JPS6049978A - Image-forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable to prevent a coloring agent from being transferred to a part other than a transfer recording material, by a method wherein the size of a transfer material and that of a transfer recording material are detected, and when both of the sizes disaccord with each other, the disaccord is informed of. CONSTITUTION:A plurality of projections 61 are provided on an end face of a ribbon cassette 35 to indicate the size of a thermal transfer ribbon 34 by a combination thereof, and the size is detected through a combination of ON and OFF conditions of a plurality of micro-switches 62 provided in a main body. An end face of a paper-supplying cassette 42 is also provided with a plurality of projections 63, and the size of a paper is detected through a combination of ON and OFF conditions of micro-switches 64 in a manner similar to the above. A main controlling part compares both detection results with each other, and when the detected sizes accord with each other, the paper size is indicated as it is. When the detected sizes disaccord with each other, a paper size designation indicating segment is periodically turned ON and OFF, thereby informing the user of the disaccord. Accordingly, a molten ink is prevented from being transferred to a part other than the paper.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a thermal transfer color copying machine.

[Technical background of the invention and its problems]

Recently, a thermal transfer type color copying machine that performs color copying using, for example, thermal transfer ink repins of a plurality of colors has been considered. The outline of this color copying machine is to scan a document using an optical scanning means, read the image of the document as a light color signal, and transfer this light color signal to a color corresponding to each ink on a thermal transfer ink clip. The color signals of each ink are converted into signals, and the color signals of each ink are temporarily stored in a storage means such as a memory.

Then, each of the stored color signals is sequentially read out, and in accordance with the read color signal, the ink (colorant) is transferred to the thermal head using the corresponding ink portion of the thermal transfer ink ribbon (transfer material). Color copies are made by sequentially transferring one color at a time to a sheet of paper.

Color copying machines like this use thermal transfer ink?
Images are formed by thermally melting the ink on the platen using a thermal head and transferring it onto paper supported by a platen.
In this case, if the size of the thermal transfer ink ribbon and the paper size do not match, especially if the size of the paper is smaller than the size of the thermal transfer ink ribbon, the molten ink will be transferred onto the platen and the next transfer will be carried out. There is a problem in that the ink stains the paper.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to notify the user when the size of the transfer material and the size of the transferred material do not match, and to An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can prevent colorant from being transferred to the image forming apparatus.

[Summary of the invention]

The present invention forms an image corresponding to the image of the original by optically scanning and reading the image of the original, and transferring a colorant of the transfer material to the transferred material according to the read image information. This image forming apparatus is configured to detect the size of the transfer material and the size of the material to be transferred, and to notify when the two sizes do not match.

[Embodiments of the invention]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 and 2 schematically show a thermal transfer color copying machine according to the present invention. That is, 1 is a main body of a copying machine, and an operation panel 2 is provided at the front of the upper surface of the main body 1. The left side of the main body 1 is a document scanning section 8 that scans and reads the document set on a document table (transparent glass plate) 7, and the right side is an image forming section 9. This is a document cover provided on the table 7 so as to be openable and closable.

The document scanning section 8 is configured as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, for example. That is, the document table 7 is fixed to the main body 1, and the document table 7 is set on the document table 7 by reciprocating along the lower surface of the document table 7 in the negative direction of the arrow shown in the figure. A scanner 11 that optically scans and reads the original O is provided. This scanner 11 includes an illumination lamp 12 that illuminates the original O, a photoelectric converter 13 that receives reflected light from the original O, and a photoelectric converter 1 that receives the reflected light from the original O.
3, and a carriage 15 that supports them. The photoelectric converter 13 converts the reflected light from the document O into green and yellow image information by photoelectrically converting the light reflected from the document O.

It is output as a color signal of cyan light, for example, C.
It is mainly composed of a CD-type line image sensor.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the carriage 15 is guided by a guide rail 16 and a guide shaft 17 so as to be able to reciprocate in the direction of arrow a. A drive pulley 19 driven by a scanning motor (for example, a pulse motor) 18 capable of forward and reverse rotation is provided at one end of the guide shaft 17, and a driven sheath IJ 20 is provided at the other end. A timing belt 21 is stretched between these pulleys 19 and 20. Further, one point of the timing belt 21 is fixed to the carriage 15 via a fixing member 22.

As a result, the υ carriage 15 is moved in a straight line by rotating the scanning motor 18 in the normal or reverse direction.

Further, the image forming section 9 may be configured as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, for example.
It is configured as shown in the figure. That is, a platen 30 is disposed approximately at the center of the image forming section 9, and a thermal head 31 is disposed on the left side facing the platen 30. The thermal head 31 is attached to a heat radiator 33 that is integrally formed on the rear end surface of the hole cover 32. A thermal transfer ink ribbon 34 as a thermal transfer material is housed through the holder 32, and a bottle cassette 35 is detachably attached to the thermal head 3.
A thermal transfer ink layer 734 is interposed between the platen 30 and the platen 30. The ribbon cassette 35 is
As shown in FIG. 5, the thermal transfer ink ribbon 340 has two parallel winding cores 36 and 37 around which both ends are wound, and the middle part of the thermal transfer ink ribbon 34 is connected to the platen 30 and the thermal head. 31, so that a part thereof is exposed and covered with a case 38. When the ribbon cassette 35 is installed, the cores 36 and 37 are connected to a drive shaft of a motor (for example, a pulse motor), not shown, via a drive force transmission mechanism (not shown), and are rotated as necessary. It has become. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the ribbon cassette 35 can be inserted into and removed from the holder 32 through an insertion/removal port 39 formed on the right side of the main body 1. Note that the insertion/removal port 39 is provided with a lid 40 that can be opened and closed.

On the other hand, a paper feed roller 4 is located diagonally below the right side of the platen 30.
1 is provided, and the paper P as a transfer material stored in the paper feed cassette 42 is taken out one by one. Then, the paper P taken out by the paper feed roller 41 is
The sheet is sent to a registration roller 43 disposed diagonally above and to the right of the feed roller 41, and its leading edge is aligned.Then, the sheet is transported by the registration roller 43 toward the platen 30, and the sheet is transferred to the platen 30 by pressing rollers 44 and 45. The material is wrapped around the material, and is fed accurately. Here, the paper feed cassette 42 is detachable from the front of the main body 1. Note that 46 in FIG. 5 is a manual paper feeder for manually feeding the paper P.

Therefore, the thermal head 31 is connected to the thermal transfer ink ribbon 34.
By pressing the paper P against the platen 30 through the ink cartridge 30, the ink 47 as a colorant on the thermal transfer ink ribbon 34 is heated and melted and transferred onto the paper P, as shown in FIG.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, for example, the thermal transfer ink ribbon 34 has a width size approximately equal to that of the paper P and has colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan.

Each black ink section 4 yy, 47M + 47
0 +437B are sequentially stacked, and after transferring one color at a time, the paper P is returned to the transfer starting position and the transfer is accurately stacked one after another.

In this way, the paper P is moved back and forth by the number of colors by the rotation of the platen 3o, but the path of the paper P at that time is
The first paper trays are sequentially arranged along the lower surface of the paper discharge tray 48 which is inclined and protrudes from the main body 1. It is guided onto the second guide plate 49,50. This is the platen 3o and the 1st platen. The first guide plates 49 and 50 are respectively provided between the ends of the second guide plates 49 and 50. The second distribution dart will be held at 51.52. That is,
First, the paper P taken out from the paper feed cassette 42 is transported through the registration roller 43 and the first distribution group 51, and its leading end is wound around the platen 30. Next, the platen 30 is rotated in the forward direction by a pulse motor (not shown) to transport the paper P at a constant speed, and the heat-sensitive spatulas P3. ? A heating element (not shown) generates heat in accordance with the image information, and thereby the ink 47 of the thermal transfer inkliden 34 is transferred onto the paper P. Then, the leading edge of the paper P that has passed through the platen 30 is transferred to the second sorting gate 52 located at the solid line position.
Accordingly, the first
It is sent onto the guide plate 49.

In this manner, when the transfer of ink 47 of one color is completed, the platen 30 is rotated in the opposite direction, so that the sheet P is reversely transported and returned to the transfer starting position. At this time, the rear end of the paper P is sent onto the second guide plate 50 provided along the lower surface of the first guide plate 49 by the first sorting dart 51 which is rotationally displaced to the position shown by the two-dot chain line. It will be done. In this way, paper P
By reciprocating the color multiple times, multiple colors are transferred. Finally, the paper P on which the transfer of the ink 47 of all colors has been completed is guided to the paper discharge roller 53 by the second sorting dart 52, which is rotationally displaced to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line. The paper output tray 48 is moved by the paper roller 53.
It is something that is discharged upwards.

FIG. 8 shows a ribbon size detection mechanism for detecting the size of the thermal transfer ink ribbon 34. That is, a plurality of protrusions 61. ...
are provided, and these protrusions 61. . . depending on the size of the thermal transfer ink ribbon 34 stored in the ribbon cassette 35 (for example, B5°, S4, etc.).
A4, etc.).

By inserting such a ribbon cassette 35 into the holder 32, a plurality of microswitches 62. . . , a switch 62 corresponding to the protrusion 61 is turned on by the protrusion 61, and these switches 62. What about the combination of on and off...? It is designed to determine the size of the Note that the protrusion 61. By providing, for example, three at most, a size of 2' (=8) can be displayed. Further, the protrusion 61.・
... may be formed integrally with the ribbon cassette 35, or may be formed separately from the ribbon cassette 35. It may be formed to be detachable from the hook set 35.

FIG. 9 shows a paper size detection mechanism for detecting the size of paper P. It has the same configuration as the size detection mechanism. That is, one end surface of the paper feed cassette 42,
For example, one end surface (front end surface) K on the side in the cassette insertion direction is
A plurality of protrusions 63. ... are provided, and these projections 63. ..., the size of the paper P stored in the paper feed cassette 42 (for example, B5
．． S4. A4, etc.). By inserting such a paper feed cassette 42 into the main body 1, a plurality of microswitches 64. . . , a switch 64 corresponding to the protrusion 63 is turned on by the protrusion 63, and these switches 64. The paper size is determined by the combination of on and off.

Note that the protrusion 63. By providing, for example, three at most, a size of 25(-8) can be displayed. Further, the protrusion 63. ... may be formed integrally with the paper feed cassette 42, or may be formed separately from the paper feed cassette 42 and detachably attached to the paper feed cassette 42.

FIG. 10 shows the operation panel 2, which includes a copy key 65 for starting the copying operation, a number display section 66 for displaying the number of copies, a liquid crystal display section 67 for displaying the operating status and selection status of copying conditions, and the like. A numeric keypad 68 for setting the number of copies and the like is provided respectively.

FIG. 11 is a layout diagram of segments constituting a schematic diagram of the copying machine displayed on the liquid crystal display element in the liquid crystal display section 67. That is, 69 is a liquid crystal display panel, 8
1. S2 is a pictogram display segment indicating whether or not a copying operation is possible.Segment S1 alone indicates copying is possible, and both segments S2.82 indicate copying is not possible (during form-up). 83
~S5 is an instruction display segment for indicating the paper size and the discrepancy between the paper size and the ribbon size;
S6 is a pictorial display segment that instructs the setting of a key counter, and S7 to S10 are pictorial display segments that indicate the color of the thermal transfer ink ribbon 34 in the ribbon cassette 35 that is set. For example, segment S7 is Yellow, segment S8 is magenta, segment S9 is cyan, and segment S10 is black. 811-813
is a display segment when 7-color copying is performed by overlapping inks; segment 811 is red;
12 can be displayed in green, and segment S13 can be displayed in blue.

S14.815 is a pictorial display segment that indicates whether the ribbon cassette 35 is set, 816 is a pictorial display segment that indicates that the paper P in the paper feed cassette 42 has run out, and 817 is a pictorial display segment that indicates that the paper P is jammed while the paper P is being conveyed. A paper jam occurred in the pictograph display segment 81B, which indicates a letter 81B. S19 is a pictogram display segment that is displayed together with segment 817 when a paper jam occurs during paper ejection, and S19 is a pictogram display segment that is displayed together with segment 817 when a paper jam occurs during paper ejection.820 to S25 are pictogram display segments that indicate the transport status of paper P. , S26 is a segment for displaying the platen 30, S27 is a segment for displaying the paper feed cassette 42, 828 is a segment for displaying the manual paper feed tray, S
29 is a display segment of the main body 1. Although not shown, a common electrode is provided on the surface facing each of the segments SJ to S29.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a display method for specifying and displaying paper size using the segments 83 to S5, where 69 is the liquid crystal display panel and 70 is a size display sticker. This size display sticker 70 is affixed close to the side of the liquid crystal display panel 69 facing each segment S3'' to S5. Size name (e.g. A4.B
4. B5) is printed and displayed.

By lighting up a segment corresponding to the size of the paper P in the paper feed cassette 42 set, the size of the paper P is indicated.For example, the size of the paper P in the paper feed cassette 42 set If the paper P is A4 size, segment S3 will be lit.

FIG. 13 schematically shows the overall control system. In other words, No. 7 is the main control section that controls the entire copying machine, and is mainly composed of, for example, the CPU (Central Processing Unit) and its peripheral circuits.
A node line 72 is connected to this. and,
The nose line 72 includes the operation/arm panel 2, the display control circuit 73, and the main panel 2. size detection circuit 74, paper size detection circuit 75, storage section 76, scanner control section 77, photoelectric converter 13, color conversion section 78, transport control section 79, thermal head drive section 8o, and thermal head temperature control The sections 81 are connected to each other. The display control circuit 73 includes the main control section 7
1 through the pass line 72, and controls the liquid crystal display section 67 provided in the operation channel A 2. The ribbon size detection circuit 74 detects the size of the thermal transfer ink ribbon 34 in the ribbon cassette 35 set by the switch 62 of the ribbon size detection mechanism. Detection is based on the output of... The paper size detection circuit 75 detects the size of the paper P in the set paper feed cassette 42 using the switch 64 of the paper size detection mechanism. Detection is based on the output of... The storage section 76 operates in response to a signal sent from the main control section 7 via the pass line 72, and stores information sent via the pass line 72 or reads out the stored information.

Further, the scanner control section 77 operates according to a signal sent from the main control section 71 via the pass line 72, and
The illumination lamp 12, photoelectric converter 13, and scanning motor 18 of No. 1 are each driven and controlled. The photoelectric converter 13 detects an image on the document according to a signal sent from the main control section 71 via the pass line 72, and outputs a light color signal as described above. The color converter 78 receives the signal output from the photoelectric converter 13 and processes it into yellow, magenta, and
Color conversion is performed into color signals of cyan and black inks, and each color signal is output to the pass line 72. Further, the color conversion section 78 can also perform color conversion on the signal sent from the pass line 72 and output a new signal to the pass line 72. The conveyance control section 79 operates in response to a signal sent from the main control section 71 via the pass line 72, and includes a motor that drives the platen 3θ and a motor that drives the cores 36, 37 of the ribbon cassette 35. , the paper feed roller 41, the registration roller 43, and the paper ejection roller 53.
It controls the driving of a motor that drives the motors, etc., and solenoids (none of which are shown) that drive the first and second distribution groups 51 and 52.

The thermal head driving section 80 operates in response to a signal sent from the main control section 71 via the pass line 72 and a signal from the thermal spatula P temperature control section 81,
drive and control the heating element of. Thermal head temperature control section 81
outputs a temperature control signal to the thermal head drive section 80 in response to a signal ' sent from the main control section 71 via the pass line 72 .

FIG. 14 shows the display control circuit 73. That is, 91 is a liquid crystal drive circuit, to which a 29-bit data signal is input from the main control section 71 to its input terminal ID, a latch signal to its input terminal IL&C-, and a clock signal to its input terminal IC. Reference numeral 92 denotes an oscillation circuit, which oscillates at the optimal frequency for driving the liquid crystal, and its output is sent to the input terminal DP of the liquid crystal driving circuit 91 as a driving pulse A.
It is input to I. Further, the drive pulse A is inverted by the inverter circuit 93 and becomes a drive pulse B of opposite polarity.
It is input to the input terminal DP2 of the liquid crystal drive circuit 91. Therefore, segment drive signals corresponding to the content of the data signal input to the input terminal ID are output to each output terminal 01 to 029 of the liquid crystal drive circuit 9, and these drive signals are used to control the liquid crystal display. A driving pulse B is applied to each of the segments 81 to 829 of 69, respectively, and is applied to a common electrode 94 provided opposite to each of these segments 81 to S29.

FIG. 15 shows the liquid crystal drive circuit 91 in detail. That is, shift registers 1111 to 111211
are connected in cascade 9, and the first stage shift register 11
A data signal from an input terminal ID is input to 11, and a clock signal from an input terminal IC is input to each shift register 111□ to 111□. Thereby, the data signal from the input terminal ID is sequentially transferred to each of the 29 shift registers 1111 to 111□ in synchronization with the clock signal from the input terminal IC. Each of the shift registers 1111 to 11 □ is provided with store registers 112 □ to 112 . which hold their respective contents in response to a latch signal from the input terminal IL. ．． are directly connected to each other. Each of these store registers 1121 to 1
122. switch 113 depending on the content being held.
By controlling the opening and closing of the output terminals 1 to 1131, respectively, the driving nozzle A or B is selectively output to the output terminals 01 to 029. That is, the opening/closing control is performed so that, for example, when the content of the store register is 1''', the drive pulse A is output to the corresponding output terminal, and when the content is 0'', the drive pulse B is output to the corresponding output terminal.

In the above configuration, the operation of the display control circuit 73 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 16 to 21. In addition, FIG. 16 and FIG. 19 show the timing chart, and FIG.
20 and 20 show voltage waveforms applied to the liquid crystal display panel 69, and FIGS. 18 and 21 show display examples, respectively. Further, in this description, it is assumed that the currently set paper feed cassette 42 stores, for example, A4 size paper P. Therefore, in this case, the paper size detection circuit 75 outputs a signal indicating that the paper is A4 size.

First, the case of being in a standby state (copying impossible state) will be explained with reference to FIGS. 16 to 18. Now, when the power switch (not shown) is turned on, the main control section 71 operates according to a preprogrammed program until the entire copying machine becomes ready for copying.
A data signal indicating a standby state, for example [1110001
1110001100000000001111')
The data signal (29th bit on the left) (hereinafter referred to as input signal) is sequentially output from the 1st bit in synchronization with the clock signal, and a latch signal is output when the data transfer of the final 29th bit is completed.

As a result, the store register 112 in the liquid crystal drive circuit 9
The above A signal is held in □~1122*, and the store register 112□~1 whose contents are '1''
123.1127~1121°+ 11214+ 11
21sr 11226~112□, and corresponding output terminals 01~03, 07~010,014.015.026
.about.029 output driving pulses, which become segment drive signals to display segments S1 to S3 on the liquid crystal display panel 69. S7-S10. S14゜S15,826～
Applied to S29. In addition, store registers 1124 to 1126.112. whose contents are 0# are also stored. ,~112
Output terminal 04 corresponding to □3゜112□6 to 112□5
Drive pulse B is output from ~06.011~013.016~025, and this becomes a segment drive signal of opposite polarity to control the liquid crystal display/? Segments 84-86 of channel 69
．． Applied to 811-813.816-825. At this time, since the driving nozzle B is applied to the common electrode 94 of the liquid crystal display panel 69, the common electrode 94 and the segments 81 to B3. S7-S10. S14,815°826
A voltage having an AC waveform as shown in FIG. 17(f) is applied between 829 and 829. As a result, the segments S1 to S3.
S7-S10. S14°S15. In S26 to S829, the light is turned on. On the other hand, segments other than the above) S4 to S6
．． f311~Sノ3. In S16 to S25, Fig. 17 (
C) Since a voltage in phase with the common electrode 94 is applied as shown in (e), there is no potential difference between them as shown in FIG.
3,816 to 825 are in a non-lighting state. therefore,
The display contents in this case are as shown in FIG. 18, which indicates that the copying machine is in a standby state.

Next, the case where the copying ready state is reached after going through the standby state will be explained with reference to FIGS. 19 to 21. now,
When the entire copying machine becomes ready for copying, the main controller 7 outputs a data signal indicating the ready state for copying, for example (101000
11110001100000000001111)]
Outputs a data signal. As a result, the same operation as described above is performed, and the common electrode 94 and segments 81, 83 . S7
~S10. S14. An AC waveform voltage is applied only between S15, 826 to S29, and only that segment is in a lighting state, and the remaining segments are in a non-lighting state. Therefore, the display contents in this case are as shown in FIG. 21, which indicates that the copying machine is in a copying ready state.

Next, the overall operation will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 22. The operation is started by turning on the copy key 65 in the operation armpit 2, and the process proceeds to step F1. In step F1, the thermal transfer ink ribbon 34 and paper P are pulled to the transfer start position, and the process proceeds to step φF2. In step F2, the movement of the scanner, thermal transfer ink cartridge 34 and paper P is started, and in step F3
Proceed to. In step F3, information for one scanning line of the document in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the scanner 11 is detected, and the process proceeds to step F4. In step F4, the information for one scanning line obtained in step F3 is color-converted into a yellow component, a magenta component, a cyan component, and a black component.
Proceed to steps F5 and F6.

In step F5, the information on each color component obtained in step F4 is stored in the first area of the storage unit 76 for the yellow component, the second area for the magenta component, the third area for the cyan component, and the fourth area for the black component. , respectively, and proceed to step F7. On the other hand, in step F6,
The information for one scanning line of the yellow component obtained in step F4 is transferred to the yellow ink section 4 of the thermal transfer ink ribbon 34.
7Y'i is used to thermally transfer the image onto the paper P using the thermal head 31,
Proceed to step F7. In step F7, it is checked whether the specified number of scanning lines has been reached, which is determined by the size of the original and whether the image of the original is to be expressed in lines per unit length. If the predetermined number of scan lines has not been reached, the process returns to step F3 to detect information for the next one scan line, and if the predetermined number of scan lines has been reached, the process proceeds to step F8. In step F8, the movement (forward movement) of the scanner 11 is completed, the scanner 1 is returned to the scanning start position, and the process proceeds to step F9. In step F9,
The thermal transfer ink ribbon 34 and paper P are moved to the transfer start position, and the process proceeds to step FIO.

In step F10, it is checked whether the copying operation is an operation that requires copying the first sheet, and if the copying operation is the first sheet, the process advances to step F1; If so, proceed to step FI2. In step F12,
The yellow component information for one page of the document stored in the storage section 76 is read out, and it is thermally transferred onto the paper P using the yellow ink section 477 of the thermal transfer ink ribbon 34. In this case, reading and transferring the information is performed for each scanning line.

In this way, the information on the yellow component is 1-! - When the transfer is completed, the process advances to step F13. In step F13, the same process as step F9 is performed, and the process proceeds to Stella fF11.

In step 11.1, the document 1 stored in the storage unit 76 is
One page's worth of magenta component information is read out and thermally transferred onto the paper P using the magenta ink portions 47'y, f of the thermal transfer ink ribbon 34. When this is completed, the process advances to step F14. In step F14, the same process as step F9 is performed, and the process proceeds to step F15. In step F15,
Information on the cyan component of one part of the original document stored in the storage section 76 is read out, and it is thermally transferred onto the paper P using the cyan ink section 47c of the thermal transfer ink ribbon 34. When this is completed, the process advances to step F16. In step F16, the same process as step F9 is performed, and the process proceeds to step F17.

In step F17, the document 14 stored in the storage section 76 is
A portion of the black component information is read out and thermally transferred onto the paper P using the black ink portion 47B of the thermal transfer ink 34. When this is completed, the process proceeds to step FIB.

In step F1B, the paper P on which all the information for the document 1-('- has been transferred) is ejected to the paper ejection tray 48, and the process proceeds to step F19.In step F19, the set number of copies are copied. It is checked whether or not the copying operation has been completed. If it has been completed, the copying operation is completed, and if it has not been completed, step F is executed.
Proceed to 20. In step F20, thermal transfer ink? 7
34 and a new sheet P at the transfer start position, the process returns to step FIO and the transfer operation for the next sheet P is performed.

In the manner described above, a color copy corresponding to the original image is made.

Next, the operation when the size of the thermal transfer ink ribbon 34 and the size of the paper P, which is the most important part of the present invention, do not match will be described. The ribbon size detection circuit 74 is
vinegar? Switch 62 of the size detection mechanism. Is it set based on the output of ...? The size of the thermal transfer ink ribbon 34 in the hook set 35 is detected, and the detection result is sent to the main control section 71 via the pass line 72. Further, the paper size detection circuit 75 is connected to the slider 64 of the paper size detection mechanism. . . , detects the size of the paper P in the set paper feed cassette 42, and sends the detection result to the main control unit 71 via the pass line 72. The main control unit 71 then compares the two detection results, and if the two detection results match, it directly indicates the paper size, and if they do not match, for example, [1111101111o
oo11ooooooooooo1111) and the data signal [11oooo1111oo.

1100000000001111] is alternately sent to the display control circuit 73, the paper size instruction display segments 83 to s5 are blinked at a constant cycle to notify the user of the discrepancy between the ribbon size and the paper size, and the segment ) Light up S1 and S2 to indicate that copying is not possible.

In this way, each size of the thermal transfer ink ribbon 34 and the paper P is detected, and when the two sizes do not match, the user is notified by displaying it on the liquid crystal display section 67. Parts other than the paper,
For example, it is possible to prevent melted ink from being transferred onto the platen 30.

5 In the above embodiment, the size mismatch is notified to the user by displaying it on the liquid crystal display, but the invention is not limited to this, and the notification may be made by, for example, sounding a buzzer. Furthermore, the information may be notified by voice by using a voice generator.

Further, in the above embodiment, explanation was given by taking a thermal transfer type color copying machine as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied to any image forming apparatus that forms an image corresponding to the image of a document by transferring the colorant of the transfer material to the transferred material accordingly.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, when the size of the transfer material and the size of the transferred material do not match, the user is notified of the mismatch, and the transfer of the colorant to a portion other than the transferred material is prevented. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can prevent this from occurring.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 1 is an external perspective view schematically showing the overall configuration, Fig. 2 is a partially cutaway schematic perspective view, and Fig. 3 is a manuscript. FIG. 4 is a side view schematically showing the structure of the scanning section, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the scanner moving mechanism of the document scanning section, FIG. 5 is a vertical side view schematically showing the structure of the image forming section, and FIG. 6 is a side view schematically showing the structure of the scanning section. is a perspective view for explaining the transfer operation state, FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the structure of the thermal transfer inklidene, FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing the ribbon size detection mechanism, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view for explaining the paper size detection mechanism. a schematic perspective view;
Figure 10 shows operation/? FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an example of the arrangement of segments constituting a schematic diagram of a copying machine displayed on a liquid crystal display element, FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a method of displaying paper size, Fig. 13 is a block diagram schematically showing the overall control system, Fig. 14 is a block diagram of the display control circuit, Fig. 15 is a block diagram of the liquid crystal drive circuit, and Fig. 16 is a block diagram schematically showing the overall control system.
21 to 21 are for explaining the operation of the display control circuit, FIGS. 16 and 19 are timing charts, and FIGS. 17 and 20 are liquid crystal display A? 18 and 21 are diagrams showing display examples, and FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining the overall operation. 0... Original, P... Paper (transferred material), 2... Operation i4 channel, 7... Original table, 8... Original scanning unit, 9
. . . Image forming section, 11 . . . Scanner, 30 . . . Platen, 31 .
...Paper feed cassette, 47...Ink (colorant), 61.
62...S? size detection mechanism, 63. 64...Paper size detection mechanism, 67...Liquid crystal display section, 69...
Liquid crystal display panel, 83-S5... segment for paper size instruction display, 71... main control section, 73... display control circuit, 74... ribbon size detection circuit, 75... paper size detection circuit, 76...Storage unit, 77...Scanner control unit, 78...Color conversion unit, 79...Transportation control unit, 80...Thermal head drive unit. Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 8 / Figure 6 / B-1 H47 Figure 8 Figure M9

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) By optically scanning and reading the image of a document, and transferring the colorant of the transfer material to the transfer material according to the read image information, an image corresponding to the image of the document is formed. In the image forming apparatus, the first detection means detects the size of the transfer material, the second detection means detects the size of the transfer material, and the first detection means detects the size of the transfer material. A discrepancy detection means for detecting a discrepancy in size by comparing each detection result of the second detection means, and a notification unit for notifying when a discrepancy in size is detected by the discrepancy detection unit. An image forming apparatus characterized by: (2) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transfer material is a thermal transfer ink lip pin, and the transfer material is paper. (3) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification means is a display provided on an operation panel. (4) Claim 1, wherein the notification means is a buzzer.
The image forming device described in (5) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notifying means is a sound generating device that notifies the discrepancy by sound.