JP5049617B2 - Paper type detection apparatus and image forming apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a paper type detection device used in a paper feeding device such as an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile machine.

  In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, when transfer paper of a different paper type or thickness is accidentally supplied before and after paper supply such as when paper runs out, the printed transfer paper is wasted. There was a bug. If the user who replenishes the transfer paper is different from the user who requested the print, the occurrence of problems increases. The same applies to the case where different materials are mixed and mixed when the transfer paper is replenished.

  An object of the present invention is to suppress erroneously supplying different transfer sheets before and after supplying transfer sheets.

A paper type detection device according to claim 1 of the present invention measures paper, acquires data, and uses the classification threshold of the paper type determination table to determine the paper type and paper thickness of the paper. Means,
Paper type storage means for storing measurement data acquired by the paper type detection means;
Data clearing means for clearing the measurement data stored in the paper type storage means;
Data clear means for clearing the measurement data stored in the paper type storage means when it is detected that there is no paper;
Apart from the paper type determination by the paper type detection unit, the paper type detection means compares directly the current data acquired and the data acquired previously, the paper type when the difference between the two data is larger than the specified value Regardless of the classification threshold of the determination table, it is determined that there is a possibility that the transfer sheet is not the same as the previous one and has been changed, and a transfer sheet change determination unit that notifies the determination;
It is characterized by having.

The paper type detection device according to claim 2 is a job limitation selection unit that can select to operate the transfer paper change determination unit only when it is detected that there is no paper in the paper type detection device of claim 1. It is characterized by having.

The paper type detection device according to claim 3 is the paper type detection device according to claim 1, wherein the data clear means clears the measurement data stored in the paper type storage means only when it is detected that there is no paper. And a surface detection high-precision setting unit that can select to operate the transfer sheet change determination unit only when color printing is performed.

The paper type detection device according to claim 4 is the paper type detection device according to claim 1, wherein the data clear unit clears the measurement data stored in the paper type storage unit only when it is detected that there is no paper. In addition, the image forming apparatus includes a surface detection high-precision setting unit that can select to operate the transfer sheet change determination unit only when high-quality printing is performed.

The paper type detection device according to claim 5 is a paper type detection unit that acquires data by measuring a paper in order to determine the paper type and thickness of the paper, and the measurement data acquired by the paper type detection unit. to clear a paper type memory for storing a data clear means for clearing the measurement data stored in the paper type storage unit, the measurement data stored in only paper type storage unit's when it is detected that there is no paper Paper having data clear means, paper surface detection means for detecting the paper surface of the transfer paper, and paper surface change determination means for determining whether or not the surface of the transfer paper has changed compared to the previous surface measurement data Seed / paper thickness detection means .

The paper type detection apparatus according to claim 6 is the paper type detection apparatus according to claim 1 or 5 , wherein the data clear means is stored in the paper type storage means only when it is detected that there is no paper. It has a surface detection high accuracy setting means that can select to operate the transfer sheet change determination means only when data is cleared and color printing is performed.

Paper type detection apparatus according to the claim 7 is the sheet type detecting apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 6, measurements only the data clear means when it is detected that the paper is not stored in the paper type storage unit It has a surface detection high accuracy setting unit that can select to operate the transfer sheet change determination unit only when data is cleared and high-quality printing is performed.

An image forming apparatus according to an eighth aspect includes the paper type detection device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 8 , further comprising: a paper feed stage limitation selecting unit that can select to operate the transfer paper change determining unit only for a designated paper feed stage. It is characterized by having.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 10 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9 , wherein the image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic copying machine.

The image forming apparatus according to the claim 1 1, in the image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said image forming apparatus is a printer.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 12 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9 , wherein the image forming apparatus is a facsimile.

  In the present invention, the newly acquired data is directly compared with the previously acquired data by the paper type detection means, so that the change in the paper type and the paper thickness before and after replenishment can be determined finely regardless of the classification of the paper type table. .

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

  FIG. 1 is a main cross-sectional view of a double-sided image forming apparatus that is an object of implementation of Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and shows a transfer paper conveyance path. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a double-sided image forming apparatus, 2 denotes an image forming unit, and 3 denotes a paper feeding unit. When an image is formed on one side, the transfer paper P is fed by the paper feeding device 3 and an image is formed by the image forming unit 2. The image is transferred, the image is fixed by the fixing device 4, and discharged to the outside through the reverse discharge switching unit 9 and the discharge unit 8.

  When forming images on both sides, the transfer paper P stacked on one of the paper feed units 3 a to 3 d of the paper feed unit 3 is fed, and the image is transferred on one side by the image forming unit 2. The image is fixed, switched by the reverse paper discharge switching unit 7, switched back by the reverse device 6, reversed, fed again through the refeed path 7, and transferred to the back side by the image forming unit 2. Then, the image is fixed by the fixing device 4 and is discharged through the reverse discharge switching unit 9 and the discharge unit 8.

  FIG. 2 is a main configuration diagram of a paper feeding device having a paper type detecting means. The paper type detection unit 30 provided on the front side in the paper feeding direction to the pair of the registration driving roller 11 and the registration driven roller 12 includes a paper thickness detection unit and a paper surface detection unit. The paper thickness detecting means 30 includes a transmissive light emitting element 14 and a transmissive light receiving element 13, and the transmissive light receiving element 13 receives the light emitted from the transmissive light emitting element 14 and transmitted through the transfer paper P, and the transmittance of the transfer paper P is measured. Measure. The paper surface detection means includes a reflective light emitting element and a reflective light receiving element, and the reflective light receiving element receives the light emitted from the reflective light emitting element and reflected by the transfer paper P, and measures the reflectance of the transfer paper P. In the figure, 17 is a grip driving roller, and 18 is a grip driven roller.

  In this embodiment, the paper type determination means uses the optical detection for the transmittance and is called the paper thickness detection means, and the optical detection uses the reflectance for the paper surface detection. Either the detection means or the paper surface detection means can be used as the paper type detection means. Further, in order to improve accuracy and expand the corresponding paper type range, the paper type detection unit can be configured by a plurality of paper thickness detection units or a plurality of paper surface detection units having different characteristics.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of main functions of the paper type detection device. The paper thickness detecting means 51 and the paper surface detecting means 52 of the paper type detecting means 30 for measuring the transfer paper and acquiring the data for paper type discrimination, the measurement data acquired by the paper thickness detecting means 51 is X1, and the paper surface detecting means 52. The measurement data acquired by X1 is temporarily stored as X2, that is, temporary storage values X1 and X2, and the measurement data (temporary storage values X1 and X2) stored in the temporary storage unit 31 is stored in the paper corresponding to each paper feed stage. Type storage value (first paper feed type storage value Y1, Z1, second paper feed type storage value Y2, Z1, third paper feed type storage value Y3, Z3... Nth paper feed type storage value Yn, Zn) from the paper type storage unit 32 for storing as data, and the data clear unit 33 for clearing (erasing) the measurement data (paper type storage values Y1 to Yn, Z1 to Zn) of the paper type storage unit 32 of each paper feed stage. It is configured. Y1 to Yn are storage values stored in the paper type storage unit 32, which are temporary storage values X1 of measurement data detected by the paper thickness detector 51. Similarly, Z1 to Zn are stored values in which the paper type storage unit 32 stores the temporary storage value X2 of the measurement data detected by the paper surface detection unit 52. The measurement data X1 and X2 are simply indicated as X in this figure, but will be described later.

  The clear determination unit 41 determines various conditions for the data clear unit 33 to clear the data. The data clear includes even clearing the paper type storage values Yn and Zn data and storing the temporary storage values X1 and X2 in the paper type storage values Yn and Zn. It is determined which of the paper type storage values Yn and Zn corresponds to the paper type range (paper type data range) R1 to R5 included in the paper type determination table. R1 to R5 indicate optimum ranges for the two data Yn and Zn. Moreover, it can also be determined by only one of Yn and Zn. The embodiment is a paper type detecting means for mainly determining the OHP, the second original drawing, the paper type of the plain paper, and the paper thickness stage of the plain paper based on Yn of the paper thickness detecting means for measuring the transmittance.

  However, the paper type detecting means may be a system combined with Zn of the paper surface means for measuring the reflectance. The accuracy is improved by combining the paper type detection means according to the purpose. For example, for the determination of recycled paper, copy paper, and coated paper having a plurality of paper thicknesses, it is effective to make a determination based on a combination of Yn of the paper type detection means and Zn of the paper surface means.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the main configuration of the control system of the paper thickness detection apparatus. In the figure, 30 is the above-described paper type detection means, 43 in the figure is a CPU, 44 is a display unit, 45 is an operation unit, 46a to 46n are size detection means, 47 is a RAM, and 48 is a ROM. It is connected to the CPU 43.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the basic operation of the paper type detection apparatus as described above. When the paper feeding / conveying operation is started (step S21: hereinafter, only “S” is described), it is determined whether or not there is a paper type storage value (Yn, Zn) (S22), and a paper type storage value (Yn, If there is (Zn), (Yn, Zn) is compared with the data range R1 to R6 of the paper type determination table (S26), and the paper type is determined (S27). When there is no (Yn, Zn), the paper type detection unit 30 performs measurement (S23), and the measurement data is stored in the temporary storage unit as temporary storage values (X1, X2) (S24). The temporary storage values (X1, X2) are stored (stored) in the paper type storage means as paper type storage values (Yn, Zn) (S25), and the paper type storage values (Yn, Zn) are stored in the paper type determination table. Are compared with the data ranges R1 to R6 (S26), and the paper type is determined (S27). The paper type / paper thickness is determined by measuring the paper type detection means 30 (temporary storage value X or paper type storage values Y1 to Yn, Z1 to Zn) as a paper type range (paper type data) of the paper type determination table. The paper type is determined by comparing whether the range corresponds to R1 to R6.

  Note that the data clear unit 33, when a determination condition for clearing the data is satisfied, the paper type storage values (corresponding values of Y1 to Yn and Z1 to Zn) of the paper feed stage in which the paper type storage unit 32 performs the corresponding paper feeding operation. To clear. The data clear determination unit 33 determines a condition that the transfer paper may be changed. The determination conditions for clearing data include transfer paper set determination for determining transfer paper set, power on determination for determining power on, transfer paper set determination for determining transfer paper change in the paper feed tray, paper type / paper thickness information, and the like. When there is a function set by the user, there are a paper type setting change determination for determining a change in paper type / paper thickness setting, a jam occurrence determination for determining the occurrence of a jam, and a double feed occurrence determination for determining the occurrence of a double feed.

  The transfer paper set determination may be performed when the presence of transfer paper is detected or when the paper feed tray is set. In a manual paper feed tray that only sets paper, transfer paper set determination is performed only when a change from the absence of transfer paper is detected. When the presence or absence of the paper feed tray itself can be detected with a drawer tray type or cassette type such as front loading, etc., it may be performed when a change in presence or absence of the paper feed tray is detected. .

  As described above, conventionally, there has been a problem that the printed transfer paper is wasted when different transfer paper is accidentally supplied before and after the transfer paper supply such as when the transfer paper is used up. If the user who replenishes the transfer paper is different from the user who requested the print, the occurrence of problems increases. The same applies to the case where different materials are mixed and mixed when the transfer paper is replenished. In this embodiment, it is possible to prevent erroneous transfer of different transfer sheets before and after transfer sheet supply. That is, the transfer paper set confirmation means for determining the transfer paper change in the paper feed tray is a user notification means 49 for notifying the user of the confirmation when the paper type / paper thickness is changed after the transfer paper is replenished. It is comprised by the recognition means 50. Therefore, when the user mistakenly supplies a different paper type, the mistake can be corrected, so that the user does not have to make an unintentional copy. This is particularly effective when it is desired to avoid mixing different paper thicknesses and types in the same booklet, or when it is desired to unify the print image quality (color, texture, etc.). A certain paper feed stage is also effective when a fixed transfer paper is always set.

  FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of main functions of the paper type detection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. When the clear condition determination unit 41 determines any of the data conditions that require confirmation of the paper type / paper thickness change, that is, jam occurrence, double feed occurrence, power on, or transfer paper set, the transfer paper change confirmation unit 42 Temporary storage values (X1, X2) of temporary storage means 31, which are measurement data from seed detection means 30, and paper type storage values (Yn, Zn) of the corresponding paper feed stage of paper type storage means 32 (previous measurement data ), And if there is no difference in paper type and paper thickness, the paper type storage value (Yn, Zn) data is cleared as usual, and the temporary storage value (X1, X2) is changed to the paper type storage value (Yn, Z2).

  However, if there is a difference in the paper type and paper thickness before and after replenishing the transfer paper, the paper type and paper thickness are changed for the user. Prompt for confirmation. Further, the transfer paper change determination means 42 directly compares the current measurement data (X1, X2) with the paper type storage value (Yn, Zn) corresponding to the previous measurement data at that stage, so that the transfer paper is the same or different. Determine whether. When the difference between the measurement data (X1, X2) and the paper type storage value (Yn, Zn) is larger than the difference range designated by the surface detection accuracy adjusting means, it is determined that the transfer paper has been changed because it is not the same. When the user selects and inputs from the operation unit 45 or the like, the surface detection accuracy adjusting means can adjust the size (accuracy) of the difference range serving as a determination criterion. In the surface detection system adjusting means, if the determination is set to the strict definition E1, it is possible to determine that the transfer sheet has been changed even with a slight difference in the transfer sheet, so that the accuracy is improved.

  On the other hand, when the coarse grain E3 is set, the slight difference in transfer paper does not determine that the transfer paper has been changed, and thus the accuracy is low. However, it is effective to prevent erroneous detection for determining that the transfer sheet has been changed even if the transfer sheet is originally the same transfer sheet and has a large variation. Regardless of the transfer paper type (paper type) determination, the paper type storage value (Yn, Zn) as the previous measurement data is compared with the temporary storage value (X1, X2) as the current measurement data, and the difference Therefore, it is possible to determine transfer sheet change with high accuracy. Further, the surface detection high accuracy determination means 55 automatically instructs the surface detection accuracy adjustment means 56 to set the fine E1 when color printing or high image quality printing is selected.

  In general, the modes for unifying image quality are color printing and high-quality printing. When the user sets a print condition (print mode) from the operation unit 45 or the like, the surface detection accuracy adjustment is automatically set to fine E1 when color printing or high-quality printing is selected by the surface detection high accuracy setting means 55. . Therefore, when color printing is selected and high image quality printing is selected, the paper surface detection means of the transfer paper can be improved in accuracy.

  If you want to unify the transfer paper, the combination of paper thickness detection by the paper thickness detection means of the paper type detection means and paper surface detection by the paper surface detection means will improve the detection quality, but without worrying about the thickness of the transfer paper When it is desired to unify only the image quality (color and texture), only the paper surface detection by the paper surface detection means can be performed (FIG. 7). However, it is practical not to detect the paper thickness at all but to reduce only the accuracy of the paper thickness detection.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of job restriction selection means. A case where the user operates the transfer sheet change determination unit 42 from the operation unit 45 or the like can be set. The change determination is always performed or selected and set during the job, and the limited job limitation selection unit 57 automatically operates the transfer sheet change determination unit 42 only under the conditions.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the paper feed stage limitation selecting means. A user can set a paper feed stage for operating the transfer paper change determination unit 42 from the operation unit 45 or the like. When the paper feed stage for operating the transfer paper change determination means 42 is set, the paper feed stage limitation selecting means 58 automatically operates the transfer paper change determination means 42 for only the paper feed stage.
FIG. 10 is an example of a main flowchart of the user notification means for notifying the change of the paper type / paper thickness in the transfer paper change determination means for supplementary explanation. When the conditions for determining transfer paper change are met (if the transfer paper runs out in the middle of a print operation job, the transfer paper is replenished and the paper feed tray is set. When the operation of the transfer paper change determination unit is started (for example, when the paper feed tray is set), it is determined whether the data clear determination condition is the paper type change condition (S51). If the transfer paper change determination condition is satisfied, the temporary storage values (X1, X2) and the paper type storage values (Yn, Zn) are compared (S52), and whether the paper type and paper thickness are different (changed). (S53). Since it is necessary to confirm whether the transfer paper (paper type / paper thickness) may be changed, the user is notified (S54). If it is not desired to accept the change in the paper type and paper thickness (S55), the transfer paper change determination means is repeatedly operated by supplying correct transfer paper to the paper feed tray and resetting the paper feed tray (S57). Then, the print job is resumed (S58), and the process ends. If the printing operation is prohibited before approving, not only the person himself but also other users will not print on the wrong transfer paper. This is particularly effective for network printers and multifunction devices.

  That is, in the present invention, the newly acquired data is directly compared with the previously acquired data by the paper type detection means, so the change in the paper type and paper thickness before and after replenishment is determined to be finely changed regardless of the classification of the paper type table. it can. In addition, since the degree of change, which is a criterion for determination by comparing the data newly acquired by the paper type detection unit with the previously acquired data, can be selected and set, the change determination can be performed in a well-balanced manner suitable for the application. Further, even when a user who does not normally need a transfer sheet change determination can select the transfer sheet change determination so that it can be operated only at the paper end during the job operation, the transfer sheets in one job can be unified.

  Further, according to the present invention, even a user who does not normally need a transfer sheet change determination can select the transfer sheet change determination so that it can be operated only during color printing. In general, even a user who does not need the transfer sheet change determination can select the transfer sheet change determination so that the user can operate the transfer sheet change determination only at the time of high-quality printing. Further, since the surface of the transfer paper is determined, the determination of the transfer paper having the same surface or the accuracy of determination of the same transfer paper is improved (the same surface can be determined even if the transfer paper is not the same). The accuracy of the same transfer paper judgment can be improved.)

  In addition, even a user who does not normally need a transfer paper change determination can select the transfer paper change determination so that it can be operated only during color printing, so that the user's request for the surface of the color print image quality can be satisfied. In addition, even a user who does not normally need a transfer paper change determination can select the transfer paper change determination so that it can be operated only during high-quality printing, so that the user request for the surface of the high-quality print can be satisfied.

  Furthermore, since the transfer sheet change determination can be made by limiting the sheet feeding stages, it is possible to suppress an erroneous transfer sheet change only in the sheet feeding stage that cares about the difference in transfer sheets. Since it is possible to prevent the user from setting the wrong paper, it is possible to prevent mechanical damage and misprinting of the image forming unit, which is a precise mechanism, and a fixing device that requires careful handling. Misprinting can be prevented for an unspecified number of users online.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a double-sided image forming apparatus that is an object of Example 1 of the present invention Main configuration diagram of paper feeding device having paper type detection means Conceptual diagram of main functions of paper type detection device Block diagram of the main configuration of the control system of the paper thickness detector Flow chart of basic operation of paper type detection device Conceptual diagram of main functions of the paper type detection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure showing an example of unifying transfer paper Explanatory diagram of job restriction selection means Explanatory diagram of paper feed stage limitation selection means Main flowchart of user notification means for notifying change of paper type and paper thickness in transfer paper change determination means for supplementary explanation

Explanation of symbols

1: Double-sided image forming apparatus 2: Image forming unit 3: Paper feeding unit 3a: First stage paper feeding unit 3b: Second stage paper feeding unit 3c: Third stage paper feeding unit 3d: Fourth stage paper feeding unit 4: Fixing section 5: Paper feed path 6: Reversing section 7: Refeed path 8: Paper discharge section 9: Paper discharge reversing switching section 10: Manual paper feed section 11: Registration drive roller 12: Registration driven roller 13: Transmission Light-receiving element 14: Transmitted light-emitting element 17: Grip drive roller 18: Grip driven 30: Paper type detection means 31: Temporary storage means 32: Paper type storage means 33: Data clear means 34: Paper type determination table 41: Clear condition determination means 42: Transfer sheet change determination means 43: CPU
44: Display unit 45: Operation unit 46: Size detection means 47: RAM
48: ROM
49: User notification means 50: User acknowledgment means 51: Paper thickness detection means 52: Paper surface detection means 53: Reflection light emitting element 54: Reflection light receiving element 55: Surface detection high accuracy setting means 56: Surface detection accuracy adjustment means 57: Job Limit selection means 58: Paper feed stage limitation selection means

Claims (12)

Paper type detection means for measuring paper and acquiring data, and determining the paper type and paper thickness of the paper using the classification threshold of the paper type determination table;
Paper type storage means for storing measurement data acquired by the paper type detection means;
Data clearing means for clearing the measurement data stored in the paper type storage means;
Data clear means for clearing the measurement data stored in the paper type storage means when it is detected that there is no paper;
Apart from the paper type determination by the paper type detection unit, the paper type detection means compares directly the current data acquired and the data acquired previously, the paper type when the difference between the two data is larger than the specified value Regardless of the classification threshold of the determination table, it is determined that there is a possibility that the transfer sheet is not the same as the previous one and has been changed, and a transfer sheet change determination unit that notifies the determination
A paper type detection device comprising: 2. The paper type detection apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a job restriction selection unit that can select to operate the transfer paper change determination unit only when it is detected that there is no paper. Clear the measurement data is only the data clear means stored in the paper type storage means when it is detected that the paper is not, and only when the color printing is carried out, that operating the transfer sheet change determination means 2. The paper type detection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a selectable surface detection high accuracy setting means. Only when it is detected that there is no paper, the data clear means clears the measurement data stored in the paper type storage means, and the transfer paper change judgment means is operated only when high-quality printing is performed. 2. The paper type detection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a selectable surface detection high accuracy setting means. A paper type detection means for measuring paper and acquiring data to determine the paper type and paper thickness;
Paper type storage means for storing measurement data obtained by the paper type detection means;
Data clearing means for clearing the measurement data stored in the paper type storage means;
And the data clear means for clearing the measurement data stored in the only paper type storage means it when it is detected that there is no paper,
Paper type / paper thickness detection having paper surface detection means for detecting the paper surface of the transfer paper and paper surface change determination means for determining whether the surface of the transfer paper has changed compared to the previous surface measurement data paper type detection device, characterized in that it comprises a means. The measurement data is only the data clear means stored in the paper type storage means when it is detected that the paper is not clear to A, and only when the color printing is performed, to operate the transfer sheet change determination means 6. The paper type detection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a surface detection high-precision setting unit capable of selecting the above. Only when it is detected that there is no paper, the data clear means clears the measurement data stored in the paper type storage means, and the transfer paper change judgment means is operated only when high-quality printing is performed. paper type detection apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 6, characterized in Rukoto that have a selectable surface sensing precision setting means. Image forming apparatus characterized by having any of paper type detection device from 請 Motomeko 1-7. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 , further comprising a paper feed stage limitation selecting unit that can select to operate the transfer paper change determining unit only for a designated paper feed stage . Wherein the image forming apparatus an image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in electrophotographic copying machines der Rukoto. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the image forming apparatus is a printer . 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the image forming apparatus is a facsimile .

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