JPH0990681A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of improving the degree of amenity by enhancing the productivity and lowering the noise level of DF (automatic document feeder). SOLUTION: A DF 30 provided with two kinds of modes such as an ordinary mode (in which, a speed capable of realizing DF copying in a main body CPM; an optimum speed of a system from viewpoint of speed) and a low speed mode for lowering the noise level in which carrying speed is lower than usual as document carrying speed is used in this device. Two document carrying modes are used according to the operation condition of the image forming device.

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 equipped with an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as DF), and more particularly to a control system thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus of fixed platen type, slit exposure type, and scanner reciprocating type, the continuous copy speed is generally the recovery time from the scan end position of the scanner to the ready state for the next scan. Becomes a bottleneck and is determined by the return capability of this scanner.

When the original is to be replaced by the DF, the replacement of the original is started after the scanner finishes reading the last copy of the repeat and the next original is placed on the contact glass before the scanning of the leading edge of the next original is started. Must have been delivered to.

The time Tr from the end of scanning to the next leading edge of the original document and the original replacement time (from discharging the original document stopped on the contact glass to feeding the next original document and stopping it on the contact glass). Time) If the relationship with Td is Td <Tr, the main body CPM (copy / copy /
Min) and high productivity can be obtained.

[0005]

However, for that purpose, it is necessary to increase the feeding speed of the document, and at the same time, the noise level of the DF becomes large. on the other hand,
When the document feed speed is slowed down, the noise level decreases,
Since the document replacement time Td becomes long, the productivity is lowered.

In order to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks, the present invention has already been proposed variously. D for switching and controlling the conveying speed
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of improving the degree of amenity by increasing productivity and lowering the noise level of DF on the premise of using F.

[0007]

A first aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object has two kinds of document feeding speeds, that is, a normal feeding speed and a slower feeding speed which is slower than the ordinary feeding speed, and both can be arbitrarily switched. In addition to the automatic document feeder, the main body of the image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper feed units is provided with control means for varying the conveyance speed of the first original according to the selected paper feed unit. Characterize.

A second aspect of the invention is an image forming apparatus having an automatic document feeder which has two kinds of document feeding speeds, that is, a normal feeding speed and a slower feeding speed than usual, and which can be switched arbitrarily. Counting means for counting the time, a timer mode function that shuts off the load power of the device in accordance with the preset start and end times of use of the device, and forcibly turns off the timer mode when this timer mode is on. And a control means for setting the document transportation speed to the normal transportation speed when the apparatus is used in the unused time zone by forcibly turning off the timer mode.

A third aspect of the invention has two types of document feeding speeds, a normal feeding speed and a slower feeding speed that is slower than the normal feeding speed. Once the image-formed paper is stored,
In an image forming apparatus having an intermediate tray for feeding again to form an image on the other side, replacement of originals corresponding to image formation on a sheet conveyed to the intermediate tray and image formation transferred on the sheet from the intermediate tray. At that time, a control means for setting the low speed conveyance speed is provided.

A fourth aspect of the invention has an automatic document feeder having two kinds of document feeding speeds, that is, a normal feeding speed and a slower feeding speed that is slower than the normal feeding speed. In an image forming apparatus having a human body detecting means for detecting the presence of an operator in front, while the human body detecting means is detecting the operator, the document conveying speed is set to a low speed conveying speed to detect the operator. If there is no document, a control means for setting the document transportation speed to the normal transportation speed is provided.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus having an automatic document feeder which has two types of document feeding speeds, a normal feeding speed and a slower feeding speed than usual, and which can be arbitrarily switched between the two. An adjusting unit that adjusts the interval of the image forming apparatus according to the temperature detected by the temperature detecting sensor of the fixing unit, and a control unit that sets the document conveying speed to a low conveying speed when the interval is widened by the adjusting unit. It is characterized by being provided.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus having an automatic document feeder which has two kinds of document feeding speeds, that is, a normal feeding speed and a slower feeding speed which is slower than usual, and can switch the both arbitrarily. It has a reserved copy function that can set the next job for the job that has already been set or is in the process of image formation. If the next job is registered by the reservation function, the document transportation speed is set to the normal transportation speed. A control means is provided.

As the document transport speed, there are a normal mode (here, a speed at which DF copy can be realized by the main body CPM; a system optimal speed in terms of speed) and a low speed mode in which the noise level is lowered and the transport speed is slower than usual. Two types of DFs are used, and these two document conveyance modes are used properly according to the operating conditions of the image forming apparatus.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the DF used in the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view of the DF.

As shown in FIG. 1, the DF includes a document table 1, a side guide 2, a document pressing roller 3, a document partition plate 4, a paper feed cover 5, a separation belt 6, a paper feed cover switch 7, and a job detector 8. , Separation roller 9, trailing edge registration detection unit 10, document length detection unit 11, pullout roller 12,
Leading edge registration detection unit 13, invoking roller 14, document set detection unit 15, conveyance belt 16, document stack detection unit 17, reversing roller 18, paper ejection detection unit 19, reversal guide claw 2.
0, a document stack portion 21 and the like. This DF is 2
It is possible to set one job original (bundle of originals),
Therefore, the document partition plate 4 is provided.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a document conveying process in the single-sided document mode. The original is set on the original table 1 with the image side facing up. The document is conveyed from the lowest document as indicated by the thick arrow and is temporarily stopped by the contact glass. Exposure is performed in this state, and after exposure,
The document is discharged through the reverse sheet discharge unit 22 with the image surface facing upward.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are explanatory views showing the document conveying process in the double-sided document mode. As shown in (a), the original conveyed from the lowest position passes over the contact glass, is inverted by the reversal switching claw 23 and returns to the contact glass, and the back side is copied. Next, as shown in (b), after the back side of the document is copied, the document is conveyed as indicated by the thick arrow, is reversed again by the reversal switching claw 23 and returns to the contact glass, and the front side of the document is copied. Then, as shown in (c), after the exposure of the front surface of the original document is completed, the original document passes through the reverse paper ejection unit 22 and is ejected with the front surface facing upward.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the job partitioning mechanism of the DF. The document is set by abutting against the document partition plate 4. When a job document is abutted against the document partition plate 4, the filler of the document set detection unit 15 is pushed, so that the set state of the document is detected.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view showing a document feeding mechanism of the DF, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the same on the rear side, and FIG. 7 is a front view of the same. When a start key (not shown) is pressed, the sheet feeding solenoid 31 is turned on, so that the document partition plate 4 is raised and the document pressing roller 32 is pressed against the intake roller 14. After 200 mm / sec, a sheet feeding motor (not shown) is rotated, and the take-in roller 14 and the separation roller are fed with the separation clutch 34 being turned on, so that the job document is fed. The pressing force of the document pressing roller 32 is determined by the spring inside the roller. At this time, the first original is conveyed onto the contact glass, and the second and subsequent originals are sequentially pre-fed to a position where the leading edge registration detection unit 13 is turned on.

When the reservation key is pressed before the start key, the job original is fed and the filler of the job detection unit 8 is pushed, so that the paper feeding motor and the separation clutch 34 are turned off, and at the same time, the paper feeding solenoid 31. Turns off, and the machine enters a standby state where the start key is pressed. When the sheet feeding solenoid 31 is turned off, the document partition plate 4 is lowered again, and the next job document set is awaited.

During the job processing, both the fillers of the original set detection unit 15 and the job detection unit 8 are pressed. Further, when the next job original is set and the previous job original ends, only the filler of the job detecting unit 8 falls to detect the end of the job.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a sheet conveying process in the single-sided copy mode of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. The image forming apparatus includes a DF (having the mechanism shown in FIG. 1) 30,
It is composed of an optional sheet feeding unit 50 and a sorter unit 60. The main body 40 is provided at its lower portion with four sheet feeding units including tray (1) 41 to tray (4) 44. Also, the manual feed tray 45 and the photosensitive drum 4
6, fixing unit 47, double-sided tray (intermediate tray) 48
Etc. are provided as is well known. In the single-sided copy mode, the paper fed from each paper feed unit is conveyed along the path indicated by the thick arrow.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a sheet conveying process at the time of front side copying in the double-sided copy mode of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. In the double-sided copy mode, the paper on the front side of which the image has been formed first passes through the path indicated by the thick arrow and passes through the double-sided tray 4
Images are stacked at 8 downwards.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a sheet conveying process at the time of back side copying in the double-sided copy mode of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. The paper once stored in the double-sided tray
Paper is re-fed in order from the bottommost paper through the path indicated by the thick arrow,
An image is formed on the back surface.

FIG. 11 is a control block diagram of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. CPU70, RAM control of the whole device
71, ROM 72, SCU (serial communication unit) 73, RTC (real time clock) 7
This is performed by the control unit 80 having the built-in 4 and the like. An output such as a motor for driving the photoconductor and an input such as a temperature sensor (which detects the temperature of the fixing roller) are connected to the control unit 80.

The DF 30 and the controller of the operation unit are SC
Connected via U73. The RTC 74 has a calendar function and counts days of the week and time. CPU 70
These can be read out arbitrarily. Further, the time counting continues even when the main power source of the device is turned off by the battery backup and the control unit 80 is turned off.

Control of energization to the fixing heater is CP
It is performed from the output port (PA0-7 section in the figure) built in the U. Turning off the device in the timer mode means turning off the heater by turning off the output port, turning off the motor driver 75, stopping the sensor drive by turning off the D / A 76, and SCU.
It refers to turning off of the indicator light of the operation unit via 73. During the off time of the device in the timer mode, only the control unit 80 consumes power.

FIG. 12 is a connection diagram of the human body detection sensor and the control unit. The human body detection sensor 90 is arranged near the operation unit. The human body detection sensor 90 includes an infrared light emitting diode that emits infrared light, an optical system that limits the emission of the infrared light in a certain direction, and an infrared light receiving sensor that receives the infrared light reflected by the human body, and the human body exists within a certain distance. In that case, it is detected and a signal to that effect (human body detection signal) is output to the control unit 80. Further, a detection distance changeover switch is provided inside, so that the distance at which the presence of the human body can be detected can be changed in two steps.

FIG. 13 is a chart showing commands from the main body 40 to the DF 30, and FIG. 14 is a chart showing commands from the DF 30 to the main body 40.

The DF 30 is controlled by a dedicated controller and is connected to the main body 40 by a serial I / F. DF3
When the document stack is set to 0, 80H is sent from the DF 30. 80H is 10000000B, and since the address 0 and bit 7 are set, the main body side recognizes the DF document set. When the document stack is set and a copy start instruction is input from the operation unit, a command 80H is transmitted to the DF 30 to feed the first document.

Here, if the original transport mode is normal,
A low speed reset (02H) is sent in advance, and a low speed set (82H) is sent if the speed is low.

DF30 is 80H (address 0, bit 7
Upon receiving (ON), the document feeding is recognized, and the first document is fed. When the feeding is completed and the original is set on the contact glass, the feeding completion (82H) is transmitted. Upon completion of feeding, the first sheet starts to be fed, then the scanning operation starts, and the first image forming operation starts.

A document discharge (81H) and a document feed (80H) are transmitted to the DF 30 at the timing of the end of the repeat final scan for the first document. The document exchange time is set so that the exchange is completed within the document exchange allocation time calculated from the main body CPM. In this embodiment, the document replacement time (at the time of A4 horizontal) Tn (normal mode) is 400 msec. Body linear velocity 430 mm / sec CPM 65 / A4 horizontal A4 horizontal feed amount 210 mm Original replacement allotted time = 60 / 65-210 / 430 =
0.435 (s)

The above operation is repeated until the set original bundle is replaced with the final original. The final document is recognized by the fact that the document set has been reset at the time of receiving the paper feed end (82H) from the DF 30.

Each bit once set is sent a bit reset after a fixed time so that the receiving side can recognize reset → set at the time of the next set transmission (not applicable to states such as low speed bits).

For the final document, only the document discharge (81H) is D at the scan end of the final copy of the repeat.
Send to F30.

The low speed mode is controlled by reducing the paper feed drive speed and the paper discharge drive speed of the DF 30 to about 1/2. Due to this speed difference, motor noise during handling of the original document, contact noise between the original document and the conveyance path, etc. can be reduced, and noise can be reduced. The document replacement time in the low speed mode (at the time of A4 side) Tcl (low speed mode) is 800 msec.

For reserved copying, it is necessary to separate the original bundle into two jobs, a first job and a second job. In this embodiment, one reserved job is possible. When the first sheet of the original bundle is fed by the DF by the start of the copy operation, the original bundle is gripped in the back side of the original partition plate 4, and therefore when the reserved original document is set in this state, the original plate is separated by the partition plate 4.

15 (a), (b), (c), (d),
(E) is an explanatory view showing a flow of a display screen for the reserved copy mode.

In order to separate the reserved original document from the already set original document before the start of copying, the reservation command (83) is sent to the DF 30 by turning on the reservation key 100 on the screen (a) of FIG.
H) is transmitted. The DF30 uses this command to
In the pre-feeding state shown in (4), the document stack is fed to the inner side of the partition plate 4.

When the reservation mode is set on the screen (b) and the end key 101 is turned on, the reservation mode is registered and the reserved document setting screen of the screen (d) is displayed. Since the first job document is already on the back side of the partition plate 4, it can be separated by the partition plate 4 even when the reserved document is set.

FIG. 15 is an operation flow diagram of the reservation mode set during copying, but the same applies to the reservation copy setting during standby, and the screen (a) is only the standby screen. The document end of the first job in the state where the reserved document is set is recognized by setting the address 0 and bit 5 (end of one job) from the DF 30. FIG. 16 shows one screen of the user tool provided for presetting the on time and the off time of the device by the weekly timer (the calling procedure of this screen of the user tool is omitted).

Select key 110 and enter the on time for Sunday. Enter 0900 on the numeric keypad and press the # key 111
Press to confirm the input. Similarly, the key 112 is turned on, 1700 is input with the ten keys, and the # key 111 is input. By doing this, the device is turned on at 9:00 am on Sunday and automatically turned off at 5:00 pm. After that, the on time and the off time can be set for each day of the week. No input is required for the days that are not used.

Next, the operation corresponding to each embodiment will be described (each embodiment corresponds to the claims).

First, the first embodiment will be described.
In the DF mode copy, when the first copy of the original is made, the original is fed from the original setting port onto the contact glass by starting with the print key. This document feed time is Tf
n (normal mode) and Tfl (low speed mode). Relationship between image path (distance from exposure point on photoconductor drum to transfer point with paper) Di and paper feed path (distance from tray exit to transfer point with image on photoconductor and paper) Dp In Fig. 8, when the paper feed path is different for each tray as shown in Fig. 8, Dp-Di> Tfl (paths are compared in time conversion)
For trays that satisfy the above condition, the longer the paper feed path is, the more time is needed from the start of document feeding to the start of scanning, and the time allotted until the document is stopped can be secured. Even if the paper is fed, the original feed time does not affect the first copy time. Therefore, the degree of amenity can be increased for the first copy of the original.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart of the first embodiment. The relationship between the image path Di and the paper feed path according to the present embodiment is as follows in terms of layout. Di> Dp (1) Di> Dp (2) Di> Dp (manual feed) Di> Dp (LCT) Di <Dp (3) Di <Dp (4) Further, Dp (3) -Di <Tfl Dp (4) -Di <Tfl.

Here, Dp (1) to Dp (4) represent the paper feed paths of trays (1) to tray (4), Dp (manual feed) represents the paper feed path of manual feed tray 45, and Dp (LC
T) indicates a paper feed path of the option tray 50.

Therefore, in FIG. 17, the transport speed to be transmitted to the DF 30 is fixedly determined by the selected tray (S1). After the first original at the start of copying (2
Since the sheet is fed from the tray at the repeat interval determined by the CPM, the sheet is fed at the normal speed (S).
2). The document is discharged when the image formation for the set number of sheets is completed (S3). After that, if the next document is set (Y in S4), the steps after the document is fed are repeated.

Next, a second embodiment will be described.
By the means for counting the time (clock function), the load power supply is turned on at the use start time and turned off at the use end time. By this turning off, the display of the operation panel (only the timer mode display indicating that the transition to the timer mode is in progress is turned on), the fixing heater, the fan motor, etc. are turned off, and the power consumption is controlled by the control unit 80 in FIG. It is due only to. In addition, there is a timer mode release key for use when it is turned off in the timer mode. By turning on this key, it is possible to return from the timer mode.

The use start time and the use end time can be independently set by a user tool independently, and are generally set and used for the start time and the end time of the office. Further, by adding a calendar function to the clock function, it is possible to set a use time zone for each day of the week, and to set the holiday to remain off.

In the device operated in this timer mode, it is determined that the equipment is not in the non-working time period when the timer mode is off, and it is not necessary to attach importance to the amenities (the operator's request for "copying" is required). Priority is given to high productivity) The original is conveyed in the normal mode so that the copy efficiency is not reduced.

FIG. 18 is a state transition diagram of the second embodiment. The initial transition results in state 1. When the off time comes in the state 1, the state is changed to the state 2. In state 2, the load power supply is cut off and only the control unit 80 is operating in the timer mode. When the on time comes in state 2, the state returns to state 1.

On the other hand, when the device is used in the state 2 and the timer key is pressed to release the timer mode, the state 3 is entered. When the device is not used for a certain period of time in state 3, the device automatically returns to state 2 (timer mode). Further, in the state 3, when the on-time comes before the time-out, the state is not returned to the timer mode, and the state shifts to the state 1.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart of the second embodiment. Whether the state is 1 or 3 in S1 (state 2
It is determined that the copying operation cannot be started in the case of, and if the result is 3, the operation mode of the DF 30 is the normal transport speed. The transport speed determined in S2 and S3 is used for one entire job. After that, the same processing as in FIG. 17 is performed.

Next, a third embodiment will be described. Regarding the double-sided mode, when the DF 30 is not the circulation type, the first page of the original is continuously copied for the number of repeats and stacked on the double-sided tray 48. The repeat interval at this time may be the same as the interval determined by the main body CPM. Second
For the copy of the original of the first side, the sheets stacked in the double-sided tray 48 are fed and the repeat copy is performed. This process is repeated until there are no more manuscripts.

For the repeat end copy of the first side and the repeat first copy of the second side, the sheet feeding is started after the stacking of T
= (Tds-Tr) + (Dpd-Dpt), the repeat interval increases. In this case, since Td >> Tcl, the DF30 does not have lower productivity than the normal mode even when operated in the low speed mode.

On the other hand, in the repeat from to, the operation in Tr [Tr + (Dpd-Dpt) at the starting point of the sheet feeding] becomes possible, and the document exchange is used in the normal mode. Here, Tds; the time from the feeding of the trays (1) to (4) to the completion of stacking on the double-sided tray 48. Tr: Repeat interval determined by the main body CPM. Dpt: paper feed path (from the tray exit to the image on the photoconductor, paper and transfer point). Dpd: Paper feed path (from the exit of the double-sided tray to the image on the photoconductor, the paper, and the transfer point). Tcn: Original replacement time (normal mode). Tcl: Original replacement time (low speed mode). Tds> Tr and Dpd> Dpt.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart of the third embodiment. This figure shows the control of the DF 30 in the double-sided / double-sided mode and the single-sided / double-sided mode. The first side refers to the side on which an image is formed by feeding from the tray, and the second side refers to the other side of the paper which has been copied on one side stored in the double-sided tray 48.

When copying is started, it starts from the first side. For the first side copy, the DF30 uses the normal mode (S
1). If both sides are both sides, the original is fed in reverse (S2), and if one side is both sides, the original is normally (non-inverted) fed (S3). Replace the originals when the number of copies of the originals fed is completed.

First, since it is the first surface, the Y branch of S4 is followed. Since it is the first side, there is a time margin until the repeat end sheets are transferred and completely stacked on the double-sided tray 48 (see the double-sided tray 48 in FIG. 9).
DF30, the low speed mode can be used (S5).

If both sides are both sides, since the other side of the original using the first side is copied, the original is not ejected (Y in S6). If it is single-sided or double-sided, the document is ejected. Then, if there is the next original, the image formation is performed on the second side (both sides are unconditionally the second side).

Document feeding for the second side is also performed at low speed (S7). If both sides are both sides, the original is reversed, and if one side is both sides, the next original is fed. As with the first side, the number of copies is set. Since it is the second surface this time after the end, the branch of N is followed in S4.

Since the first side is fed from the tray, there is no particular condition to wait, and the second side continues to the first side at a normal repeat interval (same as repeat in each side). Is possible. Therefore, the DF 30 uses the normal mode (S8). Since the second side is finished, the original is discharged on both sides and both sides. If the next original exists, the process is repeated from the first side again (Y in S9).

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. The human body detection sensor 90 shown in FIG. 12 is used in a state where the apparatus is in a power saving mode (such as lowering the control temperature of the fixing heater, turning off the display of the operation screen, etc.) after a fixed time after the use of the apparatus is finished. It is installed to automatically cancel the power saving mode when a person appears in front of the device.

When the user is in front of the apparatus during the copying operation using the human body detection sensor 90, the low speed mode of the document feeding speed of the DF 30 is automatically used in consideration of the amenity.

On the other hand, when it is detected that the user has left the front of the apparatus after the copying is started, DF3
The transport speed of 0 is normal, and the operation is performed at the highest speed so that productivity is increased.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart of the fourth embodiment. At the timing of document feeding and document ejection,
When the human body is detected by the human body detection sensor 90 (Y in S1, S2), the low speed mode is set (S3, S).
4) If not detected, normal mode (S5, S
6) is transmitted to DF30.

When a job is started, a low speed operation is performed if there is a user,
It is possible to change the mode of the DF 30 each time the job is executed, such as normal operation if the user leaves the apparatus after the job is activated.

Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. In the fixing unit 47 that fixes the transferred toner image onto the paper, the heat of the heat roller escapes to the paper when the paper passes.
If the paper is passed for a long time in the continuous copy mode, the temperature of the heat roller is lowered (heating cannot catch up with the use) and fixing failure occurs. For this reason, when the fixing unit 47 is used for continuous sheet feeding, and when the temperature of the fixing unit 47 drops below a predetermined temperature, the interval of continuous copying is widened so that the sheet passing through the heat roller is The intervals are reduced to prevent temperature drop.

At the time of shifting to the fixing CPM down mode, if the widened interval is longer than the document replacement time at the low document transport speed of the DF 30, the low speed mode is automatically used in consideration of the amenity.

FIG. 22 is a state transition diagram for explaining fixing CPM down in the fifth embodiment. The initial transition (such as when the main power of the device is turned on) is state 1. It is in state 2 during the execution of the normal copy operation. In this state, the system operates at the fastest copy speed. For example, A4 size is 65 CPM. When a large number of sheets are continuously copied at the fastest copy speed and the fixing unit 47 is overused, heat is gradually taken by the passing paper and the heat supply of the heater cannot keep up.

At this time, in the fixing CPM down mode, the CPM is temporarily dropped [for example, 35 CPM (A4 size)] and the temperature of the heat roller is restored. In the copyable state of the state 1, the temperature of the heat roller is 185 degrees. State 2
The down mode from No. 3 to No. 3 shifts when the temperature of the heat roller drops below 150 degrees. If the temperature returns in the state 3, the state 2 is entered. 170 as the return temperature
Use degree.

23 (a) and 23 (b) are flowcharts of the fifth embodiment. In (a), prior to operating the DF 30 by transmitting a command for feeding and discharging a document, it is determined every time as a transport speed to be used (S1, S2). In (b), referring to the state shown in FIG. 22, it is determined whether or not Tcl is smaller than "repeat interval obtained by downed CPM-scan time" in state 3 (comparison process A in S3). To do. S3
If Y, the low speed mode is used. Body linear velocity 430 mm / sec CPM 65 / A4 horizontal (normal), 35 (down) A4 horizontal feed length 210 mm Tcl 800 msec 60 / 35-210 / 430 = 1.23 (> 0.8)

Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. For the copy operation while the next job is registered by the reserved copy function, the normal document feeding speed is used to improve the productivity and the start of the reserved job is accelerated so that the reserved user can Be able to get the booked copy quickly.

24 (a) and 24 (b) are flowcharts of the sixth embodiment. In (a), before operating the DF 30 by transmitting the command for feeding and discharging the document, it is determined every time as the transport speed to be used (S1, S2). In (b), if there is a reserved job (S
If Y in 3) or the reservation mode is registered (Y in S4), the normal mode is used (S5). Otherwise, the low speed mode is used (S6).

[0076]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when copying is performed by using the DF, the conveyance speed of the first original document is automatically switched according to the selected paper feed unit, so that the printing is performed. The noise immediately after the key is pressed to start copying can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the invention, in the copying machine operated by the timer function such as the weekly timer, the copying in the non-working hours and the copying in the working hours are recognized and operated. It is possible to improve amenity during working hours and achieve high productivity during non-working hours. Further, since the DF mode can be automatically switched, operability is also improved.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, by automatically switching between the low speed mode and the normal mode, it is possible to improve the amenity in the double-sided copying operation without lowering the productivity.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the amenity property is emphasized when the user is present and the productivity is emphasized when the user is present by switching the conveyance speed of the DF by the human body detection sensor. it can.

According to the invention described in claim 5, the fixing CPM
Since the DF is set to the low speed mode during the down mode, the amenity property can be improved. Further, when the CPM down mode is restored, the DF is set to the normal mode, so that it is possible to prevent a decrease in productivity.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the transport mode of the DF is switched between when the next job is registered by the job reservation function and when it is not so. The reserved job can be started earlier when it is used.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a DF.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a document conveyance process in a single-sided document mode.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a document conveyance process in a double-sided document mode.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a job partitioning mechanism of a DF.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view showing a document feeding mechanism of a DF.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the rear side of the same.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the same.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a sheet conveying process in the single-sided copy mode of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a sheet conveying process at the time of front side copying in the double-sided copy mode of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a sheet conveying process during back side copying in the double-sided copy mode of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a control block diagram of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a connection diagram between a human body detection sensor and a control unit.

FIG. 13 is a chart showing commands from the main body to the DF.

FIG. 14 is a chart showing commands from the DF to the main body.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen flow for a reserved copy mode.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing one screen of a user tool by a weekly timer.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the first embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a state transition diagram according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the second embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the third embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a state transition diagram for explaining fixing CPM down according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of the sixth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 30 Automatic Document Feeder (DF) 40 Main Body 41-44 Paper Feeding Unit 45 Manual Feed Tray 50 Optional Paper Feeding Unit

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Yasunari Hashimoto 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Co., Ltd.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An automatic document feeder having two kinds of document feeding speeds, a normal feeding speed and a slower feeding speed than usual, and capable of arbitrarily switching the two, and a main body having a plurality of paper feeding portions. In the image forming apparatus having the above-mentioned, the image forming apparatus is provided with a control unit for changing the conveying speed of the first original sheet according to the selected sheet feeding unit. 2. An image forming apparatus having an automatic document feeder having two kinds of document feeding speeds, a normal feeding speed and a slower feeding speed than usual, and capable of arbitrarily switching the two, counting time. Counting means, a timer mode function for cutting off the load power supply of the device at a preset start and end time of use of the device, and an off means for forcibly turning off the timer mode when the timer mode is on. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that sets a document transportation speed to a normal transportation speed when the apparatus is used in an unused time zone by forcibly turning off a timer mode. 3. An automatic document feeder which has two kinds of document feeding speeds, a normal feeding speed and a slower feeding speed than usual, and which can be arbitrarily switched between the two, and an image is formed on one side of the main body. In an image forming apparatus that has an intermediate tray that temporarily stores the sheets of paper and feeds them again to form an image on the other side, an image is formed on a sheet conveyed to the intermediate tray and an image formed on the sheet transferred from the intermediate tray. An image forming apparatus characterized in that a control means for setting a low speed conveyance speed is provided when exchanging originals corresponding to the respective originals. 4. An automatic document feeder which has two types of document feeding speeds, a normal feeding speed and a slower feeding speed than usual, and which can be arbitrarily switched between them, and an operation in front of the apparatus on the main body. In an image forming apparatus having a human body detection unit for detecting the presence of a person, the document conveyance speed is set to a low conveyance speed while the operator is detected by the human body detection unit, and the document conveyance speed is set when the operator is not detected. An image forming apparatus comprising a control means for setting a carrying speed to a normal carrying speed. 5. An image forming apparatus having an automatic document feeder having two kinds of document feeding speeds, a normal feeding speed and a slower feeding speed slower than usual, and an automatic document feeding device capable of arbitrarily switching the two feeding speeds. An adjusting means for adjusting the interval of the image forming apparatus according to the temperature detected by the detection sensor, and a control means for setting the document conveying speed to a low conveying speed when the interval is widened by the adjusting means are provided. A characteristic image forming apparatus. 6. An image forming apparatus having an automatic document feeding device having two types of document feeding speeds, a normal feeding speed and a slower feeding speed than usual, and which can be arbitrarily switched between the two, which has already been set or There is a reserved copy function that can set the next job for the job being image-formed, and if the next job is registered by the reservation function, a control means for setting the document transportation speed to the normal transportation speed is provided. An image forming apparatus characterized by the above.