JP2004280076A - Image forming apparatus, image forming system, controller for image forming apparatus, method for controlling image forming apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, the controller of the image forming apparatus, the controlling method of the image forming apparatus and a program by which times for troubling the hand of a user in jamming processing are reduced. <P>SOLUTION: An engine controller 21 decides the defective feeding of recording paper based on information with respect to the existence of the recording paper outputted by a TOP sensor 7 and an ejected paper sensor 17, and stops feeding in the case of deciding as the defective feeding and transmits information with respect to the defective feeding to an image controller 23 by deciding which defective feeding it is out of the plurality of the kinds of the detective feeding. Also, an image controller 23 transmits a jamming clear command that paper feeding delay jamming needs to be released to the engine controller 21 in the case that the information with respect to the defective feeding received from the engine controller 21 means the occurrence of the paper feeding delay jamming, so that the feeding is started. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system, and more particularly, to canceling a conveyance failure of a recording sheet (also referred to as a sheet material).

  2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet material, when a sheet material fed from a sheet cassette or the like is conveyed in the image forming apparatus, a paper jam, a conveyance failure due to a slip of the sheet material, and the like (hereinafter, jam and the like). Call). When a jam occurs, the image forming apparatus is stopped because the image formation on the sheet material is not performed normally.

In order to resume the operation of the image forming apparatus in which the jam has occurred, it is necessary to remove the sheet material remaining as a cause of the jam in the image forming apparatus.To clear this jam state, The user needs to open the cover provided in the image forming apparatus, remove the jammed sheet material, and close the cover in a state where the sheet material does not remain in the image forming apparatus. 1). That is, the operation of the image forming apparatus is restarted on the assumption that the sheet material that has been jammed in the image forming apparatus has been removed by closing the cover provided in the image forming apparatus.
JP-A-2-182645

  However, depending on the type of jam, the user may not always need to open the cover and remove the paper.

  For example, a paper feed roller for feeding the sheet material one by one from the paper feed cassette slips and cannot feed the sheet material normally, and the sheet material is fed a predetermined time after the feeding by the paper feed roller is started. In a case where the sheet material does not reach the sensor for detecting the presence / absence (hereinafter referred to as a paper feed jam), the sheet material is conveyed without the user having to open and close the cover of the image forming device. Despite being able to be discharged outside, it has been necessary for the user to open and close the cover even if it is troublesome to clear the jam state.

  The present invention has been made under such a situation, and an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, a controller of an image forming apparatus, and a method of controlling an image forming apparatus that can reduce the chance of troublesome user's hand for jam processing. And to provide a program.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the present invention, the image forming apparatus is configured as in the following (1) to (6), and the image forming system is configured as in the following (7) to (12). The controller of the forming apparatus is configured as in the following (13), the control method of the image forming apparatus is configured as in the following (14), and the program is configured as in the following (15).

(1) An image forming apparatus for forming an image on recording paper,
Image processing control means for processing image information from an external device;
Image forming control means for controlling the image forming apparatus based on a control signal from the image processing control means,
Conveying means for conveying the recording paper;
Detecting means for outputting information on the presence or absence of the recording paper conveyed by the conveying means,
With
The image forming control unit determines a conveyance failure of the recording paper based on the information regarding the presence or absence of the recording paper output by the detection unit, and determines which of the plurality of types of conveyance failure is the conveyance failure. Transmitting information about the conveyance failure to the image processing control means,
The image processing control means, when the information on the transport failure received from the image formation control means is information indicating that a specific transport failure has occurred, a transport failure indicating that the specific transport failure should be canceled. An image forming apparatus for transmitting a release signal to the image forming control means.

(2) In the image forming apparatus according to (1),
The image forming control unit stops the conveyance of the recording sheet by the conveyance unit in response to the determination of the conveyance failure of the recording sheet, and responds to the reception of the conveyance failure release signal from the image processing control unit. An image forming apparatus for starting the conveyance of the recording paper by the conveyance means.

(3) In the image forming apparatus according to (1) or (2),
Input means for inputting a predetermined instruction signal to the image processing control means, for transmitting the conveyance failure release signal from the image processing control means to the image formation control means,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the image processing control unit transmits the conveyance failure release signal to the image formation control unit in response to the input of the predetermined instruction signal.

(4) In the image forming apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3),
An image forming apparatus comprising: a display unit that displays information related to the conveyance failure transmitted from the image formation control unit to the image processing control unit.

(5) In the image forming apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4),
Loading means for loading the recording paper,
The transport unit feeds the recording paper stacked on the stacking unit,
The image forming control unit is configured to, if the recording sheet is not detected by the detection unit even after a predetermined sheet feeding delay time has elapsed since the start of feeding of the recording sheet from the stacking unit, determine that the specific conveyance failure has occurred. An image forming apparatus configured to determine that an error has occurred and to transmit information regarding the specific conveyance failure to the image processing control unit.

(6) In the image forming apparatus according to (2) or (3),
The image forming control unit is configured to detect that the specific conveyance is performed until a predetermined initial operation period elapses after receiving the conveyance failure release signal from the image processing control unit and starting conveyance of the recording sheet. An image forming apparatus that controls the transport unit to discharge the recording sheet when a defective recording sheet is detected.

(7) An image forming system comprising: an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording sheet; and an input device that transmits image information to the image forming apparatus.
Image processing control means for processing image information from the input device;
Image forming control means for controlling the image forming apparatus based on a control signal from the image processing control means,
Conveying means for conveying the recording paper;
Detecting means for outputting information on the presence or absence of the recording paper conveyed by the conveying means,
With
The image forming control unit determines a conveyance failure of the recording paper based on the information regarding the presence or absence of the recording paper output by the detection unit, and determines which of the plurality of types of conveyance failure is the conveyance failure. Transmitting information about the conveyance failure to the image processing control means,
The image processing control unit is configured to release the specific transport failure from the input device when the information regarding the transport failure received from the image formation control unit is information indicating that a specific transport failure has occurred. An image forming system which, when a predetermined instruction signal to be input is input, transmits a transport failure release signal to release the specific transport failure to the image forming control means.

(8) In the image forming system according to (7),
The image forming control unit stops the conveyance of the recording sheet by the conveyance unit in response to the determination of the conveyance failure of the recording sheet, and responds to the reception of the conveyance failure release signal from the image processing control unit. An image forming system for starting the conveyance of the recording paper by the conveying means.

(9) In the image forming system according to (7) or (8),
Input means for inputting a predetermined instruction signal to the input device, for transmitting the conveyance failure release signal from the input device to the image forming control means via the image processing control means,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the image processing control unit transmits the conveyance failure release signal to the image formation control unit in response to the input of the predetermined instruction signal.

(10) In the image forming system according to any one of (7) to (10),
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the input device includes a display unit configured to display information regarding the conveyance failure transmitted from the image formation control unit via the image processing control unit.

(11) In the image forming system according to any one of (7) to (10),
The image forming apparatus includes a stacking unit that stacks the recording paper,
The transport unit feeds the recording paper stacked on the stacking unit,
The image forming control unit is configured to, if the recording sheet is not detected by the detection unit even after a predetermined sheet feeding delay time has elapsed since the start of feeding of the recording sheet from the stacking unit, determine that the specific conveyance failure has occurred. An image forming system that determines that a printing error has occurred and transmits information on the specific conveyance failure to the image processing control unit.

(12) In the image forming system according to (8) or (9),
The image forming control unit is configured to detect that the specific conveyance is performed until a predetermined initial operation period elapses after receiving the conveyance failure release signal from the image processing control unit and starting conveyance of the recording sheet. An image forming system that controls the transport unit to discharge the recording sheet when a defective recording sheet is detected.

(13) In the controller of the image forming apparatus for forming an image on recording paper,
Determining means for determining whether or not the conveyance failure of a plurality of types of recording paper occurring in the image forming apparatus is a particular type of conveyance failure;
Input means for inputting an input signal for canceling the conveyance failure occurring in the image forming apparatus,
Release when the input signal is input to the input unit, and when the determination unit determines that the specific type of transport failure has occurred, the release for releasing the specific transport failure. Generating means for generating a signal;
The controller of the image forming apparatus provided with.

(14) Step A of determining a conveyance failure of the recording paper based on information on the presence or absence of the recording paper in the conveyance path;
Step B of determining whether the transport failure is one of a plurality of types of transport failure;
A step C of generating a transport failure release signal indicating that the specific transport failure should be released when the specific transport failure is determined in the step B;
Stopping the conveyance of the recording paper in response to the determination of the conveyance failure of the recording paper in the step A;
A step E of starting conveyance of the recording sheet in response to the step conveyance failure release signal;
A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising:

  (15) A program for implementing the method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to (14).

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a user-friendly image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and a controller for an image forming apparatus, which can reduce an opportunity for a user to troubleshoot a jam.

  That is, in the case of a specific jam, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and a controller of the image forming apparatus, which enable the user to clear the jam just by pressing the jam clear button.

  In the case of a specific jam, the driver on the display panel and / or the host computer automatically sends a jam clear command instead of pressing the jam clear button, so that the user does not need to bother the user. The present invention can provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and a controller for an image forming apparatus that can perform jam clearing.

  Also, in the case of a specific jam, an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and a controller for an image forming apparatus that do not bother the user by automatically clearing the jam according to the determination of the CPU or the engine controller are provided. be able to.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples.

  First Embodiment A “printer” according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a printer according to the present embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer 20 that is an image forming apparatus.

  1 is a sheet feeding cassette, 2 is a sheet material, 3 is a cassette feeding roller, 4 is a conveying roller, 5 is a sheet material conveying path, 6 is a registration roller, and 7 is a detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the sheet material 2. 8 is a transfer roller, 9 is a photosensitive drum, 10 is a pressure roller, 11 is a fixing film, 11a is a ceramic heater, 11b is a thermistor, 12 is a paper discharge roller, 13 is a CPU serving as a judgment means, 14 is a heater drive circuit, 15 is a scanner motor, 16 is a main motor, 17 is a paper ejection sensor as one of detection means, and 20 is a printer as an image forming apparatus.

  The printer 20 shown in FIG. 1 uses an electrophotographic system, and a toner image is formed on the sheet material 2 by an operation described later.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer of the present embodiment.

  FIG. 2 also shows a host computer 30 which is an external device for transmitting an image signal or the like to be printed by the printer 20, in addition to the components constituting the printer 20.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 21 denotes an engine controller, which controls each unit constituting the printer 20.

  The printer 20 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU 13 inside an engine controller 21.

  Reference numeral 22 denotes a high-voltage output circuit, which is a charging roller (not shown) for charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 9 to a predetermined potential or a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 9 with toner. This is a circuit for applying a high voltage to a roller (not shown) or a transfer roller 8 for transferring a toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 9 to the sheet material 2.

  Reference numeral 23 denotes an image controller which receives image information and a print command transmitted from the host computer 30 and develops the above-described image information into bit data suitable for performing image formation by the printer 20; A print start command, which is a control signal for performing printing in accordance with the image signal, is transmitted to the engine controller 21 together with the processed bit data.

  Reference numeral 24 denotes a display panel on which the printer 20 displays a message to an operator (user).

  As a means for displaying a message to an operator (user), a message is displayed on a display screen such as a display of a host computer 30 connected to the image controller 23 in addition to the display panel 24 described above. You may do it. In this case, the printer 20 and the host computer 30 constitute an image forming system (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

  4 and 5, reference numeral 25 denotes a jam clear button connected to the image controller 23, and reference numeral 30 denotes a host computer having a display screen 31 and controlling display of the display screen 31. Reference numeral 32 denotes a communication line for communication between the host computer 30 and the image controller 23 of the printer 20, and reference numeral 33 denotes a jam clear button provided on the screen of the host computer 30. The jam clear button on the host computer 30 may be configured such that the display screen is a touch panel type and an operator (user) directly presses a button portion on the display screen. A button portion on the display screen may be indirectly pressed by an operator (user) by a pointing device such as a mouse provided.

  As described above, the printer 20 includes the display panel 24 and the jam clear button 25, and the host computer 30 includes the jam clear button 33.

  When the jam clear button 25 of the printer 20 is pressed by the operator (user), the image controller 23 is informed that the jam clear button 25 has been pressed. In response to the press of the jam clear button 25, the image controller 23 transmits a jam clear command to the CPU 13 or the engine controller 21 to instruct that the conveyance failure (jam) should be cleared.

  When the jam clear button 33 on the display screen 31 of the host computer 30 is pressed, the host computer 30 sends a jam clear command to the image controller 23 via the communication line 32. Then, in response to the press of the jam clear button 33, the image controller 23 further transmits a jam clear command to the CPU 13 or the engine controller 21 to instruct that the conveyance failure (jam) should be cleared.

  Reference numeral 35 (see FIG. 2) denotes a door switch for detecting the open / closed state of a door that can be opened and closed to access the inside of the printer 20.

  Next, a series of printing operations in which the printer 20 forms a toner image on the sheet material 2, heat-fixes the toner image, and discharges the toner image to the outside of the printer 20 will be described. The printing operation of the printer 20 is mainly executed by an engine controller 21 described later.

  First, the image controller 23 receives, from the host computer 30, a print command, which is a command to print, together with image information to be printed. Then, the image forming controller 23 performs a developing process on the image information into bit data suitable for forming an image, and also prints a control signal indicating that printing should be performed according to the image signal together with the developed bit data. A start command is transmitted to the engine controller 21.

  The engine controller 21 that has received the print start command from the image controller 23 causes the cassette 2 to feed the sheet material 2 loaded in the sheet feeding cassette 1, and further conveys the sheet material in the printer 20 by the conveying roller 4. The paper is fed onto the road 5.

  Next, the CPU 13 of the engine controller 21 determines whether or not the top sensor 7 detects the leading end of the sheet material 2.

  Then, in response to the TOP sensor 7 detecting the leading edge of the sheet material 2, the engine controller 21 determines the leading edge position of the sheet material 2 conveyed by the registration roller 6 and the leading edge position of the toner image transferred to the sheet material 2. The formation of an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 9 is started so as to have a desired positional relationship.

  The engine controller 21 causes the scanner unit 15 to start forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 9 by exposing the photosensitive drum 9 with laser light, and also applies the electrostatic latent image to a developing roller (not shown). ) And develop with toner. Then, the engine controller 21 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 9 to the sheet material 2 by applying a transfer voltage from the high voltage output circuit 22 to the transfer roller 8.

  Then, the engine controller 21 conveys the toner to the pressure roller 10, the fixing film 11, and the ceramic heater 11 a for fixing the toner to the sheet material 2, and heats and fixes the toner on the sheet material 2. The paper is discharged outside the printer 20 by the paper roller 12.

  Note that the paper discharge sensor 17 detects whether the sheet material 2 has been discharged.

  Here, the thermistor 11b detects the temperature of the ceramic heater 11a and transmits it to the CPU 13, and the CPU 13 controls the heater driving circuit 14 to control the temperature of the ceramic heater 11a.

  The CPU 13 performs control so that the applied power is excessively increased by the amount of heat applied to the sheet during the period in which the sheet material 2 passes through the ceramic heater 11a, so that the temperature of the ceramic heater 11a is kept constant.

  The main motor 16 drives the transfer roller 8, the photosensitive drum 9, and the pressure roller 10.

  Next, a control operation in the case where a recording sheet jam occurs in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The flowchart in FIG. 3 is an operation mainly executed by the image controller 23 (corresponding to an image processing control unit) and the engine controller 21 (corresponding to an image forming control unit) included in the printer 20. is there.

  3, the engine controller 21 starts printing by receiving a print start command from the image controller 23 (S201).

  Next, the CPU 13 of the engine controller 21 monitors whether or not a conveyance failure (jam) occurs for the sheet material 2 fed from the sheet material 2 loaded on the sheet cassette 1 by the cassette sheet feeding roller 3. (S202).

  The CPU 13 of the engine controller 21 determines a plurality of types of transport failure (jam) in S202. First, if the top end of the sheet material 2 is not detected by the TOP sensor 7 within a predetermined time after the sheet material 2 is fed by the cassette sheet feeding roller 3, the fed sheet material 2 is sent to the TOP sensor 7. It is determined that the arrival has been delayed, that is, "paper feed delay jam", and the process proceeds to S204.

  When the TOP sensor 7 detects the leading end of the sheet 2 and does not detect the trailing end of the sheet 2 by the certain time after the TOP sensor 7 detects in S202, the CPU 13 of the engine controller 21 Is determined to be staying at the position detected by the TOP sensor 7 and is determined to be “TOP sensor staying jam”, and the process proceeds to S204.

  In addition, the CPU 13 of the engine controller 21 determines in S202 that the sheet discharge sensor 17 is not used until a certain time after the TOP sensor 7 detects the leading end of the sheet material 2 (a time longer than a certain time for determining the jam of the TOP sensor staying jam). Does not detect the leading edge of the sheet material 2, it is determined that the sheet material 2 has arrived at the sheet ejection sensor 17 at a delay, and the process proceeds to step S <b> 204.

  If the sheet discharge sensor 17 detects the leading end of the sheet material 2 and the sheet discharge sensor 17 does not detect the trailing end of the sheet material by a certain time after S202, the CPU 13 of the engine controller 21 2 is determined to be staying at the position detected by the paper ejection sensor 17 and is determined to be "paper ejection sensor stagnant jam", and the process proceeds to S204.

  If the CPU 13 of the engine controller 21 does not generate any of the “paper feed delay jam”, the “top sensor staying jam”, the “discharge sensor leading end delay jam”, and the “discharge sensor staying jam” in S202. If it is determined that the printing is completed, the printing is completed (S203).

  In step S <b> 204, the engine controller 21 receives the determination of the CPU 13, rotates the motor, that is, conveys the sheet 2, and outputs the high voltage through the scanner motor 15, the main motor 16, and the high voltage output circuit 22. The rotation of the fan for cooling the scanner, the rotation of the scanner motor for driving the polygon motor in the scanner unit 15, the emission of the laser in the scanner unit 15, and the like are immediately stopped.

  Then, the CPU 13 determines the type of jam detected at this time (any one of “feed delay jam”, “top sensor stay jam”, “discharge sensor tip delay jam”, and “discharge sensor stay jam”) by the image controller. It communicates with the host computer 30 connected via the image controller 23 and the image controller 23 to notify it as status information. Then, the image controller 23 displays a message on the display panel 24, and the host computer 30 displays a message on the display screen 31 such as a CRT provided in the host computer 30 in accordance with the notified jam type (S205).

  Specifically, in step S205, the image controller 23 determines whether the jam occurring in the printer 20 is a specific jam (here, a paper feed delay jam) based on the status information indicating the type of the jam notified from the CPU 13. Is determined.

  If the type of jam indicated by the status information notified from the CPU 13 to the image controller 23 is “feed delay jam”, the process proceeds to step S206, where the image controller 23 automatically discharges the paper on the display screen 31 of the host computer 30. A selection screen for performing jam clear is displayed (see FIG. 4). Further, the image controller 23 causes the display panel 24 to display a screen asking whether or not to perform jam clearing by automatic paper ejection. The display on the display panel 24 and the display on the host computer 30 may be performed together, or may be performed on either side.

  On the other hand, when the types of jam notified from the CPU 13 to the image controller 23 are “TOP sensor staying jam”, “paper ejection sensor delay jam”, and “paper ejection sensor staying jam” other than “paper feed jam”. In step S209, the image controller 23 displays a message on the display screen 31 of the host computer 30 urging the operator (user) to perform the jam processing by manual paper ejection (see FIG. 5).

  Further, the image controller 23 displays a message on the display panel 24 urging the operator (user) to perform the jam processing by manual paper ejection. The display on the display panel 24 and the display on the host computer 30 may be performed together, or may be performed on either side.

  Then, in step S206, the image controller 23 determines that the jam clear button 25 or 33 is pressed and the operator (user) selects to automatically discharge the sheet material 2 due to the conveyance failure (jam). The image controller 23 receives an input signal indicating that the jam clear button 25 or 33 has been pressed.

  When the input signal is input, the image controller 23 causes the CPU 13 or the engine controller 21 to cancel the stop of the rotation of the main motor 16 due to a conveyance failure (jam), the stop of the output of the high voltage by the high voltage output circuit 22, and the like. And a jam clear command is transmitted, and the process proceeds to S207.

  Note that an input signal is input to the image controller 23 at an arbitrary timing from the jam clear button 25 by an operation of the operator, but a jam clear command is transmitted from the image controller 23 to the CPU 13 or the engine controller 21. This is performed only when the image controller 23 has caused a specific conveyance failure (here, paper feed delay jam) in the printer 20.

  If it is determined in step S206 that automatic paper ejection is not to be performed, the process advances to step S209.

  In S206, if none is selected, the process waits (if a certain period of time has passed while waiting, it may be configured to proceed as if any selection has been made).

  Then, in S207, the CPU 13 determines whether there is no remaining sheet material 2 in the printer 20, or whether the sheet can be automatically discharged.

  More specifically, in step S207, the CPU 13 starts an initialization operation for starting rotation of the main motor 16 and starting output of a high voltage by the high voltage output circuit 22 upon receiving a jam clear command from the image controller 23. In the initialization operation, the conveyance roller 4 and the registration roller 6 are rotated by being given a driving force by the main motor 16. When there is the stopped sheet material 2 between the cassette sheet feeding roller 3 and the registration roller 6 in S204 (FIG. 6), the TOP sensor 7 starts the initialization operation before a certain time has elapsed. Next, the leading end of the sheet material 2 is detected (FIG. 7).

  As described above, when the TOP sensor 7 detects the leading end of the sheet material 2 before a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the initialization operation, the sheet material 2 causing the paper feed delay jam is automatically detected. It is determined that the paper can be discharged.

  If the TOP sensor 7 and the sheet ejection sensor 17 have not detected the sheet material 2 when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the initialization operation, it is determined that there is no sheet material remaining in the printer 20.

  If the CPU 13 determines that there is no remaining sheet material 2 in the printer 20, or determines that the sheet material 2 that caused the paper feed delay jam can be automatically discharged, the process proceeds to S208.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 13 determines that there is a sheet material 2 remaining in the printer 20, or determines that the sheet material 2 that caused the paper feed delay jam cannot be automatically discharged, the process proceeds to S209.

  In S208, if the jam occurring in the printer 20 is a jam that can be automatically ejected, the automatic ejection is terminated, and the process proceeds to S211.

  On the other hand, in S209, a message prompting the user to manually open the cover of the image forming apparatus to perform the jam processing is displayed, and the process proceeds to S210.

  Here, the case where the type of the jam is “discharge delay jam” will be described first.

  At this time, if status information indicating “paper discharge jam” is transmitted to the image controller 23, the image controller 23 determines in step S206 in the flowchart of FIG. Since the process proceeds to step S209 because the jam has occurred, the display panel 24 provided in the printer 20 does not display a screen asking whether the jam should be cleared by automatic paper ejection. Accordingly, no jam clear command is transmitted from the image controller 23 to the engine controller 21, and automatic paper discharge is not performed.

  When the status information indicating “paper output delay jam” is transmitted to the host computer 30 via the image controller 23, the image controller 23 determines the type of jam in S206 in the flowchart of FIG. Is determined to be a jam other than the paper feed delay jam, and the process proceeds to step S209. Therefore, the selection screen for clearing the jam by automatic paper ejection is not displayed on the display screen 31 of the host computer 30. Accordingly, the jam clear command is not transmitted from the host computer 30 to the engine controller 21 via the image controller 23, and the automatic paper ejection is not performed.

  The reason is that if the user does not perform the jam processing and the CPU 13 or the engine controller 21 receives a jam clear command from the image controller 23 and / or the host computer 30 and tries to perform automatic paper ejection, the following problem occurs. This is because there is a possibility.

  The “paper output delay jam” is a transport failure when the paper output sensor 17 does not detect the front end of the sheet 2 by a certain time after the TOP sensor 7 detects the front end of the sheet 2. It is conceivable that the leading end of the sheet material 2 is wound around a fixing device (the fixing film 11 or the pressure roller 10). Then, when automatic discharge is started in such a state, the sheet material 2 is further wrapped around the fixing device, and the operator (user) may remove the jammed sheet material 2 by opening the cover of the printer 20. There is a possibility that the jam may not be possible (hereinafter, unclearable jam).

  Therefore, in the case of "paper ejection delay jam", automatic ejection is determined to be impossible and automatic ejection is not performed, and the operator (user) manually opens the cover of the printer 20 to cause a jam. When the sheet material 2 is removed and the cover is closed, the engine controller 21 clears the jam.

  In the above description, the “discharge delay jam” has been described. However, in the case of the “discharge sensor staying jam” and the “TOP sensor staying jam”, the unclearable jam is the same as the “discharge delay jam”. Could be Therefore, even if the image controller 23 transmits the jam clear command to the CPU 13 due to a communication error or the like, the CPU 13 does not automatically discharge the paper.

  In step S210, the CPU 13 checks whether the manual discharge has been completed by detecting the open / closed state of the door switch 35, and switches the open / closed state of the door switch from the open state to the closed state to confirm that the manual discharge has been completed. If so, the process proceeds to S211.

  In S211, jam clearing is performed on the assumption that the jam that occurred in S202 has been released.

  When the jam is cleared, the control state of the engine controller 21 of the printer 20 becomes a ready state (S212), and the printer 20 is ready to start printing again.

  By performing the above-described control, in the case of a specific jam in which a sheet material can be conveyed and discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus without opening and closing the cover of the image forming apparatus, "paper feed delay jam" The jam can be cleared only by the (user) pressing the jam clear buttons 25 and 33 on the display panel 24 and / or the screen of the host computer 30.

  Therefore, it is possible to provide a user with a user-friendly image forming apparatus, an image forming system, a method of controlling the image forming apparatus, and a method of controlling the image forming system.

  Even in the case of “feed delay jam”, if the user opens / closes the door during the sequence (for example, manually removes the sheet material 2), the process proceeds to S207 or S210. Can be configured.

  Next, a “printer” according to the second embodiment will be described.

  In the first embodiment, when “feed delay jam” is notified from the CPU 13 to the display panel 24 and / or the host computer 30, the user presses the jam clear buttons 25 and 33 on the display panel 24 and / or the host computer 30. Instead of pressing (YES in S206), the driver (printer driver or the like) on the display panel 24 and / or the host computer 30 automatically determines that the paper feed delay has occurred and transmits a jam clear command. .

  In the first embodiment, when the CPU 13 determines that the state is “paper feed delay jam” (YES in S205), a procedure in which the user presses the jam clear buttons 25 and 33 on the display panel 24 and / or the screen of the host computer 30 ( Step S206) may be omitted, and the CPU 13 or the engine controller 21 may automatically determine whether there is no remaining paper in the apparatus or whether automatic paper discharge is possible (S207).

  By performing such control, in the case of a specific jam called “feed delay jam”, a user-friendly image forming apparatus and an image forming system that can automatically clear the jam without bothering the user And a control method of the image forming apparatus and a control method of the image forming system.

  In the first and second embodiments, an example has been described in which the user's trouble is omitted in the case of “feed delay jam”. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is necessary to perform jam processing by the user's hand. Needless to say, other types of jams that do not can be automatically processed in the same manner.

  As described above, it is possible to provide a user-friendly image forming apparatus, an image forming system, a method for controlling an image forming apparatus, and a method for controlling an image forming system, which can reduce the opportunity for a user to troubleshoot a jam.

  That is, in the case of a specific jam, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, a method of controlling the image forming apparatus, and a method of controlling the image forming system, in which the jam can be cleared just by pressing the jam clear button by the user. .

  Also, in the case of a specific jam, the driver on the display panel and / or the host computer automatically transmits a jam clear command instead of the user pressing the jam clear button, so that the user does not have to take any trouble. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, a method of controlling an image forming apparatus, and a method of controlling an image forming system that can perform jam clearing.

  Further, in the case of a specific jam, an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, a control method of an image forming apparatus, and an image forming method that do not bother the user by automatically clearing the jam according to the determination of the CPU or the engine controller. A method of controlling a forming system can be provided.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer according to a first embodiment. Block diagram showing the control configuration of the printer Flow chart showing the control operation when a recording paper jam occurs A diagram showing a message displayed on the screen of the host computer when a paper feed delay jam has occurred Diagram showing a message displayed on the screen of the host computer when a jam other than the paper feed delay jam occurs FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a case where there is a stopped sheet material 2 between a cassette sheet feeding roller 3 and a registration roller 6. The figure which shows the case where the TOP sensor 7 detects the front-end | tip of the sheet material 2 before fixed time passes after starting an initialization operation.

Explanation of reference numerals

7 TOP sensor 17 Discharge sensor 21 Engine controller 23 Image controller 24 Display panel 25 Jam clear button 30 Host computer

Claims (15)

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on recording paper, comprising:
Image processing control means for processing image information from an external device;
Image forming control means for controlling the image forming apparatus based on a control signal from the image processing control means,
Conveying means for conveying the recording paper;
Detecting means for outputting information on the presence or absence of the recording paper conveyed by the conveying means,
With
The image forming control unit determines a conveyance failure of the recording paper based on the information regarding the presence or absence of the recording paper output by the detection unit, and determines which of the plurality of types of conveyance failure is the conveyance failure. Transmitting information about the conveyance failure to the image processing control means,
The image processing control means, when the information on the transport failure received from the image formation control means is information indicating that a specific transport failure has occurred, a transport failure indicating that the specific transport failure should be canceled. An image forming apparatus, comprising: transmitting a release signal to the image forming control unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The image forming control unit stops the conveyance of the recording sheet by the conveyance unit in response to the determination of the conveyance failure of the recording sheet, and responds to the reception of the conveyance failure release signal from the image processing control unit. An image forming apparatus for starting the conveyance of the recording paper by the conveying means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
Input means for inputting a predetermined instruction signal to the image processing control means, for transmitting the conveyance failure release signal from the image processing control means to the image formation control means,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the image processing control means transmits the conveyance failure release signal to the image formation control means in response to the input of the predetermined instruction signal by the input means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
An image forming apparatus, comprising: display means for displaying information on the conveyance failure transmitted from the image formation control means to the image processing control means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
Loading means for loading the recording paper,
The transport unit feeds the recording paper stacked on the stacking unit,
The image forming control unit is configured to, if the recording sheet is not detected by the detection unit even after a predetermined sheet feeding delay time has elapsed since the start of feeding of the recording sheet from the stacking unit, determine that the specific conveyance failure has occurred. An image forming apparatus configured to determine that an error has occurred and to transmit information regarding the specific conveyance failure to the image processing control unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
The image forming control unit is configured to detect that the specific conveyance is performed until a predetermined initial operation period elapses after receiving the conveyance failure release signal from the image processing control unit and starting conveyance of the recording sheet. An image forming apparatus, wherein when the defective recording paper is detected, the transport unit is controlled to discharge the recording paper. An image forming system comprising: an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording sheet; and an input device that transmits image information to the image forming apparatus.
Image processing control means for processing image information from the input device;
Image forming control means for controlling the image forming apparatus based on a control signal from the image processing control means,
Conveying means for conveying the recording paper;
Detecting means for outputting information on the presence or absence of the recording paper conveyed by the conveying means,
With
The image forming control unit determines a conveyance failure of the recording paper based on the information regarding the presence or absence of the recording paper output by the detection unit, and determines which of the plurality of types of conveyance failure is the conveyance failure. Transmitting information about the conveyance failure to the image processing control means,
The image processing control unit is configured to release the specific transport failure from the input device when the information regarding the transport failure received from the image formation control unit is information indicating that a specific transport failure has occurred. An image forming system, wherein, when a predetermined instruction signal to be transmitted is input, a transport failure release signal to release the specific transport failure is transmitted to the image forming control means. The image forming system according to claim 7,
The image forming control unit stops the conveyance of the recording sheet by the conveyance unit in response to the determination of the conveyance failure of the recording sheet, and responds to the reception of the conveyance failure release signal from the image processing control unit. An image forming system for starting the conveyance of the recording paper by the conveying means. The image forming system according to claim 7, wherein
Input means for inputting a predetermined instruction signal to the input device, for transmitting the conveyance failure release signal from the input device to the image forming control means via the image processing control means,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the image processing control means transmits the conveyance failure release signal to the image formation control means in response to the input of the predetermined instruction signal by the input means. The image forming system according to any one of claims 7 to 9,
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the input device includes a display unit that displays information regarding the conveyance failure transmitted from the image forming control unit via the image processing control unit. The image forming system according to any one of claims 7 to 10,
The image forming apparatus includes a stacking unit that stacks the recording paper,
The transport unit feeds the recording paper stacked on the stacking unit,
The image forming control unit is configured to, if the recording sheet is not detected by the detection unit even after a predetermined sheet feeding delay time has elapsed since the start of feeding of the recording sheet from the stacking unit, determine that the specific conveyance failure has occurred. An image forming system configured to determine that an error has occurred and to transmit information on the specific conveyance failure to the image processing control unit. The image forming system according to claim 8, wherein
The image forming control unit is configured to detect that the specific conveyance is performed until a predetermined initial operation period elapses after receiving the conveyance failure release signal from the image processing control unit and starting conveyance of the recording sheet. An image forming system, wherein when the defective recording paper is detected, the transport unit is controlled to discharge the recording paper. In a controller of an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording sheet,
Determining means for determining whether or not the conveyance failure of a plurality of types of recording paper occurring in the image forming apparatus is a particular type of conveyance failure;
Input means for inputting an input signal for canceling the conveyance failure occurring in the image forming apparatus,
Release when the input signal is input to the input unit, and when the determination unit determines that the specific type of transport failure has occurred, the release for releasing the specific transport failure. Generating means for generating a signal;
A controller for an image forming apparatus, comprising: A step A of determining a conveyance failure of the recording paper based on information on the presence or absence of the recording paper in the conveyance path;
Step B of determining whether the transport failure is one of a plurality of types of transport failure;
A step C of generating a transport failure release signal indicating that the specific transport failure should be released when the specific transport failure is determined in the step B;
Stopping the conveyance of the recording paper in response to the determination of the conveyance failure of the recording paper in the step A;
A step E of starting conveyance of the recording sheet in response to the step conveyance failure release signal;
A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising:   A program for implementing the method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 14.

Images