JP2015142316A - Image forming apparatus, and control method of the image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An image forming apparatus capable of suppressing wasteful discharge of paper even when a print process is input from the outside when a document jam occurs in an ADF, and a control method thereof. A reading unit that reads an image of an original, an original conveying unit that conveys the original, an I / F to which image data is input, and an image forming unit that forms an image based on the read image or input image data on a sheet And an image forming apparatus comprising a conveyance path for conveying the sheet to the image forming unit and a control circuit unit for conveying the sheet and controlling the image to be formed. When a document jam occurs in the document transport unit while transporting the paper in the transport path, if the paper reaches the image forming unit, the paper is ejected from the image forming unit. If the image data has been input before reaching, the sheet is conveyed to the image forming unit and an image based on the input image data is formed on the sheet. [Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a scanner function and a printer function capable of automatically conveying and reading a document and capable of performing a copy process.

  A so-called MFP (Multi Function Peripherals: generally referred to as a multi-function peripheral) is a device having a scanner (document reading) function, a printer (printing) function, and a facsimile transmission / reception function as necessary. This MFP is also used as a copier (copier) by combining a scanner function and a printer function.

  Also, in such an MFP, an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) for continuously reading a plurality of documents or a paper feed (drawing a print paper from a tray for storing the print paper). Many MFPs are equipped with an auto sheet feeder (automatic paper feeder) that can carry out copy processing and print processing by an external computer or the like continuously and simultaneously.

By the way, it is not uncommon for document sheets to be read to have a crease, and this is one of the causes of jams in JDF (JAM means paper jam).
Further, there are cases where deformed originals (originals having significantly different dimensions and shapes) are stacked and set on the ADF, or originals that have been bound are set on the ADF. In such a case, it is difficult to avoid jams in the ADF.

  In an MFP that starts feeding paper for printing almost simultaneously with the start of reading of a document by ADF in the above-described copying process, when a jam occurs in ADF and reading of the document stops, the printer unit and the printing paper are conveyed. Printing paper stays in the conveyance path, and printing processing by an external computer or the like cannot be performed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-076072 JP 2001-305914 A

Even when jamming occurs in the ADF and the reading of the original is stopped, the printing paper staying in the printer unit and the printing paper conveyance path is removed in order to resume the printing process by an external computer etc. There is a need to.
However, when the removed printing paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray from which the normally processed printed material is discharged, white paper or printing paper in the middle of printing is mixed into the printed material by an external computer or the like.

In order to cope with such inconvenience at the time of occurrence of a jam, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-076072 shows a configuration in which printing paper stopped halfway is saved in a reversing unit for double-sided printing.
However, with this configuration, when a jam occurs, printing paper remains on the reversal unit, and thus duplex printing cannot be performed. In addition, when a letterhead (standard printing paper) is used, there is a problem that printing is performed on the back side.

In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-305914, if a jam occurs during processing, the printing paper is saved in the reversing unit, but if the paper does not return to the original processing within a predetermined time, it is saved in the reversing unit. It is described that the printed printing paper is discharged.
However, the configuration shown in this publication cannot prevent the printing paper from being discharged unnecessarily when the processing is stopped due to a jam or the like.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and an object of the present invention is when a printing process is input from an external computer or the like when a document is jammed by an ADF during copying and the process is stopped. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a method for controlling the image forming apparatus that can suppress wasteful discharge of printing paper.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a reading unit that reads an image on one side of a document, a document transport unit that transports the document to a position opposite to the reading unit, and image data that is a source of an image from outside. An image forming unit that forms an image based on the image read by the reading unit or image data input through the interface on a sheet, a conveyance path that conveys the sheet to the image forming unit, The control circuit unit controls the conveyance of the paper and controls an image formed on the paper. The control circuit unit sequentially conveys the original by the original conveyance unit and reads the image read by the reading unit. During a copy process for forming on the paper, when a document jam occurs in the document transport unit while transporting the paper in the transport path, Is after the image forming unit is reached, the paper is discharged from the image forming unit, and the paper is before the paper reaches the image forming unit and image data is input via the interface Is characterized in that a printing process is carried out for conveying the paper to the image forming unit and forming an image on the paper based on the image data input via the interface.
The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a reading unit that reads an image on one side of a document, a document transport unit that transports the document to a position facing the reading unit, and image data that is a source of an image from the outside. An image input unit for forming an image read by the reading unit or an image based on image data input via the interface on one side of the paper, and the paper to the image forming unit The transport path includes a transport path and a reversing unit that reverses the paper transported from the image forming unit and transports the paper again to the image forming unit. The control circuit unit sequentially transports the document by the document transport unit. During the copying process for forming the image read by the reading unit on the paper, the original document is jammed by the original conveying unit while the paper is being conveyed in the conveyance path. If the sheet has arrived at the image forming unit when the sheet has occurred, the sheet is discharged from the image forming unit, and before the sheet reaches the image forming unit and through the interface. If image data has been input and the image based on the image data is not of a type corresponding to the sheet being conveyed on the conveyance path, the sheet is conveyed to the reversing unit and retracted, and the sheet is the image forming unit If the image data is input via the interface and the image based on the image data is of a type corresponding to the paper being conveyed on the conveyance path, the image is being conveyed on the conveyance path. And a printing process for forming an image based on the image data on one side of the paper on the one side of the paper.
Further, the control circuit unit retracts the sheet to the reversing unit, and when the copy process or the print process is instructed after the document jam is resolved, the type of sheet used for the copy process or the print process is determined. When the type corresponds to the paper saved in the reversing unit, the paper saved in the reversing unit is transported to the image forming unit and the copy process or the printing process is executed, and the copy process is performed. Alternatively, if the type of paper used for the printing process is different from the type of paper saved in the reversing unit and the copying process or the printing process is a process for both sides of the paper, the reversing part is saved. The paper is discharged.
According to the image forming apparatus control method of the present invention, the document transporting step for transporting the document to a position facing the reading unit, the reading step for reading the image of the document with the reading unit, and the sheet to the image forming unit are performed. A paper conveying step, an image forming step for forming an image read by the reading unit or an image based on external image data input from the outside on the paper, a jam detection step for detecting a document jam during the document conveyance, When the document jam is detected after the sheet reaches the image forming unit, a discharge step of discharging the sheet from the image forming unit, and before the sheet reaches the image forming unit, and When image data from the outside is input, the paper is conveyed to the image forming unit and the external image data Images brute characterized in that it comprises a continuous forming on the paper.

  As a result, according to the present invention, when the copy process is stopped due to a document jam before the paper is secondarily fed, the input before the second paper feed is performed with respect to the input of the printing process from an external computer or the like. Since the image is formed on the paper (primarily fed), there is an effect that wasteful discharge of the printing paper can be suppressed.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the copy process in this Embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of copy processing, which is an extension example of the embodiment.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each following figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component.
The present invention is applied to a multifunction peripheral (MFP) 1 as shown in FIG. 1, and has an image forming unit 12 in a main body 10, and a document reading unit 20 is formed on the upper portion (upper surface) of the main body 10. Has been.
Since the configuration of the image forming unit 12 is general, detailed description is omitted, but in FIG. 1, the paper P drawn from the paper tray 44 is transferred from below the image forming unit 12 via the conveyance path 46. Paper is fed. A sensor 47a including a photo interrupter is provided between the conveyance path 46 and the image forming unit 12 in order to detect passage of the end of the paper P.

In the multifunction machine 1 shown in FIG. 1, in addition to the paper P, the paper tray 44 has a paper P ₋₁ , a paper P ₋₂ , and a paper P different in size, color, and usage (for example, white paper and letterhead). _-3 can be stored. In the present embodiment, these paper P ₋₁ , paper P ₋₂ , and paper P _-3 are also simply referred to as paper P as necessary.

The paper P on which an image is formed (printed) by the image forming unit 12 is conveyed by the discharge path 48, but is discharged to the discharge tray 81 or discharged by the switching claw 23 provided in the discharge path 48. The tray 84 is discharged or sorted.
In the transport path 4, a pair of paper discharge rollers 81 a for sandwiching and transporting the paper P and a sensor 47 b for detecting the paper P are provided at the end toward the paper discharge tray 81. The sensor 47b is similar to the sensor 47a, and includes a photo interrupter for detecting passage of the end of the paper P.

The original reading unit 20 reads an image on one side of the original D facing the upper surface of the original reading unit 20 by moving a scanner 21 (reader). The multifunction device 1 of the present embodiment. Then, the ADF 2 is placed on the upper portion of the main body 10.
The ADF 2 includes a document tray 22 and a document transport unit 24. The document transport unit 24 pulls out the document D placed on the document tray 22 and transports the document D to the upper surface of the document reading unit 20. To do. At this time, since the document D passes above the scanner 21, the image on one side of the document D is read without moving the scanner 21.

  The document transport unit 24 has a configuration for detecting a jam by a sensor that detects the number of pulses of a stepping motor that rotates a roller that transports the document D, a motion of the document D, and the like. Since the configuration for doing so is general, illustration and detailed description are omitted.

  The upper portion of the document conveying section 24 is covered with a cover 24a. The cover 24a can be opened and closed by rotating the supporting section 24b in the direction of the arrow shown in the drawing. Further, on the ADF 2 side, a sensor (switch) 24c is provided for detecting the open / closed state by the movement of the rotation end of the cover 24a.

Further, the main body 10 is provided with a control device 3 having a control circuit unit 31, an operation unit 33, an I / F (Interface) 35, a storage unit 37, and the like.
As an example, the operation unit 33 is provided on the upper portion of the main body 10 and is connected to the control circuit unit 31 via the I / F 35 to notify the user of the multi-function device 1 of various information and to provide instructions / operations from the user. For example, a display (for example, a liquid crystal display), a touch panel, a switch, a button (keyboard), or the like.

The I / F 35 is connected to an external communication line and transmits / receives image data and various types of information, as well as a wired LAN (Local Area Network) communication circuit and a wireless LAN communication circuit. An external communication circuit such as a parallel data bus or a serial data bus is used.
The I / F 35 includes an input / output circuit for the operation unit 33 and a memory card read / write circuit.
The storage unit 37 is used when temporarily storing (spooling) image data (print data) read by the scanner 21 or data input via the I / F 35.

Next, the operation flow of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The multi-function device 1 can operate in several processing modes, but this embodiment relates to the copy mode and the printer mode.
The copy mode is a mode in which an image of the document D is read by the document reading unit 20 and a device associated therewith, and the read image is formed on the surface of the paper P.
The printer mode is a mode in which data that is a raw image is input from an external computer or the like via the I / F 35 and an image based on this data is formed on the surface of the paper P.

In the present embodiment, first, the control circuit unit 31 switches the multi-function device 1 to the copy mode (Step 11) and waits for a copy processing instruction.
When the document D to be copied is placed on the document tray 22 (Step 12) and the start of copy processing is instructed from the operation unit 33 (Step 13), the control circuit unit 31 is placed on the document tray 22 by the document transport unit 24. The documents D are conveyed one by one, and the image of the document D is read by the scanner 21 (Step 14).

When the control circuit unit 31 starts transporting the document D on the document tray 22, the sheet P (the sheet P ₋₁ to the sheet P ₋₁ of the corresponding sheet P when the instruction is issued from the operation unit 33 or the like from the sheet tray 44). _-3 ) is pulled out and transported to the transport path 46 (Step 15).

  The state before the paper P is pulled out to the transport path 46 and transported to the image forming unit 12 is referred to as primary paper feeding. This primary paper feeding is performed before the scanner 21 starts reading the image of the document D. May be executed.

  Here, the control circuit unit 31 checks whether or not a jam has occurred in the document conveying unit 24 (Step 16). If no jam has occurred, the paper P is sent to the image forming unit 12, and the image of the original D read by the scanner 21 is formed on one surface of the paper P by the image forming unit 12 (Step 17). .

Since the image forming method and processing procedure by the image forming unit 12 are general, detailed description thereof is omitted, but generally the primary feeding to the registration roller 12b before transfer by the transfer roller 12a, Paper feeding by the registration roller 12b is referred to as secondary paper feeding.
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the secondary paper feeding is executed after the scanner 21 starts reading the image of the document D.

  When the reading of the image of one document D and the formation of the image on the paper P (that is, the copy process) is completed, the control circuit unit 31 determines whether there is a document to be copied next on the document tray 22. Is confirmed in the ADF 2 (in general, the ADF 2 detects whether or not there is a document on the document tray 22) (Step 18). If there is a document, the process returns to Step 14. If there is no document, the copy process ends.

When the occurrence of a jam in the document conveying unit 24 is detected in Step 16 described above, the control circuit unit 31 checks whether or not the paper P is before secondary paper feeding (Step 21). In the present embodiment, if it can be confirmed by the sensor 47a or the like that the end portion (front end portion) of the paper P has not reached the position of the registration roller 12b shown in FIG. Here, when it is determined that the secondary paper feeding has been executed, the paper P in the image forming unit 12 is discharged (Step 22), and the copying process in the present embodiment ends.
If it is determined in step 21 that secondary paper feeding has been performed and the paper P is discharged in step 22, the control circuit unit 31 notifies the occurrence of a jam by the operation unit 33. However, the notification method, processing procedure, etc. Since it is general, its detailed description is omitted.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 21 that the secondary paper feeding is not yet performed, then the control circuit unit 31 has a request for image formation (print processing) based on data from an external computer or the like via the I / F 35. Whether or not (Step 31), whether or not the printing process is the same size (same size / same shape) as the primary fed paper is confirmed (Step 32).

  Here, if there is a printing process of the same size as the paper that has been primarily fed, the control circuit unit 31 interrupts the current process (copy process) (Step 33) and switches the MFP 1 to the printer mode. The print data being copied is spooled in the storage unit 37 (Step 34), and the paper P is sent from the conveyance path 46 to the image forming unit 12 to perform print processing from an external computer or the like (Step 35).

  If it is determined in Step 31 that there is no other print processing, or if it is determined in Step 32 that the print processing is different in size from the paper that has been primarily fed, the control circuit unit 31 displays the paper P in the transport path 46 as an image. Is passed through the image forming unit 12 without being formed, and conveyed to the reversing unit 5 to be retracted (Step 41).

Thereafter, the control circuit unit 31 waits until the jam is resolved (Step 42). Whether or not the jam has been resolved is determined by the sensor 24c or other sensors provided in the document transport unit 24 when the cover 24a shown in FIG. 1 is opened and the cover is closed again. If it is not detected, the jam is resolved.
After confirming that the jam has been resolved, it is confirmed whether or not there is an instruction to continue the copy process (Step 43). The instruction to continue the copy process is given from the operation unit 33 or the like.

If the copy process continuation instruction is not instructed in Step 43, the control circuit unit 31 next checks whether or not an operation for canceling the copy process has been performed from the operation unit 33 or the like (Step 44). If the copy process has not been canceled, the process returns to Step 42. That is, it waits until the jam is resolved or the copy process is canceled.
If it is determined in Step 44 that the copy process has been canceled, the paper P saved in the reversing unit 5 is discharged out of the main body 10 (Step 61), and the copy process ends.

  If it is determined in step 42 that the jam has been resolved, and if it is determined in step 43 that there has been an instruction to continue the copy process, the image forming unit passes the paper P saved in the reversing unit 5 via the conveyance path 46. 12 (secondary paper feed) (Step 36), the process proceeds to Step 17 to form an image on one side of the paper P.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in Steps 14 to 18, a process of continuously reading the original set on the ADF and copying it on a sheet is executed. If a jam occurs in the document transport unit during this copying process and the copying process is stopped, and if the printing process is input from the outside, the printer will start from the copy mode if the paper on which the image is to be formed is before secondary feeding. The mode is switched to the mode or the print data being copied is spooled, and the paper being primary fed is used for the printing process. Therefore, wasteful discharge of the paper being primary fed is suppressed.

  When spooling is performed in Step 34 (without switching to the printer mode), the spooled print data (print job) that has been spooled after the above-described processing ends is adapted to the paper P. It is possible to read out from the storage unit 37 and execute print processing.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is obvious that each embodiment can be appropriately changed within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.
For example, the paper P saved in the reversing unit 5 in Step 41 is used for the process of forming an image on the paper P of the same size (same type) in addition to processing the spooled data as described above. If so, it will not be wasted.

The operation flow in such a case will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, the processing from Step 11 to Step 44 is the same as that described in FIG.
In the example shown in FIG. 3, when the copy process is canceled at Step 44, the control circuit unit 31 waits until an instruction for the next copy process or print process is given (Step 50).

  When the next copy process or print process is instructed, it is confirmed whether or not the sheet used for the process (image forming process) is the same size (or the same type) as the sheet P saved in the reversing unit 5. (Step 51). Here, if the paper used for the next process is the same as the paper P saved in the reversing unit 5, the paper P saved in the reversing unit 5 can be used. Therefore, the sheet P that is saved in the reversing unit 5 is conveyed to the image forming unit 12 via the conveyance path 46, and this image forming process is executed (Step 52).

  If the paper used for the next process is different from the paper P saved in the reversing unit 5 in Step 51, it is confirmed whether or not the next process is an image forming process for one side of the paper P (Step 53). Here, if the paper size or type is different, the image forming process cannot be executed using the paper P saved in the reversing unit 5, but the reversing unit 5 should be used if the image forming process is for one side. Therefore, the process returns to Step 50 and waits until there is an instruction for the next copy process or print process.

If the next process is an image forming process on both sides of the paper P in Step 53, the reversing unit 5 is used to invert the paper P (front-back inversion). Therefore, the paper P that is retracted by the reversing unit 5 is discharged out of the main body 10 (Step 61).
In this way, it is possible to suppress wasteful discharge of the printing paper that is saved in the reversing unit.

1 MFP 2 ADF
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Control apparatus 5 Inversion part 10 Main body 12 Image forming part 12a Transfer roller 12b Registration roller 20 Original reading part 21 Scanner (reading part)
22 Document tray 23 Switching claw 24 Document transport unit 24a Cover 24b Support unit 24c Sensor 31 Control circuit unit 33 Operation unit 35 I / F (interface)
37 Storage Unit 44 Paper Tray 46 Transport Path 47a, 47b Sensor 48 Ejection Path 81, 84 Paper Ejection Tray 81a Paper Ejection Roller D Original P, P- ₁ , P- ₂ , P- ₃ Paper

Claims (4)

A reading unit that reads an image on one side of the document;
A document transport unit that transports the document to a position facing the reading unit;
An interface through which image data that is the source of the image is input from the outside;
An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet based on an image read by the reading unit or image data input through the interface;
A transport path for transporting the paper to the image forming unit;
And a control circuit unit that controls conveyance of the paper and controls an image formed on the paper.
During the copying process in which the original is sequentially conveyed by the original conveying unit and the image read by the reading unit is formed on the paper, the original conveying unit is clogged while the paper is being conveyed in the conveying path. When
If the sheet has reached the image forming unit, the sheet is discharged from the image forming unit,
When the sheet has not yet reached the image forming unit and image data has been input via the interface, the sheet is conveyed to the image forming unit and the image input via the interface is input. An image forming apparatus that executes a printing process for forming an image based on data on the sheet. A reading unit that reads an image on one side of the document;
A document transport unit that transports the document to a position facing the reading unit;
An interface through which image data that is the source of the image is input from the outside;
An image forming unit that forms an image read by the reading unit or an image based on image data input through the interface on one surface of the paper;
A transport path for transporting the paper to the image forming unit;
The reversing unit that reverses the sheet conveyed from the image forming unit and conveys it again to the image forming unit, and the control circuit unit includes:
During the copying process in which the original is sequentially conveyed by the original conveying unit and the image read by the reading unit is formed on the paper, the original conveying unit is clogged while the paper is being conveyed in the conveying path. When
If the sheet has reached the image forming unit, the sheet is discharged from the image forming unit,
If the image data is input via the interface before the sheet reaches the image forming unit, and the image based on the image data is not of a type corresponding to the sheet being conveyed on the conveyance path, the sheet Is transported to the reversing unit and retracted,
When the paper has not yet reached the image forming unit and image data has been input via the interface, and the image based on the image data is of a type corresponding to the paper being conveyed on the conveyance path An image forming apparatus that transports a sheet being conveyed on the conveyance path to the image forming unit and executes a printing process for forming an image based on the image data on the one side of the sheet on the sheet. . When the copy process or the print process is instructed after the control circuit unit retracts the sheet to the reversing unit and the document jam is resolved,
When the type of paper used for the copying process or the printing process is a type corresponding to the paper saved in the reversing unit, the paper saved in the reversing unit is conveyed to the image forming unit and Execute copy process or print process,
If the type of paper used for the copy process or the print process is different from the type of paper saved in the reversing unit, and the copy process or the printing process is a process for both sides of the paper, the reversing unit The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the evacuated sheet is discharged. A document transport step for transporting the document to a position facing the reading unit;
A reading step of reading an image of the document by the reading unit;
A paper transport step for transporting the paper to the image forming unit;
An image forming step of forming, on the sheet, an image read by the reading unit or an image based on external image data input from the outside;
A jam detection step for detecting a document jam during the document conveyance;
A discharge step of discharging the paper from the image forming unit when the document jam is detected after the paper reaches the image forming unit;
When the paper reaches the image forming unit and image data from the outside is input, the paper is transported to the image forming unit and an image based on the external image data is applied to the paper. A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising a continuation step of forming.

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