JP2010105783A - Copier - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a copier capable of executing the normal printing by checking the command from a printer controller. <P>SOLUTION: A command checking unit is provided on a printer engine. When another command is received during paper feed, it is checked whether or not a paper feed cassette is different to prevent the double feed of paper sheets from the different paper feed cassette. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer, and more particularly to printing normally by checking a command from a printer controller.

In a multifunction machine or the like, the printer engine receives a command instruction from the printer controller and prints. It is known that a print reservation command is transmitted from a print controller to a printer engine prior to a print request command to determine in advance whether paper can be fed, thereby improving the throughput during printing.
However, if the printer engine receives another command for instructing paper feeding from a different paper cassette while feeding is instructed to start feeding from the printer controller, the recording paper overlaps and jams if the paper is fed as it is. Occurs. If the command instruction from the printer controller is wrong, for example, when there is no instructed paper discharge tray, normal printing cannot be performed.
JP 2002-46876 A

  An object of the present invention is to perform printing normally even when there is a problem with a command from a printer controller.

  According to the present invention, in a printer that receives a print instruction command from a printer controller by a printer engine and executes a print job, the printer engine acquires information related to a paper feed cassette from the received command, and feeds the paper by the first command. When the second command is received, it is detected that the sheet cassettes designated by the first command and the second command are different from each other, and the sheet fed by the first command is detected. And a command check unit for controlling the operation of the paper feed roller of the paper feed cassette instructed by the second command so that the paper fed by the second command does not overlap with the paper fed by the second command. It is characterized by.

  Preferably, the command check unit further checks whether or not there is a paper discharge destination indicated by the received command, and detects that the paper discharge destination does not exist. It is configured to discharge the paper.

  More preferably, the command check unit further checks whether the optional function indicated by the received command is a function attached to the own device, and if the optional function is not attached to the own device, The optional function is configured to be printed without being executed.

  In the present invention, the command from the printer controller can be checked by the command check unit of the printer engine. In the command check unit, when different paper feed cassettes are instructed for each command, the timing of paper feed from different paper feed cassettes is controlled so that paper feed is not performed simultaneously. When the printer engine receives a command for instructing paper feeding from a different paper feeding cassette during paper feeding, the paper from the paper feeding cassette is controlled to be transported at a predetermined interval, so that a paper jam can be prevented. .

  Further, the command check unit can check whether or not there is a paper discharge destination instructed by the command, and when the designated paper discharge destination does not exist, an instruction error of the printer controller can be detected. Even if it is detected that the paper discharge destination designated by the command is wrong, the paper can be discharged to the most efficient tray without interrupting printing.

  Furthermore, the command check unit can detect an error related to the option. For example, if the double-sided printing optional function is not installed, if a double-sided printing instruction is given, printing can be performed one side at a time. Even when the finisher option function is not installed, a print command for instructing the finisher option is received, and normal printing is possible.

  In the following, an optimum embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be shown.

  FIG. 1 to FIG. 6 show an embodiment of a printer taking a multifunction machine as an example, and FIG. 1 shows a printer 2 controlled by the printer engine of the embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numerals 4 to 6 denote cassettes to be mounted for each paper size, and reference numerals 7 to 9 denote paper bundles stored in the cassettes 4 to 6, respectively. Reference numerals 10 to 12 denote reversible paper feed rollers that separate the paper from the paper bundles 7 to 9 one by one and transport the paper to the paper feed path 32. Reference numerals 14 and 15 denote registration rollers for correcting the skew of the conveyed paper. Then, the sheet is made to wait at the position of the registration rollers 14 and 15, and if there is an instruction to start copying by the user, the registration rollers 14 and 15 are driven to convey the sheet to the printing unit. The feed rollers 10 to 12 are driven by motors M2 to M4, and the registration rollers 14 and 15 are driven by a motor M1. Reference numeral 16 denotes a spring mechanism for adjusting the gap between the registration rollers 14 and 15. S1 is a paper sensor using a light transmission type sensor or the like, and is provided upstream of the registration rollers 14 and 15 in the transport direction. The sensor S1 detects the leading edge and the trailing edge of the sheet, and detects the sheet interval and that the sheet is conveyed from the cassettes 4 to 6 to the registration rollers 14 and 15. The sensor S1 is provided at a position about several mm from the registration rollers 14 and 15, for example.

  In the electrophotographic printing unit 19 using toner as a recording material, reference numeral 20 denotes a photosensitive drum, which may be a belt-shaped photosensitive member. A cleaner 21 collects the toner remaining on the roller 20 and removes the charge, 22 is a charging unit for charging the surface of the roller 20, and 23 is an exposure unit such as an LED head or a laser beam head. Reference numeral 24 denotes a toner supply mechanism for supplying toner from the roller, and the roller 25 functions as a paper press against the photosensitive drum 20. Reference numerals 26 and 27 denote fixing rollers, which are heated to melt the resin components in the toner and fix them on paper. Reference numerals 28 to 30 denote paper feed rollers, which convey the printed paper with the rollers 28 and 28 to the discharge tray 36 and the discharge bins 37 to 39. Reference numeral 34 denotes a paper reversing path for double-sided printing. If the sensor S2 detects the trailing edge of the paper printed on one side, the rollers 28 and 28 are reversed and the rollers 29 and 29 are driven. The sheet is conveyed to the reverse path 34. In the embodiment, the paper discharge bins 37 to 39 are mounted in addition to the paper discharge tray 36. Further, a finisher (not shown) can be mounted on the paper discharge bin.

  FIG. 2 shows a control system of the printer 2. The printer controller 40 receives a job from a printer driver such as a personal computer (not shown). The received job is analyzed, data is converted for the printer engine 42, and a command is generated. The printer engine 42 prints image data on an optimal size paper in accordance with a command from the printer controller 40.

  The printer engine 42 includes a command check unit 44 for checking a print instruction command from the printer controller 40. The printer engine 42 further includes a transport / paper feed unit 46 for controlling the paper feed rollers of the paper feed cassette. In addition, the charging unit 22 and the exposure unit 23 are driven, the fixing unit 48 drives the fixing rollers 26 and 27, and an error detection unit 50 for detecting an error such as a paper jam.

  FIG. 3 shows the command check unit 44. The command check unit 44 includes a timing control unit 52 for controlling the timing of paper feed from the paper feed cassette, and a command error detection unit 54 for detecting an error of a command for instructing a paper discharge destination and double-sided printing. Prepare. The timing control unit 52 controls the transport / sheet feeding unit 46 in order to prevent sheets from being simultaneously fed from each sheet feeding cassette when a plurality of commands indicate different sheet feeding cassettes. To control the timing of sheet feeding between the sheet cassettes. In other words, if another command is received during printing and the received command indicates feeding from a paper cassette different from the active paper cassette, the paper is fed so as to be conveyed at a predetermined interval. Controls the paper cassette feed roller.

  The command error detection unit 54 of the embodiment detects a command error related to the paper discharge destination and duplex printing. The paper discharge destination error includes a paper discharge destination instruction error and an error indicating a paper discharge destination that does not exist. For example, there is a case where a discharge instruction to the same bin is instructed between a plurality of commands. Errors that indicate a non-existent paper discharge destination include an error in the number of bins and an instruction to use a finisher option that is not installed. Another command error may be an instruction for an optional function for double-sided printing that is not installed.

  For the command check, for example, a command check table 56 describing errors to be detected is used. In the embodiment, when an error described in the table 56 is detected, the command is converted so as to match the function of the printer 2 and printing is performed. In the table 56, for example, when there is a print instruction at a size of a paper cassette not equipped, for example, when there is a copy instruction in a range exceeding a possible magnification, and a full color copy is not provided. Nevertheless, a command error such as when there is an instruction to copy in full color is stored. When these errors are satisfied, the command is processed as an executable command, such as printing with a close size, printing with a possible range of magnification, or printing with a two-color copy.

  FIG. 4 shows the timing of conveying / feeding paper from different paper feed cassettes. First, in FIG. 4A, a command for instructing paper feeding from the first stage paper cassette and a command for instructing paper feeding from the second stage paper cassette are executed simultaneously. A conventional example in which P2 is in a paper jam state is shown.

  FIG. 4B shows a case where a command for instructing conveyance of the paper P2 is received during execution of a command for instructing conveyance of the paper P1. The conveyance / paper feeding unit 46 of the embodiment waits at the position of the registration roller until the paper P1 and the paper P2 secure a predetermined interval. In the figure, the time when the sensor S1 detects the trailing edge of the paper P1 is Ta.

  FIG. 4C shows that the detection time when the leading edge of the succeeding paper P2 is detected by the sensor S1 is Tb, and the interval between the papers P1 and P2 is time (Tb−Ta). FIG. 4D shows that the sheet P2 is stopped by the registration roller until the interval between the sheets P1 and P2 reaches a predetermined value D. Thereafter, the registration roller is activated and transported while maintaining the distance D between the sheets P1 and P2. In the embodiment, the timing of the next sheet feeding is determined by using the sensor S1, but it is also possible to start feeding from a different sheet feeding cassette when a predetermined time elapses from the start of feeding the sheet P1, for example. good.

  FIG. 5 shows control of the timing for starting paper feeding between commands instructing paper feeding from different cassettes. First, when the printer engine receives a paper feed command from the printer controller (S10), the cassette information of the paper feed source is acquired (S11), and paper feed from the paper feed cassette is started (S12). When another paper feed command is received during paper feeding (S13), the cassette information of the paper feeding source is acquired from this command (S14). If the paper cassettes designated by the two commands are the same, printing is continued (S18). If the paper feed cassettes designated by the two commands are different (S15), the interval between the sheets is secured (S16), and the paper feed by the command 2 is performed (S17).

  FIG. 6 shows detection of a command error in the embodiment. In the embodiment, a discharge destination instruction (S20), a finisher option instruction (S30), and a duplex printing instruction (S40) are checked. If the discharge destination is instructed by the command, it is checked whether there is a corresponding bin, and if the corresponding bin is provided, the paper is discharged to the designated bin (S21, S22). On the other hand, for example, the bins up to the second bin are attached even though the ejection to the bin 3 is instructed, and when there is no instructed bin, the bin is ejected to the lowest bin. (S23). As described above, when the number of installed bins is smaller than the number of designated bins, the paper is discharged to an appropriate bin.

  When the command specified by the finisher option is received, it is checked that the finisher option is installed in the printer (S31). If the finisher option is not installed, the MFP main body (printer) is not processed by the finisher. ) Is discharged to the discharge tray (S32). If the finisher option is installed, but the number of finishers to be instructed does not match the number of installation, the sheet is discharged into a bin with good discharge efficiency (S33, S34). For example, when the number of finishers to be instructed is larger than the number of mounted finishers, the paper is discharged to the lowest bin of the finisher-attached bin. If the number of finishers matches, the paper is discharged as instructed by the command (S33, S35).

  When a command for instructing double-sided printing is received (S40), it is checked that the optional function for double-sided printing is provided. If it is provided, double-sided printing is performed (S41, S42). If the optional function of double-sided printing is not provided, printing is performed for each side (S43).

  In the embodiment, the command from the printer controller is checked by the printer engine. Therefore, it is possible to control the timing of executing the command and detect an instruction error of the printer controller before feeding. In the timing control, when the printer engine receives another command during paper feeding and the designated paper feeding cassette is different, a predetermined length interval is provided between the paper conveyed by the previous command and another command is issued. Transport the paper. Therefore, it is possible to prevent paper jamming due to simultaneous conveyance of sheets from different sheet feeding cassettes.

Further, in the embodiment, errors such as an error in the paper discharge destination and errors related to options can be detected. Since processing at the time of error detection is determined in advance and printing is continued, printing is not interrupted because the instructions regarding the paper discharge destination and options are incorrect. When an error such as the absence of a paper discharge destination is detected, a paper discharge destination bin is determined in advance, so that printing can be continued even when there is no paper discharge destination specified by a command. Even when the finisher option is not provided or when the number of finishers does not match, it is possible to discharge the paper to an efficient bin. Furthermore, even if the duplex copy option is not provided, even if the duplex copy is instructed, it is possible to print one side at a time.

The figure which shows the paper feed mechanism of the printer of an Example The figure which shows the control system of the printer of an Example The figure which shows the command check part in the execution example FIG. 4A is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between a sheet to be transported, a sensor, and a roller when printing is performed using two commands in the embodiment. FIG. 4A is a conventional example when two commands are performed simultaneously. 4B shows detection of the trailing edge of the preceding paper, FIG. 4C shows detection of the paper interval, and FIG. 4D shows conveyance of the paper at a specified interval. The flowchart which shows the process which controls the timing between the commands which instruct | indicate the paper supply from a different cassette in an Example. The flowchart which shows the processing at the time of command error detection in the example

Explanation of symbols

2 Printers 4 to 6 Cassettes 7 to 9 Paper bundles 10 to 12 Paper feed rollers 14 and 15 Registration roller 16 Forward / backward movement mechanism 19 Printing unit 20 Photosensitive drum 21 Cleaner 22 Charging unit 23 Exposure unit 24 Toner supply mechanism 25 Rollers 26 and 27 Fixing rollers 28-30 Paper feed roller 32 Paper feed path 34 Reverse path 36 Paper discharge trays 37, 38, 39 Paper discharge bins M1-M4 Motor S1, S2 Paper sensor P1 Preceding paper P2 Subsequent paper 40 Printer controller 42 Printer engine 44 Command Check Unit 46 Paper Conveying / Feeding Unit 48 Fixing Unit 50 Error Detection Unit 52 Timing Control Unit 54 Command Error Detection Unit 56 Command Check Table

Claims (3)

In a printer that receives a print instruction command from a printer controller by a printer engine and executes a print job,
When the printer engine acquires information related to the sheet cassette from the received command and receives the second command during feeding by the first command, the first command and the second command respectively The second command is used so that the paper fed by the first command and the paper fed by the second command do not overlap when it is detected that the designated paper cassette is different. A printer comprising a command check unit that controls to delay the operation of a paper feed roller of a paper feed cassette to be instructed. The command check unit further includes:
It is configured to check whether or not there is a paper discharge destination indicated by the received command, and when it is detected that the paper discharge destination does not exist, the paper is discharged to the existing paper discharge destination. The printer of claim 1. The command check unit further includes:
It is checked whether the optional function indicated by the received command is a function installed in the own machine. If the optional function is not installed in the own machine, printing is performed without executing the optional function. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printer is configured as follows.

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