JPH0976588A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer capable of necessarily outputting data to an unprinted surface for the purpose of printing even if printing paper is set without confirming a printed surface. SOLUTION: A printer is equipped with a paper supply means 1, a printing means 2, the paper feed route arranged between both of them and a main control part 3 controlling respective parts. A second paper feed route is together provided to the paper feed route and a paper reversal means 4 reversing the upper and rear surfaces of printing paper is provided to the second paper feed route. A paper feed route selection means 5 is provided to the branch region of two paper feed routes and an image data reading means 6 reading the presence of the image on the printing surface of printing paper and a blank paper discrimination circuit part 7 discriminating the presence thereof are provided on the upstream side of the paper feed route selection means 5. The main control part 3 has route selection control function judging which of two paper feed routes is selected on the basis of the data from the white paper discrimination circuit part 7 to drive the paper feed route selection means 5.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus,
In particular, the present invention relates to a printing apparatus that feeds a paper sheet having characters or other information already printed on one side or both sides and prints only on a blank side of the paper sheet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in facsimile machines, printers, copiers, etc., from the viewpoint of resource saving and cost saving, it has become popular to reuse the back side (unprinted side) of a sheet printed on one side as a printing sheet. It is being appreciated.

Conventionally, as a means for effectively utilizing the back side of this type of printing paper, for example, as shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-189569, it is desired to output on the back side of the printing paper in a facsimile machine, printer, copier or the like. A technique has been developed in which a fixed pattern different from information is printed to distinguish a newly printed meaningful surface from a meaningless surface that has already been printed. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional means for effectively utilizing the back side of printing paper.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 50 indicates an input section having a function of inputting image information to be printed out, and reference numeral 51 indicates a fixed pattern generating section having a plurality of fixed pattern information for printing. . Further, reference numeral 52 indicates a selection unit having a function of selecting the type of printing paper to be used, the type of fixed pattern, and the like. As soon as the printing paper is selected by the selection unit 52, the paper feeding unit 53 is activated to send the printing paper of the type selected by the selection unit 52 to the first printing unit 54.

The first printing means 54 is a paper feeding means 51.
The information input from the input unit 10 described above is printed on a printing sheet that is provided on the downstream side of the sheet and is fed from the sheet feeding unit 51. The second printing means 54 is installed downstream of the first printing means 54. This second printing means 54
Has a function of printing a fixed pattern based on the fixed pattern information generated by the fixed pattern generating unit 51 on the back surface or the front surface of the printing paper.

By printing on the back surface of the printing paper by the second printing means 55, it is possible to easily distinguish a meaningful surface from a meaningless surface.

[0007]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, since the printing surface of the image information to be output is fixed to the paper fed from the paper feed unit, one side of the paper feed unit is used. When setting printed paper, it is necessary to align the unprinted surfaces and set the paper. In addition, if you accidentally set the front and back to the opposite side, or the reverse ones are mixed, or if both sides have already been printed, there is no detection means for that, so there is more image information on the printed side. However, there is an inconvenience that the printed information is overlapped and the output information cannot be read.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention, when an operator sets a printing paper sheet, even if the printing paper sheet is set without confirming which surface has been printed, predetermined information is printed on the unprinted surface. Facsimile device capable of printout, printer,
The purpose is to provide a printing apparatus such as a copying machine.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, in the invention according to claim 1, a sheet feeding means for using a cut sheet and feeding the cut sheet as a printing sheet into the main body of the apparatus, and a host machine. Printing means for printing the image information inputted from a printing paper, a paper feeding path arranged between the printing means and the above-mentioned paper feeding means, and a printing means provided downstream of the printing means. In a printing apparatus provided with a paper feeding path for feeding a printing paper and a main control section for controlling the operation of the paper feeding means and the printing means, a second paper feeding path is provided side by side with the second paper feeding path. The paper feed path is equipped with paper reversing means for reversing the front and back of printing paper.

Further, in the branch area of the two paper feeding paths, a paper feeding path selecting means for selecting one of the two paper feeding paths and switchingly connecting to the paper feeding means is provided. Further, on the upstream side of the paper feed path selecting means, an image data reading means for reading the presence or absence of image information on the printing surface of the printing paper is provided, and the image information read by the image data reading means is blank. A blank sheet discriminating circuit section for discriminating whether or not is attached to the main control section.

Then, the main control section judges which of the two paper feed paths is to be selected based on the information from the above-mentioned blank sheet discrimination circuit section, and performs a predetermined selection operation on the above-mentioned paper feed path selecting means. It has a configuration that it has a route selection control function to instruct.

Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 1,
First, the main control unit 3 instructs the paper feeding unit 1 to select an appropriate type of paper according to the information to be printed, and the paper feeding unit 1 sends out the printing paper of the type specified by the main control unit 3. The image data reading means 6 for reading the image data of the printing surface reads the image information of the printing surface of the sent paper. And
The blank sheet determining unit 7 determines whether the read image information indicates a blank sheet.

Based on the result of this discrimination, the main control section 3 tells the paper feed path selecting means 5 to the printing means 2 if this printing paper is blank, and if this paper is the first time and is not blank. Is sent to the sheet reversing means 4 and then to the printing means 2, and executed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned image data reading means has a double-sided simultaneous reading function for simultaneously reading the image information on the printing paper. Further, a paper discharge path is provided in addition to the paper feed path selecting means. Then, the main control unit outputs a discharge path selection operation command to the paper supply path selection unit when the double-sided printed image information is output from the blank sheet determination circuit unit described above. It is equipped with.

Therefore, according to the invention of claim 2,
It functions equivalently to the above-described invention of claim 1. Furthermore,
When both sides of the printing paper have been printed, the printing paper is immediately sent to the paper discharging means 8.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a sheet feeding unit that uses a sheet of cut paper and feeds the sheet of cut paper as a printing sheet into the main body of the apparatus, and image information input from a host machine or the like is printed on the printing sheet. Printing means, a paper feeding path arranged between the printing means and the paper feeding means, a paper feeding path provided on the downstream side of the printing means for feeding the printing paper after printing, the paper feeding means and the printing In a printing apparatus having a main control unit for controlling the operation of the means, a paper reversing means for reversing the front and back of the printing paper is provided in the paper feeding path, and the printing paper is scheduled to be printed on the upstream side of the paper feeding path. An image data reading means for reading the presence or absence of image information on the surface is provided.

Further, a white paper discriminating circuit section for discriminating whether or not the image information read by the image data reading means indicates a blank sheet is provided in the main control section, and the printing paper is placed in the operation area of the paper inverting means. A paper sensor that detects this when it arrives is installed in the paper feed path.

The main control section has a paper reversing control function which operates based on the information from the blank sheet discriminating circuit section and the information from the paper sensor to instruct the paper reversing means to perform a predetermined operation. , Is adopted.

Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 3,
In addition to functioning similarly to the invention described in claim 1 described above, since there is only one paper feed path, the operation of the entire apparatus can be speeded up because there is no paper path selection operation.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the image data reading means has a double-sided simultaneous reading function for simultaneously reading the front and back sides of the image information on the printing paper, and the paper is discharged to the upstream side of the paper feeding path. A path is provided side by side, and path switching means is provided in the branch area between the paper discharge path and the paper feed path. Then, the main control unit outputs a discharge path selection operation command to the paper supply path selection unit when the double-sided printed image information is output from the blank sheet determination circuit unit described above. Is equipped with.

Therefore, according to the invention of claim 4,
It functions in the same manner as the invention described in claim 3 described above. Also,
When both sides of the printing paper have been printed, the printing paper is immediately sent to the paper discharging means 8.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0023]

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 indicates a sheet feeding unit that uses a sheet of cut paper and feeds the sheet of cut paper as a printing sheet into the apparatus main body. Reference numeral 2 indicates a printing unit that prints image information input from a higher-level device or the like on printing paper. A normal paper feed path (not shown) is arranged between the printing means 2 and the above-mentioned paper feed means 1. Further, on the downstream side of the printing means 2, a normal paper feed path (not shown) for feeding the print paper after printing is also provided. Reference numeral 3 indicates a main control unit that controls the operations of the paper feeding unit 1 and the printing unit 2 described above.

A second paper feed path (not shown) is provided alongside the above-mentioned paper feed path. The second paper feed path is equipped with a paper reversing means 4 for reversing the front and back sides of the printing paper.

In the branch area of the above-mentioned two paper feeding paths, a paper feeding path selecting means 5 for selecting one of the two paper feeding paths and switching and connecting to the above-mentioned paper feeding means 1 is provided. There is. Further, on the upstream side of the paper feed path selection means 5, an image data reading means 6 for reading the presence / absence of image information of the printing surface of the above-mentioned printing paper is provided, and the image read by the image data reading means 6 is provided. A blank sheet discriminating circuit section 7 for discriminating whether or not the information indicates a blank sheet is provided together with the above-mentioned main control section 3.

The main control section 3 judges which of the two paper feed paths is to be selected based on the information from the blank paper discriminating circuit section 7 and makes a predetermined selection in the above-mentioned paper feed path selecting means 5. It is equipped with a route selection control function that commands operations.

Further, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the printing paper reversed in the second paper feeding path is sent again to the image data reading means 6 and the image information of the reversed printing scheduled surface is transferred. The blank sheet discriminating circuit section 7 discriminates again the presence or absence of image information. Here, if the image information is also confirmed in the second determination, the main control unit 3 outputs the image information of which both sides have been printed.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the paper feed path selecting means 5 is provided with a paper discharge path (not shown). Reference numeral 8 indicates a sheet discharging unit that discharges the sheet to the outside through the sheet discharging path. Then, the main controller 3
It has a paper discharge mode setting function for outputting an operation command for paper discharge path selection to the paper supply path selection means when the above-described blank paper discrimination circuit section 7 outputs image information for which double-sided printing has been completed.

Next, the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be described. First, the main control unit 3 instructs the paper feeding means 1 to select an appropriate type of paper according to the information to be printed. The paper feeding means 1 first feeds out the printing paper of the type designated by the main control portion 3.
The image data reading means 6 for reading the image data of the printing surface reads the image information of the printing surface of the sent paper. Then, the blank sheet determining unit 7 determines whether the read image information indicates a blank sheet.

Based on the result of this discrimination, the main control section 3 tells the paper feed path selecting means 5 to the printing means 2 if this printing paper is blank, and if this paper is the first time and is not blank. When the sheet is read for the second time and the sheet is not a blank sheet, both sides have been printed, so that the sheet discharging means 8 is instructed to send the sheet. In this case, the printing paper sent to the paper inverting means 4 is sent to the image data reading means 6 side again after the paper inverting means 4 operates and the printing paper is turned upside down.

Further, when both sides of the paper have been printed, the main control section 3 causes the paper feeding means 1 to send out the designated paper again at the same time. According to the instruction from the main control unit 3, the paper feed path selection unit 5 feeds the print paper to the printing unit 2, the paper reversing unit 4, and the paper discharge unit 8.

Since both sides of the printing paper fed to the paper discharging means 8 have already been printed, the printing paper is discharged separately from the print output. On the other hand, the printing paper fed to the printing unit 2 is printed with predetermined image information to be output on the front surface and is output.

As described above, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, even when the unprinted surface is set without aligning the unprinted surface, the sheet reversing means 4 can set the sheet on the paper feeding means. It is reversed in the second sheet path, whereby predetermined information can be printed on the unprinted side, and even if the two-sided printed sheet is mistakenly mixed, it is immediately discriminated by the blank sheet discriminating means 7 to the outside. Since it is ejected, it is possible to automatically eliminate almost completely the inconvenience of being printed as it is even if the unprinted surface is in the opposite direction.

[0034]

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, as in the case of FIG. 1 described above, a sheet feeding unit 1 that uses a cut sheet as a printing sheet and feeds the cut sheet into the main body of the apparatus, and image information input from a higher-level machine or the like. Printing means 2 for printing on a printing paper
And a paper feed path arranged between the printing means 2 and the paper feed means 1, a paper feed path provided downstream of the print means 2 for feeding the print paper after printing, and the paper feed means 1 And a main controller 13 that controls the operation of the printing unit 2.

A second paper feed path is provided in the paper feed path as in the case of FIG. 1 described above, and a paper reversing means 4 for reversing the front and back of printing paper is provided in the second paper feed path. Has been done. Further, in the branch area of the two paper feeding paths, a paper feeding path selecting means 5 which selects one of the two paper feeding paths and is switched and connected to the above-mentioned paper feeding means 1 is further provided. (Not shown) is provided similarly to the case of FIG. 1 described above.

On the upstream side of the paper feed path selecting means 5, an image data reading means 16 for reading the presence / absence of image information on the printing surface of the printing paper is provided. The image data reading unit 16 has a double-sided simultaneous reading function for simultaneously performing the above-described reading operation of the image information of the printing paper on both front and back sides.

A blank sheet discriminating circuit section 17 for discriminating whether or not the image information read by the image data reading means 16 indicates a blank sheet, and whether or not double-sided printing has been completed, is a main control section 13.
It is attached to. The main control unit 13 determines which of the two paper feed paths or the paper discharge path is to be selected based on the information from the blank sheet determination circuit unit 17, and the above-described paper feed path selection unit 5 Is provided with a route selection control function for instructing a predetermined selection operation.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2 will be described. The main control unit 1 instructs the paper feeding unit 1 to select an appropriate type of paper according to the information to be printed. The paper feeding means 1 sends out the printing paper of the type previously designated by the main control unit 13. The image data reading means 16 reads the image information on both sides of the delivered sheet at once. It is determined whether or not the image information read by the blank sheet determination means 17 is a blank sheet on both sides, and the main control unit 1
Tell 3.

Based on the result of this determination, the main control section 13 causes the paper feed path selecting means 5 to print to the printing means 2 if the printing side of the printing means 2 is blank and to perform printing on the printing side. However, if the opposite side is a blank sheet, the sheet is inverted through the sheet inverting means 4 and an instruction to send it to the printing means 2 and to the paper discharging means 8 when some printing is performed on both sides is issued. . According to the instruction from the main control unit 13, the paper feed path selection unit 5 feeds the print paper to the printing unit 2, the paper reversing unit 4, or the paper discharge unit 8.

The printing paper fed to the paper inverting means 4 is
The front and back sides are reversed by the sheet reversing unit 4 using a known technique, and the sheet is fed to the printing unit 2. Also, the paper discharge means 8
Since both sides of the printing paper fed to the printer have already been printed, the printing paper is discharged from the paper discharge path separately from the print output. Furthermore,
The printing paper fed to the printing means 7 is printed with the image information to be printed on the front surface and printed.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 has the same effects as the case of FIG. 1 described above, and in particular, the image data reading means 16 is adapted to read the image information on both sides simultaneously. In the above-described FIG. 1, it is only necessary to perform the reading operation twice at the time of reversing, and in this respect, even if the unprinted surface and the printed surface are mixed, it is relatively quick, There is an advantage that switching printing to the unprinted surface is possible.

In the first and second embodiments, the case where two paths, that is, the paper feed path and the second paper feed path, are provided as the paths for conveying the paper has been exemplified. The above-described paper feed path may be integrated into the second paper feed path to form one paper feed path, provided that the paper reversing means 4 of the second paper feed path is not operated when it is unnecessary. Further, in order to regulate the timing of the operation by the paper reversing means 4 described above, a paper sensor (not shown) for immediately detecting when a printing paper arrives in the operation area of the paper reversing means 4 is provided. The sheet reversing means 4 may be installed together.

[0043]

Since the present invention is constructed and functions as described above, according to the present invention, the printing paper is set in the invention according to claim 1 without confirming which side has been printed. However, it is always possible to print the specified information on the unprinted side, which automatically prints the inconvenience that when the unprinted side is upside down, it is printed as is. It can be eliminated almost completely.

The invention according to claim 2 has the same effect as that of the invention according to claim 1 described above, and even if there is a double-sided printed sheet, it is automatically and surely printed without printing. Can be eliminated.

The invention described in claim 3 has the same effect as that of the invention described in claim 1, and since the number of paper feed paths is one, the size can be further reduced.

The invention according to claim 4 has the same effect as that of the invention according to claim 3 described above, and even if there is a double-sided printed sheet, it is automatically and surely printed without printing. Can be eliminated.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an unprecedented excellent printing apparatus capable of significantly reducing the amount of paper dust to be discarded.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Paper Feeding Means 2 Printing Means 3,13 Main Control Section 4 Paper Reversing Means 5 Paper Feeding Path Selecting Means 6,16 Image Data Reading Means 7,17 Blank Paper Discriminating Means 8 Paper Ejecting Means

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Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A sheet feeding unit that uses a sheet of cut paper and feeds the sheet of cut paper as a printing sheet into the main body of the apparatus, and a printing unit that prints image information input from a host machine or the like on the printing sheet. A paper feed path disposed between the printing means and the paper feed means, a paper feed path that is provided on the downstream side of the print means and feeds the print paper after printing, and the paper feed means and the print means. In a printing apparatus including a main control unit that controls the operation, a paper feed unit that has a second paper feed path provided side by side with the paper feed path, and that reverses the front and back sides of printing paper to the second paper feed path. A sheet feeding path selecting means for selecting any one of the two sheet feeding paths and switchingly connecting to the sheet feeding means is provided in a branch area of the two sheet feeding paths, Whether there is image information on the printing side of the printing paper on the side Is equipped with an image data reading unit for reading the image data, and a blank sheet determination circuit unit for determining whether or not the image information read by the image data reading unit indicates a blank sheet is provided side by side with the main control unit. Is provided with a path selection control function for judging which of the two paper feed paths to select based on the information from the blank sheet discrimination circuit section and instructing the paper feed path selecting means to perform a predetermined selecting operation. Printing device characterized by. 2. The image data reading means is provided with a double-sided simultaneous reading function for reading the image information of the printing paper at the same time on both front and back sides, and the paper feed path selecting means is provided with a paper discharge path. The control unit has a paper discharge mode setting function that outputs an operation command for paper discharge path selection to the paper supply path selection unit when the double-sided printed image information is output from the blank paper determination circuit unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is provided. 3. A paper feed unit that uses cut paper and feeds the cut paper as a print paper into the main body of the apparatus, and a printing unit that prints image information input from a host machine or the like on the print paper. A paper feed path disposed between the printing means and the paper feed means, a paper feed path that is provided on the downstream side of the print means and feeds the print paper after printing, and the paper feed means and the print means. A printing apparatus having a main control unit for controlling the operation, wherein the paper feed path is equipped with paper reversing means for reversing the front and back sides of the print paper, and the printing schedule of the print paper is provided upstream of the paper feed path. An image data reading means for reading the presence / absence of image information on the surface is provided, and a blank sheet determination circuit section for determining whether or not the image information read by the image data reading section indicates a blank sheet is provided in the main control section. Along with the paper reversal The paper feed path is equipped with a paper sensor that detects when the printing paper arrives at the stage operation area, and the main control unit detects the information from the blank paper discrimination circuit unit and the information from the paper sensor. A printing apparatus having a paper reversing control function which operates based on the above-mentioned means and which instructs the paper reversing means to perform a predetermined operation. 4. The image data reading means has a double-sided simultaneous reading function for simultaneously reading the image information of the printing paper on both front and back sides, and a discharge path is provided on the upstream side of the paper feed path. A paper feed path selecting unit is provided in a branch area between the paper discharge path and the paper feed path, and the main control unit selects the paper feed path when the double-side printed image information is output from the blank paper determination circuit unit. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a paper discharge mode setting function for outputting an operation command for selecting a paper discharge path.