JPH02128875A - Information recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify an operation and a construction by a method wherein a sheet supply function is automatically selected according to the detection output of a sheet detection means to feed a sheet material to a recording part. CONSTITUTION:At the time of a recording check mode, a control part (control means) 9 controlling a whole recorder judges a paper feed mechanism available for paper feeding on the basis of a detection signal from a multi-form paper detection part 3 or a cassette-type paper detection part 6, makes the available paper feed mechanism feed paper, and identifies a recording action in a recording part 8. When an operator turns ON a recording check mode switch (mode indication means) 10 for input-indicating a recording check mode at the throw-in of a power, the indication of the recording check mode is judged by the control part 9.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an information recording device that records information such as characters and symbols on a sheet material such as paper, and in particular, the present invention relates to an information recording device that records information such as characters and symbols on a sheet material such as paper. In this case, it is generally referred to as a paper feeding mechanism.

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[Prior Art] In addition to various printers, facsimile machines, copying machines, and the like have conventionally been used as information recording devices for recording visual information such as characters and single images of symbols on sheet materials such as paper. In today's information society, such information recording devices are indispensable as means for outputting and storing information, and devices with various functions have been developed.

In addition, there are various sizes of sheet materials (hereinafter referred to as paper) required when recording information such as characters, and information recording devices that can record information on paper of various sizes exist. have been developed in various ways in recent years. In this way, some information recording devices are equipped with two or more types of paper feeding mechanisms. There are devices equipped with both a form paper feeding mechanism and a cassette type paper feeding mechanism that feeds a large number of sheets of one type stored in a cassette.

Furthermore, information recording devices usually record information based on the host device (e.g., host computer) that specifies the paper feed mechanism to be used, but it is necessary to check the operation of each part within the device. In order to do this, information recording devices have been provided that are capable of recording and checking on their own. Hereinafter, such a unique recording check operation will be referred to as a recording check mode.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in an information recording device equipped with a plurality of paper feeding mechanisms as described above, an operator manually selects one of the paper feeding mechanisms in advance before starting the recording check mode. It had to be specified in

As a result, this sharp conventional device has the following problems.

- In order to specify the paper feeding mechanism in advance, a switch or the like must be installed in the device, which requires time and effort to operate and inevitably increases manufacturing costs.

■If you accidentally specify a paper feed mechanism that does not contain paper,
When set to recording check mode, there were problems such as paper feeding operation even though there was no paper, or error mode and no operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to eliminate such conventional drawbacks, and to automatically check the presence or absence of sheet materials in a plurality of sheet supply mechanisms in the recording check mode, and to automatically extract sheets from the sheet supply mechanisms that can supply the sheet. An object of the present invention is to provide an information recording device capable of performing a recording operation by supplying material.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a plurality of sheet feeding mechanisms and a method of printing characters on a sheet material selectively fed from one of the plurality of sheet feeding mechanisms. - In a recording device having a recording unit that records information including symbols, a mode specifying means for specifying a recording check mode for confirming the recording operation, and a mode specifying means for specifying the presence or absence of sheet material fed from each sheet feeding mechanism. The recording check mode is entered in accordance with the specification of the sheet detection means to be detected and the mode specification means, and the information recording apparatus itself selects the sheet feeding mechanism in which the sheet material exists based on the detection output of the sheet detection means, and outputs the selected sheet. The present invention is characterized by comprising a control means for controlling feeding of the sheet material from the supply mechanism to the recording section.

[Function] According to the present invention, with the above configuration, when the recording check mode is designated by the mode designation device, the control device automatically selects the sheet feeding mechanism in which the sheet material is present based on the detection output of the sheet detection device. Since the sheet material is supplied to the recording unit using a manual switch, etc., it is no longer necessary to specify the sheet supply mechanism in advance, which simplifies the operation.The configuration is also simple, and there is no need to specify the sheet supply mechanism in advance. The recording check mode can be continued as long as problems such as operation stoppage are resolved and sheets are constantly supplied to one of the sheet supply mechanisms.

[Embodiments] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

A. First Embodiment FIG. 1 shows a schematic circuit configuration of an embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention.

In Figure 1, 1 is a multi-form paper feeding mechanism (sheet feeding mechanism), which feeds a small number of various types of paper (sheet materials), from 4-size office paper to small envelopes. section 2, and a multiform paper detection section (sheet detection means) 3 that detects the presence or absence of the paper to be fed using a mechanical, optical, or electrical sensor (for example, a reflective detection element). and has. 4 is a cassette-type paper feeding mechanism (sheet feeding mechanism), which handles a large number of sheets of one type (generally standard paper) stored in the cassette.
a cassette-type paper feed section 5 that feeds paper, and a cassette-type paper detection section (sheet detection section) that detects the presence or absence of the paper to be fed using a mechanical, optical, or electrical sensor (for example, a photo interrupter). detection means) 6.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a cassette-type paper feed mechanism that detects whether or not the above-mentioned cassette-type paper feed mechanism 4 is installed in the recording apparatus using a mechanical, optical, or electrical sensor or switch. This is the detection part. Reference numeral 8 indicates characters such as letters and symbols, graphs, drawings,
This is a recording section that records images such as photographs (also referred to as printing or printing). As the recording section 8, various recording methods can be used, such as a thermal transfer type, a wire dot type, a liquid jet (ink jet) type, a laser beam electrophotographic type, or a type head type.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a control unit (control means) that controls the entire recording apparatus, and includes a paper feeding mechanism that can feed paper based on detection signals from the multiform paper detection unit 3 and the cassette paper detection unit 6 during the recording check mode. Then, the paper is fed from the paper feeding mechanism capable of feeding the paper, and the recording operation in the recording unit 8 is confirmed. lO
1 is a record check mode switch (mode specifying means) for inputting and specifying the record check mode, and when the operator turns on the power, this switch 10 is turned ON (
(closed), it is determined by the control unit 9 that the recording check mode has been designated.

FIG. 2 shows the interior of the circuit of FIG. 1 in more detail.

In FIG. 2, zl is a driver (driving circuit) for the multiform paper feeding section 2, which drives a multiform paper feed motor 22 for feeding paper based on a control signal from the control section 9. Reference numeral 51 denotes a driver for the cassette type paper feed section 5, which drives a cassette paper feed motor 52 for feeding paper based on a control signal from the control section 9. These motors 22 and 52 are, for example, stepping motors in this embodiment.

The above-mentioned control unit 9 also includes an MPU (microprocessor) 91 as a central processing unit that performs arithmetic control, and an MPU (microprocessor) 91 as a central processing unit that performs calculation control.
A ROM (read only memory) that stores in advance a control program for the entire apparatus executed by U91, a control program as shown in FIG. 4 according to the present invention, and image data to be sent to the recording section 2 in the recording check mode. 92, a timer 93 that measures time according to instructions from MP[I91 and outputs an interrupt signal to MPU91 when the instructed time is counted, and a RAM (random access memory) that MPIJ91 uses as a work area. 94 and a human output port (Ilo) 95 for human output of various data and control signals.

The recording unit 8 also includes an image buffer memory 81 that temporarily stores image data sent from the control unit 9;
A recording head 82 that outputs and records image data output from an image buffer memory 81 onto paper, a driver 83 that drives the recording head 82 according to the image data, and a carriage (not shown) on which the recording head 82 is mounted. It has a carriage motor 84 that reciprocates in the horizontal direction (sub-scanning), and a driver 85 that drives the carriage motor 84.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the external appearance of the recording device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In the figure, 14 is the main body of the device, 15 is the paper tray 1
It is 5. The vapor tray 15 is a paper mounting table for supplying paper to the multi-form paper feed mechanism 1, and can set a small number (for example, 20 sheets) of irregularly shaped paper.

Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the recording check mode switch 10 is turned on, the MPU 91 of the IjJa section determines that the recording check mode has been designated, and enters the present control program.

First, in Step S2 of the 0th order in which recording check mode processing is started (initialized) in Step Sl, it is determined that paper is currently being fed from the multiform paper feeding section 2 of the multiform paper feeding mechanism 1 to the recording section 8. If so, in step 537 recording on paper is executed. but,
If it is determined in step S2 that paper is not being fed from the multi-form paper feeding mechanism 1 to the recording unit 8, the process proceeds to step S4, where the multi-form paper feeding mechanism 1 is caused to perform a paper feeding operation via the driver 21. .

If the paper is fed to the recording section 8 by this paper feeding operation, the feeding of the paper is confirmed by the detection signal of the multiform paper detection section 3 in step S5, and the process returns to step S3 to execute recording. As long as paper continues to be fed from the multiform paper feed mechanism 1, the process of step S3→step S4→step S5→step S3 is repeated to execute recording on the paper.

If paper is no longer fed from the multiform paper feed mechanism 1, or even if paper is not fed in step S2 and paper is fed from the multiform paper feed mechanism 1 in step S4, the paper is not fed in step S5. If it is determined that the paper is not fed, the process moves to the next step S6.

If it is determined in step S6 that the cassette type paper feed mechanism 4 is not attached based on the detection signal from the cassette type paper feed mechanism detection section 7, the process jumps to step 513 and the recording check mode processing is ended. However, if it is determined that the cassette-type paper feed mechanism 4 is installed, in the next step S7, paper is currently being fed from the cassette-type paper feed unit 5 of the cassette-type paper feed mechanism 4 to the recording unit 8. Determine whether or not there is.

If paper has been fed from the cassette type paper feeding mechanism 4 to the recording section 8, recording on the paper is executed in the next step S8. If it is determined in step S7 that paper is not being fed from the cassette type paper feeding mechanism 4 to the recording unit 8, step S7
9, the cassette type paper feeding mechanism 4 is connected via the driver 51.
Execute the paper feed operation.

If the paper is fed to the recording unit 8 by this paper feeding operation, the paper feeding is confirmed by the detection signal of the cassette type paper detection unit 6 in step 510, and the process returns to step S8 to execute recording. . As long as paper continues to be fed from the cassette type paper feeding mechanism 4, step S8 → step s9
→ Step S, 10 → Repeat the process of Step S8,
Executes recording on paper.

If paper is no longer fed from the cassette-type paper feed mechanism 4, or even if paper is not fed in step S7 and paper is fed from the cassette-type paper feed mechanism 1 in step S9, the process continues in step 510. If it is determined that the paper is not fed, the multi-form paper feeding mechanism! Perform paper feed operation.

If it is determined in the next step 512 that the paper is not fed from the multiform paper feeding mechanism 1 to the recording unit 8 based on the detection signal of the multiform paper detecting section 3, the step 51
Step 3 ends the recording check mode processing. Step 5
If it is determined in step 12 that the paper is being fed to the recording unit 8, the process returns to step S3 to perform recording on the paper, and thereafter the process up to step 512 is repeated to feed the paper from the multiform paper feeding mechanism 1. Continue feeding paper and record.

By the above-described operation, the recording check mode can be continued as long as paper is constantly supplied (replenished) to the multiform paper feed mechanism 1 or the cassette type paper feed mechanism 4.

After that, if both the multiform paper feed mechanism 1 and the cassette paper feed mechanism 4 run out of paper, step SIQ
→ Step Sit → Step S12 → Step S13 to end the recording check mode.

B. Second Embodiment FIG. 5 shows the circuit configuration of another embodiment (second embodiment) of the present invention. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 11 denotes a vapor tray opening/closing detection section that detects the opening/closing state of the vapor tray 15 shown in FIG. The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, so a detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

The flowchart in FIG. 6 shows the control procedure of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, step S2 of the first embodiment in FIG.
Judgment step 5: Check the open/closed status of the vapor tray before
1-1 and step 510 and step 511
A determination step 51G-1 for checking the open/closed state of the vapor tray is added between the steps, and the other steps are exactly the same as in the first embodiment.

First, when the record check mode is started from step 51, in step 51-1, the vapor tray open/close detector 1
The open/closed state of the vapor tray 15 is checked based on the detection signal No. 1. Here, if the vapor tray 15 is open, the process moves to step S2. After step S2, paper feeding or recording is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. However, if the vapor tray 15 is closed, step S6
Then, it is determined whether or not the cassette type paper feeding mechanism 4 is installed.

If the cassette type paper feeding mechanism 4 is not installed in step S6, the process jumps to step 513 and the recording check mode is ended.

If the cassette type paper feeding mechanism 4 is installed in step S6, the process moves to step S7, and paper feeding or recording is executed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

After that, if it is determined in step 510 that paper is not fed from the cassette-type paper feeding mechanism 4 based on the detection signal of the cassette-type paper detection unit 6, then in step 5IO-1, the vapor Check the opening and closing status of the tray 15. If the vapor tray 15 is closed, the record check mode is ended in step 513. On the other hand, if the vapor tray 15 is open, the process advances to step 511, and paper feeding or recording is executed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

In this way, in the first embodiment, the paper feed operation is always performed even when no paper is fed to the multiform paper feed mechanism 1, but according to the second embodiment, the vapor tray 15 is closed. In this case, unnecessary paper feeding operation of the multi-form paper feeding mechanism 1 can be omitted and rationalization can be achieved.

C1 Third Embodiment FIG. 7 roughly shows the circuit configuration of another embodiment (third embodiment) of the present invention. In FIG. 7, 12 is a paper feed mechanism changeover switch. When the operator turns on this paper feed mechanism changeover switch 12 during recording or paper feeding, the MPU 91 of the control unit 9 selects the paper feed mechanism (1, 4) to be operated.
) is determined to be a switching instruction, and after paper feeding is completed, switching control of the paper feeding mechanism to be operated is performed. The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5, so a detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

The flowchart in FIG. 8 shows the control procedure of the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, step S4 of the second embodiment in FIG.
Step 54-1 for determining whether or not the paper feeding mechanism has been switched is added between and step S5, and step 59-1 is added between step S9 and step 510 for determining whether or not the paper feeding mechanism has been switched. The other steps are exactly the same as in the second embodiment.

First, if the recording check mode is started from step Sl, the vapor tray 15 is open, and the paper feed mechanism changeover switch 12 is turned on before the paper is fed from the multiform paper feed mechanism 1, step The process moves from 54-1 to step S6, and paper feeding or recording is executed in the same way as on the second actual flow side.

If it is determined in step S6 that the cassette type paper feeding mechanism 4 is present and the paper feeding mechanism changeover switch 12 is turned on before the paper is fed from the cassette type paper feeding mechanism 4, the steps from step 59-1 to Returning to the process of S2, paper feeding or recording is executed in the same manner as in the second embodiment.

In this way, in the first and second embodiments, the paper feeding mechanism cannot be switched unless either the multiform paper feeding mechanism 1 or the cassette type paper feeding mechanism 4 runs out of paper. In the embodiment, the operator can arbitrarily switch the paper feeding mechanism before the paper runs out.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, when the recording check mode is specified by the mode specifying means, the control means detects the sheet feeding function in which a sheet material is present based on the detection output of the sheet detecting means. Since the sheet material is automatically selected to supply the sheet material to the recording section, there is no need to specify the sheet feeding mechanism in advance using a manual switch, etc. 2, which simplifies the operation and simplifies the configuration. Problems such as operation stoppage due to a specification error of a sheet supply mechanism are eliminated, and the recording check mode can be continued as long as paper is constantly supplied to one of the sheet supply mechanisms.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic circuit configuration of a recording device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing details of FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the control operation procedure of the first embodiment of the invention, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the second embodiment of the invention, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the third embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the control procedure of the third embodiment of the present invention. . DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Multiform paper feeding mechanism, 2...Multiform paper feeding unit, 3...Multiform paper detection unit, 4...Cassette type paper feeding mechanism, 5...Cassette type paper feeding unit, 6... Cassette type paper detection section, 7... Cassette type paper feeding mechanism detection section, 8... Recording section, 9... Control section, lO... Recording check mode switch, 11-... Paper Tray opening/closing detection unit, 12...Paper feed mechanism selection switch, 14...Device main body, 15 River vapor tray. ? side

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1) A plurality of sheet supply mechanisms and a recording section that records information including characters and symbols on sheet materials selectively fed from any of the plurality of sheet supply mechanisms. A recording apparatus comprising: a mode specifying means for specifying a recording check mode for checking a recording operation; a sheet detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the sheet material fed from each of the sheet supply mechanisms; entering the record check mode in accordance with the designation of the means;
Based on the detection output of the sheet detection means, the information recording apparatus itself selects the sheet feeding mechanism in which the sheet material is present, and performs control to feed the sheet material from the selected sheet feeding mechanism to the recording section. An information recording device characterized by comprising a control means.