JPH0398929A - Picture-image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To execute an image-picture forming mode while combining different kind of paper sheets such as a covering mode by performing the formation of a picture image while combining both the paper sheets of selected paper cassette and the paper sheets of automatically recognized paper cassette in accordance with a combination mode by means of a paper-sheet combination mode setting means. CONSTITUTION:A combination mode of first and second, two kinds of paper sheets is set by a paper-sheet combination mode setting means 21, and the size of paper in a paper cassette in which paper sheets are housed in a plurality of paper feeding stages is discriminated by size discriminating means 5 to 7, and 51. When the size information from the size discriminating means is input and also a prescribed paper cassette is selected by a paper-sheet cassette selecting means 18, the paper cassette in which paper sheets of the same size other than the paper cassette are housed is automatically recognized as the companion paper cassette to be combined, and both the paper sheets of the selected paper cassette and the paper sheets of the automatically recognized paper cassette are combined by a paper-sheet combination mode setting means 21 to perform the formation of a picture image.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention is applicable to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine that has a mode function such as a covering mode that appropriately combines two types of paper.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, for example, in a copying machine equipped with a covering mode, copying is performed in the following manner.

The cover paper is set in a specific paper feed stage, for example, a manual paper feed stage, and the normal paper cassette is stored in the other paper feed stage. When you set the covering mode and press the copy start key, the copier first takes out the front cover paper from the manual paper feed tray, ejects it directly to the output tray, and then picks up regular paper from the regular paper cassette. The document is taken out, copied, and discharged to the output tray. When a predetermined number of copies have been made in this manner, the back cover paper is finally taken out from the manual paper feed stage and ejected as is to the ejection tray. By doing so, copying with a cover is executed.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the number of cover sheets that can be set in such a manual paper feed tray cannot be set in large numbers due to space constraints.

Therefore, there is a need for a technique that allows cover sheets to be set using a normal paper cassette that can hold a large number of sheets.

The present invention aims to solve the problems of the prior art.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention provides a paper combination mode setting means for setting a combination mode of first and second types of paper, a plurality of PJ paper trays for storing various paper cassettes, and , a size determining means for determining the paper size of the paper cassettes stored in each of the paper feed trays, a size display means for displaying the size determined by the size determining means, and a first or second type of paper set. In an image forming apparatus equipped with a paper cassette selection means for selecting a paper cassette, size information from the size determination means is input, and a predetermined paper cassette is selected by the paper cassette selection means. and a matching paper cassette automatic recognition means that automatically recognizes a paper cassette containing paper of the same size other than that paper cassette as a matching paper cassette,
The image forming apparatus forms an image by combining the paper in the selected paper cassette and the automatically recognized paper in the paper cassette according to the combination mode set by the paper combination mode setting means.

[Function] According to the present invention, the paper combination mode setting means sets the combination mode of the first and second types of paper, and the size determination means selects the m paper of the paper cassettes stored in the plurality of paper feed trays. determining the size, selecting the paper cassette in which the first or second type of paper is set by the paper cassette selection means, inputting the size information from the size determination means into the combination paper cassette automatic recognition means; When a predetermined paper cassette is selected by the paper cassette selection means, a paper cassette containing paper of the same size other than the selected paper cassette is automatically recognized as the partner paper cassette, and the selected paper cassette is The paper in the paper cassette and the paper in the automatically recognized paper cassette are
Image formation is performed by combining according to the combination mode set by the paper sheet combination mode setting means.

[Examples] The present invention will be described below with reference to drawings showing examples thereof.

FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

In the figure, a paper cassette 8 is located on the right side of the copying machine main body 1.
, 9 and 10 are provided. Paper feed stage 2 that stores the paper cassette
, 3, and 4 have paper cassettes 8, 9,
10 is stored, the set paper cassette 8
, 9, and 10, sensors 5, 6, and 7 as an example of size determining means are attached to detect paper sizes of .

The paper cassettes 8, 9, and 10 have a metal piece indicating the paper size attached to the outer surface of the end wall that is inserted deep into the cassette paper feed stages 2, 3, and 4. The types of paper set in the paper cassettes 8, 9, and 10 include intersheets such as cover sheets, Wt paper sheets, and chapter sheets, and OHP sheets.

In FIG. 1, the sensors 5, 6, and 7 are, for example, optical sensors (a combination of a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element) that detect irregularities on a metal piece, or magnetic sensors, and furthermore, barcode readers. It is.

In the figure, l3 is a large-volume paper supply means that can supply a large amount of paper, l1 is a conveyance path that conveys the paper taken out from the paper cassettes 8, 9, and 10 by paper feed rollers, etc., and 14 is a It is a regiment roller.

Furthermore, 15 is a photosensitive drum that forms a latent image, and 16 is an imaging lens that forms an image of the original onto the photosensitive drum 15.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

In the figure, there are four paper feed stages, and five paper size determination means 5, 6, 7, and 51 are installed accordingly.

The size display means 17 has paper size determination means 5 and 6.
, 7, 51. Displays the paper size determined in steps L E
D. It is a means such as liquid crystal.

The paper combination mode setting unit 2l is a unit for setting a mode for forming an image by combining various types of paper. The mode is, for example, a covering mode, in which case cover paper and normal paper are combined. Alternatively, in the OHP mode, it is a combination of OHP paper and mount paper.

The paper cassette selection unit l8 is a unit for selecting a paper cassette in which the first or second type of paper is set. For example, if the first type is a cover sheet and the second type is a normal copy sheet, means for selecting a paper cassette in which normal paper is set;
Alternatively, it is means for selecting a paper cassette in which a cover sheet is set. The type of paper to be selected is fixed in advance for the device and written to that effect in the manual book.

The combination paper cassette automatic recognition means 19 inputs the size information from the size determination means 5, 6, 7, 5l, and when a predetermined paper cassette is selected by the paper cassette selection means 18, the combination paper cassette automatic recognition means 19 selects the paper cassette. This means automatically recognizes a paper cassette containing sheets of the same size other than the cassette as a matching paper cassette.

The priority setting unit 23 is a unit for previously setting priorities among paper cassettes of the same size. For example, if there are multiple paper cassettes of the same size, priority may be given to the lowest or highest paper strength set.

The warning means 20 is means for warning the paper cassette automatic recognition means 19 when there is no paper cassette of the same size to be recognized.

For example, it is a means of displaying this on a liquid crystal screen.

The apparatus main body control means 22 includes a paper cassette automatic recognition means l.
9 is a control means for causing the paper combination mode setting means 21 to execute copy mode based on the recognized paper cassette information.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the operation panel of the copying machine.

In the figure, 25 is a liquid crystal panel that displays various information;
6 is the print start key 28 is the preheat key 2
9 is the clear key 30 is the mode confirmation key 3l is the manual exposure key 32 is the enter key 33 is the manual magnification key 34 is the duplex mode key 35 is the composite mode key 36 is the margin key 37 is the frame erase key 38 is the edit key 211 is the cover Ring mode key 2
12 is OHP packing key 39 User set key
40 is a sorter mode key, and 41 is a sorter one selection key. A cursor key 42 is used to move a cursor on the liquid crystal display panel 24.

Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be explained.

First, set A4, B4, A3, and A4 size paper cassettes in order from the top. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the liquid crystal display panel 25'' displays the size of each paper cassette.

Then, the operator presses the covering mode key 21l (paper combination mode setting means 21) on the operation panel 24. This puts the copier into covering mode.
The liquid crystal screen is converted as shown in FIG. Therefore, the operator specifies the front and back copies using the cursor keys 42 and selects them using the enter key 32. Here, front and back copying is a mode in which a cover and a back side are displayed and the original is copied onto both. Front and back non-copying is a mode in which a front cover and a back cover are attached, but neither is copied.

Front copy is a mode in which only the cover is attached and copied. Front non-copy is a mode in which only the cover is attached and no copy is made.

In this way, when one is selected, the screen returns to the original screen shown in FIG.

Therefore, the paper cassette selection means 18 selects a cassette for normal paper to be copied (in this embodiment, it is assumed that a cassette for normal paper is selected).
. For example, select the A4 size paper cassette at the bottom. Thereby, the liquid crystal display of the selected paper cassette is inverted.

The paper cassette automatic recognition means 19 receives the paper cassette selection and searches for a paper cassette in which paper of the same size as the selected paper size (A4) is set.

In this example, the second paper cassette from the top is A4
Because of the size, the paper cassette is automatically recognized as a paper cassette containing a cover sheet. The LCD display of the A4 cassette flashes.

The apparatus main body control means 22 takes out the front cover and back cover from the paper cassette in the second row from the top that has been recognized in this way, and also takes out normal copy paper from the paper cassette in the bottom row, combines them as appropriate, and makes copies. We will carry out the following.

Note that during automatic recognition, as shown in FIG. 7, if there is no other paper cassette of the same size, the warning means 20
The warning means 20 outputs a warning signal to the LCD screen.
A warning such as "Please set covering paper" is issued. In this case, copying is not possible.

Further, during automatic recognition, if there are a plurality of paper cassettes of the same size as shown in FIG. 8, the priority setting means 23 recognizes the necessary paper cassette according to a predetermined priority order. In the case shown in FIG. 8, A4 size paper cassettes are also stored in the top row and the second row from the top.

If the priority order is set to give priority to the lower row, the paper cassette in the second row from the top is automatically recognized as the covering sheet cassette.

Once the priority order is set in advance, a specific paper cassette is automatically selected from then on according to the priority order. FIGS. 9 and 10 are screens showing this situation. That is, when the user set key 39 is pressed, the LCD screen changes to the ninth
It will look like the figure. Therefore, when the cover sheet selection priority order is selected using the cursor 42 and the enter key 32, the screen is converted to the one shown in FIG. 10, and top priority is selected therein. Then, by pressing the enter key 32 a predetermined number of times, the screen returns to the normal screen.

The present invention is applicable not only to copying machines but also to other image forming apparatuses such as printers.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above description, the present invention does not require any special modifications to the paper cassette, does not require troublesome operations from the operator, and can be used in the covering mode. It has the advantage of being able to execute an image forming mode while combining different types of paper.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the embodiment, and FIG.
The figure is a plan view of the operation panel of the same embodiment, and FIGS. 4 to 10 are front views showing the liquid crystal screen for explaining the operation of the same embodiment. 1... Copying machine body 5, 6, 7, 5l... Size determination means 8, 9, lO... Paper cassette 17...
・Size display means 18...Paper cassette selection means
l9...Paper cassette automatic recognition means 20...'Warning means 21...Paper rejection mode setting means 2
2... Device main body control means 23... Priority setting means

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) A paper combination mode setting means for setting a combination mode of the first and second types of paper, a plurality of paper feed stages for storing various paper cassettes, and a paper combination mode setting means for setting a combination mode of the first and second types of paper; Size determining means for determining the paper size of the paper cassette, size display means for displaying the size determined by the size determining means, and paper cassette selection for selecting the paper cassette in which the first or second type of paper is set. In an image forming apparatus equipped with means, when size information from the size determining means is input and a predetermined paper cassette is selected by the paper cassette selection means, paper cassettes of the same size other than the paper cassette are selected by the paper cassette selection means. A combined paper cassette automatic recognition means is provided which automatically recognizes a paper cassette containing paper of the selected paper cassette as a paper cassette with which it is to be combined, and the paper of the selected paper cassette and the paper of the automatically recognized paper cassette are An image forming apparatus characterized in that image formation is performed in combination according to a combination mode set by a paper combination mode setting means. (2) The paper combination mode is a covering mode, the first type is a cover paper, and the second type is a covering mode.
Claim 1, wherein the type of paper is normal paper.
The image forming apparatus described above. (3) The image according to claim 1, wherein the paper combination mode is an OHP mount mode, the first type is mount paper, and the second type is OHP paper. Forming device. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a warning means for warning when there is no paper cassette of the same size to be recognized by the paper cassette automatic recognition means. (5) A priority setting means is provided for presetting a priority order among paper cassettes of the same size, and the paper cassette automatic recognition means is configured to automatically recognize the recognized paper cassettes when there are multiple paper cassettes of the same size. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the paper cassette specified by the priority setting means is used preferentially.