JPH0459541A - Picture forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify a communicating signal between two devices by detecting and outputting a kind of a multistage cassette unit by means of a size detecting means during containing of the multistage cassette unit in a containing means. CONSTITUTION:A detecting output from a size detecting means 3 is at least two kinds of the one being a containing cassette size and the other being a kind of a containing multistage cassette unit. For example, when a multistage cassette unit 5 is contained in a containing means 2, it is recognized that a detecting output from the size detecting means 3 indicates a kind of the multistage cassette unit. This constitution eliminates a need to send a cassette insertion classification from the multistage cassette unit 5 to a body and simplifies a communicating signal between two devices.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus to which a multi-stage cassette unit can be attached.

[Conventional technology]

In conventional image forming apparatuses of this type, images are formed by selecting a recording medium of a desired size by connecting and exchanging arbitrary cassette units on which sheet materials, which are multiple types of recording media, are mounted. . A sensor for detecting the cassette type (recording medium size) is disposed in the cassette mounting opening of the main body of the apparatus, and only the cassette size is detected by this sensor. Furthermore, when changing the recording medium size, the cassette had to be replaced each time.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, as users' purposes become more diverse and they begin to use recording media of various sizes, it becomes troublesome to replace cassettes one by one. , - devices that allow multiple cassettes to be installed at the same time have also appeared. However, the main unit does not have a function to determine what type of cassette unit is connected and what size recording medium is loaded, and the user manually selects the desired cassette. Met. For this reason, the main unit was inconvenient to use. Also, problems may occur due to setting errors. In addition, it is also possible to connect the device main body and the cassette unit with a communication cable, etc., and use the communication cable to send a bit signal indicating the type of installed cassette and the installation state to the device main body, and to connect the device main body and the cassette unit to the device main body using the communication cable etc. There were also some that judged the wearing condition. However, this method has the disadvantage that the communication configuration becomes complicated as the types of cassette units and sizes of recording media vary.

[Means to solve the problem]

The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving the above-mentioned problems, and includes the configuration shown in FIG. 2 as a means for solving the above-mentioned problems. That is, a storage means 2 that stores a cassette 1 loaded with image forming media, a size detection means 3 that detects the size of the cassette stored in the storage means 2, and a multi-stage cassette configured to be stored in the storage means 2. a multi-stage cassette unit 5 having a storage section 4 for storing size detection means 3;
detects and outputs the type of the multi-stage cassette unit 5 when the multi-stage cassette unit 5 is stored in the storage means 2.

[Effect]

In the above configuration, the detection output of the size detection means 3 is set to at least two types: the storage cassette size and the storage multi-stage cassette unit type. For example, when the multi-stage cassette unit 5 is stored in the storage means 2, the detection output of the size detection means 3 is The detection output indicates the type of multi-stage cassette unit, and by recognizing that it is present, there is no need to send information such as the type of cassette inserted into the main body from the multi-stage cassette unit 5, making it possible to simplify communication signals between the two devices. It is something.

【Example】

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 11 is a cassette in which a large number of sheet materials, which are recording media of the same size, are stacked, and the cassette insertion section 12 of the main body
Alternatively, it is stored in the cassette insertion section 16, 17 of the optionally connected multi-stage cassette unit 15, etc. 12 is a cassette insertion section of the printer engine section 20 of the main body, 13 is a size detection section disposed in the insertion opening of the cassette insertion section 12, -15 is a multi-stage cassette unit, and 16.17 is a cassette provided in the multi-stage cassette unit 15. Insertion part. Reference numeral 18 denotes an optional detection unit for detecting whether or not the multi-stage cassette unit 15 provided in the printer engine section 2o is connected, that is, whether the multi-stage cassette unit 15 is inserted into the cassette insertion section 12 or is about to be inserted. , and is substantially a multi-stage cassette unit 15.
A communication cable 105 is stored therein, and the communication cable signal is transferred to the CPU 30i. 2o is CPLI
30J:') (7) A printer engine section which forms predetermined image data on a recording medium loaded in a cassette 11 etc. according to the control and prints it out, 30 is a printer engine section stored in the ROM 31, for example, FIGS. 7 and 8, which will be described later. According to the control procedure shown in the flowchart, the CPU 31 controls the entire apparatus of this embodiment, and the R 31 stores the above-mentioned programs.
OM, 32 temporarily stores print data etc.
RAM used as a necessary image forming area; 33 is another device that outputs print data etc. to the device of this embodiment;
For example, it is an interface unit that controls the interface with the host device 50 and the like. FIG. 3 shows an external view of the apparatus of this embodiment having the above configuration. In FIG. 3, the same components as in FIG. 1 are given the same numbers and detailed explanations will be omitted. In the figure, 101 is a main unit, and 120 is a cassette insertion opening of a cassette insertion section 12 of the main unit. 10
6 to 108 are detection switches SWI to SW3 that constitute the size detection unit 13, and are used to detect the size of the recording medium when the single cassette 11 is installed, and are used to detect the size of the recording medium when an optional device such as a multi-stage cassette unit is installed. In the state, it is used to detect the type of optional equipment such as the multi-stage cassette unit 15. Reference numeral 109 is a tab for indicating the type of the cassette 11 or multi-stage cassette unit 15 depending on which of the detection switches 106 to 108 is turned on when the cassette is inserted into the cassette insertion section 12, and the position differs depending on the type of cassette etc. It is set in. The communication cable 105 communicates with the main unit 101 whether or not the multi-stage cassette unit 15 is connected to the main unit 101 and which size recording medium cassette 103 is installed in the cassette insertion portion of the multi-stage cassette unit 15. 101 by data communication. The signal line of the communication cable 105 is directly connected to the input/output port of the CPU 30, and the CPU 30 is configured to be able to directly read the detection results. The size detection unit 13 and option detection unit described above and the CP
The detailed configuration with U30 is shown in FIG. The size detection section 13 is disposed in the printer engine section 20, and its detection output is directly connected to the input port of the CPU 30, so that the CPU 30 can directly read the detection results. One of the contacts of the switches 106 to 108 (SWI to 5W3) is pulled up to high level and connected to the input ports PAL to PA3 of the CPU 30, and the other contact is grounded, and when the switch is turned on, the input port of the CPU 30 is connected. The input level to the terminal is configured to be the ground level. Further, a signal from the multi-stage cassette unit 15 is connected to the serial input/output port PBl of the CPU 30 via a communication cable 105 connection connector 105a, and serial input data from an optional device such as the multi-stage cassette unit is input to the CPU 30. and CPU30
The configuration is such that commands and the like are sent to the optional device. The CPU 30 can recognize the detection result of the size detection unit 13 by checking the input levels of the input ports PA1 to PA3, and can recognize the result of the recognition of the presence or absence of connection of an optional device and this size by reading the serial input/output port PBI. Based on the detection result of the detection unit 13, the cassette insertion unit 12
You can know the size of the recording medium that can be imported via . A detailed configuration of the switches 106 to 108 of the size detection section 13 is shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, 201 is a metal plate, and 2°2 is a button switch. For example, when the cassette 11 or multi-stage cassette unit 15 is inserted into the cassette insertion section 12, the claw 109 pushes down the metal plate 201 in the direction of arrow A. , the button switch 201 is turned on. The location of this claw 109 varies depending on the specifications of the cassette 11 or the multi-stage cassette unit 5. For example, the multi-stage cassette unit 15 has two cassette insertion sections,
In each case with three or four switches 106
Position, switch 107th position or switch 108th position!
They are placed in different locations like. If there are many types, a plurality of tabs may be provided and a plurality of types may be classified by combinations of the tabs. Examples of differences in claw positions depending on the type of multi-stage cassette unit are shown in FIGS. 6(A) to 6(C). In FIG. 6(A), the claw 301 is located at 3 of the switch detection section 13.
The output of the switch detection section 13 is "001".
This setting indicates that it is a two-stage gusset unit with two cassette storage sections. Similarly, in FIG. 6(B), the claw 302 is disposed at the switch 107 position of the switch detection section 13, and the three-stage cassette storage section is opened with the setting that the output of the switch detection section 13 is "010". FIG. 6(C) shows that the claw 303 is a three-stage cassette unit equipped with the switch detection section 1.
3 switch] is disposed at the 08 position, and the output of the switch detection section 13 is set to "100", indicating that it is a four-stage cassette unit having four stages of cassette storage sections. The process of determining a cassette loaded with recording media in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment having the above configuration will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that the print instruction sent from the host device 50 or the like via the interface unit 33 and the printout process on the recording medium by the printer engine unit 20 in response to the transmission of print data are well known, so a detailed explanation will be omitted. . First, in step 502, it is determined whether the printer engine unit 20 is currently printing. If printing is in progress, monitoring in step 502 is continued, and waits, for example, until the printout requested by the host device 50 is completed. If printing is not in progress at step 502, or if printing has finished, the process advances to step 503;
The CPU 30 reads the input/output port PB1, checks the connection signal of the communication cable 105, and checks whether an optional device is connected or whether the mode is simply for setting the single cassette 11. If the connection signal is coming to the FBI, the multi-stage cassette unit is connected, and if the connection signal is not coming to the FBI, the single cassette unit 11 is connected.
is determined to be connected. If it is determined that the single cassette 11 is connected, the process advances to step 5504, and single cassette processing (for example, processing using a 3-bit switch to detect the recording medium size) is executed. In this case, depending on which of the switches 106 to 108 is turned on, whether an A4 size cassette is inserted into the cassette insertion section 12, or whether a B4 size or B5 size cassette is inserted. Then, image formation processing corresponding to the cassette size is performed, such as enlarging or reducing the image formation when printing out from the printer engine section 20 according to the size of the recording medium set. On the other hand, if it is determined that a multi-stage cassette unit is connected, the process advances from step 503 to step 505;
Performs multi-stage cassette unit processing. The details of the multi-stage cassette unit processing in step 505 will be explained below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the CPU 30 inputs the input port PAL in step 601.
Read and check whether SWI (106) is on. If the SWI (106) is on, the process advances to step 602, where the two-stage cassette unit is processed and the size of the cassette inserted into the two-stage cassette unit shown in FIG. 6(A) is determined via the input/output port FBI. It reads, performs processing such as image forming processing corresponding to the 8 instructions, and returns. On the other hand, if SW1 (106) is not on (or off) in step 601, the process proceeds to step 603, where the CPU 30 reads input port PA2 and checks whether SW2 (107) is on. If it is on, the process advances to step 604, where 3-stage cassette unit processing is performed, and the size of the cassette inserted in the 3-stage cassette unit shown in FIG. It performs processing such as performing the corresponding image forming process, and returns.On the other hand, if SW2 (107) is not on but off in step 603, the process proceeds to step 605, where the CPU 30 reads input port PA3, and returns to step 603. ) is on. If 5W3 (108) is on, the process advances to step 606, where 4-stage cassette unit processing is performed, and the 4-stage cassette shown in FIG. It reads the cassette size inserted in the unit, performs processing such as image formation processing corresponding to the output instruction, and returns.Furthermore, in step 605, if 5W3(], 08) is on (or off), the process returns. If the CPU 3
0, for example, displays that the multi-stage cassette unit is not installed or executes an error warning process to notify that fact, and returns to step 601. As explained above, according to this embodiment, the detection of the size detection section, which was conventionally used only to detect the size of the recording medium, can also be used to detect the specifications of the optional device, and the This makes it possible to simplify the configuration of the communication cable between the devices, and prevent troubles caused by false detection.

[Other Embodiments] In the above description, the presence or absence of connection of an optional device is determined based on a signal input to the input/output port PBI from the optional device sent via the communication cable 105. Detection switch 1 installed in
The specifications of the optional equipment and cassette were determined by checking the signal status from the three switches 106 to 108 of No. 3 on the input ports PAI to PAI. However, the present invention is not limited to the above examples,
For example, instead of determining whether an optional device is connected based on a signal sent via a communication cable, the number of switches in the size detection section 3 can be increased and the determination can be made based on a combination of the switches. Good too. As described above, FIG. 9 shows an external view of another embodiment of the present invention configured to detect whether or not the optional snowmaking is connected based on the state of the switch of the size detection unit 13. Components similar to those in FIG. 3 are given the same numbers, and detailed explanations will be omitted. In FIG. 9, the number of detection switches in the size detection section 13 is four, and one of them is used to detect connection of an optional device. The multi-stage cassette units 901 to 903 are each provided with claws similar to the claws 301 to 303 shown in FIG. A claw portion 910 as shown is provided. Then, the size detection section 13 in the cassette insertion section 12 has the following information:
swi to 5W3 arranged at the same positions as 106 to 108 in FIG.
(106 to 108) and a switch 904 for detecting a tab 910 indicating insertion of an optional device are provided, and this is connected to another input port of the CPU 30 so as to be detectable. Then, it is determined whether an optional device is connected to the cassette insertion section based on whether the switch 904 of the size detection section 13 is on or off, and what kind of operation is determined depending on which of the other switches 106 to 108 is turned on. It is configured to be able to detect which multi-stage cassette unit according to the specifications or which size cassette has been inserted. If this method is adopted, it becomes unnecessary to detect the connection of the multi-stage cassette unit via the communication cable 105. That is, in the case of a multi-stage cassette unit, the switch 904, which is the 4th bit SW4, is always turned on, and in the case of a single cassette unit, the switch 904, which is SW4, is always turned off, making it easy to connect and disconnect optional devices. Can be detected. It should be noted that the printer engine section 20 described above is compatible with all types of printouts, and can of course be applied to any printer such as a printer using cut sheet materials loaded in a cassette. Furthermore, if the image forming apparatus uses cut sheet material,
It is also applicable to facsimile machines. As explained above, by using the switch provided in the insertion section 12 of the paper feed cassette of the image forming apparatus not only to detect the cassette size but also to determine the type of optional device such as a multi-stage cassette unit. This has the effect of simplifying communication cables and increasing the efficiency of using existing parts. Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the present invention, the detection output of the size detection means is reduced to two types (the storage cassette size and the storage multi-stage cassette unit type, for example, the storage means has a multi-stage cassette unit 5). By recognizing that the detection output of the size detection means indicates the type of multi-stage cassette unit when the cassette unit is stored, there is no need to send an insertion type signal from the multi-stage cassette unit to the main body, and communication signals between both devices are eliminated. etc. can be simplified.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of an embodiment according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the present invention, FIG. 3 is an external view showing the overall configuration of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing the detailed configuration of the size detection section and CPU of this embodiment, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing details of the switch of the size detection section of this embodiment, and FIGS. 6(A) to (B) are multi-stage Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the size detection process of this embodiment; Figure 8 is a flowchart showing details of the multi-stage cassette unit process in Figure 7; Figure 9 is FIG. 7 is an external view of another embodiment according to the present invention. In the figure, 11...Cassette, 12...Cassette insertion section, 13...Size detection section, 15...Multi-stage cassette unit, 16.17...Cassette insertion section, 18...
Option detection section, 20... printer engine section, 3
0...CPU, 31...ROM, 32...RAM
, 33... Interface unit, 50... Host device, 101... Main device, 105... Communication cable, 106-10'8,904... Detection switch, 10
9...Claw, 201...Metal plate, 202...
・It is a button switch. Section 2 (C) 7th Procedural Amendment (Method) % Formula % Canon Co., Ltd. September 25, 1990 (shipped) 6. Column for a brief explanation of the drawings in the specification subject to amendment

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A storage means for storing a cassette loaded with image forming media, a size detection means for detecting the size of the cassette stored in the storage means, and a multi-tiered cassette configured to be storable in the storage means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a multi-stage cassette unit having a storage section, wherein the size detection means detects and outputs the type of the multi-stage cassette unit when the multi-stage cassette unit is stored in the storage means.