses a technique for giving a warning so as not to accidentally take away another person's output sheet.

The image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 attaches and discharges a wireless tag in which an ID is written on output paper. The ID of the wireless tag is associated with the ID of the user who has requested image formation. By reading the ID of the wireless tag with a reader, it is possible to determine the ID of the user who requested the image formation, and to warn if there is a possibility that another person's output sheet has been taken away by mistake.
JP 2006-334773 A (paragraph numbers 0018 to 0027)

  According to Patent Document 1, it is necessary to attach a wireless tag to output paper. However, it is very expensive to attach a wireless tag to all output sheets on which images have been formed.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a paper discharge device that can easily determine whether or not output paper due to a plurality of image formation requests is mixed in a paper discharge tray, and can call attention to prevent others from taking away the output paper by mistake. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus including such a paper discharge device.

  The paper discharge device according to the present invention has a paper discharge tray for discharging output paper on which an image is formed, a detection unit for detecting whether or not output paper is stacked on the paper discharge tray, and a detection unit that detects the output paper. And a notifying means for notifying the stacked state of the output paper.

  As one embodiment, the notifying means notifies the number of image formation requests.

  As another embodiment, the notifying unit notifies information on a request source of image formation.

  As still another embodiment, the notifying unit includes a plurality of LEDs, and notifies the stacking state of the output paper by a blinking pattern of the plurality of LEDs.

  As yet another embodiment, the detection means includes a light emitting unit that emits light to the output paper, and a light receiving unit that receives the light emitted from the light emitting unit and reflected by the output paper, and the light receiving unit receives the light. Thus, it is detected that the output paper is stacked on the paper discharge tray.

  In another aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms an image and the paper discharge device described above.

  According to the present invention, the user can easily determine whether or not output sheets according to a plurality of image formation requests are mixed in the discharge tray by referring to the notification unit. As a result, it is possible to obtain a paper discharge device that reduces the risk of accidentally removing another person's output paper and an image forming apparatus including such a paper discharge device.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral 10 when an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to the digital multifunction peripheral 10. Referring to FIG. 1, a digital multifunction peripheral 10 displays a control unit 11 that controls the entire digital multifunction peripheral 10, a DRAM 12 for writing and reading image data and the like, and information that the digital multifunction peripheral 10 has. An operation unit 13 that includes a display screen and serves as an interface with the user in the digital multifunction peripheral 10, a document feeder 14 that automatically transports a document to a predetermined document reading position, and a document that has been transported by the document feeder 14 An image reading unit 15 for reading the image with a scanner at a predetermined reading position, an image forming unit 16 as an image forming unit that forms the image from a document read by the image reading unit 15 and outputs the image to paper, image data, and the like A hard disk 17 for storing information, a FAX communication unit 18 connected to the public line 20, and a network for connecting to the network 21. It comprises a chromatography click IF (interface) unit 19, a paper discharge apparatus 23 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The digital multifunction peripheral 10 operates as a copying machine by forming an image in the image forming unit 16 via the DRAM 12 using the image data of the original read by the image reading unit 15. Further, the digital multifunction peripheral 10 forms an image in the image forming unit 16 through the DRAM 12 using image data transmitted from the personal computer (computer) 22 connected to the network 21 through the network IF unit 19. Operates as a printer. Further, the digital multifunction peripheral 10 forms an image in the image forming unit 16 through the DRAM 12 using the image data transmitted from the public line 20 through the FAX communication unit 18, and also by the image reading unit 15. The image data of the read original is transmitted to the public line 20 through the FAX communication unit 18 to operate as a facsimile machine. That is, the digital multi-function peripheral 10 has a plurality of functions such as a copying (copying) function, a printer function, and a FAX function regarding image processing. Further, each function has functions that can be set in more detail.

  In FIG. 1, thick arrows indicate the flow of image data, and thin arrows indicate the flow of control signals or control data.

  Here, the paper discharge device 23 will be specifically described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the paper discharge tray 24. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation unit 13 and the LED group 25. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the paper discharge device 23 is configured to discharge the output paper 27 and 28 on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 16, and the output paper 27 and 28 to the paper discharge tray 24. Sensor 26 as detection means for detecting whether or not the paper is stacked, and LED (Light Emitting Diode) group 25 as notification means for notifying the stacked state of the output sheets 27 and 28 detected by the sensor 26 With.

  Referring to FIG. 2, sensor 26 is installed on sheet discharge tray 24. The sensor 26 is a reflective sensor that includes a light emitting unit 26 a that emits light to the output paper 27, and a light receiving unit 26 b that receives light emitted from the light emitting unit 26 a and reflected by the output paper 27. Specifically, when the output paper 27 is discharged to the paper discharge tray 24, the light emitted from the light emitting unit 26a is reflected on the output paper 27. The reflected light is received by the light receiving unit 26 b, so that the sensor 26 detects that the output paper 27 is stacked on the paper discharge tray 24. Further, when the output sheets 27 and 28 stacked on the paper discharge tray 24 are moved, the light emitted from the light emitting unit 26 a is not reflected on the output sheet 27. Therefore, the sensor 26 detects that the output sheets 27 and 28 loaded on the paper discharge tray 24 have been moved when the light receiving unit 26b cannot receive the light emitted from the light emitting unit 26a.

  The sensor 26 notifies the control unit 11 of the detected content. Specifically, when it is detected that the output sheets 27 and 28 are stacked on the paper discharge tray 24, an output sheet detection signal is notified. On the other hand, when it is detected that the output sheets 27 and 28 loaded on the paper discharge tray 24 have been moved, an output sheet movement signal is notified.

  The control unit 11 recognizes the stacked state of the output sheets 27 and 28 by receiving a signal from the sensor 26. In addition, the control unit 11 notifies the LED group 25 to notify the recognized loading state. That is, the LED group 25 is turned on according to the loading state.

  Referring to FIG. 3, the operation unit 13 includes a start key 31 that instructs the digital multifunction peripheral 10 to start processing, a display screen 32 that displays information related to image formation, and the like. Since the operation unit 13 is installed at a position that is easily caught by the user's eyes, the LED group 25 serving as a notification unit is installed adjacent to the operation unit 13. The LED group 25 includes a first LED 25a, a second LED 25b, a third LED 25c, and a fourth LED 25d.

  The LED group 25 notifies the stacking state of the output sheets 27 and 28 by the blinking patterns of the first to fourth LEDs 25a to 25d. Specifically, for example, when the LED group 25 notifies the number of image formation requests (jobs), when the output paper 27 for one job is stacked on the paper discharge tray 24, the first LED 25a is turned on. When the output sheets 27 and 28 for two jobs are stacked on the discharge tray 24, the first and second LEDs 25a and 25b are turned on. When output sheets for four jobs or more are stacked on the paper discharge tray 24, all the first to fourth LEDs 25a to 25d are turned on.

  Here, a case where an image is formed using the printer function of the digital multi-function peripheral 10 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the control unit 11 when an image is formed using the printer function of the digital multifunction peripheral 10. 1 to 4, the user first transmits a first job from the personal computer 22 to the digital multifunction peripheral 10 via the network 21. Then, the control unit 11 accepts the first job (step S11 in FIG. 4 and the following steps are omitted). The image forming unit 16 forms an image from the received image data (S12), and discharges the output paper 27 to the paper discharge tray 24 (S13).

  When the output paper 27 is discharged to the paper discharge tray 24, the sensor 26 that operates as a detection unit detects that the output paper 27 is stacked on the paper discharge tray 24 by receiving the reflected light at the light receiving unit 26b. (YES in S14). Then, the control unit 11 is notified of an output sheet detection signal (S15). The control unit 11 receives the output paper detection signal and recognizes that the output paper 27 from the first job received in step 11 is stacked on the paper discharge tray 24.

  Then, the control unit 11 notifies the LED group 25 to notify the stacked state of the output paper 27. Here, since only the output paper 27 of the first job received in step 11 is stacked on the paper discharge tray 24, the first LED 25a is turned on (S16).

  Next, a new second job is transmitted from the personal computer 22 to the digital multifunction peripheral 10 while the output paper 27 is stacked on the paper discharge tray 24. In step 12 and step 13, the image forming unit 16 forms an image from the image data, and discharges the output paper 28 to the paper discharge tray 24. However, since the light receiving unit 26b has already received the reflected light reflected by the output paper 27 of the first job, the output paper 28 of the second job has been stacked on the paper discharge tray 24. Therefore, a new output sheet detection signal is not notified (NO in S14).

  Therefore, the control unit 11 does not receive the output sheet detection signal even though the output sheet 28 is discharged by the second job, and therefore the output sheet 27 by the first job and the output sheet 28 by the second job. Are recognized as being stacked on the paper discharge tray 24.

  Then, the control unit 11 notifies the LED group 25 to notify the stacked state of the output sheets 27 and 28. Here, since the two sheets of the output sheet 27 of the first job and the output sheet 28 of the second job are stacked, the second LED 25b in addition to the already lit first LED 25a. Is turned on (S16).

  When the output sheets 27 and 28 are moved, the sensor 26 detects that the output sheets 27 and 28 loaded on the paper discharge tray 24 have been moved because the light receiving unit 26b cannot receive light. Then, the control unit 11 is notified of the output sheet movement signal. By receiving the output sheet movement signal, the control unit 11 recognizes that the output sheets 27 and 28 are moved and the output sheets 27 and 28 are not stacked on the paper discharge tray 24. Then, the first and second LEDs 25a and 25b that are lit are turned off.

  In this way, the user can easily determine whether or not the output sheets 27 and 28 according to a plurality of image formation requests are mixed in the discharge tray 24 with reference to the LED group 25. As a result, it is possible to reduce the risk of accidentally taking away another person's output paper.

  In the above embodiment, an example of notifying the number of jobs has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other information may be notified. For example, information on the user who transmitted the job, specifically, the number of people may be notified. In this case, when the output paper 27 by the first user is stacked on the paper discharge tray 24, the first LED 25a is turned on. When output sheets 27 and 28 by the first and second users different from the first, that is, two users, are stacked on the paper discharge tray 24, the first and second LEDs 25a and 25b are turned on. When output sheets of four or more users are stacked on the paper discharge tray 24, all the first to fourth LEDs 25a to 25d are turned on.

  More specifically, first, the first user transmits a job. Then, the control unit 11 recognizes that the output paper 27 by the job from the first user is stacked on the paper discharge tray 24. At this time, the control unit 11 turns on the first LED 25a.

  Next, a second user different from the first transmits a new job while the output paper 27 by the first user is stacked on the paper discharge tray 24. Then, the control unit 11 loads the output sheets 27 and 28 by the two users, the output sheet 27 by the job from the first user and the output sheet 28 by the job from the second user, on the discharge tray 24. Recognize that At this time, the control unit 11 turns on the second LED 25b in addition to the first LED 25a already turned on.

  In this way, by notifying how many users have output sheets stacked on the paper discharge tray 24, it is possible to reduce the possibility of accidentally taking away another person's output sheets.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the notification unit is an LED has been described. However, the notification unit may be a display screen 32 included in the operation unit 13 or may be notified by voice or the like. For example, the computer name of the user and the number of jobs transmitted from the computer are displayed on the display screen 32. In this way, the user can easily determine whether or not output sheets according to a plurality of image formation requests are mixed in the paper discharge tray 24 with reference to the display screen 32.

  Moreover, in said embodiment, although the LED group 25 as an alerting | reporting means demonstrated the example installed adjacent to the operation part 13, it is not restricted to this, What is necessary is just a position where a user can refer easily. . For example, it may be installed around the paper discharge tray 24.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the sensor 26 as the detection unit is a reflective sensor has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any sensor that can detect the output paper on the paper discharge tray is used. Can do. For example, it may be a transmissive sensor that includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit that are arranged at positions sandwiching the output paper. Examples of the transmissive sensor include a PI (Photo Interrupter) sensor.

  This transmissive sensor detects that the output sheets are stacked when the light emitted from the light emitting unit cannot be received by the light receiving unit. On the other hand, when the light emitted from the light emitting unit is received by the light receiving unit, it is detected that the output sheet has been moved.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the paper discharge device 23 is provided in the digital multifunction peripheral 10 has been described. However, the paper discharge device 23 may be provided in other devices.

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

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral when an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to the digital multifunction peripheral. It is a figure which shows an example of a paper discharge tray. It is a figure which shows an example of an operation part and LED group. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a control unit when an image is formed using a printer function of a digital multifunction peripheral.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Digital multifunction device, 11 Control part, 12 DRAM, 13 Operation part, 14 Document feeder, 15 Image reading part, 16 Image formation part, 17 Hard disk, 18 FAX communication part, 19 Network IF part, 20 Public line, 21 Network , 22 PC, 23 paper discharge device, 24 paper discharge tray, 25 LED group, 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d LED, 26 sensor, 26a light emitting part, 26b light receiving part, 27, 28 output paper, 31 start key, 32 display screen.

Claims (6)

A paper discharge tray for discharging the output paper on which images are formed;
Detecting means for detecting whether or not the output paper is stacked on the paper discharge tray;
A paper discharge device comprising: a notification unit that notifies the stacking state of the output paper detected by the detection unit. The paper discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies the number of requests for the image formation. The paper discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies information on a request source of the image formation. The notification means includes a plurality of LEDs,
The paper discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the output paper stack state is notified by a blinking pattern of the plurality of LEDs. The detection means includes a light emitting unit that emits light to the output paper, and a light receiving unit that receives light emitted from the light emitting unit and reflected by the output paper,
The paper discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the light receiving unit detects that the output paper is stacked on the paper discharge tray by receiving light. An image forming means for forming an image;
An image forming apparatus including the paper discharge device according to claim 1.

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