JPH0483272A - Image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the fouling of the periphery and an image omission by making a comparing decision between the conveyance length of a fed recording medium and conveyance length prescribed with size information on a recording medium and performing a specific abnormality process. CONSTITUTION:A timer part 101a clocks the time up to tail end detection after the head of recording paper fed from a paper feed means is detected by a registration sensor 11 and the conveyance length of the fed recording paper is detected from the measured value. A printer controller 100 performs the specific abnormality process according to the result of comparison between the detected conveyance-directional length information on the recording medium and conveyance-directional length information prescribed by the size of the recording medium specified on a console panel 106 to evade an image forming process wherein a print request is made. Consequently, the fouling of the periphery and image omission in toner transfer accompanying a recording process can be prevented.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention provides an image forming apparatus equipped with a plurality of paper feed means capable of feeding a recording medium of a predetermined size and a recording medium of a regular size from respective paper feed ports. It is related to.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, this type of image forming apparatus is configured as shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional configuration diagram illustrating the configuration of a conventional image forming apparatus, in which 1 is a photosensitive drum serving as an electrostatic latent image carrier;
2 is a semiconductor laser, 3 is a laser beam scanned by a polygon scanner 4, 5 is a charging roller for uniformly charging the photosensitive drum 1, and 6 is an electrostatic latent image formed by the laser beam 3, which is used as a toner. 7 is a transfer charging roller for transferring the toner on the photosensitive drum 1 onto printing paper, 8 is a cleaner for removing untransferred toner, and 9 is a roller for removing toner that has not been transferred. 10 is a multi-feed roller that feeds paper of unknown paper size; 11 is a registration sensor that detects the leading edge of the fed paper; 12 is a paper that abuts the leading edge of the paper; 13 is a fixing device for fusing the toner transferred to the paper onto the paper, and 14 is a paper ejecting roller. A paper ejection sensor 15 monitors the paper condition, and 15 is a paper ejection roller.

In such a configuration, paper feeding and printing control from the multi-feeder 16 is executed in the following manner.

There is no function to detect the paper size of the paper set in the multi-feeder 16. Therefore, by manually specifying the paper size using an external key or the like, the print conveyance is controlled at a timing corresponding to the paper size. Alternatively, if there is no external key human power, a method is used in which the maximum standard size (for example, LEGAL) that can be conveyed by the apparatus is set, and printing is conveyed at a timing corresponding to the paper size.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
Multi feeder 1 input from operator etc. from 06
The printer controller reads the paper size set in No. 6 and transmits it to the engine control section 101, and at the same time reads the internal state of the printer through communication with the engine control section 101, and issues commands to the engine control section according to the state. .

The engine control unit 101 includes a printer controller 100
The printer transports the paper for printing based on the commands, and at the same time comprehensively controls the scanner, laser, high voltage, and other control units.

Reference numeral 102 denotes a conveyance control unit that drives rollers from sheet feeding to paper ejection, sensor output, etc. based on commands from the engine control unit; 103 represents a scanner that drives and stops the scanner motor based on commands from the engine control unit 101; Control unit, 1
04 is primary charging.

This is a high-pressure control unit that performs timing control of high-pressure output around the photosensitive drum 1 such as a developing bias and a high transfer voltage based on commands from the engine control unit 101. Reference numeral 105 is an engine control unit 10 that controls laser lighting, etc. based on the laser light intensity adjustment image signal.
This is a laser control unit that operates based on 10 commands.

The engine control unit 101 includes a printer controller 100
When the multi-feeder paper size information is received from the multi-feeder 16, the paper feed designation from the multi-feeder 16 is received, and the print request signal is received, the transport controller 102 is instructed to drive the multi-feed roller 10 and starts feeding paper. do. Thereafter, the system waits until the leading edge of the paper reaches the registration sensor, and when the leading edge of the paper is detected, waits until the paper hits the roller and forms a loop of a predetermined amount, and then commands the multi-feed roller 10 to stop.

Then, the vertical synchronization request signal is sent to the printer controller 10.
0 and waits for reception of a vertical synchronization signal. When the vertical synchronization signal is received, paper conveyance from the registration rollers 12 is started while masking the image according to the paper size information set in advance.

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention 1] However, in the conventional example described above, when the multi-feeder paper size information input from the operation panel 106 and the paper actually set are different, especially paper smaller than the input information is set, the image masking is performed based on the input information, so the printed image protrudes from the paper, and all of the protruding image is transferred to the transfer charging roller 7, causing the image to be masked. There were serious problems such as stains on the back, which adversely affected the quality. Furthermore, since image data larger than the paper is sent out, image loss may occur.

This invention was made to solve the above problem, and when fed, the transport length of a recording medium of a predetermined size is compared and determined by the transport length specified by the size information of the designated recording medium. By executing predetermined abnormality processing, if the recording medium of the desired size and the specified recording medium size do not match when the recording medium is fed just before the start of the printing process, peripheral staining due to toner transfer and one image missing will occur. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can prevent such problems.

[Means for Solving the Problems] An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a specifying means for specifying the size of a recording medium fed from a paper feeding means, and a length in the transport direction of the recording medium fed from the paper feeding means. Based on a comparison result between the conveyance direction production information of the recording medium detected by the detection means and the conveyance direction production information defined by the size of the recording medium specified by the designation means. An abnormality processing means for executing predetermined abnormality processing is provided.

Further, the abnormality processing means performs predetermined jam processing based on a comparison result between the conveyance direction production information of the recording medium detected by the detection means and the conveyance direction production information specified by the size of the recording medium specified by the specification means. It is configured to execute.

Furthermore, the abnormality processing means determines whether the same print information is printed based on the comparison result between the conveyance direction production information of the recording medium detected by the detection means and the conveyance direction production information specified by the size of the recording medium specified by the designation means. It is configured to request retransmission.

[Operation 1] In the present invention, when a recording medium of a desired size is fed from the paper feeding means, the conveyance direction production information of the recording medium detected by the detection means and the size of the recording medium designated by the designation means are combined. The abnormality processing means executes predetermined abnormality processing based on the comparison result with the specified conveyance direction production information, thereby making it possible to avoid the image forming process for which printing is requested.

Further, the abnormality processing means performs predetermined jam processing based on a comparison result between the conveyance direction production information of the recording medium detected by the detection means and the conveyance direction production information specified by the size of the recording medium specified by the specification means. This makes it possible to prompt an operator to release a recording medium that has been forcibly jammed due to a recording medium mismatch.

Furthermore, the abnormality processing means determines whether the same printing information is printed based on the comparison result between the conveyance direction production information of the recording medium detected by the detection means and the conveyance direction production information specified by the size of the recording medium specified by the designation means. This makes it possible to automatically restart the image forming process of the image information requested to be printed out.

[Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of an image forming apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention, and the same components as in FIG. 8 are given the same reference numerals.

In the figure, 101a is a timer section, and the registration sensor 1
1 detects the leading edge of the recording paper fed from the paper feeding means (multi-feeder 16 that can feed multiple standard size papers) and measures the time until the trailing edge is detected, and records the fed paper based on the measured value. Detect paper conveyance length. In this embodiment, the operation panel 1.degree.6 also serves as the specifying means, and is configured to notify the printer controller 100 of the recording paper size information from the multi-feeder 16 instructed from the operation panel 106. Further, the printer controller 100 notifies the engine control unit 101 of the input recording paper size information.

In the image forming apparatus configured as described above, when a recording medium of a desired size is fed from the paper feeding means (in this embodiment, the multi-feeder 10), the output from the detection means (in this embodiment, the registration sensor 11) is detected. The timer section 101a counts and detects the transport direction information of the recording medium detected by the timer unit 101a) and the transport direction manufacturing information specified by the size of the recording medium specified by the specifying means. Based on the results, the abnormality processing means (in this embodiment, the printer controller 100) executes predetermined abnormality processing, making it possible to avoid the image forming process for which printing is requested.

The abnormality processing means performs predetermined jam processing based on the comparison result between the actual conveyance direction information of the recording medium detected by the detection means and the actual conveyance direction information specified by the size of the recording medium specified by the designation means. This makes it possible to prompt the operator to release the jamming of a recording medium that has been forcibly jammed due to matching of recording medium rests.

The first abnormality processing operation in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the first abnormality processing procedure in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. Note that il) to (17) indicate each step.

First, the engine control unit 101 is the printer controller 1.
Multi-feeder paper size information from 00 (operation panel 1
06), and memorize the contents.

It also reads whether the paper feed port designation is multi-feeder paper feeding or cassette paper feeding (2), and waits for reception of a print request signal (3). When the print request signal is received, the paper feed port specification read earlier is checked, and if multi-feed paper feed is specified (4), the multi-feed roller 10 is started to be driven (5). The multi-feed roller 10 is waited for the leading edge of the paper to reach 6), and after detecting the leading edge of the paper, waits for a time T, sec until the leading edge hits the registration roller 12 and forms a predetermined loop (7), and then stops the multi-feed roller 10. (8) Then, a vertical synchronization request signal, which is a synchronization signal for starting image writing, is output to the printer controller 100 (
9) When a vertical synchronization signal is received in response to this vertical synchronization request signal (lO), the registration roller 12 is started to be driven (11), and the timer section 10 for measuring the length of the paper in the transport direction is activated. (12). The timer section 101a continues counting until the trailing edge of the paper passes the registration sensor 11 (13), and stops at the same time as the trailing edge of the paper passes the registration sensor 11 (14).

The engine control unit 101 reads this timer count value (15), determines the paper size (6), and determines whether the paper size specified by the printer controller 100 and the paper size measured by the timer unit 101a match. If the judgment is incorrect (17) and they do not match (No), it will stop as a jam, otherwise (YES),
Continue normal print processing.

In the above embodiment, the printer controller 100 reads the paper size fed from the multi-feeder from the operation panel, but the engine control unit 10
A multi-feeder paper size section 107 may be configured on the first side as shown in FIG. 3 to have a direct input function.

In addition, in the above embodiment, when the input paper size information and the actual paper size differ, it is assumed that the paper is jammed and the printing/transportation is stopped. After carrying out the conveyance, the printer controller 100 determines that the paper is a misprinted paper.
The configuration may be such that the retransmission request is executed at any time.

That is, in the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the abnormality processing means detects abnormality detected by the detection means (in this embodiment, the timer unit 101a counts and detects the output from the registration sensor 11). Based on the comparison result between the actual conveyance direction information of the recording medium and the actual conveyance direction information specified by the size of the recording medium specified by the specifying means, a retransmission of the same print information is requested, and the image information requested to be printed is sent. A process of automatically restarting the image forming process may also be executed.

The specific processing will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the second abnormality processing procedure in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (23) indicate each step.

First, the engine control unit 101 is the printer controller 1.
Multi-feeder paper size information from 00 (operation panel 1
06) and memorizes its contents (1) It also reads whether the paper feed port designation is multi-feeder paper feeding or cassette paper feeding (2) and receives the print request signal. Wait (3). When the print request signal is received, the paper feed port specification read earlier is checked, and if the multi-feed paper feed specification is specified (4), the drive of the multi-feed roller 10 is started (5). Waiting for the leading edge to arrive (6), and after detecting the leading edge of the paper, waits for a time T+SeC for the leading edge to hit the registration roller 12 and form a predetermined loop (7), and then stops the multi-feed roller 10 (8). , outputs a vertical synchronization request signal, which is a synchronization signal for starting image writing, to the printer controller 100 (
9).

When a vertical synchronization signal is received in response to this vertical synchronization request signal (lO), the drive of the registration roller 12 is started (ill), and the count of the timer section 101a for measuring the length of the paper in the transport direction is started. Start (12).

Then, the image mask signal, which serves as a mask in the paper transport direction, is
F F L (13), this timer section 101a continues counting until the trailing edge of the paper passes the registration sensor 11 (14), and stops at the same time as the trailing edge of the paper passes the registration sensor 11 (15).

After waiting for the time TzSeC to finish printing up to the trailing edge of the paper (16), turn on the image mask signal (17)
. Next, the engine control unit 101 reads this timer count value (18) and determines the paper size (19).
, it is determined whether the paper size specified by the printer controller 100 and the paper size measured by the timer section 101a match (20), and if they do not match, a misprint occurrence flag is turned ON (21).
, waits for the paper that has been determined to be a misprint to be ejected22), and after the paper is ejected, the misprint occurrence flag is set to O.
It is determined whether it is in the N state (23), and if the answer is No, the process ends normally, and if the answer is YES, a request is made to resend the data for the misprinted paper.

In the above embodiment, an image forming apparatus in which the registration roller 12 records an image by synchronizing the leading edge of the image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 with the transfer position of the recording paper has been described. For example, the present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus as shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional configuration diagram illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus showing still another embodiment of the present invention, and 11a is a paper leading edge detection sensor.

The second abnormality processing operation in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the third abnormality processing procedure in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (19) indicate each step.

First, the engine control unit 101 is the printer controller 1.
Multi-feeder paper size information from 00 (operation panel 1
06) and memorize its contents) Also, it reads whether the paper feed port designation is multi-feeder paper feeding or cassette paper feeding (2), and waits for the reception of a print signal. (3). When the print signal is received, the paper feed port specification read earlier is checked, and if the multi-feed paper feed specification is specified (4), the drive of the multi-feed roller 1o is started (5). Wait until the leading edge of the paper reaches 6) When it is detected, the printer controller 1
A paper leading edge signal is output for 00 (7). Since the printer controller 100 outputs an image signal based on this signal, the engine control unit 101 sets the image signal mask signal to 0FFL (8) and permits image writing. At the same time, the timer section 101a starts counting for paper size detection (9), and waits until the paper leading edge detection sensor 11a detects the trailing edge of the paper (10). When the trailing edge of the paper is detected, the image mask signal is turned on (11) to inhibit image writing.

Then, stop the count of the paper size detection timer.
), reads the timer count value (13), and determines the size of the paper being fed from the count value (14).
Read the specified paper size (15) and determine whether the previously specified paper size and the measured paper size match (16). If they do not match, set the misprint occurrence flag to 0NL. (17) Wait for the paper judged to have been misprinted to be ejected 18) After ejecting the paper, determine whether the misprint occurrence flag is ON or not 19) If NO, terminate the process normally. If YES, a data retransmission request is made for the misprinted paper.

In this embodiment, if the designated paper size and the paper size being fed do not match, a data retransmission request is executed, but as explained in the first abnormality processing, the configuration executes jam processing. But it's okay.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the present invention includes a specifying means for specifying the size of the recording medium fed from the paper feeding means, and a length in the conveyance direction of the recording medium fed from the paper feeding means at a predetermined position. A predetermined abnormality process is performed based on a comparison result between the detecting means to detect and the conveying direction manufacturing information of the recording medium detected by the detecting means and the conveying direction manufacturing information specified by the size of the recording medium specified by the specifying means. Since the system is equipped with an abnormality processing means that performs Therefore, it is possible to stop the recording process on the recording medium, and it is possible to prevent peripheral staining and two missing images due to toner transfer accompanying the recording process.

Further, the abnormality processing means performs predetermined jam processing based on a comparison result between the conveyance direction production information of the recording medium detected by the detection means and the conveyance direction production information specified by the size of the recording medium specified by the specification means. This system is configured to perform the following steps, and the recording medium fed before the image recording process can be recovered, and the development process can be stopped.

Furthermore, the abnormality processing means detects the same error based on the comparison result between the conveyance direction production information of the recording medium detected by the detection means and the conveyance direction production information specified by the size of the recording medium specified by the designation means. Since the configuration is configured to request resending of information, it is possible to interrupt the image recording process and discard the image just before peripheral staining occurs due to toner transfer accompanying the recording process.
The burden on the operator until resuming image recording processing after paper ejection can be greatly reduced.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent a decline in the quality and reliability of the printer, and to continuously realize trouble-free high-quality image processing.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the control configuration of an image forming apparatus showing another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the second abnormality processing procedure in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the fourth abnormality processing procedure in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional configuration diagram illustrating the configuration of a conventional image forming apparatus, and FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 7. FIG. In the figure, 16 is a multi-feeder, 100 is a printer controller, 101 is an engine control section, 101a is a timer section, 105 is a laser control section, and 106 is an operation panel.

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) In an image forming apparatus equipped with a paper feeding means capable of feeding a recording medium, a specification means for specifying the size of a recording medium fed from the paper feeding means, and a record fed from the paper feeding means a detection means for detecting the length of the medium in the conveyance direction at a predetermined position; information on the length in the conveyance direction of the recording medium detected by the detection means; and length information in the conveyance direction defined by the size of the recording medium designated by the designation means; An image forming apparatus comprising: abnormality processing means for executing predetermined abnormality processing based on a comparison result. (2) The abnormality processing means detects a predetermined jam based on the comparison result between the length information in the conveying direction of the recording medium detected by the detecting means and the length information in the conveying direction specified by the size of the recording medium specified by the specifying means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus executes a process. (3) The abnormality processing means detects the same printed information based on the comparison result between the conveyance direction length information of the recording medium detected by the detection means and the conveyance direction length information specified by the size of the recording medium specified by the designation means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus requests retransmission of the image.