JP3876005B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that has a plurality of paper feeding units, selects one of them, feeds a recording sheet to an image forming unit, and forms an image on the recording sheet.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus including a three-stage, four-stage, or more sheet cassette or sheet tray has been put into practical use. In such an apparatus, one stage of the apparatus is used as a large-capacity paper feed tray (hereinafter referred to as LCT) with an increased recording paper capacity, and a large amount of frequently used recording paper is stocked. Many of them are designed to reduce the number of out-of-paper runs and the number of times the user replenishes the recording paper. An example of such an apparatus is shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, 4 and 5 are normal sheet feeding cassettes, and 6 is an LCT.
In recent years, image forming apparatuses have also been digitized, and an apparatus having a plurality of functions such as a copying function, a facsimile function, and a printer function has come to be used. In such an apparatus, output by different functions (recording paper after completion of image formation) is mixed on the paper discharge tray, so that sorting becomes troublesome. The paper was discharged into the bin.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, as shown in FIG. 1, since the LCT 6 is generally below the other paper feed cassettes 4 and 5, the recording paper transport path to the image forming unit is longer than the other paper feed stages. End up. For this reason, when the LCT 6 is selected, it takes time to feed the first sheet. In particular, when copying one sheet from a large number of originals in a copying machine, the increase in the total copying work time becomes significant. .
In addition, if a sorter is used to facilitate sorting in an apparatus having a plurality of image forming functions, an increase in price and an increase in installation area are inevitable, and the mechanism and paper passing path are complicated, so that a failure or jam It was also the cause of.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of the above, in an image forming apparatus having an image forming function of several, and aims to facilitate the sorting of the output of each different function.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has a plurality of paper feeds having at least two functions of a copying function, a printer function, and a facsimile function, accommodating a large number of recording sheets and feeding the recording sheets to the image forming unit. have a means different in the image forming apparatus Ru mix output by function, the sheet feeding means and said have different paper quality of the recording paper for each function of the image forming is housed respectively in each said different for each of the function A paper feed selection means for selecting a paper feed means is provided.
[0008]
[Action]
According to the invention, by selecting a different sheet feeding unit for each function of the image forming, if accommodated different paper quality of the recording paper to each paper feeding unit, recording paper after image formation by the function There is also overlap is discharged, it is possible to distinguish easily the type of paper differences.
[0011]
【Example】
Embodiments in which the present invention is applied to a digital copying machine will be specifically described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a digital copying machine. In the figure, 1 is an automatic document feeder (ADF) that feeds a placed document to the exposure surface and discharges it after completion of exposure, and 2 is a scanner unit that reads a document image composed of a fluorescent light source, a mirror, a CCD, and the like. Includes a laser diode, a polygon mirror, an imaging optical system, etc., and a writing unit for exposing and scanning the photosensitive member 9, 4 and 5 are paper feed cassettes capable of accommodating 250 recording papers, and 6 is 1000 recording papers. Is an LCT that can accommodate
[0012]
The document fed by the ADF 1 is read by the scanner unit 2 and then converted into digital data, which is accumulated and stored in a video memory (not shown). The stored image data is read out, subjected to various image processing, converted into analog data, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoreceptor 9 by the writing unit 3.
The formed electrostatic latent image is visualized as a toner image by the developing unit 8, and is fed from the sheet feeding cassette 4 or 5 or LCT 6 constituting the sheet feeding unit by the sheet feeding roller 7a or 7b or 7c, respectively. Transferred onto the recording paper.
The recording paper on which the toner image has been transferred passes through the fixing unit 10 and is fixed on the toner, and then is discharged to the paper discharge tray 11.
[0013]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of this digital copying machine.
The main controller 20 of the digital copying machine is a CPU 21 that controls the entire copying machine, a ROM 22 that stores a control program, a RAM 23 that stores temporary data, and an image data storage unit that stores and stores image data. It comprises a video memory 24, an image processing unit 25 for performing image data editing such as various image corrections and rotations, a common data bus 26, and an I / O port 27. The CPU 21 also functions as a paper feed selection unit according to the present invention as will be described later.
The printer unit 12 is an image forming unit including a writing unit 8, a photoreceptor 9, a fixing unit 10, and the like.
The operation panel 13 includes a display unit for displaying the status of the copying machine and an input unit including a number setting unit for setting and inputting the number of images formed (number of copies).
The paper size sensor 14 also has a function of paper direction detection means, and detects the size and direction of the recording paper stored in the paper feed cassettes 4 and 5 and the LCT 6. The size and direction are detected by the cassette. This is performed by a known means such as a combination of a notch or a magnet pattern provided on the surface.
The transmission / reception unit 15 performs data transmission and reception processing when this digital copying machine is used as a facsimile machine.
A host interface (I / F) 16 is an interface for exchanging data with a host computer when the digital copying machine is used as a printer.
The ADF 1, the scanner unit 2, the paper feed rollers 7 a to 7 c, the printer unit 12, the operation panel 13, the paper size sensor 14, the transmission / reception unit 15, and the host I / F 16 are connected to the main control unit 20 via the I / O port 27. Send and receive data.
[0014]
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When copy start is instructed by the copy function, the CPU 21 calls and executes the subroutine of FIG. Here, it is assumed that A4 is designated as the copy size.
First, in step S1, it is determined whether the number of repeat copies is 10 or more. If there are 10 sheets or more, the process proceeds to step S2, and it is determined whether or not A4-size recording paper is stored in the LCT 6. If YES, paper is fed from the LCT 6 (step S3), and copying is performed (step S10).
If it is less than 10 sheets in step S1 or if A4 is not contained in LCT 6 in step S2, the process proceeds to step S4 to determine whether A4 is contained in the paper feed cassette 4. If it is in, paper is fed from the paper cassette 4 (step S5). If not, the process proceeds to step S6 to determine whether A4 is in the paper cassette 5.
[0015]
If A4 is in the paper cassette 5, paper is fed from the paper cassette 5 (step S7). If not, it is determined in step S8 whether A4 is in LCT6. This is because if it is determined NO in step S1, LCT6 is not determined in step S2.
If A4 is included in LCT6, paper is fed from LCT6 (step S9). If it is not, a warning message such as “Set A4” is displayed on operation panel 13 as there being no compatible size paper (step S9). S11) The routine is terminated without copying.
[0016]
As described above, when the number of repeat copies is large and the influence of time loss at the time of the first copy is small, priority is given to paper feeding from the LCT 6, and when the number of repeat copies is small, the paper feeding cassette 4 with a short transport distance is used. By giving priority to the sheet feeding, it is possible to complete the copying operation earlier in the case of a small amount of copying, and to reduce the probability of running out of paper in the middle of copying in the case of a large amount of copying.
[0017]
In this embodiment, the processing is changed by setting the number of repeat copies to 10 as a threshold value. However, other values may be used as a matter of course. This value may be a fixed value, but may be changed by a user or a service person.
[0018]
Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When copy start is instructed by the copy function or facsimile reception is performed by the facsimile function, the CPU 21 calls and executes the subroutine of FIG. Here, A4 is designated as the recording paper size, and it is assumed that the recording paper stored in the paper feeding cassette 4 and the recording paper stored in the paper feeding cassette 5 and the LCT 6 have different paper quality (for example, color).
First, in step S20, a copy or a facsimile is determined. If it is a copy, the process proceeds to step S21, and it is determined whether or not A4 recording paper is loaded in the paper feed cassette 4. If it is in, the paper is fed from the cassette 4 (step S22), and copying is performed (step S23). If not, a warning such as “Set A4” is displayed on the operation panel 13 (step S24). .
[0019]
If the facsimile mode is determined in step S20, the process proceeds to step S25, and it is determined whether or not A4 is in the sheet feeding cassette 5. If YES, the paper is fed from the paper cassette 5 (step S26) and the received information is printed (step S29). If NO, the process proceeds to step S27.
In step S27, it is determined whether A4 is included in LCT6. If it is present, paper is fed from LCT6 and printed (steps S28 and S29). If not, a warning such as "Set A4" is operated. The information is displayed on the panel 13 (step S24).
[0020]
In this way, recording paper of a different color is set for each paper feed stage, and the output of the copy (image formation) is performed on the paper discharge tray by changing the paper feed stage between copying and facsimile reception. Even if the output of the recording paper) and the facsimile are mixed, they can be easily distinguished by the difference in color, so that the sorting operation can be facilitated.
[0021]
In this embodiment, recording papers with different colors are set for each paper feed stage, but other examples of different paper quality include different paper thicknesses and materials (such as high-quality paper and recycled paper). There should be differences that are easy to distinguish. Further, the sorting of the paper feed stage for copying and the paper feed stage for facsimile is not limited to this example, and may be freely set by a user or a service person.
[0022]
Next, still another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When copy start is instructed by the copy function or facsimile reception is performed by the facsimile function, the CPU 21 calls and executes the subroutine of FIG. Here, it is assumed that A4 is designated as the recording paper size.
First, in step S30, it is determined whether the copy or facsimile. If it is a copy, the process proceeds to step S31, and it is determined whether or not the A4 landscape recording sheet is in the sheet feeding cassette 4. If so, it is next determined in step S32 whether the document is placed vertically. If the document is placed vertically, that is, if the orientation is different from the recording paper in the cassette 4, the image data stored in the video memory 24 is rotated by 90 ° in the image processing unit 25 to match the orientation of the recording paper. (Step S33), paper is fed from the cassette 4 and copy processing is performed (Steps S34 and S35). If the original is placed sideways, that is, in the same orientation as the recording paper in the cassette 4, the image is not rotated.
If there is no A4 landscape recording paper in the paper feed cassette 4, a warning such as “Set A4 landscape” is displayed on the operation panel 13 (step S36).
[0023]
If it is determined in step S30 that the facsimile mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S37, and it is determined whether or not A4 vertical recording paper is contained in the paper feed cassette 5. If YES, the paper is fed from the paper cassette 5 (step S38) and the received information is printed (step S41). If NO, the process proceeds to step S39.
In step S39, it is determined whether or not LCT6 contains A4 portrait recording paper. If it is present, paper is fed from LCT6 and printed (steps S40 and S41). If not, “Set A4 portrait” Are displayed on the operation panel 13 (step S36).
[0024]
In this way, after setting the recording papers with different orientations depending on the paper feed tray and changing the paper feed tray for copying and facsimile reception, the same size copy output and facsimile output on the paper output tray. Even if there is a mixture of products, the direction is different, so it can be sorted easily.
Furthermore, even if the user sets the orientation of the document incorrectly at the time of copying, it can be matched with the orientation of the recording paper by rotating it 90 ° by image processing.
In this embodiment, the original direction is detected and rotated by 90 ° only at the time of copying. This is because the vertical direction of the original is normally assumed in a facsimile. Therefore, by design, of course, it is possible to detect the reception direction even in the facsimile mode and rotate it by 90 ° when it is in the horizontal direction.
[0025]
In the above embodiments, a copying machine having a facsimile function has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same applies to an image forming apparatus having a copying function and a printer function, a facsimile function and a printer function, or all these functions. Applicable to.
[0026]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, by you to select a different sheet feeding unit for each function of the image forming, output by different image forming function is mixed is discharged However, the sorting operation is facilitated by the difference in the paper quality of the recording paper to be used .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a digital copying machine as an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the digital copying machine shown in FIG.
3 is a flowchart of a paper feed stage selection operation by the main control unit 20 of FIG.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a paper feed stage selection operation similar to that of FIG. 3 in another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a paper feed stage selection operation similar to that of FIG. 3 in still another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
4, 5: Paper cassette 6: LCT
7a to 7c: paper feed roller 11: paper discharge tray 13: operation panel 14: paper size sensor 15: transmission / reception unit 16: host I / F
20: Main control unit 21: CPU 22: ROM
23: RAM 24: Video memory 25: Image processing unit

Claims (1)

Copying function, a printer function, has at least two functions of the facsimile function, the recording paper containing a large number of recording paper have a plurality of sheet feeding means for feeding to the image forming section, the output from different functions in the image forming apparatus Ru mix,
An image characterized in that recording paper of different paper quality is stored in the paper feeding means for each of the image forming functions, and a paper feeding selection means for selecting a different paper feeding means for each function is provided. Forming equipment.

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