JPH04276481A - Printing processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform the restoration treatment of paper jamming without requiring labor by automatically and rationally performing a series of processes up to the reopening of printing at the time of the generation of paper jamming. CONSTITUTION:When paper jamming is generated, gates 5-1 to 5-5 are opened and closed using a control means to automatically remove residual printing papers 9-1 to 9-5. At this time, the residual printing papers are classified into two kinds. That is, the residual printing papers 9-1, 9-2 before the passage through a photosensitive drum 6 are received in a lost paper box 2-1 and the residual papers 9-3 to 9-5 after the passage through the photosensitive drum 6 are received in a lost paper box 2-2. The completion of the removal of the residual papers 9-1 to 9-5 is confirmed on the basis of the sensor data of sensors 4-1 to 4-8. Test printing is performed before printing is reopened and printing containing recovery processing is reopened.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for dealing with a paper jam in a printing device using cut paper.

[0002] In recent years, computer systems include
In many cases, various input/output devices are placed on the same floor or in each business department within the same building, and a central management system for operation and maintenance is established at the center, and remote subsystems and each department are placed. The number of cases is increasing, and unmanned operation of various input/output device subsystems is progressing. Various input/output devices are now equipped with a function to automatically detect an abnormality, a function to automatically diagnose and recover from the abnormality, and the like. For this reason, operators tend to monitor message information that appears on the console that indicates the operating status of the system, or to perform multiple batch jobs in parallel within the center, making computer center operations even more labor-saving. Most users make a CE call to the maintenance department when a failure occurs, and respond to it each time a failure occurs, rather than having a full-time maintenance worker on hand at all times.

A problem arises, for example, when a hardware failure occurs. Whenever a problem that requires human intervention occurs, the operator in charge leaves the central control room and
You must immediately go to the location where the problem occurred, check the situation, etc., and take action. Such a situation deteriorates the operational efficiency of the computer center, and it is important to reduce it as much as possible. By doing so,
It is possible to save labor and advance unmanned operation of the system.

By the way, among the various types of failures that currently require human intervention, it is possible to solve them by controlling various input/output devices using both hardware and software based on remote instructions from a center.
In some cases, automatic recovery may be possible. For example, there are paper jams and stack errors that frequently occur in printing equipment systems, but by giving remote instructions for recovery processing from the console (center), it is possible to automatically recover with accurate control. , system operational efficiency will be significantly improved.

[0005]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a paper jam occurs in a printing device that uses slip paper, the printing device displays the location of the paper jam on a display panel of the printing device. The operator reads the status information displayed on the display panel and manually removes all printing paper remaining inside the printing device. Then, after the operator visually confirms that there is no printing paper remaining in the printing device, printing is resumed. Note that the printing paper removed from the printing device is stained due to folds and toner adhesion, so it should be discarded or used as memo paper or the like.

As is known, paper jams are detected by sensors. FIG. 5 shows monitoring of the conveyance status of printing paper by the sensors 26-1 to 26-3. As shown in FIG. 5A, the sensors 26-1 to 26-3 are installed at appropriate positions taking into consideration the width of the printing paper passing on the conveyance path. Each of the sensors 26-1 to 26-3 monitors the conveyance status of the print sheets 27-1 and 27-2 passing on the conveyance path. The printing papers 27-1 and 27-2 are being conveyed from right to left in the figure.

FIG. 5(b) shows the sensors 26-1 to 26-
3 shows a timing chart of the signal being detected. In FIG. 5(b), the signal 28-1 indicates the state detected by the sensor 26-1, the signal 28-2 indicates the state detected by the sensor 26-2, and the signal 28-2 indicates the state detected by the sensor 26-3. The condition is indicated by signal 28-3. Sensor 26-1~
Signals 28-1 to 28 indicating the state detected by 26-3
-3 turns on when the printing paper arrives, remains on while the printing paper passes, and returns to the off state when the printing paper finishes passing.

Alphabet A in FIG. 5(b) indicates the signal of each sensor 26-1 to 26-3 in the state of FIG. 5(a). The signal of the sensor 26-1 recognizes the printing paper 27-2 and is in an on state. The signal from the sensor 26-2 is in an off state because the printing paper is not recognized. The signal of the sensor 26-3 recognizes the printing paper 27-1 and is in an on state.

[0009] Also, reference numerals T1 to T3 indicate printing paper 27-
1 represents the time required to pass. Code T1
The position where the sensor 26-1 is installed is shown on the printing paper 27-
1 is the time required for the printing paper 27-1 to pass, symbol T2 is the time required for the printing paper 27-1 to pass the position where the sensor 26-2 is installed, and symbol T3 is the time required for the printing paper 27-1 to pass the position where the sensor 26-2 is installed.
3 is the time required for the printing paper 27-1 to pass through the installed position.

[0010] If the passing time of printing paper as indicated by symbols T1 to T3 exceeds a predetermined threshold value set for each printing paper width to be conveyed, the sensor 2
The mechanical firmware recognizes that any one of 6-1 to 26-3 is turned on and exceeds the threshold, and the printer determines that a paper jam has occurred.

[0011] When a paper jam occurs, the location of the remaining print paper jammed on the conveyance path is detected based on a signal from a sensor. That is, after the hardware and firmware analyze which sensor is the one whose signal is on at the time when the paper jam occurs, it is stored in the memory as information on the corresponding location. Then, by referring to the table shown in Table 1 and setting a flag for the location where the remaining printing paper is present, the location where the remaining printing paper is present is displayed on the display panel of the printing device.

[Table 1]

[0012] The printing apparatus stops operating when the location of the remaining printing paper is displayed, and enters a state of waiting for restoration work by an operator or the like.

[0013]

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] As described above, when a paper jam occurs, there is a problem that not only does the operational efficiency and utilization rate of the printing device deteriorate, but also human labor is required for recovery work in system operation. Ta. Furthermore, the internal mechanisms of modern printing devices have become more complex, and are designed with ease of operation during maintenance work in mind. Many cases have arisen that cannot be easily handled through normal operations. In addition, considering the stability and maintainability of the printing device, it is difficult for the operator to handle the mechanical mechanisms such as the various levers in the mechanical mechanism of the printing device.
It is necessary to reduce it as much as possible. For these reasons, opportunities to call in specialized CEs have increased recently.

In view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present invention provides a series of steps from when a paper jam occurs to removing the remaining printing paper jammed on the conveyance path in the printing device and restarting printing. The purpose of this invention is to provide a print processing system that automatically and rationally performs the following.

[0015]

According to the invention, the above objects are achieved by the means set out in the claims.

In other words, the invention of claim 1 provides a system comprising a host that controls a printing device and at least one printing device, in which the host is provided with means for collecting printer information possessed by the printing device, and a means for collecting printer information possessed by the printing device; means for analyzing information, and when the content of the printer information indicates a paper jam of printing paper, opening and closing a gate for discharging residual printing paper on a conveyance path for the printing device; In addition, the printing device is provided with a sensor for monitoring the conveyance status of the printing paper, a gate for ejecting the remaining printing paper when a paper jam occurs, and a means for issuing a command to instruct the paper jam. means for editing printer information when a blockage is detected and reporting the printer information to the host upon receipt of a sense command from the host; and opening/closing a gate at a corresponding location among the gates from the host. When an instruction is given, the command for opening and closing the gate is analyzed by the mechanical firmware and mechanical logic of the printing device, and the gate of the corresponding gate mechanism is driven. This is a print processing system provided with means.

[0017] Furthermore, in the case of removing residual printing paper when a paper jam occurs, the invention of claim 2 distinguishes between unprinted residual printing paper and already printed residual printing paper, and separates each of them separately. 2. The print processing system according to claim 1, further comprising means for accommodating the print processing system.

The invention according to claim 3 also includes means for issuing a command instructing the printing device to perform test printing after removing residual printing paper when a paper jam occurs and before starting reprinting. A means provided in the host and configured to drive a test printing mechanism to perform test printing when the host instructs the printing device to perform test printing, test printing paper on which the test printing has been performed, and unprinted residual printing paper. 3. The printing processing system according to claim 2, further comprising a means for storing the printed residual printing paper and a means for storing the printed residual printing paper in the same manner as the printed residual printing paper by the latter means.

[0019]

[Operation] FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a printing apparatus using the method according to the present invention. In Figure 1, the hopper (HOPP)
The printing paper stored on the ER) 1 is picked up one by one by the pickup rollers 7-1 and 7-2, and transferred to the transfer mechanism 1.
0, the stacker (STACKER) 3 via the fixing mechanism 11
sent to. Sensors 4-1 to 4 are installed on the printing paper conveyance path.
-8 is installed, and if a paper jam occurs, the means for controlling gates 5-1 to 5-5 is used to
By opening and closing 1-5 to 5, residual printing paper 9 to 1-9 to 5 can be automatically removed.

At this time, the remaining printing paper is classified into two types. That is, the residual printing paper 9 before passing through the photosensitive drum 6
-1 and 9-2 are stored in the lost paper box 2-1, and residual printing paper 9-3 to 9-9 after passing through the photosensitive drum 6
5 is stored in the lost paper box 2-2.

Completion of removal of the remaining printing paper sheets 9-1 to 9-5 is confirmed based on sensor information from the sensors 4-1 to 4-8. After completing the confirmation, test printing is performed before restarting printing. Using the test data prepared on the memory of the printing device 13, the data is used for the purpose of checking whether there is any abnormality in the printing process such as the conveyance path,
Perform print processing. Then, after the test printing is successfully performed, printing including recovery processing is restarted. In addition,
The printing paper 8-4 used for the test printing is finally stored in the lost paper box 2-2 in the same way as the residual printing paper 9-5 by means of controlling the gate 5-5.

[0022]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 2 shows an example of a flowchart of a paper jam handling method according to the present invention. Further, FIG. 3 shows a functional block configuration of the host 12 and printing device 13 in the present invention. Based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, embodiments in each of steps S1 to S10 will be described in detail below with reference to the functional block configuration shown in FIG.

First, in S1, the host 12 issues a print instruction to the printing device 13. The printing device 13 receives the print command and starts printing. When printing starts, the process of the host 12 moves to another process. If a paper jam occurs in the printing device 13 during printing, the printing device 13 generates an interruption to the host 12 to report that an abnormality has occurred in the printing device 13.

Next, in S2, the host 12 determines whether to accept an interrupt from the printing device 13 that has issued the print instruction due to the occurrence of the abnormality. After receiving the signal, the host 12 issues a sense command 14 to the printing device 13 in S3. The host 12 inquires about the status of the printing device 13 using the sense command 14 . Printing device 1
3 responds to the inquiry by sending the printer information 21, and the host 12 analyzes the printer information 21 from the printing device 13.

Subsequently, in S4, when it is detected that a paper jam has occurred in the printing device 13 as a result of analyzing the printer information 21 from the printing device 13, the host 12 performs the following steps.
Begins a series of paper jam recovery processes. If there is no paper jam, perform another process.

[0026] Then, in S5, the host 12 that has detected the paper jam first calculates the number of residual print sheets remaining on the conveyance path. The host 12 obtains the number of absorbed print sheets and the number of print sheets that have been printed and fallen into the stacker 3 from the printer information 21 analyzed in S4, and stores the respective numbers in the pickup counter 17 and the stacker counter that the host 12 has. 18. By subtracting the contents of the pickup counter 17 from the contents of the stacker counter 18, the number of remaining print sheets can be obtained.

Next, in S6, the mechanical firmware section 19
examines the sensor information 20. The mechanical farm unit 19 can identify the sensors 4-1 to 4-8 that are checking the printing sheets 8-1 to 8-4 from the sensor information 20, and further,
Table 22 showing the installation locations of sensors 4-1 to 4-8
By referring to , it is possible to know where the printing papers 8-1 to 8-4 remain. Mecha farm club 19
refers to the table 22 and selects the remaining printing papers 9-1 to 9.
- Flag the location where there is a 5. The information in this table 22 can be utilized as statistical data on failures such as paper jams.

Subsequently, in S7, the host 12 issues a gate control command 15 to the printing device 13 in order to instruct the removal of the remaining printing sheets 9-1 to 9-5. The mechanical firmware unit 19 of the printing device 13 receives the gate control command 15.
In response to this, the gate control circuit 23 is operated. By the operation of the gate control circuit 23, each gate 5- of the printing device 13 is controlled.
1 to 5-5 are opened and closed, and the printing papers 8-1 to 8-4 remaining on the conveyance path are treated as remaining printing papers 9-1 to 9-5.
Lead to Lost Paper Boxes 2-1 and 2-2. As shown in FIG. 1, the gates 5-1 and 5-2 located closer to the hopper 1 than the photosensitive drum 6 are connected to the remaining printing paper 9-1 and 9-2.
, leading to Lost Paper Box 2-1. on the other hand,
Gate 5-3 located closer to the stacker 3 than the photosensitive drum 6
~5-5 are led to the lost paper box 2-2 as residual printing papers 9-3~9-5. Hello, printing device 1
3, the printing paper 8-4 near the exit to the stacker 3
If the paper cannot be led to the lost paper box 2-2 due to the opening/closing of the gate 5-5, it is stamped with a stamp to recognize it as the residual printing paper 9-5 and then stored as the residual printing paper 9-5. Shift the stack position to stacker 3,
Store it in such a way that it can be recognized.

Subsequently, in S8, the mechanical firmware section 1
9 is the sensor information 2 after the operation of the gate control circuit 23 is completed.
Look at 0. If the mechanical farm unit 19 cannot find the printing sheets 8-1 to 8-4 remaining on the conveyance path from the sensor information 20, it notifies the host 12 that the gate control command 15 has completed normally. As a result, the host 12 uses the sense command 14 to collect and analyze the printer information 21 of the printing device 13, and when it detects that there is no paper jam, the remaining printing paper 9-1 to 9-5 is removed. Know that.

Subsequently, reprinting in S10 may be started, but in the present invention, as a prelude to reprinting, test printing in S9 is performed to confirm the printing process including the transport mechanism of the printing device 13. has. In S9, when the host 12 learns that the remaining printing papers 9-1 to 9-5 have been removed, it sends a test print command 1 to the printing device 13.
Issue 6.

The mechanical firmware unit 19 of the printing device 13 receives the test print command 16 and operates the test print control circuit 24 . The test printing control circuit 24 prints test data prepared in advance and confirms that there is no abnormality in the printing process including the transport mechanism of the printing device 13. When the test printing process is completed, the mechanical firmware unit 19 notifies the host 12 of the result of the test printing. The host 1
For example, the content of the notification to the host 12 may be such that several damage levels are set, and after the host 12 analyzes the number of the level, the subsequent processing may be performed in detail. Depending on the damage level number, it is also possible to display on the center console display that manual work is required.

After the paper jam recovery process is completed, in S10, the host 12 determines the retransmission print point from the contents of the pickup counter 17 and stacker counter 18 obtained by analyzing the printer information 21. After that, from the printing point toward the printing device 13,
Issue a reprint instruction. The printing device 13 receives the reprint instruction and restarts the printing process.

Finally, a method of processing paper used for test printing will be explained. FIG. 4 shows a method of processing printing sheets 25-1 and 25-2 during test printing and reprinting. The printing paper 25-1, 25-2 sent out by the pick-up rollers 7-3, 7-4 passes through the gate 5-
5 can be divided separately by opening and closing. gate 5-5
The opening and closing of is controlled by the sensor 4-8 located at the last stage detecting the test printing paper 25-2. By closing the gate 5-5, the paper 25-2 on which the test data has been printed is discharged to the lost paper box 2-2 through the path indicated by the letter J. On the other hand, by opening the gate 5-5, the reprinted paper 25-1 falls into the stacker 3 along the path indicated by the letter I.

[0034]

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention,
Paper jam recovery processing can be performed automatically without requiring human intervention. Furthermore, since test printing is performed before starting reprinting, reliability is extremely high. Furthermore, unlike when paper is removed manually, the printing paper stored in the lost paper box 2-1 is less prone to wrinkles, folds, and stains, so it can be reused, making it extremely rational and economical. It has the advantage of being targeted.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printing device using a method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of how to deal with a paper jam.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block configuration related to dealing with a paper jam.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a method of processing test print paper.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating monitoring of the conveyance status of printing paper.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Hopper 2-1, 2-2 Lost paper box 3
Stacker 4-1 to 4-8 Sensor 5-1 to 5-5 Gate 6 Photosensitive drum 7-1 to 7-4 Pick-up roller 8-1 to
8-4 Printing paper 9-1 to 9-5 Residual printing paper 10 Transfer mechanism 11 Fixing mechanism 12 Host 13 Printing device 14 Sense command 15 Gate control command 16 Test print command 17 Pick-up counter 18 Stacker counter 19 Mechanical firmware section 20 Sensor information 21 Printer information 22 Table 23 Gate control circuit 24 Test printing control circuit 25-1 Reprinted paper 25-2 Test printed paper 26-1 to 26
-3 Sensor

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. In a system comprising a host that controls a printing device and at least one printing device, the host is provided with means for collecting printer information possessed by the printing device, and means for analyzing the collected printer information. Means for issuing a command to the printing device to instruct the printing device to open and close a gate for discharging residual printing paper on the conveyance path when the printer information content is a notification of a paper jam of printing paper. In addition, the printing device is provided with a sensor for monitoring the transportation status of printing paper, a gate for discharging the remaining printing paper when a paper jam occurs, and a gate for discharging the remaining printing paper when a paper jam occurs, and a Means for editing information and reporting the printer information to the host upon receipt of a sense command from the host, and after analyzing the data, opening/closing a gate at a corresponding location among the gates from the host. 1. A print processing system comprising: means for driving a corresponding gate mechanism to open and close the gate when an instruction is given. [Claim 2] In the case of removing residual printing paper when a paper jam occurs, a means is provided for distinguishing between unprinted residual printing paper and already printed residual printing paper and storing each separately. The print processing system according to claim 1. 3. The host is provided with means for issuing a command instructing the printing device to perform test printing after removing residual printing paper when a paper jam occurs and before starting reprinting, and the printing device a means for driving a test printing mechanism to perform test printing when a test printing is instructed by a host; a means for storing the test printing paper on which the test printing has been performed; and a means for storing unprinted residual printing paper; 3. The printing processing system according to claim 2, further comprising a means for storing the residual printing paper which has been printed by the latter means at the same time as the residual printing paper which has been printed by the latter means.