JPH0385562A - Control method for image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate the programming of software by starting programs excuting the sequence control of one process units on block at a timing delayed in order, so that plural process units are operated. CONSTITUTION:Detecting means 18 - 21 detecting that a recording medium 22 passes through the toner image transfer positions of image carriers 14 - 17 are provided on the corresponding image carriers 14 - 17. The image carriers 14 - 17 are arranged so that each interval D1 between the adjacent image carriers 14 - 17 can be equal and each interval D2 between the image carrier 14 - 17 and the detecting means 18 - 21 can be equal. If the starting of recording is instructed, the sequence control instructs to form toner images on the image carriers 14 - 17, to transfer the toner images to the recording medium 22, and to detect the occurrence of the jam of the recording medium 22, and is repeatedly executed at the sequentially delayed timing and in order that the occurrence of the jam of the recording medium 22, and is repeatedly executed at the sequentially delayed timing and in order that the recording medium 22 is carried into the toner image transfer positions of the image carriers 14 - 17. Thus, the programming of software is facilitated.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Table of contents] Overview Industrial field of application Conventional technology Problems to be solved by the invention Examples of means for solving the problems Effects of the invention [Summary] Multiple image carriers In an image recording apparatus that records one toner image by forming different toner images on each image bearing member and superimposing and transferring the different toner images onto a recording medium, the image recording apparatus Regarding a control method for an image recording device that facilitates programming of software that performs sequence control of the device, the aim is to simplify programming by arranging multiple image carriers side by side and storing toner images on each image carrier. In an image recording apparatus that records one toner image on a recording medium by forming and transferring the toner images in an overlapping manner onto the recording medium, the recording medium passes through a toner image transfer position of the image carrier. Detection means for detecting that the image carrier has been detected is provided correspondingly to each image carrier, and adjacent image carriers are arranged so that the distance between each other is equal, and the distance between the image carrier and the detection means is They are arranged so that the intervals are equal to each other, and when instructed to start recording, the toner image is formed on the image carrier, the toner image is transferred to the recording medium, and the occurrence of a jam on the recording medium is detected. Sequence control is configured to be executed repeatedly in the order in which the recording medium is carried into a toner image transfer position of each image carrier, with timings shifted sequentially in accordance with the number of image carriers.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention records one toner image by arranging a plurality of image carriers side by side, forming different toner images on each image carrier, and superimposing and transferring the different toner images onto a recording medium. The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus, and more particularly to a method of controlling an image recording apparatus that facilitates programming of software that performs sequence control of the image recording apparatus.

Image recording devices that print color images using electrophotography are equipped with photosensitive drums, chargers, exposure systems, and
One set includes a transfer device and a cleaner, supplies toner of each color by switching the developing device, forms a toner image of each color on a photosensitive drum, transfers this toner image to recording paper, and fixes it, and a photosensitive drum. There is one in which process units consisting of a charger, an exposure system, a developer, a transfer device, and a cleaner are placed side by side for each color, and the toner images formed in each process unit are transferred to recording paper and fixed. .

The former method requires toner image formation to be performed a number of times corresponding to the number of colors, so it is not suitable for increasing speed.The latter method can achieve high speed by operating multiple process units in parallel; Sequence control becomes complicated because the units operate in parallel.

However, since it is desired to be able to print color images at high speed, it is necessary that software for sequence control of an image recording apparatus using a plurality of process units be easy to program.

[Conventional technology]

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the prior art.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the configuration of a color recording device using four photosensitive drums, where P□P b, P C, and P a are
For example, a process unit that prints yellow, magenta, cyan, and black colors may be used.

The process unit P1 includes a photosensitive drum 1a, a charger 2a, an n-light device 3a, a developer 4a, a transfer device 5a, and a cleaner 6a. It is composed of a container 4b, a transfer device 5b, and a cleaner 6b.

Further, the process unit Pc is a photosensitive drum lc.

The process unit P4 is composed of a charger 2c, an exposure device 3c, a developer 4c, a transfer device 5C, and a cleaner 6c, and the process unit P4 includes a photosensitive drum ld, @electric device 2d, an exposure device 3d, a developer 4d,
It is composed of a transfer device 5d and a cleaner 6d.

When instructed to start printing, the drive pulley 13 is rotated by a motor driven by an instruction from a control circuit (not shown), causing the bell 10 to run at a constant speed in the direction of arrow A. Further, the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d also rotate in synchronization with the running speed of the belt 10, and residual toner is cleaned by cleaners 6a to 6d, respectively.

Then, the cleaned surfaces of the photosensitive drums la to 1d are charged by the chargers 2a to 2d to which a voltage is applied according to instructions from the control circuit. Further, the control circuit is connected to each developing device 4a to
The developing roller 4d is rotated and the developing bias is turned on.

When a conveying member (referred to as a chuck or gripper) that grips and conveys the recording paper 7 attached to the belt 10 reaches a predetermined position, the control circuit moves the recording paper 7 stored in the recording paper cassette 8 to the recording paper cassette 8. The paper is fed out from the paper cassette 8 and placed on standby by hitting against the standby roller 9.

When a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the position detection of the conveyance member, the standby roller 9 is rotated to feed out the recording paper 7, and the conveyance member grips the leading edge of the recording paper 7 so that the photosensitive drum of the process unit P is 1a and the transfer device 5a.

The control circuit measures the time it takes for the recording paper 7 to reach the toner image transfer position of the process unit P based on the timing of driving the standby roller 9, and outputs a modulated light beam from an exposure device 3a using a light emitting diode, for example. Photosensitive drum I
a, and an electrostatic latent image is sequentially formed line by line.

Toner supplied from the developing roller of the developing device 4a with the developing bias turned on as described above adheres to this latent image, and a yellow toner image is developed on the photosensitive drum 1a.

When the recording paper 7 is carried between the transfer device 5a and the photosensitive drum 1a, the control circuit applies voltage to the transfer device 5a to transfer the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1a onto the recording paper 7.

The recording paper 7, onto which the yellow toner image has been transferred in the process unit P, is supported by a suction bell) lla, and as the belt 10 runs, it is carried between the photosensitive drum 1b and the transfer device 5b of the process unit Pb. .

The control circuit measures the time for the recording paper 7 to reach the toner image transfer position of the process unit Pb based on the timing of driving the standby roller 9, and directs the modulated light beam from the exposure device 3b using a light emitting diode to the photosensitive drum 1b. A static am image is sequentially formed line by line.

Toner supplied from the developing roller of the developing device 4b whose developing bias is turned on as described above adheres to this latent image, and a magenta toner image is developed on the photosensitive drum 1b.

When the recording paper 7 is carried between the transfer device 5b and the photosensitive drum 1b, the control circuit applies voltage to the transfer device 5b to transfer the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1b onto the recording paper 7.

The recording paper 7, onto which the magenta toner image has been transferred in the process unit P, is supported by the suction belt llb, and as the belt 10 runs, it is carried between the photosensitive drum 1c and the transfer device 5c of the process unit PC.

The control circuit measures the time for the recording paper 7 to reach the toner image transfer position of the process unit PC based on the timing of driving the standby roller 9, and directs the modulated light beam from the exposure device 3c using a light emitting diode to the photosensitive drum lc. to form an electrostatic latent image line by line.

Toner supplied from the developing roller of the developing device 4C with the developing bias turned on as described above adheres to this latent image, and a cyan toner image is developed on the photosensitive drum lc.

When the recording paper 7 is carried between the transfer device 5c and the photosensitive drum 1c, the control circuit applies voltage to the transfer device 5c to transfer the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1c onto the recording paper 7.

The recording paper 7, onto which the cyan toner image has been transferred by the process unit PC, is supported by the suction belt llc.
-10 is carried between the photosensitive drum 1d and the transfer device 5d of the process unit P4.

The control circuit measures the time for the recording paper 7 to reach the toner image transfer position of the process unit P4 based on the timing of driving the standby roller 9, and directs the modulated light beam from the exposure device 3d using a light emitting diode to the photosensitive drum 1d. to form an electrostatic latent image line by line.

Toner supplied from the developing roller of the developing device 4d whose developing bias is turned on as described above adheres to this latent image, and a black toner image is developed on the photosensitive drum 1d.

When the recording paper 7 is carried between the transfer device 5d and the photosensitive drum ld, the control circuit applies voltage to the transfer device 5d to transfer the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum ld onto the recording paper 7.

The recording paper 7, onto which the black toner image has been transferred in the process unit P4, is released from the grip of the conveying member, and
0, the toner image is carried between the fixing roller and pressure roller of the fixing device 12, and the transferred toner image is fixed.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

Conventional software for causing a control circuit to perform the above sequence control includes a plurality of process units P, .
Since it is designed to operate P4 in parallel, the operation sequence performs on/off control of the exposures 33a to 3d of each process unit P, ~P4, transfer devices 5a to 5d, confirmation of the conveyance state of the recording paper 7, etc. There is a problem that programming is difficult and time consuming.

In view of these problems, the present invention aims to simplify programming.

[Means to solve the problem]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the present invention in detail.

The same reference numerals as in FIG. 8 indicate the same functions, image carrier 1.
4 to 17 correspond to the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d in FIG. 8, respectively;
The recording medium 22 corresponds to the recording paper 7.

A detection means 18 is provided on the image carrier 14 .
5 has a detection means 19, and the image carrier 16 has a detection means 20.
However, the image carriers 17 are provided with detection means 21 corresponding to each other, and the distance D1 between the image carriers 14 and 15, the distance D+ between the image carriers 15 and 16, and the distance D+ between the image carriers 16 and 17 are determined. The intervals are equal, and the distance between the image carrier 14 and the detection means 18 is equal.
The distance D2 between the image carrier 15 and the detection means 19, the distance D8 between the image carrier 16 and the detection means 20, and the distance between the image carrier 17 and the detection means 21 are set to be equal to each other. Placed.

When a control circuit (not shown) is instructed to start recording, it performs sequence control to form a toner image on the image carrier, transfer the toner image to the recording medium 22, and detect occurrence of a jam on the recording medium 22. The timing is sequentially shifted in the order in which the recording medium 22 is carried into the toner image transfer position of each image carrier, and the execution is repeated in correspondence with the number of image carriers 14 to 17.

That is, the recording paper is fed out from the recording paper cassette 8 and placed on the standby roller 9.
The recording medium 22, which has been waiting at the belt 10, is let out as explained in FIG. 14 is subjected to predetermined sequence control.

The control circuit checks the output of the detection means 18, and after detecting that the recording medium 22 has been carried in, as explained in FIG.
The exposure device is controlled to project a modulated light beam onto the image carrier 14 to form a latent image. After a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the transfer device is turned on to transfer the toner image developed by the developer onto the recording medium 22. Then, when the time determined from the length of the recording medium 22 has elapsed, the signal from the detection means 18 is checked, and if the recording medium 22 is not present, it is determined that no jam has occurred.

Based on the timing of driving the standby roller 9, the control circuit executes a predetermined sequence control on the image carrier 15 when a time period determined in advance from the moving speed of the bell 10 has elapsed.

The control circuit checks the output of the detection means 19, detects that the recording medium 22 has been carried in, and then controls the exposure device to project a modulated light beam onto the image carrier 15 to form a latent image.

After a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the transfer device is turned on to transfer the toner image developed by the developer onto the recording medium 22. Then, when the time determined from the length of the recording medium 22 has elapsed, the signal from the detection means 19 is checked, and if the recording medium 22 is not present, it is determined that no jam has occurred.

Based on the timing of driving the standby roller 9, the control circuit executes a predetermined sequence control on the image carrier 16 when a time period determined in advance from the moving speed of the belt 10 has elapsed.

The control circuit checks the output of the detection means 20, detects that the recording medium 22 has been carried in, and then controls the exposure device to project a modulated light beam onto the image carrier 16 to form a latent image.

After a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the transfer device is turned on to transfer the toner image developed by the developer onto the recording medium 22. Then, when the time determined from the length of the recording medium 22 has elapsed, the signal from the detection means 20 is checked, and if the recording medium 22 is not present, it is determined that no jam has occurred.

Based on the timing of driving the standby roller 9, the control circuit executes a predetermined sequence control on the image carrier 17 when a time period determined in advance from the moving speed of the bell 10 has elapsed.

The control circuit checks the output of the detection means 21, detects that the recording medium 22 has been carried in, and then controls the exposure device to project a modulated light beam onto the image carrier 17 to form a latent image.

After a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the transfer device is turned on to transfer the toner image developed by the developer onto the recording medium 22. Then, when the time determined from the length of the recording medium 22 has elapsed, the signal from the detection means 21 is checked, and if the recording medium 22 is not present, it is determined that no jam has occurred.

[Effect]

As described above, the control circuit is given sequence control of one process unit as one block, and starts this block sequentially by shifting the distance DI between the image carriers by the time the recording paper 22 is conveyed. This makes it possible to print color images. Therefore, since it is only necessary to create one block regardless of the number of image carriers, software programming can be facilitated.

〔Example〕

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a circuit showing an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 shows the +! Figure 4 is a diagram explaining the precepts.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of 10 registers.

In FIG. 3, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 8 indicate the same functions. In FIG.
Reads and operates the program stored in I10.
The address is sent to the register 29, and necessary control information is sent to the driver 3o.

The driver 30 drives the motor of the mechanism section 31 based on control information instructed by the processor 24 via the I10 register 29.The mechanism section 31 has a configuration as shown in FIG. The drive pulley 13 and photosensitive drums 1a-1d rotate, and the developing units 4a-4
The developing roller d and the roller of the fixing device 12 also rotate.

Then, a voltage is applied to the chargers 2a to 2d, and the exposure device 3
On/off of a to 3d and transfer devices 5a to 5d is also controlled.

The mechanism unit 31 reports the status driven by the driver 30 to the processor 24 via the ■/○ register 29.

The program timer 27 includes, for example, the photosensitive drum 1a-
1d contains a clock based on the time interval at which one line of data is formed, and notifies the processor 24 of various control timings required. That is, from the timing to drive the standby roller 9, the timing to turn on the exposure devices 3a to 3d, the timing to turn on the transfer devices 5a to 5d, etc. are notified.

The input/output port 28 transfers data with, for example, a host device, and the RAM 26 stores information required by the processor 24.

As explained in FIG. 1, the distance between the photosensitive drums 1a and 1b, the distance between the photosensitive drums 1b and 1c, and the distance between the photosensitive drums 1c and 1d shown in FIG.
a and the recording paper sensor 23a, the distance between the photosensitive drum 1b and the recording paper sensor 23b, the interval between the photosensitive drum IC and the recording paper sensor 23c, and the distance between the photosensitive drum 1d and the recording paper sensor 2.
The 3d intervals are arranged to be equal to each other. The recording paper sensor 23e is arranged to detect the recording paper 7 discharged from the fixing device 12.

The I10 register 29 is configured as shown in FIG. 4, for example, and sends control information to the driver 30 based on the address sent by the processor 24.

That is, address 7000 expressed in hexadecimal numbers instructs the exposure control of process unit P shown in FIG. 3, and address 701O instructs process unit P.

The address 7020 instructs the exposure control of the process unit Pc, and the address 7030 instructs the exposure control of the process unit P.

Further, addresses 7 (14) to (170) are used to control the clock when it is desired to change the printing speed of the mechanism section 31.

Address 7050 is control information for a driver that operates the exposure device 3a and transfer device 5a of the process unit P1, and address 7060 is control information for a driver that operates the exposure device 3b and transfer device 5b of the process unit Pb. Address 7070 is control information for a driver that operates the exposure device 3C and transfer device 5c of the process unit PC, and address 7080 is control information for a driver that operates the exposure device 3d and transfer device 5d of the process unit P4.

Addresses 7090 to 70AO are control information for the driver that drives the motor that rotates the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d and the drive pulley 13.

FIG. 5 is a time chart illustrating the operation of FIG. 2.

When the processor 24 is instructed to start printing, the processor 24 rotates the drive pulley 13 to run the belt 10 at a constant speed in the direction of arrow A, rotates the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d, and charges the charger 2a as shown in (3). Apply voltage to ~2d.

Then, when a certain period of time has elapsed based on the notification from the program timer 27, as shown in (2), the developing rollers of the developing devices 4a to 4d are rotated and a developing bias is applied.

When preparations for printing are completed in this manner, the recording paper 7 is fed out from the recording paper cassette 8, and is brought into contact with the standby roller 9 to stand by. Then, the standby roller 9 is rotated at a predetermined timing with the conveyance member attached to the belt 10, and the recording paper 7 is fed out and gripped by the conveyance member.

The processor 24 drives the standby roller 9 and sets the program timer 27, and when notified by the program timer 27 that a predetermined time has elapsed,
The sequence control program is started, and the output of the recording paper sensor 23a is checked based on the instructions of this program.

Then, as shown in ■, when the output of the recording paper sensor 23a is turned on and it is recognized that the recording paper 7 has been carried in, the recording paper 7 is moved to the position of the transfer device 5a based on the notification from the program timer 27, as shown in (■). The exposure device 3a is driven to project the modulated light beam onto the photosensitive drum 1a at the timing when the toner image is transferred with a predetermined margin formed.

Then, the recording paper 7 is carried between the transfer device 5a and the photosensitive drum 1a, and at the timing when the toner image is transferred, a voltage is applied to the transfer device 5a as shown in (2).

Based on the notification from the program timer 27, the processor 24 checks the output of the recording paper sensor 23a again, as shown in (3), and finds that the output of the recording paper sensor 23a is off, indicating that the recording paper 7 is not present. Then, it is determined that no jam has occurred, and the drive of the exposure device 3a is stopped to stop the emission of the light beam as shown in (), and then the voltage applied to the transfer device 5a is turned off as shown in (). do.

When the next printing is to be continued, the processor 24 starts the sequence control program again and repeats the operations ① to ②.

The processor 24 drives the standby roller 9 and sets the program timer 27, and when notified by the program timer 27 that a predetermined time has elapsed,
A sequence control program similar to the above is started, and the output of the recording paper sensor 23b is checked based on the instructions of this program.

Then, as shown in (■), when the output of the recording paper sensor 23b is turned on and it is recognized that the recording paper 7 has been carried in, the recording paper 7 is moved to the position of the transfer device 5b based on the notification from the program timer 27, as shown in (■). The exposure device 3b is driven to project the modulated light beam onto the photosensitive drum lb at the timing when the toner image is transferred with a predetermined margin formed.

Then, the recording paper 7 is carried between the transfer device 5b and the photosensitive drum 1b, and at the timing when the toner image is transferred, a voltage is applied to the transfer device 5b as shown in (2).

Based on the notification from the program timer 27, the processor 24 checks the output of the recording paper sensor 23b again, as shown in (3), and finds that the output of the recording paper sensor 23b is off, indicating that the recording paper 7 is not present. Then, it is determined that no jam has occurred, and the drive of the exposure device 3b is stopped to stop sending out the light beam as shown in (), and then the voltage applied to the transfer device 5b is turned off as shown in (). do.

When the next printing is to be continued, the processor 24 starts the sequence control program again and repeats the operations ① to ②.

■~0 is the recording paper sensor 23c, the exposure device 3c, and the transfer H5c
This explains the operation of the photosensitive drum LC, and @~[
Phase] describes the operations of the recording paper sensor 23d, the exposure device 3d, the transfer device 5d, and the photosensitive drum ld, and since they are the same as those described above, detailed explanations will be omitted.

From the timing when the standby roller 9 is driven to when the recording paper 7 is fixed by the fixing device 12 and the leading edge of the recording paper 7 is detected by the recording paper sensor 23e, the processor 24 detects the recording paper sensor as shown in (3). The output of the recording paper sensor 23e is turned on, and the output of the recording paper 7 is checked.
When it is recognized that the recording paper 7 has been ejected from the fixing device 12, the recording paper 7 passes the position of the recording paper sensor 23e, and its output is checked again after one winter, and the output of the recording paper sensor 23e is turned off. If so, it is determined that there is no jamming of the recording paper 7.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart explaining the operation of FIG. 2.

When the processor 24 receives the print instruction in step 2, it prepares to start printing in step O, that is, performs the process 2 described in FIG.
In step [phase], the recording paper is taken out, that is, the recording paper 7 is fed out from the recording paper cassette 8, and is brought into contact with the standby roller 9 to stand by. Then, the standby roller 9 is rotated at a predetermined timing with the conveyance member attached to the belt 10, and the recording paper 7 is fed out and gripped by the conveyance member.

Here, the processor 24 moves to the process of step (■),
The process unit P1 is controlled, that is, the sequence control program is started and steps O to 0 are executed.

First, in step @, it is checked whether the recording paper 7 has arrived based on the output of the recording paper sensor 23a.

If the recording paper 7 does not come, it is determined that a jam has occurred, and step @
Shifts to processing and executes error handling.

That is, it instructs the driver 30 via the I10 register 29 to stop driving the motor of the mechanism section 31 and cancel the printing operation.

When the arrival of the recording paper 7 is detected in step O, the exposure device 3a is driven in step [phase] to project a light beam onto the photosensitive drum 1a, and then, in step @, a voltage is applied to the transfer device 5a. Apply it.

During the transfer of the toner image in the process unit P, as shown in FIG. 5, it is the timing to start the sequence control program that controls the process unit Ph. Then, the process unit Ph is controlled, that is, the sequence control program is activated and the execution of steps 0 to 0 is started.

Then, based on the timing shown in FIG. 5, as above,
In step O, it is checked whether the recording paper 7 has arrived based on the output of the recording paper sensor 23b, and when it is detected that the recording paper 7 has arrived,
In step [phase], the exposure device 3b is driven to project a light beam onto the photosensitive drum 1b, and then in step @, the transfer device 5
Apply voltage to b.

Based on the notification from the program timer 27, the processor 24
As shown in FIG. Check to see if 7 has passed. That is, the output of the recording paper sensor 23a is checked, and if it is off, it is determined that the recording paper 7 has passed, and if it remains on, it is determined that a jam has occurred, and the process moves to step @.

When it is recognized in step [phase] that the recording paper 7 has passed the recording paper sensor 23a, the drive of the exposure device 3a is stopped in step [phase], and the voltage supplied to the transfer device 5a is turned off in step (2). Then, in step 0, check whether it is a sequence control program for process unit P, and if it is a sequence control program for process unit P1,
In step (2), it is checked whether there is a next print, and if there is a next print, the process returns to step (2), and if there is no next print, the process of the sequence control program is ended in step [phase].

As shown in FIG. 5, the processor 24 starts the sequence control program that controls the process unit PC after processing the step [phase] of the sequence control program of the process unit P. The process moves to step (2), where the process unit PC is controlled, that is, the sequence control program is activated, and the execution of step O-(2) is started in the same manner as described above.

Then, by the notification from the program timer 27, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, when one timing of the passage check of the recording paper 7 in the process unit Pb is recognized, the processing returns to the sequence control program of the process unit Pb.
Execute the process in step [phase] and check whether the recording paper 7 has passed. That is, the output of the recording paper sensor 23b is checked, and if it is off, it is determined that the recording paper 7 has passed, and if it remains on, it is determined that a jam has occurred, and the process moves to step @.

When the passage of the recording paper 7 is recognized in step [phase], the drive of the exposure device 3b is stopped in step (2), and the voltage supplied to the transfer device 5b is turned off in step 0.

Then, in step ①, check to see if it is the sequence control program for process unit P, and of course
, it is not a sequence control program, so step [
phase] to end the processing of the sequence control program.

As shown in FIG. 5, the processor 24 starts the sequence control program that controls the process unit P4 after processing step [phase] of the sequence control program of the process unit Pb, so the processor 24 starts the step [phase] at this time. The process shifts to @ processing, and the process unit Pa is controlled. That is, the sequence control program is activated and the execution of the steps @~① is started.

Then, by the notification from the program timer 27, as shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, when the timing of checking the passage of the recording paper 7 in the process unit PC is recognized, the processing returns to the sequence control program of the process unit PC, executes the process of step [phase], and checks whether the recording paper 7 has passed. . That is, the output of the recording paper sensor 23c is checked, and if it turns off, it is determined that the recording paper 7 has passed, and if it remains on, it is determined that a jam has occurred, and the process G of step [phase] is performed. Transition.

When the passage of the recording paper 7 is recognized in step [phase], the drive of the exposure device 3C is stopped in step 0, and the voltage supplied to the transfer device 5C is turned off with the step knob (3).

Then, in step 0, it is checked whether it is a sequence control program for process unit P, and of course
, it is not a sequence control program, so step [
[phase] ends the processing of the sequence control block.

As shown in FIG.
When the timing of checking the passage of the recording paper 7 in step 2 is recognized, the process moves to step O and detects the recording paper, that is, the output of the recording paper sensor 23e is checked and the recording paper 7 is checked.
Check to see if it exists. If the output of the recording paper sensor 23c is on, it is determined that the recording paper 7 is present, and if it is not on, it is determined that a jam has occurred, and the process moves to step @.

When the presence of the recording paper 7 is detected in step @, the processing returns to the sequence control program of the process unit P1 again, and when the passage of the recording paper 7 is recognized in step [phase],
In step ■, drive of the exposure device 3d is stopped, and in step 0
The voltage supplied to the transfer device 5d is turned off. Then, in step 0, it is checked whether it is the sequence control program for process unit P, and since it is naturally not the sequence control program for process unit P, the processing of the sequence control program is ended in step [phase].

As shown in FIG. 5, the processor 24 returns to step 0 again to check whether the recording paper 7 has passed through the fixing device 12, checks the output of the recording paper sensor 23e, and if it is on, there is a jam. If it is determined that this has occurred, the process moves to step [phase], and if it is off, the process moves to step [phase] to prepare for printing completion.

That is, as shown in Figure 5 ■ and ■, the current
The rotation of the developing drum d is stopped, and the developing bias is turned off. Then, the driving pulley 13 is stopped to stop the belt 10 from running, the rotation of the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d is stopped, and the voltages of the chargers 2a to 2d are turned off.

Then, printing is completed at step ″, [phase].

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of task operation.

The flow chart explained in FIG. 6 is processed according to the time chart shown in FIG. By starting it with , it can be executed as described above.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7(a), tasks (1) and (2)
As shown in Figure 7(b), task (1) is created.
During execution, the timer (1) is started because an instruction is given to start the timer (1). Then, since there is a request to start task (2) and timeout wait is specified, the process shifts to task (2) according to the instruction from the real-time monitor.

When the timer (1) notifies the real-time monitor of the timeout, the real-time monitor instructs the processing of task (1) again, allowing the processing of task (2) to return to the processing of task (1). .

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the present invention uses multiple process units in order to execute the operations of multiple process units by sequentially starting a program in which the sequence control of one process unit is one block. The software of the image recording device can be easily programmed.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram explaining the present invention in detail, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a circuit showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a diagram explaining the invention in detail, and FIG. 4 is a diagram of the I10 register. Figure 5 is a diagram explaining the configuration, Figure 5 is a time chart explaining the operation of Figure 2, Figure 6 is a diagram explaining the operation of Figure 2.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the figure, FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of a task, and FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of a conventional technique. In the figure, 18-1d are photosensitive drums, 28-2d are chargers, and 38-1d are photosensitive drums.
3d is an exposure device, 4a to 4d is a developer, 58 to 5d is a transfer device, 6a to 6d is a cleaner, 7 is a recording paper,
8 is a recording paper cassette, 9 is a standby roller, 10
is a belt, 11a to llc are suction belts, 12 is a fixing device, I3 is a drive pulley, 14 to 17
1 is an image carrier, 18 to 21 are detection means, 22 is a recording medium, 23a to 23d are recording paper sensors, 24 is a processor, and 26 is a RAM. 28 is an input/output port, 30 is a driver, and 25 is a ROM. 27 is a program timer, 29 is an I10 register, and 31 is a mechanism section. Block diagram of the circuit shown in $ Run 118 Figure 2 I10 register g! Precepts and explanation T5 figure'! F+4 diagram e @ @ ell) eooe 000 @ @ ￥ IJ 3 floor Ichiko yard that explains the operation of Figure 2 Figure 6 (Part 2) (0) Perform timeout Timeout m5 (b) 5 minutes that explains the task operation example Figure 7

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A plurality of image carriers (14) to (17) are arranged side by side, a toner image is formed on each image carrier, and the toner images are superimposed and transferred onto a recording medium (22). Accordingly, the recording medium (2
2) In an image recording apparatus that records one toner image on a toner image, the recording medium (22) is connected to the image carriers (14) to (17).
) detecting means (18) to (21) for detecting passing of the toner image transfer position are provided for each image carrier, respectively, so that the mutual spacing between adjacent image carriers is equal. The image carrier and the detection means are arranged so that the distance between them is equal to each other, and when an instruction to start recording is given, the toner image is formed on the image carrier and the recording medium (22)
Sequence control for transferring the toner image to the image carrier and detecting the occurrence of a jam on the recording medium (22) is performed by sequentially timing the recording medium (22) in the order in which the recording medium (22) is carried into the toner image transfer position of each image carrier. The image carrier (1
4) A method for controlling an image recording apparatus, characterized in that the execution is repeated in accordance with the numbers of (17) to 4).