JPS62239171A - Image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To continue recording without stopping the recording operation when the transverse size in the feeding direction of a recording medium to be ejected is different from that of just preceding ejected recording medium, by detecting this difference with a detecting means to eject the recording medium to the second eject tray which has not a stapling means. CONSTITUTION:When a copy start key is depressed, a controller discriminates the size of an original document set on a original platen glass 101 in accordance with detection outputs of sensors 117, 121 and selects a cassette 151 or 153 having the same size as the original document. It is discriminated whether the width of transfer papers in the selected cassette and that in the cassette selected in the preceding step are equal to each other or not. If they are different from each other, the stapling mode is switched to the sorting tray ejection mode, and a flapper 501 is switched to the side of sorting trays 515 which have not the stapling means. Next, copying is continued up to the set number of copies.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus such as a copying machine or a facsimile, and particularly to an image recording apparatus having a stapling function and a sorting function.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, in this type of image recording device, in addition to the normal sorting function, there is also a stapling function in which a U-shaped wire peg called a staple is pushed into the paper to bind it. A device with a ring function) has been proposed.

This stapling function is convenient because it allows image recording and bookbinding (document binding) to be performed at the same time.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in conventional devices of this type, there is a problem that the size of recording media (for example, copied paper) that can be stapled in the same stapling mode must be the same size. There are certain regulations, and if a recording medium that does not comply with the regulations is selected from a cassette or the like during stapling, the entire device is stopped, making recording impossible, and the stapling mode is disabled. This was a nuisance and inconvenience for the user because it was necessary to cancel the mode and then redo the mode setting (designation).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus that eliminates the above-mentioned drawbacks and is capable of continuing recording without stopping the recording operation even if an unregulated recording medium is selected during a stapling operation. shall be.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the object, the present invention provides a first ejection tray having a stapling means for stapling recorded recording media, and a second ejection tray having no stapling means. During a stapling operation using a tray and a stapling means, it is detected whether the size of the recording medium to be ejected in a direction substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction is different from the size of the recording medium ejected immediately before in a direction substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction. The apparatus is characterized by comprising a detection means and a discharge control means for switching the discharge path so as to discharge the recording medium to the second discharge tray in accordance with the detection output of the detection means.

[Operation] In the present invention, when the stapling mode is specified, the recorded recording medium is discharged to the first discharge tray, and when a predetermined number of sheets is reached, the stapling means staples the recorded recording medium. Further, if the mode is not the staple mode, the recorded recording medium is ejected to the second ejection tray. However, during the stapling operation using the stapling means, if the width size in the feeding direction of the recording medium to be ejected is different from the width size in the feeding direction of the recording medium ejected immediately before, this is detected by the detection means, In response to this detection, the discharge control means switches the discharge path and discharges the recording medium to the second discharge tray. Therefore, even if a non-regulated recording medium is selected, the recording operation continues and a recorded recording medium is obtained.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the basic configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

In this figure, a is a first ejection tray that has a stapling means for stapling recorded recording media. b is a second discharge tray that does not have a stapling means; for example, it is a sorting tray that has a sorting function. C is a detection means, which detects whether the size of the recording medium to be ejected in a direction substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction is different from the size of the storage medium ejected immediately before in a direction substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction during a stapling operation using the stapling device. to detect whether Reference numeral d denotes a discharge control means, which switches the discharge path so as to discharge the recording medium to the second discharge tray in accordance with the detection output of the detection means.

FIG. 2 shows the internal configuration of an embodiment of the image recording apparatus of the present invention. In this figure, 100 is a main body that has an image reading function and an image recording function, and 200 is a recording medium (for double-sided recording).
300 is a pedestal that has a double-sided processing function to turn over the paper (paper) and a multi-recording function to record multiple times on the same recording medium.
Luk; ro i active bias ← 100 ηX cram school too: Kisou Kote f
17QDF), 400 is a paper folding device that folds sheets at a predetermined position, and a finisher (post-processing device) that has a sorting function and a stapling function. , can be used in any combination.

A2 main body (100) In the main body 100, 101 is a document table glass on which a document is placed, 103 is an illumination lamp (exposure lamp) that illuminates the document, and 105, 107, and 109 change the optical path of the reflected light from the document, respectively. Scanning reflective mirror (scanning mirror)
, 111 is a lens having focusing and variable magnification functions, 1
13 is a fourth reflection mirror (scanning mirror) that changes the optical path
It is. 115 is an optical system motor that drives the optical system; 11
7, 119, and 121 are sensors, respectively.

131 is a photosensitive drum, 133 is a main motor that drives the photosensitive drum 131, 135 is a high voltage unit, H7 is a blank exposure unit, 139 is a developing device, 141 is a transfer charger, 147 is a separation charger, and 145 is a cleaning device. be.

151 is the upper cassette, 153 is the lower cassette, 15
5 and 157 are paper feed rollers, and 159 is a registration roller. Further, 161 is a conveyor belt that conveys the recording paper on which an image has been recorded to the fixing side, 163 is a fixing device that fixes the conveyed recording paper by heat and pressure, and 167 is a sensor used for double-sided recording.

The surface of the photosensitive drum 131 described above is made of a seamless photoconductor using a photoconductor and an electric conductor. The motor 133 starts rotating in the direction of the arrow in the figure. Next, when the predetermined rotational control and potential control processing (preprocessing) of the drum 131 are completed, the original placed on the original platen glass 101 is illuminated by the illumination lamp 103 configured integrally with the first scanning mirror 105. The reflected light from the original is reflected by the first scanning mirror 1o5 and the second scanning mirror 1o5.
Scanning mirror 107, third scanning mirror 109, lens 11
1 and a fourth scanning mirror 113 to form an image on the drum 131.

The drum 131 is corona charged by a high pressure unit 135. After that, the image illuminated by the illumination lamp 103 (
The original image) is exposed to slit light, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the drum 131 using a known NP method.

Next, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 131 is transferred to a developing device 139.
The toner image is developed by a developing roller 140 and visualized as a toner image, and the toner image is transferred onto a transfer paper by a transfer charger 141 as described later.

That is, the upper cassette 151 or the lower cassette 1
The transfer paper in 53 is fed into the main unit by paper feed rollers 155 or 157, and is sent toward the photosensitive drum 131 with accurate timing by registration rollers 159, so that the leading edge of the latent image and the leading edge of the transfer paper are aligned. Ru. Thereafter, the transfer paper passes between the transfer charger 141 and the drum 131, so that the toner image on the drum 131 is transferred onto the transfer paper.

After this transfer is completed, the transfer paper is separated from the drum 131 by a separation charger 143, guided to a fixing device 163 by a conveyor belt 161, fixed by pressure and heat, and then discharged to the outside of the main body 100 by a discharge roller 165. be done.

After the transfer, the drum 131 continues to rotate, and its surface is cleaned by a cleaning device 145 composed of a cleaning roller and an elastic blade.

B. Bedistal (200) The bedestal 200 can be separated from the main body 100 and includes a deck 201 capable of storing 2000 sheets of transfer paper and an intermediate tray 203 for double-sided copying. Also, the lifter 2 of the deck 201 that can store 2000 sheets.
05 rises according to the amount of transfer paper so that the transfer paper always comes into contact with the paper feed roller 207.

Further, 211 is a paper discharge flapper that switches the path between the double-sided recording side or multiplex recording side and the discharge side path, and 213, 2
15 is a conveyance path of a conveyor belt, 217 is an intermediate tray weight for holding down the transfer paper, and the transfer paper that has passed through the paper ejection flapper 211 and the conveyance path 213 and 215 is turned over and stored in the intermediate tray 203 for double-sided copying. Ru. 219 is a multiple flapper that switches the path between double-sided recording and multiplex recording,
It is disposed between the conveyance paths 213 and 215, and guides the transfer paper to the multiplex recording conveyance path 221 by rotating upward. 2
Reference numeral 23 denotes a multiple paper discharge sensor that detects the end of the transfer paper passing through the multiple flapper 219. A paper feed roller 225 feeds the transfer paper to the drum 131 through a path 227.

Reference numeral 229 is a discharge roller that discharges the transfer paper to the outside of the machine.

Both sides! ! (Double-sided copying) or multiple recording (multiple copying), first raise the paper ejection flapper 211 of the main body 100 upwards and transfer the copied transfer paper to the conveyance path 2 of the bedicle 200.
13 and 215, and stored in the intermediate tray 203. At this time, the multiplex flapper 219 is lowered during double-sided recording, and the multiplex flapper 219 is raised during multiplex recording.

This intermediate tray 203 can store up to 99 sheets of transfer paper, for example.

The transfer paper stored in the intermediate tray 203 is pressed down by an intermediate tray weight 217.

During the next back-side recording or multiplex recording, the transfer paper stored in the intermediate tray 203 is moved one by one from the bottom to the path 2 by the action of the paper feed roller 225 and the weight 217.
27 to the registration rollers 159 of the main body 100.

C, RDF (circulating document feeder) (300) RD
In F300, 301 is a stacking tray on which originals are set. Document size detection sensors 3Q2 and 303 are provided at a predetermined interval in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of the document. The size of the document in the width direction is determined by whether both sensors 302 and 303 are detecting the document, or if only one sensor 303 (assuming that the sensor 303 is located at the back of the paper) is detecting the document. This can be determined by checking whether the Note that by increasing the number of sensors of this type, more accurate size can be determined. Further, the lengthwise size can be determined based on the time period during which the sensor 303 (or 302) detects the document.

In addition, in this RDF 300, the document sent from the stacking tray 301 to the exposure surface through the sheet bus 304 is sent through the sheet pulse 305, so that it is returned to the stacking tray 303.
1 can be loaded.

The detailed operation of the RD F 300 is described in Japanese Patent Application No. 59-206619 filed by the present applicant, but since it is not directly related to the present invention, it will be omitted here.

09 Paper folding device (400) The paper folding device 400 folds recorded transfer paper in half at approximately the center of the paper, and folds the recorded transfer paper in half at two predetermined positions.
Perform a Z-fold, which is folding it into three shapes. This paper folding device 400
, 401 is a flapper that guides the transfer paper downward during paper folding, 403 and 405 are paths (m feeding path), 401
and 409 are rollers.

In the paper folding device 400, when Z-folding is specified using the Z-folding key described later, the flapper 401 is turned on to guide the recorded paper to the lower bus 403, and the leading edge of the paper is folded at the end of the bus 403. Once stopped, the roller 407 is then passed through the 1
The paper portion folded 74 hits the end of the path 405, and the paper is further folded in half and guided to the finisher 500 through the rollers 407 and 409 again.

Also, when half-fold is specified using the half-fold key described later,
The recorded paper is folded into 172 pieces at the bus 403, and then is ejected from the rollers 409 to the finisher 500 without going to the pass 405. On the other hand, when the fold key is not specified and the paper is not folded, the flapper 401 is turned off and the recorded paper is directly ejected to the finisher 500.

E. Finisher (500) In the finisher 500 that sorts or staples recorded paper, 501 is a bus switching sheet discharge flapper that selectively switches between the sorting path 503 and the stapling bus 505; is a staple tray that temporarily stores recorded paper before being stapled.
509 is a width baffle plate provided on the staple tray 507 for regulating the width; 511 is a stapler (document binding machine) that staples a plurality of recorded papers whose widths are regulated by the width baffle plate 509; and 513 is a stapler which has been stapled. This is a stacker tray for storing paper, and the width baffle plate 509 is driven and controlled by a stepping motor (not shown). Reference numeral 515 denotes a sorting tray for sorting recording sheets that are not stapled.

The recorded paper discharged from the main body 100 or the petistal 200 is folded in half or Z-folded by the paper folding device 400 according to the specification of the key, and then the oscillating type sorting by the finisher 500 is discharged to the tray 515. ,or,
The printed papers discharged to the staple tray 507 are regulated in width by a width baffle plate 509 for each part of the specified number of sheets, stapled by a stapler 511, and dropped into a stacker tray 513.

That is, in the finisher 500, when the stapling mode is selected by the staple key described later, the paper ejection flapper 501 is turned on and the recorded paper is ejected to the staple tray 507 via the bus 505, and when the specified number of sheets is reached, The width baffle plate 509 and the stapler 511 are turned on according to instructions from the main body 100, and the recorded sheets are stapled. Thereafter, the stapled paper is dropped onto the stacker tray 513. By repeating this operation, a plurality of recorded documents that are collated and stapled are completed.

Further, when stapling processing is not selected, the paper ejection flapper 501 is turned off, the sorting is switched to the side, and the recorded paper passes through the path 503 and is ejected to the sorting tray 515. At this time, according to an instruction from the main body 100, recorded sheets can be stacked in well-separated sheets, shifted by 30 mm to the left and right.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the arrangement of the operation panel provided on the main body 100 described above. The operation panel has a key group 600 and a display group 700 as described below.

F, Group of keys (600) In Fig. 3, 601 is an asterisk (*) key, which is used by the operator (user) when in the setting mode, such as setting binding substitution or setting the size of original frame eraser. .

602 is an all reset key, which is pressed to return to the standard mode. A preheating key 603 is pressed to put the machine of the main body 100 into a preheating state and to cancel the preheating state. This key 603 is also pressed when returning from the auto-shutoff state to the standard mode.

604 is a copy start key, which is pressed when starting copying.

605 is a clear/stop key, which functions as a clear key during standby and as a stop key during copy recording. This clear key is pressed to cancel the set number of copies. It is also used to cancel * (asterisk) mode. Also, press the stop key to interrupt continuous copying. The copying operation stops after the copying at the time when the button is pressed is completed.

Numeric keys 606 are pressed to set the number of copies. It is also used to set the * (asterisk) mode. A memory key 607 allows the user to register frequently used modes.

Copy density keys 608 and 609 are pressed when manually adjusting the copy density. 610 is the AE key,
Press this button to automatically adjust the copy density according to the density of the original, or to cancel AE (automatic density adjustment) and switch the density adjustment to manual. "all" is a cassette selection key, which is pressed to select the upper cassette 151, the interrupted cassette 153, and the lower vapor deck 201. Further, when a document is placed on the RDF 300, APS (automatic paper cassette selection) can be selected using this key 611. When APS is selected, a cassette of the same size as the original is automatically selected.

Reference numeral 612 is a same size key, which is pressed to make a same size (original size) copy. Reference numeral 613 denotes an auto-magnification key, which is pressed to automatically reduce or enlarge the original image according to the specified transfer paper size. Zoom keys 614 and 615 are pressed to specify any magnification between 64 and 142%. 616 and 617 are fixed size scaling keys, which are pressed when specifying reduction or enlargement of the fixed size.

A double-sided key 618 is pressed to make a double-sided copy from a single-sided original, a double-sided copy from a double-sided original, or a single-sided copy from a double-sided original. Reference numeral 619 is a binding margin key, which can create a binding margin of a specified length on the left side of the transfer paper. 6
20 is a photo key, which is pressed when copying a photo original. Reference numeral 621 is a multiple key, which is pressed when creating (combining) an image from two originals on the same side of transfer paper.

Reference numeral 622 denotes a document frame erase key, which the user presses when erasing the frame of a standard size document.The size of the document at that time is set using the asterisk key 801.

Reference numeral 623 is a sheet frame erase key, which is pressed to erase the frame of the document according to the cassette size.

624 is a page continuous copying key, which allows you to copy the left and right pages of the manuscript.
Press to make copies on separate sheets.

625 is a staple key, which is pressed to staple the recorded sheets. 626 is the Z-fold key, A
Press when folding 3 or B4 size recorded paper into a Z-shaped cross section. 627 is a half-fold key, which is pressed to fold A3 or B4 size recorded paper in half.

628 is a sort key, and sorting is done by a tray (sorter)
When 515 is connected, it is lit in standard mode. At this time, press this key 628 to cancel the sort mode or to enter the sort mode. Reference numeral 629 is a group key, which copies a plurality of copies from one original, and if the tray 515 is connected, the sorting is stored in the tray 515 for each bin. 630 is an interrupt key, which is used when performing interrupt copying during a series of copying operations.

G. Display Group (700) In FIG. 3, numeral 701 is an LCD (liquid crystal) type message display, for example, one character consists of 5x7 dots and can display a 40-character message. This display 701 is a semi-open-cut liquid crystal, and uses two colors for the backlight. Normally, the green backlight is lit, and the orange backlight is lit when there is an abnormality or when copying is not possible.

Further, 702 is a magnification display, and zoom keys 616 .
The copy magnification set in step 617 is displayed in %.

Reference numeral 703 denotes an equal magnification display, which lights up when equal magnification is selected. Reference numeral 704 is a color developer indicator, which lights up when a sepia developer is set. A copy number display 705 displays the number of copies or a self-diagnosis code. 7
06 is a used cassette indicator, and upper cassette 151
, the interrupted cassette 153, or the lower deck 201 is displayed.

Reference numeral 707 denotes a document direction indicator, which displays the direction in which the document is set (vertical/horizontal). Reference numeral 708 denotes an AE indicator, which lights up when AE (automatic concentration adjustment) is selected using the AE key 610. Reference numeral 709 is a preheating indicator, which lights up in the preheating state. When in the auto-shutoff state, this indicator 709 blinks. 710 is a ready/wait indicator, which is a two-color LED of green and orange.
The green light is lit when ready (copy possible), and the orange light is lit when wait (copy not possible).

Reference numeral 711 is a double-sided copy indicator, which lights up when either double-sided copying from a double-sided original or double-sided copying from a single-sided original is selected.

When using the RDF300 in standard mode, the settings are 1 copy, density AE mode, automatic paper selection, same size, and 1-sided copying from a 1-sided original. When the RDF300 is not in use, the standard mode is set to 1 copy, manual density mode, same size, and 1-sided copying from a 1-sided original. The difference between when RD F 300 is used and when it is not used is RD
Determined by whether or not an original is set on the F-300.

H1 control device (80(+)) FIG. 4 shows an example of the circuit configuration of the control device 800 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. (CPU), for example, uses a microcomputer μC0M87AD manufactured by NEC (NEC Corporation). 803 is a read-only memory in which a control procedure (control program) as shown in FIG. 5 according to the present invention is stored in advance. (ROM), and the CPU 801 controls each component lid connected via the bus according to the control procedure stored in this ROM.

Reference numeral 805 denotes a random access memory (RAM) which is a main storage device used for storing input data and as a working storage area.

807 is an interface (110) that outputs a control signal to the load such as the main motor 133 and the cPU 801;
09 is CP by manually inputting human signals from image tip sensor 121, etc.
An interface 811 sent to U 801 is an interface for controlling input/output between the key group 600 and the display group 700. These interfaces 807
．． 809 and 811 are, for example, NEC input/output circuit boards μ
Use PD8255.

Note that the display group 700 is each display device shown in FIG. 3, and uses LEDs and LCDs. The key group 600 is each key shown in FIG. 3, and the CPU 801 can determine which key has been pressed using a known key matrix.

(2) Operation Example Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the user sets two or more originals on the loading tray 301 of the RDF 300 shown in FIG. 2, presses the staple key 625, the same size key 612, and presses the copy start key 604, execution of the operating procedure shown in FIG. 5 starts. be done.

First, the CPU 801 causes the RDF 300 to feed a document using a control signal (step S1), and the sensor 1 detects whether the document is set on the document table glass 101 of the main body 100.
Step S2)
, when the original is set, the next cassette containing transfer paper of the same size as the original (paper feed cassette)
151 or 153 is selected (step S3). This selection control will hereinafter be referred to as APS (Automatic Paper Size Selection).

Next, the width baffle plate 509 of the finisher 500 is moved according to the width size of the transfer paper of the selected cassette (151 or 153) (step S4), and copy processing is performed (
Step S5), when the copying is completed (step S6),
The document is ejected and the next document is fed (step S7).

Next, it is checked whether the original has been set on the original glass 101 of the main body 100 (step S8), and when the original has been set, the cassette 151 or 153 of the same size as the original is selected as described above. (Step S9). Next, set the width of the transfer paper of the cassette you just selected,
It is determined whether the transfer paper width of the cassette selected in the previous step is the same (step 510), and if the width is the same, the nDF is
The copying process is repeated until the reading of the original set at 300 is completed, and the stapling operation is executed (step 5).
7 to step 513).

However, when the above-mentioned step 510 makes a negative determination, that is, when the width of the transfer paper in the cassette is different from the previous width, it is determined that a non-regulated transfer paper has been selected;
Proceeding to step 514, the sorting mode is set to tray discharge mode, the flapper 501 of the finisher 500 is switched to the sorting tray 507 side, and then copy processing is performed until the set number of copies is reached (steps 515, 51B), and the RDF
If copying of all the originals stacked on the original glass 101 is not completed (step 517), the original is ejected and the next original is fed (step 518), and when the original is set on the original glass 101 (step 519). ), select the cassette 151 or 153 of the same size as the original (step 520), and then proceed to steps 515 to S1 described above.
Repeat step 7.

In addition, in the copying process of step 518, when the copied sheets are discharged to the sorting tray 515, it is also possible to perform a sorting operation (so-called collating operation by swinging the head).

In addition, in the second embodiment, it is determined whether or not non-regulated transfer paper has been selected by comparing it with the previously selected cassette size; however, the present invention is not limited to this, and the size of the RDF original is compared. The judgment may be made by

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, when an unregulated recording medium (for example, transfer paper) is selected during a stapling operation, the recording medium is not ejected from the staple tray. Since the recording operation is performed by switching to the tray, it is possible to obtain the effect that the recording operation can be continued without stopping the recording operation.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the entire internal structure of the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the control device in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operating procedure of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. . DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100... Main body, 131... Photosensitive drum, 139... Developing device, 151... Upper cassette, 153... Lower cassette (middle cassette), 159...
...Registration roller, 163...Fuser, 200...Betty star, 201...Deck (lower deck), 203...Intermediate tray for double-sided copying, 207...Paper feed roller, 211... - Paper discharge flapper, 217... Intermediate tray weight, 219... Multiple flapper, 300... RDF (circulating document feeder), 302
．． 303... Document size detection sensor, 400... Paper folding device, 401... Flapper, 500... Finisher, 501... Flapper, 507... Staple tray, 509... Width baffle plate ( Width regulation plate), 511... Stapler 1 513... Stacker tray, 515... Tray for sorting, 600... Group of keys, 601... Asterisk (*) key, 604... Start copying key, 611...Cassette selection key, 618...Double-sided key, 621...Multiple key, 625...Staple key, 626...Z-fold key, 628...Sort key, 629...Group key, 630... Interrupt key, 700... Display group, 701... Message display, 705... Copy number indicator, 706... Cassette used indicator, 711... Double-sided copy indicator , 800...control device, 801 - CPU. 803.-ROM. 805...RAM. 807.809,811...Interface. Procedural amendment (formality) July 22, 1986

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1) a) a first output tray having a stapling means for stapling recorded recording media; b) a second output tray not having the stapling means; and c) the stapler. a detection means for detecting whether or not the size of the recording medium to be ejected in a direction substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction is different from the size of the recording medium ejected immediately before in a direction substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction during a stapling operation using the ring means; d) an ejection control means for switching an ejection path so as to eject the recording medium to the second ejection tray in accordance with a detection output of the detection means.