JPH02169471A - Image recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To position the first discharged recording paper at a prescribed position by driving a recording paper shifting means in the reverse direction to the discharge direction if no recording paper exists on a tray when a shift instruction for the recording paper is detected. CONSTITUTION:An image recording device is equipped with a recording paper shifting means 150, means for detecting the shift instruction for a recording paper, means 154 for detecting the existence of the recording paper on a tray 107, and an adjustment control means which drives a recording paper shifting means 150 in the reverse direction to the discharge direction if no recording paper exists on the tray 107 when the shift instruction for the recording paper is detected, and positions the first discharged recording paper at a prescribed position. With this constitution, even in the case where the high friction type recording paper shifting means 150 is used, the first discharged recording paper can be positioned correctly at the prescribed position.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus such as a facsimile machine, and more particularly to an apparatus having a function of sorting recording paper discharged into a tray.

[Conventional technology]

2. Description of the Related Art There is a facsimile machine that decodes image data received via a line, reproduces it on recording paper, and then outputs it to a tray.

The image reproduction method used in the above apparatus is generally a thermal recording method, and the recording paper used is continuous 1 (o-leaf paper).
is used.

Furthermore, in recent years, facsimile machines that employ an electrophotographic method as an image reproduction method have been proposed.

In the case of this apparatus, so-called cut sheets, which are fed in J sheets per page, are used statically as recording sheets.

In addition, when transmitting and receiving facsimile equipment, there are facsimile machines that store the image data that the sender wants to send in the -H memory and use a timer to retrieve it from the memory and send it at night when communication costs are low; There is a facsimile IJ device that stores image data from a sender in a memory at any time of reception, and retrieves it from the memory at night when electricity rates are low to reproduce the image on recording paper.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

In the facsimile machines mentioned above, the image data is often reproduced on the recording paper when the receiver is not near the facsimile machine. In addition, the person who receives the uke is also different)
However, there are cases where the paper is ejected onto the paper ejection tray in a stacked manner.

In such a case, the recording paper must be sorted for each reception.

In order to deal with such cases, the present applicant filed an application on the same date as this application for a facsimile IJ device that has a function of sorting recording paper on a paper output tray (hereinafter referred to as other applications). ).

The invention claimed in the patent application removes the recording paper remaining on the tray at the time of a communication break, such as when starting a new reception.
By moving the paper a predetermined distance on the tray, the previous recording paper and the current recording paper are sorted.

For this reason, in the above-mentioned other application, for example, a high-friction endless rubber belt member installed between the recording paper outlet and the tray is used as the means for moving the recording paper. Note that the recording paper mounting surface of the tray and the upper surface of the belt are continuous.

Incidentally, the recording paper mounting surface of the tray is generally sloped downward toward the main body of the apparatus. This is for positioning the recording paper discharged onto the tray at a predetermined position by sliding it on the inclined surface. The predetermined location is, for example, the outer wall of the device body.

However, when a high-friction recording paper moving means is used as in the other application mentioned above, the recording paper that is first discharged into the tray is prevented from sliding due to frictional resistance, and therefore, the recording paper is prevented from sliding to the above-mentioned predetermined position. It will also be difficult to make a decision. In addition,
Since the second and subsequent sheets of recording paper are ejected on top of the already ejected recording paper, this problem does not occur.

The present invention is intended to solve these problems.

[Means and operations for solving the problems] The present invention is an image recording device that reproduces a document image on recording paper and then discharges the original image onto a tray that is inclined downward toward the main body. a recording paper moving unit that moves the recording paper on the tray a specified distance along the discharge direction; a movement command detection unit that detects a recording paper movement command; and a recording unit that detects the presence or absence of recording paper on the tray. Paper detecting means: When detecting a recording paper movement command, if there is no recording paper on the tray, the recording paper moving means is driven in the opposite direction to the ejection direction,
It is an image recording apparatus having: alignment control means for positioning the first recording paper to be ejected at a predetermined position;

According to the above configuration, if there is no recording paper on the tray when a recording paper movement command (for example, a command to start receiving one communication in a facsimile machine) is detected, the recording paper moving means moves in the opposite direction to the ejection direction. As a result, the first recording paper to be ejected is conveyed to the main body side on the tray and positioned at a predetermined position on the tray.

Note that if there is recording paper on the tray when a recording paper movement command is detected, the recording paper remaining on the tray is moved a predetermined distance in the ejection direction, and the previous recording paper and the current recording paper are Sorting is done.

Below, margin 〔Example〕 The present invention will be explained in detail below.

The explanation will be given in the following order: ``Near the paper discharge tray of the image recording section Φ Configuration of the image recording section Φ Configuration of the image reading section Q operation d Configuration of the loop control circuit ~ Processing in the control CPU of the image recording section''.

(Description of the vicinity of the paper output tray) FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views showing the vicinity of the paper output tray of the facsimile machine according to the embodiment, and FIG. 1 shows how the recording paper is sorted; , FIG. 2 shows the state without recording paper.

As shown, the tray 107 is attached to the side wall 100 of the main body of the facsimile machine via a high-grade rubber belt 150.

The rubber belt 150 is driven via a belt 152 by a belt drive motor 151, which is a stepping motor, to convey the recording paper on the rubber belt 150. As the stepping motor 151 rotates in five steps, the rubber belt 150 moves 1 mm. Also, the driving direction is usually
This is in the direction of arrow i. Note that 154 is a recording paper detection sensor that detects the presence or absence of recording paper on the tray 107.

The recording paper after the transfer/fixing process is discharged from the recording paper discharge port 100a and placed on the tray 107 one after another.

If the recording paper is ejected without any already ejected recording paper remaining on the tray 107, as will be described in detail later,
When the first recording paper is ejected, the rubber bell) 150 is moved in the opposite direction (
(a direction in which the discharged recording paper is conveyed toward the side wall 100 of the apparatus main body). This conveys the recording paper to be ejected first in the direction of the side wall 100, and transfers the rear end to the side wall 100.
This is for positioning at 00.

That is, as is well known, the positions and inclinations of the recording sheets sequentially discharged from the discharge port 100a are shifted to some extent. Therefore, in order to arrange these, the tray 107 has
It has a gentle slope that descends towards the main body.
Due to this inclination, the recording paper on the tray slides toward the main body,
It is positioned on the side wall 100 of the main body. As a result, the above deviation is corrected.

However, in the apparatus of this embodiment, the recording paper that is ejected first comes into direct contact with the surface of the high-friction rubber bell (150). Therefore, if left as is, it will not slide in the direction of the side wall 100 of the main body.
Therefore, the deviation is not resolved either.

Therefore, as described above, when the first recording paper is ejected, the rubber belt 150 is driven in reverse to transport the first recording paper to be ejected toward the main body, thereby positioning the first recording paper. It is.

On the other hand, if a recording paper that has already been ejected remains on the tray 107 and a recording paper is ejected due to new data reception, as will be described in detail later, before ejecting the first recording paper, The rubber bell) 150 is driven in the forward direction (direction of arrow i). This is done by transporting the already ejected paper some distance to the right in the diagram before ejecting the paper due to new data reception, and transporting the leading edge (right end; generally the sender) of the ejected paper. This is to prevent the area (where data such as telephone numbers are recorded) from being covered by new recording paper.

The conveyance distance is, for example, 10 mm (approximately the writing width of the data regarding the sender) when the recording paper ejected last time and the recording paper ejected by the current reception are the same size.

Also, if the previous recording paper size is different from the current recording paper size, as will be explained in detail later, make sure that the leading edge of the previously ejected recording paper is not covered by the currently ejected recording paper. Next, the transport distance is determined taking into account the size difference between the two.

In this way, the already ejected recording paper is sequentially transferred to the right before being ejected due to new data reception, and as a result, the recording paper each time is sorted mutually as shown in Figure 1. It will be done. Further, sorting is usually performed so that data regarding the sender can be visually recognized.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the already ejected recording sheets are conveyed in the same direction as the ejecting direction for sorting, but by changing the configuration of the rubber belt 150, the ejected recording sheets can be conveyed in a direction perpendicular to the ejecting direction. It is also possible to sort them.

(Description of Image Recording Unit) FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the recording unit (image reproduction unit) of the apparatus of the above embodiment.

This recording section forms an electrostatic latent image using a laser device, and uses an electrophotographic method as an image forming method.

As will be described later, the image data transmitted via the public telephone line is subjected to bit decompression processing in the decompression unit 308 (see Fig. 6), and then stored in the recording unit 307 (see Fig. 6). input and converted to bitmap data.

Based on the bitmap data, the laser device 108 of the main recording section outputs a laser beam corresponding to the image data.

After the output laser beam is reflected by the mirror 109,
The light enters the photoreceptor drum and scans its surface at high speed in the axial direction of the photoreceptor drum (direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper).

The photosensitive drum, which is rotating at a constant speed in the direction of the arrow in the figure, is placed in the charger 11 at a position before the point of incidence of the laser beam.
It is charged by 1. Therefore, an electrostatic latent image having a pattern corresponding to the image pattern is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum by the laser beam.

The electrostatic latent image formed in this manner is transferred to the developing device 112.
The image is then developed with toner and visualized.

The toner image is transferred onto the recording paper at the position of the transfer charger 113.

After the recording paper is pulled out from either the recording paper storage capacity roller 101a or the recording paper storage capacity roller 101b by the paper feeding roller 102a or the paper feeding roller 102b, it is temporarily stopped by a timing roller pair 103. Thereafter, the paper is fed between the photosensitive drum and the transfer charger at a predetermined timing, and subjected to the above-described transfer process.

The recording paper subjected to the transfer process is transferred to a separate charger 11.
4, the image is separated from the surface of the photoreceptor drum by a conveyor belt 104 to a fixing device 105, where the image is fixed by thermocompression bonding, and then transferred from an ejection port 1ota to a machine via a pair of ejection rollers 106. The paper is ejected onto the outer paper ejection tray 107.

The state of the recording paper on the tray 107 will be described in detail later.

(Description of Image Reading Section) FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image reading section of the apparatus of the above embodiment.

The image reading unit exposes and scans a document placed on a document table and converts the scanned image into an electrical signal.

The image reading unit 120 includes a document table glass 121 on which a document is placed, and a document cover 12 that covers the document and blocks external light.
8. It has an exposure lamp 122 for exposing the original, mirrors 123, 124, and 125 for transmitting light reflected from the original, a lens 126 interposed in the transmission optical path, and an image sensor (line CCD) 127.

During exposure scanning of the original, the exposure lamp 122 and mirror 12
The first moving body carrying mirrors 124 and 125 moves at a constant speed V in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and the second moving body carrying mirrors 124 and 125 moves at a constant speed V/2.

The principle of photoelectric conversion by the CCD 127 is well known, so its explanation will be omitted.

(Description of Operation Panel) FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the operation panel of the apparatus of the above embodiment.

As shown in the figure, on the operation panel 200, there are a group of numerical keys 201 to 210 for specifying the number of the called party.
, function keys 211 and 212 for adding various functions in relation to other keys, a transmission key 213 for commanding the start of transmission, a stop key 214 for commanding the cancellation of transmission, and keys on the tray. Shift key 21 for commanding setting/cancellation of the mode for moving the recording paper (shift mode)
5. A shift indicator 216 that lights up to indicate that the shift mode is set, and a liquid crystal display panel 217 that displays the operating procedure of the facsimile machine are disposed.

(Description of Control Circuit) FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control circuit of the facsimile machine, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the human output relationship of signals of the control CPU.

The control circuit of this facsimile machine includes a reading section 301, a processing section 302, a compression section 303, a memory 304, and a transmission control section 3.
05, line connection section 306, expansion section 308, recording section 307
, an operation display section 309, and a comprehensive control section 310.

The reading unit 301 controls the operations of the image reading unit shown in FIG. 4 (document image scanning, exposure lamp dimming/lighting, image sensor driving, etc.).

The processing unit 302 performs predetermined signal processing (processing such as A/D conversion, shading, binarization, etc.) on the image signal (analog image signal) output from the reading unit 301.

The compression unit 303 stores the image data from the processing unit 302 and the image data from the decompression unit 308 (which is not sent to the called party when reading the image, but is temporarily stored in the memory 304 to reduce the line usage fee). Bit compression is applied to the bit-expanded data read from the memory 304 during transmission at night or the like.

The memory 304 stores image data that is bit-compressed image data that is not immediately sent to the line, and image data that is to be reproduced on recording paper.

The transmission control unit 305 uses the compression unit 303 or the memory 304
It controls the transmission of image data from the line to the line, or the storage of image data from the line connection unit 306 (data transmitted via the line) to the memory 304.

The line connection section 306 is an interface between the public telephone line and the present facsimile machine.

The expansion unit 308 bit-expands the image data (image data after bit compression) stored in the memory.

The recording unit 307 controls the operation of the image recording unit shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG.
Recording paper detection sensor 15 that detects the presence or absence of recording paper on 07
4, etc.) and control signals (shift mode setting/cancellation commands, etc.) from the general control section 310, various loads of the recording section shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 are controlled. drives the group (recording paper feed/transport motor, paper feed clutch, laser device, developing device, fixing device, charger, etc.),
An image corresponding to the above-mentioned image data is reproduced on recording paper and discharged onto the tray 107. Further, the stepping motor 151 is driven and controlled to control the conveyance of the recording paper on the tray 107.

The operation display unit 309 processes the manual input of keys on the operation panel shown in FIG. 5, and turns on and off the display elements on the operation panel.

The comprehensive control unit 310 controls the processing in each of the blocks while keeping the timing of each block.

(Explanation of processing in CPU) FIG. 8 shows the CPU shown in FIG.
), and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the process of step 511 (shift)) in FIG. 8 (ray subroutine).

<1> The CPU that controls the main routine recording section starts processing upon reception of data from the calling side, for example.

Initial settings are executed in step S1, and in step S3, 1
Starts an internal timer that defines the duration of the routine.

Note that the time before the internal timer is set in step Sl.

Thereafter, the image forming subroutine (S5; a routine that controls image formation using the laser device, charger, developing device, photosensitive drum, etc.), the paper feeding subroutine (S7; the recording paper feed motor, conveyance motor, paper feed clutch, etc.), and the recording A fixing subroutine (S9; a routine that controls the fixing device); and a shift tray subroutine (Sll; a routine that controls the movement of recording paper on the tray).

(described later), and after waiting for the internal timer to end in step 513, the process returns to step S3 and the process is repeated.

<2>/Foot tray subroutine (SIl).

The shift tray subroutine (Sll) will be explained below.

In this subroutine, when receiving new data, different processes are executed as follows depending on whether or not the previous recording paper remains on the tray 107.

<When there is no recording paper on the tray 107> (1) In step 5101, it is determined whether the shift mode is set. If set, the shift mode indicator 216 is turned on (5103). On the other hand, if it has not been set, the shift mode indicator 216 is turned off (5127), and the process returns to the main routine via step 5129.

(11) From step 5103, the process advances to step 5IO5 to determine the state flag. The state flag is
In the initial state, it is reset to "0".

If the state flag=0, the process advances to step 5107 and waits for the start of the print operation.

In this embodiment, the start of the print operation is a command to move the recording paper, and the start of the print operation corresponds to the reception of a series of one communication, and the start of the print operation corresponds to the reception of one communication of image data. This refers to the start of an operation during reproduction, such as the start of feeding the first sheet from a recording paper storage cassette. In a copying machine or the like, the present invention can be applied if a series of received communications is treated as a series of originals.

(iii) Start of print operation is detected (S10
7; YES), the process advances to step 5109, and the tray 10
A recording paper detection sensor 15 detects whether or not there is recording paper on top of the recording paper 7.
Judgment is made based on the signal from 4.

(iv)) When there is no recording paper on the ray 107 (S10
9; YES) sets the state flag to 1) L(31
17), and further assigns 1 to the reversal counter (511
9).

The reversal counter reverses the belt drive motor 151,
This is a counter for driving the rubber belt 150 in the reverse direction (to bring the recording paper on the belt closer to the main body of the apparatus), and the belt drive motor 151 is driven in the reverse direction until the reverse rotation counter = 0 (S135). ;YES, 5137.5139)
. Further, one step of driving of the belt drive motor 151 is performed every time this subroutine is executed, in other words, once every I routine (5 m5ec in this embodiment). Note that, as described above, the rubber belt 150 moves 1 mm by five steps of the belt drive motor 151.

(V) Next, when this routine is executed, from step 5101.5103.5105, step 5121
The process moves to , and it is determined whether there is any recording paper in the tray 107, that is, whether or not the first recording paper according to the current image data reception has been ejected to the tray 107.

If the recording paper has not been ejected yet (S121; YES
), the process advances to step 5119 and 1 is added to the reversal counter again.
Substitute. This results in steps 5135.5137
．． Process 5139 is executed and belt 150 is subsequently driven in the reverse direction.

(■1) After the above process is repeated, step 5121
If it is determined that there is recording paper, that is, if it is determined that the first recording paper from the current image data reception has been ejected to the tray 107, the state flag is lowered (5123), and the reverse rotation counter is set. 3×5 (=15)
(Si20). This is because after this time, another 15 steps of reverse driving (moving the rubber belt 150 in the opposite direction by 3 mm, which is the distance between the recording paper detection sensor 154 and the side wall 100) is performed.

That is, after steps 5135, 5137, and 5139 are executed, (vj) next, when this routine is executed, steps 5101, 5103, and 5105 are executed.
Processing moves to step 7.

As described above, step 5107 is a step in which the determination is YES only at the paper feeding start timing. Therefore, from step 5107, step 5129
After that, the process immediately proceeds to step S135, and 5137.5
139 processing is executed.

This process is repeated thereafter until the value of the reversal counter becomes 0. In this way, after the setting in step 5125, 15 steps of reverse driving are performed.

Note that after the value of the reversal counter becomes 0, this subroutine returns 5101=)S103c3S105C3S l
Go through the steps 07=>S 129qS 135=>Return. That is, this subroutine is not substantially executed until the print operation starts upon reception of the next image data.

When there is recording paper on the tray 107 (1) Steps 5101, 5103, 5105 to Step 3107
(The determination in step 5105 is that in the initial state r
YESJ) processing is performed in the above-mentioned case, that is, (i) ~
Same as (iii).

When the printing operation start timing due to the reception of new image data, that is, the paper feeding start timing is detected, the process advances to step 5109, and whether or not there is recording paper on the tray 107 is detected by the recording paper detection sensor 154. Determine based on the signal.

(n) If the determination in step 5109 is "NO", that is, if there is recording paper on the tray 107, the process advances to step 5111, and internal variable K is set to (length of recording paper used this time). (The length of the recording paper used last time). The unit is [ITIII! ]. Thereafter, the process advances to step 5113.

(I[[) In step 5113, the internal variable K is set to 1.
Whether the value added by 0 is positive or not, that is, K+lQ>Q
? is determined.

This is because the recording paper already placed on the tray 107 (
Determine whether or not it is necessary to move the paper in the same direction as the paper ejection direction (hereinafter referred to as the "forward direction") in order to separate the paper from the previous image data received from the paper that will be newly ejected this time. This is to do so.

That is, as shown in FIG. 10, if the newly ejected recording paper B this time is smaller than the previously ejected recording paper A,
There is no need to move the previous recording paper at all. The previous recording paper was completely covered by the current recording paper,
There is no hiding under it, and therefore,
This is because there is no need for sorting.

However, as shown in FIG. 11, if the current recording paper is larger than the previous recording paper a, it is moved in the positive direction by a distance corresponding to the difference in size (difference in length). There must be.

The reason why K+10 is determined without determining the value of K is that by the above movement, the leading edge of the previous recording paper a (the right end in the figure) is exposed by 10 mm from the current recording paper. It's for a reason.

If the determination in step 5113 is 'NO', that is, if the current recording paper is smaller than the previous recording paper, the process returns to the main routine via step 5129.

On the other hand, if the determination is "YES", step 511
Proceed to step 5.

(1'V) In step 5115, the forward rotation counter is set to (1'V).
Substitute K+1O)x5. The forward rotation counter is driven by a belt drive motor 151.
This is a counter that controls the number of steps (steps in the positive direction).

As mentioned above, in this embodiment, the recording paper is moved on the tray 107 by the rubber belt 150, and the belt drive motor 15 that drives the rubber belt 150
Since the rubber belt 150 moves 1 mm in 5 steps of 1, the length of recording paper movement is +10) multiplied by 5.

(V) From step 5115, the process proceeds to step 5129, and the process continues until the value of the forward rotation counter reaches "0" (S 1
29.5131,5133), stepping motor 15
1 in the forward direction, the recording paper is conveyed by the rubber belt 150.

As mentioned above, the execution time of the main routine of the CPU in record B507 is DmSeC, so the 5 m
Every 5ec, step S 129=>S 131<51
33 is repeated, and the rubber belt 150 has a length of 25 m.
It will move 1mm in 5ec.

In this way, movement control of the recording paper on the tray 107 is executed.

Note that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, but can also be applied to an apparatus that cuts roll paper when it is ejected.

In addition, although the recording paper movement command is used as the start of the printing operation, the present invention is not limited to this, and any signal may be used until the recording paper is stacked on the ejection tray due to reception of new data.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, the present invention provides an image recording apparatus that reproduces an original image on a recording paper and then outputs the original image onto a tray that is installed tilted downward substantially toward the main body. a command detection means, a recording paper detection means, an alignment control means for driving the recording paper moving means in a direction opposite to the discharge direction when there is no recording paper on the tray to position the first recording paper to be discharged at a predetermined position; This is an image recording device having:

As detailed in the embodiments, according to the configuration of the present invention, if there is no recording paper on the tray when a recording paper movement command (for example, a command to start receiving one communication in a facsimile machine) is detected, The recording paper moving means is driven in the opposite direction to the discharge direction, and the first recording paper to be discharged is conveyed to the main body side and positioned at a predetermined position on the tray.

Therefore, despite the presence of a high-friction recording paper moving means, the recording papers can be aligned without any problem and can be sorted without any problem.

Below, margin

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 and 2 are perspective views of the vicinity of the paper ejection tray of the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 1 shows the case with recording paper, and FIG. 2 shows the case without recording paper, respectively. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the image recording section of the facsimile device, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the image reading section of the device, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the operation panel of the device, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the operation panel of the device. 7 is a block diagram of the control circuit of the apparatus, and FIG. 7 shows the control circuit C of the image recording section of the apparatus.
An explanatory diagram of the human output signal of the PU, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the main routine of the CPU in FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 (A) (
B) is a flowchart showing the lift tray subroutine of FIG. 8, FIGS. 10 and 11 are explanatory diagrams of the size and movement of recording paper, and FIG. indicates the case where the current recording paper is large.

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) An image recording device that reproduces a document image on recording paper and then outputs it to a tray that is installed tilted downward toward the main body, and the recording paper on the tray is ejected along the ejection direction. a recording paper moving means for moving the recording paper by a specified distance; a movement command detection means for detecting a recording paper movement command; a recording paper detection means for detecting the presence or absence of recording paper on the tray; If there is no recording paper on top, drive the recording paper moving means in the opposite direction to the ejecting direction.
An image recording apparatus comprising: alignment control means for positioning a recording sheet to be ejected first at a predetermined position. (2) The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording paper moving means is an endless rubber belt member installed between the recording paper outlet and the tray. (3) The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording paper moving means is a high friction roller member installed between the recording paper outlet and the tray.