JP6984279B2 - Image forming device, paper transport control method and paper transport control program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a paper transport control method, and a paper transport control program, and in particular, an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper ejection ports connected to a paper conveying path, and paper when paper jam occurs in the image forming apparatus. The present invention relates to a paper transport control method and a paper transport control program for controlling transport.

In PP (Production Print) machines, multiple finishers are mounted on the downstream side of the main body (image forming unit) in order to perform a wide variety of outputs, and there are multiple functions for reducing downtime in response to this. Supported. One of them has a purge function. Normally, when a paper jam such as a paper jam (hereinafter abbreviated as jam) occurs, the printing operation in the machine is stopped immediately, but if multiple finishers are installed, a large amount of paper being transported is being transported. Need to be removed. Since it takes time for the user to manually remove this large amount of paper, the purge function ejects the paper being conveyed to the finisher other than the finisher where the jam occurred to the sub-tray, and all the paper that can be ejected other than the jam-occurring location. The time required to eject the paper and remove the paper is shortened.

As a technique related to the purge function, for example, in Patent Document 1 below, a decoding unit that decodes the security level of an image represented by the image data from the image data, a transport unit that transports the sheet along a predetermined route, and a transport unit. An image forming unit that forms an image represented by the image data on a sheet moving along the route, a monitoring unit that monitors the position of the sheet moving along the route, and a jam at the route or a transport destination through the monitoring unit. If the security level is below the permissible level, the sheets that can be purged from the route are purged from the sheets that are moving along the route, and the remaining sheets are used for the route. A control that controls the transport unit so as to stop it upward, and if the security level exceeds the permissible level, controls the transport unit so that all the sheets moving along the route are stopped on the route. And an image forming apparatus comprising.

Further, regarding the paper transport control when a jam occurs, for example, in Patent Document 2 below, a transport roller pair for transporting a sheet, a transport path for guiding a sheet transported by the transport roller pair, and the transport roller manually. Disclosed are an operating means for rotating the pair, an increasing means for increasing the pressure contact force of the transport roller pair with the operation of removing the sheet remaining in the transport path, and a sheet transport device having the pair.

Further, Patent Document 3 below describes an image forming apparatus that conveys a recording medium and forms an image on the recording medium, and remains in the apparatus when jam of the recording medium is detected in the apparatus. When there is a recording medium that is determined to be able to complete image formation among the recording media, the recording medium is conveyed to the normal ejection position after the image formation of the recording medium is completed, and the image formation among the recording media remaining in the apparatus is performed. When there is a recording medium determined to be unable to complete, the transport means for transporting the recording medium toward one of a plurality of jam processing positions and the jam after the transport of the recording medium remaining in the apparatus is completed. An image forming apparatus including a notifying means for notifying that an occurrence has occurred is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-09806 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-098087 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-042402

In the next-generation device, the firmware will be common to OP (Office Product) machines and PP machines, and it is necessary to support both the FAX option, which is a unique function of OP machines, and the above-mentioned purge function, which is a unique function of PP machines. With the purge function, when jam occurs, in order to prevent the occurrence of subsequent jams (jam chain) and facilitate recovery from jams, other than the jam paper remaining in the main body or finisher. Eject the paper. Therefore, the printed paper is ejected to the outside of the machine even though the ejection is not completed normally.

Here, in printing or the like, it is allowed that the printed paper is output twice, and the paper having the same content is ejected by the purge function and is output again after the jam is cleared. On the other hand, in the FAX function, for example, when a purchase order is received, if it is output twice, it may be mistakenly recognized as multiple orders, so double output is not allowed and is usually purged. The paper is discarded. However, when discarding the purged paper, the user may check the contents and treat the fax paper as if it was printed normally, in which case there will be duplicate papers with the same contents. ..

Therefore, it is necessary to prevent double output with the FAX function, and as a method for that, a method of prohibiting purging at the time of FAX printing can be considered, but if purging is prohibited, the paper remaining in the main body and the finisher is removed. There is a problem that it takes time. To solve this problem, Patent Document 1 controls to prohibit purging of all papers when the security level exceeds the permissible value when a jam occurs. However, even with this method, if there is paper with a high security level, purging of normal paper is also prohibited, so it still takes time to remove the paper remaining in the main body or the finisher.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its main purpose is to prevent papers to which double output is not allowed from being output by the purge function, and to affect the purging of other papers. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus, a paper transport control method, and a paper transport control program capable of controlling paper transport so as not to give the above.

One aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper ejection ports connected to a paper transport path and having a purging function for purging the paper on the paper transport path when a jam occurs. When jam is detected during the transfer of the jam detection unit that detects jam and the first paper that does not allow double output and the second paper other than the first paper, the first paper is used as the second paper. Is provided with a paper transport control unit for purging the second paper by transporting the paper to one of the paper ejection ports to a position where the paper can be ejected, and the paper transport control unit determines the location where the jam occurs. It is characterized in that the first paper, which is specified and is on the upstream side of the jam occurrence location, is conveyed to the jam occurrence location.

One aspect of the present invention is a paper transport control method in an image forming apparatus having a purge function of connecting a plurality of paper ejection ports to a paper transport path and purging the paper on the paper transport path when a jam occurs. When jam is detected during the first process of detecting jam in the paper transport path and the transport of the first paper to which double output is not allowed and the second paper other than the first paper, the first paper is used. , The second process of transporting the second sheet to a position where the second sheet can be ejected to any output port and stopping the process to purge the second sheet is executed . In the second process, the jam is performed. It is characterized in that the place where the jam is generated is specified, and the first paper, which is on the upstream side of the place where the jam is generated, is conveyed to the place where the jam is generated.

One aspect of the present invention is a paper transport control program that operates in an image forming apparatus having a purge function for purging paper on the paper transport path when a plurality of paper ejection ports are connected to the paper transport path and a jam occurs. Then, the control unit of the image forming apparatus receives the jam during the first process of detecting jam in the paper transport path, the first paper to which double output is not allowed, and the second paper other than the first paper. When it is detected, the second process of transporting the first paper to a position where the second paper can be ejected to any of the ejection ports, stopping the first paper, and purging the second paper is executed. The second process is characterized in that the location where the jam is generated is specified, and the first sheet of paper located upstream of the location where the jam is generated is conveyed to the location where the jam is generated .

According to the image forming apparatus, the paper transport control method, and the paper transport control program of the present invention, while preventing the paper for which double output is not allowed from being output by the purge function, it affects the purging of other papers. Paper transport can be controlled so that it does not occur.

The reason is that the first paper and the first paper, in which multiple output ports are connected to the paper transport path and an image forming apparatus having a purge function for purging the paper on the paper transport path when a jam occurs, do not allow double output. When a jam is detected during the transport of the second paper other than the first paper, the first paper is transported to a position where the second paper can be ejected to any of the ejection ports and stopped, and the second paper is stopped. This is because the control for purging is performed.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state at the time of the jam occurrence of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state after the paper ejection of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state at the time of the jam occurrence of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state in the paper ejection of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state after the paper ejection of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state at the time of jam occurrence of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state after the paper ejection of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state at the time of the jam occurrence of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state after the paper ejection of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state at the time of the jam occurrence of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state after the paper ejection of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state at the time of the jam occurrence of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state after the paper ejection of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state at the time of the jam occurrence of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 7th Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state after the paper ejection of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 7th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 7th Embodiment of this invention.

As shown in the background technology, the purge function ejects paper other than jam paper remaining in the main body and finisher when jam occurs. Here, in printing or the like, it is allowed that the printed paper is output twice, and the paper having the same content is ejected by the purge function and is output again after the jam is cleared. On the other hand, the FAX function does not allow the printed paper to be output twice, and the purged paper is usually discarded. However, when discarding the purged paper, the user may check the contents and treat the fax paper as if it was printed normally. In that case, the same content may be output twice. be.

As a method for preventing this double output, a method of prohibiting purging during FAX printing can be considered, but if purging is prohibited, it takes time to remove the paper remaining in the main body and the finisher. Further, in Patent Document 1, when the security level exceeds the permissible value when a jam occurs, it is controlled to prohibit the purging of all the papers. However, even with this method, when there is a paper having a high security level, it is normal. Since the purging of paper is also prohibited, it takes time to remove the paper remaining in the main body and finisher.

Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, when a jam occurs during the output of paper for which double output is not allowed, the paper for which double output is not allowed is conveyed to a position where other paper can be purged. To stop and purge other paper. Specifically, a jam detection device that detects jam in the paper transport path by an image forming apparatus having a purge function for purging the paper on the paper transport path when a plurality of paper ejection ports are connected to the paper transport path and a jam occurs. If jam is detected during the transfer of the first sheet such as FAX paper and the second sheet other than the first sheet, the first sheet and the second sheet are ejected. A paper transport control unit that transports and stops the second paper to a position where paper can be ejected is provided in the paper slot, the first paper is fastened on the paper transport path, and only the second paper is ejected. To do so.

By performing such control, it is possible to prevent the paper that does not allow double output from being output by the purge function and to prevent the purging of other paper from being affected. It can be used effectively to maintain productivity.

In order to explain one embodiment of the present invention in more detail, the image forming apparatus, the paper transport control method, and the paper transport control program according to the first embodiment of the present invention are referred to with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. I will explain. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment. 3 and 4 are schematic views showing the state of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment.

The image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment is an MFP (Multi-Functional Peripherals) or the like having a FAX function and a purge function, and as shown in FIG. 1, an image forming unit that forms an image on paper based on print data. Post-processing provided with a plurality of finishers (here, first to fifth finishers) and a plurality of paper ejection ports (here, first to fourth paper ejection ports and FAX paper ejection ports) on the downstream side of the 21 and the like. The portions 22 are connected. As shown in FIG. 2A, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 15, a display operation unit 16, an image processing unit 17, a network I / F unit 18, a fax transmission / reception unit 19, and a paper feeding unit. 20, an image forming unit 21, a post-processing unit 22, and the like.

The control unit 11 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 12 and a memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 14, and the CPU 12 stores a control program stored in the ROM 13 and the storage unit 15. By expanding and executing the image in the RAM 14, the operation of the entire image forming apparatus 10 is controlled.

The storage unit 15 is composed of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like, and stores a program for the CPU 12 to control each unit, information on a processing function of the own device, and the like.

The display operation unit 16 is a pressure-sensitive or capacitive operation unit (touch sensor) in which transparent electrodes are arranged in a grid pattern on a display unit such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. A provided touch panel or the like displays various screens related to print processing and FAX processing, and enables various operations related to print processing and FAX.

The image processing unit 17 is a PDL (Page Description Language) described in a page description language such as a print job (PJL (Printer Job Language), PS (PostScript), PCL (Printer Control Language)) received from a client device (not shown). Data or PDF (Portable Document Format) data, etc.) is analyzed, each page included in the print job is rasterized to generate image data, and image processing (color adjustment, density adjustment, size adjustment, etc.) is performed as necessary. Processing) and screening.

The network I / F unit 18 is composed of a NIC (Network Interface Card), a modem, or the like, and is a LAN (Local Area Network) defined by standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), Token Ring, and FDDI (Fiber-Distributed Data Interface). A print job is received from a client device (not shown) via a communication network such as WAN (Wide Area Network) or WAN (Wide Area Network).

The FAX transmission / reception unit 19 has a ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union-Telecommunication) recommendation T.I. According to the fax communication control sequence of the five phases of Phase A to E defined in 30, the fax communication with the other party's fax communication device is performed via the public switched telephone network (PSNT).

The paper feeding unit 20 is a portion for storing paper, and includes a portion for feeding the stored paper to the image forming unit 21.

The image forming unit 21 is composed of components necessary for image formation using an image forming process such as an electrophotographic method or an electrostatic recording method. For example, it is composed of a photoconductor drum, a transfer roller, a fuser, various transport belts, etc., and is conveyed from the paper feed unit 20 based on the image data generated by the image processing unit 17 and the FAX image data received by the FAX transmission / reception unit 19. An image is formed on the paper and sent to the post-processing unit 22. The image forming unit 21 is provided with a sensor for detecting the paper on the paper transport path conveyed from the paper feeding unit 20, and by outputting the detection signal of the sensor to the control unit 11, the jam is generated. The occurrence can be detected.

The post-processing unit 22 is desired by the user to punch, staple, fold, cut, bookbinding, paste with glue, etc., as necessary, according to the instruction from the control unit 11 for the paper conveyed from the image forming unit 21. The finishing process is added and output. The post-processing unit 22 includes a plurality of finishers 23 (first to fifth finishers in this embodiment), a plurality of paper ejection ports 24 (first to fourth paper ejection ports in this embodiment), and fax paper ejection. It is equipped with a mouth 25 and the like. The post-processing unit 22 is provided with a sensor that detects the paper on the paper transport path that is transported from the image forming unit 21 to the paper ejection port 24 or the FAX output port 25, and transmits the detection signal of the sensor. By outputting to the control unit 11, it is possible to detect the occurrence of jam.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, the control unit 11 also functions as a jam detection unit 11a, a paper transport control unit 11b, and the like.

The jam detection unit 11a detects jam in the paper transport path based on signals from sensors provided in the paper transport path of the image forming section 21 and the post-processing section 22, and the position of the paper transport path where the jam has occurred (jam). It is called the place of occurrence.)

The paper transport control unit 11b controls the transport and discharge of each paper on the paper transport path based on the jam occurrence location and the type of paper on the paper transport path. Specifically, when jam is detected during the transportation of paper (referred to as FAX paper in this embodiment) and paper other than FAX paper (for example, printing paper) where double output is not allowed, the FAX paper is used. , Transport the print paper to one of the output ports to a position where it can be ejected, stop it, and purge the print paper. For example, the paper on the downstream side of the jam occurrence location is discharged to the paper ejection port 24 or the FAX paper ejection port 25 on the downstream side of the jam occurrence location, and the FAX paper on the upstream side of the jam occurrence location is The print paper is conveyed to the jam occurrence location and is discharged to the paper ejection port 24 on the upstream side of the jam occurrence location on the upstream side of the jam occurrence location.

The jam detection unit 11a and the paper transfer control unit 11b may be configured as hardware, or the control unit 11 may be configured as a paper transfer control program that functions as the jam detection unit 11a and the paper transfer control unit 11b, and the paper transfer is concerned. The control program may be executed by the CPU 12.

Note that FIGS. 1 and 2 are examples of the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, and the configuration and control thereof can be appropriately changed as long as the paper transport control of the present embodiment can be executed. For example, in this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a control unit 11, an image forming unit 21, and a post-processing unit 22, but each unit is an independent device (control device, printing device, and post-processing device). It may be an image forming system to which these are connected, or an image forming system in which a control device is included in any of the devices (preferably a printing device). Further, in this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 is configured to receive the print job from the client apparatus, but the image forming apparatus 10 is connected to the printer controller, the printer controller receives the print job, rasterizes it, and then rasterizes it. The image data of the above may be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10.

Next, the paper transport control in the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. In addition, in FIGS. 3 and 4, in order to facilitate the explanation, only the paper transport path from the image forming unit 21 to the final stage finisher 23 (fifth finisher 23e) is described, and the inside of the finisher 23 of each stage is described. The description of the paper transport route for performing the finishing process and the paper transport route for discharging the paper to the output port of each stage is omitted. Further, in FIGS. 3 and 4, the paper is represented by a rectangle so that the paper can be easily recognized, and the type of paper can be identified by the rectangular pattern. In this embodiment, the FAX paper is shown by a black rectangle, and the paper other than the FAX paper (for example, the print paper of each print job) is shown by various hatch rectangles.

In this embodiment, when a jam occurs, if there is paper being conveyed (FAX paper and other paper) on the upstream side of the jam occurrence location, the paper other than the FAX paper is ejected to the predetermined output port (Fax paper and other paper). Purge), and control the paper transport so that the FAX paper is transported to the place where the jam occurs.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, consider a case where a jam occurs in the paper (here, the FAX paper) of (1) during printing of the FAX paper and the paper other than the FAX paper. (2) and (3) during transportation are FAX papers that do not allow double output, and other papers are prints or papers for other jobs that allow double output. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 11 (paper transport control unit 11b) can purge the papers other than the FAX papers (2) and (3) from the first paper ejection port to the fourth paper ejection port. The fax paper of (2) and (3) is discharged to the mouth, and the fax paper of (2) and (3) is conveyed to the vicinity of the paper of (1) in which jam has occurred and stopped to be in a jammed state.

As a result, it is possible to appropriately purge other papers while preventing the fax papers to which double output is not allowed from being output by the purge function. In addition, although the case where the jam occurs in the FAX paper of (1) is described here, the same applies to the case where the jam occurs in the paper other than the FAX paper.

The operation of the image forming apparatus 10 in this case will be specifically described. The CPU 12 executes the processing of each step shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 by expanding and executing the paper transport control program in the RAM 14.

First, the image forming unit 21 starts page printing based on the image data generated by the image processing unit 17 from the print job received via the network I / F unit 18 and the FAX image data received by the FAX transmitting / receiving unit 19. (S101).

Next, the control unit 11 (jam detection unit 11a) monitors the jam on the paper transport path when the printed paper is conveyed to the output port (S102), and if the jam is not detected (No. in S102). ), The image forming unit 21 continues page printing, and when the page printing is completed (S103), the control unit 11 determines whether or not there is a next printing process (printing process or FAX processing) (S104). If there is a next print process (Yes in S104), the process returns to S101 to start page printing for the next print process, and if there is no next print process (No in S104), a series of print processes is completed. do.

When the control unit 11 (jam detection unit 11a) detects the jam (Yes in S102), the control unit 11 (paper transfer control unit 11b) is printing the fax paper (the fax paper is on the paper transfer path). Is it determined (S105). If the fax paper is not being printed (No in S105), the control unit 11 (paper transport control unit 11b) purges all the paper that can be ejected (can be conveyed to any of the ejection ports) (S106). .. Then, the control unit 11 (jam detection unit 11a) monitors the removal of the jam paper (S107), and when the removal of the jam paper is completed (Yes in S107), the control unit 11 displays the recovery first page (printing to be reprinted). The first page of the process) is specified (S108), and the process returns to S101 to start page printing.

On the other hand, when the fax paper is being printed (Yes in S105), the control unit 11 (paper transport control unit 11b) determines whether the paper on the paper transport path is the FAX paper (S109), and uses the FAX paper. If there is (Yes in S109), the paper is transported to the place where the jam occurs (S110), and if it is not FAX paper (No in S109), if the paper can be ejected (Jam paper and FAX paper prevent the transport to the paper ejection port). If not), purge (S111).

Then, the control unit 11 (paper transfer control unit 11b) determines whether the purge of the paper other than the FAX paper and the transfer of the FAX paper are completed (S112), and if the purge and the transfer of the FAX paper are not completed (S112). No), the same process is repeated for the next sheet after returning to S109, and when the purge and the fax sheet transfer are completed (Yes in S112), the process proceeds to S107 to monitor the removal of the jam sheet.

In this way, when jam occurs during printing of FAX paper and paper other than FAX paper, the FAX paper is conveyed to the jam occurrence location, and the paper other than FAX paper is purged as much as possible to generate double output. It is possible to prevent unacceptable paper from being output by the purge function, but not to affect the purging of other paper.

Next, the image forming apparatus, the paper transport control method, and the paper transport control program according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9. 6 to 8 are schematic views showing a state of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment.

In the first embodiment described above, the fax paper on the paper transport path upstream of the jam occurrence location is conveyed to the jam occurrence location, but the fax paper conveyed to the jam occurrence location is purged of paper other than the fax paper. May interfere with. Therefore, in this embodiment, the fax paper is not simply transported to the jam occurrence location, but is controlled to be forcibly transported to a position where the paper other than the fax paper can be purged.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, consider a case where a jam occurs in the paper (here, the FAX paper) of (1) during printing of the FAX paper and the paper other than the FAX paper. (2) and (3) during transportation are FAX papers that do not allow double output, and the others (including (4) and (5)) are prints that allow double output or another. This is the job form. In this case, if the fax paper of (2) is stopped behind the paper of (1) in which jam occurs, the fax paper of (2) stays on the paper transport path to the fourth paper ejection port 24d, and ( 4), the paper of (5) cannot be purged. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 11 (paper transport control unit 11b) does not interfere with the purging of the fax paper of (2) and the paper of (4) and (5) (here). Then, it is forcibly conveyed to (the position where it overlaps with the paper in (1)). That is, when the FAX paper hinders the ejection of the paper other than the FAX paper on the upstream side of the FAX paper, the FAX paper is forcibly conveyed so that the ejection route of the paper other than the FAX paper can be secured. After that, as shown in FIG. 8, the papers other than the FAX papers of (2) and (3) are discharged to the purgeable first paper ejection port to the fourth paper ejection port, and the FAX paper of (3) is discharged. , Transport to the jam occurrence point and stop it to make it jammed.

The operation of the image forming apparatus 10 in this case will be specifically described. The CPU 12 executes the processing of each step shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 by expanding and executing the paper transport control program in the RAM 14. Since S201 to S208 in FIG. 9 are the same as S101 to S108 in FIG. 5 of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

When the control unit 11 (jam detection unit 11a) detects the jam (Yes in S202) and the control unit 11 (paper transport control unit 11b) determines that the fax paper is being printed (Yes in S205), the control unit 11 (Yes in S205). The paper transport control unit 11b) determines whether the paper on the paper transport path is FAX paper (S209). If the paper on the paper transport path is FAX paper (Yes in S209), the control unit 11 (paper transport control unit 11b) transports the FAX paper to the jam occurrence location (S210), and the FAX paper is transferred. It is determined whether to prevent the purging of paper other than FAX paper (S211), and if it interferes with purging (Yes of S211), the FAX paper can be secured for the paper ejection port (Eject any paper other than FAX paper). It is forcibly transported to a position where it can be ejected to the paper edge (S212). If the paper on the paper transport path is not FAX paper (No in S209), and if paper can be ejected (when jam paper and FAX paper do not prevent the paper from being transported to the paper ejection port), purge (S213). ).

Then, the control unit 11 (paper transfer control unit 11b) determines whether the purge of the paper other than the FAX paper and the transfer of the FAX paper are completed (S214), and if the purge and the transfer of the FAX paper are not completed (S214). No), the same process is repeated for the next sheet after returning to S209, and when the purge and the fax sheet transfer are completed (Yes in S214), the process proceeds to S207 to monitor the removal of the jam sheet.

In this way, when jam occurs during printing of FAX paper and paper other than FAX paper, the first implementation is performed by forcibly transporting the FAX paper to a position where the paper other than the FAX paper can be purged. In addition to the effect of the example, paper other than FAX paper can be reliably purged.

Next, the image forming apparatus, the paper transport control method, and the paper transport control program according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12. 10 and 11 are schematic views showing a state of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, and FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment.

In the first and second embodiments described above, the fax paper is conveyed to the jam occurrence location. For example, when the fax paper stops at a position straddling the two finishers, the covers of the two finishers are opened to open the jam paper and the fax. It is necessary to remove the paper, which is troublesome. Further, when the mechanical parts of the transport path are removed to remove the jam paper, if the paper is partially sandwiched between the removed parts, the jam paper may be torn off and it may take time to remove the jam paper. Therefore, in this embodiment, if there is FAX paper being conveyed at the time of jam occurrence, the paper other than the FAX paper is purged, and the FAX paper is the closest to the jam occurrence location, and the position where the jam can be easily removed (multiple finishers are used). Control to transport to a position where there is no straddle).

For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when a jam occurs in the paper (here, the FAX paper) of (1) during printing of the FAX paper and the paper other than the FAX paper, the control unit 11 (paper transport control unit) In 11b), as shown in FIG. 11, paper other than the FAX paper of (2) and (3) is discharged to the purgeable first paper ejection port to the fourth paper ejection port, and (2), ( The FAX paper of 3) is stopped at a position near the paper of (1) where jam is easy to remove (here, the paper transport path inside the 4th finisher 23d), and is put into a jam state.

The operation of the image forming apparatus 10 in this case will be specifically described. The CPU 12 executes the processing of each step shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12 by expanding and executing the above-mentioned paper transport control program in the RAM 14. Since S301 to S308 in FIG. 12 are the same as S101 to S108 in FIG. 5 of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

When the control unit 11 (jam detection unit 11a) detects the jam (Yes in S302) and the control unit 11 (paper transport control unit 11b) determines that the fax paper is being printed (Yes in S305), the control unit 11 (Yes). The paper transport control unit 11b) determines whether the paper on the paper transport path is FAX paper (S309), and if it is FAX paper (Yes in S309), the position closest to the jam occurrence location where jam removal is easy. If the paper is not transported to (S310) and is not FAX paper (No in S309), and if the paper can be ejected (if the jam paper and FAX paper do not prevent the paper from being transported to the paper ejection port), purge (S311). ..

Then, the control unit 11 (paper transfer control unit 11b) determines whether the purge of the paper other than the FAX paper and the transfer of the FAX paper are completed (S312), and if the purge and the transfer of the FAX paper are not completed (S312). No), the same process is repeated for the next sheet after returning to S309, and when the purge and the fax sheet transfer are completed (Yes in S312), the process proceeds to S307 to monitor the removal of the jam sheet.

As described above, when a jam occurs during printing of the FAX paper and the paper other than the FAX paper, the FAX paper is conveyed to the position closest to the jam generation location where the jam can be easily removed, thereby performing the first embodiment. In addition to the effect of, it is possible to quickly recover from the jam.

Next, the image forming apparatus, the paper transport control method, and the paper transport control program according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15. 13 and 14 are schematic views showing a state of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, and FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment.

In the first to third embodiments described above, the fax paper is conveyed in the vicinity of the jam generation location, but the user who operates the image forming apparatus 10 is often in the vicinity of the main body, and the jam occurs in a place away from the main body. If this occurs, it becomes complicated to take out the FAX paper. Therefore, in this embodiment, when there is a fax paper being conveyed when a jam occurs, the paper other than the fax paper is purged, and the fax paper is controlled to be conveyed to the position closest to the main body where the jam can be easily removed. ..

For example, as shown in FIG. 13, when a jam occurs in the paper (here, the FAX paper) of (1) during printing of the FAX paper and the paper other than the FAX paper, the control unit 11 (paper transport control unit) In 11b), as shown in FIG. 14, paper other than the FAX paper of (2) and (3) is discharged to the purgeable first paper ejection port to the fourth paper ejection port, and (2), ( The FAX paper of 3) is stopped at a position closest to the main body where jam removal is easy (here, the second finisher 23b), and is put into a jam state.

The operation of the image forming apparatus 10 in this case will be specifically described. The CPU 12 executes the processing of each step shown in the flowchart of FIG. 15 by expanding and executing the above-mentioned paper transport control program in the RAM 14. Since S401 to S408 in FIG. 15 are the same as S101 to S108 in FIG. 5 of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

When the control unit 11 (jam detection unit 11a) detects the jam (Yes in S402) and the control unit 11 (paper transport control unit 11b) determines that the fax paper is being printed (Yes in S405), the control unit 11 (Yes). The paper transport control unit 11b) determines whether the paper on the paper transport path is FAX paper (S409), and if it is FAX paper (Yes in S409), the position where the FAX paper closest to the main body can be easily removed. If the paper is not transported to (S410) and is not FAX paper (No in S409), and if the paper can be ejected (if the jam paper and FAX paper do not prevent the paper from being transported to the paper ejection port), purge (S411). ..

Then, the control unit 11 (paper transfer control unit 11b) determines whether the purge of the paper other than the FAX paper and the transfer of the FAX paper are completed (S412), and if the purge and the transfer of the FAX paper are not completed (S412). No), the same process is repeated for the next sheet after returning to S409, and when the purge and the fax sheet transfer are completed (Yes in S412), the process proceeds to S407 to monitor the removal of the jam sheet.

In this way, when jam occurs during printing of fax paper and paper other than fax paper, the fax paper is transported to the position closest to the main body where the jam can be easily removed, thereby achieving the effect of the first embodiment. In addition, the fax paper can be taken out quickly.

Next, the image forming apparatus, the paper transport control method, and the paper transport control program according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 to 18. 16 and 17 are schematic views showing a state of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, and FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment.

In the fourth embodiment, the fax paper is transported to the position closest to the main body where jam removal is easy, but depending on the position of the fax paper on the paper transport path, the fax paper is easily jam-removed closest to the main body. It may not be possible to stop at the position. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the first to third embodiments and the fourth embodiment are combined and there is a fax paper being conveyed when a jam occurs, the paper other than the fax paper is purged and the fax paper is used. Control is performed so that the jam is transported to a position closest to the main body where jam removal is easy and a position closest to the jam occurrence location where jam removal is easy.

For example, as shown in FIG. 16, a jam occurred in the paper (here, the FAX paper) of (1) during printing of the FAX paper and the paper other than the FAX paper, and the control unit 11 (paper transport control unit 11b) ), As shown in FIG. 17, the paper other than the FAX paper of (2) to (5) is discharged to the purgeable first paper ejection port to the fourth paper ejection port, and the jam closest to the main body is removed. The FAX paper of (2) and (3), which cannot be stopped at an easy position, is stopped at a position where jam removal is easy (here, the 4th finisher 23d) closest to the jam occurrence location, and (4), The FAX paper of (5) is stopped at a position closest to the main body where jam removal is easy (here, the second finisher 23b), and is put into a jam state.

The operation of the image forming apparatus 10 in this case will be specifically described. The CPU 12 executes the processing of each step shown in the flowchart of FIG. 18 by expanding and executing the above-mentioned paper transport control program in the RAM 14. Since S501 to S508 in FIG. 18 are the same as S101 to S108 in FIG. 5 of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

When the control unit 11 (jam detection unit 11a) detects the jam (Yes in S502) and the control unit 11 (paper transport control unit 11b) determines that the fax paper is being printed (Yes in S505), the control unit 11 (Yes). The paper transport control unit 11b) determines whether the paper on the paper transport path is FAX paper (S509). If the paper on the paper transport path is FAX paper (Yes in S509), the control unit 11 (paper transport control unit 11b) determines whether the FAX paper can be stopped at the position closest to the main body where jam removal is easy. (S510), if it can be stopped (Yes of S510), stop the FAX paper at the position closest to the main body where jam removal is easy (S511), and if it cannot be stopped (No of S510), it is the most at the jam occurrence point. Stop the fax paper at a position where it is easy to remove the jam (S512). If the paper on the paper transport path is not FAX paper (No in S509), and if the paper can be ejected (when the jam paper and FAX paper do not prevent the paper from being transported to the paper ejection port), purge (S513). ).

Then, the control unit 11 (paper transfer control unit 11b) determines whether the purge of the paper other than the FAX paper and the transfer of the FAX paper are completed (S514), and if the purge and the transfer of the FAX paper are not completed (S514). No), the same process is repeated for the next sheet after returning to S509, and when the purge and the fax sheet transfer are completed (Yes in S514), the process proceeds to S507 to monitor the removal of the jam sheet.

In this way, when jam occurs during printing on FAX paper and paper other than FAX paper, the FAX paper is placed at the position closest to the main body where the jam can be easily removed and the position closest to the jam occurrence location where the jam can be easily removed. By transporting to, the FAX paper can be appropriately transported.

Next, the image forming apparatus, the paper transport control method, and the paper transport control program according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 to 21. 19 and 20 are schematic views showing a state of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, and FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment.

In the first to fifth embodiments described above, the FAX paper is conveyed in the vicinity of the jam generation location or in the vicinity of the main body, but among the plurality of finishers 23, there is also a finisher 23 having a structure in which the paper can be easily taken out. If there is, there is also a finisher 23 having a structure in which it is difficult to take out the paper. For example, the finisher with the stacking center folding function is provided with an intermediate tray (a storage unit for temporarily storing the paper on the paper transport path), and the paper can be easily taken out from the intermediate tray. Therefore, in this embodiment, if there is fax paper being conveyed when a jam occurs, the paper other than the fax paper is purged, and the fax paper is the transfer position where the finisher jam can be easily removed (for example,). It is controlled to be transported to the intermediate tray of the finisher with the stacking and folding function.

For example, as shown in FIG. 19, when jam occurs in the paper (here, FAX paper) of (1) during printing of FAX paper and paper other than FAX paper, the control unit 11 (paper transport control unit) In 11b), as shown in FIG. 20, paper other than the FAX paper of (2) and (3) is discharged to the purgeable first paper ejection port to the fourth paper ejection port, and (2), ( The FAX paper of 3) is stopped at the transport path (for example, the above intermediate tray) where the jam can be easily removed from the third finisher 23c, which is the easiest to remove the jam, and is put into a jam state.

The operation of the image forming apparatus 10 in this case will be specifically described. The CPU 12 executes the processing of each step shown in the flowchart of FIG. 21 by expanding and executing the above-mentioned paper transport control program in the RAM 14. Since S601 to S608 in FIG. 21 are the same as S101 to S108 in FIG. 5 of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

When the control unit 11 (jam detection unit 11a) detects the jam (Yes in S602) and the control unit 11 (paper transport control unit 11b) determines that the fax paper is being printed (Yes in S605), the control unit 11 (Yes). The paper transport control unit 11b) determines whether the paper on the paper transport path is FAX paper (S609), and if it is FAX paper (Yes in S609), the finisher jam removal, which is the easiest to remove the paper, is easy. If the paper is not transported to the same transport route (S610) and is not FAX paper (No in S609), and if the paper can be ejected (if the jam paper and FAX paper do not prevent the paper from being transported to the paper ejection port), purge the paper. (S611).

Then, the control unit 11 (paper transfer control unit 11b) determines whether the purge of the paper other than the FAX paper and the transfer of the FAX paper are completed (S612), and if the purge and the transfer of the FAX paper are not completed (S612). No), the same process is repeated for the next sheet after returning to S609, and when the purge and the fax sheet transfer are completed (Yes in S612), the process proceeds to S607 to monitor the removal of the jam sheet.

In this way, when jam occurs during printing of FAX paper and paper other than FAX paper, the FAX paper is conveyed to the transport path where the jam of the finisher, which is the easiest to remove the paper, can be easily removed. In addition to the effects of the examples, it is possible to quickly recover from the jam.

Next, the image forming apparatus, the paper transport control method, and the paper transport control program according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 22 to 24. 22 and 23 are schematic views showing the state of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, and FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment.

In the sixth embodiment described above, the FAX paper is transported to a transport position where jam removal of the finisher, which is the easiest to remove the paper, is easy, but the finisher 23, which is easy to take out the paper, may differ depending on the user. Therefore, in this embodiment, if there is a fax paper being conveyed when a jam occurs, the paper other than the fax paper is purged, and the fax paper is conveyed to a transfer position where the finisher jam can be easily removed, which is specified in advance by the user. To control.

For example, as shown in FIG. 22, when a jam occurs in the paper (here, the FAX paper) of (1) during printing of the FAX paper and the paper other than the FAX paper, the control unit 11 (paper transport control unit) In 11b), as shown in FIG. 23, the paper other than the FAX paper of (2) and (3) is discharged to the purgeable first paper ejection port to the fourth paper ejection port, and (2), ( The FAX paper of 3) is stopped at a transport path in which jam removal of the finisher 23 (here, the fourth finisher 23d) designated by the user is easy, and is put into a jam state.

The operation of the image forming apparatus 10 in this case will be specifically described. The CPU 12 executes the processing of each step shown in the flowchart of FIG. 24 by expanding and executing the above-mentioned paper transport control program in the RAM 14. Since S701 to S708 in FIG. 24 are the same as S101 to S108 in FIG. 5 of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

When the control unit 11 (jam detection unit 11a) detects the jam (Yes in S702) and the control unit 11 (paper transport control unit 11b) determines that the fax paper is being printed (Yes in S705), the control unit 11 (Yes). The paper transport control unit 11b) determines whether the paper on the paper transport path is FAX paper (S709), and if it is FAX paper (Yes in S709), the finisher designated by the user can be easily removed from the jam. Paper is transported to the route (S710), and if it is not FAX paper (No in S709), if it is possible to eject paper (if jam paper and FAX paper do not prevent the paper from being transported to the output port), purge (S711). ).

Then, the control unit 11 (paper transfer control unit 11b) determines whether the purge of the paper other than the FAX paper and the transfer of the FAX paper are completed (S712), and if the purge and the transfer of the FAX paper are not completed (S712). No), the same process is repeated for the next sheet after returning to S709, and when the purge and the fax sheet transfer are completed (Yes in S712), the process proceeds to S707 to monitor the removal of the jam sheet.

As described above, when a jam occurs during printing of the FAX paper and the paper other than the FAX paper, the FAX paper is transported to a transport position where the jam of the finisher designated by the user can be easily removed, whereby the first embodiment is performed. In addition to the effect of, it is possible to quickly recover from the jam.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and its configuration and control can be appropriately changed as long as it does not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

For example, in each of the above embodiments, the case of limiting the purging of FAX paper has been described, but the paper transport control method of the present invention is similarly applied to the case of limiting the purging of arbitrary paper to which double output is not allowed. Can be applied.

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper ejection ports connected to a paper conveying path, a paper conveying control method for controlling paper conveying when a jam occurs in the image forming apparatus, a paper conveying control program, and the paper conveying control. It can be used as a recording medium on which a program is recorded.

10 Image forming device 11 Control unit 11a Jam detection unit 11b Paper transfer control unit 12 CPU
13 ROM
14 RAM
15 Storage unit 16 Display operation unit 17 Image processing unit 18 Network I / F unit 19 FAX transmission / reception unit 20 Feeding unit 21 Image forming unit 22 Post-processing unit 23 Finisher 24 Paper ejection port 25 FAX ejection port

Claims (10)

An image forming apparatus having a purge function of connecting a plurality of paper ejection ports to a paper transport path and purging the paper on the paper transport path when a jam occurs.
A jam detection unit that detects jam in the paper transport path, and
If a jam is detected during the transport of the first paper and the second paper other than the first paper, which do not allow double output, the first paper is ejected to one of the ejection ports by the second paper. and conveyed to the paper can become position is stopped, Bei example and a sheet conveyance control unit to purge the second sheet,
The paper transport control unit identifies the location where the jam occurs, and transports the first paper, which is on the upstream side of the location where the jam occurs, to the location where the jam occurs .
An image forming apparatus characterized in that. When the first paper interferes with the ejection of the second paper on the upstream side of the first paper, the paper transport control unit may secure a paper ejection route for the second paper. Forcibly transport the first paper,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. Wherein the image forming apparatus, the downstream side of the image forming unit, Ru comprises a plurality of finishers which the sheet conveying path is connected,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The first paper is a paper output by the FAX function.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. It is a paper transport control method in an image forming apparatus having a purge function of purging paper on the paper transport path when a plurality of paper ejection ports are connected to the paper transport path and a jam occurs.
The first process for detecting jam in the paper transport path and
If a jam is detected during the transport of the first paper and the second paper other than the first paper, which do not allow double output, the first paper is ejected to one of the ejection ports by the second paper. The second process of transporting the paper to a position where the paper becomes possible, stopping the paper, and purging the second paper is executed .
In the second process, the location where the jam is generated is specified, and the first sheet of paper located upstream of the location where the jam is generated is conveyed to the location where the jam is generated.
A paper transport control method characterized by this. In the second process, when the first paper prevents the second paper from being ejected on the upstream side of the first paper, the second paper can be secured so that the second paper can be ejected. 1 Forced transport of paper,
The paper transport control method according to claim 5. Wherein the image forming apparatus, the downstream side of the image forming unit, El Bei a plurality of finishers which the sheet conveying path is connected,
Sheet transport controlling method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the this. The first paper is a paper output by the FAX function.
The paper transport control method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the paper transport control method is characterized. A paper transport control program operated by an image forming apparatus having a purge function for purging paper on the paper transport path when a plurality of paper ejection ports are connected to the paper transport path and a jam occurs.
In the control unit of the image forming apparatus,
The first process of detecting jam in the paper transport path,
If a jam is detected during the transport of the first paper and the second paper other than the first paper, which do not allow double output, the first paper is ejected to one of the ejection ports by the second paper. The second process of purging the second paper is executed by transporting the paper to a position where the paper becomes possible and stopping the paper .
In the second process, the location where the jam is generated is specified, and the first sheet of paper located upstream of the location where the jam is generated is conveyed to the location where the jam is generated.
A paper transport control program characterized by this. In the second process, when the first paper prevents the second paper from being ejected on the upstream side of the first paper, the second paper can be secured so that the second paper can be ejected. 1 Forced transport of paper,
The paper transport control program according to claim 9.

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