JP5454786B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms a print / image on a recording medium such as a plastic card or a cardboard card, and more particularly to an improvement in a medium transport mechanism that forms an image on the front and back surfaces of the recording medium.

  In general, this type of image forming apparatus is widely known as an apparatus for recording information on cards used for various certification cards, settlement cards, and the like. It is used as a terminal device of a card issuing system as a device for forming image data such as a face photograph, name and name together with magnetic recording information and IC recording information on the front and back surfaces of the card.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus that feeds one card at a time from a card supply stacker into the apparatus and prints image data on the front and back surfaces of the card. As printing methods, inkjet printing, thermal transfer printing, transfer film printing, and the like are known. In such an apparatus, since the recording medium is a card that is not easily deformed, such as plastic or cardboard, a reversing unit is disposed near the printing unit, and the reversing unit reverses the recording medium or deflects the conveying direction. In Document 1, a reversing unit is arranged on the upstream side of the printing unit, and this reversing unit is composed of a roller pair that supports a card and a revolving frame that rotates the roller pair by a predetermined angle (for example, 180 degrees).

  In the same publication, the card sent from the hopper is redirected by the reversing unit and transferred to the printing unit, and the card printed on one side by the printing unit is switched back to the upstream reversing unit and turned upside down. Discloses an apparatus for printing on the back side of a card and discharging it.

Japanese Patent No. 3625206

  As described above, when an image is recorded on the front and back surfaces of a card that is not easily deformed by the printing unit, conventionally, the front and back are reversed by, for example, a reversing unit disposed on the upstream side of the printing unit. In addition, it is also known from, for example, the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 to arrange a magnetic recording unit and an IC recording unit for recording magnetic information, IC information, etc. on the card upstream of the printing unit.

  In the conventional apparatus, a single card or a plurality of cards before and after a predetermined interval are fed from the supply stacker to the printing unit, and printing processing is sequentially performed by the printing unit. In this case, when printing only on one side of the card, the card may be continuously supplied at a predetermined interval in accordance with the printing processing time. However, when printing on both the front and back sides of a card, it is necessary to wait for the succeeding card until duplex printing of the preceding card is completed, or to feed the succeeding card after duplex printing.

  It is already known that the processing efficiency is poor in the control of waiting for the processing of the preceding card and feeding the succeeding card in this way. In particular, in a system configuration in which a magnetic / IC recording unit is arranged upstream of the printing unit and a coating processing unit is arranged downstream of the printing unit, subsequent cards are supplied after processing of one card is completed. In the control, there is a problem that a large number of cards cannot be processed in a short time.

  Therefore, the present inventor arranges reversing units on the upstream side and the downstream side of the printing unit, monitors the post-processing time of the preceding card and the pre-processing time of the subsequent card, and waits from the printing unit (not busy state). ) Led to the idea of turning the card upside down with the reversing unit. As a result, a plurality of recording media can be processed in parallel in the apparatus and can be processed in the shortest processing time.

  The present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of performing parallel processing of a plurality of recording media and forming the plurality of cards in a short time when forming images on the front and back surfaces of a recording medium such as a card. Is the issue. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of continuously processing a plurality of pieces of information for magnetically and electrically recording information simultaneously with image printing on the front and back surfaces on a recording medium in a short time. .

  In the present invention, the “busy state of the first and second reversing unit” means that the reversing unit is in a state where the card exists, or the reversing operation is performed prior to the operation of reversing the front and back of the card printed on one side by the reversing unit This means that the unit is close enough to reach the next card or the preceding card.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a first reversing unit is disposed upstream of an image forming unit, and a second reversing unit is disposed downstream, and the busy states of the first and second reversing units are monitored. In accordance with a monitoring result of the monitoring means, a judging means for determining whether the recording medium is transferred from the image forming unit to the first reversing unit or the second reversing unit is provided.

  Further, a specific configuration will be described in detail. A carry-in unit A that sequentially carries recording media, an image forming unit B that forms images on the front and back surfaces of the recording medium sent from the carry-in unit, and a recording medium from the image forming unit. An unloading section C for unloading to the storage stacker, an unloading path D for transferring a recording medium from the loading section to the image forming section, an unloading path E for transferring the recording medium from the image forming section to the unloading section, and an unloading path and an unloading path. And a control unit H that controls the arranged medium conveying means (15, 16, 17, 18).

  On the upstream side and the downstream side of the image forming unit, a first reversing unit F for reversing the recording medium upside down in the carry-in path and a second reversing unit G for reversing the recording medium upside down in the carry-out path are arranged, respectively. The first and second reversing units are configured such that after the recording medium sent from the image forming unit is reversed, the recording medium can be returned to the image forming unit again. Then, the control unit H transfers the recording medium from the image forming unit to the first reversing unit according to the monitoring unit H1 that monitors the busy state of each of the first and second reversing units. Determining means H2 for determining whether to transfer to the second reversing unit.

  According to the present invention, a first reversing unit is disposed on the upstream side of an image forming unit that forms an image on the front and back surfaces of a recording medium, and a second reversing unit is disposed on the downstream side, and each of the first and second reversing units is busy. Since the recording medium is transferred from the image forming unit to the first reversing unit or the second reversing unit according to the monitoring result of the monitoring means for monitoring the state, the following is determined. There is an effect.

  The recording medium image-formed on one side by the image forming unit is fed to the second reversing unit located on the downstream side when the first reversing unit located on the upstream side is busy for subsequent media processing. Then, after the front and back are reversed by this unit, the back side is printed by the image forming unit. On the contrary, when the reversing unit located on the downstream side is busy for processing the preceding medium, the reverse printing is performed after feeding the first reversing unit located on the upstream side and reversing the front and back. It becomes. Accordingly, it is possible to simultaneously perform pre-processing and post-processing of a plurality of recording media supplied into the apparatus at predetermined intervals, and to shorten the processing time.

  Whether the first and second reversing units are busy or not is determined based on the information that the recording medium exists in each unit or is approaching, for example, the recording medium is detected in the path of the recording medium. The busy state of the recording medium can be determined with a relatively simple configuration by adopting a configuration in which the detection sensor is arranged and determined based on the detection signal.

  Furthermore, the present invention provides an apparatus configuration in which a data recording unit for recording data on a recording medium is disposed upstream of the first reversing unit, and a post-processing unit for performing post-processing on the recording medium is disposed downstream of the second reversing unit. The monitoring unit is configured to monitor the busy state based on the data recording time of the recording medium that follows in the data recording unit and the post-processing time of the recording medium that precedes in the post-processing unit. As a result, the busy state is determined from the operation time information of the reversing unit in addition to the position information indicating whether the recording medium is present or approaching the reversing unit, and a plurality of recording media can be simultaneously and efficiently combined in a shorter time. Parallel processing is possible.

1 is an explanatory diagram showing a conceptual configuration of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a control configuration of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the card | curd conveyance flow in the apparatus of FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the card conveyance state in the apparatus of FIG. 3, (a)-(d) is explanatory drawing of the processing state of the 1st card | curd. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the card conveyance state in the apparatus of FIG. 3, (a)-(d) is explanatory drawing of the processing state of the 1st card | curd and the 2nd card | curd. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the card conveyance state in the apparatus of FIG. 3, (a)-(c) is explanatory drawing of the processing state of the 2nd sheet, the 3rd sheet, and the 4th card | curd.

  The present invention will be described in detail below based on the preferred embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a conceptual configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The present invention includes a carry-in unit A for carrying in a recording medium (hereinafter referred to as “card”), an image forming unit B for forming an image on the front and back surfaces of the card, and a carry-out unit C for carrying out the image-formed card to a storage stacker. Prepare. A carry-in path D for transferring the card from the carry-in part A to the image forming part B and a carry-out path E for transferring the card from the image forming part B to the carry-out part C are provided.

  A first reversing unit F for reversing the card upside down is disposed in the carry-in route D, and a second reversing unit G is disposed in the carry-out route E. Further, in the carry-in route D and the carry-out route E, medium conveying means (indicated by a roller pair in FIG. 1) for conveying the card is arranged. Then, a control unit H for controlling each medium conveying unit is provided, and in this control unit H, a monitoring unit H1 for monitoring the busy state of the first reversing unit F and the second reversing unit G, and a monitoring result of the monitoring unit H1 ( A determination means H2 for determining whether the card formed on one side by the image forming unit B is sent to the first reversing unit F or the second reversing unit G that is not busy according to whether or not it is busy. Provide. Then, the controller H reverses the front and back of the card with the first and second reversing units F and G, forms an image on the back again with the image forming unit B, and then carries the card out to the carry-out unit C.

  The apparatus of FIG. 1 includes a magnetic recording unit I for inputting data to a magnetic recording unit formed on a card in a carry-in path D, and an IC recording means (non-contact type) for inputting data to an IC recording unit formed on the card. A data recording unit such as J is provided. The carry-out path E is provided with a post-processing section K for attaching an overcoat sheet (hologram film, laminate film, etc.) to the imaged card surface.

  Further, a carry-in standby unit L for waiting for the card being transferred is arranged in the carry-in route D, and a carry-out standby unit M is arranged in the carry-out route E. Note that N shown in FIG. 1 is a reject stacker configured to carry out and store a card that has been misrecorded from the first reversing unit F, and O shown in the drawing is a contact IC recording means, and a non-contact IC recording means J And selectively recording data.

  In such a configuration, the monitoring means H1 and the judging means H2 for monitoring the “busy state” of the first and second inversion units F and G will be described. In the carry-in route D, card sensors Se1, Se2, Se3 for detecting a card are arranged at the illustrated positions. In the data recording section (I, J, O), card sensors Se6, Se7, Se8 are arranged at the illustrated positions, and the card sensor Se9 is arranged in the reject stacker N. In the carry-out path E, card sensors Se4 and Se5 are arranged, and the card sensor Se10 is arranged in the post-processing unit K. In addition, Se11 shown in FIG. 1 is a transfer film detection sensor described later, and Se12 is a coat film detection sensor.

  Therefore, the monitoring unit H1 is configured to monitor information on whether or not a card is present in the first reversing unit F and the second reversing unit G (see the control CPU described later). Whether or not a card is present in the first reversing unit F is monitored by checking the busy state with the status signals of the illustrated sensors Se1, Se2, Se6, and Se7. When all the sensors are OFF (no card detection), the unit F is in a “not busy state”. When any one of the sensors is ON (detected with a card), the unit F is in a “busy state”.

  In addition to monitoring the ON / OFF information of the sensor described above, in the illustrated apparatus, when data is written to the card by the magnetic recording unit I, the card sensor Se7 is in the OFF state, but the card exists in the magnetic recording unit I, Approaching reversing unit F Therefore, the monitoring unit H1 monitors the job operation signal of the magnetic storage unit while data is being input (operating) in the magnetic recording unit I, and determines that “the card is approaching” while receiving the job signal. .

  In this case, in the apparatus shown in the figure, when data is input to the card by the IC recording means J, O, the card sensors Se6, Se8 are in an ON state (the card is present), and the first reversing unit F is busy only from this sensor information. Although the status can be monitored, depending on the layout configuration of the IC recording means J and O (when arranged at a position away from the first reversing unit F), it is determined that the card is approaching by the job operation signal. Therefore, the job operation signal is monitored as in the magnetic recording unit I.

  Next, whether or not a card is present in the second reversing unit G is determined by the status signals of the illustrated card sensors Se4, Se5, and Se10. When all the sensors are OFF (no card detection), it is determined that the second reversing unit F is not busy. Further, when the job processing signal for coating the card with the film is received by the post-processing unit (overcoat unit) K, it is determined that the card is approaching.

  The “card approach” in the first reversing unit F and the second reversing unit G described above is the one-sided printing and the operation time for the preceding card or the succeeding card to reach when the image forming unit B forms an image on one side of the card. Compare the operation time of turning the card upside down with the reversing unit. And when this operation time is shorter than the latter, it will be in a busy state and the approach of a card | curd is monitored. That is, when the preceding card or the succeeding card reaches the reversing unit earlier than the one-side printed card, the busy state is set.

  For this reason, the approach of the card is detected by a sensor for detecting the cart upstream of the first and second reversing units in the card transfer direction or a job signal for performing data input, post-processing, and the like on the card. The apparatus described later receives the job signal and “determines that the card is approaching during the card processing operation”. The sensor and job operation positions are arranged at positions where the preceding card or the succeeding card arrives earlier than the above-described front / back reversing operation.

  In the illustrated apparatus, the carry-in path D is provided with a carry-in standby unit L for temporarily waiting for the card. As shown in FIG. 1, the magnetic recording section I is provided with a magnetic recording means and a conveying means (roller pair) for transferring the card to the magnetic recording portion I, and is configured to perform magnetic recording while moving the card. Similarly, a carry-out waiting unit M for temporarily waiting the card is provided in the carry-out path E. The post-processing unit K is provided with a coating means (such as a heat roller) and a conveying means (a roller pair) for transferring the card to the post-processing section K, and is configured to perform the coating process while moving the card.

  Therefore, when both the first reversing unit F and the second reversing unit G are busy, the control unit H, which will be described later, temporarily waits for the card following the carry-in standby unit L, and similarly causes the carry-out standby unit M to place the card To temporarily wait. The standby of this card is controlled so as to maintain the card conveying means arranged in the standby unit in a stopped state.

Next, based on the monitoring result of the monitoring unit H1, the determination unit H2 “determines whether to transfer the card printed on one side to the first reversing unit F or the second reversing unit G” will be described. When the image forming unit B forms an image on one side of the card, the determining unit H2 determines as follows based on the monitoring state (whether or not it is busy) of the monitoring unit H1.
(1) When the first reversing unit F is “busy” and the second reversing unit G is “not busy”, the card is transferred to the second reversing unit G.
(2) When the first reversing unit F is “not busy” and the second reversing unit G is “busy”, the card is transferred to the first reversing unit F.
(3) When both the first reversing unit F and the second reversing unit G are “not busy”, the card is transferred to the second reversing unit G on the downstream side.
(4) When both the first reversing unit F and the second reversing unit G are “busy”, when this card can stand by in the carry-in standby unit L or the carry-out standby unit M (the card approaches the reversing unit) The standby unit waits, and the card is transferred to the reversing unit located on the standby side.
(5) When both the first reversing unit F and the second reversing unit G are “busy”, whichever of the data recording time in the data recording unit (J, I, O) or the post-processing time of the post-processing unit K is earlier The card is transferred (after the waiting time) to the reversing unit on the end side. In this case, for example, a primary determination as to whether or not a card is present in the second reversing unit and a secondary determination as to whether or not a card is present in the first reversing unit include a secondary determination after the primary determination. It consists of a monitoring routine that repeats the loop.

[Control configuration]
A control configuration provided with the above-described monitoring means H1 and determination means H2 will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit H is constituted by, for example, a control CPU 50, and the CPU 50 is provided with a ROM 51 and a RAM 52. The control CPU 50 includes a data input control unit 53, an image formation control unit 54, a post-processing control unit 55, and a card transport control unit 56. Then, the card transport control unit 56 transmits a command signal to a drive circuit of a drive motor (not shown) so as to control card transport means (a pair of transport rollers shown in FIG. 1) arranged in the carry-in route D and the carry-out route E. The card conveyance control unit 56 transmits a command signal to the drive circuit of the turning motor, which will be described later, of the first reversing unit F and the second reversing unit G.

  The card transport control unit 56 is electrically connected to each sensor so as to receive the status signals of the sensors Se1 to Se10. Along with this, they are connected so as to receive job signals from a data input control unit 53 and a post-processing control unit 55 which will be described later.

  The data input control unit 53 transmits a command signal for controlling transmission / reception of input data to the data R / W IC 53x built in the magnetic recording unit I, and similarly, the data R / W of the IC recording units J and O is transmitted. A command signal is transmitted to the W IC 53y. The post-processing control unit 55 is configured to control a coating unit (a heat roller described later) of the post-processing unit K, and details thereof will be described later. The image formation control unit 54 controls image formation on the front and back surfaces of the card in the image forming unit B, and details thereof will be described later.

  The RAM 52 stores a processing time for inputting data on the card by the data input unit (magnetic / IC recording unit) and a post-processing time for coating the card surface by the post-processing unit, for example, in a data table. Yes.

  The card transport control unit 56 is provided with monitoring means H1 and determination means H2, both of which are incorporated in the control program of the control CPU 50. The monitoring unit H1 receives the status signals of the sensors Se1 to Se10, the job signal of the data input control unit 53, and the job signal of the post-processing control unit 55, and monitors the conveyance status of the cards existing in the apparatus. Is configured to do.

  Further, the judging means H2 transfers the card printed on one side based on the logic described in the above (1) to (5) to the first reversing unit F based on the monitoring state from the monitoring means H1, or It is incorporated in the control program of the CPU 50 so as to determine whether to transfer to the 2 reversing unit G.

  Then, according to the determination means H2, the transport operation control unit 56 performs a swing motor control circuit (drive circuit) 57 of the first reversing unit F, a swivel motor control circuit 58 of the second reversing unit G, and a transport of the carry-in route D, which will be described later. The motor control circuit 59 and the transport motor control circuit 60 in the carry-out path are controlled.

[Specific Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus]
A specific embodiment of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The apparatus shown in FIG. 3 is configured such that a card cassette 3 (carrying-in part A) can be detachably loaded into the apparatus housing 2, and cards are carried out one by one from the cassette 3 to the downstream side. 19 is a kick roller (steering roller), and 26 is a separation roller that forms a separation cap. 14 is a cleaning roller for cleaning the card surface operated from the cassette 3. A first reversing unit F is arranged on the downstream side of the card cassette 3 (carrying-in part), and the reversing unit is configured to be able to turn the card sent from the carrying-in part A in a predetermined angle direction.

  The first reversing unit F is composed of a unit frame supported by a device frame (not shown) so as to be pivotable and a pair or a plurality of roller pairs supported by the frame. In the illustrated example, two roller pairs 20 and 21 arranged at a distance from each other at a distance are axially supported on a unit frame so as to be rotatable. The unit frame is swiveled in a predetermined angle direction by a swivel motor (pulse motor or the like), and a roller pair attached to the unit frame is configured to rotate in a forward / reverse direction by a transport motor. Although this drive mechanism is not shown in the figure, for example, a single pulse motor is configured to switch the turning motion of the unit frame and the rotation of the roller pair by a clutch.

  Accordingly, the cards prepared in the card cassette 3 are separated one by one by the kick roller 19 and the separation roller 26 and sent to the first reversing unit F on the downstream side. The first reversing unit F carries the card into the unit with the roller pairs 20 and 21 and deflects its posture in a predetermined angle direction while being nipped by the roller pair.

  A magnetic recording unit 24, a non-contact type IC recording unit 23, a contact type IC recording unit 27, and a reject stacker N are arranged on the outer periphery in the turning direction of the first reversing unit F. Incidentally, 28 shown in the figure is a bar code reader, which is a unit for reading a bar code printed by, for example, an image forming unit B, which will be described later, and determining correctness (error determination). Hereinafter, these recording units are referred to as data recording units.

  Therefore, when the card whose posture is deflected in the predetermined angle direction by the first reversing unit F is transferred to the recording unit by the roller pairs 20 and 21, data can be input magnetically or electrically on the card. Further, when a recording error occurs in these data input units, they are carried out to the reject stacker N.

  An image forming unit B is provided on the downstream side of the first reversing unit F, and a carry-in path D for transferring a card from a carry-in unit (card cassette 3; hereinafter the same) A is provided in the image forming unit B. The aforementioned first inversion unit F is arranged at D. Further, in the carry-in path D, conveyance rollers (which may be belts) 15 and 16 for conveying the card are arranged and connected to a conveyance motor (not shown). The transport rollers 15 and 16 are configured to be able to switch between forward and reverse rotation, and at the same time the card is transported from the first reversing unit F to the image forming unit B, the card is transported from the image forming unit B to the reversing unit F. Yes.

  On the downstream side of the image forming part B, a carry-out path E for transferring the card to the carry-out part C is provided, and the above-described second reversing unit G is arranged in this path E. In the carry-out path E, conveying rollers (which may be belts) 17 and 18 for conveying the card are arranged and connected to a conveying motor (not shown). The transport rollers 17 and 18 are also configured to be able to switch between forward and reverse so that the card is transferred (moved forward) from the image forming unit B to the second reversing unit G and returned (retracted) at the same time.

  A decurling roller 36 is disposed between the transporting roller 17 and the transporting roller 18, and the curl is corrected by pressing the central portion of the card held between the transporting rollers 17 and 18. For this reason, the decal roller 36 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction in FIG.

  The second inversion unit G has the same configuration as the first inversion unit F described above. The two roller pairs 40 and 41 are configured so as to rotate in a predetermined angle direction as in the first reversing unit F, and at the same time convey the card sent from the upstream side to the downstream side. Further, a post-processing unit K and a card storage unit S are disposed on the downstream side of the second reversing unit G.

  Therefore, “image forming section B” described in the order of “image forming section B”, “post-processing section K”, and “storage section S” according to FIG. 3 forms images such as face photographs and character data on the front and back surfaces of the card. The illustrated apparatus shows a case where an image is formed with a sublimation ink ribbon.

  In the image forming part B, a thermal head 9 and an ink ribbon 35 are arranged. The ink ribbon 35 is accommodated in a card ridge 36, and an operation roll 7 and a take-up roll 8 are accommodated in the card ridge 36, and a wind motor Mr 1 (not shown) is connected to the take-up roll 8.

  A thermal head 9 is disposed at a position facing the platen roller 12. The thermal head 9 is connected to a head control IC 54x (see FIG. 2) so that the thermal head 9 is thermally controlled. This head control IC 54x heats the thermal head 9 according to the image data, thereby forming an image of the ink ribbon 35 on a transfer film 37 described later. Therefore, the take-up roll 8 rotates in synchronization with the thermal control of the thermal head 9, and the ink ribbon 35 is taken up at a predetermined speed.

  The transfer film 37 is wound around the take-up roll 5 and the feed roll 6, and the transfer film 37 is wound around the platen roller 12 and the transfer roller 33 so as to transfer the transfer image. 13 is a transfer roller for the transfer film 37, and pinch rollers 32a and 32b are arranged on the peripheral surface thereof. The transfer roller 13 is connected to a drive motor (not shown). The transfer film 37 moves counterclockwise in FIG. 3 at the same speed as the ink ribbon 35.

  Further, the transfer roller 33 is provided with an elevating mechanism (not shown) so as to be pressed against and separated from the platen roller 31 arranged in the carry-in path D via the transfer film 37. The transfer roller 33 is composed of a heating roller, and an image on the transfer film 37 is transferred to the card surface by heating means arranged inside. In the figure, Se11 is a position detection sensor for the ink ribbon 35, and Se13 is a presence / absence detection sensor for the transfer film 37.

  The “post-processing section K” is disposed on the downstream side of the second reversing unit G and attaches an overcoat film (hologram film, laminate film, etc.) 49 to a card having an image formed on the surface. For this reason, the post-processing section K is provided with a card ridge 46 of an overcoat film, an operation roll 47 and a take-up roll 48 provided on the card ridge, and a coat film 49 is wound between both rolls. Yes.

  The overcoat film 49 is inserted between the heat adhering roller 43 and the platen roller 42 provided in the adhering portion. The post-processing section K is provided with transport rollers 44 and 45 for transporting cards and is connected to a transport motor (not shown).

  In the post-processing section K configured in this way, the overcoat film 49 is adhered to the surface of the card sent from the second reversing unit G while being transported downward by the transport rollers 44 and 45 in FIG. After the coating on one side is completed, this card is sent to the second reversing unit G and turned upside down, and then the card is again carried into the post-processing section K and the overcoat film 49 is stuck on the back side. Then, after the front and back coating is completed, the card is sent to the second reversing unit G, and the reversing unit accommodates it in the storage stacker 30.

  In this case, when a hologram film is used as the overcoat film 49, after coating only one side, this card may be sent to the second reversing unit G and stored in the storage stacker 30.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the “accommodating unit S” is arranged in the carry-out unit C and configured to accommodate the card sent from the second reversing unit G in the accommodating stacker 30. For this reason, the storage unit 30 is provided with a storage stacker 30 with a step difference from the second reversing unit G. The stacker 30 is configured to detect the uppermost card by a lifting mechanism 31 and a level sensor (not shown) and to move downward by the lifting mechanism 31 in FIG.

  Next, card conveyance control of the image forming apparatus configured as described above will be described according to the control flow shown in FIG. 4 and the operation state diagrams shown in FIGS. In FIG. 4, when the image formation on one side of the card is completed (St01), the control CPU 50 determines whether or not the post-processing mode is set (St02). In this case, the post-processing mode is an operation state set to an operation mode in which the overcoat film is stuck on the card surface in the post-processing unit K.

[When not in post-processing mode]
When the post-processing mode is not set (no), the control CPU 50 determines whether or not the second reversing unit G is busy (St03). When the second reversing unit G is not busy (no), the control CPU 50 removes the card from the image forming unit B. Transfer toward the second reversing unit G (St04). Further, when busy (yes), it waits for a busy state (no). In this case, the card stands by in the image forming unit B (or the carry-out path E).

  Next, the control CPU 50 reverses the front and back surfaces of the card with the second reversing unit G (St05). Then, the inverted card is returned to the image forming unit B (St06). This card return rotates the transport rollers 17 and 18 in the carry-out path E in the reverse direction. The control CPU 50 forms an image on the back side of the card by the image forming unit B (St16), and then sends the card from the carry-out path E to the carry-out unit C and accommodates it in the storage stacker 30.

[When set to post-processing mode]
When the post-processing mode is set in step St02 described above, the control CPU 50 determines whether a card is present in the second reversing unit G (St07). At this time, when the card is not present (no), the card is transferred to the second reversing unit G (St10), and the card is turned upside down (St11) by this unit, and then the image forming unit B is used. Return (St12). Thereafter, after the image is formed on the back side of the card by the image forming unit B (St16), the card is sent from the carry-out path E to the carry-out unit C and is accommodated in the storage stacker 30.

  Further, when there is a card in the second reversing unit G (Yes in step St07), the control CPU 50 determines whether a card is present in the first reversing unit F (St08). At this time, when there is a card in the unit F, both the first and second reversing units are set in a busy state, and the first one is awaited to change to a non-busy state. At this time, the card waits for the image forming unit B (St09). In other words, a monitoring routine is configured to first determine whether or not a card is present in the second reversing unit G, then secondly determine whether or not a card is present in the first reversing unit F, and repeat this determination.

  When the second reversing unit G changes to the not busy state first, the card is transferred to the second reversing unit G in the same manner as described above (St10), and the card is turned upside down (St11) with this unit, and then image formation is performed. Return to part B (St12). Thereafter, after the image is formed on the back side of the card by the image forming unit B (St16), the card is sent from the carry-out path E to the carry-out unit C and is accommodated in the storage stacker 30.

  When the first reversing unit F is changed to the busy state first, the control CPU 50 transfers the card from the image forming unit B to the first reversing unit F (St13). This card transfer rotates the transport rollers 15 and 16 in the carry-in path D in the reverse direction. Then, the control CPU 50 reverses the front and back surfaces of the card with the first reversing unit G (St14), and returns the reversed card to the image forming unit B (St15). Next, the control CPU 50 forms an image on the back side of the card by the image forming unit B (St16), and then sends the card from the carry-out path E to the carry-out unit C and accommodates it in the storage stacker 30.

  The above-described operation state will be described with reference to FIGS. First, when the first card Cd1 is sent from the carry-in section A, the first reversing unit F, as shown in FIG. 5A, is used as a data recording section (hereinafter, data input will be described by taking magnetic recording as an example). The card posture is deviated and transferred. The control CPU 50 inputs the data in the data recording unit, then transfers the first card Cd1 to the image forming unit B, and the subsequent second card Cd2 as the data recording unit as shown in FIG. Transport. Then, an image is formed on one side of the first card Cd1, and data is simultaneously input to the second card Cd2.

  Therefore, the control CPU 50 determines whether or not the first and second inversion units F and G are busy. In this case, the first inversion unit F is in a busy state, and the second inversion unit G is not in a busy state. Therefore, the control CPU 50 sends the first card Cd1 to the second reversing unit G as shown in FIG. The second card Cd2 is sent to the first reversing unit F.

  Then, the control CPU 50 inverts the first card Cd1 with the second reversing unit G and returns it to the image forming unit B to form an image on the back side of the card as shown in FIG. At this time, the second card Cd2 is put on standby by the first reversing unit F.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6A, the control CPU 50 sends the first card Cd <b> 1 for which front and back image formation has been completed from the second reversing unit G to the post-processing unit K. And a coat film is stuck on the 1st card | curd Cd1 surface. At the same time, the second card Cd2 is sent to the image forming unit B, and an image is formed on one side thereof. Further, the control CPU 50 sends the third card Cd3 to the data recording unit.

  Therefore, the control CPU 50 determines whether or not the first and second reversing units F and G are busy in a state where the single-sided printing of the second card Cd2 is completed as shown in FIG. 6B. In this case, the first reversing unit F is busy with the third card approaching, and the second reversing unit G is busy with the first card present.

  At this time, the control CPU 50 waits for the third card in the state where the cards are approaching in the standby section (the magnetic recording unit 24 in the illustrated configuration) of the carry-in path D, and causes the second card Cd2 to be the first reversing unit F. Feed and reverse. At the same time, the first card Cd1 is reversed by the second reversing unit G.

  Next, the control CPU 50 sends the second card Cd2 to the image forming section B as shown in FIG. Then, it is determined whether the first and second inversion units F and G are busy. At this time, the first reversing unit F is in a busy state where a third card exists (standby), and the second reversing unit G is in a busy state with the first card approaching. Therefore, the control CPU 50 waits for the first and second reversing units F and G to become not busy.

Then, the first card Cd1 is stored in the storage stacker 30 as shown in FIG.
The second card is transferred to the second reversing unit G that is not busy. At the same time, the control CPU 50 transfers the third card Cd3 waiting in the first reversing unit F to the image forming unit B, and transfers the fourth card Cd4 to the data recording unit. Then, the second card is sent to the post-processing section K, and an overcoat film is stuck on one side. An image is formed on one side of the third cart.

  Next, the control CPU 50 determines whether or not the first and second reversing units F and G are busy when the single-sided printing of the third cart is completed. At this time, the first reversing unit F is busy with the fourth card approaching, and the second reversing unit G is busy with the second card Cd2 approaching.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7A, the control CPU 50 waits for the second card Cd2 in the standby unit (the post-processing unit K in the illustrated configuration) of the carry-out path E, and puts the third card Cd3 into the second card Cd3. It is sent to the reversing unit G and turned upside down. At the same time, the fourth card Cd4 is sent to the first reversing unit F to wait.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 7B, the control CPU 50 transfers the third card Cd3 that is reversed upside down to the image forming unit B, and forms an image on the back side thereof. At the same time, the second card waiting in the post-processing section K is reversed by the second reversing unit G, and an overcoat film is pasted on the back side by the post-processing section K. At this time, the fourth card Cd4 is waiting in the first reversing unit F.

  Next, the control CPU 50 determines whether or not the first and second reversing units F and G are busy when the image formation on the third card Cd3 is completed. At this time, the first reversing unit F is in a busy state in which the fourth card Cd4 is present, and the second reversing unit G is in a busy state in which the second card Cd2 is approaching. Therefore, the control CPU 50 waits for the first and second reversing units F and G to become not busy.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 7C, the second card Cd2 is sent from the second reversing unit G to the receiving stacker 30, and the second reversing unit G is not busy, but the first reversing unit F has The fourth card Cd4 is waiting.

  Therefore, the control CPU 50 sends the third card Cd3 to the post-processing unit K, and affixes an overcoat film on one side thereof. At the same time, the fourth card Cd43 is sent to the image forming unit B, and an image is formed on one side thereof. Then, the fifth card Cd5 is sent to the data recording unit. The subsequent cards are processed in the same manner.

A carrying-in part B image forming part C carrying-out part D carrying-in path E carrying-out path F first reversing unit G second reversing unit H1 monitoring means H2 discriminating means I magnetic recording part K post-processing part 1 image forming apparatus 24 magnetic recording unit 30 storage Stacker 50 Control CPU
53 Data Input Control Unit 54 Image Formation Control Unit 55 Post-Processing Control Unit

Claims (10)

An apparatus for forming images on the front and back surfaces of a recording medium,
A carry-in section for sequentially carrying recording media;
An image forming unit for forming an image on a recording medium sent from the carry-in unit;
An unloading unit for unloading the recording medium from the image forming unit to a storage stacker;
A carry-in path for transferring a recording medium from the carry-in unit to the image forming unit;
A carry-out path for transferring a recording medium from the image forming unit to the carry-out unit;
A control unit for controlling the placed medium conveying means to the discharge path and the conveyance path,
With
On the upstream side and a downstream side of the image forming section,
A first inverting unit for reversing the recording medium to the conveyance path,
A second reversing unit that reverses the recording medium to the carry-out path;
Are placed,
Said first inverting unit and the second inverting unit is returned configured to be able to again toward the image forming unit a recording medium sent from the image forming unit after reversing,
In the control unit,
Monitoring means for monitoring a busy state of each of the first inversion unit and the second inversion unit;
Based on the result of monitoring by said monitoring means, a determining means for determining whether to transfer the recording medium from the image forming portion or the second inverting unit for transferring to the first inverting unit, it is provided are, the image forming apparatus characterized by. The determination means includes
The recording medium is transported from the image forming unit to either the first reversing unit or the second reversing unit that is not busy based on a monitoring result by the monitoring unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The determination means includes
When the monitoring result of the monitoring means is that neither the first reversing unit nor the second reversing unit is busy , the recording medium is transferred from the image forming unit to the second reversing unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The monitoring means includes
Whether the recording medium is or approaches exist preceding the first information whether the recording medium subsequent to the inversion unit is or approaches being present and the second inverting unit It monitors the result busy information,
The determination means includes
When the first reversing unit or recording medium to the second inverting unit is present or approaching before the operation for reversing the recording medium by the first inverting unit or the second inverting unit When the recording medium reaches each reversing unit, it is determined to be busy .
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The monitoring means includes
Information on whether or not a recording medium is present or approaching the first reversing unit or the second reversing unit is obtained from the detection sensors of the recording medium disposed in the carry-in path and the carry-out path, respectively. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image forming apparatus is obtained from a detection signal. The determination means includes
Executing the second of whether or not the recording medium to the first inverting unit inverting unit to the recording medium whether exists or primary determination after execution exists secondary determination,
The image forming according to claim 5, characterized in that it is configured in the secondary determining that the primary decision to transfer the recording medium from the image forming section to one of the reversing unit which recording medium is not present apparatus. A data recording unit for inputting data to a recording medium is arranged in the carry-in route,
A post-processing unit that performs post-processing on the recording medium is disposed in the carry-out path,
The first reversing unit is configured to transport a recording medium to the data recording unit, and the second reversing unit is configured to transport the recording medium to the post-processing unit;
The determination means includes
A busy state is determined based on a data recording time of a subsequent recording medium existing or approaching the first reversing unit and a post-processing time of a preceding recording medium existing or approaching the second reversing unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. Wherein the upstream of the first inverting unit, recording means for magnetically or electrically information recorded on the recording medium is set vignetting,
Wherein the downstream of the second reversing unit, a coating unit for adhering the overcoat sheet to the surface of the recording medium is kicked set,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7. The determination means includes
When the monitoring result of the monitoring means is that both the first reversing unit and the second reversing unit are busy, the data recording time of the recording means and the post-processing time of the coating means are ended earlier. the image forming apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that it is configured to transfer the recording medium from the image forming section to the reversing unit of the side after the waiting time. The carry-in route and / or the carry-out route is provided with a standby unit that temporarily waits for a recording medium to be transferred from the carry-in unit toward the carry-out unit,
Wherein the control unit, the image forming apparatus according to the recording medium on the basis of the monitoring result of said monitoring means to claim 1, characterized in that to temporarily standby on the standby unit.

Images