JP6802601B2 - Media identification device, paper feed device, image forming device and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a medium identification device, a paper feeding device, an image forming device and an image forming system, and in particular, a medium identifying device for identifying a medium by using an optical sensor, and a paper feeding device and an image forming device provided with the medium identification device. , And an image forming system including the image forming apparatus.

Conventionally, in the field of office equipment, image formation is performed by adding image forming devices such as printers, facsimiles and copiers, and peripheral devices such as ADF (automatic document feeder), paper feeding device and sheet post-processing device to the image forming device. The system is widespread. The image forming apparatus employs a direct printing method in which an image is directly formed on a printing medium (the former), and an indirect printing method in which an image is once formed on an image carrier or an intermediate transfer medium and then the image is transferred to the printing medium. It is roughly divided into those that adopt (the latter).

As for the former, a printer that performs a printing process on a printing medium using an ink ribbon (a type of medium) is typically known. Such printers include, for example, mark printers that use monochromatic ink ribbons to form images directly on print media. A mark printer is usually equipped with an ink ribbon cassette that houses a supply reel that supplies an unused ink ribbon and a take-up reel that winds up a used ink ribbon. Then, various techniques for identifying the ribbon color of the ink ribbon housed in the ink ribbon cassette are known.

For example, as a technique widely used at present, two ribbon color-detected portions are formed at predetermined positions of an ink ribbon cassette, and a contact pin (push switch) on the mark printer side is brought into contact with the ribbon color-detected portion. By doing so, the color of the ink ribbon (ribbon color) is known. When the ribbon color is black, both of the two ribbon color detected portions are closed, and when the ribbon color is white, holes are formed in both of the two ribbon color detected portions. Further, in Patent Document 1, the marker seal is divided into a plurality of divisions, a non-reflective portion is formed in only one of the divisions, and a plurality of sensors corresponding to the plurality of divisions detect the plurality of divisions of the marker seal. Techniques for identifying ribbon colors are disclosed.

On the other hand, a typical example of the latter is a copying machine that forms a latent image on an image carrier and transfers it to a printing medium. In addition to plain paper (white medium), various printing media such as transparencies (transparent media) and thick paper are used. Sheets are used. The latter also includes a card printer that uses an ink ribbon to form a mirror image on an intermediate transfer medium and transfers the image to a print medium such as a card. Further, as a peripheral device constituting an image forming system, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, there is known a technique in which a user manually sets a sheet type.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-71607 (see FIG. 1, paragraph "0014") Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-188293 (see paragraph "0040")

By the way, since the ribbon color identification technology described above uses a contact-type push switch, the life of the entire printer is not affected by wear of the contacts and fatigue of the spring inside the switch, which does not interfere with the printing function. There is a problem that becomes shorter. Further, in the technique of Patent Document 1, since a plurality of sensors are required, there is room for improvement in terms of cost. Further, in the technique of Patent Document 2, manual input is complicated, and there is a possibility that the user mistakenly sets the sheet type.

On the other hand, paying attention to the fact that the light transmittance and the light reflectance change depending on the type of medium (printing medium, intermediate transfer medium, ink ribbon, etc.), light is emitted by using an optical sensor having a single light emitting element and a light receiving element. It is conceivable that the light emitted by the element and transmitted through the medium or reflected by the medium is detected by the light receiving element (the output voltage output from the light receiving circuit is measured), and the medium is identified by the voltage difference of the output voltage of the light receiving circuit. Such an identification method can solve the problems of cost and durability, but since the voltage difference of the output voltage is small (particularly, the voltage difference between no medium, transparent medium, and white medium), accuracy (certainty of identification). There is a drawback in terms of sex).

In view of the above cases, it is an object of the present invention to provide a medium identification device, a paper feeding device, an image forming device and an image forming system at low cost and excellent in accuracy.

In order to solve the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention is an identification device for media, actuating a light emitting circuit for emitting a sensor before and SL-emitting element having a light emitting element and a light receiving element the receiving element A sensor circuit having a light receiving circuit for causing the sensor circuit and a control means for controlling the sensor circuit are provided, and the control means has one lighting cycle time composed of a lighting time and a lighting time of the light emitting element by intermittent lighting. The light emitting circuit is controlled so that the lighting time is kept constant and gradually shortened or lengthened , and the medium is set according to the time until the output voltage output from the light receiving circuit reaches a preset threshold voltage. identifying, characterized in that.

Further, the control means controls the light emitting circuit so that the lighting time while a constant between time 1 lighting cycle consists of turn-on time and off time is gradually shortened or lengthened the light emitting element by periodically switching The medium is identified according to the time until the output voltage output from the light receiving circuit reaches a preset threshold voltage . Further, these may be combined.

The control means may control the light emitting circuit to identify the medium while the medium is stopped. Further, the control means may control the light emitting circuit so that the light emitting element is continuously lit after identifying the medium. Further, it may be provided with a medium set portion in which a plurality of types of media having different light transmittances or light reflectances or media having parts having different light transmittances or light reflectances are set.

Further, in order to solve the above problems, the second aspect of the present invention is a paper feeding device, which includes the medium identification device of the first aspect and the conveying means for conveying the medium. The third aspect is an image forming apparatus, which includes the medium identification apparatus of the first aspect, a conveying means for conveying the medium, and an image forming unit for forming an image on the medium. In the third aspect, it is desirable that the sensor is arranged on the upstream side of the image forming unit in the medium transport direction.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is the image forming system, wherein the image forming apparatus of the third aspect and the image forming unit are arranged on the downstream side in the medium transport direction and identified by the control means. The image forming unit includes a post-processing device for sorting the medium on which the image is formed according to the type of the medium.

According to the present invention, since the medium can be identified by using a sensor having a single light emitting element and a light receiving element, the cost can be reduced, and the control means allows intermittent lighting per unit time of the light emitting element. Since the light emitting circuit is controlled so that the amount of light emitted from the light emitting circuit is changed and the medium is identified according to the time until the output voltage output from the light receiving circuit reaches the threshold voltage, the effect of being able to accurately identify the medium is achieved. Obtainable.

It is a circuit diagram of the sensor circuit of the embodiment to which this invention is applied. It is explanatory drawing of the prior art when the light emitting element is continuously lit to identify a medium, (A) is a normal lighting waveform of a light emitting element, (B) is a lighting waveform when the amount of light emission of a light emitting element is reduced, ( C) is the threshold voltage arrival time when the light emitting element is normally lit and the output voltage of the light receiving circuit is on the vertical axis and time is taken on the horizontal axis without a medium. The threshold voltage arrival time in the case of a transparent medium when the output voltage is on the vertical axis and the time is on the horizontal axis is shown. It is explanatory drawing when the light emitting element is intermittently turned on and the medium is identified, (A) is the intermittent lighting waveform in the case of turning on a light emitting element with a constant lighting time and turn-off time constituting one lighting cycle time, (B). ) To (C) represent the threshold voltage arrival time when the output voltage of the light receiving circuit is on the vertical axis and the time is on the horizontal axis, (B) is no medium, (C) is a transparent medium, and (D) is white. The case of a medium is shown respectively. It is explanatory drawing of the embodiment when the light emitting element is intermittently lit to identify a medium, and (A) is intermittent in the case of lighting a light emitting element so that one lighting cycle time becomes constant and gradually shortens. The lighting waveform, (B) is an intermittent lighting waveform when the light emitting element is lit so that the lighting time is gradually lengthened while keeping one lighting cycle time constant, and (C) to (F) are vertical output voltages of the light receiving circuit. Represents the threshold voltage arrival time when the axis and time are taken on the horizontal axis. (C) is for no medium, (D) is for transparent medium, (E) is for white medium, and (F) is for black or silver medium. Each is shown. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the identification standard of the CPU of the control part of embodiment for identifying a medium according to the threshold voltage arrival time, (A) is no medium, (B) is a transparent medium, (C). Is a medium through which light can be transmitted, and (D) is used to identify a medium through which light cannot be transmitted. It is an external view of the printer of the 1st Embodiment to which this invention is applied. The plan view of the attachment which can be attached to the attachment part of the printer of 1st Embodiment is shown, (A) shows the label cassette, (B) shows the attachment for a tube. It is a perspective view of the cassette mounting part and the ink ribbon cassette of the printer of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the control part and the connection system of the printer of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the identification routine executed by the CPU of the control unit of the printer of 1st Embodiment. It is a front view of the printing apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment to which this invention is applied. It is a front view of the image formation system of the 3rd Embodiment to which this invention is applied. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the sheet transport path of the sheet post-processing apparatus which comprises the image formation system of 3rd Embodiment. It is a front view of the inserter device of 4th Embodiment to which this invention is applied.

1. 1. Main configurations and basic principles of the present invention First, the main configurations and basic principles of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that this main configuration and the basic principle are commonly used in the first to fourth embodiments described later.

1-1. Main Configuration The identification device of the present invention includes, for example, a microcontroller unit (hereinafter abbreviated as MCU) as a control means for controlling (1) an optical sensor, (2) a sensor (control) circuit, and (3) a sensor circuit. It is composed of three main elements. Hereinafter, each component will be described in detail.

<Sensor Se>
As described above, in the field of office equipment, an optical sensor having a light emitting element and a light receiving element is often used to detect a medium. Such a sensor Se has a single light emitting element Le and a light receiving element Lr (see FIG. 1). Generally, the light emitting element Le is composed of a light emitting diode D, and the light receiving element Lr is composed of a phototransistor Tr1.

The sensor Se includes an integrated type in which the light emitting element Le and the light receiving element Lr are integrated, and a separate type in which both are separated, but both can be used in the present invention. Further, the sensor Se includes a transmission type in which the light of the light emitting element Le is transmitted through the medium and received by the light receiving element Lr, and a reflection type in which the light of the light emitting element Le is reflected by the medium and received by the light receiving element Lr. However, both can be used in the present invention. Further, as the sensor Se, for example, 1.8V system, 3.3V system, 5V system, and 12V system are widely used, and any of these can be used in the present invention. It should be noted that such a voltage system is based on the operating voltage of the light receiving element Lr (phototransistor). Hereinafter, a 5V system transmission integrated sensor Se will be described as a specific example.

<Sensor circuit 50>
As shown in FIG. 1, the sensor Se emits light by a sensor circuit 50 having a light emitting circuit 50a for emitting a light emitting element Le (light emitting diode D) and a light receiving circuit 50b for operating a light receiving element Lr (phototransistor Tr1). And light reception is controlled.

The light emitting circuit 50a is configured as follows. The anode of the light emitting diode D is connected to the collector of the PNP type transistor Tr2, and the emitter of the transistor Tr2 is connected to the working power source (Vcc, 5V in this example). The base of the transistor Tr2 is connected to the digital voltage output port (D output port) of the MCU via the protection resistor R1, and the resistor R2 is inserted between the base and the emitter.

The cathode of the light emitting diode D is connected to the collector of the NPN transistor Tr3, and the emitter of the transistor Tr3 is connected to the ground (GND) via the resistor R5. The base of the transistor Tr3 is connected to the output terminal of the OP amplifier via the resistor R4. The negative phase input terminal of the OP amplifier is connected to the connection point between the emitter of the transistor Tr3 and the resistor R5, and the positive phase input terminal is connected to the DA output port via the protection resistor R3.

On the other hand, the light receiving circuit 50b is configured as follows. The collector of the phototransistor Tr1 is connected to Vcc via the load resistor R6, and the emitter is connected to GND. Further, the collector of the phototransistor Tr1 is connected to one end of the capacitor C whose other end is connected to the GND and one end of the protection resistor R7 whose other end is connected to the AD input port of the MCU. The capacitor C and the protection resistor R7 form a CR noise filter.

<MCU>
The MCU has a CPU, RAM, ROM connected by an internal bus, an external bus connected to the internal bus, a D / A converter, an A / D converter, a non-volatile memory, and the like connected to the external bus. It is composed of. For example, a 16-bit D / A converter or A / D converter can be used. The output side of the D / A converter is connected to the DA output port, and the input side of the A / D converter is connected to the AD input port. There is. The external bus is also connected to the D output port.

The MCU (CPU) controls the light emitting circuit 50a (light emitting element Le) by outputting signals from the D output port and the DA output port. That is, by outputting a digital voltage from the D output port, Vcc is supplied to the cathode of the light emitting diode D via the emitter and collector of the transistor Tr2, and a predetermined analog voltage is output from the DA output port to emit light. The current flowing through the diode D, that is, the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element Le is controlled.

It should be noted that the light emitting element Le has a variation in the amount of light emitted, and each element constituting the light emitting circuit 50a described above also has a variation. Therefore, in office equipment using a sensor, generally, the DA output port is used before the product is shipped. The output voltage is adjusted (brightness adjustment). The voltage value adjusted in this way (hereinafter referred to as the adjusted voltage value) is stored in the above-mentioned non-volatile memory, and when the light emitting element Le emits light, the adjusted voltage value expanded from the non-volatile memory to the RAM is used. Be done.

Further, the MCU (CPU) temporarily stores the digital voltage value output from the built-in A / D converter via the AD input port in the RAM, sequentially reads out the stored voltage value, and detects the medium by the transition change. Do.

<Modification example>
Since a high level signal may be output to the base of the transistor Tr2 that functions as a switch element, it is not always necessary to output a digital voltage, and a high level signal of an analog voltage may be used (D / A converter is required separately.) Further, in the above example, the MCU has a built-in D / A converter and A / D converter, but the D / A converter is arranged on the light emitting circuit 50A side and the A / D converter is arranged on the light receiving circuit 50B side, and the MCU has these. It is not necessary to incorporate one or both of the converters of. However, considering the reference voltage of the converter tends to increase the cost, and this point also needs to be taken into consideration.

Further, in office equipment, a plurality of sensors are generally used in one device. Therefore, the sensor control unit may be configured by integrating the sensor circuits corresponding to the plurality of sensors. Further, in the above example, the MCU (a computer system combined into one unit in one integrated circuit) is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

When the reflection type sensor Se is used instead of the transmission type sensor Se, it is necessary to slightly change the configuration of the light receiving circuit 50b. That is, the collector of the phototransistor Tr1 is connected to Vcc, the load resistor R6 is inserted between the emitter and the GND, and one end of each of the capacitor C and the protection resistor R7 constituting the CR filter is used as the emitter of the phototransistor Tr1. It may be connected to the connection point with the load resistor 6. In this case, the voltage rises at the AD input port (when the vertical axis is the voltage and the horizontal axis is the time, the output voltage from the light receiving circuit 50b in the transmission type sensor Se described above changes in the vertical direction. .).

1-2. Basic Principle of the Present Invention The above configuration is common to the configuration of medium detection by a conventional sensor. A feature of the present invention is that the presence or absence and type of a medium are identified by utilizing the difference in light transmittance or light reflectance of a medium (ink ribbon, film, sheet, etc.), particularly "no medium" and "transparent medium". , "A medium through which light can be transmitted" (for example, a white medium) is identified. Therefore, the point is to control the sensor Se by the CPUs that make up the MCU. Hereinafter, the description will be made in comparison with the prior art and the like.

1-2-1. Control by the prior art and its extension range In the above-mentioned "Problems to be solved by the invention" column, since the voltage difference of the output voltage output from the light receiving circuit is small, the prior art has a difficulty in the media identification accuracy. However, here, the point will be specifically described in accordance with the circuit configuration shown in FIG.

<Continuous lighting>
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a prior art when the light emitting element Le is continuously lit to identify a medium. An analog voltage corresponding to the above-mentioned adjusted voltage value is output from the DA output port of the MCU (see FIG. 1), and as shown in FIG. 2A, the light emitting element Le is continuously lit. In the following, the case where the light emitting element Le is continuously lit by the output of the analog voltage corresponding to this adjusted voltage value is referred to as normal lighting.

FIG. 2C shows no medium when the light emitting element Le is normally lit and the output voltage of the light receiving circuit 50b is on the vertical axis and the time is on the horizontal axis (the medium to be identified is between the light emitting element Le and the light receiving element Lr). It shows the threshold voltage arrival time Tt from the maximum voltage to the threshold voltage Vt in the case of (not existing). In FIG. 2C, the maximum voltage is 5V, which is almost the same as Vcc (strictly speaking, it is less than 5V due to the voltage drop due to the phototransistor Tr1), and the threshold voltage Vt is 1.0V (FIG. 2 described later). The same applies to (D), FIGS. 3 (B) to (D), and FIGS. 4 (C) to (F).) As shown in FIG. 2C, the threshold voltage arrival time Tt is 0.42 ms.

On the other hand, FIG. 2D shows the maximum voltage in the case of a transparent medium (transparent tape, OHP sheet, etc.) when the light emitting element Le is normally lit and the output voltage of the light receiving circuit 50b is on the vertical axis and the time is on the horizontal axis. It shows the threshold voltage arrival time Tt from to reach the threshold voltage Vt. As shown in FIG. 2C, the threshold voltage arrival time Tt is 0.53 ms.

Comparing FIGS. 2 (C) and 2 (D), the difference between the threshold voltage arrival time Tt (0.42 ms) without the medium and the threshold voltage arrival time Tt (0.53 ms) with the transparent medium is It can be seen that only 0.11 ms can be taken. On the other hand, since the CPU constituting the MCU simultaneously performs a plurality of tasks (processing requests), the period (polling) in which the software can confirm the threshold voltage arrival time Tt is generally about 0.1 ms. Therefore, the time difference of 0.11 ms falls within the error range, and it is difficult for the CPU to accurately distinguish between the two (no medium, transparent medium).

On the other hand, FIG. 2B is a lighting waveform when the light emitting amount of the light emitting element Le is lowered by lowering the adjusted voltage value described above. If the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element Le is reduced in this way, the threshold voltage arrival time Tt shown in FIGS. 2 (C) and 2 (D) becomes longer, and the time difference between the two becomes a value that can cope with polling. However, if the light emitting amount of the light emitting element Le is reduced, the output voltage from the light receiving circuit 50b does not reach the threshold voltage Vt (1.0V) even if the white medium is exposed to light by the light emitting amount, so that the white medium cannot be identified. It becomes impossible. On the contrary, when the light emitting amount of the light emitting element Le is set to the light emitting amount that can be identified by the white medium, the threshold voltage arrival time Tt is short, so that it is impossible to distinguish between no medium and transparent medium. Therefore, in the continuous lighting of the light emitting element Le, the distinction between the medium-less and transparent medium and the white medium is mutually exclusive.

<Intermittent lighting>
Since the continuous lighting of the light emitting element Le causes a problem in media identification as described above, it is conceivable to intermittently light the light emitting element Le (pulse lighting). FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram when the light emitting element Le is intermittently lit to identify the medium, and FIG. 3A shows a lighting time Ton (5.) constituting one lighting cycle time Tc (50 μs, frequency: 20 kHz). An intermittent lighting waveform is shown when the light emitting element Le is turned on with the light emitting element Le set to 5 μs) and the extinguishing time (54.5 μs) fixed. Intermittent lighting of the light emitting element Le is performed by time-controlling the signal output from the D output port shown in FIG. 1 by the MCU (CPU) (the same applies to FIGS. 4A and 4B described later).

By performing such intermittent lighting of the light emitting element Le, the threshold voltage arrival time Tt in the case of no medium and the threshold voltage arrival time Tt in the case of a transparent medium can be lengthened, and the time difference between the two can be made large. .. FIG. 3B shows the threshold voltage arrival time Tt (0.74 ms) when the output voltage of the light receiving circuit 50b is on the vertical axis and time is taken on the horizontal axis without a medium, and FIG. 3C shows the light receiving circuit 50b. The threshold voltage arrival time Tt (0.92 ms) in the case of a transparent medium when the output voltage of the above is taken on the vertical axis and the time is taken on the horizontal axis is shown. The time difference between the two is 0.18 ms, which is a value that can deal with the polling described above.

However, in the case of a white medium, as shown in FIG. 3D, the output voltage from the light receiving circuit 50b does not reach the threshold voltage Vt, so that the white medium cannot be identified. On the contrary, if the lighting time of the light emitting element Le is set to the lighting time in which the white medium can be identified, the output voltage from the light receiving circuit 50b in the case of no medium and the transparent medium instantly reaches the threshold voltage Vt (time difference). (Cannot be secured) It becomes impossible to distinguish between the two. Therefore, even in such intermittent lighting of the light emitting element Le, the distinction between the medium-less and transparent medium and the white medium is mutually exclusive, as in the case of continuous lighting of the light emitting element Le described above.

1-2-2. Control by the present invention <acceleration intermittent lighting (acceleration pulse lighting)>
On the other hand, in the present invention, the light emitting element Le is intermittently lit so as to change the amount of light emitted per unit time, and it is possible to distinguish between no medium, transparent medium, and white medium. That is, in contrast to the above-mentioned intermittent lighting (pulse lighting), the light emitting element Le is accelerated intermittent lighting (acceleration pulse lighting).

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram when the light emitting element Le is accelerated and intermittently lit to identify the medium, and FIG. 4 (A) shows one lighting cycle time composed of the lighting time Ton and the extinguishing time Toff of the light emitting element Le. The intermittent lighting waveform is shown in the case where the light emitting element Le is lit so that the Tc gradually shortens while keeping the lighting time Ton (5.5 μs) constant (fixed). In FIG. 4A, the initial 1 lighting cycle time Tc is 100 μs (initial frequency: 10 kHz), and the 1 lighting cycle time Tc after 15 ms (sweep time: 15 ms) is 20 μs (frequency after 15 ms: 50 kHz). It is set.

In the acceleration intermittent lighting shown in FIG. 4A, one lighting cycle time Tc is gradually shortened, and the amount of light emitted by the light emitting element Le per unit time is gradually increased. Since the light emitting amount of the light emitting element Le is small in the initial state, the threshold voltage arrival time Tt of the transparent medium and the transparent medium becomes long, and the time difference between the two becomes large, so that the two can be distinguished. After that, since the one lighting cycle time Tc becomes short and the amount of light emitted by the light emitting element Le per unit time becomes large, the output voltage of the light receiving circuit 50b reaches the threshold voltage Vt even for the white medium. Therefore, the mutually exclusive relationship described in 1-2-1 can be resolved. That is, in the control of the present invention, it is possible to distinguish between no medium, transparent medium, and white medium.

FIG. 4C shows the threshold voltage arrival time Tt (6.96 ms) when the output voltage of the light receiving circuit 50b is on the vertical axis and time is on the horizontal axis without a medium, and FIG. 4D shows a transparent medium. The threshold voltage arrival time Tt (7.52 ms) in the case and FIG. 4 (E) show the threshold voltage arrival time Tt (14.2 ms) in the case of the white medium, respectively. FIG. 4F shows the case of a black or silver medium (a medium through which light cannot be transmitted). As is clear from FIG. 4F, in the case of a black or silver medium, the output voltage of the light receiving circuit 50b does not reach the threshold voltage Vt.

<Media identification criteria>
If the above is taken in reverse, it is possible to obtain a medium identification standard when the light emitting element Le is turned on intermittently for acceleration. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing an identification standard of an MCU (CPU) for identifying a medium according to a threshold voltage arrival time Tt.

That is, when the threshold voltage arrival time Tt from the start of light emission of the light emitting element Le (start of digital voltage output from the D output port) is Tt1 (range of less than 7 ms) as shown in FIG. 5 (A). Is "no medium", as shown in FIG. 5 (B), Tt2 (range of 7 ms or more and less than 10 ms) is "transparent medium", and as shown in FIG. 5 (C), Tt3 (10 ms or more and less than 15 ms). In the case of (range), the threshold voltage Vt is not reached even after T4 (15 ms) as shown in "a medium capable of transmitting light" (including thin paper and hologram film) such as a white medium and FIG. 5 (D). When identified as a "light-impermeable medium" (including thick paper) such as a black or silver medium. Such identification criteria are written in advance in the ROM as a program or program data.

<Modification example>
FIG. 4B shows a light emitting element so that the lighting time Ton gradually increases while keeping (fixed) one lighting cycle time Tc (100 μs) composed of the lighting time Ton and the extinguishing time Tof of the light emitting element Le. The intermittent lighting waveform when Le is turned on is shown. In FIG. 4B, the initial lighting time Ton is set to 5.5 μs, and the lighting time Ton after 15 ms is set to 27.5 μs. Such light emission control can also be used as acceleration intermittent lighting.

In FIG. 4 (B), the lighting integration time (total area of pulse on time) from the start of light emission of the light emitting element Le to the lighting time Ton 15 ms later is equivalent to that shown in FIG. 4 (A). This is an example set as. Therefore, the above-mentioned identification criteria can be used as they are. Further, the intermittent lighting waveforms of FIGS. 4 (A) and 4 (B) are combined (for example, from the start of lighting of the light emitting element Le to after 15 ms, the first half is FIG. 4 (A) and the second half is FIG. 4 ( B) The intermittent lighting waveform may be used).

When the reflection type sensor Se is used instead of the transmission type sensor Se, the output voltage of the light receiving circuit 50b rises as described above. That is, the graphs shown in FIGS. 4C to 4F are reversed in the vertical direction, and the minimum voltage is 0V and the threshold voltage Vt is 4.0V. Further, instead of the intermittent lighting waveform shown in FIG. 4A, one lighting cycle time Tc composed of the lighting time Ton and the extinguishing time Toff of the light emitting element Le keeps the lighting time Ton (5.5 μs) constant. Instead of the intermittent lighting waveform in which the light emitting element Le is turned on so as to gradually become longer and the intermittent lighting waveform shown in FIG. 4 (B), the light emitting element Le is composed of a lighting time Ton and an extinguishing time Tof1. An intermittent lighting waveform is used in which the light emitting element Le is lit so that the lighting time Ton is gradually shortened while keeping the lighting cycle time Tc (100 μs) constant, but they may be combined as described above.

1-3. Applications, etc. As described in 1-2-2 <Acceleration intermittent lighting (acceleration pulse lighting)>, the present invention uses the medium to identify the presence / absence and type of the medium by accelerating the light emitting element Le. For example, it is necessary to shine the light from the first pulse lighting shown in FIG. 4 (A). Therefore, when the CPU identifies the medium, the medium is stopped. The state in which such a medium is stopped can be, for example, in a printer (printing apparatus) during initial setting processing or before printing operation.

On the other hand, as described at the beginning of 1-2 above, the main configuration of the present invention is common to the configuration of medium detection by a conventional sensor. Therefore, similarly to the conventional sensor, it is possible to detect the medium (mark attached to the medium or the edge of the medium) being conveyed. Conversely, a function for identifying the presence / absence and type of a medium can be newly added to the conventional medium detection sensor. In such an embodiment, after identifying the presence / absence and type of the medium, the CPU switches the lighting of the light emitting element Le from the above-mentioned acceleration intermittent lighting to the normal lighting, and from the light receiving circuit 50b as in the conventional medium detection sensor. By monitoring the output voltage, for example, the rear end of the (conveyed) medium, the mark attached to the medium, the tape attached to the rear end of the medium, and the like are detected. As the switching timing to the normal lighting, for example, when the printing operation is started can be mentioned.

Further, for example, in the image forming system, the information of the medium identified by one device constituting the system may be shared with other devices constituting the system. Further, various media can be mentioned as described above, and the present invention is also applied depending on the type and the like. For example, "no medium" identification can be used to determine sheet jam. Hereinafter, more specific uses and the like will be described as embodiments of the invention.

2. 2. Embodiment of the invention 2-1. First Embodiment In the first embodiment, the present invention is applied to a mark printer capable of printing arbitrary characters or the like on a long print medium such as a label or a tube, and the identification target medium is an ink ribbon. Is.

2-1-1. Configuration <Overall configuration>
As shown in FIG. 6, the printer 100 of the present embodiment is configured to be portable like a notebook type computer, and is roughly classified into an input unit 13 having a keyboard and an input control unit, and an LCD and a display control unit. The printing unit 20 and the printing unit 20 are provided on the downstream side in the medium transport direction to perform printing processing on the printing medium via the ink ribbon R by generating heat of the heat generating elements constituting the display unit 14 and the thermal head 6, and are cut into the printing medium. It includes a cutting unit 7 for performing processing and a control unit 15 (see FIG. 9) for controlling each of these parts. Further, the printer 100 has an attachment unit 10 arranged on the upstream side of the printing unit 20 for setting various printing media, and a cassette mounting unit 30 on which the ink ribbon cassette 8 is mounted (see FIG. 8). ..

<Input unit 13>
The input unit 13 has a function key, a character / number / symbol key, a space key, a conversion key, a cross direction key, a return key, and the like in almost the same manner as a notebook type computer, and the operator operates these keys. This makes it possible to input the type, size, setting conditions, etc. of the print medium.

<Display unit 14>
The LCD of the display unit 14 has various information display areas for displaying input modes and the like, character information display areas for displaying characters, numbers, and symbols (hereinafter abbreviated as characters) input from the input unit 13, character size, and the like. It is divided into three display areas of the parameter display area for displaying, and various information display areas and parameter display areas are arranged above and below the character information display area, respectively.

<Printing unit 20>
The printing unit 20 includes transport rollers 2a and 2b for transporting the print medium, platen rollers 3 arranged on the downstream side of the transport rollers 2a and 2b facing the thermal head 6, and platen rollers on the downstream side of the platen rollers 3. It has a pinch roller 4 arranged so as to face the 3.

An ink ribbon R is interposed between the platen roller 3 and the thermal head 6. The ink ribbon R is housed in the ink ribbon cassette 8, is supplied from the supply reel 8c of the ink ribbon cassette 8, and is wound on the take-up reel 8d (see FIG. 8).

On the upstream side of the transfer rollers 2a and 2b, a stepping motor 5 for rotationally driving the transfer roller 2a, the platen roller 3, and the take-up reel 8d of the ink ribbon cassette 8 via a gear (not shown) is arranged. On one side (left side of FIG. 6) and one side of the cutting portion 7 (lower side of FIG. 6), a retracting position where the thermal head 6 is retracted from the medium transport path and a platen roller 3 are provided via gears and cams (not shown). A stepping motor 9 is arranged to move the stepping motor 9 from the printing position where the pressure contact is made with the printing position.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which a tube is attached as the print medium M. Explaining according to this example, at the time of printing, the thermal head 6 is pressed against the print medium M with the ink ribbon R of the ink ribbon cassette 8 sandwiched between them, and the heat generating element constituting the thermal head 6 is selectively heated. The ink of the ink ribbon R is melted and a character string is printed line by line on the printing medium M. In the following description, it is assumed that the tube is used as the print medium M according to the example of FIG. 6, except when necessary.

<Cut part 7>
A cutting portion 7 for cutting the print medium M is arranged on the downstream side of the pinch roller 4. The cutting portion 7 has a cutter blade 7a and a cutter blade cradle 7b. The cutter blade cradle 7b includes a full cut surface composed of a flat surface and a half cut surface having ridges at both ends, and the full cut surface or the half cut surface is set substantially perpendicular to the cutter blade 7a. By doing so, it is possible to perform full-cut processing or half-cut processing of the print medium M.

By operating the cutter blade 7a (moving from the retracted position to the advanced position) when printing by the thermal head 6 is completed and transported to the downstream side by a predetermined length, it is possible to obtain a print medium M having a length desired by the operator. it can. In the present embodiment, the rotational driving force of the stepping motor 9 is used to operate the cutter blade 7a via a cam or the like (not shown), and stepping is also performed via another cam or the like to change the surface of the cutter blade cradle 7b. The rotational driving force of the motor 9 is used.

<Attachment part 10>
The printer 100 is configured to be capable of printing and cutting processing on various print media M by changing the attachment attached to the attachment unit 10. FIG. 7 shows an example of the configuration of the label cassette and the tube attachment. For example, when the label cassette 11 shown in FIG. 7A is attached to the attachment portion 10, a label with a release paper is pulled out from the inside of the cassette, and the label can be printed and cut. Further, when the tube attachment 12 shown in FIG. 7B is attached to the attachment portion 10, the tube can be printed and cut by inserting the tube through the tube insertion port 12a.

<Ink ribbon cassette 8>
As shown in FIG. 8, the ink ribbon cassette 8 houses a supply reel 8c around which the ink ribbon R is wound and a take-up reel 8d for winding the ink ribbon R in the cassette case 8a. The ink ribbon R is installed between the supply reel 8c and the take-up reel 8d, and the ink ribbon R is exposed on the ink ribbon cassette 8 so as to be compatible with the printing process by the thermal head 6 in the printing unit 20. The exposed portion 8b is formed. A black or white ink ribbon R is used, a transparent tape is arranged as an end mark at the end of the black ink ribbon, and a silver tape is arranged as an end mark at the end of the white ink ribbon. Has been done.

<Cassette mounting part 30>
As shown in FIG. 8, the cassette mounting portion 30 has a cassette mounting table 31 having a rectangular flat surface on which the ink ribbon cassette 8 can be mounted. The cassette mounting table 31 has three rod-shaped engaging projections 36 to 38 that engage with the ink ribbon cassette 8 and two facing side surfaces of the ink ribbon cassette 8 having a fitting claw at the tip portion, which are upper and side surfaces. Plate-shaped cassette holders 34 and 35 that are pressed from the side are erected. On the other hand, the cassette case 8a of the ink ribbon cassette 8 is formed with engaging holes 36 to 38 and engaging holes and fitting side surfaces for engaging or fitting with the cassette holders 34 and 35.

Further, on the cassette mounting table 31, a supply reel rotating shaft 32 that engages with the supply reel 8c of the ink ribbon cassette 8 and a take-up reel rotating shaft 33 that engages with the take-up reel 8d are rotatably erected. The rotational driving force of the stepping motor 5 is transmitted to the take-up reel rotating shaft 33 via a gear or the like (not shown).

<Sensor Se1>
A support member (not shown) for supporting the sensor Se1 is fixed to the cassette mounting table 31. As the sensor Se1, the transmission integrated sensor Se described with reference to FIG. 1 is used (see 1-1 <Sensor Se>). The sensor Se1 is arranged on the upstream side of the thermal head 6, and the light emitting element Le and the light receiving element Lr are arranged so as to straddle the exposed portion 8b in order to detect the ink ribbon R (see FIG. 8).

<Control unit 15>
As shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 15 is composed of the MCU described with reference to FIG. 1 (see 1-1 <MCU>). In addition to the converter and the like, the external bus described above includes a sensor circuit that controls various sensors including an input unit 13, a display unit 14, a printing unit 20, a driver 18 that controls the operation of the stepping motors 5 and 9, and a sensor Se1. The combined sensor control unit 19 is connected. The stepping motors 5 and 9 described above are connected to the driver 18, and various sensors are connected to the sensor control unit 19. As the sensor circuit, the sensor circuit 50 described with reference to FIG. 1 is used (see 1-1 <sensor circuit 50>).

Further, the control unit 15 has an interface (not shown), and can be connected to a higher-level device such as a personal computer via an external bus. Therefore, the operator can input from a higher-level device instead of the input from the input unit 13, and further, by installing an external storage device such as a RAM card or USB, the data stored in the external storage device can be input. It can also be used.

2-1-2. Operation Next, the operation of the printer 100 of the present embodiment will be described mainly by the CPU of the MCU (hereinafter, abbreviated as CPU) constituting the control unit 15.

When the power of the printer 100 is turned on, the program and the program data stored in the ROM are expanded in the RAM, and the CPU performs the initial setting process of moving each of the above-mentioned parts to a predetermined home position. In this initial setting process, an identification routine for identifying the presence / absence and type of the ink ribbon R is also executed.

As shown in FIG. 10, in the identification routine, first, in step 102 (hereinafter, abbreviated as “S”) 102, the CPU intermittently accelerates the sensor Se1 by outputting signals from the D output port and the DA output port. The light is turned on, and the output voltage of the light receiving circuit 50b stored in the RAM is sequentially referred to to acquire the threshold voltage arrival time Tt.

Next, in S104, it is determined whether or not the threshold voltage arrival time Tt is less than 7 ms, and in the case of an affirmative determination, it is determined in S106 that there is no medium. Originally, the medium (ink ribbon R) should exist, but it is determined that there is no medium. Therefore, the CPU displays a request for mounting the ink ribbon cassette 8 on the LCD of the display unit 14 in S128 and ends the identification routine.

When a negative determination is made in S104, it is determined in S108 whether or not the threshold voltage arrival time Tt is within the range of 7 ms ≦ Tt <10 ms, and when the determination is affirmative, it is determined as a transparent tape in S110. As described above, since the transparent tape is arranged as an end mark at the end of the black ink ribbon, the CPU displays a replacement request for the ink ribbon cassette 8 on the LCD in S130 and ends the identification routine.

When the judgment in S108 is negative, it is judged in S112 whether the threshold voltage arrival time Tt is within the range of 10 ms ≦ Tt <15 ms, and in the case of affirmative judgment, it is judged as a white ink ribbon in S114 and the identification routine. To finish. In the printing process described later, the temperature of the heating element constituting the thermal head 6 is adjusted according to the ribbon color of the ink ribbon R.

On the other hand, when a negative judgment is made in S112 (Tt ≧ 15 ms), it is judged as a black ink ribbon or a silver tape in S116. If it is a black ink ribbon, it can be printed in the printing process described later, and if it is a silver tape, because of the end mark of the white ink ribbon as described above, the CPU is a stepping motor that rotates the take-up reel rotation shaft 33 in S118. Drive 5 by a predetermined amount to convey the ink ribbon R.

A sensor (Hall element) (not shown) for detecting the rotation is arranged on the supply reel rotation shaft 32, and the sensor logic is reversed in one rotation. Therefore, in S120, the CPU determines whether or not the ink ribbon R can be conveyed by determining whether or not the sensor logic is inverted. When the affirmative judgment is made in S120, the black ink ribbon is determined in S122 and the identification routine is terminated.

On the other hand, when a negative determination is made in S120, it is determined in S124 that the silver tape is the end mark of the white ink ribbon, and in S126, a replacement request for the ink ribbon cassette 8 is displayed on the LCD to end the identification routine.

After the initial setting process is completed, the CPU waits for the operator to input the print command information and the disconnection command information from the input unit 13. When these information are input, the CPU generates print data according to the input print command information and waits for a print start instruction from the operator. During this time, the CPU again executes the identification routine shown in FIG. This is because the ink ribbon cassette 8 may be replaced by the operator after the initial setting process (after the power is turned on). When the CPU finishes the identification routine (after identifying the presence / absence and type of the ink ribbon R), the CPU switches the light emission of the light emitting element Le to normal lighting, and the end arranged at the end of the (conveyed) ink ribbon R. Monitor the mark.

When the operator gives a print start instruction by pressing a predetermined button (for example, an enter button) of the input unit 13, the CPU prints with reference to the output from the sensor arranged on the upstream side of the transfer rollers 2a and 2b. It is determined whether or not the medium M is set at a predetermined position. If a negative judgment is made, a display unit 14 indicates that fact and waits. If a positive judgment is made, the stepping motors 5 and 9 are driven to drive the print medium. Print processing is applied to M.

That is, the thermal head 6 is moved to a printing position where it is pressed against the platen roller 3, and output to the thermal head 6 for each line according to the generated print data. At this time, the CPU changes the amount of heat generated by the thermal head 6 (printing conditions on the print medium M) according to the ribbon color of the ink ribbon R identified by the identification routine. For example, when the calorific value of the ink ribbon R when the ribbon color is black is 100%, the calorific value is set to 60% to 70% when the ribbon color is white. Further, the heat generation amount of the thermal head 6 may be changed according to the type of the print medium M and the ribbon color of the ink ribbon R in consideration of the specific heat of the print medium M.

The print medium M is conveyed downstream on the medium transfer path by the rotational driving force of the transfer rollers 2a and 2b, the platen rollers 3, and the pinch rollers 4, and the printing unit 20 prints desired characters. In the present embodiment, since the stepping motors 5 and 9 are used for conveying the print medium M, the CPU counts the number of output pulses to obtain the tip of the print medium M with respect to the position of the heating element of the thermal head 6. The relationship between the positions, that is, the printing position can be grasped.

When the printing process on the print medium M by the printing unit 20 (thermal head 6) is completed, the CPU moves the thermal head 6 to a retracted position retracted from the medium transport path, and the sensor is located downstream of the pinch roller 4. It is determined whether or not the tip of the print medium M is located downstream from the position of the sensor by referring to the output, and if a positive judgment is made, the transfer rollers 2a and 2b, the platen rollers 3, and the pinch rollers 4 are reversed. After feeding back a predetermined distance so that the tip of the print medium M is located upstream from the position of the sensor, the transfer rollers 2a and 2b, the platen rollers 3, and the pinch rollers 4 are rotated in the normal direction to cut the print medium M. The print medium M is conveyed to the 7 side, and when a negative judgment is made, the transfer rollers 2a and 2b, the platen roller 3, and the pinch roller 4 are rotated in the normal direction to convey the print medium M to the cutting portion 30 side.

Further, the CPU performs cutting command information at a position facing the cutter blade 7a via the medium transport path according to the cutting command information from the time when the printing command information and the cutting command information are input by the operator to this time. Position the receiving surface of the cutter blade receiving base 7b so that the surfaces (full cut surface, half cut surface) commanded in step 1 face.

When the tip of the print medium M passes the position of the cutter blade 7a and the cutting position with respect to the print medium M is conveyed to the position of the cutter blade 7a, the CPU drives the rollers 2a and 2b, the platen roller 3, and the pinch roller 4. Is temporarily stopped to stop the transfer of the print medium M, and the cutter blade 7a is advanced toward the cutter blade cradle 7b to cut the print medium M. The CPU monitors whether or not the tip of the print medium M has reached the position of the sensor by referring to the output from the sensor arranged on the downstream side of the pinch roller 4, and steps with reference to the position of the sensor. By counting the number of output pulses to the motor 9, the relationship between the position of the tip of the print medium M and the position of the cutter blade 7a, that is, the cutting position can be grasped.

Next, the CPU restarts the driving of the rollers 2a and 2b, the platen roller 3, and the pinch roller 4, conveys the print medium M further downstream by a predetermined distance, and discharges the print medium M from the printer 100. Then, after the elapse of a predetermined time, the driving of the rollers 2a and 2b, the platen roller 3, and the pinch roller 4 is stopped, and the operation based on the input printing / cutting command information is terminated. In order to prevent the print medium M from being positioned on the curved portion on the medium transport path and forming a bending habit on the print medium M after a lapse of a predetermined time, the CPU uses rollers 2a and 2b, a platen roller 3, and a pinch roller. 4 is driven to rewind the print medium M to the transport rollers 2a and 2b.

2-2. Second Embodiment In the second embodiment, the present invention is applied to a printing device that prints and records characters and images on a card and also records magnetic or electrical information on the card, and inks the identification target medium. It is a ribbon and a film (transfer film, hologram film).

2-2-1. Configuration <System configuration>
The printing device 200 of the present embodiment constitutes a printing system (image forming system) together with a higher-level device (for example, a host computer such as a personal computer) (not shown). That is, the printing device 200 is connected to a higher-level device via an interface (not shown), and the higher-level device transmits image data, magnetic or electrical recording data, or the like to the printing device 200 to perform a recording operation or the like. It is possible to instruct. The printing device 200 has an operation panel unit (operation display unit), and can perform recording operation instructions from the operating panel unit as well as recording operation instructions from the host device.

The host device includes an image input device such as a digital camera or a scanner, an input device such as a keyboard or mouse for inputting commands and data to the host device, and a liquid crystal display that displays data generated by the host device. The monitor is connected.

<Configuration of printing device 200>
As shown in FIG. 11, the printing apparatus 200 has a housing 2, and the information recording unit A, the printing unit B, the medium accommodating unit C, the accommodating unit D, and the rotating unit F are contained in the housing 2. It has.

(1) Information recording unit A
The information recording unit A is composed of a magnetic recording unit 24, a non-contact IC recording unit 23, and a contact IC recording unit 27.

(2) Media storage unit C
The medium accommodating portion C stores a plurality of cards Ca in a standing posture, and a separation opening 7 is formed at the tip thereof, and the pickup roller 19 sequentially feeds and supplies the cards Ca from the front row.

(3) Rotating unit F
The drawn blank card Ca is sent to the rotating unit F by the carry-in roller 22. The rotating unit F is composed of a rotating frame 80 rotatably supported by the housing 2 and two roller pairs 20 and 21 rotatably supported by the rotating frame 80.

The magnetic recording unit 24, the non-contact IC recording unit 23, and the contact IC recording unit 27 described above are arranged on the outer periphery around which the rotation unit F rotates. Then, the rollers 20 and 21 form a medium transport path 65 for transporting the card Ca toward any of the information recording units 23, 24, and 27, and the card Ca is magnetically formed in these recording units. Data is written either physically or electrically. A temperature sensor Th such as a thermistor for detecting the environmental temperature (outside air temperature) is arranged in the vicinity of the rotating unit F, and is provided in the printing unit B based on the environmental temperature detected by the temperature sensor Th. The temperature of the thermal head and heat roller is corrected.

(4) Printing unit B
The printing unit B forms an image such as a face photograph and character data on the front and back surfaces of the card Ca, and a medium transport path P1 for transporting the card Ca is provided on an extension of the medium transport path 65. Further, transport rollers 29 and 30 for transporting the card Ca are arranged in the medium transport path P1 and are connected to a transport motor (not shown).

The printing unit B has a film transport mechanism 10, and an image formed by superimposing each color image of the ink ribbon 41 on the image forming region of the transfer film 46 transported by the film transport mechanism 10 by the thermal head 40. A forming portion B1 and subsequently a transfer portion B2 for transferring an image formed on the transfer film 46 onto the surface of the card Ca on the medium transport path P1 by a heat roller 33 are provided.

On the downstream side of the printing unit B, a medium transport path P2 for transporting the printed card Ca to the accommodating stacker 60 is provided on an extension line of the medium transport path P1. Transfer rollers 37 and 38 for transporting the card Ca are arranged in the medium transport path P2 and are connected to a transport motor (not shown).

A decal mechanism 12 is arranged between the transfer roller pair 37 and the transfer roller pair 38. The decal mechanism 12 has a concave decal unit 34 whose position is fixed by pressing the central portion of the card Ca whose both ends are sandwiched (nipped) by the transport rollers 37 and 38 with the downward convex decal unit 33. By sandwiching the card Ca between them, the warp generated in the card Ca due to the thermal transfer by the heat roller 33 is corrected. The decal mechanism 12 is configured to include the eccentric cam 36 so that the decal unit 33 can move forward and backward in the vertical direction shown in FIG.

(5) Containment section D
The accommodating unit D is configured to accommodate the card Ca sent from the printing unit B in the accommodating stacker 60. The accommodating stacker 60 is configured to move downward as shown in FIG. 11 by an elevating mechanism 61.

(6) Details of Printing Section B The transfer film 46 has a band shape having a width slightly larger than the width direction of the card Ca, and protects the ink receiving layer and the surface of the ink receiving layer that receive the ink of the ink ribbon 41. It is a transparent medium formed by laminating a transparent protective layer, a peeling layer for promoting peeling of the ink receiving layer and the protective layer by heating, and a base film (base film) in this order. A silver tape is arranged as an end mark at the end of the transfer film 46.

The transfer film 46 used in the present embodiment is formed so as to cross the width direction (main scanning direction of the thermal head 40) intersecting the printing direction (secondary scanning direction of the thermal head 40), and the image formation start position is set. Marks (black) for setting are formed at regular intervals, and an image forming region is formed between these marks.

The transfer film 46 is wound or unwound on the supply roll 47 and the take-up roll 48 in the transfer film cassette by driving the motors Mr2 and Mr4, respectively. That is, in the transfer film cassette, the supply spool 47A is arranged at the center of the supply roll 47, the take-up spool 48A is arranged at the center of the take-up roll 48, and the motor Mr2 is arranged on the supply spool 47A via a gear (not shown). The rotational driving force is transmitted, and the rotational driving force of the motor Mr4 is transmitted to the take-up spool 48A via a gear (not shown). A DC motor capable of forward and reverse rotation is used for the motor Mr2 and the motor Mr4.

In the present embodiment, the transfer film 46 before the transfer process is wound around the supply spool 47A, and the used transfer film 46 (the portion transferred by the transfer unit B2) is wound around the take-up spool 48A. Has been done. Therefore, when performing the image forming process and the transfer processing on the transfer film 46, the transfer film 46 is once fed from the supply spool 47A to the take-up spool 48A side, and the image is formed while the transfer film 46 is taken up by the supply spool 47A. Perform processing and transfer processing.

The film transfer roller 49 is a main drive roller that transfers the transfer film 46, and by controlling the drive of the film transfer roller 49, the transfer amount and the transfer stop position of the transfer film 46 are determined. The film transfer roller 49 is connected to a film transfer motor Mr5 (stepping motor) capable of forward and reverse rotation. The motors Mr2 and Mr4 are also driven when the film transfer roller 49 is driven, but the transfer film 46 unwound from either the supply roll 47 or the take-up roll 48 is wound on the other and transferred to the transfer film 46. It is for applying tension and serves as an auxiliary function of film transport.

A pinch roller 32a and a pinch roller 32b are arranged on the peripheral surface of the film transport roller 49. The pinch rollers 32a and 32b are configured to be movable so as to advance and retract with respect to the film transfer roller 49. In FIG. 11, the pinch rollers 32a and 32b advance to the film transfer roller 49 side and the transfer film 46 Is shown to be wound around the film transport roller 49. As a result, the transfer film 46 is accurately transported at a distance corresponding to the rotation speed of the film transport roller 49.

Therefore, the film transport mechanism 10 supplies the transfer film 46 by driving the film transport roller 49 of the main drive roller arranged between the image forming section B1 and the transfer section B2, thereby supplying the transfer film 46 to the image forming section B1 and the image forming section B1. In addition to transporting forward and reverse between the transfer unit B2 and the take-up roll 48, the images formed in the image forming region and the image forming region of the transfer film 46 in the image forming unit B1 and the transfer unit B2 are positioned at appropriate positions (cueing). It has a function. Further, a sensor that has a light emitting element Le and a light receiving element Lr between the winding roll 48 and the image forming unit B1 (thermal head 40, platen roller 45) and detects a mark formed on the transfer film 46 described above. Se2 is arranged.

On the other hand, the ink ribbon 41 is housed in the ink ribbon cassette 42, and is housed in a stretched state between the supply roll 43 for supplying the ink ribbon 41 to the cassette 42 and the winding roll 44 for winding the ink ribbon 41. Has been done. A take-up spool 44A is arranged at the center of the take-up roll 44, and a supply spool 43A is arranged at the center of the supply roll 43. The take-up spool 44A is rotated by the driving force of the motor Mr1, and the supply spool 43A is the motor Mr3. It rotates with the driving force. A DC motor capable of forward and reverse rotation is used for the motor Mr1 and the motor Mr3.

The ink ribbon 41 is formed by repeating a Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan) color ribbon panel and a Bk (black) ribbon panel in a surface order in the longitudinal direction, and is composed of the ink ribbon 41. A transparent tape is arranged at the end as an end mark. The Y, M, and C color ribbon panels correspond to the above-mentioned "medium through which light can be transmitted", and the Bk ribbon panel corresponds to the "medium through which light cannot be transmitted". Further, between the supply roll 43 and the image forming unit B1 (thermal head 40, platen roller 45), the light from the light emitting element Le side is blocked by the Bk ribbon panel on the light receiving element Lr side, so that the ink ribbon 41 The sensor Se3 for detecting the position of the ink ribbon 41 and cueing the ink ribbon 41 to the image forming unit B1 is arranged. The sensors Se2 and Se3 are sensors Se described with reference to FIG.

The platen roller 45 and the thermal head 40 form an image forming portion B1, and the thermal head 40 is arranged at a position facing the platen roller 45. At the time of image formation, the platen roller 45 is pressed against the thermal head 40 via the transfer film 46 and the ink ribbon 41. The thermal head 40 has a plurality of heating elements arranged in a row in the main scanning direction, and these heating elements are selectively heated and controlled by a head control IC (not shown) based on print data to obtain ink. An image is formed on the transfer film 46 via the ribbon 41. At that time, the transfer film 46 and the ink ribbon 41 are conveyed at the same speed and in the same direction. The cooling fan 39 is for cooling the thermal head 40.

The ink ribbon 41 for which the image formation on the transfer film 46 has been completed is peeled off from the transfer film 46 by the release roller 25 and the release member 28. The peeling member 28 is fixed to the ink ribbon cassette 42, and the peeling roller 25 comes into contact with the peeling member 28 at the time of image formation, and the transfer film 46 and the ink ribbon 41 are sandwiched between the peeling members 28 to perform the peeling. Then, the peeled ink ribbon 41 is wound by the winding roll 44 by the driving force of the motor Mr1, and the transfer film 46 is conveyed to the transfer portion B2 having the platen roller 31 and the heat roller 33 by the film transfer mechanism 10. To.

In the transfer unit B2, the transfer film 46 is sandwiched between the heat roller 33 and the platen roller 31 together with the card Ca, and the image formed in the image forming region of the transfer film 46 is transferred to the surface of the card Ca. That is, at the time of transfer, the heat roller 33 is pressed against the platen roller 31 via the card Ca and the transfer film 46 (the image forming region), and the card Ca and the transfer film 46 are conveyed in the same direction at the same speed. The heat roller 33 is attached to an elevating mechanism (not shown) so as to press contact with and separate from the platen roller 31 via a transfer film 46.

The transfer film 46 after image transfer is separated (peeled) from the card Ca by a peeling pin 79 arranged between the heat roller 33 and the driven roller (lower roller in FIG. 11) constituting the transport roller pair 37. It is conveyed to the supply roll 47 side. On the other hand, the card Ca on which the image is transferred is transported on the medium transport path P2 toward the decal mechanism 12 on the downstream side.

FIG. 11 shows a state in which the supply roll 47 and the take-up roll 48 (transfer film cassette) of the transfer film 46 are attached to the supply spool 47A and the take-up spool 48A, but in the printing apparatus 200, instead of this, It is also possible to attach a supply roll and a take-up roll (hologram cassette) of a hologram film (not shown). When a hologram film is used, the operator again accommodates the image-formed card Ca housed in the storage stacker 60 in the medium storage unit C, so that the image-formed card Ca is rotated from the medium storage unit C to the rotation unit. It is conveyed to the transfer unit B2 via F, and the hologram image of the hologram film is transferred to the image-formed card Ca surface in the transfer unit B2. Similar to the transfer film 46, a silver tape is arranged at the end of the hologram film as an end mark.

Further, in the above, the ink ribbon 41 for color printing in which the Y, M, C, and Bk ribbon panels are repeated in a surface-sequential manner is illustrated, but the printing apparatus 200 of the present embodiment also includes a single-color ink ribbon having only the Bk ribbon panel. It can be used, in which case the card Ca is printed in a single color. A transparent tape is also arranged at the end of such a monochromatic ink ribbon as an end mark.

(7) Control unit and power supply unit The printing device 200 includes a control unit (not shown) that controls the operation of the entire printing device 200, and a direct current capable of driving / operating each mechanism unit and control unit from a commercial AC power supply. It has a power supply unit (not shown) that converts to power supply.

The control unit is composed of the MCU described with reference to FIG. In addition to the converter and the like, the external bus described above includes an interface for communicating with a higher-level device, print data for which an image should be formed on the card Ca, magnetic stripes on the card Ca, and magnetically or electrically on the accommodating IC. A memory that temporarily stores the recorded data to be recorded is connected.

Further, the external bus includes the sensor circuits 50 (see FIG. 1) of the sensors Se2 and Se3, a signal processing unit that processes signals from the actuators of the film transfer motor Mr5 and motors Mr1 to Mr4, and drives pulses and drives to each motor. An actuator control unit including a motor driver for supplying electric power, a thermal head control unit for controlling thermal energy to a heating element constituting the thermal head 40, an operation display control unit for controlling an operation panel unit, and the above-mentioned information. The recording unit A is connected.

The power supply unit supplies operation / drive power to the control unit, the thermal head 40, the heat roller 33, the operation panel unit 5, the information recording unit A, and the like.

2-2-2. Operation Next, the card issuing operation by the printing device 200 of the present embodiment will be described mainly by the CPU of the MCU (card issuing process).

When the power is turned on to the printing apparatus 200, the program and the program data stored in the ROM are expanded in the RAM, and the CPU performs the initial setting process of moving each of the above-described parts to a predetermined home position. In this initial setting process, the presence / absence and type (transfer film 46 or hologram film) of the medium (film) attached using the sensor Se2 is performed by the same identification routine as the identification routine described with reference to FIG. 10 in the first embodiment. The presence / absence and type of the medium (ink ribbon) attached are also identified using the sensor Se3.

That is, the CPU accelerates and intermittently lights the sensor Se2 by outputting signals from the D output port and the DA output port, and sequentially refers to the output voltage of the light receiving circuit 50b (corresponding to the sensor Se2) stored in the RAM. The threshold voltage arrival time Tt is acquired. Next, the CPU determines whether the threshold voltage arrival time Tt corresponds to Tt <7ms, 7ms ≦ Tt <10ms, 10ms ≦ Tt <15ms, or Tt ≧ 15ms.

If Tt <7ms, it is determined that there is no medium, and a film cassette (transfer film 46 or hologram film cassette) mounting request is displayed on the operating panel. If Tt <10ms, then 7ms ≤ Tt <10ms is displayed. The fact that the transfer film 46 is attached is displayed on the operation panel for the operator to confirm, and when 10 ms ≦ Tt <15 ms, the fact that the hologram film is attached is similarly displayed on the operation panel. .. In the card issuing process described later, when the image forming unit A1 is instructed to form an image by the thermal head 40 with the hologram film cassette mounted, a warning sound is output and the image forming operation is suspended.

On the other hand, when Tt ≧ 15 ms, the motor Mr2 is used to determine whether the black mark defining the image forming region of the transfer film 46 or the silver tape arranged at the end of the transfer film 46 and the hologram film. , Mr4 is driven, and the transfer film 46 or the hologram film is conveyed to the supply roll 47 side or the take-up roll 46 side by a distance exceeding the width of the black mark of the transfer film 46. In the initial setting process, the platen roller 45 is not pressed against the thermal head 40, the pinch rollers 32a and 32b are not pressed against the peripheral surface of the film transport roller 49, and the peeling roller 25 is not pressed against the peeling member 28. , The transfer film 46 or the hologram film can be conveyed only by driving Mr4.

Next, the CPU again outputs signals from the D output port and the DA output port to accelerate and intermittently turn on the sensor Se2, and sequentially refers to the output voltage of the light receiving circuit 50b stored in the RAM to reach the threshold voltage Tt. Is acquired, and it is determined whether or not the threshold voltage arrival time Tt is Tt ≧ 15 ms. When affirmative judgment is made, it is determined that the silver tape is arranged at the end of the transfer film 46 and the hologram film, and a film cassette replacement request is displayed at the operation panel section. When a negative judgment is made, it is determined that the transfer film 46 is used and the operation panel is used. Indicate that fact in the department. After this determination, the transfer film 46 may be rewound to the original position or transported to the cueing position, if necessary.

The CPU executes identification of the presence / absence and type of the ink ribbon attached by the sensor Se3 in parallel with or before and after the identification of the presence / absence and type of the transfer film 46 or the hologram film by the sensor Se2. That is, the sensor Se3 is accelerating and intermittently lit by outputting signals from the D output port and the DA output port, and the threshold voltage is reached by sequentially referring to the output voltage of the light receiving circuit 50b (corresponding to the sensor Se3) stored in the RAM. Get the time Tt.

The CPU first determines whether or not the threshold voltage arrival time Tt is Tt ≧ 15 ms. At the time of affirmative judgment, the motors Mr1 and Mr3 are driven to determine whether the color ink ribbon (ink ribbon 41) is the Bk ribbon panel or the single color ink ribbon, and the ink ribbon 41 or the single color ink ribbon is transferred to the ink ribbon 41. It is conveyed to the take-up roll 44 side by a distance exceeding the width of the Bk ribbon panel.

Next, the CPU again outputs signals from the D output port and the DA output port to accelerate and intermittently turn on the sensor Se3, and sequentially refers to the output voltage of the light receiving circuit 50b stored in the RAM to reach the threshold voltage. Tt is acquired, and it is determined whether or not the threshold voltage arrival time Tt is Tt ≧ 15 ms. If the judgment is affirmative, the fact that the monochromatic ink ribbon is attached is displayed on the operation panel. In the card issuance process described later, when the image forming unit A1 is instructed to form a color image by the thermal head 40 with the single color ink ribbon attached, a warning sound is output and the image is displayed until the instruction is given again. The formation operation is suspended.

On the other hand, when the negative judgment is made (Tt <15ms), it is judged whether or not 10ms ≦ Tt <15ms, and when this judgment is affirmative, the fact that the ink ribbon 41 is attached is displayed on the operation panel. If necessary, the ink ribbon 41 or the monochromatic ink ribbon may be rewound to the original position or transported to the cueing position. In the card issuance process described later, when the image forming unit A1 is instructed to form a monochromatic image by the thermal head 40 with the ink ribbon 41 attached, a warning sound is output and the image is displayed until another instruction is given. The formation operation is suspended.

If the judgment as to whether or not 10 ms ≤ Tt <15 ms is applicable is negative, it is determined whether or not 7 ms ≤ Tt <10 ms is applicable, and if it is affirmative, it is placed at the end of the ink ribbon 41 or the single color ink ribbon. It is determined that the transparent tape has the end mark, and a replacement request for the ink ribbon cassette 42 or the single color ink ribbon cassette is displayed on the operation panel.

On the other hand, when 7 ms ≦ Tt <10 ms but a negative determination is made (Tt <7 ms), it is determined that there is no medium, and an ink ribbon cassette mounting request is displayed on the operation panel. This completes the film and ink ribbon presence / absence and type identification routines in the initialization process.

After the initial setting process is completed and prior to the card issuance process, the printing device 200 receives print data and the like from the host device, that is, one side (in the case of single-sided printing) or one side and the other side (in the case of double-sided printing) from the host device. Receives side print data (Bk print data and Y, M, C color component print data in the case of color printing, Bk print data in the case of single color printing) and magnetic or electrical recording data and stores them in the memory. .. The CPU again executes the identification routine using the sensors Se2 and Se3. The reason for this is as described in the first embodiment. In the following, a case of color printing will be described. After identifying the presence / absence and type of the ink ribbon R, the CPU switches the light emission of the light emitting element Le of the sensors Se2 and Se3 to normal lighting, and ends marks (transparent) arranged at the end of the ink ribbon 41 or the monochromatic ink ribbon. Monitor the tape).

In the card issuing process, the CPU first performs a primary transfer process (image forming process) in which the image forming unit B1 forms an image (mirror image) on the one side (for example, the surface) side of the transfer film 46. That is, by controlling the thermal head 40 of the image forming unit B1 based on the color component print data of Y, M, and C and the print data of Bk stored in the memory, the ink ribbon 41 is formed in the image forming area of the transfer film 46. Images of Y, M, C and Bk inks are superimposed and formed.

The CPU outputs print data for each line to the thermal head 40 side via the thermal head control unit, thereby selectively heating the heating elements arranged in a row in the main scanning direction to drive the thermal head 40. .. Prior to this primary transfer process, the CPU preheats the heating element constituting the thermal head 40 via the thermal head control unit 105 (the ink of the ink ribbon 41 is transferred to the image forming region of the transfer film 46). The heating element is heated to a predetermined temperature lower than the temperature).

In parallel with this primary transfer process, the CPU pays out the card Ca from the medium accommodating unit C, and based on the magnetic or electrical recording data, the magnetic recording unit 24 and the non-contact IC recording unit constituting the information recording unit A. 23, After performing the recording process on the card Ca with any one or more of the contact type IC recording units 27, the card Ca is conveyed to the transfer unit B2.

Next, the transfer unit B2 performs a secondary transfer process of transferring the image formed on the transfer surface of the transfer film 46 to one surface of the card Ca. Prior to this secondary transfer process, the CPU controls the temperature of the heaters constituting the heat roller 33 so as to reach a predetermined temperature, and at the same time, an image formed on the transfer surface of the card Ca and the transfer film 46. Is controlled to arrive at the transfer unit B2 in synchronization with the above.

The transfer film 46 after the secondary transfer treatment is separated (peeled) from the card Ca by a peeling pin 79 arranged between the heat roller 33 and the transfer roller pair 37, and is conveyed to the supply roll 47 side. On the other hand, the card Ca on which the image is transferred is transported on the medium transport path P2 toward the decal mechanism 12 on the downstream side. The CPU still drives the transfer motor (not shown) and stops the drive of the transfer motor (not shown) after the rear end of the card Ca passes through the release pin 79. As a result, both ends of the card Ca are sandwiched between the transport rollers 37 and 38.

Next, the CPU rotates the eccentric cam 36 and pushes the decal unit 33 toward the decal unit 34, sandwiches the card Ca between the decal units 33 and 34, and executes a decal process for correcting the warp generated in the card Ca. Next, it is determined whether or not to print on both sides, and when a negative judgment is made (in the case of single-sided printing), the card Ca is ejected toward the storage stacker 60 to end the card issuance process, and when a positive judgment is made, an image is formed. In part B1, a primary transfer process for forming an image (mirror image) on the other side (for example, the back surface) is performed in the next image forming region of the transfer film 46, and then a secondary transfer process (other side) described later is performed. Execute.

In parallel with the primary transfer process (on the other side), the CPU moves the card Ca sandwiched between the transfer rollers 37 and 38 and positioned in the decal mechanism 12 via the medium transfer paths P2 and P1 to the rotating unit F. The card Ca sandwiched between the rollers 20 and 21 at both ends is rotated by 180 ° (front and back sides are reversed). Next, the transfer unit B2 performs a secondary transfer process of transferring the image formed in the next image forming region of the transfer film 46 to the other surface side of the card Ca.

Next, the eccentric cam 36 is rotated to push down the decal unit 33 toward the decal unit 34, and the card Ca is sandwiched between the decal units 33 and 34 to perform a decal process for correcting the warp generated in the card Ca. Then, the card Ca is discharged toward the storage stacker 60, and the card issuance process is completed.

2-3. Third Embodiment In the third embodiment, the present invention is applied to an image forming system composed of an image forming apparatus and a sheet post-processing apparatus, and the identification target medium is a sheet. In the present embodiment, the medium identification information acquired by the image forming apparatus is shared between the image forming apparatus and the sheet post-processing apparatus.

2-3-1. Configuration [System Configuration]
The image forming system 300 of the present embodiment is composed of an image forming apparatus 310 for forming an image on a sheet and a sheet post-processing device 320 for performing post-processing on the sheet on which an image is formed.

[Image forming device]
(1) Mechanism Unit As shown in FIG. 12, the image forming apparatus 310 includes an image forming unit A1, a scanner unit A2, and a feeder unit A3. The image forming unit A1 is provided with an installation leg 25 for being installed on an installation surface (for example, a floor surface) in the device housing 1, and the paper feeding section 2, the image forming section 3, and the paper ejection section 4 are provided in the device housing 1. And are built-in. The image forming unit A1 shown in FIG. 12 employs an electrostatic printing mechanism.

The paper feed unit 2 is composed of cassettes 2a to 2c for accommodating sheets of a plurality of sizes, and feeds the sheets of a designated size to the paper feed path 6. For this reason, cassettes 2a to 2c are detachably arranged in the device housing 1, and each cassette has a built-in separation mechanism for separating the internal sheets one by one and a pickup roller for feeding out the sheets. The paper feed path 6 is provided with a transport roller 7 for feeding the sheets supplied from the cassettes 2a to 2c to the downstream side, and a resist roller pair 8 for aligning the tips of the sheets at the end of the path.

The large-capacity cassette 2d and the manual feed tray 2e are connected to the paper feed path 6, the large-capacity cassette 2d is configured to accommodate a large amount of sheets to be consumed as an optional unit, and the manual feed tray 2e is separated. It is configured to be able to supply special sheets such as thick paper and OHP sheets that are difficult to feed. The sensor Se4 is arranged in the vicinity of the resist roller pair 8 and on the upstream side. This sensor Se4 is a sensor Se described with reference to FIG. 1, and is a sheet transport direction from the image forming unit 3 in order to identify the presence / absence and type of the sheet before the image is formed by the image forming unit 3 described later. It is located on the upstream side. The sheet transport path supplied from the bypass tray 2e merges with the paper feed path 6.

The image forming unit 3 includes a photoconductor 9 such as a drum or a belt, a light emitter 10 that irradiates the photophore 9 with a beam according to image data, a developer 11 (developer), and a cleaner (not shown). It is placed around. FIG. 12 shows a monochrome printing mechanism, in which a latent image is optically formed on the photoconductor 9 by a light emitter 10, and toner ink is adhered to the latent image by a developing device 11.

Then, the sheet is sent from the paper feed path 6 to the image forming unit 3 in accordance with the image forming timing on the photoconductor 9, the image is transferred onto the sheet by the transfer charger 12, and the fixing unit (roller) arranged in the paper ejection path 14 ) 13 is fixed. A paper ejection roller 15 and a paper ejection port 16 are arranged in the paper ejection path 14, and the sheet is conveyed to the sheet post-processing device 320 described later.

The scanner unit A2 has a platen 17 for placing a document, a carriage 18 that reciprocates along the platen 17, a light source mounted on the carriage 18, and a photoelectric conversion unit that converts light reflected from the document on the platen 17. It is composed of a reduction optical system 20 (combination of a mirror and a lens) guided to 19 and a traveling platen 21. The photoelectric conversion unit 19 outputs the photoelectrically converted image data to the memory of the control unit. The traveling platen 20 is used when the sheet is conveyed by the feeder unit A3, and the image of the sheet being conveyed by the feeder unit A3 is transmitted via the carriage 18 positioned at a predetermined reading position and the reduction optical system 20. Read by the photoelectric conversion unit 19.

The feeder unit A3 includes a paper feed tray 22, a paper feed path 23 for guiding the sheet fed from the paper feed tray 22 to the traveling platen 21, and a paper ejection tray 24 for accommodating documents read through the traveling platen 21. Has been done.

Further, the image forming apparatus 310 is a touch panel (not shown) capable of displaying the state of the image forming apparatus 310 and specifying (inputting) the sheet size desired by the operator, the paper cassette to be fed, the number of copies, and the like. have. The image forming unit A1 can adopt not only the above-mentioned electrostatic printing mechanism but also a printing mechanism such as an offset printing mechanism, an inkjet printing mechanism, and an ink ribbon transfer printing mechanism (thermal transfer ribbon printing, sublimation type ribbon printing, etc.). is there.

(2) Control unit and power supply unit Further, the image forming device 310 controls the entire image forming device 310 and communicates with the control unit of the sheet post-processing device 320 (hereinafter, control of the sheet post-processing device 320). It is equipped with a main body control unit to distinguish it from the unit) and a power supply unit (not shown) that converts the main body control unit and each component into a driveable / operable DC power source.

The main body control unit is composed of a microprocessor unit (hereinafter, abbreviated as MPU) containing a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like. The MPU is connected to an image formation control unit that controls the operation of the image formation unit 3, a paper feed control unit that controls the operation of the paper feed unit 2, and a touch panel control unit that controls the touch panel described above via an external bus. There is.

Further, the MPU is a plurality of sensors arranged in the paper feed path 6, the paper discharge path 14, and the duplex path connecting the paper feed path 6 and the paper discharge path 14 in order to form an image on both sides of the sheet. It is connected to the sensor circuit. Further, the MPU is also connected to the scanner unit A2 and the feeder unit A3 described above via a communication control unit that enables LAN connection, a large-capacity memory that functions as a buffer, and an interface (not shown).

[Sheet post-processing device]
(1) Mechanical section As shown in FIG. 12, the sheet post-processing device 320 is provided with an installation leg in the device housing 27, and the carry-in port 26 (see FIG. 13) of the sheet post-processing device 320 is an image forming device 310. It is formed at a position connected to the output port 16 of the above. Further, the sheet aftertreatment device 320 has a third tray 71, a first tray 49, and a second tray 61 provided so as to project from the device housing 27 in order from the top.

<Sheet transport path>
FIG. 13 schematically shows a sheet transport path of the sheet aftertreatment device 320. As shown in FIG. 13, the sheet post-processing device 320 has a linear sheet carry-in path 28 that traverses the inside of the device housing 27 in a substantially horizontal direction. The sheet carry-in route 28 forms the main route of the sheet carry-in route, and in FIG. 13, the sheet carry-in route 28 is shown by a thick line.

The sheet carry-in route 28 is formed with the above-mentioned carry-in inlet 26 at one side end and a paper discharge port 35 at the other side end. A carry-in roller 29 for carrying the sheet into the sheet post-processing device 320 is arranged on the downstream side of the carry-in inlet 26, and a forward / reverse reversible paper discharge roller 36 is arranged on the upstream side of the paper discharge port 35. Has been done.

The sheet carry-in route 28 has a first branch point D1 on the downstream side of the carry-in roller 29, and a third transport path 30 branched from the sheet carry-in route 28 is formed starting from this first branch point D1. Further, the sheet carry-in route 28 has a second branch point D2 on the downstream side of the first branch point D1, and a second transport path 32 branched from the sheet carry-in route 28 is formed starting from this second branch point D2. Has been done. Further, on the extension line of the paper ejection port 35 of the sheet carry-in route 28, a first transport path 31 for further transporting the sheet transported through the sheet carry-in route 28 to the first tray 49 side is formed.

First and second flapper guides (not shown) are arranged at the first branch point D1 and the second branch point D2, respectively. The first and second flapper guides have a configuration in which the tip thereof rotates around a support shaft to change (select) the seat transport direction, and each support shaft is connected to an electromagnetic solenoid having a plunger that can move forward and backward. Has been done.

<First transport path 31>
As described above, since the paper ejection roller 36 can be forward-reversed, the sheet can be conveyed to the first tray 49 side via the first conveying path 31 by driving the paper ejection roller 36 in the forward rotation, or the paper ejection roller 36 can be conveyed. By reversely driving the sheet, it is possible to switch back the sheet and reverse-transport the rear end of the sheet toward the second branch point D2 of the sheet carry-in path 28 described above. Further, the first transport path 31 has a third branch point D3 at a position corresponding to the tray side end of the device housing 27, and branches from the first transport path 31 with the branch point D3 as a starting point and is inclined obliquely. The second switchback path 31b is formed.

In FIG. 13, in order to make the first and second switchback paths 31a and 31b manifest, the path for transporting the sheet toward the first tray 49 is the first transport path 31, and the path for switchback transporting the sheet. Is shown as a second switchback path 31b for transporting the sheet through the first switchback path 31a and the third branch point D3, but a part of the first switchback path 31a is the sheet carry-in path 28. The second switchback path 31b is a path integrated with the first transfer path 31. The above-mentioned second branch point D2 is provided at the path end of the first switchback path 31a.

The second switchback path 31b includes a processing tray (not shown) for loading and aligning sheets, and a stapler unit (not shown) for binding the sheets (sheet bundle) stacked in a bundle on the processing tray. ) And are arranged. The sheet bundle that has been stapled by the stapler unit is reversely conveyed through the second switchback pass 31b and conveyed onto the first tray 49.

<Second transport path 32>
In the second transport path 32, a bookbinding processing section (not shown) is arranged in which the transported sheets are aligned and accumulated, and the center is bound and internally folded. The sheets (bundles) that have been bound by the bookbinding processing unit are discharged to the second tray 61. Note that FIG. 12 shows a state in which the second tray 61 is folded because the frequency of the bookbinding process is relatively low.

<Third transport path 30>
The third transport pass 30 has a paper ejection port 72 at its end point, and the sheet is ejected onto the third tray 71 through the paper ejection port 72. A transport roller (not shown) is arranged in the middle of the third transport path 30. The third transport path 30 is a sheet transport path dedicated to straight paper ejection.

<Control unit>
Further, the sheet post-processing device 320 includes a control unit that controls the entire sheet post-processing device 320 (hereinafter, referred to as a post-processing control unit to distinguish it from the main body control unit). The post-processing control unit has an MCU containing a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like. The MCU is connected to an actuator control unit, and the actuator control unit is connected to various actuators such as a transfer motor and an electromagnetic solenoid.

The MCU of the post-processing control unit communicates with the MPU of the main body control unit, and receives information necessary for control processing in the sheet post-processing device 320 such as post-processing mode information and sheet size information from the MPU.

2-3-2. Operation [Image forming device]
When the start button on the touch panel is pressed by the operator, the MPU captures the information input from the touch panel via the touch panel control unit, causes the scanner unit A2 to read the document, and outputs the image data to the memory. Then, the above-mentioned post-processing mode information is transmitted to the MCU of the post-processing control unit. The post-processing mode information (information on the processing mode by the sheet post-processing device 320) is input by the operator from the touch panel of the image forming device 310.

Next, the MPU rotates the pickup roller of the paper feed cassette desired by the operator to feed the sheet through the paper feed control unit, and drives the transport roller 7 on the paper feed path 6. As a result, the fed sheet is conveyed along the paper feed path 6 toward the resist roller pair 8.

On the other hand, the above-mentioned special sheet is conveyed to the resist roller pair 8 by rotating the conveying roller provided on the downstream side of the manual feed tray 2e by a predetermined amount. As described above, since the conventional optical sensor cannot detect an OHP sheet (transparent medium) based on thin paper (a medium through which light can be transmitted), the MPU can be used, for example, on the upstream side of the transfer roller (for example, a manual feed tray). When a contact sensor (not shown) such as a reed switch arranged on 2e or a paper feed port from the manual feed tray 2e detects a special sheet, the transport roller is rotated.

Since the sheet on the upstream side of the resist roller pair 8 loops, the MPU changes the lighting of the sensor Se4 from the normal lighting to the accelerated intermittent lighting at the moment when the sheet transfer is stopped before the resist operation is completed and the resist roller pair 8 is rotated. The sensor circuit 50 is controlled so as to switch. Alternatively, instead of this, the sensor Se4 is arranged on the downstream side of the resist roller pair 8, the sheet transfer is stopped after rotating the resist roller pair 8 by a predetermined amount, and at that time, the sensor Se4 is turned on from the normal lighting. The sensor circuit 50 may be controlled so as to switch to the acceleration intermittent lighting.

The MPU accelerates and intermittently lights the sensor Se4 by outputting signals from the D output port and the DA output port, and sequentially refers to the output voltage of the light receiving circuit 50b (corresponding to the sensor Se4) stored in the RAM to the threshold voltage. The arrival time Tt is acquired, and according to the above-mentioned identification criteria, no medium (Tt <7ms), transparency (transparent medium falling in the range of 7ms ≦ Tt <10ms), thin paper (light falling in the range of 10ms ≦ Tt <15ms) (Transparent medium) or thick paper (medium in which light in the range of Tt ≧ 15 ms cannot be transmitted) is identified, and the identification result (excluding the case without a medium) is notified to the image formation control unit, for example. Store in RAM with default values. When the MPU determines that there is no medium, it displays on the touch panel that a jam (paper jam) has occurred. Then, in preparation for the next sheet tip detection, the lighting of Se4 is returned from the acceleration intermittent lighting to the normal lighting. In the above, in order to detect the sheet placed on the manual feed tray 2e, the contact sensor of the conventional example is illustrated, but instead of this, the sensor described with reference to FIG. 1 may be used.

After the lapse of the predetermined time, the MPU rotationally drives the resist roller pair 8 and other transport rollers, and operates each part constituting the image forming unit 3 via the image forming control unit to form an image on the sheet and discharge the image. It is discharged from the paper ejection port 16 via the paper path 14. The image formation control unit controls image formation by the image formation unit 3 according to the type of medium notified from the MPU. When the MPU forms an image in the image forming unit 3, the MPU transmits the sheet size information and the sheet type information (default value information stored in the RAM) to the MCU of the sheet post-processing device 320.

Prior to the operation of the image forming unit 3, the MPU operates the feeder unit A3 and the scanner unit A2 according to the operator's designation to acquire the image data of the original (stored in the memory), and forms the image according to the acquired image data. The image formation control unit is controlled so that the unit 3 forms an image on the sheet.

[Sheet post-processing device]
On the other hand, when the MCU of the post-processing control unit receives the above-mentioned post-processing mode information or the like from the MPU of the main body control unit, the MCU executes post-processing of the sheet according to the information. As a result, for example, an OHP sheet that is not generally subjected to binding processing or the like is ejected onto the third tray 71, thick paper is ejected onto the first tray 49 in order to prevent its bending, or a thin paper of a normal sheet (normal sheet). The white medium) is discharged onto the first tray 47 after being bound, or onto the second tray 61 after being bound.

2-4. Fourth Embodiment In the fourth embodiment, the present invention is applied to an inserter device which is a kind of paper feeding device, and the identification target medium is the same sheet as the third embodiment. Since the details of the inserter device of this embodiment are disclosed in Patent Document 2, they will be briefly described below. Further, the inserter device of the present embodiment is mounted on, for example, the sheet post-processing device 320 (of the third embodiment) shown in FIG. 12, and together with the sheet post-processing device 320, one peripheral device of the image forming system 300 is installed. Constitute.

2-4-1. Configuration <Mechanical part>
As shown in FIG. 14, the inserter device 400 of the present embodiment includes a paper feed tray 1 and a paper feed tray 2 provided in the vertical direction, a paper feed unit 3 for feeding sheets from the paper feed tray 1, and a paper feed unit 3. The paper feed unit 4 that feeds sheets from the paper tray 2, the paper feed path 5 that feeds the sheets on the paper tray 1 one by one, and the feed that feeds the sheets on the paper tray 2 one by one. It is composed of a paper path 6 and a feed path 8 on the downstream side of the confluence position 7 of the paper feed path 5 and the paper feed path 6.

As shown in FIG. 13, a carry-in inlet 73 is formed in the device housing 27 of the sheet aftertreatment device 320. A carry-in pass 33 is continuously provided at the carry-in inlet 73, and the carry-in pass 33 joins the sheet transport path 28 at a confluence point J formed on the sheet transport path 28. In the third embodiment described above, the carry-in inlet 73 is covered with a cover forming a part of the device housing 27, but in the present embodiment, this cover is removed and the feed path 8 of the inserter device 400 and the sheet post-processing device 320 are removed. The carry-in entrance 73 is connected. A carry-in roller (not shown) is arranged in the insertion path 33.

As shown in FIG. 14, a small-sized sheet such as a paper sheet inserted between the sheets image-formed by the image forming apparatus 310 (see FIG. 12) is mainly placed on the paper feed tray 1, and the paper is fed. A large-sized sheet, which is mainly a cover for bookbinding, is placed on the tray 2. The paper feed tray 1 is composed of a paper feed tray 1a that is fixedly attached to support the rear end side of the sheet and an elevating tray 1b that supports the front end side of the sheet and raises and lowers the front end side of the sheet to the feeding position. Similarly, the paper feed tray 2 is composed of a paper feed tray 2a that supports the rear end side of the sheet and an elevating tray 2b that supports the front end side of the sheet and raises and lowers the front end side of the sheet to the feeding position.

The paper feed tray 2 is provided with 20 pairs of side guides that regulate both ends in the width direction intersecting the paper feed direction of the placed sheet to prevent skewing of the original during paper feed. Further, on the back side of the paper feed tray 2, two racks (not shown) to which each of the pair of side guides 20 are connected and a pinion (not shown) to engage the two racks are provided. The side guide 20 is configured to move in conjunction with the rack and the pinion.

An upper surface regulating piece 21 for regulating the upper surface of the sheet is provided on the upper portion of the side guide 20 on the upstream side in the paper feeding direction. The upper surface restricting piece 21 is composed of a bent piece protruding from the side edge restricting surface of the sheet in the direction in which the sheet is placed, and includes an upper surface regulating surface 21a that regulates the upper surface of the placed sheet. Further, on the upstream side of the upper surface regulation surface 21a, an inclined guide surface 21b that inclines upward toward the upstream side in the paper feeding direction is integrally formed. The tip of the sheet placed on the paper feed tray 2 is regulated by the stopper wall 24.

Further, the paper feed tray 2 is arranged with an empty sensor S2 for detecting the presence or absence of a sheet on the paper feed tray 2. The empty sensor S2 is provided at the tip of the elevating tray 1b on the downstream side in the paper feeding direction, and also detects whether or not the sheet is securely set at a position where it abuts on the stopper wall 24.

On the other hand, like the paper feed tray 2, the paper feed tray 1 also has side guides to 10 that regulate both ends in the width direction orthogonal to the paper feed direction of the placed sheet, and the upper surface of the placed sheet. The top surface restricting piece 11 and the empty sensor S1 for detecting the presence or absence of a sheet on the paper feed tray 1 are provided. The tip of the sheet placed on the paper feed tray 1 is regulated by the stopper wall 14.

Further, the upper surface restricting piece 11 is formed so as to protrude in the horizontal direction toward the sheet mounting area side like the upper surface restricting piece 21, but the upper surface restricting piece 21 is formed on the upper portion of the side guide 20 on the upstream side in the paper feeding direction. On the other hand, the upper surface regulating piece 11 is provided on the upper portion of the side guide 10 on the downstream side in the paper feeding direction. The upper surface regulation piece 11 is also formed by inclining the upstream portion in the paper feeding direction upward.

The paper feed unit 3 includes a feeding roller 31 for feeding the sheet by contacting the tip end side of the sheet raised by the elevating tray 1b, a paper feeding roller 33 for feeding the sheet fed by the feeding roller 31, and the paper feeding roller. The separation roller 34, which is pressed against the 33 and rotates in a return direction different from the rotation direction of the paper feed roller 33, and the tip of the sheet separated and fed by the first paper feed / separation mechanism are abutted against each other. It is composed of a register roller pair 35 that feeds the sheets downstream after matching, and a feed roller pair 36 that guides the sheet to the sheet post-processing device 320 (see FIG. 12) along the feed path 8. Therefore, the sheet placed on the paper feed tray 1 is carried into the carry-in inlet 73 (see FIG. 13) of the sheet post-processing device 320 via the paper feed path 6, the merging position 7, and the feed path 8.

On the other hand, the paper feed unit 4 includes a feeding roller 41 for feeding the sheet by contacting the tip end side of the sheet raised by the elevating tray 2b, a paper feeding roller 43 for feeding the sheet fed by the feeding roller 41, and the feeding roller 41. The separation roller 44, which is pressed against the paper roller 43 and rotates in a return direction different from the rotation direction of the paper feed roller 43, and the tip of the sheet separated and fed by this paper feed / separation mechanism are abutted against each other. After matching, it is composed of a registration roller pair 45 that feeds the sheet toward the sheet post-processing device 320 along the feed path 8. Therefore, the sheet placed on the paper feed tray 2 is carried into the carry-in inlet 73 of the sheet post-processing device 320 via the paper feed path 5, the merging position 7, and the feed path 8.

A sensor Se5 that detects the transport end of the sheet to be fed and identifies the presence / absence and type of the sheet is arranged in front of the resist roller pair 35, and is fed in front of the resist roller pair 45. A sensor Se6 that detects the conveyed end of the sheet and identifies the presence / absence and type of the sheet is arranged. That is, the sensors Se5 and Se6 are the sensors Se described with reference to FIG.

<Control unit>
Further, the inserter device 400 includes a control unit composed of an MCU. The MCU is composed of the MCU described with reference to FIG. In addition to the converter and the like, the above-mentioned external bus includes a sensor control unit that integrates the sensor circuits of the sensors S1 and S2 and the sensors Se5 and Se6, a driver that controls the operation of the transfer motor, and a seat post-processing device via an interface. A communication unit that communicates with the 320 is connected. The driver is connected to the transfer motor.

2-4-2. Operation As described above, the basic operation of the inserter device 400 is to move the sheet placed on the paper feed tray 1 or the sheet placed on the paper feed tray 2 to the sheet post-processing device 320 (of the sheet post-processing device 320) via the feed path 8. It is transported to the carry-in entrance 73). Therefore, in the following, characteristic operations in relation to the present invention will be described.

The sheet is supplied from the paper feed tray 1, the tip of the sheet abuts against the resist roller pair 35 arranged in the paper feed path 6, and the MCU (CPU) lights the sensor Se5 intermittently for acceleration while the sheet is stopped. Further, the sheet is supplied from the paper feed tray 2, the tip of the sheet abuts against the resist roller pair 45 arranged in the paper feed path 5, and the MCU (CPU) lights the sensor Se 6 in an accelerated intermittent manner while the sheet is stopped.

As described in the third embodiment, the sheets on the upstream side of the resist rollers 35 and 45 loop, so that the resist operation is completed and the sheet transfer before rotating the resist rollers 35 and 45 is stopped. At the moment, the sensors Se5 and Se6 are turned on intermittently for acceleration. Alternatively, the sensors Se5 and Se6 are arranged on the downstream side of the resist rollers 35 and 36, the resist rollers 35 and 45 are rotated by a predetermined amount, and then the sheet transfer is stopped. At that time, the sensors Se5 and Se6 are accelerated intermittently. It may be turned on.

When the threshold voltage arrival time Tt is in the range of 10 ms ≦ Tt <15 ms, the CPU becomes a “medium through which light can be transmitted” and determines thin paper (for example, interleaving paper), and when Tt ≧ 15 ms, it becomes a “medium through which light cannot be transmitted” and thick paper (for example, The presence / absence and type of the sheet are identified by making a determination (cover for bookbinding). Further, similarly to the third embodiment described above, if Tt <7ms, it becomes “no medium” and jam determination is performed, and if it is in the range of 7ms ≦ Tt <10ms, it becomes “transparent medium” and OHP sheet determination or the like may be performed.

After identifying the (presence / absence and) type of seat, the CPU switches Se5 and Se6 from accelerated intermittent lighting to normal lighting. As a result, the rear end of the sheet can be detected and the discharge can be confirmed by turning on the sheet other than the OHP sheet (transparent medium) normally.

3. 3. Effects, etc. As shown in FIG. 1, the device of the above embodiment has a medium identification device including a sensor Se, a sensor circuit 50, and an MCU (or MPU). The CPU of the MCU controls the light emitting circuit 50a so that the amount of light emitted per unit time of the light emitting element Le changes by intermittent lighting, and the threshold voltage until the output voltage output from the light receiving circuit 50b reaches the threshold voltage Vt. The medium is identified according to the arrival time Tt. Therefore, it is possible to accurately identify "no medium", "transparent medium", and "medium through which light can pass" (presence or absence and type of medium), which was difficult to identify by the prior art.

Further, a conventional one can be used for the configuration of the sensor Se, the sensor circuit 50, and the MCU. Therefore, the cost can be reduced. Further, since the conventional one can be used, a new medium identification function can be added to the conventional sensor configuration by switching between the accelerated intermittent lighting and the normal lighting (continuous lighting) of the light emitting element Le.

Furthermore, as illustrated in the above embodiments, the present invention is applicable to various media and various devices using the media.

In the above embodiment, specific examples have been given mainly in the field of the image forming apparatus for the sake of brevity, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the apparatus generally uses the sensor Se. Applicable.

As described above, since the present invention provides a medium identification device, a paper feeding device, an image forming device and an image forming system at low cost and excellent in accuracy, the medium identification device, the paper feeding device and the image forming device And because it contributes to the manufacture and sale of image forming systems, it has industrial potential.

3 Image forming unit 15 Control unit (control means)
41 Ink ribbon (medium)
46 Transfer film (medium)
50 Sensor circuit 50a Light emitting circuit 50b Light receiving circuit 100 Printer (image forming device)
200 Printing device (image forming device)
300 Image forming system 310 Image forming device 320 Sheet post-processing device (post-processing device)
400 Inserter device (paper feed device)
B1 Image forming part Le Light emitting element Lr Light receiving element M Printing medium (medium)
Mr1 to Mr5 motors (part of transport means)
R ink ribbon (medium)
Se, Se1-Se6 sensor

Claims (9)

A sensor having a light emitting element and a light receiving element,
A sensor circuit having a light emitting circuit for emitting light of the light emitting element and a light receiving circuit for operating the light receiving element, and
A control means for controlling the sensor circuit and
With
The control means
The light emitting circuit is controlled so that one lighting cycle time composed of the lighting time and the extinguishing time of the light emitting element by intermittent lighting is gradually shortened or lengthened while keeping the lighting time constant .
The medium is identified according to the time until the output voltage output from the light receiving circuit reaches the preset threshold voltage .
A medium identification device characterized in that. A sensor having a light emitting element and a light receiving element,
A sensor circuit having a light emitting circuit for emitting light of the light emitting element and a light receiving circuit for operating the light receiving element, and
A control means for controlling the sensor circuit and
With
The control means
The light emitting circuit is controlled so that the lighting time is gradually shortened or lengthened while keeping one lighting cycle time composed of the lighting time and the extinguishing time of the light emitting element by intermittent lighting.
The medium is identified according to the time until the output voltage output from the light receiving circuit reaches a preset dark value voltage.
A medium identification device characterized in that. The medium identification device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the control means controls the light emitting circuit to identify the medium while the medium is stopped. The medium identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the control means controls the light emitting circuit so that the light emitting element is continuously lit after identifying the medium. .. Claims 1 to 4 further include a medium set portion in which a plurality of types of media having different light transmittances or light reflectances or media having different portions of light transmittances or light reflectances are set. The medium identification device according to any one of the above. The medium identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 .
The transport means for transporting the medium and
Paper feed device equipped with. The medium identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 .
The transport means for transporting the medium and
An image forming unit that forms an image on the medium,
An image forming apparatus equipped with. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the sensor is arranged on the upstream side of the image forming section in the medium transport direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 or 8 .
A post-processing device arranged on the downstream side of the image forming unit in the medium transport direction and sorting the medium on which the image is formed by the image forming unit according to the type of the medium identified by the control means.
An image forming system equipped with.

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