JPS62239138A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the operability by transmitting the signal of a detecting means, which is provided in each one of positions where abnormal state occur, to a peripheral device together with a secular change signal of image forming operation, and discriminating and displaying the position of the occurrence of abnormality by the peripheral device. CONSTITUTION:A microcomputer 60 as a control part transmits a pulse signal to a connected page searcher 4 to perform the control each time when the print execution operation is performed. When a form is judged that it is not carried at a prescribed timing according to whether the form is detected by form detectors 62 and 63 provided on a form carrying path or not, the CPU 60 transmits an abnormality occurrence signal. Such a signal is transmitted from each position, where abnormality occurs, and is transmitted at a timing shifted from the timing of the pulse signal transmitted for every print executing operation. The searcher 4 judges the state of the abnormality occurrence signal at every timing and judges whether abnormality occurs or not and the position where abnormality occurs. This position is displayed on a display means. Thus, the processing for the occurrence of trouble is performed quickly.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a microfilm image forming apparatus that projects a microfilm image onto a screen and forms an image on an image forming carrier. Regarding readers and printers.

(Prior Art) Conventional microfilm reader/printers, which are image forming devices of this type, have been proposed in which a peripheral device such as a page searcher can be connected to the reader/printer main body. There is. Said page surge V
is set at a predetermined position in the main body of the soda printer, and the strip-shaped microfilm is continuously forwarded one frame at a time and can be rewound and rewinded twice, making it possible to search the microfilm and projecting the microfilm image onto the screen. The image formation operation on the formation carrier can be easily performed from this page searcher.

In such a page searcher, it is possible to set the number of sheets for continuous printing on the main body of the image forming apparatus, that is, the main body of the reader printer. On the other hand, in anticipation that various troubles may occur when the reader/printer body receives an image formation request, that is, a print request, from a page searcher and executes printing, various detectors are installed at appropriate locations. A message is sent to the page searcher that an abnormal condition has occurred somewhere inside the main body. However, in the conventional microfilm reader/printer, only the fact that an abnormal condition has occurred is sent to the page searcher, so the location where the abnormal condition has occurred cannot be known. For this reason,
A person operating this device must check where an abnormality is occurring, which also causes a decrease in operability. Furthermore, conventionally, in order to transmit the location where an abnormality has occurred, a signal consisting of several bits is transmitted, which requires an interface circuit, which causes problems such as increased cost.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, in microfilm readers and printers that are conventional image forming apparatuses, only the presence or absence of an abnormal state is sent to the connected page searcher. It was not possible to determine where the condition occurred, leading to a decrease in operability.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a method of providing a time-varying signal of image forming operation to a connected peripheral device, and a device provided in the main body of the device. A transmitting means for transmitting a signal from the detecting means to a peripheral device was provided, and the peripheral device was also provided with a display control means for displaying a location where an abnormality occurred in each part based on the signal from the transmitting means.

(Function) The present invention detects an abnormal state occurring within the main body by transmitting a signal from a detection means provided at each location where the abnormal state occurs to a connected peripheral device together with a signal of a change over time in the image forming operation. This makes it possible to point out the location of the abnormality.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

The front side of the microfilm reader/printer, which is this image forming apparatus, has a projection screen 1 for enlarging and projecting a microfilm image, and an operation panel 2 equipped with various operation keys.

Then, as shown in the figure, a cartridge film 5 is loaded with a page search p-4 having a film handler 3 attached thereto, and a microfilm image is projected and an image is formed on the image forming carrier. The film handler 3 moves the microfilm stored so as to be wound inside the cartridge film 5 set on the left side surface in the figure based on input from the operation section 4a provided on the page searcher 4. It is now possible to advance frames (pages) to the right side of the screen.

In this way, for example, a desired microfilm (also referred to as a page) can be searched for while sequentially projecting pages onto the screen 1. The operation section 4a provided on the page surge p-4 has the same structure as the operation panel 2 provided with various operation keys etc. provided on the main body.

Next, the operation panel 4a will be explained with reference to FIG. 3.

In FIG. 3, 70 is an exposure adjustment volume, 71.
72 is a P→P development selection key and an NP development selection key for selecting two developing units, respectively; 73 is a display board serving as a display means;

Further, 74 is a copy number setting key, 75 is a clear/stop key, 76 is a standby key, 77 is a copy start key,
78 is a main switch.

On the display board 73 which is the display means, an N-P display section 73a, a P-
+P display section 73b, toner supply display section 73q0, paper jam display section 73d, copy standby display section 73h, 'e copyable display section 73e, 73f, and number of copies display section 731. A service man call display section 73C and the like are displayed.

The internal structure of the microfilm reader/printer is roughly divided into a film setting unit 6, a projection unit 7, a scanning light guide unit 8, and an image forming unit 9, as shown in FIG.

The film setting unit 6 includes a condenser lens 11 and a film holding plate 12 on the optical path of the light emitted by the light HR 10.
and lens case 13 are arranged in order from the 1° side of the light source.

A paper feed cassette 23 is mounted on the lower front side of the image forming unit 9, and a paper discharge tray 24 is mounted above this. A photosensitive tram 21, which is an image carrier, is arranged in the center of the unit 9.
A shutter mechanism for shielding the scanning light from the scanning light guide unit 8 and its driving solenoid (none of which are shown) are disposed above the photosensitive drum 21.

Around the photoreceptor drum 21, a charging charger 27,
A developing device 28, a pre-transfer static eliminator, a transfer charger 30, a stripping charger 31, a cleaning neck 32, a static eliminator lamp 33, and the like are arranged.

A paper feed cassette 23 is provided at the bottom of the image forming unit 9.
A paper transport path is formed that guides the paper automatically taken out from the recording medium via the paper feed roller 34 to the paper output tray 24 through the image forming section between the photosensitive drum 21 and the transfer charger 30. There is.

A registration roller 37 is provided upstream of the image forming section, and a heat roller 38 and a paper discharge roller 39 are provided downstream as a fixing device.

As a detection means, a paper detector 62 is provided near the registration roller 37, and a similar paper detector 63 is provided near the discharge roller 39, so that the paper being transported during image formation (hereinafter referred to as printing) is detected. It is now detectable.

FIG. 4 shows a system configuration of an embodiment of the present invention including such components.

The microcomputer 6° as the illustrated control unit serves as the control center for the entire microfilm reader/printer.

The microcomputer 60 includes input switches 63 of the operation panel 2, various switch sensors 64, and the developing device 2.
8. Peripheral devices such as page searcher 4 and various drive units 65
, paper detectors 62, 63, and other various detectors are electrically connected.

This microcomputer 60 is connected to the page method-
(74) has a function of controlling the transmission of a pulse signal for each print execution operation, that is, a time-varying signal for each image forming operation performed.

As soon as the registration roller 37 starts rotating, a pulse signal is sent to the connected peripheral device.

Further, if the microcomputer 60 determines that the paper is not being transported at a predetermined timing based on the presence or absence of paper detection from paper detectors 62 and 63, which are detection means provided on the transport path of paper as a recording medium, For example, a 1-bit signal is controlled to be transmitted as an abnormality occurrence signal. This signal is transmitted at different timings from the pulse signal transmitted for each print execution operation for each location where an abnormality has occurred.On the other hand, in Page Surge V, the timing is different from the pulse signal transmitted for each print execution operation. ,
The state of the 1-bit abnormality occurrence signal is determined at each of the timings, and it is possible to determine whether or not a pitfall has occurred, as well as the location where the abnormality has occurred. Also, during the image forming operation, a so-called print mode signal indicating that the image forming operation is in progress is transmitted to the connected peripheral device. In addition, the microcomputer 6 serving as the transmitting means
The transmission timing from 0 is based on a pre-stored operation program.

The peripheral device 4 includes a control unit that determines the status of each part based on signals transmitted from the main body of the image forming apparatus, and a display board that is a display means provided corresponding to a location in the main body where a detection means is provided. 73. This control section judges the state of the abnormality occurrence signal at a predetermined timing from the pulse signal transmitted from the main body for each image forming operation, and displays the display means provided, such as each part on the conveyance path, toner supply, etc. The display is designed to control the display. This predetermined timing is set based on the input of the pulse signal according to an operation program stored in advance. Specifically, for example, a paper detector 6 provided on the conveyance path
Since the paper is detected in step 3 after a certain period of time from the pulse signal, the state of the signal input after this certain period of time is judged and one of the corresponding display sections of the paper jam display section 73d is displayed. It is meant to be controlled.

In this way, the peripheral device only needs to judge the status of the transmitted signal at predetermined intervals, so it is only necessary to provide a minimum amount of interface circuitry, and the location of the abnormality can also be determined based on the reception timing of the transmitted signal. Since the display can be controlled, the person operating the device can easily determine whether or not there is an abnormality that can be repaired. Therefore, there is an effect that it contributes to improving the operability of the peripheral device.

Next, the time chart diagrams in Figures 5 (A) to (D>) and Figure 6
The operation will be explained with reference to the flow diagram shown in the figure.

Incidentally, FIG. 5 is an example in which the output signals of the detection means in each part of the main body are expressed based on the temporal state change signal outputted at the start of the image forming operation.

First, when the power is turned on, abnormalities within the main body, presence or absence of the cartridge, etc. are checked, and the printer becomes ready for printing. Then, a predetermined number of copies, for example "18", is set using the copy number setting gear 74 on the operation panel 4a, and when the print key is pressed next, the process proceeds to step A1.

In step A1, the power source of the selected developing system is turned on, and the rotating mirror is set at the printing position (step A1). Then proceed to step 2.

In step A2, a paper feeding operation from the paper feeding cassette 3 is started. That is, the registration roller 37 is controlled to start rotating, and a print mode signal is transmitted together with a print execution pulse signal for 0.1 (sec). In this manner, the paper is sent to the image transfer section, and the process proceeds to step A3.

In step A3, the paper detector 62 detects the paper being conveyed. That is, when the registration roller 37 starts rotating, the paper detector 62 detects the presence or absence of paper. At this time, if the paper detector 62 does not detect the paper to be conveyed, it is determined that there is a paper feeding error and the process proceeds to step 88, where the corresponding paper jam display section 73d on the display board
3 is displayed blinking to notify the operator. The operator overcomes this blinking display and removes the paper jammed at the corresponding location. Then, the main body returns to step A1 and becomes ready for printing. On the other hand, when paper is detected by the paper detector 62, printing 1 to 1 is executed by the selected developing device, and the process proceeds to step A4.

In step A4, after a predetermined period of time, e.g. 2.5 (SeC), from the start of rotation of the registration roller 37, the paper detector 63 detects the leading edge of the paper to be transported, and the paper detector 63 detects the presence or absence of the paper to be transported. To detect(
(See Figure 5(A)). If it is detected that there is no paper at this time, the microcomputer 60 determines that a trouble has occurred with the paper during the conveyance path, and the paper jam display section 7 at the corresponding location provided on the display board 73 of the operation panel 4a
3d2 is illuminated to allow the operator to confirm where a paper jam has occurred.

Based on this display, the operator removes the jammed paper and enables the printing operation (steps A8 and A9).
). On the other hand, if the paper detector 63 detects the paper to be conveyed, the process advances to step A5.

In step A5, paper is detected after a predetermined period of time has elapsed (for example, 2.6 Sec) after the registration roller stops rotating.
cormorant. That is, in FIG. 5(B), the registration roller 3
The presence or absence of the trailing edge of the paper is detected by the paper detector 63 when 2.6 (SeC) has elapsed from the stop of rotation at step 7. In other words, it is 5°28 (Sec) from the start of rotation. (B) shows the final image forming operation.

On the other hand, if the image forming operation is not the final number of sheets at this time, as shown in FIG. 5(C), image forming operation signals @P1 to 5.
28 (SeC) after the next image formation execution signal P2 is transmitted. The paper detector 63 detects the paper until /I(SeC) has elapsed. Here, after transmitting the image forming operation execution signal P2, 2.4 (Se
c) The reason why the period is limited to 2.5 (sec) after the image forming operation execution signal @P2 has elapsed is confused with the detection signal for this image forming operation execution signal P2.

If paper is detected at this time, the microcomputer 60 determines that a trouble has occurred with the paper during the conveyance path, and controls the lighting of the paper jam indicator 73d1 at the corresponding location on the display board 73 of the operation panel 4a. The system also allows the operator to check where the paper jam has occurred. Based on this display, the operator removes the jammed paper and enables the printing operation (step A).
8゜89). On the other hand, if no paper is detected, the process advances to step 86.

In step 86, it is determined whether or not to execute a print operation. That is, it is determined whether or not a print request signal has been transmitted from the connected page search engine. If it has been transmitted, the process returns to step A2 to continue printing, and if it has not been transmitted, the process advances to step A7.

In step 7, each part is put into an input standby state and waits for the next operation. Incidentally, FIG. 5 (D>) refers to the timing of detecting the abnormality occurrence signal output from each detector other than the paper detectors 62 and 63. The signal from the device is designed to detect the state immediately after the print mode signal returns to the OFF state, that is, the state of the signal sent when the set number of prints ends. Since there are many cases where the person operating the device cannot directly repair the device, the serviceman call display section 73G is displayed in a blinking manner.Therefore, unnecessary time is not wasted when an abnormality occurs.

Above J: In the present invention, the signals from each detection means are sent to the peripheral device at different timings from the pulse signal sent from the main body of the device, and the peripheral device detects the state of the abnormality occurrence signal sent at the timing. Since the display is controlled based on the judgment, the operator can be informed of the location where the paper jam has occurred, and the trouble can be quickly dealt with.

In addition, it is difficult for the operator to recover from problems other than paper jams on the conveyance path, such as when the rotating mirror does not return to the specified position.

After the main motor etc. are turned off, an abnormality occurrence signal is sent to the page searcher, and the corresponding display section is controlled to display in order to contact a specialized service person. Also, at this time, trouble spots other than paper troubles on the conveyance path may be displayed at the same time.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus with improved operability.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a microfilm reader/printer to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal configuration of the microfilm reader/printer.
Fig. 3 is a front view of the operation panel, Fig. 4 is an overall block diagram of the microfilm reader/printer to which the present invention is applied, and Figs. - Fig. 6 is a flow diagram showing the printing operation when the power is turned on. 2.4a...Operation panel, 3...Film handler, 4...Peripheral device, 5...Cartridge film, 60...Control unit,
60a...Memory, 73...Display means. lJ Figure 2 (A) (B) (C) Figure 5 Figure 6

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) In an apparatus having an image forming apparatus main body and peripheral devices connected to the main body, a detection means for detecting the state of each part in each part contributing to the image forming operation is provided in the main body;
Transmitting means is provided for transmitting a temporal change signal of the image forming operation and signals from each of the detection means to the peripheral device, and the peripheral device determines an abnormal state of each part based on the signal from the transmitting means. An image forming apparatus further comprising a display control means for displaying a location where an abnormality has occurred based on the determination result. (2) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the state of each part is the transport state of the recording medium on the transport path. (3) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the temporal change signal of the image forming operation is a pulse signal. (4) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signal from the transmitting means is a change in the state of the signal.