JP2009208885A - Image forming device and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of detecting a recording paper size while reducing the apparatus cost.
An image forming apparatus 100 of the present invention includes a reading device 170, and includes at least one stacking unit 102 that stacks recording sheets, a sheet feeding unit 104 that feeds stacked recording sheets, and a sheet that is fed. The passage detection means 106 for detecting the passage of the recording paper, the size measuring transport path II for transporting the recording paper from the paper supply means 104 to the reading device 170, and the size of the recording paper in the traveling direction by the passage detection means 106. Control means for transporting the recording paper to the reading device 170 via the size measurement transport path II, and measuring the size in the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the recording paper by the reading device (170, 138); A storage unit that stores the stacking unit and the size of the recording paper in association with each other.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming technique, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of detecting a recording paper size while reducing apparatus cost.

  In general, an image forming apparatus such as a digital multi-function peripheral has a sensor that detects the size of a recording sheet loaded on a sheet feeding tray, and the user is conscious of the size of the recording sheet set on the sheet feeding tray at the time of printing. Even if this is not done, user convenience is improved so that print settings can be made easily. On the other hand, in a low-end multifunction device, the sensor for detecting the recording paper size as described above is often omitted in order to reduce the apparatus cost.

In relation to the reduction of the apparatus cost, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-36429 (Patent Document 1) detects the paper size each time the recording paper is transported without providing the size detecting means as many as the number of paper feeding units. For the purpose of providing an image forming apparatus that does not need to be reduced and does not reduce the image forming speed, the size of the recording paper is provided on a conveying path through which the recording paper conveyed from each paper feeding unit passes in common. An image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes a size detection unit that detects the image and a storage unit that stores a detection result of the size detection unit in association with the sheet feeding unit.
JP 2006-36429 A

  However, although the omission of the recording paper size detection sensor can reduce the cost of the apparatus, it is established at the expense of user convenience. In this case, the user explicitly sets the paper size in advance. This is not sufficient from the viewpoint of user convenience.

  The technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 can be applied to a multi-function peripheral having a plurality of paper feed units, but may be applied to an image forming apparatus having only one paper feed unit. There was almost no effect of reducing the cost of the apparatus, and it was requested to install at least one recording paper size detection sensor for a multi-function machine having a plurality of paper feeding units, which was not sufficient from the viewpoint of cost reduction. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and can detect the recording paper size without separately providing a dedicated component for detecting the recording paper size, thereby reducing the cost of the apparatus. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method with high user convenience.

  In the present invention, in order to solve the above-described problem, the size of the recording sheet loaded in at least one stacking unit is measured by the passage detection unit that detects the passage of the recording sheet. A configuration is adopted in which the recording paper is conveyed via a size measurement conveyance path for conveying the recording paper to the reading device, and the reading device measures the size in the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the recording paper. .

  Since the size of the recording paper is measured by using the reading device and passage detection means provided in the image forming apparatus without using dedicated parts provided separately, the user convenience is improved while the apparatus cost is reduced. It becomes possible to do. The passage detection means is used as means for detecting the passage of the recording paper even during a normal printing operation.

  In the present invention, the size of the recording paper in the traveling direction is determined by the time at which the passage detection unit starts transporting the recording paper at a constant transport speed, the point at which the recording paper has passed through the passage detection unit, and the transport speed. And can be measured. Further, in the present invention, the vertical size of the recording paper can be measured by reading a part of the recording paper with a reading device.

  In the present invention, measurement of the size of the recording sheet can be started when the image forming apparatus is activated, detection of opening / closing of at least one stacking unit, or reception of a print request. Further, in the present invention, the standard size recording paper is referenced with reference to the table for registering the standard size recording paper, and the standard size is identified from the measured size and stored in the storage means, or when the standard size cannot be identified, the irregular size is determined. Can be stored in the storage means. With this configuration, even if a measurement error is included, the corresponding standard size is identified within an appropriate allowable range. The printing operation can be controlled with reference to the paper size of the recording paper stored in the storage means.

  Further, according to the present invention, the size measurement transport path, the normal transport path for transporting the recording paper from the paper feed means to the paper discharge means through the image forming means, and the return for returning the recording paper from the reading device to the paper feed means. One transport path can be selected from the transport paths for use. Further, according to the present invention, a reading path for conveying a document from the document feeding unit to the document discharging unit, and a retreat for discharging or discharging the recording sheet from the size measurement conveying path to the document discharging unit. One transport path can be selected from the transport paths for use.

  Hereinafter, although it demonstrates using embodiment of this invention, embodiment of this invention is not limited to the following embodiment. In this embodiment, as an example of an image forming apparatus, an example in which a multifunction peripheral 100 having a complex function for handling images such as a copy, a facsimile, a scanner, and a print will be described.

  FIG. 1 shows an outline of a mechanism configuration of a multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment. A multifunction device 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes an image forming unit 160 and an image reading unit 170. The image forming unit 160 includes a sheet feeding unit including sheet feeding trays 102a and 102b, a sheet feeding roller 104, and a sheet feeding sensor 106, an optical writing device 108 including optical elements such as a laser diode, a polygon mirror, and a lens, and a photosensitive unit. An image forming unit including a body drum 110, a charging device (not shown), a developing device (not shown), a transfer device 112, a charge eliminating device (not shown), and a photoreceptor cleaner (not shown), and a transfer roller 114a. , B, an intermediate transfer belt 116, a developer concentration sensor 118, a fixing device 120, and a transfer / fixing unit including a cleaning blade (not shown).

  The multi-function device 100 shown in FIG. 1 has a so-called so-called so-called multi-color image forming unit in which black (K), magenta (M), cyan (C), and yellow (Y) image forming portions are arranged along the intermediate transfer belt 116. A tandem configuration is adopted. In the optical writing device 108, the light beams emitted from the laser diodes for the respective colors are emitted as light beams LK, LM, LC, and LY, respectively, on the outer peripheral surfaces of the photosensitive drums 110K, M, C, and Y, respectively. Exposure scanning is performed to form an electrostatic latent image.

  The outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 110 is uniformly charged in the dark by a charging device, and then imagewise exposed by a light beam emitted from the optical writing device 108. The formed electrostatic latent image is conveyed to the developing device as each photosensitive drum 110 rotates. The electrostatic latent image is developed with a developer, and a developer image is formed and carried on the photosensitive drum 110. The developer image is conveyed to the transfer / fixing unit as the photosensitive drum 110 rotates, and is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 116 by the transfer device 112 at a position where the photosensitive drum 110 and the intermediate transfer belt 116 are in contact with each other. The The portion of the photosensitive drum 110 on which the transfer of the developer image has been completed is wiped off the developer remaining on the outer peripheral surface by a photosensitive cleaner, and then is neutralized by a static eliminator and supplied to the next image forming process.

  The intermediate transfer belt 116 is wound around a transfer roller 114a and a driven roller that are driven to rotate, and transfers the transferred developer images in the order of black (K), magenta (M), cyan (C), and yellow (Y). It is conveyed to the image forming unit for each color. The developer images of the respective colors are superimposed at the same position, and pass through the four-color image forming unit, whereby a multi-color developer image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 116.

  Recording paper such as high-quality paper and plastic sheets stacked on the paper feed trays 102a and 102b is separated and fed by the paper feed roller 104 and conveyed to the transfer / fixing section. The paper feed sensor 106 detects the passage of the recording paper fed and conveyed by the paper feed roller 104. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, it can be used for measuring the size of the recording paper in the traveling direction. The recording paper is conveyed to a position where it contacts the intermediate transfer belt 116, and receives the transfer of the multicolor developer image. After the transfer, the recording paper on which the multicolor developer image is formed is supplied to the fixing device 120. The fixing device 120 includes fixing rollers 122a and 122b made of silicone rubber, fluorine rubber, or the like, and heats and presses the recording paper and the multicolor developer image to fix the formed image on the recording paper. The printed matter after the fixing passes through the transport path switching unit 130 that selects the transport path I during the printing operation, passes through the paper discharge sensor 124, and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 132 by the paper discharge roller 126. The transfer belt 116 after transferring the multi-color developer image is supplied to the next image forming process after the developer remaining by the cleaning blade is removed.

  The image reading unit 170 includes a document setting unit 148 on which a document is set, a conveyance roller 146, a document discharge tray 152, a contact glass 154, a charge coupled device (CCD), an image sensor 138, a light source, and the like. 140, a traveling body 134 including optical elements such as a lens 142, and a traveling body motor 136 that moves the traveling body 134.

  In the document movement mode in which the document is moved and read, the document fed from the document setting unit 148 is transported by the transport roller 146 and travels by the guide of the transport path switching flip 150 that selects the transport path IV during the reading operation. The body 134 is sent to a waiting reading position. The document passes through the reading position with its document surface facing the image sensor 138 and is discharged onto the document discharge tray 152. In the document movement mode, the traveling body 134 stands by at a predetermined position, and the image sensor 138 receives light emitted from the light source 140 and reflected from the document surface, and converts the image on the document surface into an electrical signal. On the other hand, in the document fixing mode in which the document is fixed and read, the document is fixed on the contact glass 154, and the traveling body 134 moves in parallel to the contact glass 154 at a constant speed while scanning the reading position. The image sensor 138 converts the image on the document surface into an electrical signal.

  The image forming unit 160 according to the present exemplary embodiment transports the recording paper from the fixing device 120 to the image reading unit 170 during the recording paper size measurement operation, and the recording paper from the image reading unit 170 to the paper feed roller 104. And a transport path III for returning. The conveyance path switching unit 130 includes two flips, and selects one of the conveyance paths I to III according to the printing operation or the recording paper size measurement operation. The transport path III is provided with a transport roller 128, and the transport path III is for returning the recording paper once transported to the image reading unit 170 to measure the recording paper size to the paper feed position of the paper feed roller 104 again. Can be used. Further, the image forming unit 160 has a circulation conveyance path for reversing and returning the recording paper to the paper feed roller 104 at the time of duplex printing, and the conveyance path switching unit 130 selects the circulation conveyance path during the duplex printing operation. You can also

  Further, the image reading unit 170 of the present embodiment retracts or discharges the recording paper conveyed through the conveyance path II from the image forming unit 160 to the document discharge tray 152 during the recording paper size measurement operation. Transport path V. The conveyance path switching flip 150 selects one of the conveyance paths IV and V according to the reading operation or the recording paper size measurement operation. The recording paper conveyed to the image reading unit 170 is sent to the reading position by the conveyance roller 144, passes through the traveling body 134 with one paper surface thereof directed to the image sensor 138, and is retracted to the document discharge tray 152. Or it is ejected. During the recording paper size measurement operation, the traveling body 134 is made to stand by at a predetermined position, and the image sensor 138 is used to measure the size in the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the recording paper and is reflected from the surface of the recording paper. The received light is converted into an electrical signal.

  Hereinafter, the hardware configuration of the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration of the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment. The multi-function device 100 includes a controller 12, an operation panel 42, an FCU (facsimile control unit) 44, and an engine unit 46. The controller 12 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 14, an NB (North Bridge) 18, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 20 following the CPU 14 via the NB 18, and a system memory 16. . The ASIC 20 executes various types of image processing and is connected to the NB 18 via an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) 48. The system memory 16 is used as a drawing memory or the like.

  The ASIC 20 is connected to a local memory 22, a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as HDD) 24, and a nonvolatile memory (hereinafter referred to as NV-RAM) 26 such as a flash memory. The local memory 22 is used as a copy image buffer or a code buffer, and the HDD 24 is a storage for storing image files, document data, programs, font data, form data, and the like. The NV-RAM 26 stores a program for controlling the multifunction peripheral 100 and various setting information.

  The controller 12 further includes an SB (South Bridge) 28, a NIC (Network Interface Card) 30, an SD card slot 32, a USB interface 34, an IEEE 1394 interface 36, and a Centronics interface 38. These are connected to the NB 18 via the PCI bus 50. The NIC 30 is an interface device that connects the multifunction peripheral 100 to a network such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). The USB interface 34, the IEEE 1394 interface 36, and the Centronics interface 38 are interfaces conforming to the respective standards, and receive print requests from external devices such as client devices. Note that the SB 28 is a bridge for connecting the PCI bus 50 to a ROM or a peripheral device (not shown).

  The operation panel 42 is connected to the ASIC 20 of the controller 12 and receives input of various instructions from the operator and outputs a screen to provide a user interface. The FCU 44 and the engine unit 46 are connected to the ASIC 20 via the PCI bus 52. The engine unit 46 controls input / output of electrical components such as various motors, a drive motor that generates power transmitted to mechanism members such as various rollers, and a clutch for transmitting power.

  2 reads out a program (not shown) stored in a storage device such as a ROM (not shown), HDD 24, NV-RAM 26, SD card (not shown), etc. By expanding the memory area of a memory that provides a working memory area (for example, including the system memory 16 and the local memory 22), each functional unit and each process described later are realized.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment. 3 includes a control unit 60, an interface control unit 62, a job management unit 64, an image memory management unit 66, an operation input unit 68, a setting storage unit 70, a reading control unit 72, and the like. The image forming apparatus includes a fixing control unit 74, an image forming control unit 76, and a conveyance control unit 78.

  The interface control unit 62 controls the NIC 30, USB I / F 34, IEEE 1394 I / F 36, and Centronics I / F 38, and communicates with a client device that issues a print request to the multifunction peripheral 100 according to a protocol corresponding to the interface. The job management unit 64 performs job management such as scheduling of a job requested to the multifunction peripheral 100 via the operation panel 42 or each interface.

  The image memory management unit 66 performs memory control such as acquisition and release of image memory and compression / decompression of image data. The operation input unit 68 controls the operation panel 42 serving as an interface between the operator and the main body control, and displays a setting screen on the operation panel 42 and waits for setting input. The operation input unit 68 can also provide a remote setting interface of the client device via the NIC 30.

  The setting storage unit 70 stores various setting state values of the system such as the size of the recording paper set in the paper feed trays 102a and 102b. The reading control unit 72 executes drive control of the traveling body 134, lighting control of the light source 140, and control of the image sensor 138, converts an image on the document surface into an electrical signal, and stores the image data in the image memory. The image forming control unit 76 controls an image forming process using, for example, an electrophotographic method, reads image data from an image memory, and transfers a multicolor developer image onto a recording sheet. The fixing control unit 74 executes temperature control and fixing control of the fixing device 120 to fix the multicolor developer image on the recording paper.

  The conveyance control unit 78 controls the conveyance motor of the image forming unit 160, the conveyance motor of the image reading unit 170, and the clutch that transmits power to the paper feed roller 104, the conveyance rollers 128 and 144, and the paper discharge roller 126. As a result, recording paper conveyance control is performed. The transport control unit 78 further controls the transport path switching unit 130 and the transport path switching flip 150 to select a transport path according to the operation. The control unit 60 controls each functional unit shown in FIG. 3 and controls a series of operations as the multifunction peripheral 100. The control unit 60 of the present embodiment controls the conveyance control unit 78 to feed the recording paper stacked on the paper feed tray 102 and pass it through the paper feed sensor 106. Then, the control unit 60 uses the input signal from the paper feed sensor 106 to measure the size of the recording paper in the traveling direction. In addition, the control unit 60 of the present embodiment controls the conveyance control unit 78 to convey the recording paper to the image reading unit 170 and pass the reading position. The control unit 60 controls the reading control unit 72 to read the paper surface of the recording paper, and measures the size of the recording paper in the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction.

  In the following, the flow of the recording paper when measuring the size in the traveling direction of the recording paper and the size perpendicular to the traveling direction using the paper feed sensor 106 and the image sensor 138 in the recording paper size measuring operation will be described. . FIG. 4 shows the flow of recording paper during the recording paper size measurement operation. For example, when recording paper stacked on the paper feed tray 102a is used, the recording paper is fed from the paper feed tray 102a and sent to position A. At this time, the paper feed sensor 106 detects the passage of the recording paper, and the control unit 60 measures the size of the recording paper in the traveling direction using the signal from the paper feed sensor 106.

  Subsequently, the recording sheet passes through the transfer roller 114 and the fixing device 120, is guided to the transport path II by the transport path switching unit 130, and is sent to the position B. Further, the recording sheet is conveyed to the image reading unit 170 along the conveyance path II, passes through the conveyance roller 144, is guided to the conveyance path V by the conveyance path switching flip 150, and is sent to the position C. The leading edge of the recording paper passes through the reading position on the image sensor 138 and is retracted to the document discharge tray 152. At this time, the image sensor 138 reads the paper surface of the recording paper that passes therethrough, and the control unit 60 measures the size in the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the recording paper using the signal from the image sensor 138. When the recording paper is discharged to the document discharge tray 152 or can be used for printing as it is suitable for printing size, the recording paper is returned to the paper feed roller 104 using the transport path III and reused for printing. Can be done. When the recording paper is discharged, one recording paper is consumed from the paper feed tray 102 for measuring the recording paper size.

  FIG. 5 shows a timing chart of each control signal at the time of recording paper size measurement using the paper feed sensor 106 and the image sensor 138. The timing chart shown in FIG. 5 shows that the signal from the paper feed sensor 106 first detects the passage of the fed recording paper and rises to ON at time T1. The signal from the paper feed sensor 106 falls off at time T2 when the entire recording paper passes through the paper feed sensor 106. After the recording paper has passed through the paper feed sensor 106, the light source 140 is turned on at an appropriate timing, and the signal of the image sensor 138 rises to a high level reflecting the reflected light. At the moment of entering, it falls to a low level due to a shadow caused by a gap with the recording paper. Thereafter, reflecting that the light reflected from the paper surface of the recording paper enters the image sensor 138, the signal of the image sensor 138 rises again to a predetermined level at time T3, and the recording paper is discharged or pulled back. And falls at time T4. The controller 60 measures the size of the recording paper in the vertical direction during the period T3-T4.

  After the measurement of the recording paper size is completed, after a lapse of a certain time, the writing start signal is turned on at time T5, the recording paper size measurement operation is switched to the printing operation, and printing can be continued. In this case, the image forming start signal is turned ON at time T6 after a certain time has passed.

  FIG. 6 shows an outline of recording sheet size measurement using the image sensor 138. In FIG. 6, the recording paper P to be measured is conveyed in the traveling direction indicated by the arrow, and the paper surface is read by the image sensor 138 provided in the traveling body 134 waiting at a predetermined position. It is shown. The image sensor 138 reads at least a part of the paper surface of the recording paper passing thereover in the traveling direction, and the control unit 60 uses the image signal from the image sensor 138 to detect the right edge and the left edge of the recording paper. The position is specified, and the vertical size SV of the recording paper is measured from the difference between the right end and the left end.

  FIG. 7 shows how the recording paper passes through the paper feed sensor. FIG. 7A shows a state when the leading edge of the recording paper P abuts on the paper feed sensor 106, and FIG. 7B shows a state in which the recording paper P is fed to the paper feed roller 104 and is conveyed in a predetermined manner. FIG. 7C shows a state when the start position is reached, and FIG. 7C shows a state when the trailing edge of the recording paper P has passed through the paper feed sensor 106. As shown in FIG. 7, after the recording paper P is brought into contact with the paper feed sensor 106 and the sensor signal is turned on, the recording paper P is sent to the conveyance start position and waits once. After the conveyance is started, the recording paper P is conveyed in the traveling direction at a constant speed, and the sensor signal is turned OFF when the trailing edge has passed the paper feed sensor 106.

  In FIG. 7B, the distance D indicates the distance from the front end of the paper feed sensor 106 to the conveyance start position. In FIG. 7C, a distance E is a distance from the rear end position of the recording paper P at the transport start position to the rear end position of the recording paper P at the moment when the recording paper P has completely passed the paper feed sensor 106. Represents the distance traveled from the start of conveyance to the completion of passage.

  FIG. 8 shows a timing chart of the paper feed sensor signal at the time of recording paper size measurement. The signal from the paper feed sensor 106 is turned on from time T1 when the leading edge of the recording paper P contacts the paper feed sensor 106 to time T2 when the trailing edge of the recording paper P passes through the paper feed sensor 106. Yes. FIG. 8 shows a conveyance start time TR, and a time ΔT from the conveyance start to the completion of passage. The control unit 60 according to the present embodiment measures the size SH of the recording paper in the traveling direction using the time ΔT.

  Referring again to FIG. 7, the size SH of the recording paper in the traveling direction is calculated as the sum of a predetermined distance D from the leading edge of the paper feed sensor 106 to the conveyance start position and a distance E that has traveled from the conveyance start to the completion of passage. The distance E is calculated by the product of the conveyance speed and the time ΔT. Accordingly, the size SH of the recording paper in the traveling direction is expressed by the following equation using the time ΔT from the start of conveyance to the completion of passage, the diameter r of the paper feed roller 104, and the rotational speed θ of the paper feed roller.

により算出される。なお、所定距離Ｄは、複合機１００における給紙センサ１０６や給紙ローラ１０４の物理的な距離に応じて定められる。

Is calculated by The predetermined distance D is determined according to the physical distance between the paper feed sensor 106 and the paper feed roller 104 in the multifunction peripheral 100.

  Hereinafter, the recording paper size check process will be described with reference to a flowchart. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the recording paper size check process executed by the control unit. The processing shown in FIG. 9 is started from step S100 in response to the occurrence of an event that triggers the start of the recording paper size check, such as activation of the multifunction peripheral or detection of opening / closing of the paper feed tray.

  In step S101, for example, it is determined whether or not it is necessary to check the recording paper size of the paper feed tray N in ascending order of the assigned identification number N. For example, the recording paper size state value of the paper feed tray N held in the setting storage unit 70 is configured to be cleared at startup and when the paper feed tray is opened and closed, and the recording paper size state value is set by referring to the setting storage unit 70. Whether or not the check is necessary can be determined by confirming whether or not the check has been completed.

  If it is determined in step S101 that the recording paper size needs to be checked (YES), the process branches to step S102. In step S102, the conveyance control unit 78 is controlled to feed the recording paper loaded on the paper feed tray N, and recording paper size measurement for the recording paper is executed. Subsequently, in step S103, the measured values of the sizes SH and SV in the advancing direction and the vertical direction measured using the paper feed sensor 106 and the image sensor 138 are referred to a table for registering the prescribed size of the standard size recording paper. Then, the standard size recording paper corresponding to the target recording paper is identified by comparing with the prescribed size of each registered standard size recording paper.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a table for registering a predetermined size of a standard size recording sheet. A table 200 shown in FIG. 11 includes a field 200a in which an identification value of a fixed size is input, a field 200b in which a specified value of a size in the advancing direction of the fixed size is input, and a vertical size of the fixed size. And a field 200c in which the size is input. A table 200 shown in FIG. 11 is stored in the NV-RAM 26 or the like by previously inputting values in the fields. For example, the manufacturer can create the table 200 and store it in the NV-RAM 26.

  The control unit 60 can identify the standard size recording paper corresponding to the target recording paper by referring to the table 200 and comparing the measured value and the predetermined value for each of the predetermined size recording paper. It should be noted that a measurement error can be allowed when comparing the measured value with the specified value. For example, the standard size of the standard A4 size is 297 mm long × 210 mm wide, but within a tolerance of ± 2 mm, the measured value of the size is 295 mm to 299 mm in the traveling direction and 218 mm to 212 mm in the vertical direction. It can be configured to determine whether or not it corresponds to the standard A4 size by determining whether or not the condition is satisfied. For example, when SH = 298 mm and SV = 210.5 mm are measured, the standard [A4] size is identified.

  If the measured value does not fit within the allowable range with respect to the specified values of all the standard size recording papers, the target recording paper is identified as an irregular size. However, if a recording sheet outside the size range that can be handled by the multi-function device 100 is set, if printing is performed with an irregular size as it is, a printing jam occurs. Therefore, if it is determined from the measured value that the multifunction device 100 is out of the size range that can be handled, an error notification to that effect can be given on the display screen of the operation panel 42, for example.

  Referring to FIG. 9 again, after an attempt is made to identify the standard size corresponding to the target recording paper, in step S104, the identified standard size identification value or the irregular size measurement value is recorded in the recording of the paper feed tray N. The status value of the paper size is stored in the setting storage unit 70, and the process proceeds to step S105. Thereby, during the printing operation, the state value held in the setting storage unit 70 is referred to, and the paper feed tray to be used is automatically selected according to the print request.

  Referring to step S101 again, for example, if it is determined that the recording paper size of the paper feed tray N has already been set and no check is required (NO), the process proceeds directly to step S105. In step S105, it is determined whether there are other paper feed trays that can be checked. If it is determined in step S105 that, for example, there is no paper feed tray 102 having the next younger identification number and there is no other paper feed tray that can be checked (NO), the process branches to step S106 and the process is terminated. Let On the other hand, if it is determined in step S105 that, for example, the paper feed tray 102 having the next younger identification number exists and there is another paper feed tray that can be checked (YES), the process branches to step S107. Let In step S107, the target is advanced to the paper feed tray having the next younger identification number, and the processing is repeated from step S101.

  Therefore, according to the recording sheet size check process, at the time of activation, the recording sheet size measurement of each sheet feeding tray is repeated by the number of sheet feeding trays provided in the multifunction peripheral 100, and the recording sheet sizes of all the sheet feeding trays. Will be set automatically. In addition, when the paper feed tray is opened and closed, the opened and closed paper feed tray is specified, and the recording paper size is measured and automatically set.

  The processing shown in FIG. 9 can also be started in response to the occurrence of an event other than activation of the multifunction peripheral 100 and detection of opening / closing of the paper feed tray. FIG. 10 is a flowchart in the case where the recording paper size check process is executed before the printing operation is performed when a print request is received. The process illustrated in FIG. 10 is started in response to a print request from, for example, a client device in step S200.

  In step S201, first, with respect to all the paper feed trays held by the setting storage unit 70, with reference to the recording paper size state value, is there a paper feed tray in which the same recording paper as the requested recording paper size is set? Determine whether or not. If it is determined in step S201 that there is a paper feed tray in which the requested recording paper size is set (YES), the process is branched to step S202, printing is started, and the process is terminated in step S203. On the other hand, if no paper feed tray in which the requested recording paper size is set is found in step S201 (NO), the process branches to step S204.

  In step S204, the setting storage unit 70 is referred to and it is determined whether or not the recording sheet size state value is set for all the sheet feeding trays. If it is determined in step S204 that the recording paper size state value is not set for at least one paper feed tray (NO), the process branches to step S207. In step S207, the recording paper size check process shown in FIG. 9 is called, waits for completion, and the process loops again to step S201.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S204 that the recording paper size state value has been set for all the paper feeding trays (YES), there is no recording paper of the required size in any paper feeding tray. Processing is branched to step S205, an error screen is displayed on the display screen of the operation panel 42, or an error notification lamp is turned on to notify an error and retry is attempted or printing is canceled. Until the process waits.

  Subsequent to the error notification in step S205, in step S206, it is determined whether or not the user has issued an instruction to cancel printing, or whether or not a retry has been attempted by detecting the opening / closing of the paper feed tray. If it is determined in step S205 that a print cancel command has been issued (cancel), the process branches to step S203 to end the process. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S205 that printing has been retried (retry), the process branches to step S207 to call the recording paper size check process shown in FIG. 9 and wait for completion. Then, the process branches again to step S201.

  According to the processing shown in FIG. 9, when the recording paper in the paper feed tray is replaced while the multifunction device is activated or powered off, the size of the recording paper actually set in the paper feed tray is unknown. However, the size of the recording paper is measured and automatically set by detecting opening / closing of the paper feed tray or calling immediately after activation. For this reason, the recording paper loaded on each paper feed tray is discharged and consumed one by one every time it is opened / closed or activated, but the recording paper size is detected without the need for a separate sensor for detecting the recording paper size. Therefore, user convenience is improved.

  Further, according to the processing shown in FIG. 10, when a print request is made, it is possible to detect the recording paper size in a timely manner. For this reason, although the first print time becomes slightly longer, there is no need to check at the time of activation of the multi-function device or when the paper feed tray is detected, and it is possible to reduce the consumption of recording paper. In addition, if a paper feed tray of the size that meets the requirements is found by measurement, the transported recording paper can be returned to the paper feed roller and reused for printing. Consumption can be reduced.

  FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of a setting screen for designating a method for setting the recording paper size of the paper feed tray. The display screen 300 shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on, for example, a touch panel included in the operation panel 42. The display screen 300 is a screen for designating a recording paper size setting method for the paper feed tray, and a “manual setting” button. 302 and an “automatic setting” frame 304 including a “starting time and tray opening / closing” button 306 and a “print start” button 308.

  A “manual setting” button 302 designates a setting method for manually setting the size of each paper feed tray in response to being pressed by the operator. On the other hand, a button 306 and a button 308 in the “automatic setting” frame 304 specify a setting method for measuring and automatically setting the recording paper size of each paper feed tray in response to being pressed by the operator. When the “Startup and Tray Open / Close” button 306 is pressed, activation of the multifunction device and detection of opening / closing of the paper feed tray are registered as events that trigger the start of the recording paper size / check processing. On the other hand, when the “print start” button 308 is pressed, receipt of a print request is registered as an event that triggers the start of the recording paper size / check process.

  When automatic setting is designated and multifunction machine activation and paper feed tray open / close detection are registered as events for starting the recording paper size check process, the multifunction machine 100 is shown in FIG. 9 for each occurrence of the event. Will be called. When the automatic setting is specified and the receipt of the print request is registered as an event for starting the recording paper size check process, the process of FIG. 10 is called in response to the occurrence of the event.

  The setting screen shown in FIG. 12 has a feature that “manual setting” has a feature that user convenience is low but recording paper is not consumed, and that recording paper is consumed but recording paper size is automatically set and user convenience is high. "Automatic setting at start-up and tray opening / closing" or "Automatic setting at the start of printing", which has a feature that it is economical because there is no unnecessary consumption of recording paper, although the first print time is long. Since it can be specified, it can respond to the user's request.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to detect the recording paper size without separately providing a dedicated component for detecting the recording paper size, thereby reducing the apparatus cost, It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method with high user convenience.

  In the above description, a multifunction peripheral having a plurality of functions has been described as an example of an embodiment of the image forming apparatus. However, in the embodiment of the present invention, the image forming apparatus can be configured as another image forming apparatus having an image reading function and an image forming function, such as a copying machine.

  The above functions can be realized by a computer-executable program written in a legacy programming language such as an assembler, C, C ++, C #, Java (registered trademark), an object-oriented programming language, or the like. ROM, EEPROM, EPROM It can be stored in a device-readable recording medium such as flash memory, flexible disk, CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD, SD card, MO, and distributed.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and those skilled in the art may conceive other embodiments, additions, modifications, deletions, and the like. It can be changed within the range that can be done, and any embodiment is included in the scope of the present invention as long as the effects of the present invention are exhibited.

1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a mechanism configuration of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment. The figure which shows the flow of the recording paper at the time of recording paper size measurement operation | movement. 6 is a timing chart of each control signal at the time of recording paper size measurement using a paper feed sensor and an image sensor. The figure which shows the outline of recording paper size measurement using an image sensor. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which recording paper passes through a paper feed sensor. 6 is a timing chart of a paper feed sensor signal at the time of recording paper size measurement. 7 is a flowchart of recording paper size check processing. 6 is a flowchart executed when a print request is received. The figure which shows the data structure of the table which registers the regular size of a fixed size recording paper. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a setting screen for designating a recording paper size setting method for a paper feed tray.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Controller, 14 ... CPU, 16 ... System memory, 18 ... NB, 20 ... ASIC, 22 ... Local memory, 24 ... HDD, 26 ... NV-RAM, 28 ... SB, 30 ... NIC, 32 ... Slot, 34 ... USB interface 36 ... IEEE 1394 interface 38 ... Centronics interface 40 ... SD card 42 ... Operation panel 44 ... FCU 46 ... Engine unit 48 ... AGP 50 ... PCI bus 52 ... PCI bus 54 ... Network 60... Control unit 62 62 interface control unit 64 job management unit 66 image memory management unit 68 operation input unit 70 setting storage unit 72 reading control unit 74 fixing control unit 76 ... Image forming control unit, 78 ... Conveyance control unit, 100 ... Multi-function device, 102 ... Paper feed tray, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 04 ... Paper feed roller, 106 ... Paper feed sensor, 108 ... Optical writing device, 110 ... Photoconductor drum, 112 ... Transfer device, 114 ... Transfer roller, 116 ... Intermediate transfer belt, 118 ... Developer density sensor, 120 ... Fixing device, 122: fixing roller, 124: paper discharge sensor, 126 ... paper discharge roller, 128 ... transport roller, 130 ... transport path switching unit, 132 ... paper discharge tray, 134 ... traveling body, 136 ... traveling body motor, 138 ... Image sensor, 140 ... Light source, 142 ... Lens, 144 ... Conveyance roller, 146 ... Conveyance roller, 148 ... Document setting section, 150 ... Conveyance path switching flip, 152 ... Document discharge tray, 154 ... Contact glass, 160 ... Image forming section, 170 ... Image reading section, 200 ... Table, 300 ... Display screen, 302, 306, 308 ... Button, 304 ... Frame, A through C ... position, l-V ... transport path, P ... paper, SH ... traveling direction of the size, SV ... vertical size, T1T5 ... time,

Claims (9)

An image forming apparatus including a reading device,
At least one loading means for loading recording paper;
A paper feeding means for feeding the loaded recording paper;
Passage detection means for detecting the passage of the fed recording paper;
A conveyance path for size measurement for conveying a recording sheet from the sheet feeding means to the reading device;
The passage detection means measures the size of the recording paper in the traveling direction, transports the recording paper to the reading device via the size measurement transport path, and the reading device causes the recording paper to move in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the recording paper. Control means for measuring the size;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a storage unit that stores the stacking unit and a recording paper size in association with each other.   The control means uses the time when the recording paper is started to be conveyed at a constant conveyance speed by the passage detection means, the time when the recording paper has passed through the passage detection means, and the conveyance speed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a size is measured, and the vertical size is measured by causing the reading device to read a part of the recording paper.   3. The image formation according to claim 1, wherein the control unit starts measuring the size of the recording sheet in response to activation of the image forming apparatus, detection of opening / closing of at least one stacking unit, or reception of a print request. apparatus.   The control means refers to a table for registering standard size recording paper, identifies the standard size from the measured size and stores it in the storage means, or is not effective when the standard size cannot be identified. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, which is stored in the storage unit as a standard size. The image forming apparatus further includes a conveyance path for size measurement, a normal conveyance path for conveying recording paper from the paper feeding unit to the paper discharge unit through the image forming unit, and the reading device to the paper feeding unit. A first path switching means for selecting one of the return transport paths for returning the recording paper;
The reading device is for reading or discharging a recording sheet from a document feeding unit to a document discharging unit and a reading path for conveying the document from the size measuring conveying path to the document discharging unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second path switching unit that selects one transport path from the retreat transport path. An image forming method executed by an image forming apparatus including a reading device,
Feeding the recording paper loaded on at least one loading means;
A step of measuring the size of the fed recording paper in the advancing direction by passage detecting means for detecting the passage of the recording paper;
The recording paper is transported to the reading device via a size measurement transport path for transporting the recording paper to the reading device, and the reading device measures the size in the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the recording paper. Steps,
An image forming method including the step of associating the stacking unit and the size of the recording paper in a storage unit. The step of measuring the size in the traveling direction includes a sub-step for starting conveyance of the recording paper at a constant conveyance speed, a sub-step for completing the passage of the recording paper through the passage detection means, a time point for starting the conveyance, Including a sub-step of measuring the size in the traveling direction using the time point when the passage is completed and the transport speed,
The image forming method according to claim 6, wherein the step of measuring the vertical size includes a sub-step of measuring a size in the vertical direction by causing the reading device to read a part of the recording paper.   8. The image forming method according to claim 6, further comprising a step of starting measurement of the size of the recording paper triggered by activation of the image forming apparatus, detection of opening / closing of at least one stacking unit, or reception of a print request. .   The storing step is not performed when the standard size is identified from the measured size and stored in the storage means with reference to a table for registering the standard size recording paper, or when the standard size cannot be identified. The image forming method according to claim 6, further comprising a sub-step of storing in the storage unit as a standard size.

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