JP3044158B2 - Image forming apparatus with automatic document circulation device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus provided with an apparatus for circulating and conveying a document, and to a return control on the document circulating / conveying apparatus side when a trouble occurs on the image forming apparatus main body side.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus, for example, a copying apparatus for copying an image of an original, when copying a plurality of copies from a large number of originals, the original is automatically fed to a copy position, that is, an exposure position, and a desired copy is made. Copy the number of copies. At this time,
As means for aligning the copied sheets in the page order of the document, the discharged copy sheets are sorted by a sorter having a plurality of trays.

On the other hand, in order to eliminate the need for a sorter,
As the document transport device, when a document is transported to an exposure position, only one copy is copied without copying only a copy portion, and the document is returned to a document tray in order to recirculate and transport the document to the exposure position. Is proposed and implemented. In this way, by performing copying one by one on the circulated document, the copy paper is discharged in the same state as the page order of the document, and the sort operation is shared by the circulation of the document. In addition, a sorter is not required, and the apparatus can be downsized.

Therefore, conventionally, when a trouble such as a jam on the automatic document circulation device (RDH) side or the copying machine main body side during the conveyance of a document, a jam recovery on the RDH side, that is, from a document corresponding to the occurrence of the jam, Means are provided for restarting copying after the jam is cleared.
For example, in the case of an automatic document circulating apparatus as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-166056, if a jam occurs on the RDH side, a job returning operation for returning the documents to the correct order in the RDH is disclosed. . This is R
A return operation is disclosed in which when a document is jammed in the DH, the document transport position is determined, and document sequential copying can be resumed using a paper feed unit other than the circulating transport path.

In the case of a jam on the main body of the copying apparatus instead of a jam on the RDH side, the jamming paper is removed and then the copying operation is started directly. I have. In other words, since the jam is not caused on the RDH side, the original is normally transported, and if the original is held at that position, after the jam is cleared, the copying operation can be resumed as it was before the jam occurred. Did not become.

[0006]

However, if jamming on the copying apparatus main body side and troubles other than jamming occur, the conveyance of the original is stopped on the RDH side as it is,
If the document is stopped on a path where the document is reversed, a curl or the like is generated, which may cause a jam due to the document when the document is restarted. In particular, when the document is circulated and conveyed, the document on the document tray is circulated and conveyed a number of times corresponding to the number of copies. In particular, in the case of double-sided copying, one copy of a double-sided copy can be obtained by performing two circulations, so that the frequency is further increased.

Therefore, during the time until the trouble is solved on the copying apparatus main body side, the original is idle-fed (conveyed without exposing the original) on the RDH side, and the original copy state is returned to the original tray. Can be considered. That is, RDH
Since there is no trouble on the document side, there is no problem in transporting the document. By circulating and transporting the document while a normal copying operation is being performed, the document can be returned to the initial mounted state on the document tray. Then, after the trouble is cleared, the copying operation is restarted when the document at the time of the trouble is conveyed to the exposure position, so that normal copying can be restarted.

Therefore, since the original is discharged onto the original tray without waiting on the transport path, it is possible to solve the problem of the original transport due to the curl or the like.

However, in such a configuration, if the original is double-sided, it is necessary to return the original to the original tray via a path for inverting the original. It may take too much time, and the document may not return to the initial placed state even after the trouble has been cleared. In other words, in one-sided or two-sided copying with a two-sided document, it is necessary to convey the document through the reversing conveyance path many times because of the necessity of reversing the front and back surfaces of the document.

In the case where the number of documents is large, or in the case of a double-sided document, the time required for the document before the trouble to reach the exposure position when resuming copying after the trouble is cleared is to be passed through the reverse transport path. Very long. this is,
In order to perform transport control via the reverse transport path each time,
It takes time too much.

According to the present invention, a document is initialized without stopping the document on a conveyance path, especially when a trouble occurs on the copying apparatus main body side. Another object of the present invention is to shorten the time required to resume copying when a trouble is resolved.

[0012]

According to the present invention, means for returning a document to an initial state has the following configuration.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention has a circulating transport path for transporting a document stored in a document storage unit to an exposure position, and after reading the document, transporting the document again to the document storage unit on the same surface. An automatic document recirculation device including a reversing transport path for reversing and transporting the document to present the opposite side of the document at the exposure position in the circulation transport path; an image forming apparatus for forming the conveyed an image corresponding to been originals appropriate paper 1 to detect one circulation of all documents stored in the document storage unit
A circulation detection sensor and a document existing in a circulation path of the automatic document circulation device due to occurrence of a trouble in the image forming apparatus main body to a document storage unit, and a document until the one circulation detection sensor detects one circulation. the first <br/> synchronize conveyance control unit and a initializing conveyance control means for circulating conveyance of the document in the storage section, presents each side of two-sided original to the exposure position
In the copy mode, the two-sided original is
When returning to the initial storage state, the
It is characterized in that whether or not to pass through the reverse transport path is selected according to the state, and at other times, the transport is performed through the circulating transport path.

The copy mode is a mode for performing single-sided copying from a double-sided original, or a mode for performing double-sided copying from a double-sided original. In each mode, it is selectively controlled whether or not to pass through a reverse transport path of the original. You.

Further, the original document initialized according to the present invention is
Control for returning to the state before the trouble and restarting copying is achieved by the following means.

A document transporter for transporting the document stored in the document storage unit to the exposure position and re-transporting the document on the same surface to the document storage unit after reading the document; An automatic document recirculation device provided with a reversing transport path for reversing and transporting the document to present the opposite side of the document at the exposure position, wherein the recirculated document is presented at the exposure position;
And an image forming apparatus for forming a sheet on which an image is conveyed as appropriate in accordance with the originals, 1 a circulation sensor for detecting a circulation of all documents stored in the document storage unit in the image forming apparatus main body When the trouble occurs, the document existing in the circulation path of the automatic document circulation device is transported to the document storage unit, and the document is circulated and transported in the document storage unit until one circulation is detected by the one circulation detection sensor. Transport control means, storage means for storing a copy mode at the time of occurrence of a trouble in the image forming apparatus and a copy status before the trouble, and storage means for storing the original in the document storage unit initialized by the trouble cancellation of the image forming apparatus. Copy return control based on the stored contents, selecting whether or not to pass through the reverse transport path until the document is exposed to the document exposure position at the time of occurrence of a trouble, and performing idle transport. The initializing conveyance control means includes a stage, an a copying mode for presenting each side of two-sided original to the exposure position
In the initial storage state of the two-sided original in the original storage section
When returning to
Select whether or not to pass through the transport path, and at other times, transport the circulating transport path

[0017]

According to the structure for initializing the circulated document due to the occurrence of a trouble in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the operation of the image forming apparatus is stopped, but the document is conveyed on the automatic document circulating apparatus side. Is performed.

[0018] Therefore, in what copying mode of duplex copying from the duplex document, forum for copying from the back of the document
In this case , the original is returned to the original storage section via the reverse conveyance path and along the original circulation path, so that the front and back surfaces of the original are stored. If a trouble occurs during copying in this mode, the document in the circulating transport path is transported as it is and stored in the storage unit. If the one circulation detection sensor does not detect one circulation, the conveyance of the document remaining in the document storage unit is returned to the document storage via the circulation conveyance path without passing through the reverse conveyance path. It is carried out until the first circulation detecting sensor detects. Then, the document on the document receiving portion remaining in the circulation transport path of the document and trouble completing the back side copying, reverse conveyance as described above
It passes through the path and is stored with its front and back reversed.
Therefore, the one circulation detection sensor is returned to perform one circulation detection again, and the document is circulated. In this circulation, only the original whose front and back surfaces are inverted ,
Only the sheet that has passed through the sheet is passed through the above-described reverse conveyance path, the front and back surfaces are again turned over, and the sheet is returned to the document storage unit. However, if the document does not pass through the reverse transport path where
For those that do not go through the reverse transport path,
Return the manuscript. In this way, the copy mode for duplex
In the reverse transport path,
It is configured to select whether or not to pass through a road, and the one cycle detection sensor detects one cycle so that the initial
, The initialization is completed. In this case, as described above, all the originals do not pass through the reverse transport path, so that the time required for circulating transport can be reduced.

On the other hand, in the case of performing double-sided copying from a double-sided document, if the back side copying of the document is completed and the front side is being copied, the document is returned to the initial state. In other words, the copying is performed in the second cycle, and has been performed twice through the reverse conveyance path. Therefore, when a trouble occurs in the image forming apparatus in this state, the original in the circulating conveyance path is returned to the original storage section as it is, thereby returning the original state. However, the document is inverted and stored in the remaining document in the document storage unit for which one circulation detection is not performed by the one circulation detection sensor. Therefore, when the document is transported in the document storage unit, the document is returned to the storage unit via the reverse transport path, so that the front and back surfaces are aligned as in the initial state. In this case, the conveyance control is completed by the detection of one circulation detection sensor, and the original document storage unit has returned to the initial original state.

In the mode for performing one-sided copying from a two-sided document, copying is performed from the back side of the document, and after copying the front side of the document, the document is returned to the document storage unit.
In this case, since the document passes through the reverse transport path twice, the returned document is returned with its front surface aligned. Therefore, due to the occurrence of a trouble in the image forming apparatus during the copying, the initialization of the original is executed on the automatic document circulation apparatus side. In this case, if the back side of the original in the original circulation path is being copied, the original is returned to the original storage section via the reverse transport path. However, if the front side copying is being performed, the original is returned to the original storing section as it is.
If the one circulation detection sensor does not detect one circulation, it remains in the storage section of the original for copying, and the original is circulated and conveyed. This circulating transport is returned to the storage section without passing through the reverse transport path. As described above, what passes through the reverse transport path is limited to only those existing in the document circulation transport path, and the reverse transport path is used only for either copying on the front and back sides, and the Transport time can be reduced.

Furthermore, after the initialization of the original is performed as described above, in the case where copying is returned to the time of occurrence of the trouble and restarted after the cancellation of the trouble, the copy mode and the copy status at the time of occurrence of the trouble are set. It is remembered. Based on the stored contents, document transport control is performed without performing exposure until the document in the storage unit is returned to the state at the time of occurrence of the trouble. In particular, when performing double-sided copying from a double-sided original, at the time of backside copying, return to the storage section without performing exposure through the reverse transport path, and repeat until the target original reaches the exposure position. The copying operation is started when the number has reached. At this time, if the original is a front copy, the original is transported without passing through the reverse transport path and returned to the storage unit. On the other hand, if the original is not completed due to a trouble, the exposure is reached by reaching the exposure. The operation starts.

Further, in the mode of performing one-sided copying from a two-sided original, the original is transported without passing through the reverse transport path, returned to the storage portion, and, in the case of the target original, the reverse transport is performed depending on whether the front and back sides are copied. Copying is started by transporting to the exposure position via the path.

As described above, even when the copying is started, the transport of the initialized document is only required to pass through the reversing transport path at the minimum necessary, so that the time required to restart the copying after the trouble is cleared can be shortened. Further, in the present invention, since the initialization of the original and the conveyance for resuming the copying after the initialization are minimized, the damage to the original can be reduced. You can expect efficient and effective copy work.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an outline of the configuration of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 shows a main sectional view of an automatic document circulating apparatus. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a control circuit used in an image forming apparatus having a copying machine main body and a document feeder according to the present invention.

FIGS. 3 to 5 show flow charts relating to ordinary document conveyance control of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a single-sided mode (single-sided copying from a single-sided document) and FIG. 4 shows a double-sided copying from a double-sided document. FIG. 5 shows a double-sided original to single-sided copy mode.

(Main Structure of Image Forming Apparatus) First, a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus having the copying machine main body and the document feeder in FIG. 1 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the copying machine according to the present embodiment includes a copying machine main body 1 which incorporates a copying process section 22 and the like, which are main components of a copying mechanism, which will be described later. An original mounting table 2 and a circulating original transport device (hereinafter referred to as RDH) 3 are provided at an upper portion of the copying machine main body 1. The document table 2 as an optical scanning table forms an area for optically scanning a document, and is made of transparent glass. The RDH 3 serving as a document conveying device feeds the document on the document placing tray (document storage unit 103) to the document placing table 2, and then circulates the document to the document placing tray. When the original is automatically transported, the original is held at the position shown in the figure, and when a book original or another original is placed on the original placing table 2 by manual operation,
It can be said that the entire RDH 3 is rotatably provided so that it can be opened.

An optical system 11 composed of mirrors 4 to 9 and a zoom lens 10 is arranged below the original table 2. The optical system 11 irradiates the original with light emitted from the copy lamp 12 to perform optical scanning, and also takes in reflected light from the original and guides the reflected light to the photosensitive drum 13 disposed below the optical system 11. ing.

The photosensitive drum 13 is driven to rotate by a main motor 47 described later. Around the photosensitive drum 13, a charger 14 and a developing device 1
5, transfer device 16, peeling device 17, cleaning device 18,
A static eliminator 19 and the like are provided. In the vicinity of the peeler 17, a transport device 20 and a fixing device 21 are provided. The cleaning device 18 is a cleaning blade 18 that contacts the photosensitive drum 13 and scrapes off residual toner.
a.

The above-described various devices including the photosensitive drum 13 constitute a copying process unit 22. The copying process unit 22 converts an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 13 by light from the optical system 11. Developed as a toner image, and supplied to paper supplied from paper feed trays 23 to 25 described below,
The toner image is transferred. Further, the copy processing unit 22 transports the sheet peeled by the peeler 17 to the fixing device 21 by the transport device 20, and heats and presses the toner image on the sheet with the fixing device 21 to fix the toner image. .

Below the developing device 15, a paper feed tray 23 is provided.
, While paper feed trays 24 and 25 are provided adjacent to the paper feed tray 23. A manual paper feed unit 26 is provided on the side of the copier body 1 on the side of the developing device 15. The paper feed trays 23 to 25 are capable of storing a plurality of papers to be used for copying, and are configured to feed paper sequentially from the uppermost one by paper feed belts 27 to 29 provided on the paper output side. Has become. On the other hand, the manual feeder 26
Are designed to accept sheets of different sizes and feed them one by one.

The paper feed tray 23 and the paper feed trays 24 and 25
A transport path 30 is provided upward from the space formed between the photosensitive drum 13 and the vicinity of the photosensitive drum 13. Conveyance path 30
Are configured to guide the paper fed from the paper feed trays 23 to 25, the manual paper feed unit 26, and an intermediate tray 37 described later to the photosensitive drum 13. A registration roller 31 that supplies a sheet at a predetermined timing is provided at an end of the transport path 30 that opens near the transfer device 16.

On the paper output side of the fixing device 21, a transport switching unit 3 is provided.
2 are provided. The transport switching unit 32 guides the sheet to a finisher (sheet post-processing device / for example, a stapler) 33 when performing one-sided copying, while
A gate flapper 35 for switching the path of the sheet is provided to guide the sheet to the transport path 34. The finisher 33 discharges the paper to the paper discharge tray 36, and performs a binding process by staples as needed. The discharge tray 36 is provided with the finisher 33.
Are driven up and down so that a plurality of sheets on which binding processing has been performed can be received.

The transport path 34 extends from the transport switching section 32 below the fixing device 21 and the transport device 20 to below the photosensitive drum 13, and guides the sheet to the intermediate tray 37. The intermediate tray 37 includes the fixing device 21.
, And is adapted to receive a sheet transported by the transport path 34. Intermediate tray 37
Is configured to feed a sheet whose back surface is inverted by a transport belt 38 provided on the sheet output side.

(Automatic Document Circulation Apparatus / RDH) FIG. 2 is a schematic view for explaining the structure and operation of the main part of the RDH 3 of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a copying machine provided with the RDH 3. It is. The copying machine includes the original feeding device 3
And a copying apparatus main body 1. The RDH 3 is a recirculating document feed mode (hereinafter referred to as “RDH mode”) of a trade-in / return system.
) And an individual original feeding mode of manual setting by sheet (hereinafter abbreviated as “SDF mode”).
Is formed in a device that can be switched between

Documents are stored in a document storage unit (document mounting tray) 103 such that the first page faces upward, and paper feeding is started from the lowermost document. RDH for single-sided originals
In the case of the mode, the sheet storage unit 103 serving as a document storage unit
The originals D stacked and stored in the stack are sent out in order from the original D at the lowest position by a feed belt 105 provided immediately below the original storage unit 103, and the feed belt 1
05 and a pair of delivery rollers 106 provided on the downstream side
After being conveyed by the conveyance roller 107 through the conveyance path 107 through the gap, the processing position 1 realized at the reading position
09, the transparent plate 114 is
, During which time the light is exposed in the exposure area by the light source 12, conveyed by the conveyance belt 110, reversely conveyed by the paper feed roller 111, and then passed through the return conveyance path 112 and a pair of return rollers 113. Document storage unit 1
The original document D is returned to the uppermost position of the original D at 03.

The transport roller 108 is provided for the delivery roller 10.
The document D is arranged so as to be located immediately below a transport path 107 provided on the downstream side of the document 6, is rotated by a motor 115 having a shaft connected thereto, and transports the document D to the reading position 109 while inverting the document D. At a position on the opposite side of the reading position 109 with respect to the transport roller 108, that is, a position on the upstream side with respect to the transport direction of the transport roller 108, for example, a document A sheet body placement section 104 as a placement section is provided.

The original placing section 104 is used at the time of feeding in the SDF mode. One original D placed on the original placing section 104 is transported by the transport roller 108, and thereafter, in the RDH mode. The document is returned to the document storage unit 103 along the same route as in the case. The transport roller 108 plays a role of document transport in the RDH mode, and plays a role of drawing in the document in the SDF mode, and functions as a shared roller.

The transport belt 110 is endlessly stretched between a driving roller 117 rotated and driven by a motor 116 and a driven roller 118 provided opposite to the driving roller 117. Is rotated in the direction of the arrow. The transport belt 110 is provided with a large number of air holes, and the rollers 117 and 1
An air suction duct (not shown) is provided in a space sandwiched by the conveyor belts 110 between the two. Therefore, the suction port of the duct is connected to the conveyor belt 1 running below.
The document D conveyed by the conveyance rollers 108 to the conveyance belt 110 while being suctioned by the air suction duct because the opening
To adsorb. As a result, the original D is in a state of no slip,
The conveyance belt 110 can be conveyed to the paper feed roller 111 side by driving.

In the case of double-sided original copy in the RDH mode, the original pulled in by the roller 106 is transferred to the roller 10 when the trailing edge of the original reaches the point A.
8 is reversed again through the path 119 by the reversal of 8, and is drawn over the reading position 109 with the back surface as the exposure surface. Thereafter, the document is returned to the document storage unit 103 along the same route as in the RDH mode for the one-sided document. That is, the document that has been cycled is returned to the document storage unit 103 in an upside down state.

Therefore, the bundle of the placed originals circulates twice, so that, in the first cycle, only the back side of the original is copied for all the originals on the paper fed from the paper feed tray. The paper is stored in the double-sided tray 37 in the copying machine main body 1, and in the second cycle, the double-sided tray 37 in the copying machine main body 1 is used.
Is fed, and only the front side copy of the original is performed on all the originals on the surface of the paper. As a result, the paper copied on both sides is discharged to the paper discharge tray 36 to complete a part of the double-sided document double-sided copying.

Reference numeral S1 denotes a recycle sensor for detecting one cycle of the document. When the last document is fed, the actuator operates to detect one cycle of the document. Further, by using the sensor and the counter, it is possible to know the number of sheets fed for each cycle of the document, and it is also possible to detect double feeding of documents. The upper and lower sides of the original are the same in the upper and lower sides of S1 during the one-sided original and the later-described two-sided original one-sided copying. In step S1, when necessary, when the final document is returned to the uppermost document D in the document storage unit 103, the actuator unit is operated and the document is rotated above the document.

Further, in the case of double-sided original single-sided copying, the original pulled in by the roller 106 is rotated by the reverse rotation of the roller 108 when the trailing edge reaches the point A, and the path 11
The sheet is again inverted through 9 and is drawn onto the reading position 109 with the back surface exposed. After exposing this surface, the original is re-inverted from the reading position 109 through the paths 120 and 119 by the reverse rotation of the roller 108 and the conveyance belt 110, and the reading position 1
09 is drawn again with the original surface as an exposure surface. Then, after exposing this surface, the original is returned to the original storage unit 103 by the same operation as in the case of the single-sided original. This allows
The circulated document in the document storage unit 103 has returned to the initial state of being placed.

(Control System) FIG. 6 shows the copying machine body 1 and the RDH
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control system of No. 3; The microcomputer (CPU) 230 controls according to a control program stored in the ROM 231 in advance. RAM2
Reference numeral 32 is used as a buffer memory, flags required for copy control, and other operation areas. Reference numeral 235 denotes a signal input device such as a detection signal from a key switch, a copy paper switch, or the like, which transfers a signal to the microcomputer (CPU) 230 via the interface circuit 233. That is, in the copying machine main body 1, a signal for detecting the transport position of the sheet, a signal for detecting the position of the photoconductor, and the like are sent to the microcomputer (CPU) 230 via the interface circuit 233, and the automatic circulating original feeder 3 In, the detection signal of the document transport position and the like are transferred to the microcomputer (CPU) 230.

Reference numeral 236 denotes a copy magnification display and other display circuits and loads of the circulating automatic document feeder 3 (for example, the drive motor 115 for the transport roller 108, the drive motor 116 for the transport belt 110, etc.), Copying machine body 1
And 234, an interface circuit for transferring control signals from a microcomputer (CPU) 230 to the driver array 236. Therefore, the driving of the automatic circulating document feeder 3 and the driving of the copying machine main body 1 are controlled by the microcomputer (CPU) 230 in association with each other. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a document transport control in a mode for performing one-sided copying from a single-sided document, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a document transporting control in a mode for performing a two-sided copying from a two-sided document. ,
5 and FIG. 5 are flowcharts relating to document transport control in a copy mode when performing one-sided copying from a two-sided document.

Here, the difference between original conveyance when performing one-sided copying from a single-sided original and when performing double-sided copying from a single-sided original is that an unexposed original is fed in a single-sided original or two-sided copying. The operation step only intermittently enters after the exposure of the document, and there is no difference in the basic document transport path. In particular, in the case of double-sided copying, double-sided copying is performed by circulating the document twice, and the document to be exposed in the first and second circulations alternates. Since the document conveyance is not directly related to the gist of the present invention, the description is omitted. Therefore, the single-sided document transport mode described below is a document transport mode for single-sided document single-sided copying.

First, a document feeding operation in a mode for copying from a single-sided document will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, when copying is started, the first original (the lowermost original) is placed in the original storage unit 103.
Paper feed is started and the leading edge of the document is
Preliminary sheet feeding until the position reaches
1). Next, after the pre-fed document at the ST position is fed to the exposure position, the next document is pre-fed to the ST position to shorten the feeding time (30-2) → (30-3). Waiting for the completion of the exposure operation of the document fed to the exposure position, the document is discharged to the document storage unit 103, and the end of the copying operation is determined at the same time (30-6). Return to step (30-2) for step (30
-4) → (30-5) → (30-6) is repeated. That is, steps (30-2) to (30-)
6) is repeatedly performed.

Next, the operation of conveying a document in a copy mode in which double-sided copying is performed from a double-sided document will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, when a copy operation is started by a print switch, a back mode flag for discriminating back exposure or front exposure of a document is reset, and the first document (the bottom document) is placed in the document storage unit 103.
Then, the sheet is reversed in the first conveyance path 107, re-inverted through the second conveyance path 119, and preliminarily fed to the position ST (40-1, 40-2).

After the pre-fed original at the ST position is fed to the exposure position, the next original is pre-fed to the ST position in the same manner as described above to shorten the feeding time (40-3,
40-4). Then, waiting for the completion of the exposure operation of the document fed to the exposure position, the document is discharged to the document storage unit 103, and at the same time, it is determined whether the document is the last document in one cycle (40-5, 40-6, 40-6). 40-7). If the original is the last original in one cycle, it is determined whether the back mode flag is set or reset. If the original is set, the flag is reset. If the original is reset, the flag is set.
8, 40-9, 40-10). Thereafter, the end of the copying operation is determined. If not, the process returns to step (40-2) for exposing the next original (40-11). That is, steps (40-3) to (40-11) until the end of the copying operation.
Is repeatedly performed.

A description will now be given, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5, of the operation of transporting a document in a copy mode in which a double-sided document or a single-sided copy is performed. First, when copying is started, the first document is transferred from the document storage unit 103 to the first transport path 1.
The sheet is reversed at 07, re-reversed through the second conveyance path 119, and is preliminarily fed to the ST position (50-1). Next, ST
After the pre-fed document at the position is fed to the exposure position, the process waits for the completion of the back side exposure operation of the document fed to the exposure position (5).
0-2, 50-3). After the back side exposure operation is completed, for the front side exposure operation of the original, the transport belt 110 and the transport roller 108 are reversed and passed through the transport paths 120 and 119, and the original is again inverted and fed to the presentation position. Subsequently, the next original is preliminarily fed to the ST position as in the step (50-1) (50-4, 50-5). Waiting for the completion of the surface exposure operation of the document fed to the exposure position, discharging the document to the document storage unit 103, and determining the end of the copying operation at the same time,
If the copying operation is not completed, the process returns to step (50-2) for exposing the next original (50-6, 50-7, 50-).
8). That is, Steps (50-2) and up to the end of the copying operation.
(50-8) is repeatedly performed.

(Operation for Initializing Original when Trouble Occurs in Copying Machine Body) The original initial operation up to the restart of copying according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

In the event that a trouble such as paper jam, running out of paper, running out of toner, or the like occurs in the copying machine main body 1, leaving the original on the transport roller 108 causes a "curl" (curl) on the original. As a result, the quality of the original is deteriorated or the original is jammed. Therefore, the document conveyance is controlled so that the subsequent documents are skipped and returned to the original document placement state.

First, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7, the original initial operation in the mode of performing one-sided copying from a one-sided original (or the same for double-sided copying) will be described. When a trouble such as paper jam, running out of paper, running out of toner or the like occurs in the copying machine main body 1, the initial operation is started from the step of "original initial 1" in FIG. First, it is checked whether the original in the exposure unit can be discharged. For example, when there is no more paper in the paper cassette of the copier body, a paper out signal is generated. At that time, if the paper to which the exposed image is to be transferred is fed into the main body paper feed path, the exposure can be performed without moving the original in the exposure unit, and after the original discharge operation is waited until the exposure is completed, Discharge. However, if a trouble signal is generated at a timing when it is necessary to reposition the document, for example, when a sheet jammed in the sheet fed corresponding to the document in the exposure unit, The original must be ejected and ejected again to synchronize with the paper. It is step (7-1) that determines whether or not the discharge is possible and adjusts the timing. Then, after the original in the exposure unit is discharged to the original storage unit 103, the presence or absence of the original in the first transport path 107 is checked (7-2), (7-3).

If there is a document, the document is conveyed via the exposure unit to the document storage unit 103 (7-4), and then the step (7-) is performed for controlling the subsequent document conveyance.
5) Afterwards. Here, it is checked whether the one-cycle detection sensor S1 is on, and the document is conveyed idle (circular conveyance without exposure) until one cycle of the document is detected by the sensor. The initial operation is terminated (7-5) → (7-2). That is, since the original is conveyed with the one-sided original always returned with the original placed in the original storage unit 103, it is only necessary to carry out the circulation of the original as it is upon detecting a trouble in the copying machine main body.

Next, the original initial operation in the copy mode for performing double-sided copying from a double-sided original will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

When a trouble occurs in the copying machine main body 1, starting from the step of "original initial 1" in FIG. 8, first, it is determined whether or not the original in the exposure section can be discharged (8-
1) Yes. Therefore, as in FIG. 7, if it is possible, the process immediately proceeds to step (8-2). If it is not, the exposure is performed at a predetermined timing. The original is discharged to the original storage unit 103.

Then, the presence or absence of a document in the second transport path 119 is checked (8-3). If the document is present, the document is re-transported to the document storage unit 103 via the exposure unit (8-4).
Then, the process proceeds to the step of “document initial 2” in FIG.

In FIG. 9, the current exposure mode of circulation is checked (8-5). If the exposure mode is back exposure circulation, the counter A for counting the number of times the original has been transported in the single-side original mode is cleared (8). -6). Then, the ON of the one-round detection sensor S1 is checked (8-7), and the counters A and B are detected until the sensor detects one cycle of the original.
(This counter is incremented by one each time the document is conveyed, and is cleared when the document has been cycled. The counter stores the total number of documents when the document has made one cycle.) The operation is performed by circulating the document in the document storage unit 103 (8-7) → (8-8) → (8-).
9) → (8-10) → (8-7).

When one cycle of the document is detected by the cycle detection sensor S1 in step (8-7), the document is conveyed in the one-sided document mode based on the contents of the counter B in which the total number of documents is stored. The content of the counter A in which the number of times of conveyance is stored is subtracted, and the content is stored in the counter A again (8-7) → (8-11). Counter A at this time
Indicates the number of documents conveyed in the duplex document duplex mode.

Then, after the last document returns to the document storage unit 103 in order to detect one cycle of the document again, the cycle detection sensor S1 is operated to the top of the document (8-12). After that, until the content of the counter A becomes "0", the document exposure is not performed according to the document transport control according to the copy mode for performing duplex copying from the duplex document while the content of the counter A is decremented by 1 every document transport. Skip feed (8-13) → (8-
14) → (8-15). Although the counter A becomes "0", there is no inverted document. That is, at this time, the odd pages of the double-sided document (the front side when the document is placed) are all stored in the document storage unit 103 with the upper side facing upward.

Therefore, the turn-on of the cycle detection sensor S1 is checked again from the next document, and the document is circulated by the document conveyance control in the single-sided document copy mode until the sensor detects one cycle of the document. The initials of the original (initial original placement state) are completed (8-16) →
(8-17).

On the other hand, if the exposure mode when the initial request of the original is issued is the circulation of the front exposure, while the ON of the cycle detection sensor S1 is checked (8-5), the circulation of the original is performed by the sensor. Until the detection is made, the original is idle-fed by the original conveyance control in the copy mode in which double-sided copying is performed from the two-sided original, and the original initial is completed (8-18)
→ (8-19). As described above, when the double-sided document is circulated and conveyed, due to the trouble on the copying machine main body, when performing the idle feeding without exposing the document, only the reversal conveyance path of the document is used to the minimum necessary. The initial operation is quickened, and the effect of shortening the time is great.

Next, the original initial operation in the copy mode for performing one-sided copying from a two-sided original will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When a trouble occurs in the copying machine main body 1, the control operation is started from the step of the original initial 1 in FIG. First, the discharge propriety of the document in the exposed area is determined (10-1), immediately proceeds to step (10-2) If the answer is Y, is adjusted the discharge timing similar to FIG. 7, if not .

Thereafter, the exposure mode of the document is checked (10-2). If the original is discharged as it is during the back side exposure, the front and back sides are discharged in reverse.
Re-inversion is performed by re-feeding the paper through the exposure units 20 and 119 (10-3). At this time, if the back side exposure is being performed, the original needs to be inverted again using the same transport path for the next front side exposure.
Has no original document, so that no original document exists. Then, after the original in the exposure section is discharged to the original storage section 103 (10-4), the presence or absence of the original in the second transport path 119 is checked (10-5). If the manuscript exists,
Since the document is temporarily stopped and waiting for the next backside exposure, it is fed to the exposure unit, and then again fed to the transport paths 120 and 11.
9, the sheet is fed to the exposure unit after reversal, and the document storage unit 1
No. 03 is discharged by idling (10-6).

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step (10-7),
Until the single-circle detection sensor S1 detects one cycle of the original, the empty conveyance of the original is performed by the original conveyance control in the copy mode from the one-sided original, and the initial operation ends when all the originals return to the original storage unit 103. Yes (10-7) →
(10-8).

As described above, even in the one-sided copy mode for a two-sided original, only the reversal transport path is used during exposure and during preliminary transport. There is no need to pass the original, and the time required to return (initialize) the original to the original storage state in the original storage unit 103 can be reduced.

The above is the document transport control according to the present invention for initializing a document due to occurrence of a trouble on the copying machine main body side. In particular, when presenting a two-sided document to the exposure unit,
The document is passed through the reverse conveyance path. Therefore, the manuscript
Is initialized via the reverse transport path.
The document is passed through the reverse transport path depending on the
Is controlled through the reverse transport path.
If not, transport the circulation transport path as it is
become. Therefore, since the original is set in the original storage state (storage state) in the original storage unit 103, the cause of the jam of the original is eliminated without curling or the like. But,
In this state, the copying operation cannot be started after the trouble is solved in the copying machine body. The start is different in each copy mode, and the document transport control for starting the copy in each mode will be described below. This document conveyance can be performed in a short time.

(Document Conveyance Control by Starting Copy Operation After Initialization of Document) FIGS. 11 to 13 are control flowcharts for this, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart in a copy mode for single-sided document (single-sided or double-sided copy mode). FIG. 12 is a flowchart in a copy mode for performing duplex copying from a duplex document, and FIG. 13 is a flowchart in a copy mode for performing simplex copying from a duplex document. It corresponds.

First, a copy mode for a one-sided original will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the copying machine main body 1 is operating normally, the copy is normally completed by the copying machine main body and the number of sheets discharged to the paper output tray 36 is counted by a counter Y (cleared when one cycle of copy paper is discharged). Is provided. Therefore, it is a counter that stores the copy state before the trouble of the copying machine body. Separately from this, a counter X is provided for counting the number of sheets of the document which are fed by the idling when the trouble is solved, and the counter X is incremented by one for each idling of the initialized document.

[0070] Therefore, after the troubles of the main body of the copying machine 1 is released, counter X is cleared in when copying is resumed (3 -1). The counter X is incremented by 1 for each document feed, perform idle feed of the document (conveying in simplex mode without exposing the document) until the counter X exceeds counter Y (3 -2) → (3 -
3) → (3 -4) → (3 -2). Then, when the counter X exceeds the counter Y, the original is stopped at the exposure section, and the exposure is restarted, thereby returning to the normal copy sequence (3-5) → (3-6) → (3-7). ).

Next, a copy mode for performing double-sided copying from a double-sided original will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this case, when the copier is operating normally, the number of sheets on which an image is normally formed is discharged to the discharge tray 36, or the counter Y (one cycle) increments by one every time the sheet is conveyed to the double-sided tray 37. Is cleared when the copy paper is ejected or enters the double-sided tray 37), and a copy mode for entering the double-sided tray 37, that is, a mode for copying the back side of the document (back side mode) or a double-sided tray 37 And a counter X for determining whether the mode is a mode in which the front side of the document is copied (front side mode), and a counter X for the above-described idle feeding of the document. The flag for determining the back side or front side mode is stored in the copying operation of the copying machine, and when a trouble occurs, the contents before the trouble occurs are stored. That is, the flags are (40-1),
As described in (40-8) to (40-10), the mode is automatically switched so as to be set during a series of back side modes and reset during a front side mode.

After the trouble of the copying machine body 1 is cleared,
Copying counter X is cleared by the resume (4-1). Then, the mode flag is checked, and if the mode is the back side mode (the mode in which the sheet enters the double-sided tray 37), the counter X is incremented by one, and the original is inverted and re-inverted via the conveyance paths 107 and 119 and presented. It conveyed to section 109 (4 -2), (4 -3), (4-4), (4 -
5). Each time the document is conveyed, the counter X is incremented by one,
Until the counter X exceeds the counter Y, the idle feed conveyance of the document is repeated. That is, the document is conveyed in the double-sided document double-sided copying mode without exposing the document.

[0073] At the check in step (4-4), and starts exposure when the counter X exceeds the counter Y, thereby returning to the normal copy sequence (4 -6), (4
-7), (4 -8). Conversely, if the mode flag is set to the front mode (mode for feeding paper from the double-sided tray 37), the operation of re-inverting the original in the transport path 119 is not performed, and the original is circulated and transported in the same transporting method as for the single-sided original. . First, the counter X for each document feeding +1 (4 -9), and the counter X performs idle feeding of the document (conveying in simplex mode without exposing the document) to over the counter Y (4 -2) → ( 4 -9) → (4
-10) → (4 -11) → (4 -9). When the counter X exceeds the counter Y, the original is stopped at the exposure unit, and the exposure is performed.
The resume, than this return to the normal copy sequence (4
-12) → (4 -7) → (4 -8).

Therefore, when a copy is performed in the front mode due to a trouble in the copying machine itself,
Because the document is not transported through the reverse transport path,
Job recovery (recovery) can be quickly performed on the exposure state of the document at the time of trouble.

Next, a return operation (job recovery) in a mode for performing one-sided copying from a two-sided original after the initializing of the original will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. In this case, when the copying machine main body 1 is operating normally before the trouble, the counter Y which increments by one every time the paper on which the image is formed is output to the paper output tray 36 (when one cycle of the paper is discharged). Is cleared), and a counter X that increments by +2 for each idle feed is provided.

[0076] Therefore, after the troubles of the main body of the copying machine 1 is released, counter X is cleared in when copying is resumed (5 -1). Then, the counter X is incremented by +2 every time the document is fed.
And, compares the counter X and counter Y, counter X performs idle feeding of the document in the simplex mode without exposing the original to over the counter Y (5 -2) → (5 -3) → (5
-4) → (5 -2). When the counter X exceeds the counter Y, the counter X is decremented by -1 (5-5), and the counter X and the counter Y are compared again. If they are the same, the next is the exposure mode for the front (odd page) document, so the document is transported in the single-sided mode, stopped at the exposure unit, and restarted exposure.
This than return to the normal copy sequence (5 -5) →
(5 -6) → (5 -7 ) → (5 -9) → (5 -10).

On the other hand, at step ( 5-6 ), the counter X
If the counter Y and the counter Y are not equal, the next is the back side original copy mode, so that
Conveying the document by re-inverting and document circulation conveyance mode for feeding the paper to the exposure unit) at 109, after stopping the exposure unit restarts the exposure, back than this to a normal copy sequence (5 -8)
→ (5 -9) → (5 -10).

[0078] As described above, if the document is double-sided, in presenting both sides to an exposure portion, it is necessary to transport to invert the document, also initiate replication after initialization of the document
In this case, it is necessary to carry out the reverse conveyance. However, since the reverse conveyance is simplified as much as possible, that is, it is used only when necessary, the time required for starting copying can be greatly reduced.

[0079]

As described above, by controlling the document conveyance, in the mode in which double-sided copying is performed from a double-sided document or in the mode in which single-sided copying is performed from a double-sided document, copying can be performed even if a trouble occurs on the copying machine body side. It is possible to greatly reduce the time required for document blank feeding until resumption. In particular, since the document is returned to the document storage unit, it is possible to prevent the quality of the document itself from deteriorating, to eliminate a factor such as a jam due to document conveyance, and to realize an efficient and effective copy work.

Also, during the initial operation of the original, the number of re-inversions of the original is minimized for each of the exposure mode and the transport mode of the original. It is possible to suppress the damage due to the idle feeding, and to perform the initial processing automatically, so that the labor of the operator can be saved and an efficient copy work can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall structure of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an automatic document feeder (RDH) according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating document conveyance control during normal operation of a single-sided document in RDH.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating document transport control in a normal operation in which double-sided copying is performed from a double-sided document in RDH.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of document transport control in a normal operation for performing one-sided copying from a two-sided document in RDH.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an outline of a control circuit in an image forming apparatus having a copying machine main body and an RDH in which the present invention is implemented.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of initializing a document in a copy mode for a single-sided document according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of initializing a document in a copy mode for performing duplex copying from a duplex document according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart following the description of the operation according to FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an original initialization operation in a copy mode for performing one-sided copying from a two-sided original according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for restoring the start of copying after a trouble is cleared in the single-sided original copy mode according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for restoring the start of copying after a trouble is cleared in a copy mode for performing duplex copying from a duplex document according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for restoring the start of copying after a trouble is cleared in a copying mode for performing one-sided copying from a two-sided document according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3 Document Circulation Transport Device (RDH) 103 Document Storage Unit 107 First Transport Path 108 Transport Roller 109 Document Presenting Unit 112 Third Transport Path 119 Second Transport Path S1 Original 1 Circulation Sensor

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] A circulating conveyance path for conveying a document stored in a document storage section to an exposure position, and after reading the document, conveying the document again to the document storage section on the same surface; An automatic document circulation device having a reversing conveyance path for reversing the document to present the opposite side of the document at the exposure position is provided, and the document to be circulated is presented at the exposure position.
And an image forming apparatus for forming a sheet on which an image is conveyed as appropriate in accordance with the originals, 1 a circulation sensor for detecting a circulation of all documents stored in the document storage unit in the image forming apparatus main body When the trouble occurs, the document existing in the circulation path of the automatic document circulation device is transported to the document storage unit, and the document is circulated and transported in the document storage unit until one circulation is detected by the one circulation detection sensor. the initializing conveyance control unit and a conveyance control means, the copy mode to present each face of the double-sided original to the exposure position
Place the two-sided original in the original storage
When returning, reverse transportation is performed according to the status
An image forming apparatus provided with an automatic document circulating device , which selects whether or not to pass through a feed path and conveys the circulating path at other times. Wherein the copying mode is a mode for single-sided copying from the duplex document, the initialization conveying control means via a reverse conveyance path according to the document of the circulating <br/> transportable Okunaka the copying conditions 2. An image forming apparatus provided with an automatic document circulation device according to claim 1, wherein whether or not the document is to be conveyed in the circulation conveyance path is selected, and the document in the document storage section is conveyed in the circulation conveyance path. . 3. The copying mode according to claim 1, wherein the copying operation is a mode in which double-sided copying is performed from a double-sided document. 2. The automatic document feeder according to claim 1, wherein the user selects whether or not the original is to be conveyed, and selects and conveys whether or not the original in the original storage section is to be passed through a reverse transport path in accordance with the copy status of the original. An image forming apparatus provided with a circulation device. 4. A circulating transport path for transporting a document stored in a document storage section to an exposure position, and after reading the document, transporting the document again to the document storage section on the same surface, An automatic document circulation device provided with a reversing conveyance path for reversing and conveying the document to present the opposite side of the document at the exposure position, and the document to be circulated is presented at the exposure position.
And an image forming apparatus for forming a sheet on which an image is conveyed as appropriate in accordance with the originals, 1 a circulation sensor for detecting a circulation of all documents stored in the document storage unit in the image forming apparatus main body When the trouble occurs, the document existing in the circulation path of the automatic document circulation device is transported to the document storage unit, and the document is circulated and transported in the document storage unit until one circulation is detected by the one circulation detection sensor. Transport control means; storage means for storing a copy mode when a trouble occurs in the image forming apparatus and a copy status before the trouble; and storing the original in the document storage unit initialized by the trouble cancellation of the image forming apparatus. Based on the stored contents, a copy return system that selects whether or not to pass through the reverse transport path until it is presented at the document exposure position at the time of occurrence of a trouble, and carries out idle transport The initialization transport control means is provided in a copy mode for presenting each side of a double-sided document at an exposure position.
Place the two-sided original in the original storage
When returning, the reverse transport is performed according to the use state of the reverse transport path.
An image forming apparatus provided with an automatic document circulating device , which selects whether or not to pass through a feed path and conveys the circulating path at other times.