JP2006176307A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily perform confirming work for confirming a confirming print and resuming indicating operation of regular print making work after confirming the print, by preventing mixing in a regular print of the confirming print outputted by an image forming device having only one paper delivery tray. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming device has a paper delivery means for delivering image-formed paper to the paper delivery tray, and an operation display means capable of setting various jobs including the setting of a confirming print mode of making the confirming print with every predetermined print output number. The image forming device has a control means for controlling to stop a confirming means by holding the confirming print when the confirming print mode is set by the operation display means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile.

  When creating a large number of prints with the image forming apparatus, in order to confirm whether the image quality of the prints to be created is maintained at a predetermined level, a predetermined number of actual prints are printed prior to the actual print. It is common practice to output a confirmation print (referred to as a confirmation print) each time. Such a print creation method is particularly effective in creating a color print having many variable elements.

  As the confirmation print, there are known a print that outputs a test pattern and the like, and a print that outputs the same print as the main print and uses this as a confirmation print.

  In order to prevent such a confirmation print from being mixed into the main print, there is a proposal (for example, see Patent Document 1) that the confirmation print is discharged to a paper discharge tray different from the main print. Many image forming apparatuses have only one tray. When a confirmation print is created by such an image forming apparatus, the user is required to be careful to remove the confirmation print every time it is output so that the confirmation print is not mixed into the main print.

  Further, the user is required to perform an instruction operation for restarting the creation of the main print after removing the confirmation print every time the confirmation print is output.

The request as described above is troublesome for the user and easily causes an error in work.
JP-A-8-106191 (page 1-2)

  The present invention has been made in view of the situation as described above, and its purpose is to prevent the confirmation print output from the image forming apparatus having only one paper discharge tray from being mixed into the main print, In addition, the confirmation work for confirming the confirmation print and the restart instruction operation for the main print creation work after the print confirmation are simplified.

The object is achieved by realizing the following claims.
(Claim 1)
An image forming apparatus comprising: a paper discharge unit that discharges an image-formed sheet to a paper discharge tray; and an operation display unit that performs various job settings including a confirmation print mode setting for generating a confirmation print.
When the confirmation print mode is set by the operation display means,
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a control unit that controls the paper discharge unit to hold the confirmation print and stop the print.
(Claim 2)
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the paper discharge unit to hold and hold a rear end portion of the confirmation print.
(Claim 3)
The control means includes
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the paper discharge unit controls the confirmation print to be held and stopped in a face-up state.
(Claim 4)
The control means includes
When instruction information for canceling the job set by the operation display unit is input while the confirmation print is held by the paper discharge unit and is stopped,
Cancel the set job,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein control is performed such that the confirmation print held by the paper discharge unit is discharged to a paper discharge tray.
(Claim 5)
The control means includes
5. The mode is switched from the confirmation print mode to the normal copy mode when instruction information for canceling the confirmation print mode is input by the operation display means in a state where the confirmation print mode is set. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.
(Claim 6)
The control means includes
The mode is switched from the normal copy mode to the confirmation print mode when the confirmation print mode is set in the image forming apparatus which is operating in the normal copy mode. The image forming apparatus described in the item.
(Claim 7)
A paper detection sensor for detecting whether or not the confirmation print is held in the paper discharge means;
The control means includes
The operation of the image forming apparatus is restarted when the paper detection sensor detects that the confirmation print held in the paper discharge unit is lost. The image forming apparatus described in the item.
(Claim 8)
The control means includes
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the confirmation print is held in the paper discharge unit for a predetermined time or more, the confirmation print mode is canceled and the operation of the image forming apparatus is resumed.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the confirmation print is prevented from being mixed into the main print.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the user can easily remove the confirmation print.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the user can easily confirm the image on the confirmation print that is stopped.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is easy to cancel the job when the user confirms the confirmation print and decides to cancel the set job.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, creation of unnecessary confirmation prints is prevented.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to quickly change the mode when the necessity for the confirmation print occurs during the operation in the normal print mode.

  According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the instruction operation by the operation display unit necessary for resuming the operation of the image forming apparatus in the stopped state in the confirmation print mode is omitted.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the image forming unit from being stopped for a long time due to the absence of the user (operator).

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus GS includes an automatic document feeder ADF at the top thereof.

  The documents D placed on the document placement table 101 of the automatic document feeder ADF are separated one by one, sent to the document conveyance path, and conveyed by the conveyance drum 102. The document image of the document D being conveyed is read by the document reading unit 1 at the document image reading position RP. The document D that has been read is discharged to the document discharge table 107 by the first conveyance guide G 1 and the document discharge roller 105.

  When reading the document image on the back side of the document D, the document D that has been scanned on the front surface (first surface) is guided to the document reversing roller 106 by the first conveyance guide G1, and the rear end portion of the document D is sandwiched. The document reversing roller 106 that reverses the document is again sent to the document conveyance path via the first conveyance guide G1 and the second conveyance guide G2. The reverse surface (second surface) of the document D sent out in reverse is read in the same manner as the front surface (first surface) and then discharged onto the document discharge table 107.

  The image forming apparatus GS includes a document reading unit 1, image writing units 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K, image forming units 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K, an image transfer unit 4, a fixing unit 5, a reverse discharge unit 6, and a refeed. The paper unit 7, the paper supply unit 8, the operation display unit 9, the control unit C1, and the like are included.

  The original image is irradiated by the lamp L at the original reading position RP, and the reflected light is guided by the first mirror unit 11, the second mirror unit 12, and the lens 13 and formed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor CCD. The image signal photoelectrically converted by the image pickup device CCD is subjected to processing such as A / D conversion, shading correction, and compression by the image reading control unit 14, and is stored as document image data in the memory M1 of the control means C1.

  The original image data stored in the memory M1 is subjected to appropriate image processing according to a user designation or a set condition, and output image data is created.

  Based on the output image data, photosensitive elements that are constituent elements of the image forming means 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K by the laser beam of the image writing means 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K including a laser light source, a polygon mirror, and a plurality of lenses. The surfaces of the bodies 31Y, 31M, 31C, and 31K are scanned, and latent images are formed on the photoreceptors 31Y, 31M, 31C, and 31K.

  A charging unit 32Y, a developing unit 33Y, a first transfer roller 34Y, and a cleaning unit 35Y are arranged around the photoreceptor 31Y. The same applies to the photoconductors 31M, 31C, and 31K. These structures are made up of known techniques employed in electrophotographic color image forming apparatuses.

  The latent images on the photoreceptors 31Y, 31M, 31C, and 31K are developed by corresponding developing means 33Y, 33M, 33C, and 33K, and toner images are formed on the photoreceptors. The toner images formed on the photoreceptors 31Y, 31M, 31C, and 31K are sequentially transferred to predetermined positions on the transfer belt 41 by the first transfer rollers 34Y, 34M, 34C, and 34K of the image transfer unit 4.

  The toner image transferred onto the transfer belt 41 of the image transfer unit 4 is a sheet that is a transfer material that is fed from the sheet feeding unit 8 and fed at the timing of sheet feeding by the sheet feeding roller 81. Transferred to P by the second transfer roller 42.

  After the transfer of the toner image onto the paper P, the surface of the transfer belt 41 is cleaned by the cleaning unit 43 and is used for the next image transfer.

  On the other hand, the paper P carrying the toner image is sent to the fixing unit 5 and is heated by pressure by the opposing pressure roller and heating roller, whereby the toner image is fixed on the paper P.

  The paper P that has undergone the fixing process by the fixing unit 5 is conveyed by the paper discharge unit 6 and discharged to the paper discharge tray 10.

  When the paper P is reversed and discharged, the paper guide P is once guided downward by the sorting guide 64, the reverse roller 62 sandwiches the rear end of the paper P, and the paper P is reversed. The paper is guided to the paper discharge roller 61 by the sorting guide 64 and discharged to the paper discharge tray 10.

  When image formation is also performed on the back surface of the paper P, the paper P on which the front surface image has been fixed is conveyed to the re-feeding means 7 below by the sorting guide 64 and is moved back by the re-feed reverse roller 71. After sandwiching the end portion, the paper P is reversed by reverse feeding and sent to the refeed conveyance path 72 to be used for image formation on the back surface.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control relationship of the image forming apparatus.

  The control unit C1 in the image forming apparatus GS is a computer system having a CPU, a memory M, an I / O port, a communication interface, and a circuit for driving and controlling each unit. The control means C2 in the automatic document feeder ADF is also a similar computer system with a small scale. Control by the control means C is performed by executing a plurality of programs stored in the memory M. The control means C1 and the control means C2 are connected by serial communication means T2. Further, the image forming apparatus GS can be connected to another image forming apparatus or an information processing device, and the control unit C1 communicates information with another image forming apparatus or the information processing device IS via the communication unit T1. Exchange.

  In the drawing, description of blocks that are not directly related to the description of the present invention is omitted.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of the paper discharge means 6.

  The paper discharge unit 6 includes a paper discharge roller 61, reverse rollers 62 and 63, a sorting guide 64, paper detection sensors S1 and S2, a plurality of guide members, and the like.

  The sheet P sent out from the fixing unit 5 enters the sheet discharge unit 6 from the direction of the arrow a, and is guided downward by the distribution guide 64 at the dotted line position indicated by arrows d and e. Is detected by the paper detection sensor S2, the paper P is temporarily stopped in a state where the rear end portion is nipped by the reverse roller 62. When the paper P is stopped, the reverse rollers 62 and 63 reversely rotate, the trailing edge becomes the leading edge, and the paper P is guided to the sorting guide 64 at the solid line position and sent to the paper discharge roller 61. The sheets are sequentially stacked on the paper discharge tray 10 with the image surface down (face down) 61.

  When paper is discharged with the image surface facing upward, the paper P traveling from the direction of the arrow a is guided in the direction of the arrow b by the sorting guide 64 set at the solid line position, and is discharged to the paper discharge table 10 by the paper discharge roller 61. Eject paper.

  The paper detection sensor S1 is a sensor for detecting the paper P passing downstream of the paper discharge roller 61, and the control means C1 is held by the paper discharge roller 61 and stopped based on the detection signal of the paper detection sensor S1. It is determined whether or not the sheet P has been removed.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state where the paper P output as the confirmation print is stopped.

  The paper P is stopped with the image surface facing up (face up) and the rear end being sandwiched between the paper discharge rollers 61. The stop position is determined from the size information of the paper P and the paper leading edge detection information from the paper detection sensor S1 so that the rear end of the paper P is slightly sandwiched between the paper discharge rollers 61 by the control means C1. It is determined. Note that the stop position may be determined based on a sheet trailing edge detection signal from a sheet detection sensor S3 provided in a conveyance path upstream of a delivery roller that feeds the sheet P to the image transfer unit 42.

  Since the paper P sandwiched between the paper discharge rollers 61 is stopped with the image surface facing up on the paper discharge tray 10, the user confirms the image, and if there is no problem, the paper that is the confirmation print P is pulled out from the paper discharge roller 61 that is nipped. The control means C1 recognizes that the confirmation print has been removed based on a signal from the sheet detection sensor S1, and executes a predetermined operation.

  FIG. 5 is a view showing a display example of the operation display means 9.

  The operation display means 9 is a touch panel which is a well-known technical means and is a widely used means capable of displaying characters and images and inputting for an instruction operation.

  When the print job is executed in the confirmation print mode, it is necessary to set in advance how many of the main prints the confirmation print is to be created. In this example, the display can be set by either the number of copies or the number of copies. It is also possible to set whether to output the confirmation print periodically or non-periodically, that is, whether or not to output it every time the number of printed prints reaches the set number.

  The time until the restart after the removal is the control means C that the confirmation print having the rear end held between the paper discharge rollers 61 of the paper discharge means 9 is removed in the image forming apparatus GS whose operation is stopped. Is the delay time until the operation is restarted.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of printing work in the confirmation print mode of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

  When an instruction to start printing is input from the operation display means 9 (step S1), it is confirmed whether or not the confirmation print mode is set (step S2). If the confirmation print mode is not set, (Step S2: N), the actual print is created (Step S10). If the confirmation print mode is not set during the creation of the main print, the main print M is output until the print output number M reaches the print output number MM calculated in advance by the job setting. A print is created (step S11: Y), and the process routine is exited.

  If the confirmation print mode is set (step S2: Y), it is determined whether or not the value N of the confirmation print counter is the confirmation print creation value NN. The confirmation print counter is a counter that counts the number of actual prints to be created, and a normal output print counter may be used. The confirmation print creation value NN is a value calculated based on the setting condition input when setting the confirmation print mode and the value N of the confirmation print counter. For example, when a confirmation print is created for every 100 prints. “0” is initially set, “100” is set when the value N of the confirmation print counter becomes 1 or more, and “200” is set when the value of N becomes 101 or more.

  When the value N of the confirmation print counter reaches the confirmation print creation value NN (step S3: Y), a confirmation print is created (step S4). The control means C1 sets the sorting guide 64 of the paper discharge means 6 to the position indicated by the solid line position in FIG. 3, and conveys the created confirmation print face up (step S5). As described above with reference to FIG. 4, the confirmation print being conveyed is stopped by the rear end portion being sandwiched between the discharge rollers 61 of the discharge means 6 (step S6).

  When the user confirms the image of the confirmation print stopped in the face-up state and removes the confirmation print held between the paper discharge rollers 61 (step S7: Y), the confirmation print creation value NN is the next confirmation. The value is updated to a value for creating a print (step S8), a preset delay time TD1 is taken (step S9), and the main print is started or restarted (step S10). The process is repeated until the number M of the main prints reaches a predetermined set number MM (steps S2 to 11), and when the set number of main prints are created (step S11: Y), the process routine is exited. . If the job setting is canceled while the delay time TD1 is set (step S19: Y), the print creation canceling process is executed without resuming the main print. (Step S18).

  By the processes in steps 2 to 11 as described above, efficient and simple confirmation print creation, confirmation print confirmation, and actual print creation resumption operation are realized.

  Hereinafter, a case where the confirmation print is not removed by the user (step S7: N) will be described.

  When the time TK in which the discharge unit 6 holds the confirmation print becomes equal to or longer than the preset time KK (step S12: Y), the set confirmation print mode is canceled (step S13). ), The confirmation print is discharged to the discharge tray 10 (step S14), and the main print is resumed (step S10).

  Similarly, when the setting of the confirmation print is canceled by the user within the preset time KK during which the paper discharge unit 6 holds the confirmation print (step S15: Y), the confirmation print is similarly performed. Is discharged to the paper discharge tray 10 (step S14), and the main print is resumed (step S10).

  When the setting of the job is canceled by the user within the preset time KK during which the discharge unit 6 holds the confirmation print, the confirmation print is placed on the discharge tray 10 (step S16: Y). Ejecting (step S17), the production of the main print is stopped (step S18), and the processing routine is exited.

  As described above, the present invention is configured such that no inconvenience is caused to various user operations performed without removing the confirmation print.

1 is a conceptual diagram of an image forming apparatus. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control relationship of the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a conceptual diagram of a paper discharge means. It is a figure which shows the state which the confirmation print has stopped. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of an operation display means. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of printing work in a confirmation print mode.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Document reading means 2Y, 2M, 2C, 2K Image writing means 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K Image forming means 4 Image transfer means 5 Fixing means 6 Paper discharge means 61 Paper discharge rollers 62, 63 Reverse roller 64 Sorting guide 7 Refeeding Paper means 8 Paper feed means 9 Operation display means C1 Control means (image forming apparatus)
M Memory P Paper S1, 2, 3 Paper detection sensor

Claims (8)

An image forming apparatus comprising: a paper discharge unit that discharges an image-formed sheet to a paper discharge tray; and an operation display unit that performs various job settings including a confirmation print mode setting for generating a confirmation print.
When the confirmation print mode is set by the operation display means,
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a control unit that controls the paper discharge unit to hold the confirmation print and stop the print. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the paper discharge unit to hold and hold a rear end portion of the confirmation print. The control means includes
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the paper discharge unit controls the confirmation print to be held and stopped in a face-up state. The control means includes
When instruction information for canceling the job set by the operation display unit is input while the confirmation print is held by the paper discharge unit and is stopped,
Cancel the set job,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein control is performed such that the confirmation print held by the paper discharge unit is discharged to a paper discharge tray. The control means includes
5. The mode is switched from the confirmation print mode to the normal copy mode when instruction information for canceling the confirmation print mode is input by the operation display means in a state where the confirmation print mode is set. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above. The control means includes
The mode is switched from the normal copy mode to the confirmation print mode when the confirmation print mode is set in the image forming apparatus which is operating in the normal copy mode. The image forming apparatus described in the item. A paper detection sensor for detecting whether or not the confirmation print is held in the paper discharge means;
The control means includes
The operation of the image forming apparatus is restarted when the paper detection sensor detects that the confirmation print held in the paper discharge unit is lost. The image forming apparatus described in the item. The control means includes
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the confirmation print is held in the paper discharge unit for a predetermined time or more, the confirmation print mode is canceled and the operation of the image forming apparatus is resumed.

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