JP5570194B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet using an electrophotographic system.

  Conventionally, in consideration of usability, an image forming apparatus has been considered to be accessible from a plurality of directions. As an invention relating to such an image forming apparatus that can be accessed from a plurality of directions, an invention described in Patent Document 1 is disclosed. Here, for convenience of the following description, each of the four side surfaces of the image forming apparatus is referred to as a first side surface, a second side surface, a third side surface, and a fourth side surface.

  The invention described in Patent Document 1 is an image forming apparatus in which an operation unit having an operation panel is supported by a frame body, and the upper and lower sides of the operation panel are switched by 90 degrees by rotating the frame body around a predetermined axis. It is about. According to such a configuration, when the user accesses from the first side of the image forming apparatus, the upper and lower sides of the operation panel are set so as to align with the user standing in front of the first side. When the user accesses from the second side, the vertical direction of the operation panel is set so as to align with the direction of the user standing in front of the second side. A similar operation panel is also disposed between the third side surface and the fourth side surface of the image forming apparatus. According to such a configuration, the user can access from a plurality of sides of the image forming apparatus, so that usability is improved.

  Conventionally, in consideration of usability, a tray having a plurality of bins is attached to the front side of the apparatus main body in the image forming apparatus. The invention described in Patent Document 2 is disclosed as an invention relating to a configuration in which a sheet is taken out from which of the plurality of bins.

  The invention described in Patent Document 2 relates to an image forming apparatus capable of preferentially discharging sheets from a lower bin so as to improve usability for a user who uses a wheelchair. According to such a configuration, even when the user's line of sight is low with respect to the image forming apparatus, the user can easily take out the sheet from the tray.

JP-A-5-227372 JP 2000-86077 A

However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, when a tray having a plurality of bins is attached to the third side surface, the user can access the first side surface and operate the operation panel. wraps around a not a Banara I put out takes a seat, the user feel the inconvenience.

  In the invention described in Patent Document 2, a user who accesses the image forming apparatus from the back of the apparatus main body must also go around to the front of the image forming apparatus and take out the sheet, which is inconvenient for the user. It becomes.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of omitting a useless operation in which a user goes around the apparatus main body when taking out a sheet.

In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention detects an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, a plurality of sheet discharge ports formed in the apparatus main body, and a position direction of a user with respect to the apparatus main body. to includes the user position direction detection means, said select user position direction detection means a detection result one sheet discharge port directed to the position direction of the user from the plurality of sheet discharge port on the basis of said one sheet a picture image forming apparatus you discharge the sheet after image formation from the outlet, a discharge port setting means for presetting one sheet discharge port of the plurality of sheet discharge ports, the user position direction detection When the means detects the user from two or more horizontal directions with respect to the apparatus main body, it is determined that the sheet discharge port in the user's position direction cannot be limited, and the one sheet discharge port Characterized by discharging the Luo sheet.
Another image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, a plurality of sheet discharge ports formed in the apparatus main body, and a user position direction that detects the position direction of the user with respect to the apparatus main body. Detecting means, selecting one sheet discharge port directed in the user's position direction from the plurality of sheet discharge ports based on a detection result of the user position direction detection unit, and image from the one sheet discharge port An image forming apparatus for discharging a formed sheet, comprising: a discharge port selecting unit that selects one of the plurality of sheet discharge ports, wherein the user position direction detecting unit is horizontal with respect to the apparatus main body. When the user is detected from two or more directions, it is determined that the sheet discharge port in the user's position direction cannot be limited, and the user has selected by the discharge port selection unit Characterized by discharging the sheet from a sheet discharge port.
Another image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, a plurality of sheet discharge ports formed in the apparatus main body, and a user position direction that detects the position direction of the user with respect to the apparatus main body. Detecting means, selecting one sheet discharge port directed in the user's position direction from the plurality of sheet discharge ports based on a detection result of the user position direction detection unit, and image from the one sheet discharge port An image forming apparatus that discharges a formed sheet, a position / direction discharge setting unit that sets whether to discharge a sheet based on a detection result of the user position / direction detection unit, and a plurality of sheet discharge ports A discharge port setting unit that presets one of the sheet discharge ports, and when it is determined that the position / direction discharge setting unit is turned off, or the user position / direction detection If it is determined that based on the means of detection result to the position direction of the user there is no sheet discharge port, characterized by discharging the sheet from said one of the sheet discharge port.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the sheet discharge port for discharging the sheet is switched according to the direction of the user with respect to the apparatus main body. As a result, when the sheet is taken out, a useless operation in which the user goes around the apparatus main body is omitted.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a reference example of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram inside the image forming apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an image memory part. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an external I / F process part. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a sheet conveyance path. 2 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus showing a configuration of an operation unit. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the rotation angle detection sensor which detects the rotation angle of an operation part. It is a flowchart which shows the control process of a controller. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a control process of a controller of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment . 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control process of a controller of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment . 9 is a flowchart illustrating a control process of a controller of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 3 . 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control process of a controller of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 4 . 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control process of a controller of an image forming apparatus according to a fifth embodiment .

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail by way of example. However, since the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative positions, etc. of the components described in this embodiment are appropriately changed according to the configuration of the mechanism to which the present invention is applied and various conditions, there are particularly specific descriptions. As long as there is not, it is not the meaning which limits the scope of the present invention only to them.
[ Reference example ]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus 30 according to a reference example of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 30 is an image forming apparatus having a double-sided printing function using an electrophotographic image forming process. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 30 includes a color reader unit 31 and a color printer unit 32.

  The color reader unit 31 includes a platen glass 101, an automatic document feeder 102, and light sources 103 and 104, and reflectors 105 and 106 that collect light from the light sources 103 and 104 on the document. The color reader unit 31 includes mirrors 107 to 109, a CCD 111, and a lens 110 that collects reflected light or projection light from the original on the CCD 111. The color reader unit 31 includes a substrate 112 on which the CCD 111 is mounted, a controller 100 that controls the entire image forming apparatus, and a digital signal processing unit that performs necessary processing on an image signal sent from the CCD 111 and sends it to the controller 100 as a digital signal. 113. Inside the color reader unit 31, the light sources 103 and 104, the reflectors 105 and 106, and the mirror 107 are accommodated in the carriage 114, and the mirrors 108 and 109 are accommodated in the carriage 115. The carriage 114 is moved at a speed V and the carriage 115 is moved at a speed V / 2 in the sub-scanning direction Y orthogonal to the electrical scanning direction (main scanning direction X) of the CCD 111. Scan the entire surface. An external interface (I / F) 116 with other devices is attached to the back side of the color reader unit 31.

  Further, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 2, the controller 100 that is a “control unit” is connected to an external I / F processing unit that transmits and receives signals to and from the digital signal processing unit 113 and the printer control unit. CPU 171 (see FIG. 2). Further, the operation unit 601 (see FIGS. 2 and 6) is configured by a liquid crystal with a touch panel for inputting processing execution contents by the user, information regarding processing to the user, and notification of warnings and the like.

  Next, the color printer unit 32 includes a control signal receiving port from the CPU on the controller 100 that controls the entire image forming apparatus 30. The controller 100 performs image reading control on the color reader unit 31 and temporarily stores the read image data in a memory on the controller 100. Then, the controller 100 synchronizes the image data on the memory with the video clock in accordance with the reference timing from the color printer unit 32 and transmits it to the color printer unit 32 as an image data signal.

  The image forming unit includes an image forming unit 1Y that forms a yellow image, an image forming unit 1M that forms a magenta image, an image forming unit 1C that forms a cyan image, and a black image. There are four image forming units (image forming units) of the image forming unit 1Bk to be formed. These four image forming units 1Y to 1Bk are arranged in a line at regular intervals. These “image forming units”, the image forming units 1Y to 1BK, have a function of forming an image on a sheet.

  Each of the image forming units 1Y to 1Bk is provided with drum-type electrophotographic photosensitive members (hereinafter referred to as “photosensitive drums”) 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d as “image carriers”. Around the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d, there are primary chargers 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, developing devices 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, transfer rollers 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, drum cleaner devices 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d are respectively arranged. A laser exposure device 7 is installed below the primary chargers 3a to 3d and the developing devices 4a to 4d.

  Each developing device 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d contains yellow toner, cyan toner, magenta toner, and black toner, respectively. Each of the photoconductor drums 2a to 2d is a negatively charged OPC photoconductor having a photoconductive layer on an aluminum drum base, and a predetermined process is performed in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1 by a driving device (not shown). Driven by speed. The primary chargers 3a to 3d uniformly charge the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d to a predetermined negative potential by a charging bias applied from a charging bias power source (not shown).

  The developing devices 4a to 4d contain toner, and each color toner is attached to each electrostatic image formed on each of the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d to develop it as a toner image. The transfer rollers 5a to 5d are arranged so as to be in contact with the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d via the intermediate transfer belt 8 in the primary transfer portions 32a to 32d. The drum cleaners 6 a to 6 d have a cleaning blade or the like for removing, from the photosensitive drum 2, transfer residual toner remaining at the time of primary transfer on the photosensitive drum 2.

  The intermediate transfer belt 8 is disposed on the upper surface side of each of the photosensitive drums 2 a to 2 d and is stretched between the secondary transfer counter roller 10 and the tension roller 11. The secondary transfer counter roller 10 is disposed so as to be in contact with the secondary transfer roller 206 via the intermediate transfer belt 8 in the secondary transfer portion. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is made of a dielectric resin such as polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate resin film, polyvinylidene fluoride resin film, or the like.

  Further, the intermediate transfer belt 8 is movably disposed on the upper surfaces of the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d, and a primary transfer surface formed on the surface facing the photosensitive drum 2, that is, a lower flat surface, is set as a secondary transfer roller. It is arranged so as to be inclined so that the 206 side is downward. Specifically, this inclination angle is set to about 15 °. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is disposed on the opposite side with the primary transfer portions 32a to 32d sandwiched between the secondary transfer counter roller 10 that is disposed on the secondary transfer roller 206 side and applies driving force to the intermediate transfer belt 8. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is stretched by two tension rollers 11 that apply tension.

  The secondary transfer counter roller 10 is disposed so as to be in contact with the secondary transfer roller 206 via the intermediate transfer belt 8. In addition, a belt cleaning device 13 that removes and collects transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is installed outside the endless intermediate transfer belt 8 and in the vicinity of the tension roller 11. Further, a fixing device 207 having a fixing roller and a pressure roller is installed in a vertical path configuration on the downstream side of the secondary transfer portion in the sheet conveyance direction.

  The laser exposure device 7 is composed of laser light emitting means, a polygon lens, a reflecting mirror, and the like that emit light corresponding to time-series electric digital pixel signals of given image information. The laser exposure device 7 exposes the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d to electrostatically charge each color corresponding to the image information on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d charged by the primary chargers 3a to 3d. Form an image. The laser light emitting means can change the laser power to 15 levels by switching the output current of the laser.

  The image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 30 described above will be described. When an image formation start signal is issued, the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d of the image forming units 1Y to 1Bk that are rotationally driven at a predetermined process speed are uniformly charged to negative polarity by the primary chargers 3a to 3d, respectively. Is done. Then, the laser exposure device 7 irradiates an externally input color-separated image signal from the laser light emitting element, and electrostatically outputs each color on each of the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d via a polygon lens, a reflection mirror, and the like. Form an image.

  First, yellow toner is adhered to the electrostatic image formed on the photosensitive drum 2a by the developing device 4a to which a developing bias having the same polarity as the charging polarity (negative polarity) of the photosensitive drum 2a is applied. Visualize as a toner image. This yellow toner image is driven by a transfer roller 5a to which a primary transfer bias (opposite polarity (positive polarity) from toner) is applied in a primary transfer portion 32a between the photosensitive drum 2a and the transfer roller 5a. Primary transfer is performed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  The intermediate transfer belt 8 onto which the yellow toner image has been transferred is moved to the image forming unit 1M side. In the image forming unit 1M, similarly to the above, the magenta toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 2b is superimposed on the yellow toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 8 and is then transferred to the primary transfer unit 32b. Is transcribed. Cyan and black toner images formed by the photosensitive drums 2c and 2d of the image forming portions 1C and 1Bk on the yellow and magenta toner images superimposed and transferred on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are respectively transferred to the primary transfer portions 32c and 32d. And superimpose one after another. Thus, a full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8. Transfer residual toner remaining on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d is scraped off and collected by a cleaner blade or the like provided in the drum cleaner devices 6a to 6d.

  On the other hand, the sheets stored in the cassette 208 are picked up by the pickup roller 212, conveyed by the feeding roller 216, and conveyed to the registration roller 221 by the vertical path conveying roller 222. In the case of manual feeding, the sheets stacked on the manual feed tray 240 are conveyed to the registration roller 221 by the manual feeding roller 220. The sheet is conveyed between the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the secondary transfer roller 206 at the timing when the transfer to the intermediate transfer belt 8 is completed. Thereafter, the sheet is conveyed in the direction of the fixing device 207 while being sandwiched between the secondary transfer roller 206 and the intermediate transfer belt 8, and is pressed against the intermediate transfer belt 8, so that the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is transferred to the sheet. Next transferred. The toner image transferred to the sheet is heated and pressed by the fixing device 207 and fixed on the sheet.

  In the case of the first discharge, the sheet on which the image is fixed is discharged toward the first discharge roller 233 when the first discharge flapper 237 is switched in the direction of the first discharge roller 233. . In the case of the second discharge, the sheet on which the image is fixed is switched to the second discharge roller 234 when the first discharge flapper 237 and the second discharge flapper 238 are switched. To be sent to aim. In the case of the third discharge, the sheet on which the image is fixed is temporarily reversed by the reversing roller 235, so that the first discharge flapper 237 and the second discharge flapper 238 are directed in the direction of the reversing roller 235. When switched, it is reversed by the reversing roller 235. After the sheet is reversed by the reversing roller 235 and the third discharge flapper 239 is switched in the third discharge direction, the sheet is discharged toward the third discharge roller 236. In the case of duplex discharge, similarly to the case of the third discharge, the reversing operation is once performed by the reversing roller 235, the third discharge flapper 239 is switched to the direction of the duplex unit 261, and conveyed to the duplex unit 261. Is done. The sheet is temporarily stopped after a predetermined time from the detection of the sheet by the double-sided sensor, and is fed again as soon as the image preparation is completed, and the image on the second side of the sheet is formed. The tray 253 is disposed below the first sheet discharge port 521, the tray 252 is disposed below the second sheet discharge port 522, and the tray 251 is disposed below the third sheet discharge port 524. . In addition, regarding the first discharge flapper 237, the second discharge flapper 238, and the third discharge flapper 239, the “flapper” can be said to be a switching member that switches the discharge path.

  FIG. 2 is a control block diagram inside the image forming apparatus 30. The CPU 171 performs basic control of the image forming apparatus 30. The CPU 171 is connected to a ROM 174 in which a control program is written, a work RAM 175 for performing processing, and an input / output port 173 by an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 173 is connected to various loads (not shown) such as a motor and a clutch for controlling the image forming apparatus 30 and an input unit (not shown) such as a sensor for detecting the position of the sheet. Here, the controller 100 which is a “control unit” includes a CPU 171, a ROM 174, a RAM 175, and a storage unit 202.

  Although details will be described later with reference to FIG. 5, the input / output port 173 includes a registration motor 501, a main motor 502, a fixing motor 503, a first discharge motor 504, a second discharge motor 505, and a third discharge motor. 506, the terminals of a double-sided motor 507 are connected. Thus, the controller 100 can control the driving of the registration roller 221, the secondary transfer roller 206, the fixing roller and pressure roller of the fixing device 207, the first discharge roller 233, and the first transport roller 511. It has become. Further, the controller 100 can control the driving of the second discharge roller 234, the second transport roller 512, the reverse roller 235, the third discharge roller 236, the third transport roller 513, and the double-sided rollers 514 and 515. It has become.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 1, the input / output port 173 is connected to a terminal of a solenoid that drives the first discharge flapper 237, the second discharge flapper 238, and the third discharge flapper 239. . Thus, the controller 100 can control the driving of the first discharge flapper 237, the second discharge flapper 238, and the third discharge flapper 239.

  The CPU 171 sequentially performs input / output control via the input / output port 173 based on the contents of the ROM 174 to execute an image forming operation. An operation unit 601 is connected to the CPU 171, and the CPU 171 controls display means and key input means of the operation unit 601. The user instructs the CPU 171 to switch the image forming operation mode and display through the key input means, and the CPU 171 displays the state of the image forming apparatus 30 and the operation mode setting by key input. Connected to the CPU 171 are an external I / F processing unit 400 that transmits and receives image data and processing data from an external device such as a PC, and an image memory unit 300 that performs image expansion processing and temporary storage processing. Further, the CPU 171 is connected to the image forming units 1Y to 1Bk that perform processing to expose the line image data transferred from the image memory unit 300 to the laser exposure device 7.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image memory unit 300. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the image memory unit 300 writes the image data received from the external I / F processing unit 400 via the memory controller unit 302 into a page memory 301 configured by a memory such as a DRAM. The image memory unit 300 performs image input / output access such as image reading to the image forming units 1Y to 1Bk. Further, the memory controller unit 302 determines whether the image data from the external device received from the external I / F processing unit 400 is compressed data. When the memory controller unit 302 determines that the data is compressed data, the decompression process is performed using the compressed data decompression processing unit 303, and then the write process is performed on the page memory 301 via the memory controller unit 302. .

  Further, the memory controller unit 302 generates a DRAM refresh signal for the page memory 301, and accesses the page memory 301 for writing from the external I / F processing unit 400 and reading to the image forming units 1Y to 1Bk. Perform mediation. Further, the memory controller unit 302 controls a write address to the page memory 301, a read address from the page memory 301, a read direction, and the like according to an instruction from the CPU 171.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the external I / F processing unit 400. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the external I / F processing unit 400 transmits image data and print command data transmitted from the external device 500 to the USB I / F unit 401, the Centro I / F unit 402, and the network I / F unit 403. Is received via any of the above. Further, the external I / F processing unit 400 transmits the status information of the image forming apparatus 30 determined by the CPU 171 to the external apparatus 500. Here, the external device 500 is a computer, a workstation, or the like.

  Print command data received from the external device 500 via any of the USB I / F unit 401, the Centro I / F unit 402, and the network I / F unit 403 is processed by the CPU 171. Then, the printing operation is executed using the image forming units 1Y to 1Bk, the input / output port 173 in FIG. 2, and the like, and settings and timing are generated. The image data received from the external device 500 via the USB I / F unit 401, the Centro I / F unit 402, or the network I / F unit 403 is transmitted to the image memory unit 300 according to the timing based on the print command data. Is done. Then, the image forming units 1Y to 1Bk are processed to form an image.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a sheet conveyance path. As shown in FIG. 5, inside the image forming apparatus 30, conveyance motors 501 to 507 are arranged in the middle of the conveyance path. The registration motor 501 controls the driving of the registration roller 221. A main motor 502 controls driving of the secondary transfer roller 206. By this drive control, the secondary transfer counter roller 10 and the intermediate transfer belt 8 facing the secondary transfer roller 206 are driven. The fixing motor 503 controls driving of the fixing roller of the fixing device 207. The first discharge motor 504 controls the driving of the first transport roller 511 and the first discharge roller 233. The second discharge motor 505 controls the driving of the second transport roller 512 and the second discharge roller 234. The third discharge motor 506 controls driving of the reverse roller 235, the third discharge roller 236, and the third transport roller 513. A double-sided motor 507 controls driving of the double-sided roller 514 and the double-sided roller 515.

  The column portion 21 (see FIG. 1) that connects the color reader unit 31 and the color printer unit 32 of the apparatus main body 30A has a first sheet discharge port 521 that is a “plurality of sheet discharge ports”, A two-sheet discharge port 522 and a third sheet discharge port 524 are formed. The first sheet discharge port 521 is disposed in the lower stage of the inner region of the column portion 21 (the surface on the vertical center side of the apparatus main body 30A among the side surfaces of the column portion 21). The second sheet discharge port 522 is disposed in the upper stage of the inner region of the column portion 21. The third sheet discharge port 524 is disposed on the outer surface of the column portion 21 (the surface that forms substantially the same surface as the outer surface of the apparatus main body 30A among the side surfaces of the column portion 21). In addition, although arrangement | positioning is like that here, it is not necessarily limited to this arrangement | positioning.

  The sheet fed from the feeding unit is conveyed from the vertical path conveying roller 222 side, and passes through the registration roller 221, the secondary transfer roller 206, the fixing device 207, and the first conveying roller 511. When the sheet is discharged from the first sheet discharge port 521, the sheet is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 30 via the first discharge roller 233. When the sheet is discharged from the second sheet discharge port 522, the sheet is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 30 via the first conveyance roller 511, the second conveyance roller 512, and the second discharge roller 234. The Further, when the sheet is discharged from the third sheet discharge port 524, the sheet is reversed from the second conveying roller 512 via the reverse roller 235 and the reverse port 523, and then via the third discharge roller 236. It is discharged outside the image forming apparatus 30. Further, when duplex printing is performed, the sheet is reversed at the reversing port 523 and then conveyed again from the registration roller 221 via the third conveyance roller 513, the duplex roller 514, and the duplex roller 515.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus 30 showing the configuration of the operation unit 601. As shown in FIG. 6, the operation unit 601 is rotatably attached to the upper part of the apparatus main body 30A. Therefore, when the user stands in front of any of the four side surfaces of the apparatus main body 30A, the lower part of the panel of the operation unit 601 is directed toward the user side, and the user moves the panel of the operation unit 601 up and down. It can be adjusted by rotating from the direction of access to a direction that is easy to operate.

FIG. 7 includes FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b). FIG. 7A is an electronic circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a rotation angle detection sensor 600 that detects the rotation angle of the operation unit 601. FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram showing a modification of the reference example . As described above with reference to FIG. 6, the apparatus main body 30 </ b> A is attached to the apparatus main body 30 </ b> A and is rotatable about a vertical axis L orthogonal to the horizontal plane, and can drive a mechanism inside the apparatus main body 30 </ b> A. An operation unit 601 is provided. Then, as shown in FIG. 7A, a rotation angle detection sensor 600 as “rotation angle detection means” which is “user position direction detection means” is provided inside the apparatus main body 30A. The rotation angle detection sensor 600 detects the rotation angle of the operation unit 601 (see FIG. 6) with respect to the apparatus main body 30A. That is, the rotation angle detection sensor 600 is configured to detect in which direction the operation unit 601 is currently directed. The rotary contact 611 is connected to a power source 610 and can be driven by the rotation of the operation unit 601. The rotation angle detection sensor 600 is configured such that the level of the output signal 613 corresponding to the contact 612 with which the rotary contact 611 is in contact changes as H or L in FIG. The rotary contact 611 is always in contact with any one of the contacts 612. By detecting the level of the output signal 613, the controller 100, which is the “control means”, determines the current orientation of the operation unit 601, and thus “the user's position direction relative to the apparatus main body 30A”, that is, the direction in which the user is accessing. Can be detected.

  Further, the controller 100 discharges sheets directed from the plurality of first sheet discharge ports 521, second sheet discharge ports 522, and third sheet discharge ports 524 toward the position of the user based on the detection result of the rotation angle detection sensor 600. Choose an exit. Then, the controller 100 discharges the sheet after image formation from any one of the first sheet discharge port 521, the second sheet discharge port 522, and the third sheet discharge port 524.

  The above-described “user position / direction detecting means” is merely an example, and is not limited to this form. That is, as shown in FIG. 7B, an optical sensor 630 as a “user detecting unit” that is a “user position direction detecting unit” capable of detecting a user is provided on each side surface of the apparatus main body 30 </ b> A. A configuration may be employed in which the user's access direction is detected. Similar effects can be obtained by the plurality of optical sensors 630. That is, the controller 100 can detect the current direction of the operation unit 601, and thus “the user's position direction relative to the apparatus main body 30 </ b> A”, that is, the direction in which the user is accessing.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control process of the controller 100. The control of the controller 100 that switches the sheet discharge destination appropriately based on the user access direction will be described below with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the controller 100 starts control (step 11, hereinafter, “step” is simply referred to as “S”, S11). The user makes settings regarding copying (S12). The controller 100 determines whether or not the user has turned on the copy start key (S13). In the case of YES, the controller 100 performs user standing position detection at that timing (S14). In the case of NO, the controller 100 determines whether or not the user has turned on the copy start key (S3).

  The controller 100 determines the sheet discharge port based on the detection result such as the user's standing position (access direction) detected by the rotation angle detection sensor 600 (S15). Here, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, when the user accesses the image forming apparatus 30 from the arrow B side, the controller 100 discharges the first sheet formed in the inner area of the apparatus. Determine the exit 521. When the user accesses the image forming apparatus 30 from the arrow A side, the controller 100 determines the discharge port as the sheet discharge port 524 formed in the outer region of the apparatus, that is, the right side surface of the apparatus. Then, after determining the sheet discharge port, the controller 100 performs normal print processing (S16) and ends the control (S17).

  By controlling the controller 100 as described above, the sheet discharge port is appropriately determined according to the direction in which the user accesses the image forming apparatus 30. As a result, usability related to sheet extraction is improved in an apparatus on the premise that the user accesses from multiple directions of the image forming apparatus 30.

In the reference example , with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the case where the sheet is discharged in the left-right direction with respect to the image forming apparatus 30 in FIG. 6 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when a configuration including a sheet discharge port toward the front direction or the back direction of the apparatus main body 30A is added, the front or back direction is further increased according to the user access direction. However, it is possible to switch the sheet discharge processing.

In the reference example , in the control of the controller 100, the user standing position is detected based on the time when the copy start key is turned on (S13). It is not limited to this. That is, the controller 100 may be configured to detect the access direction at the timing (S12) set for copying.

In the reference example , the control when the user makes a copy has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, for example, a BOX print that prints a document registered in advance can perform the same processing as the above-described control. In the embodiments described below, the operation relating to copying will be described as an example. However, this is the same, and the present invention is not limited to the copying operation.

FIG. 9 shows FIG. 9 (a) and FIG. 9 (b). FIG. 9A is a schematic view illustrating a case where two or more users access each of two or more side surfaces of the image forming apparatus 30 according to the first embodiment at the same time. FIG. 9B is a flowchart showing the control process of the controller 100. The configuration of the image forming apparatus 30 according to the first exemplary embodiment is the same as the configuration other than the control of the controller 100, and the description of the configuration is omitted. The difference between the image forming apparatus 30 of the first embodiment and the image forming apparatus 30 of the reference example is that in the image forming apparatus 30 of the first embodiment , two or more users stand on each of two or more side surfaces of the apparatus main body 30A. This is the point where the control process is incorporated.

In the reference example , the control unit that appropriately automatically selects the sheet discharge destination according to the access direction of the user has been described. When such control for switching the discharge destination according to the user access direction is performed, the user access direction may not be uniquely determined. For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, when there are users 680 and 681 on both sides of a device that detects an access direction of a user using an optical sensor 630, which user 680 and 681 It is conceivable that the controller cannot determine whether to discharge.

  In such a case, the operation unit 601 previously sets “one sheet discharge port” among the first sheet discharge port 521, the second sheet discharge port 522, and the third sheet discharge port 524, which are “a plurality of sheet discharge ports”. “Discharge port setting means” (not shown) for setting is provided. When the optical sensor 630 serving as the “user position / direction detecting means” detects the user from two or more directions in the horizontal direction with respect to the apparatus main body 30A, the controller 100 determines as follows. That is, since the position direction of the user is not limited, the controller 100 determines that the sheet discharge port cannot be limited to any of the first sheet discharge port 521, the second sheet discharge port 522, and the third sheet discharge port 524. Then, the controller 100 discharges the sheet from “one sheet discharge port”, for example, the first sheet discharge port 521. The operation unit 601 includes a “display unit” (not shown) that displays that the position direction of the user is detected from two or more horizontal directions with respect to the apparatus main body 30A.

As shown in FIG. 9 (b), since up to S11~S14 are the same as the control process of the reference example, with respect to this step shall incorporated herein a description of the reference example, the description thereof is omitted. The controller 100 determines whether the user is detected in two directions after detecting the user standing position detection by the optical sensor 630 (S14) (S21). In the case of YES, a predetermined sheet discharge port set in advance is determined as the discharge destination (S22). In the case of NO, the sheet discharge port at the user's standing position is determined as the discharge destination (S23). When the above-described predetermined sheet discharge port is determined as the discharge destination (S22), the controller 100 detects the user in two directions, and therefore performs a discharge process on the specified discharge port on the panel of the operation unit 601. It is good also as a structure which notifies that it has performed (not shown).

  After processing the flow of S22 or S23 described above, the controller 100 controls the image forming apparatus 30 to perform normal print processing on the sheet (S24). The controller 100 stops the control (S25).

FIG. 10 shows FIG. 10 (a) and FIG. 10 (b). FIG. 10A is a flowchart illustrating a control process of the controller 100 of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment . FIG. 10B is a schematic view illustrating contents displayed on the panel when the user simultaneously accesses two or more side surfaces of the image forming apparatus 30. The configuration of the image forming apparatus 30 according to the second embodiment is the same as that except for the control of the controller 100, and the description of the configuration is omitted. Is different from the image forming apparatus 30 of the image forming apparatus 30 Example 1 Example 2, the image forming apparatus 30 of the second embodiment, as the control process when the user stands in 2 or more sides of the main body 30A A flow in which the user determines and instructs the sheet discharge destination is incorporated.

  The operation unit 601 includes a “discharge port selection unit” (not shown) that selects “one sheet discharge port” among the first sheet discharge port 521, the second sheet discharge port 522, and the third sheet discharge port 524. When the optical sensor 630 serving as the “user position / direction detection unit” detects the user from two or more directions in the horizontal direction with respect to the apparatus main body 30A, the controller 100 determines as follows. That is, the controller 100 determines that the position cannot be limited to any of the first sheet discharge port 521, the second sheet discharge port 522, and the third sheet discharge port 524 that are “sheet discharge ports” in the position direction of the user. Then, the sheet is discharged from any one of the first sheet discharge port 521, the second sheet discharge port 522, and the third sheet discharge port 524, which is the “one sheet discharge port” selected by the “discharge port selection unit”. To control.

As shown in FIG. 10 (a), since up to S11~S21 are the same as the control process of Example 1, shall hence the description of Example 1 for this step here, the description thereof is omitted . It is determined whether or not the controller 100 detects the user in a plurality of directions of the apparatus main body 30A, that is, in two or more directions (S21). As a result, in the case of YES, the controller 100 displays the content prompting the selection of the discharge destination on the panel of the operation unit 601 (S31). In the case of NO, the controller 100 designates the discharge destination according to the user's standing position (S32). An example of the screen display is as shown in FIG. The controller 100 determines whether or not the user has newly selected the sheet discharge destination (S33). In the case of YES, the controller 100 performs normal print processing according to the selection of the discharge port (S34), and ends the control (S35). In the case of NO, the controller 100 determines again whether or not the user has selected the sheet discharge destination (S33).

  With this configuration, when a user is detected in a plurality of directions of the apparatus main body 30A, it is displayed on the panel of the operation unit 601, and the user who uses the image forming apparatus 30 at the present time selects the sheet discharge port so that the user can access it. The sheet is reliably discharged from the easy sheet discharge port.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a control process of the controller 100 of the image forming apparatus 30 according to the third embodiment . The configuration of the image forming apparatus 30 of the third embodiment is the same except for the control of the controller 100, and the description of the configuration is omitted. Control step image forming apparatus 30 of Example 3 is the image forming apparatus 30 is different from Embodiment 1, the image forming apparatus 30 of the third embodiment, for discharging the sheet from the predetermined sheet discharge port according to the type of sheet Is included.

In the image forming apparatus 30, there are cases where the sheet discharge destination is limited depending on the type of sheet on which an image is formed. Originally, it is desirable that all types of sheets can be discharged from all sheet discharge ports regardless of the type. However, for example, in the case of an extremely thick type, an extremely thin type, or a very small type sheet, there is generally an image forming apparatus in which the discharge destination of the sheet is limited. This is caused by the shape of the sheet conveyance path and the performance of the conveyance mechanism. For example, when the sheet is an extremely thick type, there is a case where a curve is too steep due to the shape of the sheet conveyance path, and the discharge destination must be limited. In this case, the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment solves the competition between the sheet discharge process and the discharge process according to the user access direction.

That is, in the image forming apparatus 30 according to the third exemplary embodiment , the operation unit 601 includes a “sheet type setting unit” (not shown) that can set the type of a sheet. Further, the controller 100 of the image forming apparatus 30 according to the third embodiment can determine that a “predetermined type” sheet such as a special type such as OHP is conveyed based on the setting result of the “sheet type setting unit”. is there. The controller 100 is a “one sheet discharge port” of the first sheet discharge port 521, the second sheet discharge port 522, and the third sheet discharge port 524, which are “a plurality of sheet discharge ports”, for example, the first sheet discharge port 521. Select to eject the sheet.

As shown in FIG. 11, since until S11~S13 are the same as the control process of the reference example, with respect to this step shall incorporated herein a description of the reference example, the description thereof is omitted. The controller 100 determines whether or not the copy start key is turned on (S13). As a result, in the case of YES, the controller 100 determines whether or not the sheet type is OHP (S41), and in the case of NO, the controller 100 returns to S13. In Example 3 , an OHP sheet is used as an example.

  When the result of S41 is YES (when the sheet is OHP), the controller 100 displays on the operation unit 601 that the currently selected sheet type has a discharge destination restriction (S42), and the OHP sheet. Is determined as a sheet discharge destination (S43). If the result of S41 is NO (when the sheet is not OHP), the controller 100 detects the user's standing position (S44) and determines the sheet discharge destination (S45). After processing the flow of S43 or S45 described above, the controller 100 instructs a normal print process (S46) and ends the control (S47).

According to the image forming apparatus of the third embodiment , the sheet is not discharged to the discharge port intended by the user for the operation when the discharge process according to the user access direction cannot be performed by performing the above-described screen display. Can prevent user confusion.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a control process of the controller 100 of the image forming apparatus 30 according to the fourth embodiment . The configuration of the image forming apparatus 30 of the fourth embodiment is the same except for the control of the controller 100, and the description of the configuration is omitted. The difference between the image forming apparatus 30 according to the fourth embodiment and the image forming apparatus 30 according to the first embodiment is that the image forming apparatus 30 according to the fourth embodiment is configured to use a discharge destination determination unit according to a user's access direction and a switching unit that is not used. It is a point to prepare.

Depending on the user, for example, there is a case where usage for limiting the sheet discharge destination is required for each apparatus function such as copying, FAX, and printing. For example, some users may not want to mix output sheets on the delivery tray. Some users may want to limit the sheet discharge destination from the viewpoint of security. In order to meet such user needs, the controller 100 of the image forming apparatus 30 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment includes a “discharge destination switching unit” (not illustrated) that switches the sheet discharge destination according to the access direction of the user.

That is, in the image forming apparatus 30 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment , the operation unit 601 sets whether or not to discharge the sheet based on the detection result of the optical sensor 630 serving as the “user position / direction detecting unit”. Direction discharge setting means ”. In addition, when the “position direction discharge setting unit” is turned off, the controller 100 performs the following process. In other words, the controller 100 selects “one sheet discharge port” of the first sheet discharge port 521, the second sheet discharge port 522, and the third sheet discharge port 524, which are “a plurality of sheet discharge ports”. The sheet is discharged from the outlet 521.

As shown in FIG. 12, since until S11~S13 are the same as the control process of the reference example, with respect to this step shall incorporated herein a description of the reference example, the description thereof is omitted. The controller 100 determines whether or not the copy start key is turned on (S13). If the result is YES, it is determined at this timing whether the discharge destination switching means according to the user's access direction is valid or invalid. If (NO), the process returns to S13.

  If the result of determination in S51 is YES (if valid), the controller 100 detects the user's standing position (S52) and determines the discharge destination (S53). If the result of determination in S51 is NO (invalid), the controller 100 automatically selects a preset discharge destination (S54). After the flow of S53 or S54 described above is processed, the controller 100 performs a normal print process (S55). The controller 100 ends the control (S56).

  In addition, when the above-mentioned discharge destination switching means is invalid, it is good also as a structure which displays on the panel of the operation part 61 that the discharge destination switching means by a user's standing position is invalid.

According to the image forming apparatus of the fourth embodiment, it is possible to provide comfortable use of the apparatus even for a user who needs a setting for determining the discharge destination regardless of the access direction of the user.

FIG. 13 includes FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b). FIG. 13A is a flowchart illustrating a control process of the controller 100 of the image forming apparatus according to the fifth embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a schematic diagram illustrating display of a dialog box. The configuration of the image forming apparatus 30 according to the fifth embodiment is the same as that except for the control of the controller 100, and the description of the configuration is omitted. The image forming apparatus according to the fifth embodiment is different from the image forming apparatus 30 according to the fourth embodiment in the following points. That is, in the image forming apparatus according to the fifth exemplary embodiment , when the user stands toward the apparatus main body, the right side of the apparatus main body on the right hand side and the left side on the left hand side of the user are each provided with a sheet discharge port. This is a point that can be dealt with when a user accesses from a direction where there is no outlet.

  In the current market, the image forming apparatus includes the sheet discharge port 524 on the right side surface of the apparatus main body 30A such as the image forming apparatus 30 shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, and the sheet discharge ports 521 and 522 in the inner region of the apparatus main body 30A. The device is widely accepted. Even in an apparatus having a sheet discharge port in two directions in the horizontal direction, for example, when the apparatus rear surface is installed so as to be in contact with the wall, it is accessible from three directions of the apparatus main body 30A, thereby improving usability. To do.

In the image forming apparatus 30 according to the fifth exemplary embodiment , the operation unit 601 sets whether or not to discharge the sheet based on the detection result of the optical sensor 630 serving as the “user position / direction detection unit”. Setting means ”. In addition, the operation unit 601 is a “one sheet discharge port” of the first sheet discharge port 521, the second sheet discharge port 522, and the third sheet discharge port 524, which are “a plurality of sheet discharge ports”, for example, the first sheet. “Discharge port setting means” (not shown) for setting the discharge port 521 in advance is provided.

  When it is determined that the “position direction discharge setting unit” is turned off (OFF), or based on the detection result of the optical sensor 630, the first sheet discharge port 521, the second sheet discharge port 522 in the position direction of the user, It may be determined that there is no third sheet discharge port 524. In this case, the controller 100 discharges the sheet from any one of the first sheet discharge port 521, the second sheet discharge port 522, and the third sheet discharge port 524 which are “one sheet discharge port”.

As shown in FIG. 13, steps S11 to S51 are the same as those in the control process of the fourth embodiment. Therefore, the description of the fourth embodiment is incorporated herein for these steps, and the description thereof is omitted. The controller 100 determines whether the setting for switching the discharge destination according to the user's standing position is valid or invalid (S51). If the result is YES, the controller 100 detects the user's standing position (S52). If NO, the controller 100 selects the set discharge destination (S54). The set discharge destination is registered in advance in a dialog box as shown in FIG.

  After detecting the user's standing position (S52), the controller 100 determines whether or not there is an appropriate sheet discharge port for the user's standing position (S61). In the case of YES (when there is no sheet discharge port in the user standing position direction), the controller 100 selects the set discharge destination (S54). In the case of NO (when there is a sheet discharge port in the user's standing position direction), the controller 100 determines a discharge destination and selects a discharge port according to the user's access direction (S62). That is, in the case of S62, the sheet is discharged from the sheet discharge port on the right side surface of the apparatus body 30A when accessed from the right side of the apparatus body 30A, and the inside of the apparatus body 30A when accessed from the left side of the apparatus body 30A. A sheet is discharged from the sheet discharge port in the area. After processing the flow of S62 or S54, the controller 100 performs normal print processing (S63) and stops control (S64).

According to the image forming apparatus of the fifth embodiment, an image forming apparatus with high usability is provided even when the apparatus main body 30A has no sheet discharge port in all directions in the horizontal direction.

As described above, according to the first to fifth embodiments, the sheet discharge port for discharging the sheet is switched according to the direction of the user with respect to the apparatus main body 30A. As a result, when the sheet is taken out, a useless operation in which the user goes around the apparatus main body 30A is omitted.

1Y to 1Bk Image forming unit 30 Image forming apparatus 521 First sheet discharge port (sheet discharge port)
522 Second sheet outlet (sheet outlet)
524 Third sheet outlet (sheet outlet)
601 Operation unit 610 Power supply (user position direction detection means)
612 contact point (user position direction detection means)
613 output signal (user position direction detection means)
630 Optical sensor (user position / direction detection means)

Claims (6)

An image forming means for forming an image on a sheet; a plurality of sheet discharge ports formed in the apparatus main body; and a user position / direction detecting means for detecting a user's position / direction relative to the apparatus main body; An image forming apparatus that selects one sheet discharge port directed from the plurality of sheet discharge ports in a user's position direction based on a detection result of the unit, and discharges a sheet after image formation from the one sheet discharge port. And
A discharge port setting means for presetting one of the plurality of sheet discharge ports;
When the user position / direction detection unit detects the user from two or more directions in the horizontal direction with respect to the apparatus main body, it is determined that the sheet discharge port in the user's position direction cannot be limited, and the sheet is discharged from the one sheet discharge port. Forming an image forming apparatus. An image forming means for forming an image on a sheet; a plurality of sheet discharge ports formed in the apparatus main body; and a user position / direction detecting means for detecting a user's position / direction relative to the apparatus main body; An image forming apparatus that selects one sheet discharge port directed from the plurality of sheet discharge ports in a user's position direction based on a detection result of the unit, and discharges a sheet after image formation from the one sheet discharge port. And
A discharge port selecting means for selecting one of the plurality of sheet discharge ports;
When the user position / direction detection unit detects the user from two or more horizontal directions with respect to the apparatus main body, it is determined that the sheet discharge port in the user's position direction cannot be limited, and the user selects the discharge port selection unit. An image forming apparatus for discharging a sheet from the selected one sheet discharge port. An image forming means for forming an image on a sheet; a plurality of sheet discharge ports formed in the apparatus main body; and a user position / direction detecting means for detecting a user's position / direction relative to the apparatus main body; An image forming apparatus that selects one sheet discharge port directed from the plurality of sheet discharge ports in a user's position direction based on a detection result of the unit, and discharges a sheet after image formation from the one sheet discharge port. And
Position / direction discharge setting means for setting whether or not to discharge the sheet based on the detection result of the user position / direction detection means;
Discharge port setting means for presetting one sheet discharge port of the plurality of sheet discharge ports,
When it is determined that the position / direction discharge setting unit is turned off, or when it is determined that there is no sheet discharge port in the user's position direction based on the detection result of the user position / direction detection unit, An image forming apparatus that discharges a sheet from a sheet discharge port.   The image according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the user position / direction detection means is a plurality of user detection means attached to a side surface of the apparatus main body and capable of detecting a user. Forming equipment. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 , further comprising: an operation unit having a display unit that displays that the position direction of the user is detected from two or more horizontal directions with respect to the apparatus main body. A sheet type setting means that can set the sheet type is provided.
The sheet is determined to be conveyed based on a setting result of the sheet type setting unit, and the sheet is discharged from one of the plurality of sheet discharge ports. 1 to the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 5.