JP3254252B2 - Image forming 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 which can be used for image recording on a plain paper sheet and a reversible thermosensitive recording film by an electrophotographic process such as a copying machine, a facsimile or a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, protection of the global environment including forest resources has become one of the major issues in various industrial fields. In the OA equipment industry, the reuse of recording sheets used in image forming apparatuses such as copying machines has been steadily executed as part of this environmental protection measure. Currently, a method of recycling recording sheets generally collects used recording sheets, collects them, and performs a chemical treatment in a reprocessing plant such as a paper mill to produce recycled paper.
However, in such a chemical treatment method, there is a physical limit (the progress of fiber decomposition) in the number of reprocessings, and a certain amount of new wood is required for the reprocessing.

[0003] On the other hand, as another method of reusing a recording sheet, a recording material which is rewritable and can be used repeatedly as many times as possible, specifically, a reusable recording material which is initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature. Various examination proposals have been made for a method using a simple recording material (hereinafter, referred to as a reversible thermosensitive recording film; TC film) because of its easy handling.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention examines a reusable TC film among the above-mentioned prior arts. By the way, all of the conventional methods for forming an image on a TC film are configured so that a heating means (thermal head) is brought into direct contact with the film surface to record image information. Although various uses of the TC film are considered, a copier, a laser facsimile machine, which is widely spread in general, uses a large amount of paper, and is expected to have a great effect of reusing the paper. Alternatively, in an image forming apparatus such as a laser beam printer, an apparatus capable of applying the TC film has not been put to practical use yet. This is because, in a conventional image forming apparatus, an electrophotographic process is generally used as an image forming method. Therefore, in order to be able to apply a TC film to this type of image forming apparatus, a conventional electrophotographic process means is used. In addition to the above, an image forming unit (for example, a heating unit, a conveying unit, a control unit, etc.) dedicated to the TC film must be newly provided. That is, an image forming apparatus having such a configuration in which an image forming means dedicated to a TC film is added is, in other words, an apparatus in which an image forming apparatus for a TC film is simply combined with a conventional copying machine or the like. Although no technical difficulty is recognized, it is inevitable that the cost of the apparatus as a whole, the size of the apparatus, and the complexity of the image forming control system will inevitably increase. it is conceivable that.

In view of the above, the image forming means dedicated to the TC film (toner removing means, heat generating means, conveying means, etc.) and the image forming means dedicated to the plain paper sheet are commonly used. This makes it possible to form an image on a TC film using an existing electrophotographic process for forming an image on a plain paper sheet without adding a large-scale image forming means dedicated to the TC film. By the way, the image forming apparatus to which the plain paper sheet and the TC film can be applied is provided with a duplex copy unit for enabling copying on both sides of the recording paper and a duplex copy mode selecting means for selecting a duplex copy mode. In addition, when a duplexer capable of performing double-sided copying is configured, when both an image recording mode on a TC film (TC mode) and a double-sided copy mode by a double-sided copy mode selection unit are selected, In the TC mode, double-sided copying is performed on the TC film meaninglessly, and the apparatus is operated meaninglessly and the TC film is wastefully consumed. Further, a staple unit for enabling staple (binding) on recording paper and a staple mode selecting means for selecting a staple mode are added to the image forming apparatus to which the plain paper sheet and the TC film can be applied. When a stapling-capable demultiplexer is configured, when both the image recording mode (TC mode) on the TC film and the staple mode by the staple mode selecting means are selected, in the TC mode, When the stapling is performed on the meaningless TC film, the device is operated in a meaningless manner, the TC film is damaged, and the staples are wasted. Further, in the image forming apparatus in which the plain paper sheet and the TC film can be applied, when an abnormality occurs in a unit or operation peculiar to the TC film, or when an abnormality occurs in a fixing means of the plain paper sheet. However, even though image recording on other recording paper is possible, the operation is interrupted. For example, when a hard copy is to be obtained regardless of the type of recording paper, such as when receiving from a facsimile. However, there is a problem that the convenience of the device is reduced. SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide a highly convenient image forming apparatus that can avoid useless operation of a device and wasteful consumption of a TC film or the like. is there.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a latent image writing means for writing image information as an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor, and an electrostatic image formed on the photoreceptor. Developing means for visualizing the latent image with toner, paper feeding means for feeding and transporting a plain paper sheet for image recording to the image forming section, and a developing means on the plain paper sheet fed and transported to the image forming section; A transfer unit for transferring the toner image formed on the photoreceptor; and a fixing unit for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet. The transfer unit is initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature. The available reversible thermosensitive recording film is fed and conveyed to the image forming unit by the feed / convey means, and the latent image is written on the initialized reversible thermosensitive recording film by the latent image writing means and the developing means. Formed on the body The image is transferred by the transfer means, and the image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by the irradiation means for irradiating the reversible thermosensitive recording film with the transferred toner image to heat the transferred toner image. In the image forming apparatus configured to remove the toner carried on the reversible thermosensitive recording film from the film surface by a toner removing unit after image formation, a PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and the reversible thermal recording film are used. A recording mode selecting means for selecting a TC mode for recording an image on a thermal recording film, a duplex copy unit for performing copying on both sides of a recording paper, and a duplex copy mode in which the duplex copy unit functions. After the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selecting means, When the two-sided copy mode is selected by the two-sided copy mode selection means, a display or a warning sound is displayed indicating that the two-sided copy is prohibited during recording of the reversible thermosensitive recording film, and When the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selecting means after the double-sided copy mode is selected, a warning indicating that reversible thermosensitive recording film recording during double-sided copying is prohibited or a warning sound is issued. Means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a latent image writing means for writing image information as an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor, and a method for forming an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor into a toner. Developing means for visualizing by means of, and paper feeding means for feeding and conveying a plain paper sheet for image recording to the image forming unit,
Transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the photoreceptor onto a plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming unit;
Fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet, and reusing the reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature by the sheet feeding means. The toner image formed on the photoreceptor by the latent image writing unit and the developing unit is transferred onto the initialized reversible thermosensitive recording film by the transfer unit.
An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by irradiation means for irradiating the transferred reversible thermosensitive recording film with the transferred toner image to heat the transferred toner image. In an image forming apparatus configured to remove the carried toner from the film surface by a toner removing unit, a PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and a TC mode for recording an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film are provided. , A duplex mode copy unit for performing copying on both sides of the recording paper, and a duplex mode select mode for selecting a duplex mode in which the duplex mode unit functions, After the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selection means, the two-sided copy mode is selected by the two-sided copy mode selection means. When the double-sided copy mode is selected, the single-sided copy mode to the reversible thermosensitive recording film is ignored by ignoring the selection of the double-sided copy mode selection means. When the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selection unit, the mode selection unit is provided with a mode switching unit for ignoring the selection of the recording mode selection unit and setting a double-sided copy mode to a plain paper sheet.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a latent image writing unit for writing image information as an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor, and a method for converting the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor to a toner. Developing means for visualizing by means of, and paper feeding means for feeding and conveying a plain paper sheet for image recording to the image forming unit,
Transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the photoreceptor onto a plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming unit;
Fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet, and reusing the reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature by the sheet feeding means. The toner image formed on the photoreceptor by the latent image writing unit and the developing unit is transferred onto the initialized reversible thermosensitive recording film by the transfer unit.
An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by irradiation means for irradiating the transferred reversible thermosensitive recording film with the transferred toner image to heat the transferred toner image. In an image forming apparatus configured to remove the carried toner from the film surface by a toner removing unit, a PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and a TC mode for recording an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film are provided. , A duplex mode copy unit for performing copying on both sides of the recording paper, and a duplex mode select mode for selecting a duplex mode in which the duplex mode unit functions, After the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selection means, the two-sided copy mode is selected by the two-sided copy mode selection means. When the double-sided copy mode is selected, the single-sided copy mode to the reversible thermosensitive recording film is ignored by ignoring the selection of the double-sided copy mode selection means. Even when the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selection means, the mode is provided with a mode switching means for ignoring the selection of the double-sided copy mode selection means and setting the single-sided copy mode to the reversible thermosensitive recording film. .

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention provides a latent image writing means for writing image information as an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor, and a method for transferring an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor to a toner. Developing means for visualizing by means of, and paper feeding means for feeding and conveying a plain paper sheet for image recording to the image forming unit,
Transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the photoreceptor onto a plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming unit;
Fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet, and reusing the reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature by the sheet feeding means. The toner image formed on the photoreceptor by the latent image writing unit and the developing unit is transferred onto the initialized reversible thermosensitive recording film by the transfer unit.
An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by irradiation means for irradiating the transferred reversible thermosensitive recording film with the transferred toner image to heat the transferred toner image. In an image forming apparatus configured to remove the carried toner from the film surface by a toner removing unit, a PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and a TC mode for recording an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film are provided. , A duplex mode copy unit for performing copying on both sides of the recording paper, and a duplex mode select mode for selecting a duplex mode in which the duplex mode unit functions, After the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selection means, the two-sided copy mode is selected by the two-sided copy mode selection means. When the double-sided copy mode is selected, the selection of the recording mode selection unit is ignored, and the double-sided copy mode is selected by the double-sided copy mode selection unit. Even when the TC mode is selected by the mode selection unit, the mode selection unit is provided with a mode switching unit for ignoring the selection of the recording mode selection unit and setting the double-sided copy mode to the plain paper sheet.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a latent image writing means for writing image information on a photosensitive member as an electrostatic latent image, and a method for transferring the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive member to a toner. Developing means for visualizing by means of, and paper feeding means for feeding and conveying a plain paper sheet for image recording to the image forming unit,
Transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the photoreceptor onto a plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming unit;
Fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet, and reusing the reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature by the sheet feeding means. The toner image formed on the photoreceptor by the latent image writing unit and the developing unit is transferred onto the initialized reversible thermosensitive recording film by the transfer unit.
An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by irradiation means for irradiating the transferred reversible thermosensitive recording film with the transferred toner image to heat the transferred toner image. In an image forming apparatus configured to remove carried toner from a film surface by a toner removing unit, a PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and a TC mode for recording an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film are provided. A double-sided copy unit for performing copying on both sides of the recording paper, a double-sided copy mode selecting unit for selecting a double-sided copy mode in which the double-sided copy unit functions, and a single-sided only Discrimination between a reversible thermosensitive recording film capable of recording an image on a disc and a reversible thermosensitive recording film capable of recording an image on both sides. If the recording paper fed by the TC film discriminating and selecting means is determined to be a reversible thermosensitive recording film capable of recording an image on only one side, the TC film discriminating means may be used. If the recording paper fed by the TC film discriminating and selecting means is determined to be a reversible thermosensitive recording film capable of recording images on both sides, the operation of claim 4 is executed. The selected recording method and mode are executed without executing the operation of claim 4.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a latent image writing means for writing image information as an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor, and a method for transferring the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor to a toner. Developing means for visualizing by means of, and paper feeding means for feeding and conveying a plain paper sheet for image recording to the image forming unit,
Transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the photoreceptor onto a plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming unit;
Fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet, and reusing the reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature by the sheet feeding means. The toner image formed on the photoreceptor by the latent image writing unit and the developing unit is transferred onto the initialized reversible thermosensitive recording film by the transfer unit.
An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by irradiation means for irradiating the transferred reversible thermosensitive recording film with the transferred toner image to heat the transferred toner image. In an image forming apparatus configured to remove carried toner from a film surface by a toner removing unit, a PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and a TC mode for recording an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film are provided. A stapling unit for stapling the recording paper, and a staple mode selecting unit for selecting a staple mode in which the staple unit functions. After the TC mode is selected, the staple mode selection means selects the staple mode. When the staple mode is selected, the display or warning sound indicating that stapling is prohibited during recording of the reversible thermosensitive recording film is issued. When the TC mode is selected by the mode selection means, the reversible thermosensitive recording film recording at the time of stapling is provided with a warning or a warning sounding means for notifying that a recording is prohibited or a warning sound.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a latent image writing means for writing image information as an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor, and a method for transferring the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor to a toner. Developing means for visualizing by means of, and paper feeding means for feeding and conveying a plain paper sheet for image recording to the image forming unit,
Transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the photoreceptor onto a plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming unit;
Fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet, and reusing the reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature by the sheet feeding means. The toner image formed on the photoreceptor by the latent image writing unit and the developing unit is transferred onto the initialized reversible thermosensitive recording film by the transfer unit.
An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by irradiation means for irradiating the transferred reversible thermosensitive recording film with the transferred toner image to heat the transferred toner image. In an image forming apparatus configured to remove carried toner from a film surface by a toner removing unit, a PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and a TC mode for recording an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film are provided. A stapling unit for stapling the recording paper, and a staple mode selecting unit for selecting a staple mode in which the staple unit functions. After the TC mode is selected, the staple mode selection means selects the staple mode. When the staple mode is selected, the staple mode selection means is ignored, and the TC mode for recording an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film without stapling is set. The staple mode is selected by the staple mode selection means. After that, if the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selection means, the selection of the recording mode selection means is ignored, and the staple mode in the PP mode for performing image recording and stapling on a plain paper sheet is set. It is configured to include mode switching means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a latent image writing means for writing image information as an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor, and a method for transferring the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor to a toner. Developing means for visualizing by means of, and paper feeding means for feeding and conveying a plain paper sheet for image recording to the image forming unit,
Transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the photoreceptor onto a plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming unit;
Fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet, and reusing the reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature by the sheet feeding means. The toner image formed on the photoreceptor by the latent image writing unit and the developing unit is transferred onto the initialized reversible thermosensitive recording film by the transfer unit.
An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by irradiation means for irradiating the transferred reversible thermosensitive recording film with the transferred toner image to heat the transferred toner image. In an image forming apparatus configured to remove carried toner from a film surface by a toner removing unit, a PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and a TC mode for recording an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film are provided. A stapling unit for stapling the recording paper, and a staple mode selecting unit for selecting a staple mode in which the staple unit functions. After the TC mode is selected, the staple mode selection means selects the staple mode. When the staple mode is selected, the mode is set to the TC mode in which the image is recorded on the reversible thermosensitive recording film without stapling, ignoring the selection of the staple mode selecting means. After that, even when the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selection unit, the image is recorded on the reversible thermosensitive recording film without stapling, ignoring the selection of the staple mode selection unit.
It is configured to include a mode switching unit for setting the mode to the C mode.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a latent image writing means for writing image information as an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor, and a method for forming a latent image on the photoreceptor into a toner. Developing means for visualizing by means of, and paper feeding means for feeding and conveying a plain paper sheet for image recording to the image forming unit,
Transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the photoreceptor onto a plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming unit;
Fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet, and reusing the reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature by the sheet feeding means. The toner image formed on the photoreceptor by the latent image writing unit and the developing unit is transferred onto the initialized reversible thermosensitive recording film by the transfer unit.
An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by irradiation means for irradiating the transferred reversible thermosensitive recording film with the transferred toner image to heat the transferred toner image. In an image forming apparatus configured to remove carried toner from a film surface by a toner removing unit, a PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and a TC mode for recording an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film are provided. A stapling unit for stapling the recording paper, and a staple mode selecting unit for selecting a staple mode in which the staple unit functions. After the TC mode is selected, the staple mode selection means selects the staple mode. When the staple mode is selected, the staple mode is set to the staple mode in the PP mode for ignoring the selection of the staple mode selection unit and recording and stapling the image on the plain paper sheet. Even if the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selecting means after the selection, the staple mode in the PP mode for performing image recording and stapling on a plain paper sheet is ignored, ignoring the selection of the recording mode selecting means. And a mode switching means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a latent image writing means for writing image information as an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor, and a method for forming an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor onto a toner. Developing means for visualizing by means of, and paper feeding means for feeding and conveying a plain paper sheet for image recording to the image forming unit,
Transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the photoreceptor onto a plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming unit;
Fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet, and reusing the reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature by the sheet feeding means. The toner image formed on the photoreceptor by the latent image writing unit and the developing unit is transferred onto the initialized reversible thermosensitive recording film by the transfer unit.
An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by irradiation means for irradiating the transferred reversible thermosensitive recording film with the transferred toner image to heat the transferred toner image. In an image forming apparatus configured to remove carried toner from a film surface by a toner removing unit, a PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and a TC mode for recording an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film are provided. And a TC mode abnormality detecting means for detecting an abnormality of a unit or operation necessary only for the reversible thermosensitive recording film.
If the mode is selected and the TC mode abnormality detecting means detects a unit abnormality or an operation abnormality necessary for the reversible thermosensitive recording film, the normal mode is performed without performing image recording on the reversible thermosensitive recording film. When an image is recorded on a paper sheet, the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selecting means, and no abnormality of the unit or operation required for the reversible thermosensitive recording film is detected by the TC mode abnormality detecting means. Then, the image is recorded on the reversible thermosensitive recording film.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a latent image writing means for writing image information as an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor, and a method for transferring an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor to a toner. Developing means for visualizing by means of, and paper feeding means for feeding and conveying a plain paper sheet for image recording to the image forming unit,
Transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the photoreceptor onto a plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming unit;
Fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet, and reusing the reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature by the sheet feeding means. The toner image formed on the photoreceptor by the latent image writing unit and the developing unit is transferred onto the initialized reversible thermosensitive recording film by the transfer unit.
An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by irradiation means for irradiating the transferred reversible thermosensitive recording film with the transferred toner image to heat the transferred toner image. In an image forming apparatus configured to remove carried toner from a film surface by a toner removing unit, a PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and a TC mode for recording an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film are provided. And a fixing abnormality detecting means for detecting an abnormality of the fixing means. The recording mode selecting means
When the mode is selected and the fixing abnormality detecting unit detects an abnormality in the fixing unit, the image recording is performed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film without performing the image recording on the plain paper sheet, and the recording mode selection is performed. The PP mode is selected by the means, and the image is recorded on the plain paper sheet when the fixing abnormality detecting means does not detect the abnormality of the fixing means.

[0017]

According to the present invention, when the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selecting means and the duplex copying mode is selected by the duplex copying mode selecting means, the reversible thermosensitive sensor is issued by the warning notifying means. A display or a warning sound indicating that double-sided copying is prohibited during recording film recording is given, and after the double-sided copy mode is selected by the double-sided copy mode selecting means, the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selecting means. In this case, a warning or a warning sound indicating that reversible thermosensitive recording film recording at the time of double-sided copying is prohibited is issued by the warning notifying means.

Further, according to the present invention, when the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selection means, and the double-sided copy mode is selected by the double-sided copy mode selection means, the double-sided copy mode is selected by the mode switching means. The selection of the copy mode selection means is ignored, the mode is switched to the one-sided copy mode for the reversible thermosensitive recording film, and after the two-sided copy mode is selected by the two-sided copy mode selection means, the TC is selected by the recording mode selection means. When the mode is selected, the mode switching unit ignores the selection of the recording mode selection unit and switches to the double-sided copy mode for a plain paper sheet.

Further, according to the present invention, when the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selecting means, and then the double-sided copy mode is selected by the double-sided copy mode selecting means, the double-sided copy mode is selected by the mode switching means. The selection of the copy mode selection means is ignored, and the mode is switched to the one-sided copy mode for the reversible thermosensitive recording film. Even when the mode is selected, the mode switching unit ignores the selection of the double-sided copy mode selection unit and switches to the single-sided copy mode to the reversible thermosensitive recording film.

Further, according to the present invention, after the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selection means, if the two-sided copy mode is selected by the two-sided copy mode selection means, the recording is performed by the mode switching means. The selection of the mode selection unit is ignored, and the mode is switched to the double-sided copy mode for plain paper sheets. After the double-sided copy mode is selected by the double-sided copy mode selection unit, the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selection unit. Also in this case, the mode switching unit ignores the selection of the recording mode selection unit and switches to the double-sided copy mode for a plain paper sheet.

Further, according to the present invention, when the recording paper fed by the TC film determination selecting means is determined to be a reversible thermosensitive recording film capable of image recording on only one side, When each operation is executed and it is determined that the recording paper fed by the TC film identification and selection means is a reversible thermosensitive recording film capable of image recording on both sides, the above operations are not executed. Then, the selected recording method and mode are executed.

Further, according to the present invention, when the staple mode is selected by the staple mode selecting means after the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selecting means, the reversible thermosensitive sensor is provided by the warning notifying means. A staple at the time of recording film recording is displayed or a warning sound indicating that the staple is prohibited, and after the staple mode is selected by the staple mode selection means,
When the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selecting means, the warning notifying means notifies the display or a warning sound that reversible thermosensitive recording film recording during stapling is prohibited.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, when the staple mode is selected by the staple mode selecting means after the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selecting means, the staple mode selection is performed by the mode switching means. TC for image recording on reversible thermosensitive recording film without stapling, ignoring the choice of means
Mode, and when the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selection means after the staple mode is selected by the staple mode selection means, the selection of the recording mode selection means is performed by the mode switching means. It is ignored and switched to the staple mode in the PP mode in which image recording and stapling on a plain paper sheet are performed.

Further, according to the present invention, when the staple mode is selected by the staple mode selecting means after the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selecting means, the staple mode selection is performed by the mode switching means. TC for image recording on reversible thermosensitive recording film without stapling, ignoring the choice of means
Mode, and when the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selecting means after the staple mode is selected by the staple mode selecting means, the selection of the staple mode selecting means is also performed by the mode switching means. It is ignored and the mode is switched to the TC mode for recording an image on a reversible thermosensitive recording film without performing stapling.

Further, according to the present invention, when the staple mode is selected by the staple mode selecting means after the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selecting means, the staple mode selection is performed by the mode switching means. The selection of the means is ignored, the mode is switched to the staple mode in the PP mode for performing image recording and stapling on the plain paper sheet, and after the staple mode is selected by the staple mode selecting means, the recording mode selecting means is switched. Also, when the TC mode is selected, the mode switching unit ignores the selection of the recording mode selection unit, and switches to the staple mode in the PP mode for performing image recording and stapling on a plain paper sheet.

Further, according to the present invention, the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selecting means, and the TC mode abnormality detecting means detects a unit abnormality or an operation abnormality required for the reversible thermosensitive recording film. In this case, the image recording is performed on the plain paper sheet without performing the image recording on the reversible thermosensitive recording film, the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selecting means, and the reversible thermosensitive recording is performed by the TC mode abnormality detecting means. If no abnormality in the unit or operation required for the recording film is detected, the image is recorded on the reversible thermosensitive recording film.

Further, according to the present invention, when the PP mode is selected by the recording mode selecting means and an abnormality of the fixing means is detected by the fixing abnormality detecting means,
Image recording is performed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film without performing image recording on the plain paper sheet, PP mode is selected by the recording mode selection unit, and no abnormality of the fixing unit is detected by the fixing abnormality detection unit. In this case, an image is recorded on a plain paper sheet.

[0028]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the configuration, operation, and the like in a range that can be clearly recalled from the description of this specification will be omitted or simplified in order to avoid complication of description.

The image forming apparatus in which the present invention is implemented includes a plain paper sheet (hereinafter, simply referred to as plain paper), a reversible thermosensitive recording film, and a thermochromic film (hereinafter, referred to as T).
C film), and an image can be recorded using a common image forming means. The image forming apparatus having the basic configuration has two paper feed trays, a paper feed tray A and a paper feed tray B, as shown in FIG. These paper feed trays A and B are respectively arranged in parallel, and both paper feed trays are configured without any difference. Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that a TC film is set in the sheet feeding tray A and plain paper is set in the sheet feeding tray B.

First, recording of an image on plain paper in the image forming apparatus will be described. In FIG. 1, a bundle of plain paper set in the paper feed tray B is pulled out of the paper feed tray B by the paper feed roller 1, and only the uppermost sheet is rotated by the paper feed roller 1 by the separation pad 35. Conveyed. The plain paper transported by the paper feed roller 1 is transported by the transport roller 37 to the registration drive roller 9 and the heating head 3.
Is transported until it hits the nip portion. On this occasion,
The leading edge of the plain paper is detected by the pre-registration sensor 31, and the timing of writing an image on the plain paper is set. Here, the resist driving roller 9 and the heating head 3
Is set such that the frictional force between the resist driving roller 9 and the TC film is larger than the frictional force between the heating head 3 and the TC film. As a result, the plain paper is transported according to the rotation of the registration drive roller 9.

On the other hand, while the plain paper is fed and conveyed as described above, an original image is written as a latent image on the photoconductor 10 by the optical unit 5, and the latent image on the photoconductor 10 is The image is visualized by the toner supplied from the developing unit 4. Then, the plain paper sent to the photoconductor 10 by the registration drive roller 9 rotated at a timing by the pre-registration sensor 31 is transferred to the toner image from the photoconductor 10 by the transfer separation unit 8. The plain paper on which the toner image has been transferred is transferred to the transport guide plate 1
Due to the suction force of a fan 36 disposed on the back side of the sheet 3, the sheet 3 is conveyed toward the fixing means 34 while being attracted to the conveyance guide plate 13. The plain paper conveyed to the fixing unit 34 is moved by a pair of pressure roller 19 and heating roller 20.
The transferred toner image is fixed by being pressed and heated.

A TC cleaning means 24, which functions only when recording an image on a TC film, is disposed downstream of the fixing means 34. When recording an image on plain paper,
This TC cleaning means 24 is indicated by an arrow a in FIG.
To the position displaced in the direction (the position indicated by the solid line). As a result, the plain paper discharged from the fixing unit 34 guided by the fixing outlet upper guide plate 22 and the fixing outlet lower guide plate 23 is left
The paper is further conveyed by the paper ejection tray 8 and is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 30 by paper discharge rollers 29 through a paper discharge guide plate 28.

Next, recording of an image on a TC film in the image forming apparatus will be described. In FIG. 1, the bundled TC film set on the paper feed tray A is pulled out of the paper feed tray A by the paper feed roller 1, and only the uppermost sheet is rotated by the paper feed roller 1 by the separation pad 35. Conveyed. The TC film transported by the paper feed roller 1 is transported by the transport roller 37 until it abuts against the nip portion between the resist driving roller 9 and the heating head 3. At this time, the leading end of the TC film is detected by the pre-registration sensor 31, and the timing of writing an image on the TC film is determined. Here, the contact force between the resist driving roller 9 and the heating head 3 is set such that the frictional force between the registration driving roller 9 and the TC film is larger than the frictional force between the heating head 3 and the TC film. . As a result, the plain paper is transported according to the rotation of the registration drive roller 9.

The heating head 3 has a function of heating the TC film to a temperature at which a transparent portion (image portion) of the TC film turns white and becomes initialized. Therefore, in the second embodiment, when the TC film passes through the nip portion between the resist driving roller 9 and the heating head 3, the entire surface of the TC film is heated by the heating head 3 to a temperature at which the TC film turns cloudy, Even when a recorded TC film is transported, the recorded image is automatically erased.

On the other hand, while the TC film is being fed and conveyed as described above, the optical unit 5
The original image is written as a latent image by the
The latent image on 0 is visualized by the toner supplied from the developing unit 4. Next, the toner image is transferred from the photoconductor 10 by the transfer separation unit 8 to the TC film sent out toward the photoconductor 10 by the registration roller that rotates at a timing by the pre-registration sensor 31. At the time of image recording on the TC film, the TC film to which the toner image has been transferred is transported while being attracted to the transport guide plate 13 by the suction force of the fan 36 provided on the back side of the transport guide plate 13. At this time, the irradiation lamp 16 of the irradiation means 15 disposed opposite to the conveyance guide plate 13 across the conveyance path is turned on. The irradiation light of the irradiation lamp 16 is reflected by a reflection plate 17.
And TC on the transport guide plate 13 by the
It is focused and irradiated on the film surface of the film. At this time,
The TC film itself is initialized to a cloudy state by the action of the heating head 3 in the above-described erasing step, and an unfixed toner image is transferred to the surface thereof. Accordingly, the irradiation light irradiated and condensed by the irradiation lamp 16, the reflection plate 17, and the condensing lens 18 is absorbed by the unfixed toner image portion which is a black portion on the film surface of the TC film,
Even if the temperature of the black portion is increased, it is reflected at another portion of the film surface which becomes cloudy (non-image portion) and has no effect. This causes a temperature difference between the toner image portion and the non-image portion on the film surface of the TC film,
Only the toner image portion of the TC film changes its color from a cloudy state to a transparent state due to the temperature difference, so that a cloudy portion (non-image portion) and a transparent portion (toner image portion) are formed on the TC film surface. The image is recorded.

The TC film on which an image is recorded due to the heat discoloration of the opaque portion is conveyed toward the fixing means 34 while being attracted to the conveyance guide plate 13 by the suction force of the fan 36. Here, at the time of recording an image on the TC film, the film surface of the TC film conveyed to the fixing means 34 comes into contact with the heating roller 20 and is reheated, so that the image recorded on the film surface is In order not to lose the heat, the heating roller 20 of the fixing unit 34 is displaced in advance in the direction of arrow b in FIG.
It is retracted to a position that does not contact the film surface of the TC film (chain line position), that is, a position where the heat of the heating roller 20 is not transmitted to the TC film.

At the time of recording an image on the TC film, the TC cleaning means 24 moves the arrow a in FIG.
Back to the position displaced in the opposite direction (the position shown by the dashed line), and the back surface of the TC film (the surface on which the toner image has not been transferred) of the pair of rollers 38
The blade 25 of the cleaning means 24 is in contact with the peripheral surface of the roller 38a located at the position. Here, the contact force of the blade 25 against the roller 38a is determined by the frictional force between the roller 38a and the TC film.
It is set so as to be larger than the frictional force with the C film. As a result, the TC film that has passed through the fixing unit 34 without being reheated is guided by the fixing outlet upper guide plate 22 and the fixing outlet lower guide plate 23, and
It is transported according to the rotation of a. When the TC film is transported by the roller 38a, the toner transferred onto the film surface is scraped off by the blade 25. The toner scraped off from the surface of the TC film is collected into a collection bottle 27 by a collection roller 26 provided in the cleaning unit 24.
The TC film on which the image including the cloudy portion (non-image portion) and the transparent portion (image portion) is recorded by scraping off the transfer toner in this manner is further transported by the transport roller 38 including a pair of rollers. The sheet is guided by the sheet discharge guide plate 28 and is discharged by the sheet discharge tray 3 by the sheet discharge rollers 29.
Drained above zero.

In FIG. 1, the paper feed guide plate 2 is
It has a function of guiding the plain paper and the TC film fed by the feed roller 1 while being conveyed to the registration drive roller 9 and the registration driven roller 40. The pre-transfer guide plate 11 has a function of guiding the plain paper or the TC film conveyed by the registration driving roller 9 and the registration driven roller 40 toward the photoconductor 10. Fixing entrance upper guide plate 14 and fixing entrance lower guide plate 3
Reference numeral 9 denotes plain paper separated from the photoreceptor 10 and T or
It has a function of guiding the C film to the nip between the pressure roller 19 and the heating roller 20 of the fixing unit 34. The thermistor TA provided in the fixing means 34 has a function of detecting the surface temperature of the heating roller 20, and the amount of heat generated by the heater 21 arranged in the heating roller 20 is controlled based on the detection signal. The heating roller 20
Is varied. The thermistor TB disposed on the registration driving roller 9 has a function of detecting the surface temperature of the registration driving roller 9, and the amount of heat generated by the heating head 3 is controlled based on the detection signal, whereby The heating temperature of the driving roller 9 is changed. Photoconductor 1
The charging means 6 disposed around 0 has a function of initializing the surface potential of the photoconductor 10 by discharging. Discharge sensor 32 disposed on the conveyance path of discharge guide plate 28
Detects the passage of the plain paper or the TC film conveyed from the fixing unit 34 at a predetermined timing, and detects the jam of the plain paper or the TC film.

As described above, according to this image forming apparatus, an image can be formed on a TC film by using a conventional electrophotographic process for forming an image on plain paper. It is not necessary to add a large-scale dedicated image forming means, and it is possible to suppress an increase in cost and apparatus volume, and to suppress the complexity of the image forming control system.
Since an erasing means for initializing a used TC film is provided in the image forming process, no matter which TC film is set, image formation on the TC film can be performed without trouble. Image and the convenience of the device is improved.

Next, the control operation of the above-described image forming apparatus will be described with reference to the overall control block diagram shown in FIG. Various inputs, outputs, and control signals of the image forming apparatus are collectively processed by a main control unit 901 shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, an operation request input to the main control unit 109 includes a setting input by an operator pressing a key from an operation unit 903 shown in FIG. 5, and an image information input represented by a facsimile receiving apparatus or a host computer. There are image information and commands from the unit 904. Inputs for controlling the present apparatus include a timing detection signal by the pre-registration sensor 31, the paper ejection sensor 32, a temperature detection signal by the thermistors TA and TB, and a temperature detection signal by the in-machine temperature sensor 906. Outputs and control signals from the main control unit 901 include a paper feed roller 1, a registration drive roller 9, a heating head 3, an optical unit 5, a developing unit 4, a charging unit 6, a transfer separation unit 8, a photoconductor 10, a conveyance switching unit. 12. Irradiation means 1
5, pressure roller 19, heating roller 20, heater 21,
It is output to each of the control targets such as the TC cleaning means 24 and the discharge roller 29. Here, a control program and various setting data necessary for executing the program are stored in a storage unit 902 such as a ROM, and an internal timer 905 is used to generate a timing at the time of operation. Is done.

Further, an ONE-type image forming apparatus such as this
As a control example of the PATH system, a timing chart of an image recording operation on a TC film is shown in FIG. 3, and a timing chart of an image recording operation on plain paper is shown in FIG.
That is, when recording an image on the TC film, as shown in FIG. 3, first, upon receiving a start signal, the paper feed roller 1 is started to start feeding the TC film. Charging means 6, paper discharge roller 29
Is started, and the position of the fixing unit 34 is shifted so that the TC film passes through the fixing unit. Here, when erasing the recorded image of the TC film,
The heating head 3 is turned on in advance. Next, reception of image information is started from the image information input unit 904, and based on a detection signal of the leading edge of the TC film of the pre-registration sensor 31,
The paper feed roller 1 is stopped, and the photoconductor 1
0, and starts the registration drive roller 9 at a certain timing. Thereafter, the transfer separation unit 8, the irradiation unit 15, the TC cleaning unit 24
Start each. When the input of the image information is completed, the operations of the optical unit 5 and the charging unit 6 are stopped, and the registration driving roller 9 is stopped based on the detection signal of the TC film rear end of the pre-registration sensor 31. Further, when the completion of the discharge of the TC film is detected by the paper discharge sensor 32, the transfer / separation unit 8 and the developing unit 4 are stopped, and subsequently, the paper discharge roller 29, the irradiation unit 1
5. The operations of the fixing unit 34 and the TC cleaning unit 24 are stopped.

At the time of recording an image on plain paper, first, as shown in FIG.
The feed roller 1 is started to start feeding of the plain paper, and at the same time, the operations of the developing means 4, the charging means 6, and the discharge roller 29 are started, and the plain paper passes through the fixing unit. Then, the position of the fixing unit 34 is changed to a state, and the heater 21 is turned on to start the fixing unit 34. At this time, the heating head 3 is turned off in advance. Next, the reception of image information from the image information input unit 904 is started, the paper feed roller 1 is stopped based on the detection signal of the leading edge of the plain paper of the pre-registration sensor 31, and the image to the photoconductor 10 by the optical unit 5 is transmitted. At the same time as writing of information is started, the registration drive roller 9 is started at a certain timing, and then the transfer separation unit 8 is started. When the input of the image information is completed, the operations of the optical unit 5 and the charging unit 6 are stopped, and the registration driving roller 9 is stopped based on the detection signal of the rear end of the plain paper of the pre-registration sensor 31. Further, when the paper discharge sensor 32 detects that the discharge of the plain paper is completed, the transfer separation unit 8 and the developing unit 4 are stopped, and the operations of the discharge roller 29 and the fixing unit 34 are stopped.

On the other hand, in FIG.
Is pressed to set the time of the timer. When the timer is set by the timer key 701 and when the timer is operating, the timer display 702 is turned on. Also, the program key 703
Is pressed when the program is stored and when the program is called. When the program is used, the program display 704 is turned on. An enter key 705 is pressed at the time of setting a size change, an editing function, and a program number. The numeric keypad 706 is pressed to set the number of copies (image recording), to change the size, to set the binding margin, to set a program, and to set a program number. The guidance key 707 is pressed when it is desired to display a copy operation method and an explanation of the operation of each key on the guidance display unit 708. When the guidance key 707 is used, the guidance key display 708 is turned on. Various information is displayed on the display panel 709. The size scaling key 710 is pressed to input the size of the document. When the size scaling is selected, the size scaling display 711 is turned on. The centering key 712 is pressed to move the copy image to the center of the paper (plain paper or TC film), and the centering display 713 is turned on when the centering is selected. Binding margin adjustment key 71
The button 4 is pressed when binding margins (margins) are to be created on the left and right sides of the copy, and the binding margin display 715 displays the selected binding margin. The sorter key 719 is pressed when using the sorter, and when using the sorter and in the sorting state,
The sort display 717 is turned on (optional). The stack display 718 is lit when a sorter is used and the stacker is in a stack state (optional). The double-sided key 720 is pressed to make a double-sided copy. In this double-sided copy state, the double-sided display 716 is turned on. The continuous page copy key 722 is used for automatically copying a two-sided original one by one, and for automatically copying one-sided one-sided originals (however, an optional automatic sheet feeder; DF is required for the two-sided originals). , And in this page continuous shooting state, the page continuous shooting display 721 is turned on. Erase key 72
4 is pressed when an edit copy such as frame erase, outer erase, or inner erase is made. In this edit copy state, the erase indicator 723 is turned on. The paper-designated scaling key 726 is pressed to make a paper-designated scaling copy, and in this paper-designated scaling copy state, the paper-designated scaling display 725 is turned on. The zoom variable key 727 is pressed to freely select a copy magnification. A reduction key 728 is pressed to make a reduction copy. The enlargement key 729 is pressed to make an enlarged copy. The double key 730 is pressed when returning to the normal copy. The paper selection key 731 is
Pressed to select copy paper size. An automatic paper selection key 732 is pressed to automatically select a copy paper size. The density adjustment key 733 is pressed when adjusting the density of a copy image. Automatic density key 7
Reference numeral 34 is pressed when the density of the copy image is automatically adjusted. The clear / stop key 735 is pressed to change the number of sheets to be set, to stop continuous copying halfway, and to set a program number. The start key 736 is pressed when making a copy, that is, when forming an image on plain paper or TC film. The interrupt key 737 is pressed during a continuous copy operation to copy another original while interrupting the original. The preheat display 738 is lit when the heat generating portion of the device is in a preheat state. The mode clear / preheat key 739 is pressed when returning various modes to the standard mode, when switching between the preheat state and the normal state, and when setting a program number. The cover mode key 740 is pressed when copying with a cover. The TC mode key 741 is
Pressed when recording an image on a TC film. The additional image formation mode key 742 is pressed when performing additional image formation on the TC film. One-touch print key 743 is TC
Pressed when recording on plain paper again after test recording on film.

In FIG. 5, when one key has a plurality of displays, a rotation is displayed by pressing the key, and the modes are not compatible. The guidance display unit of the operation unit 903 is configured to display a message for the operation and warning of the image forming apparatus described above. Here, a copying machine has been described as an example of an image forming apparatus. However, an image forming apparatus other than the copying machine, such as a printer or a facsimile, may be similarly configured.

FIG. 6 shows T in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
3 shows a configuration of a program for C mode initial setting. This TC
In the mode initial setting program, the TC mode flag indicating whether the TC mode is selected is cleared, and the TC mode display LE provided on the operation unit 903 is displayed.
Turn off D.

FIG. 7 shows a control program for setting the TC mode in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In this TC mode setting program, first, the operation unit 90
3 to determine the presence or absence of an input from the
It is determined whether or not the input from 3 is an input from the TC mode key 741. Here, if there is an input from the operation unit 903 and the input is the TC mode key 741, and if the TC mode flag is “0”, this T
The C mode flag is set to "1" and the L
Turn on the ED. Here, if there is an input from the operation unit 903 and the input is the TC mode key 741 and the TC mode flag is “1”, the TC mode flag is set to “0”. , The LED for displaying the TC mode is turned off. Thereby, the TC mode key 7
41, a toggle operation for setting the TC mode is performed.
Here, a special mode called TC mode is provided.
In order to facilitate the maintenance of the apparatus, the logging of the number of recordings and the number of jams, which is already generally performed, may be performed by providing a counter dedicated to the TC film.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the image forming apparatus of this embodiment includes image forming means capable of forming an image on plain paper and a TC film as described above. Duplex copy unit 770 including duplex tray unit 771 and relay reversing unit 772
Is attached. Further, the image forming apparatus of this embodiment
As shown in FIG. 5, a TC mode key 741 as a recording mode selection unit capable of selecting a PP mode and a TC mode by a toggle operation on the operation unit 903.
And a double-sided key 720 as a double-sided copy mode selecting means capable of selecting a single-sided copy mode for forming an image on one side of a recording sheet and a double-sided copy mode for forming an image on both sides of a recording sheet. .

Here, the P mode is set by the TC mode key 741.
When the P mode is selected and the start key 736 is pressed, plain paper is fed from the feed tray A, and a toner image is transferred from the photoreceptor 10 onto the plain paper by the transfer separation unit 8. After the toner image is fixed on the plain paper by the fixing unit 34, the plain paper is discharged onto the discharge tray 30 by the discharge roller 29. Also, TC
When the TC mode is selected by the mode key 741 and the start key 736 is pressed,
Feeds a TC film. At this time, if the fed TC film has been initialized (image erased) in advance, this TC film is fed as it is, and the fed TC film is used (image formed). In such a case, the recorded image is erased by the heating head 3 in the transport path. The TC fed in this way
After the toner image is transferred from the photoreceptor 10 by the transfer / separation unit 8, the image is formed by the irradiation unit 15 as described above, and the pressure roller 19 and the heating roller 20 are used to avoid heating the TC film. After passing through the fixing means 34 separated from each other, the toner is removed by the TC cleaning means 24 and is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 30 by the paper discharge rollers 29.

As described above, in FIG.
If the single-sided copy mode is selected by 0 and the start key 736 is pressed, plain paper or TC film (recording paper) is discharged through a predetermined image forming process as described above. However, if the double-sided copy mode is selected by the double-sided key 720, the process shown in FIG.
In, the recording paper that has passed through the conveyance roller is temporarily stored in the double-sided tray unit 771 by the double-sided discharge roller 773 via the reversing unit 772, and after the next document is read, the recording stored in the double-sided tray unit 771 The paper is fed by the two-sided feeding roller 774,
After an image is formed on the back side through a predetermined image forming process,
The sheet is discharged onto a sheet discharge tray 30 by a sheet discharge roller 29.

Therefore, such a plain paper sheet and T
A double-sided copy unit 770 for enabling copying on both sides of a recording paper and a double-sided key 720 for selecting a double-sided copy mode are added to an image forming apparatus to which C film can be applied, thereby enabling double-sided copying. In the case where an image recording mode (TC mode) on the TC film and a duplex copy mode using the duplex key 720 are both selected, a TC film that is meaningless in the TC mode is configured. The two-sided copying is performed, and the device is operated in a meaningless manner, and the TC film is wastefully consumed. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, when the TC mode key 741 is used to select the TC mode and then the duplex key 720 is used to select the double-sided copy mode, the display panel 709 serving as a warning notifying unit displays the TC mode. When a double-sided copy is prohibited during film recording, a display (or a warning sound) is displayed,
When the TC mode key 741 is used to select the TC mode after the duplex key 720 is used to select the duplex mode, the display panel 709 serving as a warning notification unit prohibits TC film recording during duplex copying. A highly convenient configuration in which a display or a warning sound indicating that there is a certain alarm is issued, and meaningless operation of the apparatus and unnecessary consumption of the TC film or the like can be avoided.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the overall control means in the embodiment of this configuration, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the double-side setting warning control of this control means. That is, in this embodiment, first, the TC mode key 741
It is determined whether or not the C mode has been selected, and then it is determined whether or not the double-sided copy mode has been selected by the double-sided key 720. Here, if it is determined that the mode is not the two-sided copy mode, the above-described image forming operation in the TC mode or the PP mode is executed without any operation. If it is determined that the mode is not the TC mode but the PP mode, and if the mode is the double-sided copy mode, it is determined again whether the TC mode is selected by the TC mode key 741 or not. Here, in the PP mode, the image forming operation is executed as it is, and in the TC mode, a message indicating that the selection of the TC mode after the selection of the duplex copy mode is prohibited is displayed on the display panel 709. On the other hand, in FIG. 10, when it is determined that the TC mode is selected and the duplex mode is selected, a message indicating that the selection of the duplex mode after the TC mode is selected is displayed on the display panel 709. Displayed above. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, T
After the TC mode is selected by the C mode key 741 and the double-sided copy mode is selected by the double-sided key 720, a display panel 709 as a warning notification unit is provided.
Is displayed or a warning sound is issued to the effect that double-sided copying is prohibited during TC film recording, and if the TC mode is selected after the double-sided copy mode is selected, the TC film during double-sided copying is selected. Since the display or the warning sound indicating that the recording is prohibited is given, the probability that meaningless double-sided copying to the TC film is performed is reduced.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the double-sided setting prohibition control according to the embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, first, it is determined whether the TC mode is selected by the TC mode key 741. If the TC mode is not selected, that is, if it is determined that the mode is the PP mode, then it is determined. It is determined whether or not the double-sided copy mode is selected by the double-sided key 720. here,
If it is determined that the double-sided copy mode is not selected, the above-described image forming operation in the PP mode is executed without any operation. Here, if it is determined that the double-sided copy mode is selected, it is determined whether the TC mode key 741 is pressed down. If the TC mode key 741 is not pressed down, the double-sided copy mode is selected. Image formation in the mode and the PP mode. If it is determined that the duplex copy mode is selected and the TC mode key 741 is depressed, the input from the TC mode key 741 is ignored and the duplex mode is ignored. Image formation is performed in the copy mode and the PP mode. On the other hand, in FIG. 11, when it is determined that the TC mode is selected, it is determined whether or not the double-sided key 720 is depressed. An image is formed in the TC mode. Here, when it is determined that the double-sided key 720 is depressed, an image is formed in the single-sided copy mode and the TC mode, ignoring the input from the double-sided key 720. Thus, in this embodiment, the two-sided key 72 after the TC mode is selected
T after pressing down 0 or selecting duplex copy mode
When the C mode key 741 is pressed down,
Do not accept keys that are depressed later. That is,
The default is PP mode and single-sided mode, but T
When the C mode key 741 is depressed, the LCD on the TC mode key 741 is turned on to enter the TC mode. When the double-sided key 720 is depressed, the double-sided key 720 is pressed.
The upper LCD is turned on to enter the duplex copy mode. When the LCD is turned off, the default mode is the PP mode and the one-side mode. Therefore, when the two-sided key 720 is pressed after the TC mode is selected, the LCD on the two-sided key 720 is not lit, and the one-sided copy mode is maintained. When the TC mode key 741 is pressed down after the two-sided copy mode is selected, the TC mode key 741 is pressed. LCD does not light up,
The PP copy is kept as it is, and is operated so as not to receive a key which is pressed down later. in this way,
According to the present embodiment, if the duplex mode is selected after the TC mode is selected, the selection of the duplex key 720 is ignored and the mode becomes the simplex copy mode on the TC film. Is selected, then TC
When the mode is selected, the selection of the TC mode key 741 is ignored, and the mode becomes the double-sided copy mode on plain paper, so that the meaningless double-sided copy on the TC film is not performed.

FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of the operation of the automatic double-side canceling control in the embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, first, it is determined whether the TC mode is selected by the TC mode key 741. If the TC mode is not selected, that is, if it is determined that the mode is the PP mode, then it is determined. It is determined whether or not the double-sided copy mode is selected by the double-sided key 720. If it is determined that the double-sided copy mode is not selected, one-sided copy in the PP mode is executed without any operation. If it is determined that the duplex copy mode is selected, the TC mode key 741
It is determined whether or not is pressed down. If the TC mode key 741 is not pressed down, image formation is performed in the duplex copy mode and the PP mode. Further, when it is determined that the duplex mode is selected and the TC mode key 741 is pressed down, the duplex mode is canceled and the TC mode is prioritized. That is, when the two-sided key 720 is pressed down after the TC mode is selected, the L on the two-sided key 720
The CD is turned off to enter the one-sided copy mode. On the other hand, FIG.
In step 2, when it is determined that the TC mode has been selected, it is determined whether the double-sided key 720 has been pressed down. Is formed. Here, when it is determined that the double-sided key 720 is depressed, the LCD on the double-sided key 720 is turned off to set the single-sided copy mode, and the TC mode key 74 is pressed.
The upper LCD is turned on to perform image formation in the one-sided copy mode and the TC mode. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when the duplex mode is selected after the TC mode is selected, the mode is switched to the one-sided copy mode to the TC film, and after the duplex mode is selected, Even when the TC mode is selected, the mode is switched to the one-sided copy mode on the TC film, so that meaningless double-sided copy on the TC film is not performed, and useless copying of plain paper is prevented.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the automatic switching control to the PP mode in the embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, first, it is determined whether or not the double-sided copy mode is selected by the double-sided key 720. Here, the double-sided copy mode is not selected, that is,
If it is determined that the mode is the one-sided copy mode, then it is determined whether the TC mode key 741 has selected the TC mode. Here, when it is determined that the TC mode is not selected, the one-sided copy in the PP mode is executed without doing anything. Also, here, T
When it is determined that the C mode is selected, it is determined whether or not the double-sided key 720 is depressed. When the both-sided key 720 is not depressed, image formation in the single-sided copy mode and the TC mode is performed. Perform Furthermore,
Here, if it is determined that the TC mode is selected, and if it is determined that the double-sided key 720 is pressed, the TC mode is canceled and the double-sided copy mode is prioritized. That is, when the TC mode key 741 is pressed down after selecting the duplex mode, the LCD on the TC mode key 741 is turned off to set the PP mode, and the LCD on the duplex key 720 is turned on to set the duplex mode. And image formation in the duplex copy mode and the PP mode. On the other hand, in FIG. 13, when it is determined that the double-sided copy mode is selected, it is determined whether the TC mode key 741 has been pressed down.
When the C mode key 741 is not depressed, image formation is performed in the duplex copy mode and the PP mode.
Here, when it is determined that the TC mode key 741 is depressed, the LCD on the double-sided key 720 is turned on to set the double-sided copy mode, and the TC mode key 741 is set.
The upper LCD is turned off, and image formation is performed in the duplex copy mode and the PP mode. Therefore, according to the present embodiment,
If the two-sided copy mode is selected after the TC mode is selected, the mode is switched to the two-sided copy mode for plain paper sheets, and if the TC mode is selected after the two-sided copy mode is selected. Also, since the mode is switched to the two-sided copy mode for a plain paper sheet, it is possible to eliminate the useless double-sided copy to the TC film, and to prevent useless copying of the TC film.
A two-sided copy is automatically obtained.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 14, a protrusion 7 having a predetermined size is provided at a corner in the paper feed tray (cassette) C.
When a paper feed tray dedicated to the TC film is used, in which recording paper other than the TC film cannot be physically replenished by providing the paper feed tray 81, as shown in FIG.
The type of the TC film accommodated in the paper feed tray C, that is, one-sided copy, is determined by the presence or absence of an input from a TC film discriminator 780 including a sensor or the like for detecting the presence or absence of the protrusion 781 of the paper feed tray C. It is possible to determine whether the film is a TC film for copying or a TC film for double-sided copying. Therefore, according to the discrimination of the TC film discriminator 780, the operation shown in FIGS. 10 to 13 is performed only in the case of the TC film for one-sided copying, so that the consumption of the TC film can be minimized. .

FIG. 16 shows a staple unit (sort stapler 790) for enabling stapling (binding) on recording paper and a staple mode selecting means (staple key) for selecting a staple mode in the image forming apparatus. Is an embodiment in which a stapling-capable de-synthesizing machine is configured by adding. This image forming apparatus has a TC mode key 741 capable of selecting a PP mode and a TC mode by a toggle operation on its operation unit 903 and a staple key capable of selecting ON / OFF of a staple mode. are doing.

Here, the P mode is set by the TC mode key 741.
When the P mode is selected and the start key 736 is pressed, plain paper is fed from the feed tray A, and a toner image is transferred from the photoreceptor 10 onto the plain paper by the transfer separation unit 8. After the toner image is fixed on plain paper by the fixing means 34, the plain paper is discharged onto the sorter stapler 790 by the discharge roller 29. When the TC mode key 741 selects the TC mode and the start key 736 is pressed, the TC film is fed from the feed tray B. At this time, if the fed TC film has been initialized (image erased) in advance, this TC film is fed as it is, and the fed TC film is used (image formed). In this case, the heating head 3
Deletes the recorded image. The TC film thus fed is transferred to the photoconductor 1 by the transfer / separation unit 8.
After the toner image is transferred from 0, an image is formed by the irradiation unit 15 as described above, and the pressing roller 19 and the heating roller 20 pass through the fixing unit 34 which is separated from each other in order to avoid heating the TC film. Then, the toner is removed by the TC cleaning unit 24, and the toner is discharged onto the sorter stapler 790 by the discharge roller 29.

In FIG. 16, when the staple mode is selected by the staple key and the start key 736 is pressed, as described above, the plain paper or the TC film (recording paper) is moved to the predetermined position. It is discharged through an image process. On the other hand, if staple mode on is selected by the staple key,
As shown in FIG. 17, the recording paper that has passed through the transport rollers 38 is sorted and stocked in each bin 792 by the transport switching claw 791 of the sorter stapler 790, and each end of these recording papers is 792 are bound by a stapler 793 that moves up and down.
That is, after the sheet is discharged from the image forming apparatus main body 750 to the sorter stapler 790, the sorting into the bins 792 corresponds to the number of copies set in the operation unit 903, and the conveyance switching claw 791 determines whether or not the recording sheet is discharged. It is performed by turning on / off (swinging) correspondingly. Thus, after the discharge sensor (not shown) of the sorter stapler 790 confirms that the recording paper has been discharged, the discharged recording papers are aligned on the respective bins 792, and the recording for each bin is performed. The paper bundle is bound by the stapler 793.

Therefore, in this image forming apparatus, when the image recording mode (TC mode) on the TC film and the staple mode by the staple mode selecting means are both selected, it is meaningless in the TC mode. TC
Stapling to the film may cause the device to operate in a meaningless manner, scratch the TC film, or cause waste of staples. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, when the TC mode key 741 is used to select the TC mode and then the staple key is used to select the staple mode, the display panel 709 serving as a warning notification unit displays the TC film record. When the stapling at the time is notified that the stapling is prohibited (or may be a warning sound), and the stapling mode is selected by the stapling key 720 and then the TC mode key 741 selects the TC mode, The display panel 709 as a warning notification means displays an indication that the recording of the TC film in the staple mode is prohibited or a warning sound to prevent unnecessary operation of the apparatus and wasteful consumption and damage of the TC film and the like. A highly convenient configuration that can be used.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of the overall control means in the embodiment of this configuration, and FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the operation of the staple setting warning control of this control means. That is, in this embodiment, first, it is determined whether the TC mode key 741 has selected the TC mode, and then, it is determined whether the staple mode has been selected using the staple key. Here, if it is determined that the mode is not the staple mode, the above-described T
An image forming operation in the C mode or the PP mode is performed. If it is determined that the current mode is not the TC mode but the PP mode, and if the current mode is the staple mode, it is determined again whether the TC mode is selected by the TC mode key 741 or not. And PP
In the mode, the image forming operation is executed as it is, and T
In the C mode, T after the staple mode is selected
A message prohibiting the selection of the C mode is displayed on the display panel 709. On the other hand, in FIG. 19, when it is determined that the TC mode is selected and the staple mode is selected, a message indicating that the selection of the staple mode after the TC mode is selected is displayed on the display panel 709. Is displayed. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when the TC mode key 741 is used to select the TC mode and then the staple key is used to select the staple mode, the display panel 709 serving as a warning notifying unit displays the time when the TC film is recorded. When a stapling mode is selected and the TC mode is selected after the stapling mode is selected, a display indicating that stapling is prohibited or a warning sound is issued. A warning sound will be announced,
The probability of stapling to the TC film, which damages the TC film, is reduced.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the operation of the staple setting prohibition control according to the embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, first, it is determined whether the TC mode is selected by the TC mode key 741. If the TC mode is not selected, that is, if it is determined that the mode is the PP mode, then it is determined. It is determined whether the staple mode has been selected by the staple key. Here, if it is determined that the staple mode has not been selected, the above-described image forming operation in the PP mode is performed without any operation. If it is determined that the staple mode has been selected, it is determined whether the TC mode key 741 has been pressed.
When the TC mode key 741 is not depressed,
Image formation is performed in the staple mode and the PP mode. Further, if it is determined that the staple mode has been selected and that the TC mode key 741 has been pressed down,
Stapling mode and PP
The image is formed in the mode. On the other hand, in FIG.
If it is determined that the TC mode has been selected, it is determined whether the staple key has been depressed,
When the staple key is not depressed, image formation is performed in the TC mode. Here, when it is determined that the staple key is depressed, the input from the staple key is ignored, and the image is formed in the TC mode. As described above, in this embodiment, when the staple key is pressed down after the TC mode is selected or the TC mode key 741 is pressed down after the staple mode is selected, the key pressed down later is not accepted. That is, the default is the PP mode and the one-sided mode, but when the TC mode key 741 is depressed,
The LCD on the TC mode key 741 is turned on to enter the TC mode. When the staple key is depressed, the LCD on the staple key is turned on to enter the staple mode. When the LCD is turned off, it indicates the default PP mode and staple mode off. Therefore, when the staple key is depressed after the TC mode is selected, the LCD on the staple key does not light up and the staple mode remains off. LCD is not turned on, and the PP copy is kept in a state where it is operated so as not to accept a key pressed down later. As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the staple mode is selected after the TC mode is selected, the selection of the staple key is ignored, the mode becomes the TC mode, and the staple mode is selected. Later, when the TC mode is selected, the selection of the TC mode key 741 is ignored, and the mode becomes the stapling mode for plain paper, so that the stapling on the TC film that only damages the TC film is not performed. .

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the operation of the automatic staple release control in the embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, first, the TC mode key 741
It is determined whether or not the staple copy mode has been selected. If the TC mode has not been selected, that is, if it has been determined that the PP mode has been selected, then the staple key has been used to determine whether or not the staple copy mode has been selected. Is determined. Here, if it is determined that the staple mode has not been selected, the image forming operation in the PP mode is executed without doing anything. If it is determined that the staple mode has been selected, it is determined whether the TC mode key 741 has been pressed.
When the TC mode key 741 is not depressed,
Image formation is performed in the staple mode and the PP mode. If it is determined that the staple mode has been selected and the TC mode key 741 has been pressed down, the staple mode is released and the TC mode is prioritized. That is, when the staple key is depressed after the TC mode is selected, the LCD on the staple key is turned off and the staple mode is turned off. On the other hand, in FIG. 21, when it is determined that the TC mode is selected, it is determined whether the staple key is depressed. When the staple key is not depressed, image formation in the TC mode is performed. Perform Here, when it is determined that the staple key is depressed, the LCD on the staple key is turned off, the staple mode is turned off, and the LCD on the TC mode key 741 is turned on, so that the TC mode key 741 is turned on. An image is formed. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when the staple mode is selected after the TC mode is selected, the mode is switched to the staple mode for the TC film, and after the staple mode is selected, the TC mode is set. Even when the selection is made, the mode is switched to the one-sided copy mode on the TC film, so that stapling on the TC film is not performed, and wasteful consumption of plain paper is prevented.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the operation of the automatic switching control to the PP mode in the embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, first, it is determined whether the staple mode has been selected by the staple key. If it is determined that the staple mode has not been selected, then the TC mode key 741
It is determined whether a mode has been selected. Where TC
If it is determined that the mode has not been selected, nothing is performed and the image formation in the PP mode is executed. If it is determined that the TC mode has been selected, it is determined whether the staple key has been pressed. If the staple key has not been pressed, image formation in the TC mode is performed. Do. Further, when it is determined that the TC mode is selected and the staple key is determined to be depressed, the TC mode is canceled and the staple mode is prioritized. That is, when the TC mode key 741 is depressed after the staple mode is selected, the TC mode key 741
The upper LCD is turned off to set the PP mode, and the LCD above the staple key is turned on to set the staple mode to perform image formation in the staple mode and the PP mode. On the other hand, in FIG. 22, when it is determined that the staple mode has been selected, the TC mode key 74
It is determined whether or not 1 is depressed. If the TC mode key 741 is not depressed, image formation is performed in the staple mode and the PP mode. here,
When it is determined that the TC mode key 741 is depressed, the LCD on the staple key is turned on to set the staple mode, and the LC on the TC mode key 741 is turned on.
With D turned off, image formation is performed in the staple mode and the PP mode. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when the staple mode is selected after the TC mode is selected, the mode is switched to the staple mode for plain paper, and after the staple mode is selected, the TC mode is set. Even when selected, the mode is switched to the stapling mode for plain paper, so that stapling on the TC film is not performed, wasteful consumption of the TC film is prevented, and the automatically stapled copy is performed. Is obtained.

By the way, in the image forming apparatus to which the plain paper sheet and the TC film can be applied as described above,
When an abnormality occurs in the TC image forming unit or operation specific to the TC film, or when an abnormality occurs in the fixing means of the plain paper sheet, the image can be recorded on another recording sheet, Since the operation is interrupted, there is a problem that the convenience of the apparatus is reduced when a hard copy is to be obtained irrespective of the type of recording paper, for example, when receiving from a facsimile. Hereinafter, an embodiment configured in view of this point will be described.

First, a description will be given of an embodiment in which, when an abnormality occurs in the TC image forming unit peculiar to the image forming process of the TC film operating in the TC mode, the mode is automatically switched to the PP mode. The irradiation lamp 16 of the irradiation means 15 in this embodiment is provided with a thermistor and a photodiode so that the surface temperature and the illuminance of the irradiation lamp 16 can be detected. Further, the image forming apparatus of this embodiment is provided with a mechanism such that when the heating roller 20 of the fixing unit 34 is moved in the direction of arrow b in FIG. 1, the photo interrupter is shielded by the detection filler. , In the TC mode, it is possible to detect whether the escape mechanism of the heating roller 20 is operating normally. Further, in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, when the TC cleaning unit 24 is moved in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow a in FIG. It is configured to detect whether the blade 25 of the cleaning unit 24 is in contact with the transport roller 38a. That is, as shown in FIG. 23, the control means of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment includes the irradiation lamp 16 of the irradiation means 15 and the heating roller 2 of the fixing means 34 as described above.
When an abnormality occurs in the TC imaging unit peculiar to the imaging process of the TC film operating in the TC mode, such as the mechanism for moving the blade 25 of the TC cleaning means 24, the abnormality of the TC imaging unit is detected. A TC imaging unit abnormality detector 400 for performing the operation.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control means. In FIG. 24, the TC mode is selected by the TC mode key 741 on the operation unit 903, and thereafter,
When a start command (recording) from the host computer is received, first, the irradiation lamp 16 is turned on as pre-irradiation, and at the same time, the timer 905 is started. The thermistor of the irradiation lamp 16 checks whether the temperature has reached the lower limit specified temperature t1 or whether the upper limit specified temperature t2 for forming an image on the TC film has not been exceeded. Here, when the surface temperature of the irradiation lamp 16 does not reach the specified temperature t1 and does not exceed the specified temperature t2, when the time set by the timer 905 has elapsed, If the surface temperature exceeds the specified temperature t2, it is determined that some abnormality (failure of the irradiation lamp 16) has occurred in the irradiation unit 15, and the mode is switched to the PP mode to perform image formation. On the other hand, here, when the surface temperature of the irradiation lamp 16 reaches the specified temperature t1 within the predetermined time and does not exceed the specified temperature t2, that is, when the irradiation lamp 16 is normally turned on, Whether or not the light amount of the irradiation lamp 16 has reached a predetermined value at which an image can be formed on the TC film is checked by the photodiode of the irradiation lamp 16. Here, the light amount of the irradiation lamp 16 is TC
If the value does not reach the predetermined value at which image formation on the film is possible, it is determined that some abnormality has occurred in the irradiation lamp 16, and the mode is switched to the PP mode to perform image formation. When it is determined that the light amount of the irradiation lamp 16 has reached a predetermined value capable of forming an image on the TC film, the heating roller 20 is moved in the direction of arrow b in FIG. Is checked to determine whether the movement of the heating roller 20 is normal. Here, when the photo interrupter is not blocked, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the movement of the heating roller 20, and the mode is switched to the PP mode to perform image formation. Next, this photointerrupter is shielded, and if it is determined that the heating roller 20 has moved normally, the TC cleaning means 24 is moved to an arrow a in FIG.
Then, it is checked whether the blade 25 of the TC cleaning means 24 is in contact with the transport roller 38a based on whether the photo interrupter is shielded or not. If the photo interrupter is not blocked, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the movement of the TC cleaning means 24, and the mode is switched to the PP mode to perform image formation. On the other hand, if the photo interrupter is shielded and it is determined that the TC cleaning means 24 has moved normally, the TC film is fed and an image is formed in the TC mode.

In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus having the configuration as shown in FIG. 1 has been described as an example. However, in an apparatus having another configuration, similarly, a unit used only in the TC mode is abnormal. Detecting means is provided. When the TC mode is selected, the operation of the unit is checked before the TC film is fed.
If it is configured to switch to the mode, it can be easily applied. In this embodiment, the above-described check is performed when a start command is received in the TC mode. However, this check is performed when the apparatus is on standby, and the contents are stored in a part of a memory (storage unit 902). In addition, the stored contents may be used as a determination condition as needed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the TC mode is selected and an abnormality of a unit or an abnormality of an operation necessary for forming an image on the TC film is detected,
Since the image recording on the TC film is not performed and the image recording on the plain paper is automatically performed, a hard copy can be obtained even in such an abnormal case.

Next, the fixing unit 34 which is necessary only in the PP mode and is unique to the image forming process of plain paper
An embodiment will be described in which only an image forming operation in the TC mode is permitted when an abnormality occurs in 0. The heating roller 20 of the fixing unit 34 in this embodiment
Is provided with a thermistor TA, and the heating roller 2
It is configured so that a surface temperature of 0 can be detected. That is, the control means of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG.
It is configured as shown in FIG.

FIG. 26 shows a flowchart of the operation of the control means. In FIG. 26, the PP mode is selected by the TC mode key 741 on the operation unit 903, and thereafter,
When a start command (recording) of the host computer is received, first, the heater 21 is turned on as preheating,
And the heating roller 20 is rotated, and
To determine whether the surface temperature of the heater 21 has reached the lower limit specified temperature t3 for forming an image on plain paper within a predetermined time, or the upper limit specified temperature for forming an image on plain paper. It is checked by the thermistor TA whether or not t4 has been exceeded. Here, the surface temperature of the heater 21 is
When the temperature does not reach the specified temperature t3 and does not exceed the specified temperature t4, when the time set by the timer 905 has elapsed, and when the surface temperature of the heater 21 has exceeded the specified temperature t4. It is determined that some abnormality (fault of the heater 21) has occurred in the fixing unit 34, and an error message is output. On the other hand, the surface temperature of the heater 21 reaches the specified temperature t3 And the temperature does not exceed the specified temperature t4, that is, when the heater 21 is normally operated, it is determined whether the temperature of the heating roller 20 is stable at a temperature at which an image can be formed on plain paper. Is checked by the thermistor TA. Here, if the temperature of the heating roller 20 is not stable at a temperature at which an image can be formed on plain paper, it is determined that some abnormality has occurred in the heater 21 after a predetermined time, and an error message is issued. If it is determined that the temperature of the heating roller 20 is stable at a temperature at which an image can be formed on plain paper, plain paper is fed and an image is formed in the PP mode. On the other hand, when the above error message is output, only the recording in the TC mode is permitted when the TC mode is selected and the start command is received until the abnormality of the fixing unit 34 is resolved.

In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus having the configuration as shown in FIG. 1 has been described as an example. If the PP mode is selected, the operation of the unit is checked before the plain paper is fed, and if an error occurs, the mode is switched to the TC mode. Easy to apply. In this embodiment, the above-described check is performed when a start command is received in the TC mode. However, this check is performed when the apparatus is on standby, and the contents are stored in a part of a memory (storage unit 902). In addition, the stored contents may be used as a determination condition as needed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the PP mode is selected and an abnormality of a unit or an operation necessary for forming an image on plain paper is detected, the PP Since image recording is not performed and only image recording on the TC film is automatically permitted, a hard copy can be obtained even in such an abnormal case.

[0073]

According to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus to which the plain paper sheet and the TC film can be applied, a duplex copy unit and a duplex copy mode for enabling copying on both sides of the recording paper are selected. Even when a duplexer capable of performing double-sided copying is configured by adding a double-sided copy mode selecting unit for performing a double-sided copy mode, the image recording mode on the TC film (TC mode) and the double-sided copy mode by the double-sided copy mode selecting unit are provided. When both are selected, in the TC mode, double-sided copying on the TC film which is meaningless is performed, and it is possible to prevent the apparatus from being operated meaninglessly and the TC film from being wastefully consumed. Further, according to the present invention, a staple unit for enabling staple (binding) on a recording sheet and a staple for selecting a staple mode are provided in an image forming apparatus to which the plain paper sheet and the TC film can be applied. Image recording mode on TC film (TC mode) even if a mode selection means is added to constitute a stapling demultiplexer
When both the staple mode selection means and the staple mode selection means are selected, stapling on the TC film which is meaningless in the TC mode is performed, and the apparatus is operated meaninglessly or the TC film is damaged. Staples and waste of staples can be prevented. Further, according to the present invention, the plain paper sheet and the TC
In an image forming apparatus capable of applying a film, the TC
Even if an abnormality occurs in the unit or operation specific to the film, or when an abnormality occurs in the fixing means of the plain paper sheet, it is possible to record the image on other recording paper, for example, when receiving from a facsimile As described above, the convenience of the apparatus is improved when a hard copy is desired regardless of the type of recording paper.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus capable of recording on a reversible thermosensitive recording film and a plain paper sheet according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall control block diagram of an image forming apparatus capable of recording on a reversible thermosensitive recording film and a plain paper sheet according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a TC in an image forming apparatus capable of recording on a reversible thermosensitive recording film and a plain paper sheet according to the present invention.
6 is an overall control timing chart during film recording.

FIG. 4 is an overall control timing chart at the time of plain paper recording in an image forming apparatus capable of recording on a reversible thermosensitive recording film and a plain paper sheet according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an operation unit of an image forming apparatus capable of recording on a reversible thermosensitive recording film and a plain paper sheet according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of TC mode initial setting in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of PP mode initial setting in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of an image forming apparatus having a duplex copying function according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an overall control block diagram of the image forming apparatus having the double-sided copy function.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a setting warning control at the time of duplex copying in the image forming apparatus having the duplex copying function.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of setting prohibition control during duplex copying in the image forming apparatus having the duplex copying function.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of automatic double-sided mode canceling control during double-sided copying in the image forming apparatus having the double-sided copying function.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of automatic switching control to a PP mode during duplex copying in the image forming apparatus having the duplex copying function.

FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view of a paper feed tray dedicated to a TC film used in an image forming apparatus having a duplex copying function according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an overall control block diagram in an embodiment having a function of determining the type of the TC film using the paper feed tray dedicated to the TC film.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus having a staple function according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged schematic view of a sorter stapler of the image forming apparatus having the above stapling function.

FIG. 18 is an overall control block diagram of the image forming apparatus having the stapling function.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a setting warning control during stapling in the image forming apparatus having the stapling function.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of setting inhibition control during stapling in the image forming apparatus having the stapling function.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of staple mode automatic release control in the image forming apparatus having the staple function.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of automatic switching control to a PP mode during stapling in the image forming apparatus having the stapling function.

FIG. 23 is an overall control block diagram of an image forming apparatus provided with an image forming unit abnormality detecting unit in the TC mode according to the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an operation of automatic switching control to the PP mode in the image forming apparatus provided with the image forming unit abnormality detecting means in the TC mode.

FIG. 25 is an overall control block diagram of an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit abnormality detecting unit in the PP mode according to the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a control operation in the image forming apparatus provided with the image forming unit abnormality detecting means in the TC mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Paper feed roller 2 Paper feed guide plate 3 Heating head 4 Developing means 5 Optical unit 6 Charging means 7 Photoreceptor cleaning means 8 Transfer separation means 9 Registration drive roller 10 Photoconductor 11 Pre-transfer guide plate 12 Transport switching means 13 Transport guide Plate 14 Fixing entrance guide plate 15 Irradiating means 16 Irradiation lamp 17 Reflecting plate 18 Condensing lens 19 Press roller 20 Heating roller 21 Heater 22 Fixing outlet upper guide plate 23 Fixing outlet lower guide plate 24 TC cleaning means 25 Blade 26 Collection roller 27 Collection bottle 28 Discharge guide plate 29 Discharge roller 30 Discharge tray 31 Pre-registration sensor 32 Discharge sensor 34 Fixing means 35 Separation pad 36 Fan 37, 38 Transport roller 39 Fixing entrance lower guide plate 40 Register driven roller 400 TC imaging Uni G Abnormality detector 750 Image forming apparatus main body 770 Duplex copy unit 771 Duplex tray unit 772 Relay reversing unit 773 Duplex paper discharge roller 774 Duplex paper feed roller 780 TC film discriminator 790 Sorter stapler 791 Transport switching claw 792 Bin 793 Stapler 901 Main control Unit 902 storage unit 903 operation unit 904 image information input unit 905 internal timer 906 in-machine temperature sensor A, B paper feed tray TA, TB thermistor

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI G03G 15/05 B41J 3/00 S 21/00 376 G03G 15/00 115 (72) Inventor Nobuyuki Iwata 1 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo No.3-6, Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Sagawa 1-3-6, Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo (72) Inventor Hideki Tobinaga 1, Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo No.3-6, Ricoh Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-2-14156 (JP, A) JP-A-3-146386 (JP, A) JP-A-6-35347 (JP, A) JP-A-6-35348 (JP, A) JP-A-6-35368 (JP, A) JP-A-6-35369 (JP, A) JP-A-6-43790 (JP, A) JP-A-6-67566 ( JP, A) JP-A-6-67567 (JP, A) JP-A-6-67567 67568 (JP, A) JP-A-6-67569 (JP, A) JP-A-6-67570 (JP, A) JP-A-6-67571 (JP, A) JP-A-6-67572 (JP, A) JP-A-6-67573 (JP, A) JP-A-6-67574 (JP, A) JP-A-6-67575 (JP, A) (58) Fields studied (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 15/22 103 G03G 21/00 376

Claims (11)

(57) [Claims] A latent image writing means for writing image information as an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor; a developing means for visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor with toner; Paper feeding and conveying means for feeding and conveying a plain paper sheet to an image forming unit; transfer means for transferring a toner image formed on the photoconductor onto a plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming unit; Fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet, and reusing the reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature by the sheet feeding means. Feed and transport to the forming unit,
The toner image formed on the photoreceptor by the latent image writing means and the developing means on the initialized reversible thermosensitive recording film is transferred by the transfer means, and the reversible thermosensitive image transferred with the toner image is transferred. An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by irradiating means for irradiating the recording film with the transferred toner image, and after forming the image, the toner carried on the reversible thermosensitive recording film is removed by toner. Recording mode selecting means for selecting between a PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and a TC mode for recording an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film in the image forming apparatus configured to remove from the film surface by means. And a two-sided copy unit for making copies on both sides of the recording paper, and a two-sided copy It has a two-sided copy mode selection means for selecting a de, T by the recording mode selecting means
After the C mode is selected, if the two-sided copy mode is selected by the two-sided copy mode selecting means, a display or a warning sound indicating that the two-sided copy during the recording of the reversible thermosensitive recording film is prohibited, Further, if the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selecting means after the double-sided copying mode is selected by the double-sided copying mode selecting means, reversible thermosensitive recording film recording during double-sided copying is prohibited. An image forming apparatus comprising a warning notifying unit for notifying a display or a warning sound. A latent image writing means for writing image information as an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor; a developing means for visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor with toner; Paper feeding and conveying means for feeding and conveying a plain paper sheet to an image forming unit; transfer means for transferring a toner image formed on the photoconductor onto a plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming unit; Fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet, and reusing the reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature by the sheet feeding means. Feed and transport to the forming unit,
The toner image formed on the photoreceptor by the latent image writing means and the developing means on the initialized reversible thermosensitive recording film is transferred by the transfer means, and the reversible thermosensitive image transferred with the toner image is transferred. An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by irradiating means for irradiating the recording film with the transferred toner image, and after forming the image, the toner carried on the reversible thermosensitive recording film is removed by toner. Recording mode selecting means for selecting between a PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and a TC mode for recording an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film in the image forming apparatus configured to remove from the film surface by means. And a two-sided copy unit for making copies on both sides of the recording paper, and a two-sided copy It has a two-sided copy mode selection means for selecting a de, T by the recording mode selecting means
If the double-sided copy mode is selected by the double-sided copy mode selection unit after the C mode is selected, the selection of the double-sided copy mode selection unit is ignored, and the single-sided copy mode to the reversible thermosensitive recording film is set. When the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selecting means after the duplex mode is selected by the duplex mode selecting means, the selection of the recording mode selecting means is ignored and An image forming apparatus comprising a mode switching unit for setting a double-sided copy mode. 3. A latent image writing means for writing image information as an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor, a developing means for visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor with toner, and an image recording device. Paper feeding and conveying means for feeding and conveying a plain paper sheet to an image forming unit; transfer means for transferring a toner image formed on the photoconductor onto a plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming unit; Fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet, and reusing the reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature by the sheet feeding means. Feed and transport to the forming unit,
The toner image formed on the photoreceptor by the latent image writing means and the developing means on the initialized reversible thermosensitive recording film is transferred by the transfer means, and the reversible thermosensitive image transferred with the toner image is transferred. An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by irradiating means for irradiating the recording film with the transferred toner image, and after forming the image, the toner carried on the reversible thermosensitive recording film is removed by toner. Recording mode selecting means for selecting between a PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and a TC mode for recording an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film in the image forming apparatus configured to remove from the film surface by means. And a two-sided copy unit for making copies on both sides of the recording paper, and a two-sided copy It has a two-sided copy mode selection means for selecting a de, T by the recording mode selecting means
If the double-sided copy mode is selected by the double-sided copy mode selection unit after the C mode is selected, the selection of the double-sided copy mode selection unit is ignored, and the single-sided copy mode to the reversible thermosensitive recording film is set. Also, when the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selecting means after the double-sided copy mode is selected by the double-sided copy mode selecting means, the reversible thermosensitive recording is ignored, ignoring the selection of the double-sided copy mode selecting means. An image forming apparatus comprising a mode switching unit for setting a single-sided copy mode to a film. 4. A latent image writing means for writing image information as an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor, a developing means for visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor with toner, and Paper feeding and conveying means for feeding and conveying a plain paper sheet to an image forming unit; transfer means for transferring a toner image formed on the photoconductor onto a plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming unit; Fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet, and reusing the reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature by the sheet feeding means. Feed and transport to the forming unit,
The toner image formed on the photoreceptor by the latent image writing means and the developing means on the initialized reversible thermosensitive recording film is transferred by the transfer means, and the reversible thermosensitive image transferred with the toner image is transferred. An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by irradiating means for irradiating the recording film with the transferred toner image, and after forming the image, the toner carried on the reversible thermosensitive recording film is removed by toner. Recording mode selecting means for selecting between a PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and a TC mode for recording an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film in the image forming apparatus configured to remove from the film surface by means. And a two-sided copy unit for making copies on both sides of the recording paper, and a two-sided copy It has a two-sided copy mode selection means for selecting a de, T by the recording mode selecting means
If the double-sided copy mode is selected by the double-sided copy mode selection unit after the C mode is selected, the selection of the recording mode selection unit is ignored, and the double-sided copy mode for plain paper sheets is set. Even when the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selection means after the two-sided copy mode is selected by the two-sided copy mode selection means, the selection of the recording mode selection means is ignored and the two-sided copy mode for plain paper sheets is ignored. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a mode switching unit. 5. A latent image writing means for writing image information as an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor, a developing means for visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor with toner, and Paper feeding and conveying means for feeding and conveying a plain paper sheet to an image forming unit; transfer means for transferring a toner image formed on the photoconductor onto a plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming unit; Fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet, and reusing the reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature by the sheet feeding means. Feed and transport to the forming unit,
The toner image formed on the photoreceptor by the latent image writing means and the developing means on the initialized reversible thermosensitive recording film is transferred by the transfer means, and the reversible thermosensitive image transferred with the toner image is transferred. An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by irradiating means for irradiating the recording film with the transferred toner image, and after forming the image, the toner carried on the reversible thermosensitive recording film is removed by toner. Recording mode selecting means for selecting between a PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and a TC mode for recording an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film in the image forming apparatus configured to remove from the film surface by means. And a two-sided copy unit for making copies on both sides of the recording paper, and a two-sided copy And a TC film discriminating means for discriminating between a reversible thermosensitive recording film capable of recording images on only one side and a reversible thermosensitive recording film capable of recording images on both sides. If the recording paper fed by the TC film discriminating and selecting means is determined to be a reversible thermosensitive recording film capable of recording an image on only one side, the operation of claims 1 to 4 is performed. If the recording paper fed by the TC film discriminating and selecting means is determined to be a reversible thermosensitive recording film capable of recording images on both sides, the operations of claims 1 to 4 are executed. An image forming apparatus that executes a selected recording method and mode without performing the same. 6. A latent image writing means for writing image information as an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor, a developing means for visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor with toner, and Paper feeding and conveying means for feeding and conveying a plain paper sheet to an image forming unit; transfer means for transferring a toner image formed on the photoconductor onto a plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming unit; Fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet, and reusing the reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature by the sheet feeding means. Feed and transport to the forming unit,
The toner image formed on the photoreceptor by the latent image writing means and the developing means on the initialized reversible thermosensitive recording film is transferred by the transfer means, and the reversible thermosensitive image transferred with the toner image is transferred. An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by irradiation means for irradiating the transferred toner image by irradiating the recording film, and after forming the image, the toner carried on the reversible thermosensitive recording film is removed by toner. Recording mode selecting means for selecting between a PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and a TC mode for recording an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film in the image forming apparatus configured to remove the image from the film surface by means. And a staple unit for stapling the recording paper, and a staple mode in which the staple unit functions. And a staple mode selecting means for selecting a, T by the recording mode selecting means
If the staple mode is selected by the staple mode selecting means after the C mode is selected, a display or a warning sound indicating that stapling is prohibited during recording of the reversible thermosensitive recording film is issued. If the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selecting means after the staple mode is selected by the staple mode selecting means, a display or a warning sound indicating that reversible thermosensitive recording film recording during stapling is prohibited is issued. An image forming apparatus, comprising: 7. A latent image writing means for writing image information as an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor, a developing means for visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor with toner, and Paper feeding and conveying means for feeding and conveying a plain paper sheet to an image forming unit; transfer means for transferring a toner image formed on the photoconductor onto a plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming unit; Fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet, and reusing the reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature by the sheet feeding means. Feed and transport to the forming unit,
The toner image formed on the photoreceptor by the latent image writing means and the developing means on the initialized reversible thermosensitive recording film is transferred by the transfer means, and the reversible thermosensitive image transferred with the toner image is transferred. An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by irradiation means for irradiating the transferred toner image by irradiating the recording film, and after forming the image, the toner carried on the reversible thermosensitive recording film is removed by toner. Recording mode selecting means for selecting between a PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and a TC mode for recording an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film in the image forming apparatus configured to remove the image from the film surface by means. And a staple unit for stapling the recording paper, and a staple mode in which the staple unit functions. And a staple mode selecting means for selecting a, T by the recording mode selecting means
When the staple mode is selected by the staple mode selecting means after the C mode is selected, the image is recorded on the reversible thermosensitive recording film without stapling, ignoring the staple mode selecting means.
If the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selecting means after the staple mode is selected by the staple mode selecting means, the selection of the recording mode selecting means is ignored and the plain paper sheet is set. An image forming apparatus comprising: a mode switching unit for setting a staple mode in a PP mode in which an image is recorded and stapled in a PP mode. 8. A latent image writing means for writing image information as an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor, a developing means for visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor with toner, and an image recording means for image recording. Paper feeding and conveying means for feeding and conveying a plain paper sheet to an image forming unit; transfer means for transferring a toner image formed on the photoconductor onto a plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming unit; Fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet, and reusing the reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature by the sheet feeding means. Feed and transport to the forming unit,
The toner image formed on the photoreceptor by the latent image writing means and the developing means on the initialized reversible thermosensitive recording film is transferred by the transfer means, and the reversible thermosensitive image transferred with the toner image is transferred. An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by irradiation means for irradiating the transferred toner image by irradiating the recording film, and after forming the image, the toner carried on the reversible thermosensitive recording film is removed by toner. Recording mode selecting means for selecting between a PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and a TC mode for recording an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film in the image forming apparatus configured to remove the image from the film surface by means. And a staple unit for stapling the recording paper, and a staple mode in which the staple unit functions. And a staple mode selecting means for selecting a, T by the recording mode selecting means
When the staple mode is selected by the staple mode selecting means after the C mode is selected, the image is recorded on the reversible thermosensitive recording film without stapling, ignoring the staple mode selecting means.
When the staple mode is selected by the staple mode selection means and the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selection means, the stapling is performed ignoring the selection of the staple mode selection means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a mode switching unit for setting a TC mode for recording an image on a reversible thermosensitive recording film without using the mode. 9. A latent image writing means for writing image information as an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor, a developing means for visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor with toner, and Paper feeding and conveying means for feeding and conveying a plain paper sheet to an image forming unit; transfer means for transferring a toner image formed on the photoconductor onto a plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming unit; Fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet, and reusing the reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature by the sheet feeding means. Feed and transport to the forming unit,
The toner image formed on the photoreceptor by the latent image writing means and the developing means on the initialized reversible thermosensitive recording film is transferred by the transfer means, and the reversible thermosensitive image transferred with the toner image is transferred. An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by irradiation means for irradiating the transferred toner image by irradiating the recording film, and after forming the image, the toner carried on the reversible thermosensitive recording film is removed by toner. Recording mode selecting means for selecting between a PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and a TC mode for recording an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film in the image forming apparatus configured to remove the image from the film surface by means. And a staple unit for stapling the recording paper, and a staple mode in which the staple unit functions. And a staple mode selecting means for selecting a, T by the recording mode selecting means
If the staple mode is selected by the staple mode selecting means after the C mode is selected, the staple mode selecting means is ignored and the PP mode in which the image is recorded on the plain paper sheet and the stapling is performed. When the staple mode is selected by the staple mode selecting means and the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selecting means after the staple mode is selected by the staple mode selecting means, the selection of the recording mode selecting means is ignored. An image forming apparatus comprising: a mode switching unit for setting a staple mode in a PP mode in which an image is recorded and stapled. 10. A latent image writing means for writing image information on a photosensitive member as an electrostatic latent image, a developing means for visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive member with toner, and an image recording device. Paper feeding and conveying means for feeding and conveying a plain paper sheet to an image forming unit; transfer means for transferring a toner image formed on the photoconductor onto a plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming unit; Fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet, and reusing the reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature by the sheet feeding means. The toner image formed on the photoreceptor by the latent image writing unit and the developing unit is transferred onto the initialized reversible thermosensitive recording film by the transfer unit. Toner image An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by irradiation means for irradiating the transferred reversible thermosensitive recording film to heat the transferred toner image. After the image formation, the image is carried on the reversible thermosensitive recording film. In the image forming apparatus configured to remove the remaining toner from the film surface by the toner removing unit, a PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and a TC mode for recording an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film are selected. Recording mode selecting means, and a TC mode abnormality detecting means for detecting abnormalities in units and operations required only for the reversible thermosensitive recording film, wherein the TC mode is selected by the recording mode selecting means, If the TC mode abnormality detecting means detects a unit abnormality or operation abnormality required for the reversible thermosensitive recording film, To performs image recording on the reversible thermosensitive recording sheet of plain paper without image recording on film, TC mode is selected by the recording mode selecting means, the reversible thermosensitive recording film by the TC mode abnormality detecting means An image forming apparatus for recording an image on a reversible thermosensitive recording film when no abnormality of a unit or abnormality of operation required for the recording is detected. 11. A latent image writing means for writing image information as an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor, a developing means for visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor with toner, and Paper feeding and conveying means for feeding and conveying a plain paper sheet to an image forming unit; transfer means for transferring a toner image formed on the photoconductor onto a plain paper sheet fed and conveyed to the image forming unit; Fixing means for fixing the transferred toner image on a plain paper sheet, and reusing the reusable reversible thermosensitive recording film initialized by heating to a predetermined temperature by the sheet feeding means. The toner image formed on the photoreceptor by the latent image writing unit and the developing unit is transferred onto the initialized reversible thermosensitive recording film by the transfer unit. Toner image An image is formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording film by irradiation means for irradiating the transferred reversible thermosensitive recording film to heat the transferred toner image. After the image formation, the image is carried on the reversible thermosensitive recording film. In the image forming apparatus configured to remove the remaining toner from the film surface by the toner removing unit, a PP mode for recording an image on the plain paper sheet and a TC mode for recording an image on the reversible thermosensitive recording film are selected. And a fixing abnormality detecting means for detecting an abnormality of the fixing means, wherein the PP mode is selected by the recording mode selecting means, and an abnormality of the fixing means is detected by the fixing abnormality detecting means. If the performs a image recording on the reversible thermosensitive recording film without image recording on plain paper sheet, the recording mode PP mode is selected by the-option unit, an image forming apparatus and performing image recording on plain paper sheet when the abnormality in the fixing means by said fixing abnormality detecting means is not detected.