Abstract:
Sheet ejecting apparatuses, which are connected to a recording apparatus, are selectively operated during the operation of the printer. When a sheet transported in a recording unit reaches a paper ejecting sensor, the recording unit outputs a predetermined signal to an image control unit. When the predetermined signal is inputted, the image control unit outputs a sheet ejection notice command of the sheet to a sheet ejecting apparatus, which is selected by the operator. The sheet ejecting apparatus to which the paper ejection notice command is inputted starts a drive motor and the like to eject the recording paper.

Description:
BACKGROUND OR THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a recording apparatus to which a paper ejecting apparatus is connected. 
     2. Related Background Art 
     In the recording apparatus such as printer, there is known a configuration where a paper ejecting apparatus such as a sorter is connected to the recording apparatus. In recent years, there has been proposed a configuration where a plurality of paper ejecting apparatuses are connectable to a recording apparatus. With the conventional control method, in case that a plurality of paper ejecting apparatuses are connected to the recording apparatus, all the paper ejecting apparatuses are driven during the operation of the recording apparatus. 
     However, the operation of all the paper ejecting apparatuses during the operation of the recording unit increases power consumption and it is not desirable in consideration of electric cost and electric capacity of the total recording system. Further, there is a problem of noise since all the paper ejecting apparatuses are simultaneously operated. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a recording apparatus in which the above-mentioned problems are solved. 
     Another object of the present invention is to reduce power consumption and noise by avoiding a situation where the paper ejecting apparatuses connected to the recording apparatus are operated even when the paper ejecting apparatuses need not be operated. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus to which a variety of paper ejecting apparatuses are connectable. Furthermore, with the present invention, even when a plurality of paper ejecting apparatuses are connected to the recording apparatus, the paper ejecting apparatuses are selectively operated. 
     The present invention provides a recording apparatus comprising: first control means for controlling the recording apparatus including a recording unit for recording an image on a sheet; and second control means for directly controlling the recording unit while communicating with the first control means, wherein the first control means outputs a signal for starting the ejecting operation to an ejecting apparatus for ejecting a sheet which is ejected from the recording unit, in accordance with a signal indicating the state of a recording operation and inputted from the second control means. 
     Further, the present invention provides a recording control apparatus for controlling the recording apparatus for recording an image on a sheet comprising: first output means for outputting a signal for starting a recording operation to the recording apparatus; input means for inputting a signal indicating the a state of a transporting operation of a sheet from the recording unit; and second output means for outputting a signal for starting an ejecting operation to an ejecting device, which is connected to the recording apparatus, in accordance with the signal inputted from the inputting means. 
     Furthermore, the present invention provides a paper ejecting apparatus connected to a recording apparatus for recording an image on a sheet, the paper ejecting apparatus comprising: transporting means for transporting the sheet to a sheet ejecting device; input means for inputting a signal in accordance with the state of the transporting operation of the recording apparatus from the recording control device for controlling the recording apparatus; and control means for starting the operation of the transporting means in accordance with the signal inputted from the input means. 
     Further, the present invention provides a recording apparatus for recording an image on a sheet comprising: transporting means for transporting the sheet to record the image on the sheet and to eject the sheet; detection means for detecting that the sheet is transported to a predetermined position; and outputting means for outputting a predetermined signal to a recording apparatus control device for controlling the recording apparatus in accordance with a detecting result of the detecting means. 
     Furthermore, the present invention provides a control device for controlling a recording unit for recording an image on a sheet and for ejecting the sheet through one of plural ejecting routes, the control device comprising: input means for inputting information indicating to which one of the plural ejecting routes the sheet is ejected; detection means for detecting the state of transportation of the sheet at the recording unit; and outputting means for outputting a signal for starting the ejecting operation to an ejecting device which is connected to the ejecting route indicated by the information which is inputted from the input means in accordance with a detecting result of the detecting means. 
     Other objects and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment which is to be taken with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a recording apparatus according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 comprised of FIGS. 2A and 2B, is a flowchart of an image control unit according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a printer and a paper ejecting apparatus according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the printer shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a recording apparatus according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an image control unit according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a recording apparatus according to the present invention; and 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a printer and a paper ejecting apparatus according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     (First Embodiment) 
     FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. Numeral  401  indicates an image control unit including a microcomputer, a ROM, and a RAM, and receiving a print command and image data from a host computer  201 . Reference numeral  301  indicates a recording unit provided with a microcomputer with incorporated ROM and RAM, and controlled by the image control unit  401  through a serial communication line and control signals. The recording unit  301  receives image data, developed in a raster image, from the image control unit, and the image is recorded on a recording sheet through an electrophotographic process. Reference numerals  304  and  305  are paper ejecting apparatuses which are connected to the recording unit  301  respectively, and each of the paper ejecting apparatuses includes a microcomputer with incorporated ROM and RAM, and is controlled by the image control unit  401  through serial communication. Numeral  501  is an operation panel of the printer. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 3, the paper ejecting apparatus  304  is connected to a face-up paper ejecting route  312  of the recording unit  301 , and when a connection sensor  307 , of which detecting signal is inputted to the microcomputer of the recording unit  301 , detects a connection joint  308 , the connected state is recognized. The paper ejecting apparatus  305  is connected to a face-down paper ejecting route  311  of the recording unit  301 , and when a connection sensor  309 , of which detecting signal is inputted to the microcomputer of the recording unit  301 , detects a connection joint  310 , the connected state is recognized. Reference numeral  302  shows an upper stage paper feeding cassette, and  303  a lower stage paper feeding cassette,  306  a paper ejecting sensor. 
     FIG. 1 is a flowchart of the recording sheet transportation control in the recording unit  301  when the printer is operated. At S 101 , the process waits until the printer becomes operable while checking whether or not a recording paper is stacked in the paper feeding unit which is already designated and whether or not a toner cartridge is mounted. If the printer is operable, the process waits in S 102  until a print signal (hereinafter merely referred to as “/PRNT signal”) from the image control unit  401  becomes ON. If the /PRNT signal is ON, at S 103 , paper feeding is started, and the process waits until the paper feeding is completed at S 104 . If the paper feeding is completed, the transportation of the recording paper is stopped at S 105 . At S 106 , in order to synchronize the transportation of the recording paper and the image formation, an image synchronization signal requesting signal (hereinafter merely referred to as “/VSREQ signal”) is outputted to the image control unit  401 . At S 107 , the process waits until an image synchronization signal (hereinafter merely referred to as “/VSYNC signal”) is inputted from the image control unit  401 . When the /VSYNC signal is inputted, the transportation of the recording paper is started again at S 108 , and the process waits until the paper ejecting sensor  306  detects the recording paper at S 109 . The image recording operation is carried out in parallel the the transportation of the recording paper at S 108 . At the point that the paper ejecting sensor  306  detects the recording paper bearing the recorded imaged, a paper ejecting signal (hereinafter merely referred to as “/PDLV signal”) is outputted at S 110  to the image control unit  401 . 
     FIGS. 2A and 2B are flowcharts of the printing Coperation control in the image control unit  401 . At S 201 , a paper feeding unit designated by the host computer  201  is judged. If the upper stage paper feeding unit is designated, the upper stage paper feeding unit is designated to the recording unit  301  at S 202 . If the lower stage paper feeding unit is designated, the lower stage paper feeding unit is designated to the recording unit  301  at S 203 . At S 204 , a paper ejecting apparatus designated by the host computer  201  is judged. If the paper ejecting apparatus  305  is designated, at S 205 , the process instructs the recording unit  301  to eject paper to the paper ejecting apparatus  305 , that is, to eject paper to the face-down paper ejecting route  311 . If the paper ejecting apparatus  304  is designated, at S 206 , the process instructs the recording unit  301  to eject paper to the paper ejecting apparatus  304 , that is, to eject paper to the face-down paper ejecting route  312 . At S 207 , a status outputted from the recording unit  301  is judged, and the process waits until it becomes printable. If it becomes printable, at S 208 , /PRNT signal is outputted to the recording unit  301 . At S 209 , the process waits until the /VSREQ signal from the recording unit  301  becomes ON. If the /VSREQ signal becomes ON, at S 210 , /VSYNC signal is outputted to the recording unit  301 , and simultaneously image data is outputted to the recording unit  301 . 
     If the /PDLV signal outputted from the recording unit  301  becomes ON at S 211 , the paper ejecting apparatus designated to the recording unit  301  is checked at S 212 . If the paper ejecting apparatus  305  is designated, a signal indicating that the paper ejecting apparatus  305  is connected is inputted at S 213  from the recording unit  301  to judge whether or not the paper ejecting apparatus  305  is connected, and if connected, a paper ejection notice command is outputted at S 214  to the paper ejecting apparatus  305 . Input of the paper ejection notice command causes the paper ejecting apparatus  305  to judge that a recording paper is to be fed in a prescribed period of time, and to perform the preparation for the feeding of recording paper, that is, starting of a transporting motor. At S 212 , if the paper ejecting apparatus  304  is designated, a signal indicating that the paper ejecting apparatus  304  is connected is inputted at S 215  from the recording unit  301  to judge whether or not the paper ejecting apparatus  304  is connected, and if connected, a paper ejection notice command is outputted at S 216  to the paper ejecting apparatus  304 . Input of the paper ejection notice command causes the paper ejecting apparatus  304  to judge that a recording paper is to be fed after a prescribed period of time passes, and to perform the preparation for the feeding of the recording paper, that is, starting of a transporting motor. 
     In the present embodiment, the recording paper ejected from the face-down paper ejecting route  311  is ejected in a face-down state when the paper ejecting apparatus  305  is not connected, and is ejected in a face-up state when the paper ejecting apparatus  305  is connected. Further, the recording paper ejected from the face-up paper ejecting route  312  is ejected in a face-up state when the paper ejecting apparatus  304  is not connected, and is ejected in a face-down state when the paper ejecting apparatus  304  is connected. 
     (Second Embodiment) 
     In the second embodiment of the present invention, the recording unit  301  is set from the panel  501  which is connected to the image control unit  401 . In the first embodiment, the connection is confirmed by the sensors  309 ,  307  for confirming the connection of the paper ejecting apparatus, situated in the vicinity of the face-down paper ejecting route  311  and the face-up paper ejecting route  312  of the recording unit  301 , but in the second embodiment, these sensors are not disposed, but in place of the sensors, when the operator connects the paper ejecting apparatus to the recording unit, the operator sets the connection of the paper ejecting routes between the paper ejecting apparatus and the recording unit  301  from the operation panel  501 . Then, based on the settings, only when the paper ejecting apparatus is connected to the designated paper ejecting route, the /PDLV signal is outputted from the recording unit  301  to the image control unit  401 , and when the /PDLV signal is inputted, the image control unit  401  outputs the paper ejection notice command to the paper ejecting apparatus, and when /PDLV signal is not inputted after a prescribed period of time passes, it is judged that the paper ejecting apparatus is not connected, so that the process awaits the next command. 
     (Third Embodiment) 
     FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the third embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment relates to control at the ejection of the remaining recording paper in the recording unit  301 . FIG. 5 is a flowchart of automatic paper ejection control of the recording unit  301 . At S 601 , it is judged whether or not the recording paper remains on the transporting route in the recording unit  301 , and if the recording paper remains, the fact that the recording paper remains in the device is notified in S 602  to the image control unit  401  through serial communication. At S 603 , it is judged whether or not the recording paper is ejectable for example from the position of the recording paper, and if the recording paper is not ejectable, the condition of jamming is notified at S 609  to the image control unit  401 . If the recording paper is ejectable, the fact that the remaining recording paper is ejectable is notified at S 604  to the image control unit  401 . At S 605 , the process waits until the automatic ejection command is transmitted from the image control unit  401 . When the automatic ejection command is received, the remaining recording paper is ejected at S 606 . At the ejection of the remaining recording paper, the recording paper is automatically ejected from the face-down paper ejecting route  311  which is connected to the image control unit  401 . At S 607 , the process waits until the paper ejecting sensor  306  detects the recording paper, and when the paper ejection sensor detects the recording paper, /PDLV signal is outputted at S 608  to the image control unit  401 . 
     FIG. 6 is a flowchart of control in the image control unit  401  at the automatic paper ejection process. At S 701 , it is judged whether a notice that the recording paper remains in the device is received from the recording unit  301 , and at S 702 , a notice from the recording unit  301  is checked to judge whether or not it is ejectable. If it is not ejectable, it is judged at S 707  whether or not a jamming occurs, and if a jamming occurs, a signal indicating the occurrence of jamming is outputted to the operation panel  501  and the host computer to notify the fact to the operator. If a jamming does not occur, it is checked again at S 702  whether or not it is ejectable. If it is ejectable, the automatic paper ejection command is outputted at S 703  to the recording unit  301 . At S 704 , the process waits until the /PDLV signal from the recording unit  301  becomes ON, and if the signal becomes ON, it is judged at S 705  whether or not the paper ejecting apparatus  305  is connected to the face-down paper ejecting route  311  of the recording unit  301 , and if the connection is confirmed, the paper ejection notice command is outputted at S 706  to the paper ejecting apparatus  305 . 
     (Fourth Embodiment) 
     FIG. 8 shows the configuration of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a paper ejecting apparatus is not mounted to the face-down paper ejecting route  311 . The face-down paper ejecting apparatus route  311  in the present embodiment is used for a special printing job or used as a paper ejecting section for defective recording paper which is generated at an erroneous operation. 
     FIG. 7 is a flowchart of control in the recording unit  301 . The steps from S 101  to S 108  are the same as those shown in FIG. 1, so that the explanation therefor will be omitted. At S 108 , after the transportation of recording paper is restarted, in this embodiment, the /PDLV signal is instantly outputted at S 110  to the image control unit  401 . Even after the image control unit  401  receives the signal, the paper ejection notice command is not outputted to the paper ejecting apparatus for a predetermined period time. This predetermined period time is the time from the outputting of the /VSYNC signal by the image control unit  401  to the detection of the recording paper by the paper ejecting sensor  306 , and corresponds to the time set between the image control unit  401  and the recording unit  301  in advance. At S 110 , the /PDLV signal is outputted, and at S 811 , it is checked whether or not an error is generated. This error is for example the shift of the image data transmission synchronization signal in a main scanning direction, and is of a sort which has no effect on the transportation of recording paper but generates a defective image. If an error is generated, it is judged at S 812  whether or not the paper ejecting sensor  306  detects the recording paper, and if the paper ejecting sensor  306  does not detect the recording paper, the cancellation of the /PDLV signal is outputted at S 813  to the image control unit  401 , and at S 814 , the destination of the recording paper is changed to the face-down paper ejecting route  311 . The image control unit  401  monitors the notice for a predetermined period of time after receiving the ON state of the /PDLV signal, so that upon receiving the /PDLV signal cancellation notice, the image control unit  401  does not output the paper ejection notice command to the paper ejecting apparatus  304  which is connected to the face-up paper ejecting route  312  of the recording unit  301 . In case that the image control unit  401  does not receive the cancellation for a predetermined period of time, the image control unit  401  outputs the paper ejection notice command to the paper ejecting apparatus  304 . If no error is generated for a predetermined period of time at the judgment at S 811 , the step goes out of the loop at S 815 .