JP2019095713A - Arrayed object sequence detection system, image forming device, compound machine, arrayed objects, and arrayed object sequence detection method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an arrayed object sequence detection system with which it is not necessary to transmit an identification signal from a body to a paper cassette nor it is necessary to provide an excess circuit in the paper cassette.SOLUTION: The present invention comprises a body and a plurality of arrayed objects. The body includes a downstream side interface including first to N'th output terminals for outputting a fist type of signal. Each of the arrayed objects includes an upstream side interface including a first to N'th input terminals each connectable respectively to the first to N'th output terminals included in the downstream side interface of the body nearest to the upstream side or an other arrayed object nearest to the upstream side, a downstream side interface including first to (N-1)th output terminals each for outputting the same type of signal as the second to N'th input terminals and the N'th output terminal for outputting a second type of signal, and means for detecting the sequence of the local arrayed objects on the basis of a combination of types of signals inputted from the first to N'th input terminals.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an arrangement rank detection system, an image forming apparatus, a multifunction machine and an arrangement, and an arrangement rank detection method.

  In a multifunction machine capable of inserting a plurality of paper cassettes (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “cassettes”), the main body and each paper cassette may be inserted between the paper cassettes for control from the main body of each cassette, etc. In order to communicate using a common signal line, it is necessary to use the identification information of the paper cassette.

  According to Patent Document 1, it is detected at which position the cassette is located, based on at which timing the identification code stored in the cassette matches the identification signal decoded by the decoding / determination means. Discloses a multifunction machine capable of

JP, 2004-233707, A

  However, in the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, the identification signal must be transmitted from the control substrate of the main body. In addition, it is necessary to provide each sheet cassette with a circuit for converting or decoding the identification signal, storing the identification code, and determining the identification signal using the identification code.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, there is no need to transmit an identification signal from the main body to the paper cassette, and there is no need to provide an extra circuit in the paper cassette It aims at providing a thing rank detection method.

According to the invention
It has a body and multiple arrays,
The main body includes a downstream interface including first to Nth (N is an integer of 2 or more) output terminals for outputting a first type of signal,
Each array is
The first to Nth (N is an integer of 2 or more) output terminals included in the downstream side of the main body located immediately upstream and the other array located closest to the upstream side can be respectively connected An upstream interface including 1 to N input terminals;
A downstream interface including first to (N-1) th output terminals for outputting the same kind of signal as the second to Nth input terminals and an Nth output terminal for outputting a second type of signal; ,
Order detection means for detecting the order of its own array based on a combination of types of signals input from each of the first to Nth input terminals;
An array priority detection system is provided, characterized in that

  Further, according to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising the above-described arrangement priority detection system.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, there is provided a multi-function machine comprising the above-mentioned sequence priority detection system.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, each of the first to Nth (N is an integer of 2 or more) output terminals included in the downstream side of the main body located immediately upstream and the other array located immediately upstream is respectively provided An upstream interface including first to Nth input terminals that can be connected;
A downstream interface including first to (N-1) th output terminals for outputting the same kind of signal as the second to Nth input terminals and an Nth output terminal for outputting a second type of signal; ,
Order detection means for detecting the order of its own array based on a combination of types of signals input from each of the first to Nth input terminals;
An array is provided, characterized in that it comprises

Furthermore, according to the invention,
It has a body and multiple arrays,
The main body includes a downstream interface including first to Nth (N is an integer of 2 or more) output terminals for outputting a first type of signal,
Each array is
The first to Nth (N is an integer of 2 or more) output terminals included in the downstream side of the main body located immediately upstream and the other array located closest to the upstream side can be respectively connected An upstream interface including 1 to N input terminals;
A downstream interface including first to (N-1) th output terminals for outputting the same kind of signal as the second to Nth input terminals and an Nth output terminal for outputting a second type of signal; ,
A sequence order detection method for detecting the order of its own arrangement in each arrangement.
Each of the arrays has an order detection step of detecting an order of the own array based on a combination of types of signals input from each of the first to Nth input terminals. A method is provided.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a computer to execute the above-described sequence priority detection method.

  According to the present invention, it is not necessary to transmit an identification signal from the main body to the sheet cassette, and it is not necessary to provide the sheet cassette with an extra circuit.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a multifunction peripheral including an arrangement priority detection system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the main body shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a sheet cassette shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a multifunction peripheral including an arrangement priority detection system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the main body shown in FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the paper cassette shown in FIG. FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram showing another configuration of the sheet cassette shown in FIG. 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a conceptual cross-sectional view of a multifunction peripheral according to a common mode of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment
Referring to FIG. 1, the multifunction peripheral body 101 and four cassettes 121 # 1 to 121 # 4 inserted therein are shown. This configuration includes an array priority detection system.

  The MFP body 101 includes a control board 103, a power source 105, a downstream interface 107, and three wires V0 to V2.

  Since the four cassettes 121 # 1 to 121 # 4 have the same configuration, when simply referred to as the cassette 121, it corresponds to any of the cassettes 121 # 1 to 121 # 4.

  The cassette 121 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 123, an upstream interface 125, a downstream interface 127, and four wires w0 to w3.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in the main body 101, the downstream interface 107 includes three output terminals OT0 to OT2 and one input / output terminal BTL. The three output terminals OT0 to OT2 are connected to the power supply 105 through the wirings v0 to v2. Therefore, a signal of the voltage of the power supply 105 is output from all three output terminals OT0 to OT2. Further, the input / output terminal BTL is connected to the control substrate 103 via the wiring CCM.

  1 and 3, in the cassette 121, the upstream interface 125 includes three input terminals IT0 to IT2 and one input / output terminal BTU. The downstream interface 127 also includes three output terminals OT0 to OT2 and one input / output terminal BTL.

  The three input terminals IT0 to IT2 are connected to the input ports A0 to A2 of the CPU 123 through the wirings w0 to w2, respectively. Therefore, the signals received at the three input terminals IT0 to IT2 are input to the input ports A0 to A2 of the CPU 123. Further, the input / output terminal BTU is connected to the CPU 123 through the wiring CCU.

  The two output terminals OT0 and OT1 are connected to the input terminals IT1 and IT2 via the wirings w1 and w2, respectively. In addition, one output terminal OT2 is grounded via the wiring w3. Therefore, the signals received at the two input terminals IT1 and IT2 are outputted as they are from the two output terminals OT0 and OT1, and the signal of the ground level is outputted from one output terminal OT2.

  The input terminals IT0 to IT2 included in the upstream side interface 125 # n of each cassette 121 are the output terminals OT1 to OT2 included in the downstream side interface 107 of the main body 101 located nearest to the upstream side or the cassette 121 # The output terminals OT1 to OT2 included in the downstream interface 127 of n−1) are connected.

  Further, the input / output terminals BTU included in the upstream side interface 125 # n of each cassette 121 are input / output terminals BTL included in the downstream side interface 107 of the main body 101 located immediately upstream or the cassette 121 # located immediately upstream. It is connected to the input / output terminal BTL included in the downstream side interface 127 of n−1).

  With reference to FIG. 1 again, with the above-described configuration, the signals at the level of the power supply 105 of the main unit are input ports A0 to A2 of the CPU 123 of the cassette 121 # 1 and input ports A0 and A1 of the CPU 123 of the cassette 121 # 2. It is input to the input port A0 of the CPU 123 of the cassette 121 # 3. Further, signals at the ground level are input to the input port A2 of the CPU 123 of the cassette 121 # 2, the input ports A1 and A2 of the CPU 123 of the cassette 121 # 3, and the input ports A0 to A3 of the CPU 123 of the cassette 121 # 4.

  Accordingly, the levels of the signals input by the CPUs of the cassettes 121 # 1 to 121 # 4 are as follows.

A0 A1 A2
Cassette 121 # 1 H H H
Cassette 121 # 2 H H L
Cassette 121 # 3 H L L
Cassette 121 # 4 L L L
Here, the level of the power source 105 is denoted as H, and the ground level is denoted as L.

  Therefore, the CPU of each cassette can detect what number cassette it is based on, based on the combination of levels of the signals input to the input ports A0 to A2. That is, it is possible to detect what number cassette the own cassette is without communicating with the CPU or the like of another cassette.

  Since the CPU 123 of the cassettes 121 # 1 to 121 # 4 and the control substrate 103 of the main body can communicate with each other by the above connection, the control substrate 103 of the main body identifies the individual cassettes. While it is possible to transmit and receive data. That is, by including the order of cassettes in the identification information of cassettes, it is possible to transmit data to a specific cassette or receive data from a specific cassette.

  Specifically, immediately after the power is turned on or immediately after the cassette is replaced, if each cassette detects the order of its own cassette, in each cassette, each load (a motor, a sensor, a clutch, etc.) When performing control, it can be identified whether the instruction from the main body is for the own cassette, and such control is performed based on the instruction determined to be for the own cassette. Further, in the control or the like, the order detected in the own cassette can be included in the response in order to notify the main body that the response is from the own cassette (such as a sensor status response).

Second Embodiment
In the first embodiment, the CPU 123 has three input ports, and can detect which of the four cassettes the cassette to which the own CPU 13 belongs is. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the CPU 123 has four input ports and can detect which of the five cassettes the cassette to which the own CPU 13 belongs. .

  Referring to FIG. 4, the multifunction peripheral body 101 and five cassettes 121 # 1 to 121 # 5 inserted therein are shown.

  The MFP body 101 includes a control substrate 103, a power supply 105, a downstream interface 107, and three wires V0 to V3.

  Since the five cassettes 121 # 1 to 121 # 5 have the same configuration, when simply referred to as the cassette 121, it corresponds to any of the cassettes 121 # 1 to 121 # 5.

  The cassette 121 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 123, an upstream interface 125, a downstream interface 127, and five wires w0 to w4.

  Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, in the main body 101, the downstream interface 107 includes four output terminals OT0 to OT3 and one input / output terminal BTL. The four output terminals OT0 to OT3 are connected to the power supply 105 through the wirings v0 to v3. Therefore, the signal of the voltage of the power supply 105 is output from all four output terminals OT0 to OT3. Further, the input / output terminal BTL is connected to the control substrate 103 via the wiring CCM.

  14 and 6, in the cassette 121, the upstream interface 125 includes four input terminals IT0 to IT3 and one input / output terminal BTU. The downstream interface 127 also includes four output terminals OT0 to OT3 and one input / output terminal BTL.

  The four input terminals IT0 to IT3 are connected to the input ports A0 to A3 of the CPU 123 through the wirings w0 to w3, respectively. Therefore, the signals received at the four input terminals IT0 to IT3 are input to the input ports A0 to A3 of the CPU 123. Further, the input / output terminal BTU is connected to the CPU 123 through the wiring CCU.

  The three output terminals OT0 to OT2 are connected to the input terminals IT1 to IT3 via the wirings w1 to w3, respectively. Further, one output terminal OT3 is grounded via the wiring w4. Therefore, the signals received at the three input terminals IT1 to IT3 are outputted as they are from the three output terminals OT0 to OT2, and the signal of the ground level is outputted from one output terminal OT3.

  The input terminals IT0 to IT3 included in the upstream side interface 125 # n of each cassette 121 are the output terminals OT1 to OT3 included in the downstream side interface 107 of the main body 101 located nearest to the upstream side or the cassette 121 # The output terminals OT1 to OT3 included in the downstream interface 127 of n−1) are connected.

  Further, the input / output terminals BTU included in the upstream side interface 125 # n of each cassette 121 are input / output terminals BTL included in the downstream side interface 107 of the main body 101 located immediately upstream or the cassette 121 # located immediately upstream. It is connected to the input / output terminal BTL included in the downstream side interface 127 of n−1).

  Referring again to FIG. 4, with the above-described configuration, the signals at the level of the power supply 105 of the main unit are input ports A0 to A3 of the CPU 123 of the cassette 121 # 1 and input ports A0 to A2 of the CPU 123 of the cassette 121 # 2. The input ports A0 and A1 of the CPU 123 of the cassette 121 # 3 and the input port A0 of the CPU 123 of the cassette 121 # 4 are input. The ground level signals are input port A2 of CPU 123 of cassette 121 # 2, input ports A1 and A2 of CPU 123 of cassette 121 # 3, input ports A0 to A3 of CPU 123 of cassette 121 # 4, cassette 121 # 5. The data is input to input ports A0 to A4 of the CPU 123.

  Accordingly, the levels of the signals input by the CPUs of the cassettes 121 # 1 to 121 # 5 are as follows.

A0 A1 A2 A3
Cassette 121 # 1 H H H H
Cassette 121 # 2 H H H L
Cassette 121 # 3 H H L L
Cassette 121 # 4 H L L L
Cassette 121 # 5 L L L L
Here, the level of the power source 105 is denoted as H, and the ground level is denoted as L.

  Therefore, the CPU of each cassette can detect what number cassette it is based on, based on the combination of the levels of the signals input to the input ports A0 to A3. That is, it is possible to detect what number cassette the own cassette is without communicating with the CPU or the like of another cassette.

  Since the CPU 123 of the cassettes 121 # 1 to 121 # 5 and the control substrate 103 of the main body can communicate with each other by the above connection, the control substrate 103 of the main body identifies the individual cassettes. While it is possible to transmit and receive data. That is, data can be transmitted to a specific cassette, and data can be received from a specific cassette.

  In the second embodiment, although the number of cassettes 121 is five, the number of cassettes 121 can be two, three, six or more by modifying the first embodiment in the same manner.

Third Embodiment
The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the internal configuration of the cassette 121.

  The internal configuration of the cassette 121 according to the third embodiment is shown in FIG. In this configuration, the output ports B1 and B2 of the CPU 123 respectively output signals at the same level as the signals input to the input ports A1 and A2. The output signals of the output ports B1 and B2 of the CPU 123 are output from the output terminals OT0 and OT1 included in the downstream interface 127.

  Although the output terminal OT2 is grounded outside the CPU 123 in the example of FIG. 7, it may be connected to a port that outputs the ground level of the CPU 123 instead.

  The levels of the signals output from the output terminals OT0 to OT2 of the cassettes 121 # 1 to 121 # 3 in the third embodiment are the same as those of the cassettes 121 # 1 to 121 # 3 in the first embodiment. It becomes the same as the level of the signal output from the output terminals OT0 to OT2. Therefore, in the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the levels of the signals input by the CPUs of the cassettes 121 # 1 to 121 # 4 are as follows.

A0 A1 A2
Cassette 121 # 1 H H H
Cassette 121 # 2 H H L
Cassette 121 # 3 H L L
Cassette 121 # 4 L L L
Here, the level of the power source 105 is denoted as H, and the ground level is denoted as L.

  Only a part of the cassettes 121 # 1 to 121 # 3 of the first embodiment may be replaced with the cassette of the third embodiment. Further, the second embodiment may be modified in the same manner as the first embodiment is modified into the third embodiment.

Third Embodiment
The first level and the second level may be different from those in the above embodiment. For example, H and L in the above embodiment may be reversed. Also, one or both of the H and L levels may be different levels. As another level, a negative level may be used.

Fourth Embodiment
In the first to third embodiments, two kinds of signals, H level and L level, are used, but at least a part of frequency / amplitude / phase is made to differ from each other instead of level. These signals may be used as the first type of signal and the second type of signal. Here, as the period in which the phases are different, a period other than the minimum period of the signal may be used.

Fifth Embodiment
Two sequences of the above-described sequence rank detection system may be provided, and further, a comparison circuit may be provided to compare the detection results of the ranks in these sequences. Then, the detection result may be used only when they match. Three series may be provided, and detection results of two or three coincident series may be used.

[Common embodiment]
FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus A. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the image reading apparatus (image reading unit) 1 includes an original placement table 11 made of transparent glass, and a double-sided automatic original feeding apparatus for reading an original image while automatically supplying an original. A document reading unit for scanning and reading an image of a document placed on a document placing table 11, that is, a document scanner unit 13 is configured.

  The RADF 12 sets a plurality of originals at one time on a predetermined original tray, and automatically reads the set originals one by one automatically reading an original on the original placement table 11 of the scanner unit 13. It is a known device for feeding to. The RADF 12 is configured of a conveyance path for a single-sided original, a conveyance path for a double-sided original, a conveyance path switching unit, and the like so that the scanner unit 13 can read one side or both sides of the original according to the user's selection. It is done. When reading a document image using this RADF 12, the first scanning unit 15 and the second scanning unit 16 (both will be described later) that constitute the document scanner unit 13 are one side of the document mounting table 11. An image of a document which is stationary on a reading unit of an automatic feeding document provided in the unit and passes through the reading unit of the automatic feeding document is sequentially read. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the first scanning unit 15 and the second scanning unit 16 are at rest on the automatic feeding document reading unit. The RADF 12 is provided integrally or separately with the document cover 14 installed on the document table 11 so as to be openable and closable. The document cover 14 is used to press the document placed on the document placement table 11 to prevent the document from rising and the upper surface thereof is a discharge tray 140 of the document to be automatically fed.

  The scanner unit 13 includes a lamp reflector assembly for exposing the surface of a document, and a photoelectric conversion device (for example, a charge coupled device (CCD) or contact) as an image detection unit for converting a reflected light image from the document into an electrical image signal. Scanning unit 15 equipped with a first reflecting mirror for guiding the image sensor (CIS) 18 and a second scanning unit 16 equipped with a second and third reflecting mirror, and a reflected light image on the photoelectric conversion element 18 And an optical lens body 17 for forming an image. The first scanning unit 15 mounts a light source 7 for irradiating a document, which will be described later, and travels at a constant velocity V from left to right in FIG. 8 along the document mounting table 11, and the second scanning unit 16 has a 1/2 V speed. Scan control so as to travel in the same direction. Thereby, in the image reading unit 1, the scanner unit 13 is moved along the lower surface of the document placement table 11 while sequentially placing the documents to be read on the document placement table 11, and the document reading table 1 is placed on the document placement table 11. The image of the original is sequentially formed on the photoelectric conversion element 18 line by line to read the image of the original.

  Image data obtained by reading an original image by the scanner unit 13 is subjected to various processing and then temporarily stored in the memory, and the image data is output from the memory to the image recording unit 2 according to the output instruction. After being reproduced as a visible image on the photosensitive drum 22, the image is transferred onto a sheet (recording medium) to form a toner image. The image recording unit 2 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 a laser beam 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 beam at an equal angular velocity, and an equal angular velocity deflection. The laser beam has an f-.theta. Lens or the like which corrects so that the surface of the photosensitive drum 22 of the electrophotographic process unit 20 is scanned at a constant speed. The electrophotographic process unit 20 arranges the charging device 23, the developing device 24, the transfer device 25, and the cleaning device 26 around the photosensitive drum 22 according to a known embodiment, and further fixes the fixing device 27 downstream of the photosensitive drum 22. Is arranged.

  The sheet feeding unit (recording medium supply unit) 3 includes first to third cassettes 121 # 1 to 121 # 3 and a manual feed tray 35 capable of stacking a large number of recording sheets. Pickup rollers 31 # 1-31 # 3, which feed top sheets of stacked sheets one by one, at the paper feed side front end portions of the first to third cassettes 121 # 1-121 # 3 and the manual feed tray 35. 31 # 5 are installed, and sheet feeding rollers 32 # 1 to 32 # 3 and 32 # 5 are respectively disposed in proximity to the downstream side in the sheet feeding direction. The paper feed direction downstream sides of the respective paper feed rollers 32 # 1 to 32 # 3 and 32 # 5 merge to constitute the paper feed conveyance unit 4, and the paper feed conveyance unit 4 includes conveyance rollers 41, 42, and 43. , 44 and the registration roller 45, and the sheet fed from the first to third cassettes 121 # 1 to 121 # 3 and the manual feed tray 35 passes through any one of the conveyance rollers 41, 42 and 43, From the point 44 to the registration roller 45, the registration roller 45 registers the sheet, and the sheet is conveyed to a transfer position between the photosensitive drum 22 and the transfer device 25.

  In FIG. 8, as indicated by a two-dot chain line, a large-capacity cassette 121 # 4 is optionally installed as a fourth cassette under the third cassette 121 # 3, and the sheet feeding / conveying unit 4 is The paper feed side of the large-capacity cassette 121 # 4 is also connected, and the sheet fed from the large-capacity cassette 121 # 4 is conveyed by the conveyance roller 41 toward the transfer position. That is, in the four trays in the first to fourth cassettes 121 # 1 to 121 # 4 in the sheet feeding unit 3, sheets are stacked and accommodated for each size, and sheets of the size desired by the user are accommodated. When the selected cassette or the manual feed tray 35 is selected or automatically selected based on the size information of the image data to be recorded, the sheet is fed one by one from the sheet bundle in the selected tray, The sheet is sequentially conveyed to the electrophotographic processing unit 20 via the conveyance path of the conveyance unit 4. The conveyance path of the sheet feeding / conveying unit 4 is communicated with the fixing device 27 through the transfer position, and a sheet discharge path 5 is provided on the downstream side of the fixing device 27 in the sheet conveyance direction.

  In the laser writing unit 21 and the electrophotographic process unit 20, the image data read from the memory or the image data transferred from an external device such as a personal computer is scanned with a laser beam by the laser writing unit 21. A toner image formed as an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 22 and visualized by the toner of the developing device 24 is transferred by the transfer device 25 onto the surface of the sheet fed and conveyed from the sheet feeding unit 3. The toner is electrostatically transferred and fixed by the fixing device 27. The sheet on which the image is formed in this manner is sent from the fixing device 27 to the stacking tray 50 through the conveyance roller 51 provided in the sheet discharge path 5 and the discharge roller 52 capable of rotating in the forward and reverse directions. A switching gate 53 is provided in the sheet discharge path 5 between the conveying roller 51 and the discharging roller 52, and the sheet feeding / conveying unit 4 is provided upstream of the conveying roller 44 with the installation portion of the switching gate 53 as a base point. The re-feed conveyance unit 54 joining is connected.

  The sheet on which the image is recorded passes through the fixing device 27 and is further conveyed upward by the conveyance roller 51 and passes through the switching gate 53. Then, when the conveyance destination of the sheet is set to the stacking tray 50, the sheet is discharged to the stacking tray 50 by the forward rotation of the discharge roller 52. On the other hand, when double-sided image formation and post-processing are designated, the discharge roller 52 once discharges the sheet toward the stacking tray 50. In this case, instead of completely discharging the sheet, the discharge roller 52 is temporarily stopped so that the rear end of the sheet is nipped by the discharge roller 52, and then the discharge roller 52 is reversely rotated. As a result, the sheet is reversely conveyed in the reverse direction, that is, in the direction of the re-feed conveyance unit 54 selectively mounted for double-sided image formation and post-processing. At this time, the switching gate 53 is switched from upward to downward. A switching gate 55 for post-processing (stapling, punching, etc.) is provided in the middle of the re-feeding / conveying unit 54. When the post-processing mode is selected, reverse switching is carried out by switching of the switching gate 55. The printed sheet is sent to the post-processing unit, stapled and punched, and then discharged onto the post-processing tray 56. When double-sided image recording is performed, the reversely conveyed sheet passes through the re-feed conveyance unit 54, is conveyed by the conveyance rollers 57, 58, and 59 disposed halfway, passes through the registration roller 45 again, and The sheet is supplied to the transfer position, and the image is recorded on the back side.

  The above-described arrangement priority detection system can be realized by hardware, software, or a combination of these. Also, the cassette rank detection method performed by the above-described sort rank detection system can be realized by hardware, software or a combination thereof. Here, to be realized by software means to be realized by a computer reading and executing a program.

  The programs can be stored and provided to a computer using various types of non-transitory computer readable media. Non-transitory computer readable media include tangible storage media of various types. Examples of non-transitory computer readable media are magnetic recording media (eg flexible disk, magnetic tape, hard disk drive), magneto-optical recording media (eg magneto-optical disk), CD-ROM (Read Only Memory), CD- R, CD-R / W, semiconductor memory (for example, mask ROM, PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Erasable PROM), flash ROM, RAM (random access memory)) are included. Also, the programs may be supplied to the computer by various types of transitory computer readable media. Examples of temporary computer readable media include electrical signals, light signals, and electromagnetic waves. The temporary computer readable medium can provide the program to the computer via a wired communication path such as electric wire and optical fiber, or a wireless communication path.

  The present invention can be embodied in other various forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof. Therefore, each embodiment mentioned above is only an illustration, and should not be interpreted restrictively. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, and is not restricted at all by the description. Furthermore, all variations and modifications that fall within the equivalent scope of the claims fall within the scope of the present invention.

  The present invention can be utilized to detect the order of cassettes. It can also be used to detect the order of sequences other than cassettes.

3 paper feed unit 101 multifunction machine main body 103 control board 105 power supply 107 downstream side interface 121 cassette 123 CPU
125 upstream interface 127 downstream interface

Claims (16)

It has a body and multiple arrays,
The main body includes a downstream interface including first to Nth (N is an integer of 2 or more) output terminals for outputting a first type of signal,
Each array is
The first to Nth (N is an integer of 2 or more) output terminals included in the downstream side of the main body located immediately upstream and the other array located closest to the upstream side can be respectively connected An upstream interface including 1 to N input terminals;
A downstream interface including first to (N-1) th output terminals for outputting the same kind of signal as the second to Nth input terminals and an Nth output terminal for outputting a second type of signal; ,
Order detection means for detecting the order of its own array based on a combination of types of signals input from each of the first to Nth input terminals;
An array priority detection system comprising: The arrangement priority detection system according to claim 1, wherein
In the arrangement of at least a part of the plurality of arrangements,
An output terminal included in the first to (N-1) th of the output interface is connected to a second to Nth input terminal included in the input interface, and an Nth output terminal included in the output interface An array rank detection system characterized by outputting a second type of signal. The arrangement priority detection system according to claim 1, wherein
In the arrangement of at least a part of the plurality of arrangements,
Signals in which types of signals of second to Nth input terminals included in the input interface and types of signals of output terminals included in the first to (N-1) th of the output interface are the same. An arrangement priority detection system comprising: a processing unit, and an Nth output terminal included in the output interface outputs a second type of signal. The arrangement priority detection system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
The arrangement priority detection system according to claim 1, wherein the first type of signal is a signal of a first level, and the second type of signal is a signal of a second level. The arrangement priority detection system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
The arrangement priority detection system according to claim 1, wherein the first type of signal is different in level, frequency, or phase at a predetermined repetition compared to the second type of signal. The arrangement priority detection system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein
A sequence rank detection system characterized in that, in communication between the main body and each array, identification information of each array includes the rank of its own array detected by each array.   An image forming apparatus comprising the array priority detection system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   A multifunction machine comprising the array rank detection system according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The first to Nth (N is an integer of 2 or more) output terminals included in the downstream side of the main body located immediately upstream and the other array located closest to the upstream side can be respectively connected An upstream interface including 1 to N input terminals;
A downstream interface including first to (N-1) th output terminals for outputting the same kind of signal as the second to Nth input terminals and an Nth output terminal for outputting a second type of signal; ,
Order detection means for detecting the order of its own array based on a combination of types of signals input from each of the first to Nth input terminals;
An array comprising: A sequence according to claim 9, which is
An output terminal included in the first to (N-1) th of the output interface is connected to a second to Nth input terminal included in the input interface, and an Nth output terminal included in the output interface An array that outputs a second type of signal. A sequence according to claim 9, which is
Signals in which types of signals of second to Nth input terminals included in the input interface and types of signals of output terminals included in the first to (N-1) th of the output interface are the same. An array comprising: a processing unit, and an Nth output terminal included in the output interface outputs a second type of signal. A sequence according to any one of claims 9-11, wherein
The array according to claim 1, wherein the first type of signal is a signal of a first level, and the second type of signal is a signal of a second level. A sequence according to any one of claims 9-11, wherein
The array according to the first aspect, wherein the first type of signal is different in level, frequency, or phase at a predetermined repetition as compared with the second type of signal. The arrangement according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein
A sequence, wherein in the communication with the main body, the identification information of the own sequence includes the order of the own sequence detected by the own sequence. It has a body and multiple arrays,
The main body includes a downstream interface including first to Nth (N is an integer of 2 or more) output terminals for outputting a first type of signal,
Each array is
The first to Nth (N is an integer of 2 or more) output terminals included in the downstream side of the main body located immediately upstream and the other array located closest to the upstream side can be respectively connected An upstream interface including 1 to N input terminals;
A downstream interface including first to (N-1) th output terminals for outputting the same kind of signal as the second to Nth input terminals and an Nth output terminal for outputting a second type of signal; ,
A sequence order detection method for detecting the order of its own arrangement in each arrangement.
Each of the arrays has an order detection step of detecting an order of the own array based on a combination of types of signals input from each of the first to Nth input terminals. Method.   The program for making a computer perform the arrangement | sequence thing detection method of Claim 15.

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