JP2904039B2 - Paper feeder - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet feeding device in, for example, a facsimile machine and the like, and more specifically, can appropriately maintain parts such as a feed roller constituting a feed mechanism for feeding a sheet. The present invention relates to a sheet feeding device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a facsimile apparatus, a sheet such as a document or a recording sheet is fed along a predetermined feeding path on a reading side or a recording side by rotation of a feed roller. In the feeding process, an image on the document is read by the reading unit, and printing based on the received image data and the like is performed on the recording paper by the recording unit.

If the feed roller becomes worn during use, it will not be able to maintain its initial performance, for example, it will not be able to perform an accurate feeding operation due to slippage between the paper and the paper. Therefore, it is necessary to replace the feed roller every predetermined period. . For this reason, in the conventional facsimile apparatus, the number of originals and the number of recording papers that have passed through the feeding path are integrated and stored in the memory on each of the reading side and the recording side. Then, when the integrated number stored in the memory is checked, if the integrated number exceeds a predetermined number, the feed roller is replaced.

[0004]

However, there are various sizes of paper used for reading and printing, and the length of the paper in the feeding direction differs according to the size. For this reason, if the accumulated number of sheets that have passed through the feed path is simply used as a guide for replacing the feed roller, it is necessary to accurately determine how much the feed roller has actually been used for feeding the sheet. Can not. Therefore, conventionally, the feed roller is actually replaced even though it can still be used sufficiently, so that the cost required for maintenance is increased more than necessary, or the feed roller is used beyond the time to be replaced, There is a problem that the paper feed may be defective.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to accurately determine the time for replacing parts such as a feed roller which constitutes a feed mechanism, Is to provide a sheet feeding device capable of properly maintaining the sheet feeding device.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in a sheet feeding apparatus for feeding a sheet along a feeding path by a feeding mechanism, a sheet passing through a feeding path is provided. Counting means for counting the length of the paper sheet, integrating means for integrating the counting result by the counting means, storing means for storing the integrating result by the integrating means, and storing the integrated result stored in the storing means in a predetermined size. Converted to the number of sheets of paper
And a notifying means for notifying the conversion result by the controlling means .

[0007] In the invention 請 Motomeko 2, comprising a specifying means for specifying the size of paper to be number conversion, the control means performs a number conversion based on the designated paper size.

[0008]

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the invention, when a sheet such as a document or a recording sheet passes through the feeding path at the time of reading or printing an image, the length of the sheet is counted by the counting means. Then, the counting result is stored in the storage means is integrated by the integrating means, the stored integration result is given support
The size is converted into the number of sheets of paper and the notification is made by the notification means. For this reason, based on the notification, it is possible to accurately determine how much the feed rollers and the like that constitute the feed mechanism have actually been used for feeding the paper, regardless of the size of the paper that has passed through the feed path. it can.

[0009]

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to arbitrarily designate the size of a sheet to be converted into a number of sheets in accordance with the user's preference and application.

[0011]

First Embodiment Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a facsimile machine will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 2, the facsimile apparatus 1 has a reading unit 31 and a recording unit 33 therein. First,
To explain the reading unit 31, the facsimile machine 1 has a supply tray 2 on its upper surface, and a document P1 as a sheet is stacked and supported on the supply tray 2. The separation roller 3 constituting the feeding mechanism is supported in the facsimile machine 1 in the vicinity of the lower end of the supply tray 2 so as to be able to rotate positively. The separation pad 4 also constituting the feed mechanism is disposed so as to face the separation roller 3, and is constantly urged toward the separation roller 3 by a spring (not shown) so as to be pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the separation roller 3. .

With the rotation of the separation roller 3, the documents P1 on the supply tray 2 are separated one by one from the lowermost one by the cooperative operation of the separation roller 3 and the separation pad 4, and the facsimile apparatus It is rolled into 1. The fed document P1 is fed along the document feeding path 5 in the facsimile machine 1 by rotation of the separation roller 3, and further rotated by rotation of a pair of feed rollers 6 constituting a feeding mechanism. It is sent and discharged out of the device.
The image sensor 7 is arranged so as to face the feeding path 5, and an image on the document P 1 is read by the image sensor 7 in a process of feeding the document P 1.

The first document sensor 8 is disposed at the lower end of the supply tray 2 so as to be exposed on the upper surface thereof, detects the document P1 on the supply tray 2, and outputs a detection signal. The second document sensor 9 is disposed in front of the document reading position of the image sensor 7 and detects a document P1 fed along the feeding path 5 and outputs a detection signal.

Next, the recording section 33 will be described. A pair of upper and lower paper cassettes 11 and 12 are connected to the facsimile machine 1.
The recording paper P2 serving as a paper is stacked in a detachable manner, and is detachably attached to a lower portion of the recording paper P2. Note that, in each of the paper cassettes 11 and 12, fixed size paper of different sizes is stored as the recording paper P2. The paper feed roller 13 constituting the feed mechanism is disposed opposite to the recording paper feed side of each of the paper cassettes 11 and 12, and the rotation of each paper feed roller 13 causes the recording paper P to be moved from inside the paper cassettes 11 and 12.
2 are sent out one by one. The fed recording paper P2 is fed along a recording paper feeding path 16 by the rotation of a pair of feed rollers 14 and 15, which also constitute a feeding mechanism, and is discharged out of the apparatus.

A platen roller 17 constituting a feed mechanism is disposed between the feed rollers 14 and 15, and a print head 18 is disposed so as to face the platen roller 17. Then, in the process of feeding the recording paper P2, with the recording paper P2 supported on the platen roller 17,
Printing is performed on the recording paper P2 by the print head 18.

The first recording paper sensor 19 includes a print head 18
, And the second recording paper sensor 20 is disposed behind the downstream feed roller 15. These sensors 19 and 20 detect the recording sheet P2 fed along the feeding path 16 and output a detection signal. First
And the second size sensors 21 and 22 correspond to the respective paper cassettes 1.
The paper cassettes 11 and 12 are provided corresponding to the respective paper cassettes 11 and 12 to detect the size of the recording paper P2 and output a detection signal.

Next, the circuit configuration of the facsimile machine 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a CPU (central processing unit) 25 has a ROM (read only memory) 2 storing a program for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus.
6 and a RAM (random access memory) 27 for temporarily storing various information. In this embodiment, the CPU 25, the ROM 26 and the RAM 27 constitute a counting unit, an integrating unit and a control unit. or,
The RAM 27 has a reading and recording step number counter 27.
a, 27b (described later).

An NCU (network control unit) 28 controls connection between the facsimile machine 1 and a telephone line. The modem 29 modulates and demodulates transmission and reception data. The image sensor 7 reads an image on the document P1 one line at a time. The reading motor 30 is formed of a stepping motor, and rotates the separation roller 3 and the feed roller 6 via a transmission mechanism (not shown). When the rollers 3 and 6 are rotated with the operation of the reading motor 30, the document P1 is fed one line at a time in synchronization with the reading of one line.

In this embodiment, three reading modes of a normal mode, a fine mode, and a super fine mode are prepared as the reading mode of the document P1.
In the normal mode, the reading line density in the sub-scanning direction is 3.85 lines / mm, in the fine mode, twice as high as 7.7 lines / mm, and in the super fine mode, twice as much as 15.4 lines / mm. The image on the document P1 is read at the linear density of.

The CPU 25 receives detection signals from the first and second document sensors 8 and 9,
Recognizes the presence or absence of the document P1 at the position where each of the sensors 8 and 9 is disposed based on the input of the detection signals.

On the other hand, the print head 18 prints one line at a time on the recording paper P2 based on the received image data and the image data read by the image sensor 7. The recording side motor 32 is composed of a stepping motor, and rotates the paper feed roller 13, the feed rollers 14, 15 and the platen roller 17 via a transmission mechanism (not shown). Then, with the operation of the recording side motor 32, each of the rollers 13 to
By rotating 15 and 17, the recording paper P2 is fed one line at a time in synchronization with the printing for one line.

In this embodiment, as the print mode for the recording paper P2, the normal mode, the fine mode, and the super fine mode are the same as the read mode.
There are two print modes. In each mode, printing on the recording paper P2 is performed at a predetermined linear density.

Further, detection signals from the first and second recording paper sensors 19 and 20 are input to the CPU 25,
U25 detects each sensor 1 based on the input of these detection signals.
The presence or absence of the recording paper P2 at the positions 9 and 20 is recognized. Detection signals from the first and second size sensors 21 and 22 are input to the CPU 25, and the CPU 25 determines whether each of the paper cassettes 11
Recognize the size of the recording paper P2 contained in the recording paper P12.

The memory 34 as a storage means is composed of a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM in which data can be electrically rewritten, and each step number counter 27a, 2
The integrated value of the number of steps counted by 7b is stored. The operation unit 35 constitutes a designation unit, and includes a display command key 35a and a size designation key 35b (both will be described later).
And other various operation keys. The display unit 36 constitutes a notifying unit and displays various messages.

Next, the operation of the facsimile machine 1 configured as described above will be described. First, the operation performed by the CPU 25 when reading an image on the document P1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. still,
This reading operation is executed when performing facsimile transmission or copying.

When the CPU 25 recognizes that the first document sensor 8 is turned on in step S101 in accordance with the setting of the document P1 on the supply tray 2, the CPU 25 proceeds to step S10.
In 2, the driving of the reading motor 30 is started. Then, the separation roller 3 and the feed roller 6 are rotated, and the originals P1 on the supply tray 2 are fed into the facsimile machine 1 one by one, and are fed along the original feeding path 5.

Here, the CPU 25 determines in step S103
When it is recognized that the second document sensor 9 is turned on, it is determined that the front end of the document P1 has reached the position of the second document sensor 9. After a predetermined time from when the front end of the document P1 reaches the position read by the image sensor 7 from the position of the sensor 9, the CPU 25 proceeds to step S104 to read the image on the document P1 for one line by the image sensor 7. Let

Next, in step S105, the CPU 25 determines how much the read line density of the document P1 is set. The reading linear density is set by operating a setting key (not shown) provided on the operation unit 35, or according to the recording linear density or the like in the receiving apparatus.
If the reading line density is set to 15.4 lines / mm corresponding to the super fine mode, the CPU 25 proceeds to step S106 and counts the reading step number counter 27a of the RAM 27 to “1”. Let it up. If the reading line density is set to 7.7 lines / mm corresponding to the fine mode, the CPU 25 proceeds to step S107 and increments the reading step number counter 27a by "2". Furthermore,
If the reading linear density is set to 3.85 lines / mm corresponding to the normal mode, the CPU 25 proceeds to step S108 and reads the reading step number counter 2
7a is counted up by “4”.

That is, when the reading mode of the document P1 is the fine mode, the feed amount of the document P1 for each read line is twice as large as that in the super fine mode, and in the normal mode, it is two times larger. 4 times as large. For this reason, the count-up amount by the reading step number counter 27a is doubled in the fine mode as compared with the super fine mode, and is increased in the normal mode in accordance with the feed amount of the document P1 for each line read in each reading mode. Is twice as much as 4 times. Steps S106 to S108 show the counting operation by the counting means. By this counting operation, the feed amount of the document P1, that is, the length of the document P1 passed through the document feeding path 5 is set as the number of steps. Counted.

Subsequently, the CPU 25 proceeds to step S109
, It is determined whether or not the second document sensor 9 has been turned off, and the processes of steps S104 to S109 are repeated until the second document sensor 9 is turned off. When recognizing that the second original sensor 9 is off, the CPU 25 determines that the rear end of the original P1 has passed the position of the second original sensor 9, and determines in step S1.
Then, the process proceeds to 10, where it is determined whether or not the first document sensor 8 has been turned off. Here, the CPU 25 operates as the first original sensor 8.
If is not turned off, it is determined that there is still a document P1 on the supply tray 2, and the processes of steps S103 to S110 are repeated until the first document sensor 8 is turned off.

When the CPU 25 recognizes that the first original sensor 8 has been turned off, the CPU 25 determines that the original P1 has run out of the supply tray 2, and when the discharge of the last original P1 is completed, the reading motor 30 stops. To stop. Then, CP
U25 determines in step S112 that the RAM 27
Of the number of steps counted by the reading step number counter 27a is added to the value of the number of steps stored in the memory 34, the new integrated value is stored in the memory 34, and the process is temporarily terminated. . At this time, the value of the step number stored in the reading step number counter 27a is cleared to "0". The step S112 is
FIG. 4 shows an accumulation and storage processing operation by the accumulation means and the storage means. With this processing operation, the counting result by the counting means is accumulated and the accumulation result is stored.

Next, the operation at the time of recording executed by the CPU 25 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that this recording operation is executed not only when facsimile reception or copying is performed, but also in all cases where printing on the recording paper P2 is performed, such as communication management recording and printing of list information such as speed dials. .

The CPU 25 first proceeds to step S20
1, the size of the recording paper P2 stored in each of the paper cassettes 11 and 12 is recognized based on the detection signals from the size sensors 21 and 22. Subsequently, the CPU 25
In step S202, according to the operation of a setting key (not shown) provided on the operation unit 35, the size of the received image, and the like, the user selects the paper cassettes 11 and 12 containing the recording paper P2 of a required size. I do.

Then, the CPU 25 proceeds to step S203.
In the case where the size of the recording paper P2 in the selected paper cassettes 11 and 12 is the A5 size,
In step 204, the recording step number counter 27b of the RAM 27 is counted up by "2279". or,
If the size of the recording paper P2 in the selected paper cassettes 11 and 12 is the A4 size, the CPU 25 proceeds to step S205 and performs the recording step number counter 27.
b is counted up to “4574”. Furthermore, CPU
Reference numeral 25 denotes recording paper P in the selected paper cassettes 11 and 12.
If the size of No. 2 is B4 size, step S2
The program proceeds to 06, where the recording step number counter 27b is incremented by "5575".

That is, the length in the paper feed direction is 148 mm for the A5 size recording paper P2, 297 mm for the A4 size recording paper P2, and 362 mm for the B4 size recording paper P2. Therefore, when these lengths are converted into the count value of the number of steps by the recording step number counter 27b as in the case of the above-described image reading, the length is 148.times.
15.4 ≒ 2279, 297 × 15.4 ≒ 4574 for A4 size recording paper P2, B4 size recording paper P
In the case of 2, 362 × 15.4１５5575. still,
Here, three types of recording paper P2, A5, A4, and B4, have been described. However, even when recording paper P2 of a size other than B5 is used, the size of the used recording paper P2 is not changed. The recording step number counter 27b counts up according to the size.

Subsequently, the CPU 25 proceeds to step S207
In, the recording section 33 is operated to feed out one recording sheet P2 from the selected sheet cassettes 11 and 12, and feed it along the recording sheet feeding path 16. Then, in this feeding process, the print head 18 prints 1
Causes printing of pages. That is, step S2
Steps S04 to S206 show the counting operation by the counting means. By this counting operation, the length of the recording paper P2 passing through the recording paper feeding path 16 is counted as the number of steps.

Next, in step S208, the CPU 25 determines whether or not there is data for the next page to be printed.
Is repeated. Then, when the data of the next page is exhausted, the CPU 25 proceeds to step S 209 and firstly executes the recording step number counter 27 of the RAM 27.
The value of the number of steps counted by b is added to the value of the number of steps stored in the memory 34, the new integrated value is stored in the memory 34, and the process is temporarily terminated.
At this time, the value of the step number stored in the recording step number counter 27b is cleared to "0". The step S209 indicates an integration and storage processing operation by the integration means and the storage means. With this processing operation, the counting result by the counting means is integrated,
The integration result is stored.

Next, the display processing operation executed by the CPU 25 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Now, the CPU 25 determines in step S301
Upon recognizing that the display command key 35a of the operation unit 35 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S302, and waits until a sheet size such as A5, A4, B4, or B5 is designated by the size designation key 35b. In addition, this size specification
This is performed for each of the document and the recording paper. When the CPU 25 recognizes that the paper size has been specified, the process proceeds to step S303, and first, the number of steps “A” corresponding to the paper size specified for the original is set.
Is calculated.

For example, when the A4 size is designated for a document by the size designation key 35b, the length of the A4 size sheet in the feed direction is 297 mm, and the length is determined by the reading step number counter 27a. When converted into a count value of a number, it becomes “4574”.
That is, the value “4574” becomes the value “A”.

Next, in step S304, the CPU 25 divides the integrated value of the number of steps on the reading side previously stored in the memory 34 by the calculated number of steps "A", and divides the result of the document feeding. It is calculated as the total number of documents P1 that have passed through the feed path 5. That is, the integrated value of the number of steps on the reading side stored in the memory 34, in other words, the total length of the document P1 that has passed through the document feed path 5 is converted into the number of sheets of the size specified by the size specifying key 35b. It was done.

Subsequently, the CPU 25 proceeds to step S305.
, The calculated total number of documents P1 is displayed on the display unit 36, for example, as "Yomitori OO size: OO MY". Therefore, the user can easily see how the total number of the originals P1 that have passed through the original feeding path 5 has been converted into the number of sheets of the designated size by looking at this display. be able to.

Next, in step S306, the CPU 25 calculates the number of steps "B" corresponding to the paper size specified for the recording paper in the same manner as in step S303. Then, in step S307, the CPU 25 divides the integrated value of the number of steps on the recording side previously stored in the memory 34 by the calculated number of steps “B”, and outputs the division result to the recording paper feeding path 16 It is calculated as the total number of recording papers P2 that have passed. That is, the memory 3
4, the integrated value of the number of steps on the recording side, in other words, the total length of the recording paper P2 passing through the recording paper feeding path 16 is converted into the number of sheets of the size specified by the size specification key 35b. It will be.

Subsequently, the CPU 25 proceeds to step S308.
, The calculated total number of recording papers P2 is displayed on the display unit 36, for example, as "Kiroku OO size: OO MY". Therefore, the user can easily see how the total number of the recording sheets P2 that have passed through the recording sheet feeding path 16 is converted into the number of sheets of the designated size by looking at this display. You can check.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the original P1 and the recording paper P2 pass through the respective feeding paths 5 and 16 when reading or printing an image, the lengths of the papers P1 and P2 are each set to the number of steps. It is counted as a predetermined number of steps by the counters 27a and 27b. Then, the counted number of steps is added to the value of the number of steps stored in the memory 34, and the new integrated value is stored in the memory 3.
4 is stored. By operating the display command key 35a and the size designation key 35b on the operation unit 35, the integrated value stored in the memory 34, that is, the total of the original P1 and the recording paper P2 that have passed through the respective feeding paths 5 and 16 is obtained. Length is
It is displayed on the display unit 36 in a state converted into the number of sheets of the designated size.

Therefore, the user confirms the display, and regardless of the size of the original P1 or the recording paper P2 that has passed through each of the feed paths 2 and 16, the separation pad 4 and each roller that constitute the feed mechanism It is possible to accurately determine how much paper has actually been used for paper feeding. Therefore, unlike the prior art in which the accumulated number of sheets that have passed through the feeding path is simply used as a guide for replacing rollers such as feed rollers without considering the paper size, it is possible to accurately determine when to replace the components constituting the feed mechanism. And it is possible to properly maintain those parts.

In this embodiment, the total length of the document P1 and the recording paper P2 passed through each of the feeding paths 5 and 16 is displayed after being converted into the number of sheets of the designated size. . For this reason, even when the original P1 and the recording paper P2 of various sizes are used, the total length thereof is converted into the number of sheets of the designated size and displayed, thereby displaying the use state of the feed mechanism. Confirmation becomes easy.

Further, in this embodiment, the user can arbitrarily designate the size of the sheet to be converted into the number of sheets by using the size designation key 35b. Therefore, the number of sheets can be converted with an optimum sheet size according to the user's preference and application.

In this embodiment, since a non-volatile memory is used as the memory 34, there is no possibility that data in the memory 34 will be erased even when the power is turned off.
The data can be surely left. Moreover, there is no need to provide a backup power supply.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 6, the facsimile apparatus 1 of the second embodiment is of a type that uses roll paper P3 as recording paper. That is, the roll paper P3 is stored in the apparatus, and the roll paper P3 is pulled out by the rotation of the platen roller 17, and is fed along the recording paper feed path 16. Then, in the feeding process, printing is performed on the roll paper P3 by the print head 18. The roll paper P3 after printing is further fed by the rotation of the platen roller 17, is discharged out of the apparatus, and is cut by the cutter 37 every page.

The facsimile apparatus 1 of the second embodiment
The other configuration is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment. The circuit configuration of the apparatus of the second embodiment is different from the configuration of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment in that the recording paper sensors 19 and 20 and the size sensors 21 and 22 are not provided, and the cutter 37 is used instead. Since the difference is merely provided, FIG. 1 will be referred to without particular illustration.

In the second embodiment, the CPU
The recording processing operation executed by 25 is performed as shown in the flowchart of FIG. First, the CPU 25
In step S401, the driving of the recording side motor 32 is started and the roll paper P3 is driven by the platen roller 17.
Start feeding. Subsequently, in step S402, the CPU 25 uses the print head 18 to
One line is printed on the top.

Next, in step S403, the CPU 25 determines how much the recording linear density is set. The recording linear density is set by operating a setting key (not shown) provided on the operation unit 35 or according to the linear density of a received image. Here, the CPU 25
If the recording linear density is set to 15.4 lines / mm, the process proceeds to step S404, and the recording step number counter 27b of the RAM 27 is counted up by "1". If the recording linear density is set to 7.7 lines / mm, the CPU 25 proceeds to step S405 to increment the recording step number counter 27b by "2". Further, when the recording linear density is set to 3.85 lines / mm, the CPU 25 proceeds to step S406, and increments the recording step number counter 27b by “4”. That is, steps S404 to S406 show the counting operation by the counting means. By this counting operation, the feed amount of the roll paper P3, that is, the length of the roll paper P3 passing through the recording paper feeding path 16 is determined. Is counted as the number of steps.

Next, in step S407, the CPU 25 determines whether or not printing of one page has been completed.
Until the process is completed, the processes of steps S402 to S407 are repeated. When the printing of one page is completed, the CPU 25 shifts to step S408, and the length of the roll paper P3 used for printing of the one page becomes 5
cm or less. Here, the CPU 25
If the used length of the roll paper P3 is extremely short, that is, 5 cm or less, the process proceeds to step S409 in order to form a margin on the printed roll paper P3. And CPU
In step S409, the roll paper P3 is skipped by a predetermined length (for example, about 5 cm), and
After adding the step number corresponding to the idle feeding to the recording step number counter 27b, the process proceeds to step S410. If the used length of the roll paper P3 is longer than 5 cm, the CPU 25 proceeds to Step S410.

Then, the CPU 25 proceeds to step S410
In step S411, the recording side motor 32 is stopped, and in step S411, the roll paper P is
Cut 3 Subsequently, the CPU 25 proceeds to step S4
In step 12, it is determined whether there is data for the next page to be printed.
Step 412 is repeated. Then, when there is no more data on the next page, the CPU 25 proceeds to step S413.
Then, the value of the number of steps previously counted by the recording step number counter 27b of the RAM 27 is stored in the memory 3
Then, the new value is added to the value of the number of steps stored in No. 4, the new integrated value is stored in the memory 34, and the process is temporarily terminated. At this time, the value of the step number stored in the recording step number counter 27b is cleared to "0".

Therefore, also in the second embodiment, the display command key 35a and the size designation key 35
By operating b, the integrated value of the number of steps stored in the memory 34, that is, the total length of the roll paper P3 passing through the feeding path 16 is converted into the number of sheets of the designated size in the display unit. 36 can be displayed. Therefore, in the second embodiment using the roll paper P3 as the recording paper, the same operation and effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but may be embodied by changing the configuration of each part as follows, for example. (1) In the above-described embodiment, the number of sheets is displayed based on the operation of the display command key 35a. However, when the integrated value in the memory 34 reaches a value corresponding to the number of sheets of paper of a predetermined size. Alternatively, the number of sheets may be automatically displayed.

(2) The number of sheets is printed out on a recording paper or notified by voice based on the operation of the display command key 35a. (3) When printing out the communication management record, the number of sheets is printed at a predetermined position on the recording paper to be printed out.

(4) A memory backed up by a battery is used as the storage means. (5) The number of steps is not directly counted up by the step number counters 27a and 27b of the RAM 27, but is directly counted up and accumulated in the memory 34.

(6) Based on the integrated value in the memory 34,
Judge that it is time to replace the parts that make up the feed mechanism, and notify that fact by display or sound. (7) Counting the length of the paper passing through each of the feeding paths 5 and 16 based on the rotation amounts of the motors 30 and 32.

The technical ideas that can be grasped from the above embodiment will be described below. (1) The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the notifying unit is a display unit that displays the integration result in characters.

In this way, by looking at the display, the integration result can be easily and reliably confirmed. In this specification, the notification includes display on the display unit 36, sound, and printing on recording paper.

[0063]

According to the present invention as described in detail above,
It has the following excellent effects. According to the first aspect of the present invention, even when paper of various sizes is used, the integration results are obtained.
The result can be converted into the number of sheets of a predetermined size and notified, so that regardless of the size of the sheet passing through the feeding path, the feed roller or the like that actually constitutes the feeding mechanism It can be determined exactly how much has been used. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine the time for replacing parts such as the feed roller, and to appropriately maintain those parts.

[0064]

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to arbitrarily designate the size of the sheet to be converted into the number of sheets according to the user's preference and application.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram of a facsimile apparatus showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the facsimile machine.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a reading processing operation.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a recording processing operation.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a display processing operation.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a part of a facsimile apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a recording processing operation in the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Facsimile machine, 3 ... Separation roller which comprises a feed mechanism, 4 ... Separation pad which comprises a feed mechanism, 5 ... Original feed path, 6 ... Feed roller which comprises a feed mechanism, 13 ... Feed which comprises a feed mechanism Paper rollers, 14, 15: feed rollers forming a feed mechanism, 16: recording paper feed path, 17: platen rollers forming a feed mechanism, 25: CPU forming count means, integrating means and control means, 26 ... ROM constituting the counting means, integrating means and control means, 27 RAM constituting the counting means, integrating means and control means, 27
a, 27b: reading and recording step number counter, 3
0: reading motor, 31: reading unit, 32: recording motor, 33: recording unit, 34: memory as storage means, 3
Reference numeral 5 denotes an operation unit constituting a designation unit; 35a a display command key; 35b a size designation key; 36 a display unit constituting a notification unit; P1 a document as a sheet; P2 a fixed recording sheet as a sheet; … Roll paper as recording paper.

Continuation of the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B65H 7/02 B41J 13/00 H04N 1/00 106 H04N 1/00 108

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A sheet feeding device for feeding a sheet along a feeding path by a feeding mechanism, a counting means for counting the length of the sheet passing through the feeding path, and integrating the counting result by the counting means. Integrating means, storing means for storing the integrated result by the integrating means, and controlling means for converting the integrated result stored in the storing means into the number of sheets of a predetermined size.
And a notifying means for notifying the conversion result by the control means . 2. A comprising a specifying means for specifying the size of paper to be number conversion, the control means, the sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1 for the number translated in accordance with the designated paper size.