JP2008298987A - Sheet transport apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect a status abnormality by an operating mode, and to continue a notification of the status abnormality even after switching to a low power mode. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus includes: a power supply unit 200 which outputs an operating voltage +5V in the operating mode and which suspends output of the operating voltage in the low power mode; a mode control means 91 which switches the low power mode/the operating mode; transferring means 45-47 which operate with the operating voltage +5V and transport sheet; state detection means 111a, 111b, 91 which detect abnormal condition; status information means 114a, 114b; a transfer control means 90 which operates with the operating voltage +5V, controls the transferring means, and provides status information means with information indication if the state detection means detects abnormal condition; and switching means 106-108 which provides the status information means with the information indication in the operating mode and provides the status information means with state detection signal in the low power mode. The status information means performs status information according to state detection signal by using silence activity voltage +5VE outputted by the power supply unit in the low power mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention includes a sheet feeding apparatus that supplies a sheet-like recording medium (herein, simply referred to as a sheet or a sheet) such as recording paper, paper, transfer paper, and OHP sheet, and the sheet feeding apparatus. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to a sheet feeding apparatus and an image forming apparatus having a function of a low power mode (energy saving mode). The present invention can be used in, for example, a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, a digital multifunction machine, and the like.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, it is well known that a light emitting element such as an LED is turned on in order to inform a user of the operation status of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile. For example, green is displayed during normal operation, and red is displayed when there is an abnormality such as a paper jam.

JP-A-2005-25066 Japanese Patent No. 3627723.

  One of the typical states of detecting and notifying the state in which the state detection means in the sheet feeding device detects the state and turns on or blinks the light emitting element in order to notify the normal or abnormal state is a sheet detection circuit. There is a paper conveyance monitor that detects the presence or absence of a sheet, determines a paper trouble (paper jam or non-feeding or staying in the apparatus), and displays a message indicating these. In one example, first, a sheet detection signal from the sheet detection circuit is transmitted to the CPU in the apparatus main body. The CPU determines the presence or absence of a paper trouble based on the signal, and when there is a paper trouble, gives a light emission instruction to the display circuit and turns on the light emitting element of the display circuit. With this configuration, the CPU can control a plurality of light emitting elements, so that the lighting control of each light emitting element can be performed, and the blinking and blinking interval can be freely controlled.

  In such a configuration, when an abnormality such as a paper jam occurs in the paper conveyance status, normally, the operation mode is continued until the abnormality is resolved, and the light emitting element is turned on (including blinking) to indicate the occurrence of the abnormality. If the user is continuously informed of the abnormal state, power is wasted. Therefore, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 propose that the power supply of the sensor necessary for image formation is shut off in the low power mode in which image formation is not performed. However, if the low power mode is entered in the abnormal state, the power supply to the CPU that performs sheet feeding control and the display circuit is stopped, so that the light emitting element cannot be energized, and the user is in an abnormal state. There is a drawback that it cannot be informed.

  When an abnormal condition occurs, the operation mode is continued without switching to the low power mode, and the abnormal display is continued. If a paper jam occurs, it does not shift to the low power consumption mode, and it cannot move to the low power consumption mode until the user clears the paper jam the next morning, which wastes power. Resulting in.

  An object of the present invention is to continue notification of a state abnormality with low power consumption. In other words, even if the mode is switched to the low power mode, the object is to notify the state abnormality.

(1) A power supply device (200) having a low power mode and an operating mode, outputting an operating voltage (+ 5V) in the operating mode and stopping outputting the operating voltage in the low power mode;
Mode control means (91) for switching the power supply device from the low power mode to the operation mode and vice versa;
Transport means (47, 45, 46) that operates by the power of the operating voltage and transports the sheet along the transport path;
A state detecting means (111a, 111b, 91) for detecting a state to inhibit or hold the sheet transfer operation;
Status notification means (114a, 114b);
A transfer control means (90) that operates by the power of the operating voltage, controls the operation of the transfer means, and gives a notification instruction to the state notification means when the state detection means detects the state; and
Switching means (106 to 108) that gives the notification instruction to the state notification means when in the operation mode, and gives a signal that detects the state of the state detection means to the state notification means when in the low power mode. );
The state notification means performs state notification in accordance with the signal that has detected the state using the power of the voltage (resting active voltage + 5VE) output by the power supply device in the low power mode; .

  In addition, in order to make an understanding easy, the code | symbol or corresponding matter of the corresponding | compatible element of the Example shown in drawing and mentioned later in parentheses was added as reference for reference. The same applies to the following.

  According to this, even after the operation voltage (+ 5V) has disappeared after the transition to the low power mode, the state notification unit performs notification based on the signal of the state detection unit that detects the state. Even if the device is in the low power mode, the status (normal / abnormal) of the device can be known.

  (2) The switching unit gives the notification instruction to the state notification unit when the operating voltage is present, and outputs a signal that detects the state of the state detection unit to the state notification unit when there is no operating voltage. The sheet transfer apparatus according to (1) above.

  (3) When the switching unit is in the low power mode, the switching unit connects the output line of the signal detecting the state of the state detection unit to the notification instruction input line of the state notification unit; The sheet transfer device according to (2).

  According to the above (1) to (3), a notification indicating that there is a state to inhibit or hold the sheet transfer operation even in the low power mode by adding a relatively simple configuration (106 to 108). You can continue.

  (4) The mode control means starts timing when the sheet transfer by the transfer means is completed or interrupted, and switches the power supply device from the operation mode to the low power mode when the set time (Td1) is measured; The sheet | seat transfer apparatus as described in any one of thru | or (3).

  (5) The sheet transfer device further includes an operation board (10) including an input means for instructing start and condition of work requiring sheet transfer; and the mode control means is instructed by the input means of the operation board. In response, the power supply apparatus is switched from the low power mode to the operation mode; the sheet conveying apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4) above.

  (6) The operation board further includes input means (16, 11, 13) for changing the set time (Td1); the sheet transfer device according to (5). According to this, the user can freely set the transition time to the low power mode.

  (7) The state detection means is a sheet detection circuit that detects the presence or absence of a sheet at a predetermined position in the transfer path; the sheet transfer apparatus according to any one of (1) to (6) above.

  (8) The notification means is a display circuit including an LED; the sheet transfer device according to any one of (1) to (8) above.

(9) The sheet transfer device according to any one of (1) to (8) above; and
An image forming apparatus (40) comprising image forming means (41 to 44, 91) for forming an image on a sheet transferred by the transfer means of the sheet transfer apparatus.

  (10) Further, a document scanner (20) that reads an image on a document and generates image data; and the image forming unit corrects the image data into recording image data used for image formation by the image forming unit. The image forming apparatus (MF1) according to (9), further comprising: an image data processing means (94) for outputting to

  Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a multi-function full-color digital copying machine MF1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This full-color copying machine is roughly constituted by units of an operation board 10, a color scanner 20, an automatic document feeder (ADF) 30, a color printer 40, and a paper feed bank 50. A LAN (Local Area Network) connected to a personal computer PC is connected to the image data processing apparatus in the apparatus. Further, the in-machine facsimile controller FCU 60 (FIG. 2) can perform facsimile communication via the exchange PBX and the public communication network PN.

  The printer 40 includes a transfer unit, and the transfer unit includes a transfer belt 41 that is an endless belt. The transfer belt 41 is wound around three support rollers and one tension roller, and is driven to rotate clockwise. Near the tension roller, there is a transfer body cleaning unit that removes residual toner remaining on the transfer belt 41 after image transfer.

  The transfer belt 41 between one support roller and another support roller is equipped with image forming units for C, M, Y, and Bk color image forming along these moving directions. A transfer roller 42 is provided opposite to each photosensitive drum with the transfer belt 41 interposed therebetween. Above the image forming apparatus, there is a laser exposure unit 43 that irradiates each photoconductor drum of each color photoconductor unit with laser light for image formation. The photosensitive drum is uniformly charged by the charging roller 44, and a laser whose unit is modulated by an image signal is projected onto the charged surface by the laser exposure unit 43. The developing device develops the electrostatic latent image generated thereby to form a toner image. This toner image is transferred to the transfer belt 41.

  Below the transfer belt 41 is a transport belt 45. The conveyor belt 45 transfers the toner image on the transfer belt 41 onto a sheet. The paper (transfer paper) on which the toner image is transferred is sent out to the fixing unit 46 by the transport belt 45. Below the conveying belt 45 and the fixing unit 46, there is a double-sided drive unit that is a sheet reversing unit that feeds a sheet immediately after an image is formed on the front surface and reverses the front and back to record an image on the back surface.

  When the start switch is pressed, if there is a document in the automatic document feeder (ADF) 30, it is transported onto the contact glass of the scanner 20, and if there is no document in the ADF 30, the manually placed document on the contact glass Immediately, the scanner 20 is driven, and the first carriage and the second carriage in the scanner 20 are read and scanned. Then, light is emitted from the light source on the first carriage to the contact glass, and reflected light from the document surface is reflected by the first mirror on the first carriage and directed to the second carriage, and reflected by the mirror on the second carriage. Then, an image is formed on the CCD 21 (FIG. 2) as a reading sensor through the imaging lens. C, M, Y, and Bk color recording data are generated based on the image signal obtained by the reading sensor.

  Further, when the start switch is pressed, the rotation driving of the transfer belt 41 is started, the image forming preparation of each unit of the image forming apparatus is started, and the image forming sequence of each color image is started. Thus, an exposure laser modulated based on each color recording data is projected onto the photosensitive drum for each color, and each color toner image is transferred onto the transfer belt 41 as a single image by each color image forming process. When the leading edge of the toner image enters the conveyance belt 45, the sheet is fed from the registration roller pair 47 to the transfer belt 45 at a timing so that the leading edge enters the conveyance belt 45 at the same time. The toner image is transferred to the paper. A voltage for transferring toner is applied to the transfer belt 41 by a transfer roller 42. The sheet on which the toner image has moved is sent to the fixing unit 46 where the toner image is fixed on the sheet.

  Note that the above-described sheet is selectively rotated by driving one of the sheet feeding rollers immediately above the sheet feeding trays (also referred to as sheet feeding trays or cassettes) 51 to 53 of the sheet feeding bank 50, so that the sheet feeding bank 50 has multiple stages. The sheet is fed out from one of the paper feed trays 51 to 53, separated by a separation roller, put into a vertically arranged transport roller unit, transported upward, and guided to the transport roller unit in the printer 40 for transport. After abutting and stopping against the registration roller pair 47 of the roller unit, the roller is sent to the conveyor belt 45 at the timing described above. The sheet detection circuit 111 a detects the paper that has arrived immediately before the registration roller pair 47. It is also possible to feed paper by inserting paper on the right side manual feed tray. When the user is inserting paper onto the manual feed tray, the printer 40 rotates the paper feed roller of the manual feed tray to separate one sheet on the manual feed tray and pull it into the manual feed path, and the registration roller Stop against the 47.

  The paper discharged after receiving the fixing process by the fixing unit 46 is guided to the discharge roller by the switching claw and stacked on a paper discharge tray (not shown). Alternatively, it is guided to the double-sided drive unit by the switching claw, reversed there and led again to the transfer position, and the image is recorded also on the back surface, and then discharged onto the paper discharge tray by the discharge roller. The sheet detection circuit 111 b detects the fixed paper that comes out of the fixing unit 46. On the other hand, residual toner remaining on the transfer belt 41 after image transfer is removed by a transfer body cleaning unit (not shown) to prepare for image formation again.

  FIG. 2 shows a system configuration of the electrical system of the multifunction copying machine MF1 shown in FIG. The electrical system includes a controller 70 that performs overall control of the image forming apparatus, an operation board 10 of the image forming apparatus connected to the controller 70, an HDD 78 that stores image data, and communication that communicates with the outside using an analog line. Control device interface board 79, LAN interface board 80, FAX control unit 60, IEEE1394 board, wireless LAN board, USB board, etc. 81 connected to general-purpose PIC bus, engine control 90 connected to controller via PCI bus, An I / O board 100 connected to the engine control 90 for controlling I / O of the image forming apparatus, a scanner board (SBU: Sensor Board Unit) 22 for reading a copy original (image), and image data on a drum LDB to write to Composed of a diode board) 43, and the like.

  A reading unit 20 that optically reads a document scans the document with a document illumination light source, and forms a document image on the CCD 21. An original image, that is, reflected light of light irradiation on the original is photoelectrically converted by the CCD 21 to generate R, G, B image signals.

  The communication control device interface board 79 immediately notifies an external remote diagnosis device when a failure occurs in the device, and allows the service person to recognize the content and situation of the failure part and repair it immediately. . In addition, it is also used for sending out the usage status of the device.

  The CCD 21 shown in FIG. 2 is a 3-line color CCD that generates R, G, and B image signals of EVENch (even pixel channel) / ODDch (odd pixel channel) and inputs them to an analog ASIC (Application Specific IC) on the SBU board. To do. The SBU board includes an analog ASIC and a circuit that generates drive timings for the CCD and analog ASIC. The output of the CCD 21 is sampled and held by a sample and hold circuit inside the analog ASIC, then A / D converted, converted into R, G and B image data, shading corrected, and output I / F (interface) 23, the data is sent to an image data processor IPP (Image Processing Processor; hereinafter simply referred to as IPP) 94 via an image data bus.

  The IPP 94 is a programmable arithmetic processing means for performing image processing, including separation generation (determination of whether an image is a character area or a photographic area: image area separation), background removal, scanner gamma conversion, filter, color correction, scaling, and image. Performs processing, printer gamma conversion, and gradation processing. The R, G, B image data transferred from the SBU 22 to the IPP 94 is corrected for signal deterioration (signal deterioration of the scanner system) accompanying quantization into the optical system and digital signal by the IPP 94 (separation generation, background removal, scanner) Gamma conversion, filter) and the frame memory 77. In the case of copying, this image data is read from the frame memory 77 and corrected to image data C, M, Y, B for printer output by the IPP 94 (color correction, scaling, image processing, printer gamma conversion). , Gradation processing), and is output to the LDB 43 of the printer 40.

  The system controller 70 includes a ROM 72 that controls the CPU 71 and the system controller board, a RAM 73 that is a working memory used by the CPU 1, a lithium battery, an NV-RAM 74 that includes an SRAM backup and a clock, and a system controller board 70. The system bus control, frame memory control, FIFO and other ASIC 75 for controlling the CPU periphery, its interface circuit, state change detection circuit ACD and the like are mounted.

  The state change detection circuit ACD includes detection signal lines of the pressure plate switch of the scanner 20 and a filler sensor (document presence sensor) of the ADF 30, a key operation detection signal line of the power key 19 of the operation board 10, and a reception detection signal of the FCU 60. The line is connected. While the main power switch 201 (FIG. 4) is on, the state change detection circuit ACD is applied with the pause activity voltage + 5VE that is continuously output even when the power supply circuit 200 is in the pause mode. As long as + 5VE is applied, if there is a signal change in any of the signal lines connected to the detection circuit ACD, a change detection signal indicating this is given to the CPU 71. In response to this signal, the CPU 71 switches the power supply circuit 200 from the sleep mode to a standby mode (operating mode) in which operating voltages + 5V and + 24V are output to each part of the copier.

  The system controller 70 has functions of a plurality of applications such as a scanner application, a facsimile application, a printer application, and a copy application, and controls the entire system. The input of the operation board 10 is decoded, and the setting of the system and the contents of the state are displayed on the display unit of the operation board.

  Many units are connected to the PCI bus 82, and image data and control commands are transferred in a time division manner by the image data bus / control command bus.

  The communication control device interface board 79 is a communication interface board between the communication control device 83 and the controller 70. Communication with the controller 70 is connected by full-duplex asynchronous serial communication. The communication control device 83 is multi-drop connected according to the RS-485 interface standard. Communication with the remote management system is performed via the communication controller device interface board 79.

  The LAN interface board 80 is connected to an in-house LAN. It is a communication interface board between the in-house LAN and the controller 70, and is equipped with a PHY chip. The LAN interface board 80 and the controller 70 are connected by standard communication interfaces of a PHY chip I / F and an I2C bus I / F. Communication with an external device is performed via the LAN interface board 80.

  The HDD 78 is used as an application database that stores system application programs and device activation information of printers and image forming process devices, and an image database that stores image data of read images and written images, that is, image data and document data. . Both physical and electrical interfaces are connected to the controller via an interface that conforms to ATA / ATAPI-4.

  The operation board 10 is equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, LCD, and ASIC (LCDC) for controlling key input. In the ROM, a control program for the operation board 10 that controls input reading and display output of the operation board 10 is written. The RAM is a working memory used by the CPU. Through communication with the system controller 70, the panel is operated to perform input for the user to input system settings, and display and input control for displaying the system setting contents and status to the user.

  Write signals of black (B), yellow (Y), cyan (C), and magenta (M) output from the work memory 76 of the system controller 70 are C, M, Y of LDB (Laser Diode control Board). , B LD (Laser Diode) writing circuit. The LD writing circuit performs LD current control (modulation control) and outputs the result to each LD.

  The engine control 90 mainly performs image creation control for image formation, and includes a CPU 91, an IPP 94 for image processing, a ROM 92 containing a program necessary for controlling copying and printout, a RAM 93 necessary for the control, and an NV -RAM95 is installed. The NV-RAM 95 includes an SRAM and a memory that detects power-off and stores it in the EEPROM. The I / O ASIC 96 that also transmits and receives signals to and from the CPUs 71 and 101 that perform other controls and also has a serial interface is a device that is mounted with an engine control board 90 and connected to a nearby I / O. ASIC for controlling (counter, fan, solenoid, motor, etc.). The I / O control board 100 and the engine control board 90 are connected via a synchronous serial interface.

  A sub CPU 101 is mounted on the I / O control board 100 and performs I / O control of the image forming apparatus including analog control such as P sensor and T sensor. When the door is opened and closed, it detects the installation of a new process cartridge. When the door SW connected to the I / O control board 100 in FIG. 2 is opened, there is a possibility that the process cartridge has been replaced, so confirmation is performed and the result is transmitted to the engine control 90.

  The interface circuit 104 is an interface circuit with an IC tag mounted on the process cartridge. Communication between the non-contact communication means 105 and the main body control unit is performed by an asynchronous serial interface. The non-contact communication means 516 modulates the signal output from the main body side into a predetermined signal for transmission and sends it to the transmitting / receiving antenna. The non-contact communication means on the process cartridge side demodulates the received signal received by the transmission / reception antenna of the process cartridge from a predetermined signal for transmission, changes to a parallel signal, and sends it to the CPU of the process cartridge. The same operation is performed when transmitting from the CPU of the IC tag on the process cartridge side to the main body side by non-contact communication means.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the operation board 10 includes a key group 12 in addition to the liquid crystal touch panel 11. The key group 12 includes a numeric keypad 13, a clear / stop key 14, a start key 15, an initial setting key 16, a mode switching key 17, a test print key 18, and a power key 19. Alphabets with hiragana added for input, setting and abbreviated registration of URLs, file names, folder names, etc. are displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 11 with key buttons at their input stages. The power key 19 is an operation key for instructing switching from a sleep mode (low power mode) to a standby mode (operation mode) in which image printing is possible and vice versa. If the power key 19 is pressed once when the sleep mode is set, the sleep mode is switched to the standby mode. When the power key 19 is pressed once in the standby mode, the standby mode is switched to the sleep mode. The test print key 18 is a key for printing only one copy regardless of the set number of print copies and confirming the print result.

  By pressing the initial setting key 16, the initial state of the machine can be arbitrarily customized. It is possible to arbitrarily set a state that is set when the transition time Td1 to the pause mode is set, the paper size stored in the machine is set, or the copy function reset key is pressed. When the initial setting key 18 is operated, a selection button for designating an “initial value setting” function for setting various initial values is displayed. The “transition time Td1 setting” function can be selected to change the transition time Td1. That is, the user can freely set the transition time Td1 from the end or interruption of copying or printing to the switching to the pause mode.

  The liquid crystal touch panel 11 displays various function keys, input keys for inputting execution conditions for the selected function, a message, and the like. The LCD touch panel 11 is used for selecting and executing a “copy” function, a “distribution scanner” function, a “registration” function, a “media write” function, a “print” function, a “media output” function, and a “facsimile” function. A function selection key is displayed. When the user touches the function selection key, an input / output screen determined for the function is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 11.

  For example, when the “copy” function is designated, as shown in FIG. 3, a message indicating the function key group, the number of copies, and the state of the image forming apparatus is displayed. In the function key group, print color designation keys “black (BK)”, “full color”, “automatic color selection”, “blue (C)”, “red (M)” and “yellow (Y)” designation There is a key. When the operator touches a key displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 11, the operation board 10 reads it as an operator input, and highlights the key indicating the selected function in gray indicating that it is being designated. Copying can be performed by setting an original on the scanner 1 and pressing the start key.

  When the user touches the “distribution scanner” selection key, the document can be read by the scanner 20 and the image data can be transmitted to a directly connected PC via the network I / F 10 or a PC that can communicate via the network. The “registration” function registers image data read by the scanner 20 or document information input from the outside (network I / F 10, media I / F 11, etc.) in the HDD 78. The “media writing” function reads an original with the scanner 20 and stores it on a removable medium (for example, a memory card) via the media I / F 11. The “print” function is to print out document information registered in the HDD 78 by the printer 40. The “media output” function reads out image data of an image file of a removable medium via the media I / F 11 and prints it with the printer 40. The “facsimile” function reads the original with the scanner 20 and transmits it by facsimile.

  FIG. 4 shows an outline of a power supply circuit 200 that applies an operating voltage to each part of the copying machine MF1 shown in FIGS. When the main power switch (main switch) 201 as the main power switch is closed, commercial AC 100V is applied to the AC control circuit 210 that supplies power to the fixing heater of the fixing unit 46 and the first power source 202 of the power circuit 200. In addition, the first power source 202 outputs a 5V voltage (+ 5VE) which is a resting active voltage. As a result, the sleep activation voltage + 5VE is applied to the controller 70, and the controller 70 closes the switches (SW) 203 and 204. As a result, the switch 203 outputs an operating voltage + 5V to each part, the switch 204 energizes the relay coil of the relay 205, the relay 205 is driven and turned on, and commercial AC 100V is applied to the second power source 206, Two power sources 206 output 24V voltage + 24V.

  Both the first power source 202 and the second power source 206 have a built-in rectifying / smoothing circuit that rectifies and smoothes commercial AC 100V into direct current and a DC / DC converter that converts the direct current into direct current of a set voltage (5V, 24V). . The DC / DC converter stabilizes to the set voltage (5V, 24V) and suppresses overcurrent by ON / OFF PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control of the switching element of the primary side chopping circuit (switching regulator). Output direct current power.

  The power supply circuit 200 is provided with energy saving control switches 203 and 204 for switching between a sleep mode that is an energy saving mode and a standby mode that is an operation mode. The switch 203 is inserted in the output line of the pause activity voltage + 5VE (+ 5V voltage) output from the first power source 202. In this embodiment, the switch 204 supplies / shuts off the power to the second power source 206. It is inserted in a control line for turning on / off the relay 205 as a switching means. A control signal for turning on / off the energy saving control switches 203 and 204 is supplied from the controller board 70 to the switches 203 and 204. In the “standby mode” (standby mode; normal mode; operation mode) in which image formation can be started in response to a copy start or print command with substantially no delay time, the controller board 70 uses the control signal to switch 203 and 204. Are turned on together. In the “pause mode”, the controller board 70 turns off both the switch 204 that supplies + 24V and the switch 203 that supplies + 5V. However, in the sleep mode, the switches 203 and 204 are off, but the state change of the controller board 70 is not detected in the detection signal lines of the pressure plate switch of the document scanner 100, the filler sensor of the ADF 120, and the power key 19 switch 21 of the operation board 10. In the detection circuit ACD, a pause activity voltage + 5VE is applied as a detection voltage. Further, the pause activity voltage + 5VE is continuously applied to the electric circuit for detecting the print command of the personal computer PC and the facsimile reception detection circuit of the facsimile control unit FCU.

  A large number of state detecting means are provided in the copying machine MF1. One of the typical state detection means is a sheet detection circuit that detects a conveyance error (paper jam, residual) of paper fed from the paper feed trays 51 to 53. There are also several types of notification means when an abnormality is detected. One of the typical notification means is a display circuit, and a typical display element used in the display circuit is a light emitting diode (LED). ).

  FIG. 5 shows engine control of two typical examples (111a, 111b) of sheet detection circuits serving as state detection means and two typical examples (114a, 114b) of display circuits serving as notification means provided in the copying machine MF1. An outline of a sheet detection signal reading route and an abnormality display instruction signal output route by 90 CPUs 91 is shown.

  The sheet detection circuit 111a is a reflection type optical sensor and includes a light emitting diode 112a and a phototransistor 113a. The light emitting diode 112a emits light forward, and the phototransistor 113a receives the irradiation light reflected by the paper when there is a paper ahead. That is, when there is a sheet in front of the sheet detection circuit 111a, a low level L sheet detection signal is generated, and when there is no sheet, a high level H sheet detection signal is generated, and the interface circuit 104 outputs the sheet detection signal to the I / O control 100. To do.

  The configuration and function of the sheet detection circuit 111b are the same as those of the sheet detection circuit 111a, but are installed downstream of the sheet detection circuit 111a in the paper conveyance path. In this embodiment, with respect to the sheet transport direction, the sheet detection circuit 111a is positioned immediately before the registration roller pair 47, and the sheet detection circuit 111b is positioned immediately after the fixing unit 46 (FIG. 1).

  When the CPU 91 of the engine control 90 feeds out the paper from any of the paper feed trays 51 to 53, it starts reading the sheet detection signal of the sheet detection circuit 111a at the timing corresponding to the paper feed tray from the feed out. If the sheet detection circuit 111a does not detect the sheet within the set time, the sheet feeding drive and transfer drive are stopped, the power supply to the fixing unit 46 is stopped, and the display circuit is connected via the I / O control 100 and the interface circuit 104. A display (lighting) instruction signal (L) is output to 114a. When the sheet detection circuit 111a detects a sheet at an appropriate timing, the CPU 91 outputs the sheet detection circuit 111a via the I / O control 100 for a set time immediately before the sheet reaches the registration roller pair 47. Read the sheet detection signal. In addition, during the set time immediately after the sheet starts to come out from the fixing unit 46, the sheet detection signal output from the sheet detection circuit 111b is read via the I / O control 100, and the transfer path from the circuits 111a to 111b is read. Monitor paper transport abnormalities. If it is determined that the conveyance is abnormal, the sheet conveyance drive is stopped, the power supply to the fixing unit 46 is stopped, and a display instruction signal (L) is output to the display circuits 114a and 114b. Further, when the sheet detection circuit 111a detects the leading edge of the paper, the CPU 91 starts a timer of a time limit value corresponding to the paper size, and when the time is over, the paper jam is detected by the sheet detection circuit 111a. Accordingly, the sheet transfer drive is stopped, the power supply to the fixing unit 46 is stopped, and the display instruction signal (L) is output to the display circuit 114a. Also, when the sheet detection circuit 111b detects the leading edge of the sheet, a timer for a time limit value corresponding to the sheet size is started, and when the time is over, it is determined that the sheet detection circuit 111b is still detecting the sheet, which is a paper jam. Then, the sheet transfer drive is stopped, the power supply to the fixing unit 46 is stopped, and the display instruction signal (L) is output to the display circuit 114b. Each time limit value of each timer depends on the distance of paper feed and transfer between the paper feed trays 51 to 53 and the sheet detection circuit 111a, the sheet transfer distance between the sheet detection circuits 111a and 111b, and the size of the conveyed paper. If the distance is long or the paper size is large, the time limit value is also proportionally increased. Each time limit value is stored in the ROM 92. The time limit value corresponding to the size of the conveyed paper is read from the ROM 92 based on the paper size.

  The interface circuit 104 includes gates 107 and 108 and an inverter 106 which are switching circuits for turning on (conducting) / off (cutting off) a signal line. In the standby mode, a control operation voltage +5 V is applied to the inverter 106 and the gate 108. Is done. When the control operation voltage + 5V is present by the inverter 106 (in the standby mode), an ON instruction potential is applied to the gate 107, whereby the gate 107 is ON, and the CPU 91 outputs from the I / O control 100 The instruction signal (L) is given to the display instruction input lines of the display circuits 114a and 114b through the gate 107. The On the other hand, since the gate 108 is OFF due to the control operation voltage + 5V, the sheet detection signal output lines of the sheet detection circuits 111a and 111b are cut off from the display instruction input lines of the display circuits 114a and 114b. Therefore, a display instruction signal (L) generated by the CPU 91 is given to the display circuits 114a and 114b.

  However, in the sleep mode, the sleep activity voltage + 5VE, which is + 5V in the sleep mode, is applied to the sheet detection circuits 11a and 111b and the display circuits 114a and 114b. In the sleep mode, the control operation voltage + 5V is applied to the interface circuit 104. Since the gate 107 is OFF and the gate 108 is ON, the sheet detection signal of the sheet detection circuit 111a (with sheet: L / without sheet: H) is sent to the display circuit 114a via the gate 108. A sheet detection signal (with sheet: L / without sheet: H) of the sheet detection circuit 111b is given to the display circuit 114b. Therefore, if the sheet detection circuit 111a detects a sheet in the pause mode, that is, if there is a paper jam or a paper retention at the position of the sheet detection circuit 111a, the sheet detection signal of the sheet detection circuit 111a is L, which is the gate 108. Is applied to the transistor 115a of the display circuit 114a, and the transistor 115a becomes conductive and energizes the LED 116a, and the LED 116a is lit (emits light). When the sheet detection circuit 111b detects a sheet in the pause mode, the sheet detection signal of the sheet detection circuit 111b is L, which is applied to the transistor 115a of the display circuit 114b through the gate 108, and the transistor 115b is turned on to turn on the LED 116b. The LED 116b is turned on (emits light).

  That is, a paper trouble occurs in the operation mode, the CPU 91 recognizes the paper trouble based on the sheet detection signal of the sheet detection circuit 111a and / or 111b, interrupts copying or printing, and turns on the display circuits 114a and 114b. Then, when the set time Td1 has passed and the CPU 71 switches the power supply circuit 200 from the standby mode to the hibernation mode, the operating voltage +5 V disappears. The sheet detection signal line of the sheet detection circuit 111a is connected to the display input line of the display circuit 114a and the sheet detection signal line of the sheet detection circuit 111b is connected to the display input line of the display circuit 114b through the gate 108. Is done. Accordingly, the LED 116a of the display circuit 114a is turned on when the sheet detection circuit 111a detects the sheet, and the LED 116b of the display circuit 114b is turned on when the sheet detection circuit 111b detects the sheet. That is, even when the display circuits 114a and 114b are switched to the sleep mode, the LEDs are continuously turned on.

  In this way, the display indicating the paper trouble continues even after the transition to the sleep mode. The device user can know the status (normal / abnormal) of the device even if the device is in the sleep mode (low power mode). Moreover, the display showing the paper trouble in the sleep mode can be continued by adding a relatively simple configuration (106 to 108).

  Note that the sheet detection circuit 111a can be changed to a transmissive optical sensor in which the light emitting diode 112a and the phototransistor 113a are arranged to face each other and a space through which a sheet passes is formed therebetween. In this case, since the sheet detection signal becomes H when there is a sheet, an inverter is inserted in the signal output stage of the sheet detection circuit 111a. Alternatively, an inverter is inserted in the instruction signal input stage of the display circuit 114a. In this case, it is necessary to change the logic of the presence / absence determination of the sheet with respect to the level (L / H) of the sheet detection signal of the CPU 91. Similarly, the sheet detection circuit 111b can be changed to a transmissive optical sensor. Further, the sheet detection circuits 111a and 111b both detect the paper directly. These lever mechanisms are rotatably supported by the front end being driven up or down by the paper and the rear end being provided with a reflection plate or a light shielding plate. Can be changed to a sheet detection circuit in which the reflection plate or the light shielding plate enters or leaves the field of view of the optical sensor depending on the presence or absence of paper. Further, it can be changed to a sheet detection circuit for switching ON / OFF of the microswitch by the movement of the lever mechanism.

  FIG. 6 shows switching control between the standby mode and the hibernation mode, which is executed by the controller 70 (CPU 71). When the main switch 201 between the power supply circuit 200 (FIG. 4) and the commercial AC power supply AC (outlet) is closed and the power supply circuit 200 gives an operating voltage, the CPU 71 of the controller 70 initializes the power-on response (S1). ) And set the standby mode (S2). That is, the switches 203 and 204 are turned on. Then, the data in the energy saving mode register FM is set to “0” representing the standby mode, and the timer Td1 having the time limit value Td1 for switching from the standby mode to the sleep mode is started.

  When the standby mode is set, an operating voltage is input to each part of the copying machine MF1. The CPU of the operation board 10 executes power-on initialization in response to the application of the operating voltage by the setting of the standby mode (S2), reads the standard processing mode copy condition in the NVRAM in the operation board 10 and operates it. The information is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel of the board 10.

  In the input reading (S3) of FIG. 6, the CPU of the operation board 10 reads a user operation on the operation board 10 and notifies the CPU 71 of the controller 70, and the CPU 71 of the controller 70 receives commands from the personal computer PC and the FCU 60. Decipher. The CPU of the operation board 10 reads the image processing mode key input, switches the display on the liquid crystal touch panel, reads the pressing of the numeric key, generates the input numeric data, and generates the start key corresponding to the user's operation on the operation board 10. Normal operation reading of the copier and display output control are performed such as reading of pressing of, transfer of a start instruction to the controller 70, reading of paper size switching input, and the like.

  The waiting time Td1 for switching from the standby mode to the sleep mode can be input from the operation board 10, and the input value is stored (registered) in the NVRAM of the operation board 10.

  In the “input reading” (3) of FIG. 6, when a print instruction is received from the personal computer PC or when the FCU 60 notifies the reception of the facsimile (S5), the CPU 71 sets the power supply circuit 200 in the standby mode in the sleep mode. The mode is switched (S6). In “input reading” (S3), an instruction input such as a user operation on the operation board 10 (touch of an image processing mode designation key, pressing of a numeric key, pressing of a start key, switching of paper size, etc.) is received. The CPU 71 of the controller 70 proceeds to a process corresponding to the instruction input (S5-S7-S8). If the start key is pressed, a printing instruction or a facsimile is received, the paper is fed out from any of the paper feed trays 51 to 53 and sent to the registration roller pair 47, and the paper is fed from the registration roller pair 47 to the conveying belt 45. The sheet transfer to be sent out is started. That is, the copying or printing operation is started. When the process ends normally or is interrupted, the timer Td1 is started (S9) and the process proceeds to "input reading" (S3). In “input reading” (S3), when there is no copy or print instruction input, no print instruction is received from the PC, no facsimile is received, and Td1 elapses and timer Td1 expires, the sleep mode is set (S3). -S4-S13-S14-S11).

  In “input reading” (S3), when the power key 19 on the operation board 6 is turned on while the standby mode is set, the CPU of the operation board 10 and the CPU 71 of the controller 70 instruct the user to switch to the sleep mode. Assuming that the image processing mode is being displayed (S7, S10), the image processing mode being displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel is written in the NVRAM in the operation board 10 as the previous mode, and the mode is shifted to the pause mode (S11). When shifting to the sleep mode, the CPU 71 waits for the state change detection circuit ACD to generate a change detection signal (S12), and when the change detection signal is generated, sets the power supply circuit 200 to the standby mode (S6). While waiting for the change detection signal to be generated, if a print command arrives from the PC or if a facsimile is received, the power supply circuit 200 is set to the standby mode (S6).

  When the power key 19 of the operation board 10 is turned on while the sleep mode is set, the CPU 71 assumes that the user has instructed switching to the standby mode, sets the standby mode, and writes to the NVRAM in the operation board 10. The previous image processing mode is read and displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel of the operation board 10 (S7-S10-S6).

  If there is no instruction input in "input reading" (S3) in FIG. 6, it is checked whether the timer Td1 has timed out while waiting for the instruction input (S4-S13, S14). When there is no instruction input and the timer Td1 expires, the CPU 71 of the controller 70 shifts to the sleep mode (S14-S11).

  In the above embodiment, the sheet detection circuits 111a and 111b, which are representative examples of the state detection means, are shown. However, the present invention is similarly applied to other state detection means for detecting an abnormal state that is not preferable to be left unattended. Can be implemented.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a multi-function full-color copying machine equipped with a sheet transfer device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of an image processing system of the copying machine shown in FIG. 1. It is an enlarged plan view which shows the external appearance of the operation board shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a configuration of a power supply circuit 200 of the copying machine illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which shows the route | root of a sheet | seat detection signal and the route | root of a display instruction | indication signal between the engine control 90 shown in FIG. 2, the sheet | seat detection circuit of a sensor and LED110, and a display circuit. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of mode switching control of a power supply circuit 200 performed by a CPU 71 of a controller 70 shown in FIG. 2.

Explanation of symbols

10: Operation board 20: Color document scanner 30: Automatic document feeder 40: Color printer 41: Transfer belt 42: Transfer roller 43: Optical writing unit 44: Charging roller 45: Conveying belt 46: Fixing unit 47: Registration roller pair 51 -53: Paper feed tray PC: PC PBX: Exchanger PN: Communication line 200: Power circuit

Claims (10)

A power supply device that has a low power mode and an operation mode, outputs an operating voltage in the operating mode, and stops outputting the operating voltage in the low power mode;
Mode control means for switching the power supply device from the low power mode to the operation mode and vice versa;
Transfer means which operates by the power of the operating voltage and transfers the sheet along the transfer path;
A state detecting means for detecting a state to inhibit or hold the sheet transfer operation;
Status notification means;
A transfer control unit that operates by power of the operating voltage, controls the operation of the transfer unit, and gives a notification instruction to the state notification unit when the state detection unit detects the state; and
Switching means for giving the notification instruction to the state notification means when in the operation mode, and for supplying a signal that detects the state of the state detection means to the state notification means when in the low power mode;
The state notification means performs state notification according to the signal that has detected the state, using the power of the voltage output by the power supply device in the low power mode; a sheet transfer device.   The switching means gives the notification instruction to the state notification means when there is the operating voltage, and gives a signal that detects the state of the state detection means to the state notification means when there is no operating voltage; Item 2. The sheet transfer device according to Item 1.   3. The switch according to claim 1, wherein, when in the low power mode, the switching unit connects an output line of a signal that detects the state of the state detection unit to a notification instruction input line of the state notification unit; Sheet transfer device.   4. The mode control unit starts timing when the sheet transfer by the transfer unit is completed or interrupted, and switches the power supply device from the operation mode to the low power mode when the set time is measured; The sheet transfer device according to 1.   The sheet transfer device further includes an operation board including an input means for instructing a start and a condition of work requiring sheet transfer; and the mode control means is configured to respond to an instruction from the input means of the operation board. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet transfer device is switched from the low power mode to the operation mode.   The sheet transfer device according to claim 5, wherein the operation board further includes input means for changing the set time.   The sheet conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the state detecting means is a sheet detecting circuit that detects the presence or absence of a sheet at a predetermined position in the conveying path.   The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit is a display circuit including an LED. A sheet transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 8; and
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet transferred by the transfer unit of the sheet transfer device.   A document scanner that reads an image on the document and generates image data; and image data processing that corrects the image data to recording image data used by the image forming unit for image formation and outputs the image data to the image forming unit The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising:

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