JPH04115769A - Optical communication system for image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To allow an original carrier master CPU to be restored to the operating mode automatically in the case of a tentative reception error by providing a reset restoration means to a main body master CPU. CONSTITUTION:An original carrier master CPU 220 controls original exchange of an original carrier while exchanging information with a main body master CPU 140 and reaches the reset state when a reception error takes place. The CPU 140 executes an initial command monitor processing after the execution of initialize processing to the CPU 220 in the reset state. Then the CPU 140 detects whether or not the reception error causing the reset is able to be restored and displays a service man call message when the restoration is disabled. On the other hand, when the reception error is temporary, the CPU 140 displays a jam occurrence message and sends a destination data and the mode data. Thus, the CPU 220 is restored to the operating mode.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to an automatic document feeder that conveys a document to a reference position on a platen glass, and more particularly to an optical communication system for the automatic document feeder that exchanges information with an image forming apparatus main body through optical communication.

[Background of the invention]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image forming apparatuses have appeared that are optionally equipped with an automatic document conveyance device that conveys a document from a document table to a reference position on a platen glass. Since this automatic document feeder is an optional one, it is necessary to install the automatic document feeder on the platen glass of the image forming apparatus and to electrically connect the automatic document feeder and the main body of the image forming apparatus. . However, there was a problem that these operations were troublesome. Therefore, the inventor of the present application has developed an optical communication system for an automatic document feeder that includes an optical communication system that exchanges information between the main body of an image forming apparatus and the automatic document feeder by optical communication. This makes it possible to omit the work of electrically connecting the automatic document feeder to the main body of the image forming apparatus. The optical communication system of this automatic document feeder includes a slave CPU that controls optical communication, a light receiving element, and a light emitting element as a new structure in the document feeder, and a slave CPU that controls optical communication as a new structure in the main body of the image forming apparatus. It is equipped with a CPU, a light receiving element, and a light emitting element, and exchanges information conventionally exchanged using electrical signals. Specifically, it exchanges information between the automatic document feeder and the main body of the image forming apparatus, and monitors the operating status and conditions such as jam occurrence. etc. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing initialization processing in the optical communication system of the automatic document feeder of the present invention. This initialization process is performed on the master C of the automatic document feeder.
This is a process for confirming that the optical communication system operates normally between the PU and the master CPU of the image forming apparatus main body. Hereinafter, the master CPU provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus will be referred to as main body master CPU, and the master CPU provided in the automatic document feeder will hereinafter be referred to as document feed master CPU. Further, a slave CPU electrically connected to the main body master CPU will be hereinafter referred to as a main body slave CPU, and a slave CPU electrically connected to the document transport master CPU will hereinafter be referred to as a document transport master CPU. In the figure, when the main power is turned on, the document transport master CPU sends an initial command "69" to the main body master CPH via the slave CPU. When the main body master CPU receives the initial command “69”, the main body master CPU sends the document transport master CPU via the slave CPU.
Send access command “11” to U. When the original transport master CPU receives the access command "11", the original transport master CPU
Send access command “11” to. When the main body master CPU receives the access command "11", it turns on the document conveyance connection flag, completes initialization, and enters the operation mode. After that, the main body master CPU
sends a destination command to the document transport master CPU. At this point, normal initialization processing such as heating of the image forming section, optical system, paper feeding system, etc., for example, the author's apparatus is performed in parallel and the process is completed. Upon receiving the destination command, the document transport master CPU selects, for example, either the A-type size or the B-type size and enters into an operation mode. This allows image formation to be performed based on commands from the operating section. Furthermore, in an image forming apparatus equipped with the optical communication system of the automatic document feeder described above, when a reception error occurs,
An interlock function is added that prevents malfunction by stopping device operation and prevents a state from which recovery is impossible, such as the occurrence of a serious jam. This interlock function does not have a function to detect whether it is an irrecoverable reception error or a temporary reception error due to noise or the like. In the above-mentioned optical communication system of the automatic document feeder, the safety system is activated even by a temporary communication error caused by noise or the like. When the master CPU on the document transport side is reset, the reset master CPU starts from the above-mentioned initialization process. On the other hand, the master CPU provided in the main unit is in the operation mode. When such a condition occurs, the reset master C
The PU cannot go from the initial state to the operating mode, and on the other hand, the master CPU in the operating mode cannot perform image formation because it cannot receive commands or consent from the side that has been reset. There is a problem with malfunction. In such a case, a serviceman call message is displayed on the display, but there is a problem in that it is troublesome to call a serviceman only due to a temporary communication error.

【the purpose】

An object of the present invention is for the transmitter to detect whether or not the transmission error is a temporary transmission error to the main body master CPH, which is equipped with an interlock function that detects a reception error and prevents it from falling into an unrecoverable state. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical communication system for an automatic document feeder that can detect a temporary transmission error and automatically return a document feed master CPU in a reset state to an operating mode.

[Means to solve the problem]

The present invention achieves the above object by making it possible to mount an automatic document feeder on the main body of an image forming apparatus, and when it is installed, a main body master CPU provided on the main body side and a document feed master CPU provided on the automatic document feeder. Connected to the CPU are a slave CPU that controls communication processing based on a command signal from the master C and PU, a light emitting means that emits an optical signal based on a drive signal from the slave CPU, and a light receiving means that receives the optical signal. An optical communication system for an image forming apparatus, comprising: an optical communication means consisting of a main body master CPU;
includes an initial command monitoring unit that detects an error in receiving the initial command from the document transport master CPU, an access command monitoring unit that detects reception of an access command within a predetermined time, and a reset return unit that transmits orientation point data and mode data. It is characterized by having means.

【Example】

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus equipped with an automatic document feeder to which an optical communication system for an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is applied. As a premise for explaining the optical communication system of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 and the image forming apparatus 100
Automatic document feeder 200 installed on the platen glass P of
The general configuration of this will be explained. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a platen glass P and a light source Ill.
, reflecting mirrors 112 to 115, image leading edge detection sensor 11
8. A scanning optical system 110 consisting of a movable stopper 119;
drum-shaped photoreceptor 121, sufrotron charger 122,)
, developing devices 123 to 126, transfer device 127, separator 128
, Cree (Jung device 129)
A paper feeding system 130 including a paper feeding tray 1311, a paper feeding roller 132, a registration roller 133, a fixing device 134, etc., a main body master CPU 140, an operation unit 160, and a slave CPU 150 that control the image forming process and the like. The developing units 123 to 126 are each loaded with developers of different colors, for example, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, and may be either two-component or l-component developers. Furthermore, since this image forming apparatus 100 superimposes color toner images on a photoreceptor, it is preferable to use non-contact development. In addition, the main body master CPU 140, slave CPU 150
The functions and the like of the operation unit 160 will be described later. The automatic document feeder 200 includes a document placement table 201, a width regulating plate 202, a pickup roller 203, and a paper feed belt 2.
04, intermediate conveyance roller 205, conveyance belt 206, paper ejection roller 209, and document detection sensor PS1. PS2. PS3
．． It consists of a PS4, a motor M, a document transport master CPU 220, and a slave CPU 230. Generally, it is mounted on the platen glass P of the image forming apparatus 200 and conveys a stack of originals on the document mounting table to a reference position on the platen glass P.
By lowering the pickup roller 203 to the position shown by the dotted line and rotating, the document is conveyed from the top layer of the document stack on the document placement table 201 to the nip position of the separation belt 204, and the document is transferred to the nip position of the separation belt 204. One document is separated and conveyed to the conveyor belt 206, and by rotating the separation belt 206 in the direction of the arrow, the document is conveyed on the platen glass P, and the document stopper 109 provided at the left end of the platen glass P is projected. By stopping the original at the reference position on the platen glass. Also, by rotating the conveyor belt 206 in the opposite direction of the arrow, it is conveyed from the reference position on the platen glass P to the nip position of the conveyor roller 213, and
13 to the reference position of the platen glass P and stopped at the document stopper 109, thereby inverting the document. A horizontal regulating plate 202 is provided on the document placing table 201 to regulate the width direction of the original.
is connected to a pinion gear on the lower surface of the document table 201, and is movable symmetrically about the center. The rack gear is connected to a width regulating plate, and the amount of movement thereof is detected by a document size detection sensor S, so that the width size of the document can be read. Based on this read value, the length of the standard size document is automatically converted. Therefore, a stack of originals is placed on the original placing table 201, and the width regulating plate 201
By sliding 2 and bringing it into contact with the width of the document, various document sizes, that is, the lengths of each document are memorized. The pickup roller 203 descends and rotates to separate the originals by pressing the copy button on the operation unit 240 only when the original detection sensor PSl detects that the original is placed on the original placing table 201. Paper is fed to the belt 204. The separation belt 204 consists of a belt stretched between a driving roller 204a and a driven roller 204b, and is rotated by the driving force from a motor M to separate the recording paper from the intermediate roller 205.
Transport to. Intermediate roller 205 conveys toward conveyor belt 206 . The conveyor belt 206 is stretched between a drive roller 206a that is connected to a motor M and rotates, and a driven roller 20δb, and provides appropriate tension to the belt and a push roller 207 that presses the belt against the platen glass P. It consists of a tension roller 208. Note that the conveyor belt 206 controls the rotation direction of the drive roller 206a by a clutch means 219.
By switching between the two directions, the document can be conveyed in both directions on the platen glass P. A paper ejection roller 209 ejects the document ejected from the conveyor belt 206 . The document detection sensors PS1 to PS4 are, for example, optical sensors, and when they do not detect a document, they send out an off-state signal, and when they detect a document, they send out an on-state signal. The document detection sensor PSL is connected to the pickup roller 203
It is provided in front of the document tray 201 to detect whether or not a document is placed on the document table 201. The document detection sensor PS2 is provided in front of the separation belt 204 in the paper feeding direction, and detects the document fed by the separation belt 204. The document detection sensor PS3 is connected to the conveyor belt 206.
It is provided at the rear in the conveyance direction of the conveyance belt 206 and detects the document being fed toward the conveyance belt 206. Original detection sensor PS4
is provided in front of the conveyor belt 206 in the conveyance direction, and detects the document being ejected as the conveyor belt 206 rotates. Note that the original transport master CPU 220 and the slave CPU 2
30 will be described later. The configuration and operation of the optical communication system of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment will be described below. As described above, the optical communication system of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment includes a first optical communication means consisting of the slave CPU 230 that controls optical communication, the light receiving element 230b, and the light emitting element 230a as a new configuration in the automatic document feeder 200. In addition, the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 is newly equipped with a second optical communication means consisting of a slave CPU 150 that controls optical communication, a light receiving element 150b, and a light emitting element 150a. Original transport master CPU 220 and main body master CP of the image forming apparatus main body
This is to notify the operating status of the device and the desire to condense the device, such as the occurrence of a jam. This makes it possible to omit the work of electrically connecting the automatic document feeder to the main body of the image forming apparatus. The slave CPU 230 receives a command via the light receiving means 230a but transmits a communication error command "81" when the command cannot be deciphered. In addition, slave C
The PU 150 also operates in a similar manner. The document conveyance master CPU 220 controls the document exchange operation of the document conveyance device while exchanging information with the main body master CPU 140 via optical communication means, and has an interlock function that resets the document when a reception error occurs. It is. Specifically, the document transport master CPU 220 controls the drive of the motor M in the operation mode, and controls the drive of the slave CPU 23.
When an exchange signal is input to the input terminal I4 through the input terminal I4, the conveying means is connected to the motor M to transmit driving force, thereby conveying the document. The document transport master CPU 220 receives an on-state detection signal from the document detection sensor PS3 at the input terminal 13.
When input to the slave CPU 230, a scanning signal is sent from the output terminal o1 to the input terminal IN of the slave CPU 230. Slave CPU 230 converts this scanning signal into an optical signal and transmits it to slave CPU 150. Slave CPU1
50 sends a scanning signal obtained by converting an optical signal into an electrical signal to an input terminal of the main body master CPU 140. In this preset operation mode, electrical signals can be exchanged between the original conveyance master CPU 220 and the main body master CPU 140. The main body master CPU 14Q performs image reading control to read the original on the platen glass P with the optical system 100, forms a toner image on the drum photoreceptor 121, and further performs image formation in the image forming apparatus main body, such as theorem, to form an image on recording paper. It controls process control and paper feeding control, and particularly controls the operation of automatic document feeder 200 in ADF mode. The main body master CPU 140 is a document transport master CP.
It has an interlock function that enters a reset state when a command from U220 cannot be received. The operation of the main body master CPU 140 in the ADF mode will be described. In the ADF mode, the main body master CPU 140 transmits the scanning signal from the original transport master CPU 220 to optical communication means 150.150a, 150b, 230.
It is input to the input terminal 11 via 230a and 230b. When the main body master CPU 140 detects a scanning signal, the built-in counter counts a preset number, and then sends a scanning signal to the optical system 110 to start scanning.
The detection signal from the image leading edge detection sensor 108 is input to the terminal I.
3 is input. The main body master CPU 140 sends a replacement signal to the input terminal I of the slave CPU 150 from the output terminal OUT after a predetermined period of time has passed since inputting this detection signal. When the slave CPU 150 converts this exchange signal into an optical signal and transmits it, the slave CPU 230 detects the optical signal and sends the exchange signal converted into an electric signal from the output terminal 01 to the input terminal 4 of the document transport master CPH. . As a result, the document conveyance device replaces the document on the platen glass P as described above. The operation unit 160 is provided with a numeric keypad for setting the number of copies, a copy start key, etc., and when the set number of copies or copy start is input, the input terminal I of the main body master CPU 140 is input.
Send to 2. As a result, the main body master CPU 140 sets the set number of sheets, etc., and starts image forming processing. The operation unit 160 is provided with, for example, an LED display, which displays error messages, the number of sheets to be processed, the number of sheets to be processed, and the like. This LED display is not limited to this location, but is placed at a position that is easily visible to the operator. Next, the initial operation of main body master CPU 140 will be explained. FIG. 2 is a 70-chart showing the initial operation in the main body master CPU. The initial operation here refers to the document transport master CPU.
220 is an operation for transitioning to the operation mode after confirming that the optical communication system is normally connected to the main body master CPU 140. Here, the "ERRCHK2 flag" is a flag indicating whether or not the initial command has been received; an on state indicates that it has been received, and an off state indicates that it has not yet been received. When the power is turned on, , the main body master CPU 140 is I10
Initial (Sl). "The ERRCHK27 flag is reset to the on state. That is, if an initial command is not received within the waiting time in step 2, which will be described later, the "ERRCHK2 flag remains on. Also, "ADF connection flag is I1 of main body master CPU 140.
At initialization 0, it is reset to the off state. The main body master CPU 140 is a document transport master CPU 22.
0, and receives the initial command “
11" is input to the input terminal 11 (S2). As a result, the main body master CPU 140 "turns off the ERRCHK2 flag t6 (S3). The main body master CPU 140 sends the access command "11" to the input terminal of the slave CPU 150 (S4). The main body master CPU14Q is the original transport master CPU220
Waits for reception of an access command from (S5). When the main body master CPU 140 receives the access command “11”, it turns on the ADF connection flag (S6).
, sends the pointing location command to the slave CPU 150 (
S7). As a result, the main body master CPU 140 confirms that the optical communication system is properly connected, and further sends an orientation command to end the initialization process of the original transport CPU 220, thereby ending the initialization process. Here, the "ADF connection flag" is 7 lags to indicate that the optical communication system has been successfully connected.As described above, according to the optical communication system of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, the automatic document Conveyance device 200 and image forming device 10
This makes it possible to omit the work of electrically connecting the device to the main body of the present invention, and it is also possible to automatically shift to the operation mode after an initialization operation when the power is turned on. Here, the operation modes include an ADF mode and a manual mode in which automatic document feeder 200 is not used. In this embodiment, the ADF mode will mainly be explained. Figure 3 shows the document transport master CP in the main body master CPH.
There are two points to monitor the initial command from U. This initial command monitoring process is performed as an interrupt process in this embodiment, and is executed by the document transport master CPU 22 in the ADF mode after the initialization operation.
This process is for detecting the initial command sent from 0. When the initial command monitoring process is started, the main body master CPU 140 "checks whether the ADF connection flag remains on (sll)." If the ADF connection flag is on, it continues this process as is. Finish and return to the main routine. On the other hand, if the "ADF connection flag is off," the process moves to the next step.The main body master CPU 14Q checks whether the signal input to the input terminal 11 is the initial command "69" (512), 69", return to the main routine from this process. On the other hand, if it is the initial command #69", then "
The AFERR flag is turned on (313). This completes the initial command monitoring process and returns to the main routine. Here, the "AFERR flag" is a flag indicating whether or not the original transport master CPU 220 has been reset after the return process described later has been started, and thereby, as described later, "AFERR7 lag starts the return process. It is used to determine whether or not. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a reset return process in which the main body master CPU returns the document transport master CPU in the reset state to the operating mode. This reset recovery process is performed as an interrupt process in this embodiment, and by executing the initial command monitoring process shown in FIG. It detects whether or not it is unrecoverable, and displays a serviceman call message when the reception error is unrecoverable. On the other hand, if the reception error is temporary, this process is for returning the original transport master CPU 220 to the operating mode by displaying a jam occurrence message indicating the occurrence of a jam and then transmitting orientation data and mode data. When the reset return process is started, the main body master CPU1
40 reads and judges the state of the AFERR7 lag (521). If the state of this flag is off, it naturally returns to the main routine. However, if the AFERR flag is on, it proceeds to the next step. Transition. The main body master CPU 140 clears the built-in timer and starts the count (522), and in parallel sends an access command to the input terminal of the slave CPU 150 (S23), thereby causing the slave CPU 150 to Send. The main body master CPU 140 is the document transport master CPU 220.
Waits to receive an access command from (S
24). The main body master CPU 140 has the built-in timer 2.
Even after counting 00m5ec (S25), if no access command #11# is received, a serviceman call message is displayed on the display section (526) and the process stops. On the other hand, if the main body master CPU 140 receives the access command "11" before the built-in timer finishes counting up to 200 m5ec, the process proceeds to step 27. As a result, the main body master CPU 140 sends the pointing location data to the input terminal 11 of the slave CPU f 50 (527).
), further sends the mode data to the input terminal of the slave CPU 150 (528), and displays a jam occurrence message on the display (S29). Thereby, this reset return process is completed, and the main body master CPU 140 returns to the main routine in the operation mode. By the processing of steps 27 and 28 above, the slave cp
The uiso outputs the light emitting means 1 by using the directional point data and mode data, which are electrical signals inputted from the input terminal l, as optical signals.
50a. As a result, the slave CPU 23
0 receives an optical signal from the light receiving means 230b, converts the optical signal into an electrical signal, and sends it to the input terminal 4 of the original transport master CPU 220. By receiving the orientation point data from the input terminal +4, the document conveyance master CPU 220 sets the orientation point data and mode data, completes the initial processing, and shifts to the operation mode. On the other hand, in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, a document conveyance device jam occurrence message is displayed and the document conveyance device t200 is set in a restartable state.
The message can be cleared simply by opening and closing the platen glass P, and the system can be restarted without having to call a service person. In order to prevent the optical communication system of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment from detecting a reception error and falling into an unrecoverable state, the document transport master CPU 220 is equipped with an interlock function to reset the document. Main unit master CPU
140 side determines whether or not the reception error is a temporary reception error, and in the case of a temporary reception error, the document transport master CPIJ 220 in the reset state can be automatically returned to the operation mode.

【Effect of the invention】

According to the present invention, an automatic document feeder can be attached to the main body of an image forming apparatus, and when the automatic document feeder is attached, a main body master CPU provided on the main body side of the image forming apparatus and a document feeder master CPU provided in the automatic document feeder are connected to each other. Optical communication means comprising a slave CPU that controls communication processing based on a command signal from a master CPU, a light emitting means that emits an optical signal based on a drive signal from the slave CPU, and a light receiving means that receives the optical signal. In the optical communication system for an image forming apparatus, the main body master CPU is configured to communicate with the document transport master c.
Equipped with an initial command monitoring means for detecting an error in receiving the initial command from the PU, an access command monitoring means for detecting reception of an access command within a predetermined time, and a reset return means for transmitting orientation point data and mode data. In particular, it determines whether a reception error is a temporary reception error for the original transport master CPH equipped with an interlock function that resets it, and resets it in case of a temporary reception error. It has been possible to provide an optical communication system for an image forming apparatus that can automatically return a document transport master CPU that is in a state to an operating mode.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus equipped with an automatic document feeder to which the optical communication system of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the initial operation in the main body master CPH. 3 shows an initial command monitoring means from the document transport master CPU in the main body master cPU, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a reset return process for returning the document transport master CPU in the reset state to the operating mode from the main body master cPU.
FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing initialization processing in the optical communication system of the automatic document feeder of the present invention. 100... Image forming device 140... Main body master cPU150.230... Slave CPU 150
a, 230a - Light emitting means 150b, 230b...Light receiving means 200...Automatic document feeder 220...Document feed master CPU

Claims (1)

[Claims] An automatic document feeder can be attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, and a master CPU of the main body is provided on the side of the main body of the image forming apparatus when it is attached.
and a document feed master CP provided in the automatic document feeder.
A slave CPU, which controls communication processing based on a command signal from the master CPU, and the slave CPU
In the optical communication system of the image forming apparatus, the main body master CPU includes an optical communication unit including a light emitting unit that emits an optical signal based on a drive signal from a drive signal, and a light receiving unit that receives the optical signal. The system includes an initial command monitoring means for detecting an error in receiving an initial command from a master CPU, an access command monitoring means for detecting reception of an access command within a predetermined time, and a reset return means for transmitting orientation point data and mode data. An optical communication system for an image forming apparatus, characterized in that: