JP2903532B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a memory having a capacity for storing a plurality of pages of recording information, a writing unit for storing the recording information in the memory, and a memory for storing the recording information in the memory. The present invention relates to a recording apparatus comprising: a reading unit that retrieves the recorded information; and an image forming unit that forms a recording image corresponding to the recording information retrieved by the reading unit on recording paper.

[Conventional technology]

In recent years, optical printers such as laser beam printers and LED printers using an electrophotographic process have been prosperous as the above-mentioned recording apparatuses. In this type of optical printer, the toner transferred to the recording paper in the electrophotographic process is transported unfixed to the fixing device, so that it is not necessary to take any special means for adsorbing the toner. In general, the unfixed toner is conveyed and loaded into the fixing device with the recording paper surface facing upward, and the fixed recording paper is discharged in that position. Then, the discharged recording papers are stacked in a state where a later recorded one is positioned on a previously recorded one.

However, according to this configuration, when recording information over a plurality of pages is recorded on recording paper for each page, the recording surface faces upward (hereinafter, this state is referred to as face-up).
Since the information recorded later is sequentially placed on the information recorded earlier, if the recording information starts recording from the first page, the page order is changed to the recording information. After the recording of a plurality of pages is completed,
A manual page alignment operation is needed to rearrange the pages so that the number of pages increases.

The larger the number of pages of recorded information, the more complicated and time-consuming this page alignment work is, so that it is not necessary to do it.
A reversing device is provided for reversing the recording sheet after recording is completed, and reversing the recording sheet so that the recording surface faces down (hereinafter, this state is referred to as face-down) so that the recording sheet is discharged in a page-aligned state. Alternatively, a memory for storing input recording information is provided for a plurality of pages corresponding to the entire recording information, and recording is performed from the input recording information corresponding to the last page, so that the face-up paper discharge configuration is maintained. In some cases, the paper is discharged in a state where the pages are aligned.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, the conventional recording apparatus described above has the following problems.

In other words, in the former configuration in which the reversing device is provided, since the reversing device reverses the recording paper and occupies a large space, the size of the entire device is increased. When the reversing device is attached to a device having an upside-down paper discharging configuration to realize the configuration, the size is remarkably increased. Further, in a printer that simply records input information, the apparatus can be made compact by adopting a paper discharge configuration in which recording paper inverted by an inverting device is stacked on a tray or the like installed on the upper surface of the apparatus. But,
In a recording apparatus having both a digital function of recording input recording information in dot units and an analog function of copying an original (in recent years, it is often referred to as a digital anacopier with its spread, and is hereinafter referred to as such). Since the document table for document placement is located on the upper surface, such a configuration cannot be adopted, and it is particularly difficult to adopt a configuration in which the recording paper is turned upside down with few obstacles in the space.

On the other hand, in the latter configuration in which the memory is provided for a plurality of pages and the recording is performed from the last page, the number of pages of the recording information constituting one document or the like is not constant, and since there is a document amount as much as 10 pages or more, Such a configuration that allows page alignment even for such a large number of pages requires a huge amount of memory in order to cope with rarely occurring recording conditions, and is cost-effective. It is not practical because it lowers the performance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus which can easily and quickly perform page alignment without causing an increase in size and cost of a product in view of the above situation.

[Means for solving the problem]

In order to solve the problem of the section, the recording apparatus according to claim 1 stores unrecorded recording information for a page that can be stored in the memory, and stores the recording information stored in the memory by the writing unit. First control means for controlling the writing means and the reading means so as to be taken out in an order reverse to the stored order and form a recorded image by the image forming means; and a page of recording information in a single job. If the number exceeds the number of pages that can be stored in the memory, the writing unit by the first control unit performs recording of unrecorded recording information of the job.
And a second control means for repeatedly controlling the reading means.

3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first control unit controls the writing unit so as to store the unrecorded recording information in the memory in order from the earliest one.
2. The recording device according to item 1.

4. The sorting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first control unit sorts the recording paper on which a recording image is formed by the image forming unit into a plurality of pages once stored in the memory as one unit. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a recording unit.

The recording apparatus according to claim 4, out of record information of unrecorded record information, stores the recordable pages in the memory in order from the earliest one, and stores the record information stored in the memory in the last page. A first control unit for controlling the writing unit and the reading unit so as to form a recording image by the image forming unit by sequentially taking out the image data, and the number of pages of recording information in a single job can be stored in the memory. A second control unit for repeating the control of the writing unit and the reading unit by the first control unit in order to record the unrecorded recording information of the job when the number of pages exceeds the maximum number of pages. It is a recording device.

[Action]

According to the recording apparatus of the first aspect, the writing unit controlled by the first control unit stores the unrecorded recording information for the storable pages in the memory. Also, the reading means is
The record information stored in the memory is taken out in the reverse order of the order stored by the writing means. The image forming means forms a record of the record information on the recording paper in the order of the pages retrieved by the reading. And the second control means includes:
The above control by the first control means is repeatedly performed to form an image of the remaining recording information of the single job.

According to the recording apparatus of the second aspect, the first control unit controls the writing unit so as to store the unrecorded recording information in the memory in order from the earliest one.

According to the recording apparatus of the third aspect, the sorting unit sets the recording paper on which the recording image is formed by the image forming unit as a unit of a plurality of pages stored at one time in the memory by the first control unit. Sort.

According to the recording device of the fourth aspect, the writing unit controlled by the first control unit stores the pages that can be stored in the memory in order from the earliest one. Also, the reading means is
The recording information stored in this memory is taken out sequentially from the last page. The image forming means forms a record of the record information on the recording paper in the order of the pages retrieved by the reading. Then, the second control means repeats the control by the first control means to form an image of the remaining recording information of the single job.

〔Example〕

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

FIG. 1 is a sectional view schematically showing a slit scanning type electrophotographic recording apparatus which is an example of a recording apparatus according to the present invention.

A document (M) placed on a glass plate (1a) of a document table (1) is irradiated by an exposure lamp (2), and image light from the document (M) passes through a slit (3). Through a focusing lens (4) and a plurality of mirrors (5a) to (5d) through an imaging optical system (I) at a peripheral speed of [V] counterclockwise in FIG. It is configured to be projected onto the body drum (6).

The exposure lamp (2), the slit (3), and the first mirror (5a) constituting the scanning device (S) are [V / n (where n
Is the copy magnification)] and the document (M)
Are configured to be scanned. The second mirror (5b) and the third mirror (5c) are connected to the moving speed [V] of the scanning device (S) to maintain a constant imaging optical path length by the imaging optical system (I). / n] at half the speed [V / 2n] of the figure.

Then, image light from the original (M) scanned by the scanning device (S) forms an image on the photoreceptor drum (6), and the uniformly charged surface charge is changed to the brightness of the image light. The electrostatic latent image of the image light is formed on the photosensitive drum (6) by being selectively erased accordingly.

The imaging lens (4) and the fourth mirror (5d) are configured to be movable left and right in the figure by driving a motor, and by changing their positions, the conjugate length of the imaging optical system (I) is changed. Thus, the copy magnification in a direction orthogonal to the scanning direction can be changed. When the position of the imaging lens (4) and the fourth mirror (5d) is changed and the copy magnification is changed to a value other than "1", the scanning speed of the scanning device (S) is linked. By changing the scanning speed, the copy magnification in the scanning direction can be changed. Therefore,
Enlarging or reducing the image of the original (M) on the original table (1) at a set magnification by changing the position of the imaging lens (4) and the fourth mirror (5d) and changing the scanning speed. Can be.

A charging device (7) for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum (6) is provided around the photosensitive drum (6). An exposure unit (E) for forming a latent image, a blank eraser (8) for eliminating charges on the photosensitive drum (6) in a portion corresponding to a white background portion of the original (M), and on the photosensitive drum (6) A developing device (D) for adhering toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the recording paper (P), a transfer device (9) for transferring the toner image onto a recording paper (P), and the recording paper (P). Photoconductor drum (6)
(10), a blade-shaped cleaning device (11) for removing excess toner adhering to the surface of the photosensitive drum (6) after transfer, and a surface of the photosensitive drum (6) after transfer A main eraser (12) and the like for extinguishing the electric charge are provided.

The image light from the original (M) is transferred to the photosensitive drum (6).
A light for forming an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the recorded information on the photosensitive drum (6) based on the recorded information input from the outside, between the portion projected above and the charging device (7). A print head (PH) is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the optical print head (PH) includes a plurality of optical fibers (61) for guiding light from a light source (not shown) to a linear light emitting section (60). A rod lens (63) for condensing light uniformly emitted from the light emitting unit (60) on a PLZT shutter array (62) arranged in units of pixels, for each shutter of the PLZT shutter array (62) Driving IC (64), PLZT shutter array (6
2) A polarizer (65) and an analyzer (66) whose polarization directions are orthogonal to each other, sandwiching the PLZT shutter array (6).
2) It is composed of a rod lens array (67) for focusing the light after passing through each shutter on the photosensitive drum (6) separately.

When recording the input recording information from the outside using the optical print head (PH), the storage recording information input from the memory for storing the input recording information described later, which is input through the connector (68), is used. Based on this, each of the shutters of the PLZT shutter array (62) is selectively operated by the driving IC (64), and only the light that has passed through the shutter that rotates the polarization direction in the operating state is analyzed by the analyzer (66). By passing the image and forming an image on the photosensitive drum (6), an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the input recording signal is formed on the photosensitive drum (6). In FIG. 3, (6
9) is an optical fiber connector for inputting light from the light source to the optical fiber (61) inside the optical print head (PH).

Returning to FIG. 1, the description will be continued. As described above, the photosensitive drum (6) on which the electrostatic latent image is formed by the optical print head (PH) is provided by the scanning device (S) and the imaging optical system ( As in the case where the electrostatic latent image of the image light from the original (M) on the original table (1) is formed by I), after the electrostatic latent image is visualized by the developing device (8), , To the transfer device (9).

On the other hand, there are two types of recording paper (P) having different sizes, and each paper tray (13) in the main body (X) of the recording apparatus.
a) and (13b). Then, the recording paper (P) of the designated size is taken out one by one from the paper feed tray (13a or 13b) by the pickup roller (14a or 14b), and passed through the separation roller pair (15a or 15b).
The sheet is fed into a sheet feeding path (17) provided with two pairs of conveying rollers (16a) to (16c), and is synchronized with the formation of an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum (6) by a pair of timing rollers (18). Then, it is configured to be sent to the transfer device (9).

A paper feed stacker (19) is provided on the side of the recording apparatus main body (X). This paper feed stacker (19)
In the three-stage paper feed trays (20a) to (20c), the size of the recording paper (P) in the paper feed trays (13a) and (13b) in the recording apparatus body (X) is further different. It is configured to accommodate three types of recording paper (P).

When the size of the recording paper (P) stored in the paper feed trays (20a) to (20c) is designated, the recording paper (P) of that size is picked up by the pickup roller (21a).
Or 21b or 21c) depending on the paper feed tray (20a or 20b or
20c), one sheet at a time is taken out, and a separating roller pair (22a or
After passing through 22b or 22c), three transport roller pairs (23a)
To the auxiliary roller feed path (25) in the main body of the recording apparatus (X) through the feed path (24) interposed with (c) to (23c), and the timing roller pair (18) by the conveying roller pair (26).
After being transported to the photosensitive drum (6),
After being synchronized with the formation of the electrostatic latent image, the image is sent to the transfer device (9).

That is, the above-described configuration in which the recording paper (P) is taken out from the paper feed trays (13a, 13b, 20a to 20c) serving as the paper feed unit and fed to the transfer device (9) constitutes the paper feed device (PS). I have.

After the toner image on the photosensitive drum (6) is transferred by the transfer device (9), the recording paper (P) separated from the photosensitive drum (6) by the separating device (10) is transferred to the transport belt (2).
It is configured to be sent to the fixing device (28) by 7). The fixing device (28) is configured to fix the toner on the recording paper (P) by heating and melting the toner that forms the toner image transferred onto the recording paper (P).

That is, the optical print head (PH), the photosensitive drum (6), each element (7) to (12) around the photosensitive drum (6), the sheet feeding device (PS), the transport belt (27),
The fixing device (28) and the control device (C) to be described later constitute an image forming means for forming a recording image on the recording paper (P) according to the recording information retrieved from the memory.

The recording paper (P) after passing through the fixing device (28)
After being pulled out from the fixing device (28) by the pair of conveying rollers (29), the sheet is guided by a first conveyance switching lever (30) configured to switch the conveyance direction according to the copy condition and the recording condition, and is recorded. It is configured to be fed into either a paper discharge path (31) outside the apparatus main body (X) or a bypass path (32) leading to the entrance of the transfer device (9).

The first transport switching lever (30) is configured to switch the transport state of the recording paper (P) as follows by changing its attitude.

That is, one original (M) is copied on only one side of the recording paper (P) (hereinafter, this copy is referred to as <single-sided copy>), and only one hard copy is output (hereinafter, this copy is referred to as "one-sided copy"). The record is referred to as a <single record>).
The transport switching lever (30) transfers the recording paper (P) after passing through the fixing device (28) regardless of the copying conditions such as the copy magnification and the number of copies or the recording conditions such as the number of copies. 31)
And the posture is changed to a paper discharge state in which the paper is discharged face-up outside the recording apparatus main body (X) by the paper discharge roller pair (33). That is, as described above, the configuration in which the attitude of the first transport switching lever (30) is changed so as to be in the paper discharging state and the recording paper (P) is transported constitutes the paper discharging means (PE).

As will be described in detail later, in the above-described <Single Recording>, a plurality of pages are discharged face-up in a state where the number of pages is larger as the number of pages is lower, and the pages are aligned (page alignment recording); It is configured such that recording can be performed in any of <normal recording> in which alignment is not performed.

On the other hand, when one or two originals (M) are copied on both sides of the recording paper (P) (hereinafter, this copying is referred to as “double-sided copying”), some of them are combined and the recording paper (P) is copied. When copying on one side (hereinafter, this copying is referred to as "synthetic copying"), and when recording other information on the recording paper (P) on which the original (M) is copied using an optical print head (PH) (Hereinafter, this recording is referred to as <combined recording>). The first transport switching lever (30) sends the recording paper (P) after passing through the fixing device (28) to the bypass path (32). As will be described later, the posture is changed so as to be in a forwarding state to reach the entrance of the transfer device (9).

An intermediate tray (34) for temporarily storing the fed recording paper (P) is interposed in the bypass path (32). Then, the recording paper (P) is <Synthetic copy>
And <Synthetic Recording>, two transport roller pairs (35
a) and (35b) so that the sheet is sent to the intermediate tray (34).
And a reverse path (3) guided by a second switching lever (36) and interposed with two transport roller pairs (37a) and (37b).
It is configured to be sent to the intermediate tray (34) after being sent to the tray (8) and turned upside down.

Recording paper (P) in the intermediate tray (34) is <Duplex copy>
When the copying operation or the recording operation is started on the second side in the case of <composition copy> or the second time in the case of <combination recording> and <composition recording>, the pickup roller (39) takes out the paper and releases it. After passing through the pair (40), it is configured to be fed to the paper feed path (17) leading to the above-described transfer device (9).

In the case of <double-sided copying>, <synthetic copying>, and <synthetic recording>, by being synchronized and sent to the transfer device (9) by the timing roller pair (18),
The toner image on the photosensitive drum (6) is transferred to the recording paper (P) by the same operation as in the case of <single-sided copying> and <single recording>. Thereafter, the toner image is fixed by the fixing device (28), and the recording paper (P) is discharged to the outside of the recording device main body (X) through the paper discharge path (31) including the paper discharge roller pair (33). It is configured to:

On the side of the recording apparatus main body (X) on the side of the paper discharge path (31), there is a sorter having a 20-stage paper discharge bin (41) for dividing the plurality of discharged recording papers (P) into grooves and stocking them. (Four
3) is attached. Then, the sorter (43) discharges the recording paper (P) received by swinging up and down with the receiving roller pair (45) facing the discharge roller pair (33) of the recording apparatus main body (X). Distribution path (46) to send to paper bin (41)
And a discharge tray (49) for receiving discharged recording paper (P) when collation or grouping using the respective discharge bins (41) is not performed.

Then, the recording paper (P) discharged from the recording apparatus main body (X) passes through the receiving roller pair (45) of the sorter (43), and then passes through the distribution path (44) in the sorter (43). Four
3) is sent out onto each output bin (41), or
The sorter (43) is configured to be sent out onto a discharge tray (49).

Recording information to be recorded is created in a recording information output device (HC) such as a host computer or a word processor connected to the electrophotographic recording device via an interface (IF), as shown in FIG. . When the record information is character information, the record information input by a keyboard or the like or recorded in a built-in document memory is transmitted to the control device (C) of the electrophotographic recording apparatus as a character code. Can be When the recording information is image information, the recording information is sent to the control device (C) of the electrophotographic recording apparatus as data in dot units.

The control device (C) includes a first CPU (70) that controls the whole of the electrophotographic process in the original operation and the copying operation and the recording operation of the copying operation, and a second CPU (90) that controls the writing of the recording information in the recording operation. ).

The first CPU (70) determines copy conditions via a first bus (71) based on input from each key or the like of an operation panel (72), and displays the display conditions using a display panel (73). Is configured to do so. Also, the first CPU (70) receives output signals from various sensors (74) for detecting the density of the original (M), detecting the conveyance state of the recording paper (P), etc., on the first bus (7).
1) has been entered through. In addition, the first CPU (70)
Has a program ROM (75) and a data RAM (76)
It is connected via a first bus (71).

Further, the first CPU (70) includes a regulator (77) for the exposure lamp (2), a controller (78) for a DC motor (DM) for driving the scanning device (S), and a conjugate length of the imaging optical system (I). Controller (79) for the stepping motor (SM) for changing the magnification to change the copy magnification, and a common driving high voltage circuit for the charging device (7), the transfer device (9) and the separation device (10) (80), a drive circuit (81) for the main eraser (12), a drive circuit (82) for the blank eraser (8), a sorter controller (83) for the sorter (43), and a device for conveying the recording paper (P). A controller (84) for a clutch that interrupts transmission of driving force to various driving rollers,
Fusing temperature controller (85) for fusing device (28),
The operation of the drive circuit (86) for the main motor (MM) and the cooling fan (F) is controlled by control signals transmitted via the first bus (71), respectively.

On the other hand, the second CPU (90) has an interface (IF)
And a recording information output device (H) via the second bus (91).
C) a control signal input together with recording information, or the first bus (71) and the second bus (91) and an interface (99) interposed between the two buses (71) and (91). The recording condition is determined based on a control signal input from each key or the like of the operation panel (72) via the control panel (72), and is displayed using the display panel (73). The second CPU (90) includes the various sensors (7
The necessary output signal from 4) is input. In addition, the second CPU (90) has a program ROM (9
2) The data RAM (9) including the working area during program execution and the printer buffer area during printing operation
3) The I / O port (94) for input / output with external devices is the second
It is connected via a bus (91).

Further, the second CPU (90) has an optical print head (P
H) Drive circuit (9) for shutter drive IC (64)
6), the operation of the regulator (97) for the light source (PL) for the optical print head (PH), the video controller (89) for controlling the input and output of recording information, etc., are performed on the second bus (91), respectively.
When a recording operation using the image forming means is performed by a control signal transmitted through the second bus (91), the interface (99), and the first bus (71), A control signal is sent to one CPU (70) to start each device that participates in the electrophotographic process in synchronization with writing of recording information by an optical print head (PH).

The second CPU (90) is an external recording information output device (HC)
Is stored in the printer buffer area of the data RAM (93) having a storage capacity for a plurality of pages. When a recording request signal is input from the second CPU (90), the video controller (89)
The recording information stored in (93) is extracted for each page according to a predetermined order. If it is image information in dot units, it is used as it is. If it is character information in character units, font memory is used. After reading out the font data in dot units corresponding to each character code from (88), it is developed on a bitmap video memory (87) having a capacity of at least one page for storing input record information as dot data. And store. That is,
The data RAM (93) constitutes a memory, the second CPU (90) constitutes writing means, and the video controller (89) constitutes reading means. In addition, Video Ontroller (89)
Controls the operation of each drive IC (64) based on the information recorded in the video memory (87), and controls the optical print head (PH)
Is formed so as to form an electrostatic latent image of recorded information on the photosensitive drum (6) by using the shutter of each pixel.

The controller (78) for the drive DC motor (DM) of the scanning device (S) receives a drive control signal in the forward / reverse direction from the first CPU (70), and moves, inverts, and moves the scanning device (S).
And an operation such as stop. Also, from the controller (78), a signal obtained by shaping a pulse signal from an optical encoder attached to the driving DC motor (DM) is output to the first CPU (70).
(70) is configured so that the position of the scanning device (S) can be detected using this signal.

Stepping motor (SM) for zooming of the imaging optical system (I)
Receives the drive control signal in the forward / reverse direction from the first CPU (70), and controls the imaging lens (4).
And the fourth mirror (5d) is moved to a position having a conjugate length for providing the set copy magnification.

The sorter controller (83) for the sorter (43)
In response to the control signal from the first CPU (70), the operation of the sorter (43) is controlled to distribute and discharge the recording paper (P) to the paper discharge bin (41) and the paper discharge tray (49). The configuration is such that switching to the batch discharge state for discharging upwards and distribution of the recording paper (P) to each paper discharge bin (41) in the distribution discharge state are performed.

Then, the second CPU (90) outputs the magnification designation information and the selected recording paper size information among the recording conditions to the first CPU (70) and the video controller (89). 1st CPU (70)
When the magnification is other than "1" based on the magnification designation information, the controller controls the operation of the controller (79) for the magnification stepping motor (SM) to control the magnification imaging optical system (I). Is set to the set magnification, and a recording sheet (P) of the selected size is prepared.

Further, when performing the recording operation based on the input recording signal, the second CPU (90) operates the video controller (89) and the sorter controller (83) with respect to the sorter (43) for recording over a plurality of pages. Is controlled so that recording can be performed in such a form that the page alignment work can be easily performed.

To explain this control, the printer buffer area of the data RAM (93), which is a memory for storing input recording information, has a capacity capable of storing a plurality of pages of input recording information, as described above. I have. This data RAM (9
The second CPU (90) stores the input recording information for a plurality of pages in the printer buffer area of 3), and in response to the recording start signal output when the memory of the printer buffer area is full or the job end, etc., The video controller (8
The operation of 9) is controlled, and among the recording information stored in the data RAM (93), the recording information stored on each page is stored in the video memory (87) by the video roller (89) in order from the last page. And image formation using an optical print head (PH).

In the above-described image forming operation, recording for a plurality of pages corresponding to the recording information in the data RAM (93) is performed in order from the last page. At this time, the second CPU (90) determines the total number of pages to be recorded (hereinafter referred to as the total number of recorded pages) and the data RA.
The operation of the sorter controller (83) is controlled based on a comparison with the number of pages corresponding to the storage capacity of the printer buffer area of the M (93) (hereinafter, referred to as the number of stored pages), so that the paper discharge state is recorded. When the number of pages is equal to or less than the number of stored pages, the state is switched to the batch discharge state, and when the number of all recorded pages exceeds the number of stored pages, the state is switched to the distributed discharge state.

When the total number of recording pages is equal to or less than the number of stored pages, the recording paper (P) having a plurality of pages after the recording is completed is output to the discharge tray (4
9) By being sequentially stacked face-up on top,
The larger the number of pages, the lower the page alignment state. The recording operation is completed when the recording image formation according to all the recording information stored in the data RAM (93) is completed and all the recording sheets (P) are discharged onto the discharge tray (49). Then, a group of the recording paper (P) can be obtained as a page-aligned record.

On the other hand, if the total number of recorded pages exceeds the number of stored pages, the second CPU
In (90), the operation of the sorter controller (83) is further controlled so that the recording paper (P) is discharged to the uppermost discharge bin (41) of the sorter (43). Therefore, the recording paper (P) for a plurality of pages after the completion of the recording is sorted by the sheet discharging means (43).
Are sequentially stacked face-up on the uppermost discharge bin (41), the larger the number of pages, the lower the page alignment state.

Image formation over a plurality of pages according to the stored recording information in the data RAM (93) is completed, and the recording of the plurality of pages is aligned on the uppermost discharge bin (41) of the sorter (43) as described above. After being stacked in the state, the second CPU (90) controls the operation of the sorter controller (83) to switch the discharge destination of the recording paper (P) to the second discharge bin (41) from the top. And
The operation of the video controller (89) is controlled again, and the next plurality of pages are recorded by the same operation as described above, and are stacked in the second-stage output bin (41) in a state where the pages are aligned. .

That is, the second CPU (90) constitutes the first control means and the second control means, and the sorter (43), the sorter controller (83) for controlling the operation thereof, and the second CPU (90) comprise the sorting means. Is composed.

Recording over the entire number of recorded pages is completed by repeating the above operation a plurality of times. At this time, all records are
The data RAM (93) is sorted into a group of pages corresponding to the storage capacity of the printer buffer area, and stacked in a plurality of discharge bins (41) of the sorter (43). In each group, the larger the number of pages, the lower the page alignment state, and the larger the number of pages, the lower the number of pages in the lower discharge bin (41). . Therefore, after the completion of all the recording, a group of recording papers (P) stacked respectively is taken out from each of the paper output bins (41), and the lower one in the paper output bin (41) located lower is lower. By arranging the order of the groups of the recording paper (P), it is possible to obtain a record in which all pages are aligned.

That is, the data RAM (9
3) A printer buffer area having a storage capacity corresponding to a plurality of pages is provided as a printer buffer area, and a recording image corresponding to the recording information stored in the data RAM (93) is formed in order from the last page in order. , The multi-page record,
By sorting the recording paper (P) that has been recorded for each group so that it can be obtained as a group of pages aligned with the face-up paper discharge configuration, it is easy to work all after the end of all recording. The page can be aligned with the page. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a reversing device for changing the face-up discharge configuration to face-down, and the storage capacity of the printer buffer area of the data RAM (93) for performing a series of recordings from the next page. Can be reduced to multiple pages, the storage capacity can be minimized without excessively increasing the storage capacity in consideration of the number of sorts. And cost increases can be avoided.

In addition, by using the sorter (43) to sort the recorded recording paper (P), only a slight change in the control mode of the sorter (43) is required to realize the above-described function, and the cost is reduced. Advantageously, as described above, a group having a large number of pages among a group of several recording sheets (P) each of which is page-aligned is positioned in the discharge bin (41) below the sorter (43). By doing so, after all recordings are completed, the pages can be aligned just by overlapping them without changing the order of the groups, and the operation can be simplified.

Next, an actual operation according to various recording conditions will be described. As described above, the actual number of recording pages in a series of recording operations of a certain number of pages (hereinafter referred to as a job), that is, the total recording If the number of pages is less than the number of pages corresponding to the storage capacity of the printer buffer area of the data RAM (93), that is, the number of stored pages or less, the recorded recording paper (P) is discharged collectively onto the discharge tray (49). If the total number of recorded pages exceeds the number of stored pages, the recorded recording paper (P) is distributed to the respective discharge bins (41) of the sorter (43) and discharged. The number of all recorded pages can be grasped by counting the control code for page break inputted along with the input record information, or by counting the control signal for line spacing setting and the control code for line break. Can be done by Then, by judging whether or not a control code indicating the end of recording has been input before the amount of information in the printer buffer area of the data RAM (93) reaches the set value, the number of all recorded pages is compared with the number of stored pages. I can do it.

However, a control code indicating the end of recording is rarely output by ordinary application software. In this case, the time from receiving the control code for page break to inputting the next data is counted. Then, if there is no input for more than a certain time, the job is ended if there is no input, or the initial command is generally sent to the beginning of the job, so that when the command is received, the previous job is ended. Alternatively, it is appropriate to have the page information (the number of pages) sent to the beginning of the job and determine the end of the job based on the page information. Called code.

In the above-described distribution / discharge state, the standard operation in one job is as described above.
The second CPU (90) uses the display panel (73) to display that the paper is in the distribution / discharge state, and notifies the buzzer when the recording of one job is completed.
At this time, if an empty one of the discharge bins (41) of the sorter (43) remains, the next job can be started as it is, and the empty discharge bin (41) is removed. To perform a series of recording operations in the distribution and discharge state. If all the discharge bins (41) become full during a certain job, the recording operation is interrupted and a display on the display panel (73) is made to prompt the user to remove the recorded recording paper (P). And the buzzer sounds. When all of the recorded recording papers (P) are removed, the suspended recording operation is resumed with the uppermost discharge bin (41) as the discharge destination of the recording paper (P). Whether or not the recording paper (P) is full in each paper discharge bin (41) can be detected by a sensor attached to each paper discharge bin (41).

On the other hand, when there are a plurality of recording copies in one job, the recorded recording paper (P) is discharged onto the paper discharge tray (49) and it is not necessary to perform both the page alignment and the collation. If only matching is required, one page is used for the area of one page in the printer buffer area of the data RAM (93).
The recorded recording paper (P) is discharged in a distributed discharge state while recording a plurality of copies for each page. In addition, if the number of recording copies is plural, it is necessary to perform both page alignment and collation, and if the total number of recording pages exceeds the number of stored pages, only when the number of recording copies is two. , 20 output bins (4
1) is divided into two groups of ten, and the recorded recording paper (P) is discharged in a distributed discharge state for each group. That is, of the two copies of a page, the first copy starts from the uppermost output bin (41) and is sequentially discharged to the lower output bin (41). Starting from the discharge bin (41), the paper is sequentially discharged to a lower discharge bin (41). If the number of recording copies is three or more, after all the two copies have been recorded as described above,
The same recording information is input to the printer buffer area of the data RAM (93) again from the first page, and the same recording operation is repeated. Depending on the number of the paper discharge bins (41), the number of the paper discharge bins (41) divided into groups corresponding to the number of recording copies as described above may be three or more, or may be changed. You may comprise so that it is possible.
Furthermore, if the number of recording copies is plural, it is necessary to perform page alignment and collation, and if the total number of recording pages is equal to or less than the number of storage pages, the recording of the plurality of copies is performed one by one in each sorter (43). By distributing and discharging the paper to the paper discharge bin (41), it is possible to obtain a plurality of copies of each page.

Returning to the block diagram of FIG.
(70) and the second CPU (90) for a predetermined time after the above-mentioned special copying condition or recording condition is set, or after a copying operation under the copying condition or a recording operation under the recording condition is performed once. If the copying operation or the recording operation under the same condition is not performed before the elapse of (for example, 3 minutes), the copying condition or the recording condition is automatically returned to the standard condition. This is called an auto reset function.

In <Recording mode> such as <Single recording> and <Copy mode> of <Simplexing>, the operation state of each device whose operation state is switched by the control signal from the first CPU (70) and the second CPU (90) is changed. It is shown in Table 1 below. In the table, [○] indicates a device in an operating state, and [X] indicates a device in a non-operating state.

Next, the operation of the electrophotographic recording apparatus will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

FIG. 5 shows a main routine for controlling the overall flow of the copying operation and the recording operation.

When this main routine is started by turning on the power, first, all the registers, flags, RAMs, and the like in both CPUs (70) and (90) are cleared, and initial settings for setting copy conditions to standard are performed (# 1). . Subsequently, an internal timer for setting the length of one routine is set <#
2>.

Next, input processing is performed from switches, sensors, and the like provided on each key and other parts of the operation panel (69) described above <# 3>. Thereafter, a subroutine of "key processing" for performing a change setting process of a copy condition or a recording condition based on an input from each key of the operation panel (69) of the input information is called <# 4>. A subroutine "data set" for setting display data by a display device (not shown) is called <# 5>.

Thereafter, it is determined whether the copying operation or the recording operation can be started, that is, whether any abnormality has occurred or not (# 6). If there is no abnormality, a control signal or a display signal is output. 7>, a subroutine "copying / recording process" is called to perform a copying operation or a recording operation under various copying conditions or recording conditions <# 8>.

On the other hand, if there is any abnormality in the determination in the step # 6, the subroutine "Abnormal processing" for stopping the operation of each device involved in the copying operation or the recording operation and displaying the occurrence of the abnormality is called. Then, after the cause of the abnormality is removed, the operation waits for the operation of the reset button <# 9>.

After returning from the << copying / recording process >> subroutine, the state of the recording device, that is, the presence or absence of the developing toner in the developing device (8), the presence or absence of the recording paper (P) in the paper cassettes (12a) and (12b), Alternatively, the presence or absence of a temperature abnormality of the fixing roller in the fixing device (28) is detected (# 10), the internal timer is counted up (# 11), and the process waits until the internal timer times out (# 12). . When the internal timer expires, the process returns to step <# 2>, and thereafter, the above operation is repeated.

Next, in the subroutine of "copying / recording processing" called in step <# 8>, the above-described <page alignment recording>
《Page alignment recording》 for performing recording in the page alignment state
FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the basic operation of the part.

That is, when the data transfer routine starts,
<# 1>, the input recording information is written to the printer buffer area of the data RAM (93) <# 2>, and the data RAM (9
<# 3,4> until the printer buffer area of 3) is full or a job end code appears, <# 5> if there is a page break code, and line spacing if there is no page break code When it is determined that the data amount for one page has been reached by the operation <# 6> using the distance setting signal and the count value of the line feed code, the page boundary is stored in the video memory (87), respectively, in <# 7>. <# 8> after writing the pointer to indicate the next, the writing of the next input record information is repeated immediately in other cases.

If a job end code appears, <# 4>, an end flag is set to <# 9>, while if the video memory (87) is full, <# 3>, immediately, the pointer described above is used. While referring to <# 11>, video memory (8
The recording information is taken out from the last page in 7) and recording is performed <# 12>. After the end of a series of recording, if the end flag is set <# 13>, the operation is ended, and if the end flag is not set, the process returns to the step <# 2> to repeat the above operation.

(Another embodiment)

Next, examples of the present invention not mentioned in the above examples will be listed.

<1> As the sorting means, in the above embodiment, the sorter (43)
However, instead of using the sorter (43), it is possible to carry out page alignment recording in a case where the total number of recording pages exceeds the number of stored pages without using the sorter (43). is there.

<1-1> The discharge tray (49) is configured to be movable along a direction orthogonal to the discharge direction of the recorded recording paper (P), and records a plurality of pages taken out from the data RAM (93). Each time a set of aligned pages corresponding to the information is completed (hereinafter, this timing is referred to as the completion of partial page alignment), the discharge tray (49) is moved by a fixed amount to cover a plurality of aligned pages. The discharge position of the recording paper (hereinafter, referred to as a page-aligned record bundle) with respect to the discharge tray (49) is made different for each bundle.

<1-2> Recording paper (P) of a different size accommodated in a paper feed tray different from the paper feed tray accommodating the recording paper (P) to be recorded, or paper feed of vertical or horizontal feed The recording paper (P) having a different direction is inserted between the page-aligned record bundles each time the partial page alignment is completed.

<1-3> Separate paper sheets of the same size or different sizes and different colors are stored in a paper feed tray different from the paper feed tray that stores the recording paper (P) to be recorded. Is inserted between the page alignment record groups each time partial page alignment is completed.

<1-4> Every time partial page alignment is completed, a blank recording paper (P) is taken out from the same paper supply tray and inserted between page alignment recording bundles. In this case, it is difficult to discriminate the boundary between the page-aligned record bundles by simply inserting, so that the discharge position of the partition recording paper (P) is slightly shifted, and the partition recording paper (P) is set in the posture. It is also useful to adopt a configuration that discharges after changing.

<2> In the specific configuration of the other parts, the following changes are possible.

<2-1> In the above embodiment, a PLZT
Optical pre-linting head with shutter array (62) (P
H), the optical print head (P
H) may be provided with a liquid crystal shutter array or an LED array. Further, an optical print head (PH) having a configuration for scanning a light beam such as a laser beam on the photosensitive drum (6) may be provided.

<2-2> As the driving device for the scanning device (S), a stepping motor or other various motors can be used instead of the DC motor (DM) described in the above embodiment. When a stepping motor is used, the position of the scanning device (S) is detected even if the optical encoder in the previous embodiment is omitted, by configuring so as to count pulses for driving this motor. be able to.

<2-3> Instead of the photosensitive drum (6), a belt-like photosensitive member stretched between a pair of rollers may be used.

<2-4> Further, in the above embodiment, as a configuration for copying the original (M), the original (M) is fixed on the original table (1), and the exposure lamp (2) is used. And the slit (3) were configured to move,
Instead, the exposure lamp (2) and the slit (3) may be fixed in position, and the document table (1) may be moved.

<2-5> In the above embodiment, the configuration for copying the original and the configuration for recording the image are both configured to use the electrophotographic process, and are different from the configuration for exposing the photosensitive drum (6). Although the description has been given of a configuration in which the cost can be reduced while having a copying function by sharing the configuration, the configuration for document copying is implemented in implementing the recording apparatus of the present invention. The configuration for image recording may be of an ink jet type or a thermal transfer type while utilizing the electrophotographic process. Further, a configuration for copying a document may be omitted.

<2-6> Instead of the analog scanning device (S), the present invention may be implemented as a digital copier including a reading device that converts a document (M) into an electric signal using a CCD or the like.

〔The invention's effect〕

According to the recording apparatus of the first aspect, the writing unit controlled by the first control unit stores the unrecorded recording information for the storable pages in the memory. Also, the reading means is
The record information stored in the memory is taken out in the reverse order of the order stored by the writing means. The image forming means forms a record of the record information on the recording paper in the order of the pages retrieved by the reading. And the second control means includes:
The above control by the first control means is repeatedly performed to form an image of the remaining recording information of the single job. Accordingly, the first control means forms a recording image by the image forming means using a plurality of pages stored in the memory as one unit, and the recording paper is aligned in this unit.
For a job exceeding the number of pages that can be stored in the memory, a stack of recording sheets on which a plurality of pages have been aligned can be overlapped to obtain a completely aligned recording sheet. Therefore, it is possible to provide a recording apparatus capable of easily performing page alignment using a relatively small capacity memory.

According to the recording apparatus of the second aspect, the first control unit controls the writing unit so as to store the unrecorded recording information in the memory in order from the earliest one. Therefore, it is possible to provide a recording apparatus that can easily perform page alignment.

According to the recording apparatus of the third aspect, the sorting unit sets the recording paper on which the recording image is formed by the image forming unit as a unit of a plurality of pages stored at one time in the memory by the first control unit. Sort. Therefore, the labor required for manual page alignment can be reduced.

According to the recording device of the fourth aspect, the writing unit controlled by the first control unit stores the pages that can be stored in the memory in order from the earliest one. Also, the reading means is
The recording information stored in this memory is taken out sequentially from the last page. The image forming means forms a record of the record information on the recording paper in the order of the pages retrieved by the reading. Then, the second control means repeats the control by the first control means to form an image of the remaining recording information of the single job. Accordingly, the first control means forms a recording image by the image forming means using a plurality of pages stored in the memory as one unit, and the recording paper is aligned in this unit. For a job exceeding the number of pages that can be stored in the memory, a stack of recording sheets on which a plurality of pages have been aligned can be overlapped to obtain a completely aligned recording sheet. Therefore, it is possible to provide a recording apparatus capable of easily performing page alignment using a relatively small capacity memory.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 is a schematic sectional view of a recording apparatus, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control apparatus, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an optical printer head, and FIG. FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views showing the inside of the optical printer head, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the operation of the recording apparatus. (89) readout means (90) data readout control means
(93) Memory.

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hirohisa Kitano Examiner, Osaka International Building Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. 2-3-3 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Yasutaka Tsujimoto (56) References JP-A-63-234669 (JP) JP-A-63-224471 (JP, A) JP-A-63-136878 (JP, A) JP-A-63-28168 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB Name) H04N 1/21 H04N 1/00

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] A memory having a capacity for storing recording information for a plurality of pages; a writing means for storing input recording information in the memory; a reading means for retrieving recording information stored in the memory; An image forming means for forming, on a recording sheet, a recording image corresponding to the recording information taken out by the means, wherein the unrecorded recording information is stored in a number of pages that can be stored in the memory, and stored in the memory. Writing means for extracting the recorded information in the order reverse to the order stored by the writing means and forming a recorded image by the image forming means;
First control means for controlling the reading means; and when the number of pages of the record information in a single job exceeds the number of pages which can be stored in the memory, the recording means for recording the unrecorded record information of the job. And a second control means for repeating the control of the writing means and the reading means by the first control means. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first control means stores the unrecorded recording information in the memory in order from the earliest one.
2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit is controlled. 3. A printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a sorting unit for sorting the recording paper on which the recording image is formed by the image forming unit, by the first control unit for a plurality of pages once stored in the memory as one unit. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 4. A memory having a capacity for storing recording information for a plurality of pages, writing means for storing input recording information in the memory, reading means for retrieving recording information stored in the memory; An image forming means for forming a recording image in accordance with the recording information taken out by the means on recording paper, wherein the recording information of the unrecorded recording information is stored in the memory in order from the earliest one. A first control for controlling the writing means and the reading means in order to store as many pages as possible and to sequentially take out the recording information stored in the memory from the last page and form a recording image by the image forming means; Means, when the number of pages of record information in a single job exceeds the number of pages that can be stored in the memory, the first control means controls the first control means to record unrecorded record information of the job. Writing means, a recording apparatus characterized by comprising a second control means for repeatedly controlling the reading means.