JPH05323737A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve operability and to enhance copying quality while miscopying is reduced by providing a size and paper thickness corresponding mode that copying processing corresponding to paper thickness is automatically executed so that it is freely selected. CONSTITUTION:An original paper thickness detection means 46 which detects the paper thickness of an original and a recording paper thickness input means which inputs the paper thickness information of respective recording papers supplied by a recording paper supply means 13 are provided. Then, the size and paper thickness corresponding mode that the recording paper of the size and the paper thickness corresponding to the size and the paper thickness of the original is provided so as to be freely selected. Since the size and paper thickness corresponding mode that the processing corresponding to the paper thickness is executed based on the information of the detection means 46 and the input means 13 is provided so as to be freely selected in such a manner, a copied result whose finish becomes equal to the paper constitution of the original can be automatically obtained only by supplying the original. Therefore, the miscopying or misoperation can be prevented from being executed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in copying machines and the like, their functions have been diversified and upgraded, and their capacity has been increased. As a result, copying in various modes is possible. For example, while recording sheets of various sizes are set on a plurality of trays so that they can be freely fed, the size of the original is detected during copying. A size compatible mode (generally called an APS mode or the like) is prepared in which a recording paper of a size corresponding to the size is automatically selected and copied.

[0003]

However, when considering an original to be copied, the original quality of the originals (plain paper) is not always the same, and not only the originals of normal thickness (plain paper) but also the front cover,
It may also include cardboard such as chapter breaks. In the case of such a manuscript, it is desired that the copy finish result is similar to the paper structure of the manuscript. For this reason, there is a conventional one in which a plurality of types of recording papers having different paper thicknesses can be freely selected and copied to a recording paper having a corresponding paper thickness.

However, in order to make such a copy having the same finish, the operator has to input the appearance portion of the document such as a front cover or a chapter break into the image forming apparatus. As a result, the operation is complicated and miscopying is likely to occur.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an original size detecting means for detecting the size of an original and a recording paper supplying means for selectively supplying a plurality of types of recording paper to the image carrier. In the image forming apparatus, which is provided with a recording paper size detecting unit that detects the size of each recording paper, and is provided with a size corresponding mode for automatically selecting and feeding the recording paper of a size corresponding to the size of the document. An original document thickness detecting means for detecting the original paper thickness and a recording paper thickness input means for inputting the paper thickness information of each recording paper supplied by the recording paper supplying means are provided. A size / paper thickness corresponding mode is automatically provided to automatically select and feed a recording paper of a size and paper thickness corresponding to.

At this time, in the invention described in claim 2, the size / paper thickness corresponding mode is set to be automatically released when there is no recording paper of a size / paper thickness corresponding to the size and paper thickness of the original.

In the invention according to claim 3, the size
When the paper thickness corresponding mode is set, a warning unit is provided to warn the user to set a recording paper having a size corresponding to the size of the original and a paper thickness, and a recording paper having the paper thickness corresponding to the size and the paper thickness.

Further, in the fourth aspect of the invention, the mode is set to the size / paper thickness corresponding to the setting which cannot be set when plural kinds of recording papers having different paper thicknesses are not set.

According to the invention of claim 5, the size
When the paper thickness corresponding mode is set, when a plurality of types of recording papers having different paper thicknesses are not set, a warning unit is provided to warn the user to set a plurality of types of recording papers having different paper thicknesses.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the size / paper thickness corresponding mode for performing the paper thickness corresponding processing based on the information of the original paper thickness detecting means and the recording paper thickness input means is provided so as to be selectable. Therefore, it is possible to automatically obtain a copy-resultant having a finish equivalent to that of the sheet structure of the original by simply supplying the original.

At this time, according to the inventions of claims 2 to 5, when the recording paper of the size / paper thickness corresponding to the document or the recording paper of different paper thickness is not set, this size / paper thickness is set. Since the setting of the corresponding mode is disabled or the setting of the predetermined recording paper is prompted, it is possible to prevent in advance miscopy or operation error that is not desired.

[0012]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, an outline of a copying system to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. In this copying system, an ADF (automatic document feeder) 3 is mounted on a copying machine main body 2 having a photoconductor (image carrier) 1, and a sorter unit, for example, is provided as one of post-processing devices on the discharge side. 4 are connected side by side.

In the main body 2 of the copying machine, the charging charger 5, the developing device 6, and the charging device 5 are arranged around the photosensitive member 1.
Known electrostatic electrophotographic process devices and members such as a transfer / separation charger 7 and a cleaning device 8 are provided. A document (not shown) conveyed and set on the contact glass 9 by the ADF 3 is slit-exposed by the scanning optical system 10, and the reflected light is image-formed on the charged photoconductor 1 by the charger 5. Then, the electrostatic latent image is formed.

Further, a plurality of, for example, five stages of paper feed trays (paper feed cassettes) 11a to 11 are provided inside and outside the lower side of the copying machine main body 2.
e is detachably mounted, and is configured so that recording papers 12 having different sizes or different paper thicknesses can be individually set. Paper feed rollers, guides, belts, and conveyances for selectively feeding the recording paper 12 set on the paper feed port side of these paper feed trays 11a to 11e toward the transfer position of the photoconductor 1 arbitrarily. A recording paper supply unit 13 including rollers, registration rollers, etc. is provided. further,
At the transfer position, a fixing device 14 is provided under the action of the transfer / separation charger 7 to perform a fixing process on the recording paper 12 on which the image on the photoconductor 1 has been transferred. A roller 15 is provided. A three-roller pair 16 for switching the transport direction is provided at the front position of the paper discharge roller 15 so as to carry the paper directly to the paper discharge roller 15 side.
According to the setting mode, the sheet is conveyed to the reversing path 17 and pulled back to be reversed, or the sheet is once discharged onto the double-sided tray 18 for double-sided copying or the like.

Further, the ADF 3 automatically conveys and sets the originals stacked on the original table 21 to a predetermined position on the contact glass 9 by means of the conveyor belt 22 and the like, and exposes the originals. 23 is configured to be ejected.

The sorter unit 4 performs post-processing such as sorting / stacking on the copied recording paper 12, and further post-processing such as stapling and punching. The transport unit 26 is configured to take over the transport of discharged sheets, the bins 27 arranged in multiple stages, and the like.

Next, the control system on the recording paper feeding side will be described with reference to FIG. For each of the paper feed trays 11a to 11e, recording paper presence / absence detection means 31 for detecting the presence / absence of the recording paper 12 on the paper feed trays 11a to 11e, and each of the paper feed trays 11a to 11e.
A recording paper size detecting means 32 for detecting the size of the recording paper 12 set on e is provided and connected to the automatic paper feed switching means 33. As a result, when the recording paper 12 is being fed from the selected one of the plurality of paper feed trays 11a to 11e during image formation, the recording paper presence / absence detection unit 31 detects no recording paper on the paper feed tray. When the paper feed is detected, if there is a paper feed tray accommodating the recording paper 12 of the same size as the paper feed tray, the paper feed automatic switching means 33 is set so that the paper is fed from this paper feed tray. Is automatically switched by. As a result of including the recording paper size detecting means 32 in this way, the recording paper 12 of a size corresponding to the size of the original detected by the original size detecting means (well known and not shown) provided on the ADF 3 side is obtained. A size compatible mode that automatically selects the stored paper tray is possible. here,
Regardless of such a size correspondence mode, when the paper feed tray to be used is selected and set by the specific paper feed tray setting means 34, when the absence of recording paper is detected in the paper feed tray, the same size is set. A switching prohibition unit 35 is provided for prohibiting switching of the paper feed tray by the automatic paper feed switching unit 33 even if there is another paper feed tray accommodating the recording paper 12.

FIG. 4 shows a specific example of the construction of the recording paper presence / absence detecting means 31 and the recording paper size detecting means 32, taking the paper feed table 11c as an example. A bottom plate 37 for mounting a plurality of recording papers 12 is provided on a paper feed table 11c having a cassette structure by a cassette case 36 so as to be able to move up and down. A light-shielding plate for size identification is fixed to the front end of the cassette case 36, and for example, five photointerrupters are attached to detect the size of the recording paper on which the cassette is mounted and placed by sandwiching the light-shielding portion of the light-shielding plate. The used recording paper size detection unit 38 is arranged. Further, on the back surface side of the cassette case 36, a bottom plate raising arm 39 is provided which is swingably supported in the vertical direction by a rotating shaft 39a and is urged clockwise by a spring (not shown).

A filler (actuator) 40, which is rotatably supported by a rotating shaft 40a and is in contact with the uppermost position of the recording paper 12 stacked thereon, is provided on the upper side. It is firmly fixed together. A recording paper presence / absence detection sensor 42 having a photo interrupter configuration so that the optical path is blocked by the rise of the light shielding plate 41.
Are arranged.

With such a structure, when the paper feed table 11c is mounted on the copying machine main body 2 as shown in FIG. 4, the bottom plate raising arm 39 rotates upward from the rear surface side of the cassette case 36, and its tip end. The bottom plate 37 is pushed upward while the portion is abutted against the back surface of the bottom plate 37 through the notch 36a of the cassette case 36. As a result, the uppermost one of the recording sheets 12 placed on the bottom plate 37 hits the calling roller 43 and is set at a position where it can be fed. Further, by mounting the cassette case 36 as described above, the recording paper size detection unit 38
Since the optical path of only the photointerrupter that sandwiches the light-shielding portion of the size identifying light-shielding plate is blocked, a signal corresponding thereto, that is, a code indicating the recording paper size can be output to the control unit described later.

Further, the filler 40 is a cassette case 36.
When is not attached, the light-shielding plate 41 is located at a position where the light-shielding plate 41 enters the recording paper presence detection sensor 42 and blocks the optical path thereof as shown by the phantom line in FIG. When the leading edge of the recording paper 12 is pushed up, the recording paper 12 rotates clockwise, and the light shielding plate 41 goes out of the recording paper presence / absence detection sensor 42 to release the interruption of the optical path. As a result, the output of the recording paper presence / absence detection sensor 42 changes,
The presence or absence of the recording paper 12 can be determined by detecting this by the control unit. A cutout portion is formed in a portion of the bottom plate 37 facing the filler 40, and when the bottom plate 37 rises in a state where the recording paper 12 is not stacked, the filler 40 escapes by the cutout portion and does not rotate upward. The control unit determines that there is no paper.

Further, in this embodiment, in addition to the well-known document size detecting means, a document sheet thickness detecting means 46 for automatically detecting the document sheet thickness is provided in the ADF 3. The original paper thickness detecting means 46 detects, for example, three types of original paper thickness, that is, thick paper, thin paper, and plain paper, and its configuration example is shown in FIG. This is because it has the same structure as the base paper detecting section shown in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 56-75744, and it has two lamps 47, 48 connected in series and one lamp 47 facing the light intensity. A first phototransistor 49 for detecting and a second phototransistor 50 facing the other lamp 48 for detecting the light intensity thereof are provided. Here, a predetermined space into which the original 51 can be inserted is provided between each of the lamps 47 and 48 and the phototransistors 49 and 50. Therefore, considering the ADF 3, it is preferable to arrange the document paper thickness detecting means 46 in a part of the document transport path from the document table 21 to the contact glass 9.

Then, when the original 51 is conveyed into the gap between the lamps 47, 48 and the phototransistors 49, 50 for copying, the phototransistors 49, 50 are transferred.
Is driven according to the light intensity of the light transmitted through the original 51. That is, by driving these phototransistors 49 and 50, the collector voltage of each changes by a value corresponding to the thickness of the document 51. Here, the collector voltage of the first phototransistor 49 is the first voltage in the first comparator 52.
Of the reference voltage V _REF1 and the comparator 52 outputs a signal indicating that the card is thick paper to a control unit described later. On the other hand, the collector voltage of the second phototransistor 50 is the second reference voltage V in the second comparator 53.
_It is compared with _REF2, and a signal indicating that the paper is thin is output from the comparator 53 to a control unit described later.

Next, FIG. 6 shows an example of the configuration of the operation section 60 arranged on the upper portion of the copying machine main body 2 or the like. The operation unit 60 includes a start key 61, a numeric keypad 62, a clear / stop key 63, a mode clear key 64, and a guidance key 6.
5, an automatic paper thickness selection key 68 for designating a size / paper thickness correspondence mode, which is a feature of this embodiment, is provided in addition to the program key 66 and the interrupt key 67. Each of the keys 65, 67, 68 is provided with an LED-configured display section 69, 70, 71 for displaying selection. Also, to the left of these keys is the dot matrix L
A touch sensor input section with a CD display function is provided, and a message display section 72, a set number display section 73, a density display section 74, an automatic density key 75, an automatic paper selection key 76 (for size compatible mode), and a finishing key 77, cover /
Various keys such as a slip sheet key 78, an edit key 79, and a binding margin key 80, and a display unit are provided. Although not particularly shown in FIG. 6, keys (front cover key, both cover keys, chapter break key) for key-inputting the paper thickness information of the recording paper 12 set on each of the paper feed trays 11a to 11e. , Interleaving paper key) are also provided (see FIG. 7).

Further, the configuration of the electrical control system is shown in FIG. The CPU 91 is controlled by the ROM 92 and the non-volatile RAM 9
3, a microcomputer system in which an IN port 94, an OUT port 95 and an I / O port 96 are connected. The CPU 91 is provided with an input unit (various keys) in the operation unit 60 and a sorter unit 4 via the IN port 94.
The input part (various sensors) inside is connected, and the OUT port 9
An output unit (various display units) in the operation unit 60 and an output unit (various loads) in the sorter unit 4 are connected via the control unit 5. Further, the ADF 3 is connected via the I / O port 96, and the signal of the document thickness detecting means 46 in the ADF 3 is taken in through this.

The operation control of this embodiment having such a configuration will be described. First, the overall operation will be described with reference to FIG. The numeric keypad 62
After inputting the number of sheets to be set, the automatic paper thickness selection processing (selection of size / paper thickness correspondence mode), which is a feature of this embodiment, is performed, and the document 51 to be copied is set in the ADF 3.
In this state, a standby state is entered until the start key 61 is pressed. When the start key 61 is pressed, after the initial setting process is performed, a document feed signal is transmitted to the ADF 3 and the document 5
1 is conveyed and set on the contact glass 9 at an exposure possible position. At the same time, the copy number counter and the discharged sheet number counter are cleared. After that, the paper feed control, the copy control, and the paper discharge control are performed to execute the copy operation, and a copy corresponding to the set number of sheets is created. At this time, if the cover / interleaf mode is selected, the discharge control of the copy made in accordance with that mode is performed.

When the set number of copies are made, the AD
A document discharge signal is transmitted to F3, and the document 51 on the contact glass 9 is discharged to the discharge tray 23. Manuscript 51 still
If there is, the next original 51 is fed and the same copying operation control as above is repeated. When the original 51 is lost, the conveyance drive motor is turned off after waiting for the completion of the discharge. Further, the sorter unit 4 side performs necessary post-processing such as stapling.

Here, the routine of the "automatic paper thickness selection process" will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This routine is performed by pressing the automatic paper thickness selection key 68. If the automatic paper thickness selection key 68 is pressed, it is determined whether a plurality of types of recording papers 12 having different paper thicknesses are set, and the recording papers are set. If so, set the size / paper thickness compatible mode. On the other hand, even if the automatic paper thickness selection key 68 is pressed, if a plurality of types of recording papers 12 having different paper thicknesses are not set, the size / paper thickness correspondence mode is meaningless as it is. "Please load multiple types of recording paper with different paper thickness."
A warning message to that effect is displayed to prompt the operator to reload the recording paper. This processing corresponds to the invention described in claim 5. Alternatively, setting of the automatic paper thickness selection mode may be disabled (corresponding to the invention of claim 4).

Next, the "ADF document feeding" routine will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
The ADF 3 receives a document feeding signal from the CPU 91 side and feeds the document 51 stacked on the document table 21, and the document number counter is incremented by 1 every time the document is fed. At the same time, based on the original paper thickness information detected and output by the original paper thickness detecting means 46, the original 51 to be fed and conveyed for copying has any of three types of paper thickness (thick paper, thin paper or plain paper). It is determined and the paper thickness information is stored.

The "paper feed control" routine after receiving such information will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. First, when the automatic paper thickness selection mode (size / paper thickness correspondence mode) is set, the original 5
The paper thickness of 1 is determined, and it is determined whether the size of the recording paper 12 corresponding to the paper thickness is equal to the size of the original. If not, the recording paper 12 of the corresponding paper thickness of the corresponding size is set. The message display unit 72 warns the user to do so and the process is terminated (corresponding to the invention of claim 3). Alternatively, the automatic paper thickness selection mode may be automatically cleared (corresponding to the invention of claim 2). If sheets of the same size are set, the recording paper 12 having the corresponding paper thickness is fed to execute the copy operation. That is, the above processing is performed for thick paper, thin paper, and plain paper.
As a result, a finished copy can be obtained in the same state (size, paper thickness) as the original. Further, even if the recording paper feed tray of the corresponding size and the corresponding paper thickness is set, if there is no such recording paper, the paper end is displayed and the operator is prompted to set the recording paper supplement.

On the other hand, if the automatic paper thickness selection mode is not selected, the conventional processing is performed, and paper is fed from the designated paper feed tray (or paper feed from a paper feed tray having a size corresponding to the original size). ) Is used for the copy operation.

[0032]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the size / paper thickness correspondence mode in which the copy processing corresponding to the paper thickness is automatically performed based on the information of the original paper thickness detection means and the recording paper thickness input means. Since it can be selected freely, it is possible to automatically obtain a copy result that has a finish equivalent to the paper configuration of the original simply by sequentially supplying a plurality of types of originals having different thicknesses,
It is possible to improve the copy quality while improving operability and reducing miscopy.

In this case, according to the second to fifth aspects of the invention, when the recording paper of the size / paper thickness corresponding to the size / paper thickness of the original is not set, the size / paper size is automatically set.
If you cancel the paper thickness support mode, give a warning to set the recording paper of the corresponding size and paper thickness, or if multiple types of recording paper with different paper Since it is not possible to set the paper thickness mode or a warning is issued to urge you to set recording paper of different paper thickness, it is possible to prevent mistaken copying and operation mistakes that do not result in a finish close to the original paper configuration. ..

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a paper feed control routine showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing the overall configuration of a copying system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a paper feed tray control system.

FIG. 4 is a schematic vertical sectional front view showing the presence / absence of recording paper and a size detection system.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration example of a document sheet thickness detecting means.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a configuration of an operation unit.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a control system.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing overall control of a copying operation.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an automatic paper thickness selection processing routine.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an ADF document feeding routine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Image Carrier 12 Recording Paper 13 Recording Paper Supplying Means 32 Recording Paper Size Detection Means 46 Original Paper Thickness Detection Means 60 Recording Paper Thickness Input Means 72 Warning Means

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A document size detecting means for detecting the size of a document, a recording paper supply means for selectively supplying a plurality of types of recording paper to an image carrier, and a recording paper for detecting the size of each recording paper. An original paper thickness detecting means for detecting the paper thickness of an original in an image forming apparatus provided with a size detecting means and provided with a size corresponding mode for automatically selecting and feeding a recording paper of a size corresponding to the original size. And a recording paper thickness input means for inputting paper thickness information of a plurality of types of recording paper, and a size for automatically selecting and feeding a recording paper of a size and paper thickness corresponding to the size and thickness of the original An image forming apparatus characterized in that a mode corresponding to paper thickness is provided so as to be selectable. 2. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the size / paper thickness correspondence mode is set so as to be automatically released when there is no recording paper of a size and paper thickness corresponding to the size and paper thickness of the original. apparatus. 3. When the size / paper thickness correspondence mode is set, a warning is urged to set a recording paper of a size and a paper thickness, a size corresponding to the document size and a recording paper of a paper thickness. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising warning means for performing the warning. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a plurality of types of recording papers having different paper thicknesses are not set, the mode / mode corresponding to the size / paper thickness that cannot be set is set. 5. When a size / paper thickness correspondence mode is set, when a plurality of types of recording papers having different paper thicknesses are not set, a warning means for issuing a warning to prompt setting of a plurality of types of recording papers having different paper thicknesses is provided. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided.