JP3744975B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a recording apparatus including a recording apparatus main body, a paper input device and / or a paper output device, and a system controller that controls the devices.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in the recording apparatus as described above, even if the in-machine residual paper is confirmed in each apparatus constituting the recording apparatus, it is not automatically discharged. Alternatively, when each device constituting the recording device recognizes the remaining paper in the apparatus, the automatic paper discharge operation is performed regardless of other devices constituting the recording device.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the recording apparatus as described above, the user has to remove himself / herself when the sheet remains illegally in the recording apparatus having a complicated configuration.
[0004]
Further, when each device performs the automatic paper discharge operation regardless of the other devices, a device existing downstream of the device that performs automatic paper discharge does not carry the paper, resulting in a paper jam. Alternatively, in the worst case, the apparatus may be damaged.
[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and to enable smooth automatic paper discharge in a recording apparatus constituted by a combination of a plurality of apparatuses.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a recording apparatus comprising a printer that performs a recording operation, an option input device connected to the printer, and an option output device connected to the printer, Each of the printer, the option input device, and the option output device discharges the paper when the presence of the paper is detected by the paper residual detection means for detecting the presence of the paper, and the paper residual detection means. Control means for executing an automatic paper discharge operation for communication, and can communicate with the control means of the printer, the option input device, and the option output device, and is transmitted from the control means. A system for determining whether or not a request signal for requesting a paper discharge operation has been received, and for controlling an automatic conveyance operation of the recording apparatus based on the determination result If the system controller determines that it has received a request signal for requesting the automatic paper discharge operation, is it possible for a device other than the device that is the transmission source of the request signal to be able to carry paper? If it is determined that it is not in a state in which the paper can be transported, error processing is executed. If it is determined that the paper is in a transportable state, the device that is the transmission source of the automatic paper discharge request signal A signal for instructing the conveyance of the paper is output to start an automatic conveyance operation of the recording apparatus.
[0007]
The present invention also provides a recording apparatus comprising a printer that performs a recording operation, an option input device connected to the printer, and an option output device connected to the printer, the printer and the option input device. Each of the option output devices includes a paper remaining detection means for detecting the presence of paper, and an automatic paper discharge for discharging the paper when the presence of the paper is detected by the paper residual detection means. The printer, the option input device, and the option output device that are communicable with the control means of the printer, the option input device, and the option output device, and are transmitted from the control means. Whether a detection signal indicating that the presence of paper is detected by each paper residual detection means of the optional output device is received. And a system controller that controls the automatic conveyance operation of the recording apparatus based on the determination result. When the system controller determines that the detection signal has been received, the system controller A signal for instructing sheet conveyance is output to a certain apparatus and all apparatuses located downstream in the sheet conveyance direction of the apparatus, and the automatic conveyance operation of the recording apparatus is started.
[0010]
【Example】
Example 1
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes an optional input device, which has a lower deck 204 and an upper deck 205. Reference numerals 208 and 209 denote rollers for feeding paper from the respective decks. Reference numeral 210 denotes a transport roller that feeds paper fed from the deck into the printer 202, and a paper exit sensor 211 is disposed downstream of the transport roller 210.
[0011]
Reference numeral 206 denotes a lower deck installed in the printer, and reference numeral 207 denotes an upper deck. Each has rollers 212 and 213 for feeding paper. A paper feed sensor 214 in the printer detects paper fed from the option input device 201, paper fed from the lower deck 206 or the upper deck 207. A sheet feeding conveyance roller 215 further conveys the fed sheet, and feeds the sheet until a predetermined loop is created by the registration roller 217. Reference numeral 216 denotes a paper sensor (hereinafter abbreviated as a pre-registration sensor) for creating the loop. Immediately before the transfer from the photosensitive drum 218 is started, the registration roller rotates, and the sheet is discharged from the printer via the fixing roller 219 and the fixing discharge roller 220. A sensor 221 is located on the most downstream side of the paper transport path of the printer, and monitors paper discharge.
[0012]
An optional output device 203 detects a sheet discharged from the printer 202 by an entrance sensor 222, takes in the sheet by the transport roller 223, and discharges the sheet to any one of the designated discharge bins 224.
[0013]
FIG. 3 is an electric circuit block diagram of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes a microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as CPU 301) mounted on a video controller for managing the recording apparatus, which processes image data sent from the host and processes commands and controls the option input apparatus. While performing serial communication with a microcomputer 302 (hereinafter abbreviated as CPU 302), a microcomputer 303 (hereinafter abbreviated as CPU 303) for controlling a printer engine, and a microcomputer 304 (hereinafter abbreviated as CPU 304) for controlling an option output device, the respective devices are connected. Is to control.
[0014]
Reference numeral 305 denotes a sensor input circuit that inputs a detection signal of the outlet sensor 211 of the optional input device to the CPU 302. Reference numeral 306 denotes a drive circuit for a motor 316 that rotates the conveyance roller 210 of the option input device, and is controlled by a drive signal output from the CPU 302. The CPU 302 feeds and transports paper from a desired deck according to a paper feed command and a transport command sent from the CPU 301.
[0015]
Reference numerals 307, 308, and 309 are input circuits for a paper feed sensor 214, a pre-registration sensor 216, and a fixing paper discharge sensor 221 that are positioned on the conveyance path in the printer, and input detection signals to the CPU 303. Reference numeral 310 denotes a drive circuit for a main motor 320 that drives all rollers and photosensitive drums in the printer, and is controlled by a drive signal output from the CPU 302. Reference numeral 311 denotes a drive circuit for the clutch 321 that transmits the rotation of the main motor 320 to the paper feed roller 215, and is controlled by a drive signal output from the CPU 303. Reference numeral 312 denotes a drive circuit for the clutch 322 that transmits the rotation of the main motor 320 to the registration roller 217, and is controlled by a drive signal output from the CPU 303. The CPU 303 conveys the sheet to the option output device in accordance with a conveyance command sent from the CPU 301.
[0016]
Reference numeral 313 denotes a sensor input circuit that inputs a detection signal of the inlet sensor 222 of the optional output device to the CPU 304. Reference numeral 314 denotes a drive circuit for a motor 324 that rotates the conveying roller 223 of the option output device, and is controlled by a drive signal output from the CPU 304. The CPU 304 transports the paper from the printer engine in accordance with a transport command sent from the CPU 301.
[0017]
FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the control of the CPU 301 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. After completing the initial setting of the system, the CPU 301 obtains the status of each device by serial communication during the warm-up of each device. In 101, it is determined whether or not the optional input device 201 has entered an automatic paper discharge (paper feed) operation. If the automatic paper discharge operation is in progress, the printer engine 202 downstream of the option input device 201 is transported in 104. Determine if it is possible. If it cannot be transported, an emergency stop command is output to all devices at 109. If the printer engine is in a transportable state at 104, it is determined at 105 whether the option output device 203 can be transported. If it cannot be transported, an emergency stop command is output to all devices at 109. If the option output device 203 is capable of being transported at 105, a paper transport command is output to the printer engine 202 at 106. If it is determined at 102 that the printer engine has entered the automatic paper discharge operation, it is determined at 107 whether the optional output device 203 can be transported. If it cannot be transported, an emergency stop command is output to all devices at 109. If the option output device 203 can be transported in 107, a paper transport command is output to the option output device 203 in 108. If the option output device 203 determines in 103 that automatic paper discharge is in progress, or if another device is in automatic paper discharge, the operations from 101 to 103 are repeated until the operation ends.
[0018]
(Example 2)
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the control of the CPU 301 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, each apparatus performs an automatic paper discharge operation according to each determination. However, in the second embodiment, the automatic paper discharge operation is not performed without permission, and the automatic paper discharge request status is transmitted from each apparatus to the CPU 301 by serial communication. Was output.
[0019]
As in the first embodiment, in the warm-up stage of each device, if it is determined in 401 that an automatic paper discharge request is made from the option input device 201, it is determined in 404 whether the printer engine 202 can be transported. If it is not transportable, the process proceeds to 410, and if the transport impossible status is input from the printer engine 202, error processing is performed in 413 to finish the control. The untransportable status is a status sent when a jam or a failure occurs. Error processing is processing for notifying the display panel or host computer that paper remains in the apparatus. If the conveyance failure status is not sent in 410, the printer engine 202 waits until it can be conveyed. When it is possible to carry the sheet in 404, it is determined in steps 405 and 411 whether the option output device 203 can be carried in the same manner.
[0020]
In 402, it is determined whether an automatic paper discharge request is sent from the printer engine 202. If the request is received, it is determined whether the optional output device can be transported in steps 407 and 412 as in 405 and 411. If transport is possible, a paper transport command is output to the printer engine 202 in step 408. In 403, it is determined whether an automatic paper discharge request is received from the option output device 203. If an automatic paper discharge request has been received, a paper conveyance command is output to the option output device 203 in 409.
[0021]
In the second embodiment, the CPU 301 outputs a paper transport command after determining whether or not the paper can be transported by each device. Therefore, it is easy to synchronize the devices, and the automatic paper discharge operation of a certain device is started as in the first embodiment. There are no cases where the timing is too early to give up automatic paper ejection.
[0022]
Example 3
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the control of the CPU 301 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, upon receiving an automatic paper discharge request status from each apparatus from the CPU 301, the state of each apparatus is monitored and a sheet conveyance command is output. In the third embodiment, the CPU 301 determines the necessity of automatic paper discharge based on information from sensors installed in the paper transport path instead of the automatic paper discharge request status from each device, and outputs a paper transport command. .
[0023]
In step 501, the apparatus waits until all the controlled devices can be transported. If it is not transportable, it is determined in 522 whether an error status that cannot be transported is sent. If an error status has been sent, the error processing at 523 is performed and the control is terminated. Error processing is the same as in the second embodiment.
[0024]
In 502, it is determined whether the exit sensor 211 on the paper transport path of the option input device 201 detects paper. If there is no paper, a paper transport stop command is output to the option input device 201 in 503. , 504, a flag that is a paper discharge notice from the option input device 201 is reset. If it is determined in 502 that there is a sheet, a sheet conveyance command is output to the option input device 201 in 515, a conveyance command is output to the printer engine 202 in 516, and a flag that is a paper discharge notice is set in 517. In 505, it is determined whether the fixing discharge sensor 221 located on the most downstream side on the paper conveyance path of the printer engine 202 detects the paper. If there is no paper, the paper discharge notification from the printer engine 202 is issued in 506. Reset the flag that is. If it is determined in 505 that there is a sheet, a sheet conveyance command is output to the option output device 203 in 518, and a flag for notifying the sheet discharge from the printer engine is set in 519. In 507 and 508, it is determined whether the pre-registration sensor 216 and the paper feed sensor 214 on the paper conveyance path in the printer engine 202 detect paper. It is determined whether there is a paper discharge notice from the input device. If there is no notice, a paper conveyance stop command is output to the printer engine 202. If it is determined in 507 and 508 that there is paper, a paper conveyance command is output to the printer engine 202 in 520.
[0025]
In step 511, it is determined whether the inlet sensor 222 installed on the conveyance path of the output device 203 detects a sheet. If it is determined that there is no sheet, in 512, it is determined whether there is a sheet discharge notice from the printer engine 202. If there is no prior notice, a sheet conveyance stop command is output to the option output device 203 at 513. If it is determined in 511 that there is paper, a paper conveyance command is output to the option output device 203 in 521.
[0026]
In step 514, it is determined whether a paper conveyance stop command has been output to all apparatuses, that is, whether automatic paper discharge is not necessary or whether automatic paper discharge has been completed. Repeat the process.
[0027]
In the third embodiment, since the sheet conveyance timing to each apparatus can be changed by the sensor information on the sheet conveyance path of the system, it is not necessary to drive a motor for unnecessary sheet conveyance.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in the recording apparatus constituted by a plurality of apparatuses, when the in-machine residual paper remaining in the recording apparatus is automatically discharged, the system controller performs overall control. An automatic paper discharge operation can be performed according to the status of all the devices that make up the recording device, and paper remaining inside the device can be reliably discharged outside the device without causing paper jams or damage to the device. .
[0029]
Further, it is possible to prevent the apparatus from being damaged by forcibly feeding the sheet when the apparatus that needs to be operated for discharging the sheet cannot carry the sheet.
[0030]
Furthermore, the operation timing of each apparatus can be optimized according to the paper position in the apparatus, energy can be saved and noise can be suppressed low.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing control of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an electric circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing control of Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing control of Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
201 Option Input Device 202 Printer Engine 203 Option Output Device 211 Exit Sensor 214 Paper Feed Sensor 216 Pre-Registration Sensor 221 Fixing Paper Discharge Sensor 222 Entrance Sensor 210 Carrying Roller 215 Paper Feeding Carrying Roller 217 Registration Roller 218 Photosensitive Drum 219 Fixing Roller 220 Fixing Discharge Paper roller 223 Conveying rollers 301, 302, 303, 304 Microcomputers 305, 307, 308, 309, 313 Sensor input circuits 306, 310, 311, 312, 314 Driving circuit

Claims (2)

A recording apparatus comprising: a printer that performs a recording operation; an option input device connected to the printer; and an option output device connected to the printer,
Each of the printer, the option input device, and the option output device discharges the paper when the presence of the paper is detected by the paper residual detection means for detecting the presence of the paper. Control means for executing an automatic paper discharge operation for
It is possible to communicate with each control unit of the printer, the option input device, and the option output device, and determine whether a request signal for requesting the automatic paper discharge operation transmitted from each control unit is received, A system controller for controlling the automatic conveying operation of the recording apparatus based on the determination result;
When the system controller determines that a request signal for requesting the automatic paper discharge operation has been received, the system controller determines whether a device other than the device that is the transmission source of the request signal is in a state in which paper can be conveyed. If it is determined that the paper cannot be transported, error processing is executed. If it is determined that the paper can be transported, the paper is transported to the device that is the transmission source of the automatic paper discharge request signal. A recording apparatus which outputs a signal instructing to start automatic conveyance operation of the recording apparatus. A recording apparatus comprising: a printer that performs a recording operation; an option input device connected to the printer; and an option output device connected to the printer,
Each of the printer, the option input device, and the option output device includes a paper remaining detection unit for detecting the presence of the paper, and the paper when the presence of the paper is detected by the paper residual detection unit. Control means for executing an automatic paper discharge operation for discharging,
Each sheet remaining detection means of the printer, the option input device, and the option output device, which is communicable with each control means of the printer, the option input device, and the option output device, and is transmitted from each control means. A system controller that determines whether or not a detection signal indicating that the presence of a sheet has been detected has been received, and controls an automatic conveyance operation of the recording apparatus based on the determination result;
When the system controller determines that the detection signal has been received, a signal for instructing sheet conveyance to the apparatus that is the transmission source of the detection signal and all apparatuses that are located downstream in the sheet conveyance direction of the apparatus Is output to start the automatic conveying operation of the recording apparatus.

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