JPS63160974A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve picture quality and to compact a device, by a method wherein at least one of various kinds of information is displayed on the outer surface of the insertion part of a feed cassette, meanwhile, a means, reading the information through utilization of its movement during insertion of the feed cassette, is mounted to the cassette inserting part. CONSTITUTION:Various kinds of information of a paper displayed on the outer surface of an insertion part 10 of a feed cassette 1 by means of bar codes 12 is read by means of an information reading means 22 disposed to a cassette inserting part 21 of a device body 2. Thereby, the size and the thickness of a paper, a talc amount, and paper quality in the feed cassette 1 can be provided, and based on the data, an image forming condition is properly set to form a picture, and the quality of a picture can be improved. Furthermore, through utilization of movement when the feed cassette 1 is inserted in the cassette insertion part 21 of the device body 2, various kinds of information of a paper, displayed on the outer surface of the insertion part 10 of the feed cassette 1 can be read by means of the reading means 22, and a device can be compacted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine that feeds paper using a paper feed cassette that also serves as a storage case.

(Prior Art) Many types of paper are used in image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, which differ from each other in size, paper thickness, talc content, paper quality, and the like. Matami Kaisho 61-5633
Even in the paper feed cassette that also serves as a storage case, as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 5, there are a plurality of types that differ in the number of sheets they can accommodate, the size of built-in paper, and so on.

By the way, in order to improve the image quality during copying, etc., and to perform trouble-free image forming operations, it is necessary to accurately detect various information on the paper and set image forming conditions based on this. It is desirable to do so.

However, currently, images are formed to suit the size of paper, but image formation is performed by setting image forming conditions to suit paper characteristics such as paper thickness, amount of talc, and paper quality. Detection of the number of remaining sheets of paper in the paper feed cassette is not performed.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, it has not been possible to accurately detect various types of paper information and perform image forming operations based on this information. This has caused problems such as poor image quality and other troubles. Further, in a paper feed cassette that also serves as a storage case, there is a problem in that it is not easy to know the number of remaining sheets of paper.

The present invention solves these problems and goes one step further to provide an image forming apparatus that can read various information regarding the paper in the paper feed cassette without providing a scanning mechanism on the main body of the apparatus. purpose.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus in which a paper feed cassette that also serves as a storage case is removably inserted into a cassette insertion portion of an apparatus main body. At least one of various types of paper information is displayed on the outer surface of the insertion section of the paper cassette, and means is provided in the cassette insertion section of the apparatus main body for reading the information by utilizing the movement of the paper feed cassette when it is inserted. It is characterized by:

(Function) According to the present invention, various information on the paper displayed on the outer surface of the insertion section of the paper feed cassette can be read by the information reading means disposed in the cassette insertion section of the main body of the apparatus. You can know the size, paper thickness, amount of talc, paper quality, etc. of the paper in the cassette, and based on this data, appropriately set image forming conditions such as image forming range, charging, transfer, developing bias, exposure, and fixing temperature. Accordingly, it is possible to form an image in a manner that improves image quality and prevents troubles from occurring during image formation.

The present invention is capable of performing the above-mentioned functions, and also has the function of being able to read various information regarding the paper in the paper feed cassette without providing a scanning mechanism on the apparatus main body side. In other words, by using the movement of the paper cassette when it is inserted into the cassette insertion part of the main body of the device, it is possible to scan various information about the paper displayed on the outer surface of the insertion part of the paper cassette. The various information mentioned above can be read by a reading means arranged in the insertion section of the main body. Since this reading means can be of a fixed type or one with a short scanning length, the structure can be simplified and costs can be reduced, and the apparatus can be made more compact.

(Embodiment) In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the present invention is applied to a copying machine.

This copying machine consists of a paper feed cassette 1 that also serves as a storage case and a device main body 2.
is removably inserted into the

1 to 3 show the paper feed cassette 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows the paper feed cassette 1 before use, and the inside of the cassette main body 3 is protected against moisture by a storage M4. A predetermined number of papers 5 are contained in the cassette body 3,
Further, a paper feed roller opening 6 is provided at the front of the upper surface of the cassette body 3, and a push-up roller opening lower portion is provided at the front of the lower surface of the cassette body 3. A push-up plate 8 is disposed above the push-up roller phase opening lower. Further, a paper feed slit 9 is provided at the upper end of the front surface of the cassette main body 3, and the paper 5 is fed one by one from this.

The cassette main body 3 is formed in the shape of a closed box, and has a structure that prevents the user from replenishing additional paper 5. Further, the storage M4 seals both the openings 6.7 and the paper feed slit 9, so that the inside of the paper feed force set 1 is kept moisture-proof.

Various information about the paper 5 is printed and displayed in the form of a bar code 12 on one side 11 of the front end of the cassette body 3, that is, the insertion section 10. That is, the barcode 12 displays the characteristics of the paper 5 such as its size, paper thickness, talc amount, paper quality, etc., and also displays the initial number of sheets of paper 5 accommodated. Also, above the barcode 12 on the side surface 11 is a black band (
A dummy par) 13a is printed, and a black band (remaining amount display bar) 13 indicating the number of used sheets is written in the blank area behind it. and the barcode 12,
The dummy par 13a and the black belt 13 are also protected by the storage lid 4 when the cassette is not in use.

The paper feed cassette 1 that also serves as a storage case can be configured in various ways. For example, Utsukai Showa 61-5633
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 5, it is possible to use a cassette body in which a spring for biasing the push-up plate upward is built into the cassette body.

The paper feed cassette la shown in FIG.
It is of a type that has a built-in storage lid 4, and is equipped with a seal plate 14 in place of the storage lid 4. This sealing plate 14 closes the paper feed roller opening 6a and the paper feed liner 9a, thereby preventing moisture inside the cassette main body 3a. When using the cassette, pull out the seal plate 14 and open the paper feed slit 9a.
The paper 5 is supplied from there. Although not shown, on the outer surface of the insertion portion of the paper feed cassette 1a, specifically, on the front end of one side of the cassette main body 3a, there are marks shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.
A bar code and a dummy par similar to those of the paper feed cassette 1 shown in the figure are displayed.

The paper feed cassette 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is used by being removably inserted into an apparatus main body 2, as shown in FIG. At this time, the storage M4 has been removed, the paper feed roller 16 is in pressure contact with the upper surface of the large paver 5 inside the cassette main body 3 through the paper feed roller opening 6, and the push-up roller 17 is in pressure contact with the upper surface of the large paver 5. The lifting roller enters the inside of the cassette main body 3 through the phase-opening lower and comes into elastic contact with the lower surface of the push-up plate 8, thereby pushing up the push-up plate 8.

Then, due to the rotation of the paper feed roller 16, the paper 5
are supplied to the apparatus main body 2 one by one.

As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6, a code reading means 22 for reading the bar code 12 is provided in the socket insertion portion 21 of the main body 2 of the apparatus. In this example, L
The code reading means 22 is composed of a light projector 28 made of an ED and a light receiving sensor 29 that detects the light emitted from the light projector 28 and reflected by the bar code 12.

Although the code reading means 22 has a simple structure and is fixed, it can read all the information in the barcode 12 by scanning it by utilizing the movement of the paper feed cassette 1 when it is inserted.

At a position near the upper part of the code reading means 22, a black belt reading means 2 having basically the same structure as this code reading means 22 is provided.
3 (Fig. 2) are arranged.

However, this black belt reading means 23 is coupled to a black belt writing means 30 described later, and detects the length of the black belt 13 by scanning.

The black band 13 is written on one side 11 of the insertion section 10 of the paper feed cassette 1 according to the number of sheets of paper used, and its length is proportional to the number of sheets of paper used. As a means for writing this black band 13, a thermal transfer method is used, as shown in FIG. The black band writing means 30 has a print head 32 with an ink ribbon 31, which is driven by a stepping motor 34 controlled by a motor control circuit 33 to move in the direction of the arrow. The black belt reading means 23 reads the rear end position of the black belt 13, and based on this black belt rear end detection signal, the print head 32 moves to the rear end position, and then the print head 32 stops using the paper. A black belt 13 is additionally written for a length corresponding to the number of sheets.

The black belt writing means 30 is an example of a means for writing information corresponding to the number of sheets of paper used on the outer surface of the paper feed cassette 1, but other writing means such as a dot method or an exposure method may also be used. It is also possible to display the information using a display means other than a black band. Note that the first writing of the black belt 13 is performed by detecting the rear end of the dummy par 13a and continuing therefrom.

The basic structure of the main body 2 of the copying machine is the paper feed cassette 1.
This is a general method for copying an image of a document onto paper 5 supplied from a paper 5, and its explanation will be omitted.

FIG. 8 shows a configuration diagram of a microcomputer that controls the main body 2 of the apparatus. A barcode signal from the code reading means 22 and a black belt trailing edge detection signal from the black belt reading means 23 are input to a microprocessor unit (hereinafter referred to as MPU) 40 . In addition to this, signals from the empty sensor 43, signals from switches and keys 41 of the operation section, etc.
Signals from other sensors 42 are also input.

On the other hand, the MPU 40 outputs signals for controlling the black belt writing means 30 and the black belt reading means 23, and outputs an empty notice signal to the empty notice display section 44. Further, a signal indicating the number of remaining sheets of paper, etc. is output to the other display section 45. Furthermore, signals for controlling the paper conveying section 46, the optical system section 47, the image forming section 48, the developing and fixing section 49, etc. are outputted, and an empty operation prohibition signal, which will be described later, is outputted.

The device main body 2 is controlled according to the program stored in the memory of the MPU 40.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the main program. The program starts when the power is turned on, and in step #l, the MPU 40 and the device main body 2 are initialized.Next, in step #2, the output load and input load connected around the MPU 40 are initialized. Control etc.

Thereafter, copying operation processing (step #3), paper information input processing (step #4), and black band printing processing (step #5)
, remaining paper number determination processing (step #6), cassette unusable processing (step #7), and cassette unusable detection processing (step #8) are sequentially executed. These will be explained in detail later.

In step #9, processes other than those described above, such as toner replenishment and display on the operation unit, are performed. Then step #10
Then, it is determined whether or not the internal timer of the MPt 140 (reset and started in step #2) has finished counting, and this determination is repeated until the count is finished, and after the count is finished, the process returns to step #2. As a result, the time required for one operation of this main routine is set to a substantially constant time. This main routine is then executed repeatedly.

The copying operation process in step #3 is executed according to the subroutine shown in FIG. Since printing has not started when the power is turned on, this is determined in step #31, and the process returns to the main routine without performing any substantial processing. A detailed explanation will be given later.

FIG. 10 shows a subroutine for paper information input processing in step #4. This subroutine is for the apparatus main body 2 to read the information displayed as the barcode 12, and to prohibit the use of paper feed cassettes outside the scheduled range based on this information.

In step #40, it is determined whether insertion of the paper feed cassette 1 has started. In making this determination, the reading means 22 may be used to detect the forward passage of the front end of the cassette body 3, and it may be determined whether or not the detection signal has been received.

stomach. Of course, a special sensor may be provided to detect the start of insertion of the paper feed cassette 1.

If the paper feed cassette 1 is not inserted or has already been inserted, the determination at step #40 is NO, and the process returns to the main routine. That is,
At this time, it is not necessary to read the barcode 12, so
Paper information input processing is not performed.

If it is determined YES in step #40, the process proceeds to the next step #41, where the barcode 1 is read by the reading means 22.
2 information is sequentially read using the movement of the paper feed cassette 1. Then, in step #42, the information is analyzed and the paper characteristics (size, paper thickness,
talc amount, paper quality, etc.) and the initial number of sheets to be accommodated. Further, this analyzed information is stored in memory. Based on the information stored in this manner, the copying operation process of step #3 (FIGS. 9 and 15) is performed. That is, based on the paper characteristics, the image forming range,
Copying (image formation) is performed by appropriately setting conditions such as charging, transfer, developing bias, exposure, and fixing temperature.

As a result of analyzing the information, if the information is outside the planned range, or if the barcode 12 is not displayed on the paper feed cassette l and no information can be read, step #43 It is determined that there is an error in the information, and the process proceeds to step #44, where the copying operation (image forming operation) is prohibited. That is, when it is determined that an unscheduled paper feed cassette 1 is being used, its use is prohibited. On the other hand, if it is determined in step #43 that there is no error in the information, the process returns to the main routine.

FIG. 11 shows a subroutine for black band printing processing in step #5. This subroutine is for additionally writing a black band 13 on one side 11 of the insertion section 10 of the paper feed cassette l depending on the number of sheets of paper used.

When one sheet of paper 5 has been copied, it is determined in step #51 whether or not a copy end signal has been received. If the copy end signal has been received, the process advances to step #52. In this step #52, the end of the black belt 13 is detected by the black belt reading means 23. Based on this detection result, the black band writing means 30 moves to the end position, additionally writes a black band with a width corresponding to one sheet of paper (step #53), and returns to the main routine. Note that even when using a new paper feed cassette 1, a black band (dummy bar) 13a for setting the initial position is printed on the paper feed cassette 1, so detecting this end will prevent any hindrance to the above work. It is carried out without any problems. If the copy end signal is not received in step #51, the process directly returns to the main routine.

FIG. 12 shows a subroutine for determining the number of remaining paper sheets in step #6. This subroutine detects the length of the black belt 13 written by the black belt writing means 30, determines the number of remaining sheets of paper based on this, and displays this externally or displays a paper empty notice. It is for.

In step #61, the black belt reading means 23 is scanned to detect the rear end position of the black belt 13. Based on this, in step #62, the number of paper sheets to be used corresponding to the effective length of the black belt 13 is calculated, and a comparison calculation is performed with the initial number of sheets stored in the memory to calculate the remaining number of paper sheets. do. Next, in step #63, it is determined whether the number of remaining sheets of paper is equal to or less than a predetermined number of sheets. If it is determined that the number of sheets is less than the predetermined number, in step #64, a preview display signal is output to the empty notice display section 44 to display a paper empty notice. After that, the process moves to step #65. On the other hand, if it is determined in step #63 that the number of sheets is greater than the predetermined number, the process jumps to step #65.

In step #65, a display signal indicating the number of remaining sheets of paper is output to the display unit 45 to display the number of remaining sheets of paper. Then return to the main routine.

FIG. 13 shows the subroutine of the cassette unusable process in step #7. This subroutine is for writing a use prohibition mark in order to prohibit the reuse of the paper feed cassette 1 that is empty of paper.

In step #71, it is determined whether the paper is empty based on the signal from the paper empty sensor 43, and if the paper is not empty, the process returns to the main routine. On the other hand, if it is determined in step #71 that the paper is empty, in the next step #72, the end of the black belt 13 that has already been written is detected by the black belt reading means 23.

Based on this, in step #73, the black belt writing means 30 writes a wide black belt (unusable mark).
is additionally written from the end.

When the black band 13 of a predetermined length or more is written on the outer surface of the paper feed cassette 1 in this way, the paper feed cassette 1 cannot be reused, as will be explained in step #8. Then return to the main routine.

FIG. 14 shows the subroutine of the cassette unusable detection process in step #8. This subroutine is for detecting and determining whether or not a black band 13 of a predetermined length or more has been written, as described above, and prohibiting the reuse of the paper feed cassette 1 that is empty of paper.

In step #81, the black belt 1 is read by the black belt reading means 23.
3 is detected, and then in step #82 it is determined whether the length is equal to or greater than a predetermined length. If it is determined that the length is shorter than the predetermined length, the process returns to the main routine, and if it is determined that the length is longer than the predetermined length, the process proceeds to step #83. The prohibition signal is sent to the paper conveying section 46 and the image forming section 4.
8, etc., and outputs the display signal to the display section 45. As a result, the use of the empty paper cassette l is prohibited, and a message to that effect is displayed. Then return to the main routine.

The copying operation process in step #3 is executed according to the subroutine shown in FIG. 15 as described above, and the barcode 2
Based on the information read from the printer, image forming conditions are set to suit the paper characteristics such as paper size, paper thickness, talc amount, and paper quality, and the copy is made.

In step #31, when a signal to start printing is received from the switch or key 41 of the operation unit, etc., and it is determined that printing is to start, based on the information, step #32
Copying operation control is performed in . That is, the paper conveyance section 4
6. Control signals are outputted to the optical system section 47, image forming section 48, developing and fixing section 49, etc. so that these sections operate under image forming conditions suitable for the paper characteristics, and are also operated. Thereby, conditions such as image forming range, charging, transfer, developing bias, exposure, fixing temperature, etc. are appropriately set, and copying is performed. Then return to the main routine.

The present invention can be configured in various ways other than those shown in the above embodiments. For example, in the above embodiment, information indicating the characteristics of the paper 5 in the paper feed cassette 1 is displayed using the barcode 12, but this information may also be displayed using something recorded using magnetism, light, etc. It is possible.

Further, in the above embodiment, the barcode 12 is displayed on one side 11 of the insertion section 10 of the paper feed cassette 1, but it can also be displayed at a suitable location on the insertion section 100 of the paper feed cassette 1, for example, on the bottom surface. .

Further, in the above embodiment, the code reading means 22 is used as the means for reading the information, but it is also possible to use a reading means depending on the display mode of the information, and according to the present invention, this means may be a fixed type. However, it is not necessarily limited to a fixed type.

(Effects of the Invention) Since the image forming apparatus of the present invention has the above-described configuration and function, it is possible to form an image under image forming conditions suitable for paper characteristics.
It is possible to improve image quality and prevent problems from occurring.

Further, according to the present invention, various information on the paper can be read by using the movement of the paper feed cassette when it is inserted, so that the reading means can be of a fixed type or one with a short scanning length. Therefore, the structure can be simplified and costs can be reduced, and the device can be made more compact.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the paper feeding power center with the storage lid removed, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the paper feeding cassette inserted into the main body of the device. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the paper feed cassette in an unused state, FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the paper feed cassette, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the principle of the code reading means, and FIG. 6 7 is a plan view showing the black band writing means, FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of microcomputer control, FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. 1 and 15 are flowcharts of the control means, respectively. 1...-Paper cassette that also serves as a storage case 2--
・-Device main body 10--...-Insertion part

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) In an image forming apparatus in which a paper feed cassette that also serves as a storage case is removably inserted into a cassette insertion portion of the apparatus main body, at least one of the various types of paper information is printed on the outer surface of the insertion portion of the paper feed cassette. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the image forming apparatus is provided with means for reading the information by utilizing the movement of the paper feed cassette when it is inserted into the cassette insertion section of the apparatus main body.