Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/JP5794221B2/en
Timestamp: 2019-10-19 17:45:53
Document Index: 597452646

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 5', 'art 60', 'art 74']

JP5794221B2 - image forming apparatus - Google Patents
JP5794221B2
JP5794221B2 JP2012277081A JP2012277081A JP5794221B2 JP 5794221 B2 JP5794221 B2 JP 5794221B2 JP 2012277081 A JP2012277081 A JP 2012277081A JP 2012277081 A JP2012277081 A JP 2012277081A JP 5794221 B2 JP5794221 B2 JP 5794221B2
JP2012277081A
JP2014118301A (en
政輝 秦
清光 小山
修 秋山
泰明 供田
野々山　直己
直己 野々山
2012-12-19 Priority to JP2012277081A priority Critical patent/JP5794221B2/en
2014-06-30 Publication of JP2014118301A publication Critical patent/JP2014118301A/en
2015-10-14 Publication of JP5794221B2 publication Critical patent/JP5794221B2/en
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus with a display in which a display and a printer are integrated.
In recent years, printers with a display capable of displaying an image to be printed on a display and printing out the image have been used in stores such as convenience stores, supermarkets, and travel agencies.
The printer is connected to a network such as the Internet, acquires a desired image to be printed from the network and displays it on a display, service information provided as a service to the user (for example, information on new products, Event and new movie information, cooking recipes, service information such as surrounding maps) is stored in advance in a memory or the like, and the service information is displayed on a display.
FIG. 14 shows a specific example of a printer with a display. In the example shown in the figure, a touch panel is formed on the display 1401, and a user inputs an operation instruction to the printer via the touch panel to display a desired image on the display 1401, and the discharge port 1402 Images can be printed out.
Design Registration No. 1391296
However, since the printer with a display does not have a paper discharge tray and a discharge port is provided below the display, recording after image formation is performed when the user is standing in front of the printer and looking at the screen. When the sheet is ejected, the user cannot notice the ejection of the recording sheet, causing the problem that the recording sheet falls to the floor and the recording sheet becomes dirty. Therefore, there is a problem that the recording sheet hits the body of the user standing in front of the printer during the discharging and the recording sheet is bent.
It is also conceivable to provide a paper discharge tray so that the recording sheet does not fall on the floor. However, if a paper discharge tray is provided, the paper discharge tray will protrude in front of the printer, and the user can There is a problem that the operability is deteriorated.
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus with a display capable of improving user operability when a recording sheet is discharged. .
In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a display disposed with a display surface facing the front surface of the housing, and an image forming unit that is built in the housing and forms an image on a recording sheet. And a discharge unit that discharges the recording sheet on which the image is formed from the inside of the housing to the outside along the display surface, and the discharge is performed when the recording sheet is discharged by the discharge unit. Display means for displaying an image indicating this in a facing area of the display surface of the display facing the recording sheet .
Here, the discharge means is disposed vertically below the display surface, the inclination angle of the discharge direction of the recording sheet for the previous SL display surface, not exceeding the inclination angle of the display surface with respect to the vertical plane Thus, the recording sheet can be discharged . Further, the discharge means can discharge the recording sheet so that at least a part of the recording sheet faces the display surface.
The display has a frame portion around the display surface, and a portion of the frame portion sandwiched between the display surface and the discharge unit moves the recording sheet in a direction along the display surface . It can also serve as a paper discharge guide for guiding.
With the above configuration, the recording sheet on which the image is formed is discharged from the inside of the housing to the outside in a direction approaching the display surface, so that the recording sheet is discharged when the user is looking at the display surface. When the recording sheet is discharged, the recording sheet can be easily discharged during the discharge of the recording sheet as compared with the case where the recording sheet is discharged in the forward direction of the display surface. It can be hard to hit the body of the user who is watching. As a result, it is possible to improve user operability when the recording sheet is discharged.
Here, when the recording sheet is discharged by the discharge unit, a display unit may be provided that displays an image indicating that the discharge has been performed on the display surface.
The display position of the image may be moved in conjunction with the movement of the recording sheet by the discharging operation by the discharging unit.
As a result, the fact that the recording sheet on which the image has been formed has been discharged is displayed on the display surface of the display means. The discharge of the recording sheet can be confirmed through the display surface. As a result, it is possible to further improve user operability when the recording sheet is discharged.
Here, holding means for holding the recording sheet discharged by the discharging means, detection means for detecting whether or not the recording sheet is held by the holding means, and time for holding the recording sheet Display means may be provided for displaying an image indicating that the recording sheet is held on the display surface when a predetermined time has elapsed.
A display arranged with the display surface facing the front of the housing;
An image forming means built in the housing and forming an image on a recording sheet;
A discharge means for discharging the recording sheet on which the image has been formed outward from the housing in a direction approaching the display surface, a holding means for holding the recording sheet discharged by the discharge means, and the recording sheet holding the holding Detecting means for detecting whether or not the recording sheet is held, and an image indicating that the recording sheet is held when the recording sheet is held for a predetermined time or longer. Display means, and movement control means for moving the holding means when the recording sheet is held for a predetermined time or more, and the discharge means is arranged so that the display surface is vertical. is disposed in the downward direction, the direction, the inclination angle of the discharge direction of the recording sheet with respect to the display surface is a direction that does not exceed the tilt angle of the display surface with respect to the vertical plane, Serial images, it is also possible to move the display position in association with the movement of the holding means.
As a result, if the recording sheet on which the image is formed is held in the holding means for a predetermined time or longer, this is displayed on the display surface, so the recording sheet is forgotten and left unattended. If this is the case, this can be notified to the user by image display, and the user can effectively prevent the user from forgetting to take the recording sheet.
Here, a holding unit that holds the recording sheet discharged by the discharging unit, a detection unit that detects whether the recording sheet is held by the holding unit, and a case where the recording sheet is held And prohibiting means for prohibiting new image formation.
As a result, when the recording sheet on which the image is formed is held by the holding unit, new image formation is prohibited, so the user forgets to take the recording sheet every time the recording sheet is discharged. It is possible to call attention so that a large number of recording sheets are forgotten and not left in the holding means.
Here, a display arranged with the display surface facing the front surface of the housing, an image forming means built in the housing and forming an image on a recording sheet, and the recording sheet on which the image is formed outward from the housing, Discharging means for discharging in a direction approaching the display surface, wherein the discharging means discharges the recording sheet so that at least a part of the recording sheet faces the display surface, An image is formed on a portion of the display surface facing the part of the display surface, and a holding unit that holds the recording sheet discharged by the discharge unit, with at least a part thereof facing the display surface. An accepting means for displaying an instruction button for instructing and accepting a new image forming instruction.
As a result, at least a part of the recording sheet on which the image is formed is held in a state facing the display surface of the display means, and an instruction button for instructing image formation is displayed on the part of the display surface facing the part. Since the formation instruction is accepted, it is difficult for the user to operate the instruction button unless the user removes the held recording sheet, and the user removes the recording sheet from the holding means every time the recording sheet is discharged Can be directed to remove. As a result, it is possible to alert the user not to forget to take the recording sheet every time the recording sheet is ejected, so that a large number of recording sheets are not left in the holding means in a forgotten state. can do.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external view of the printer. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of a printer. It is sectional drawing which shows the detail of the peripheral part of a discharge roller pair. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the structure of a control part, and the main components used as the control object of a control part. It is a figure which shows typically the state which has the paper image which display data shows in an initial position. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the discharge | emission state display process which a control part performs. FIG. 4 is a side view and a front view schematically showing the state of the printer 1 when the leading end of the recording sheet after the printing process passes through the lower end facing position and is conveyed by the carry-out roller and moving upward. . FIG. 6 is a side view and a front view schematically showing the state of the printer when the recording sheet after the printing process is in a state of being detached from the discharge roller and held by the stocker. It is a flowchart which shows the modification of the operation | movement of the discharge | emission state display process which a control part performs. FIG. 10 is a side view and a front view schematically showing the state of the printer when the recording sheet after printing processing is in a state of being detached from the discharge roller and held by the stocker in a modified example. It is a flowchart which shows another modification of the operation | movement of the discharge | emission state display process which a control part performs. FIG. 6 is a side view and a front view schematically showing the state of the printer when a certain time has elapsed after the recording sheet after the printing process is detached from the discharge roller and held by the stocker. It is sectional drawing which shows the detail of the peripheral part of the discharge roller pair in a modification. A specific example of a conventional image forming apparatus with a display is shown.
Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described by taking as an example a case where it is applied to a floor-standing tandem color digital printer (hereinafter simply referred to as “printer”) installed on the floor. To do.
[1] Printer Configuration First, the printer configuration will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external view of the printer 1. As shown in the figure, the printer 1 is configured by a housing 101 fixedly installed on a bottom plate 100. The printer 1 includes a main body 1A having an image forming unit for forming an image heat-fixed on a recording sheet in a housing 101, and a touch panel arranged with a display surface facing the front surface (front surface) of the housing 101. It has a liquid crystal display device 6 and includes a display unit 1B that controls image display and receives instructions from a user.
Further, a discharge port 80 is provided on the upper surface of the main body 1A to discharge the recording sheet after the image formation on which the heat-fixed image has been formed from the inside of the housing 101 to the outside. A discharge port sensor 81, which is a photo sensor for detecting whether or not the water is present at the discharge port 80, is disposed.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the printer. As shown in FIG.
An image processing unit 3, a paper feeding unit 4, a fixing device 5, a control unit 60, and the like are provided. Here, the image forming unit includes an image processing unit 3, a paper feeding unit 4, a fixing device 5, and the like, and the display unit 1B includes a control unit 60, a liquid crystal display device 6, and the like.
The printer 1 is connected to a network (for example, the Internet) and receives a print instruction from a touch panel formed on the display surface of the liquid crystal display device 6. Then, a toner image of each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is formed based on the print instruction, and these are multiplex-transferred onto a recording sheet to form a full-color image, and then the image is heat-fixed to print Execute the process. Hereinafter, the reproduction colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are expressed as Y, M, C, and K, and Y, M, C, and K are added as subscripts to the numbers of the components related to the reproduction colors.
The image processing unit 3 includes image forming units 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K, an exposure unit 10, an intermediate transfer belt 11, a secondary transfer roller 46, and the like. Since the image forming units 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K have the same configuration, the configuration of the image forming unit 3Y will be mainly described below.
The image forming unit 3Y includes a photosensitive drum 31Y, a charger 32Y, a developing unit 33Y, a primary transfer roller 34Y, and the like disposed around the photosensitive drum 31Y. A Y-color toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 31Y. Create an image. The developing device 33Y faces the photosensitive drum 31Y and conveys charged toner to the photosensitive drum 31Y. The intermediate transfer belt 11 is an endless belt, is stretched around a driving roller 12 and a driven roller 13, and is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow A. A cleaner unit 21 for removing the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 11 is disposed near the driven roller 13.
The exposure unit 10 includes a light emitting element such as a laser diode, emits laser light L for forming images of Y to K colors in response to a drive signal from the control unit 60, and each of the image forming units 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K. The photosensitive drum is exposed and scanned. By this exposure scanning, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 31Y charged by the charger 32Y. Similarly, electrostatic latent images are formed on the photosensitive drums of the image forming units 3M, 3C, and 3K.
The electrostatic latent image formed on each photoconductor drum is developed by each developing unit of the image forming units 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K, and a toner image of a corresponding color is formed on each photoconductor drum. The formed toner images are assigned with primary transfer rollers of image forming units 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K (in FIG. 1, only the primary transfer roller corresponding to the image forming unit 3Y is denoted by reference numeral 34Y, and other primary transfer rollers). , The primary transfer is sequentially performed on the intermediate transfer belt 11 at different timings so as to be superimposed at the same position on the intermediate transfer belt 11, and then by the secondary transfer roller 46. The toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 11 are collectively transferred onto the recording sheet by the action of electrostatic force.
The recording sheet on which the toner image has been secondarily transferred is further conveyed to the fixing device 5, and the toner image (unfixed image) on the recording sheet is heated and pressed in the fixing device 5 and thermally fixed on the recording sheet. After that, it is transported upward (in the direction toward the discharge port 80) by the pair of transport rollers 71, 72, 73, and along the display surface of the liquid crystal display device 6 as indicated by the arrow B from the discharge port 80 by the discharge roller pair 74. To be discharged.
FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view showing details of the peripheral portion of the discharge roller pair 74. In the figure, reference numeral 74 denotes a discharge roller pair, reference numerals 74a and 74b denote discharge rollers constituting the discharge roller pair, reference numerals 75 and 76 denote discharge guides, and reference numeral 77 denotes a rear end portion of the recording sheet. 79 is a rear end movement assisting member for assisting the movement of the rear end of the recording sheet to the stocker 77 when the rear end of the recording sheet is separated from the discharge roller pair 74. Reference numeral 81 denotes an outlet, reference numeral 81 denotes an outlet sensor, reference numeral 6A denotes a display surface of the liquid crystal display device 6, and reference numeral 101 denotes a housing. Also, the reference sign S1 in the figure indicates the recording sheet after image formation, and the reference signs a1 and a2 indicate the rotational directions of the discharge rollers 74a and 74b.
As shown in FIG. 3B, the rear end movement assisting member 79 is fixed to the rotating shaft 741 of the discharge roller 74a on the side close to the stocker 77 of the two discharge rollers 74a and 74b constituting the discharge roller pair 74. Then, as the discharge roller 74a rotates, it rotates in the same direction as the rotation direction of the discharge roller 74a.
The rear end movement assisting member 79 rotates while contacting the main surface of the recording sheet S1 on the discharge roller 74a side while the recording sheet S1 is passed through the discharge roller pair 74, and the rear end of the recording sheet S1 is When separated from the discharge roller pair 74, the recording sheet S1 wraps around the main surface on the discharge roller 74b side and comes into contact with the main surface so that the main surface is in the direction of arrow b in FIG. By moving, the rear end portion of the recording sheet S1 is assisted along the outer peripheral surface of the discharge roller 74a to move to the position of the stocker 77. The rear end movement assisting member 79 is made of a sponge material (for example, chloroprene sponge) having flexibility and cushioning properties so as not to damage the recording sheet S1 when coming into contact with the recording sheet S1.
Returning to the description of FIG. 3A, the recording sheet S <b> 1 is discharged by the discharge roller pair 74 in a direction approaching the display surface 6 </ b> A of the liquid crystal display device 6 as indicated by an arrow C, thereby passing through the discharge port 80. And discharged along the display surface 6A. When the rear end of the recording sheet S1 is separated from the discharge roller pair 74, the main surface on the discharge roller 74b side of the rear end portion of the recording sheet S1 is pushed by the rear end movement assisting member 79, and the rear end portion is indicated by the arrow b. And is held by the stocker 77. At this time, the leading end of the recording sheet S1 is supported on the display surface 6A of the liquid crystal display device 6.
Here, the “direction approaching the display surface of the liquid crystal display device 6” means the direction of inclination of the display surface of the liquid crystal display device 6 in the discharge direction (arrow C direction) of the recording sheet by the discharge roller pair 74 (in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3C, the inclination angle α with respect to the arrow D direction is a direction in a range not exceeding the inclination angle θ with respect to the direction of the vertical surface of the display surface 6A (arrow E direction).
Returning to the description of FIG. 2, the paper feed unit 4 places a paper feed cassette 41 for storing recording sheets (denoted by reference numeral S <b> 2 in FIG. 2) and a recording sheet S <b> 2 in the paper feed cassette 41 on the transport path 44. A feed roller 42 that feeds out the sheets one by one, a transport roller pair 43 that transports the fed recording sheet S2 to the timing roller pair 45, a timing roller pair 45 that transports the recording sheet S2 at a timing of feeding to the secondary transfer position, and the like. I have.
The number of paper feed cassettes is not limited to one and may be plural. As the recording sheet, paper sheets (plain paper, thick paper) having different sizes and thicknesses, and film sheets such as an OHP sheet can be used. When there are a plurality of paper feed cassettes, recording sheets having different sizes, thicknesses or materials may be stored in the paper feed cassettes.
The timing roller pair 45 transfers the recording sheet to the second transfer position in accordance with the timing at which the toner image primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 11 is conveyed to the secondary transfer position so as to be superimposed at the same position on the intermediate transfer belt 11. Transport to the next transfer position. Then, at the secondary transfer position, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 11 is secondarily transferred onto the recording sheet by the secondary transfer roller 46 at a time.
Each roller or roller pair such as the feed roller 42, the transport roller pair, the timing roller pair 45, and the discharge roller pair 74 uses a drive motor (not shown) as a power source, and a power transmission mechanism (not shown) such as a gear gear or a belt. Is driven to rotate. As this drive motor, for example, a stepping motor capable of controlling the rotational speed with high accuracy is used.
[2] Configuration of Control Unit 60 FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the configuration of the control unit 60 and main components that are controlled by the control unit 60. The control unit 60 is a so-called computer, and as shown in the figure, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 601, a communication interface (I / F) unit 602, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 603, a RAM (Random Access Memory). 604, a drive pulse count unit 605, an image data storage unit 606, a paper image information storage unit 607, and the like.
The communication I / F unit 602 is an interface for connecting to a LAN (Local Area Network) such as a LAN card or a LAN board. Here, the LAN is further connected to the Internet via a router (not shown). The ROM 602 includes a control program, an OS (Operating System), a browser program, a control program for controlling the image processing unit 3, the paper feeding unit 4, the fixing device 5, the liquid crystal display device 6, the discharge roller drive motor 78, and the discharge port sensor 81. A program for executing a discharge state display process to be described later is stored.
The OS is a program for managing the operation of the control unit 60, and various programs stored in the ROM 602 are executed under the management of the OS. As the OS, for example, WINDOWS (registered trademark), UNIX (registered trademark), or the like can be used. The browser program is application software for browsing a web page provided from a web server via the Internet.
The RAM 604 is used as a work area when the CPU 601 executes a program. The drive pulse count unit 605 counts the number of drive pulses output to the discharge roller drive motor 78 that drives the discharge roller pair 74. The image data storage unit 606 stores image data for printing (for example, image data of a web page acquired from a web server) input via the communication I / F unit 602.
The paper image information storage unit 607 stores a display lower end arrival count value, a discharge roller separation count value, paper image information, a conversion table, and the like. Here, the “display lower end arrival count value” is a position where the leading end of the recording sheet is detected by the discharge port sensor 81 and the leading end is opposed to the lower end of the display surface of the liquid crystal display device 6 by the discharge roller pair 74 ( Hereinafter, it refers to the number of drive pulses to be output to the discharge roller drive motor 78 required for conveyance to “the lower end facing position”.
Further, the “discharge roller separation count value” refers to the discharge roller drive motor 78 required from when the leading edge of the recording sheet is detected by the discharge port sensor 81 until the trailing edge of the recording sheet is separated from the discharge roller pair 74. This refers to the number of drive pulses to be output.
The above-mentioned both count values are criteria for determining whether or not the recording sheet after printing has reached the lower end facing position and whether or not the recording sheet has separated from the discharge roller pair 74 in the discharge state display process described later. Respectively.
“Paper image information” is a display of a paper image (here, an image image of a recording sheet of a predetermined size) for displaying on the display surface of the liquid crystal display device 6 that the recording sheet after printing has been discharged. Information including data and display coordinates of the paper image. As shown in FIG. 5, the display coordinates are set to a position where the leading edge of the paper image is at the lower end position of the display surface 6 </ b> A of the liquid crystal display device 6 (hereinafter referred to as “initial position”).
FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which the paper image indicated by the display data is at the initial position. In the figure, reference numeral 6A indicates the display surface of the liquid crystal display device 6, reference numeral 51 indicates a paper image indicated by the display data, and reference numeral 52 indicates the position of the leading edge of the paper image. In addition, here, the display coordinates are represented by the orthogonal coordinates of the x coordinate and the y coordinate, the left end position (position indicated by the arrow K) of the upper end of the display surface 6A is the origin of the display coordinates, and the downward direction from the origin is the display coordinates. The positive direction of the y coordinate and the direction above the origin are defined as the negative direction of the y coordinate of the display coordinates. The right direction from the origin is the positive direction of the x coordinate of the display coordinates, and the left direction from the origin is the negative direction of the x coordinate of the display coordinates.
In a discharge state display process to be described later, every time a predetermined time (for example, 1 second here) elapses after the recording sheet after the printing process reaches the lower end facing position, the y coordinate value of the display coordinates is The display surface of the liquid crystal display device 6 is updated to a value reduced by an amount corresponding to the conveyance distance (conveyance distance in the upward direction (negative direction of the y coordinate)) of the recording sheet by the discharge roller 74 during the predetermined time. The sheet image is displayed at the position indicated by the updated display coordinates.
As a result, the position of the sheet image displayed on the display surface of the liquid crystal display device 6 moves in conjunction with the movement of the recording sheet by the discharge roller 74 (movement of the y coordinate in the negative direction). Note that the size of the paper image is such that even if the recording sheet after the printing process is conveyed to a position facing the display surface of the liquid crystal display device 6, the operator can easily see the outline of the paper image displayed on the display surface. As described above, the size is set to be slightly larger than the size of the recording sheet.
The “conversion table” refers to a table indicating the correspondence between the number of driving pulses and the recording sheet conveyance distance by the discharge roller 74.
Returning to the description of FIG. 4, the liquid crystal display device 6 includes a liquid crystal display unit, and a touch panel is laminated on the surface of the liquid crystal display unit. An instruction from the user is received by a touch input from the touch panel or a key input from an input key, and the control unit 60 is notified. The discharge roller drive motor 78 is a drive motor that drives the discharge roller pair 74 and is driven according to the drive pulse output from the control unit 60.
[3] Discharge Status Display Process FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the discharge status display process performed by the control unit 60. After starting the program for executing the discharge state display process, the control unit 60 stores the display lower end reaching count value, the discharge roller detachment count value, the sheet image information, and the conversion table stored in the sheet image information storage unit 607 in the RAM 604. When an instruction to start printing processing of a print target (for example, an image displayed on the liquid crystal display device 6) designated from the touch panel of the liquid crystal display device 6 is received, the image process unit 3, the paper feed unit 4, and the fixing device 5 is started (step S601), the detection result of the discharge port sensor 81 is monitored, and whether the leading edge of the recording sheet after the print processing has reached the discharge port 80 or not. Is determined (step S602).
When the leading edge of the recording sheet reaches the discharge port 80 (step S602: YES), counting of the number of drive pulses output to the discharge roller drive motor 78 via the drive pulse count unit 60 is started (step S603). It is determined whether or not the leading edge of the recording sheet has reached the lower end facing position based on whether or not the count value of the drive pulse count unit 60 (hereinafter referred to as “count value”) has reached the display lower end arrival count value. (Step S604).
When the count value reaches the display lower end arrival count value (step S604: YES), the control unit 60 considers that the leading edge of the recording sheet has reached the lower end facing position, and records the count value at that time in the RAM 604. Time measurement is started (step S605).
Then, every time a predetermined time (here, 1 second) elapses, the control unit 60 records the count value at that time in the RAM 604, calculates the difference from the count value recorded immediately before, and converts the count value. The transport distance of the recording sheet during the elapsed time (1 second) corresponding to the difference is obtained using a table, and the y coordinate value of the display coordinates of the paper image is decreased by an amount corresponding to the transport distance. Then, the coordinate value of the display coordinate is updated (step S606).
Further, the control unit 60 displays a paper image at the position indicated by the updated display coordinates on the display surface of the liquid crystal display device 6 (step S607).
The control unit 60 repeats the processes of steps S606 and 607 until the count value reaches the discharge roller detachment count value and the rear end of the recording sheet is considered to be detached from the discharge roller 74 (step S608: YES). .
Accordingly, the position of the sheet image displayed on the display surface of the liquid crystal display device 6 in association with the recording sheet being conveyed by the discharge roller 74 and moving upward (moving in the negative direction of the y coordinate) is y. It moves in the negative direction of the coordinates.
FIG. 7A schematically shows the state of the printer 1 when the leading edge of the recording sheet after the printing process passes through the lower end facing position and is conveyed by the carry-out roller 74 and is moving upward. FIG. FIG. 7B is a front view schematically showing the state of the printer 1 when the recording sheet after the printing process passes through the lower end facing position and is conveyed by the carry-out roller and is moving upward. It is. In both figures, reference numeral 6A denotes a display surface of the liquid crystal display device 6, reference numeral S1 denotes a recording sheet after printing processing, reference numeral 51 denotes a paper image, reference numeral P denotes a lower end facing position, and reference numeral Q denotes an initial position. The position Q ′ indicates the position of the y coordinate on the display surface 6A of the liquid crystal display device 6 facing the position of the leading edge of the recording sheet S1.
As shown in both figures, the sheet image 51 is moved to the lower end facing position P in conjunction with the recording sheet S1 passing through the lower end facing position P and moving upward (in the negative direction of the y coordinate) indicated by the arrow F1. From the opposed initial position Q, the recording sheet S1 has moved in the same direction (direction indicated by the arrow F2) by a distance corresponding to the moving distance from the lower end facing position P of the recording sheet S1.
Further, when the count value reaches the discharge roller separation count value, the control unit 60 regards that the trailing edge of the recording sheet has separated from the discharge roller 74 (step S608: YES), and ends the drive pulse counting operation. The recording sheet is separated from the discharge roller 74, and the rear end of the recording sheet 77 moves to the stocker 77, so that the recording sheet is lowered downward (in the positive direction of the y-coordinate). The value of the y coordinate of the display coordinates of the paper image is updated to a value added to the current value (step S609), and the paper image is displayed at the position indicated by the updated display coordinates on the display surface of the liquid crystal display device 6 (step S609). Step S610).
As a result, the trailing edge of the recording sheet is detached from the discharge roller 74 and the trailing edge of the recording sheet is guided to the stocker 77, whereby the recording sheet moves downward (moves in the positive direction of the y coordinate). In conjunction with this, the display position of the paper image displayed on the display surface of the liquid crystal display device 6 moves in the positive direction of the y coordinate. FIG. 8A is a side view schematically showing the state of the printer 1 when the trailing edge of the recording sheet after the printing process is separated from the discharge roller 74 and is held by the stocker 77. FIG. 8B is a front view schematically showing the state of the printer 1 when the recording sheet after the printing process is separated from the discharge roller 74 and is held by the stocker 77.
In both figures, reference numeral 6A denotes a display surface 6A of the liquid crystal display device 6, reference numeral S1 denotes a recording sheet after printing processing, reference numeral 51 denotes a paper image, reference numeral 77 denotes a stocker, and reference numeral R ′ denotes The position of the y coordinate on the display surface of the liquid crystal display device 6 facing the position of the leading edge after the recording sheet S1 descends is shown.
As shown in both figures, the rear end of the recording sheet S1 is separated from the discharge roller 74 and the rear end of the recording sheet S1 is guided to the stocker 77, so that the recording sheet S1 is moved downward (y In conjunction with the movement in the positive coordinate direction), the paper image 51 on the display surface of the liquid crystal display device 6 is moved in the same direction (the direction indicated by the arrow G2) by a distance corresponding to the distance by which the recording sheet S1 is lowered. Has moved to.
Next, the control unit 60 acquires the detection result of the discharge port sensor 81, determines whether or not the recording sheet remains in the discharge port 80 (step S611), and the recording sheet remains. In this case (step S611: YES), the execution of the next printing process is prohibited, and when the recording sheet does not remain (step S611: NO), when the next printing process exists (step S612: YES), the process proceeds to step S601, and the next printing process is executed.
As described above, since the progress of the discharge of the recording sheet after the printing process is reflected and displayed on the display, the user can easily confirm the discharging state of the recording sheet and then remove the recording sheet after the printing process. It is possible to improve the convenience of the user in the recording sheet acquisition operation after the printing process.
(1) In this embodiment, in the discharge state display process, the progress of discharging the recording sheet after the printing process is displayed on the display surface of the liquid crystal display device 6. The paper discharge position may be displayed on the display surface. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of a modified example of the discharge state display process. In the figure, the same processing content as the processing content of FIG. 6 is assigned the same number as the step number of FIG. 6, and the difference from the discharge state display processing of FIG. 6 will be described below.
The control unit 60 performs the process of step S601 to step S603, and then performs the process of step S608. When the determination result of step S608 is affirmative (step S608: YES), the control unit 60 ends the drive pulse count, The area of the display surface of the liquid crystal display device 6 that faces the recording sheet at the discharge position of the recording sheet after the printing process after the discharging operation (the position where the trailing end of the recording sheet is held by the stocker 77) ( Hereinafter, the paper image is displayed on the “opposite area”), and the outline portion of the paper image is blinked (step S901).
FIGS. 10A and 10B are similar to FIGS. 8A and 8B in the case where the trailing edge of the recording sheet after the printing process is detached from the discharge roller and held by the stocker 77. FIG. It is the side view and front view which show the mode of the printer 1 typically. Since the reference numerals in both figures are the same as those in FIGS. 8A and 8B except for the reference numeral 510, only the reference numeral 510 will be described, and description of the other reference numerals will be omitted. A white dotted line portion indicated by reference numeral 510 indicates a contour portion of a paper image displayed in a blinking manner.
As shown in the figure, the paper image indicated by reference numeral 51 is displayed in the facing area, and the outline portion of the paper image indicated by reference numeral 510 is displayed blinking.
Here, the display coordinates for displaying the paper image in the facing area are determined in advance by the manufacturer of the printer 1 and stored in the paper image information storage unit 607.
After performing the process of step S901, the control unit 60 performs the processes of step S611 and step S612.
As a result, the outline portion of the paper image blinks in the opposite area, so that the user can easily discharge the recording sheet after the printing process from the display on the display, and set the discharge position of the recording sheet. Can be confirmed.
(2) In the modified example (1), in order to display the discharge position of the recording sheet after the printing process after the discharge operation is finished, the paper image is displayed in the opposite area and the outline is blinked. Instead of blinking the display, after the recording sheet is discharged, the recording sheet may be moved up and down after a certain period of time, and the paper image in the opposite area may be moved up and down on the display surface of the liquid crystal display device 6 in conjunction therewith. .
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of another modified example of the discharge state display process. The control unit 60 performs the process of step S601 to step S603, and then performs the process of step S608. When the determination result of step S608 is affirmative (step S608: YES), the control unit 60 ends the drive pulse count, A paper image is displayed in the facing area, and time measurement is started (step S1101).
When a certain time (for example, 3 minutes) elapses from the time measurement start point in a state where the recording sheet after the printing process remains in the discharge port 80 (step S1102: YES), the control unit 60 The time measurement is finished, and the stocker 77 is moved upward by a predetermined amount through the stocker moving mechanism (the negative direction of the y coordinate) (step S1104), and the display coordinates y of the paper image are equivalent to the amount of movement. The coordinate value is decreased to update the coordinate value of the display coordinate (step S1105), and the paper image is displayed at the position indicated by the updated display coordinate on the display surface of the liquid crystal display device 6 (step S1106). .
Thereafter, the control unit 60 moves the stocker 77 by a predetermined amount downward (in the positive direction of the y coordinate) via the stocker moving mechanism (step S1107), and the display coordinates of the paper image are changed by an amount corresponding to the movement amount. The value of the y coordinate is increased to update the coordinate value of the display coordinate (step S1108), and the paper image is displayed at the position indicated by the updated display coordinate on the display surface of the liquid crystal display device 6 (step S1109). ).
Here, as the stocker moving mechanism, a linear motion mechanism that changes the rotational motion into a linear motion can be used. For example, a stocker moving mechanism can be constituted by a stepping motor, a gear, a gear / pulley, a timing belt, and the like (see, for example, the description of paragraphs 0035 and 0036 of FIG. 6 of JP 2009-1426 A). In addition, the decrease amount and the increase amount of the y coordinate are set in advance by the manufacturer of the printer 1 and stored in the control unit 60.
By executing the processing of step S1104 to step S1109, as shown in FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b), display is performed on the display surface of the liquid crystal display device 6 in conjunction with the vertical movement of the recording sheet after printing processing. The printed paper image moves up and down. FIG. 12A is a side view schematically showing the state of the printer 1 when a predetermined time has elapsed after the trailing edge of the recording sheet after the printing process is detached from the discharge roller and held by the stocker 77. is there. FIG. 12B is a front view schematically showing the state of the printer 1 when a predetermined time has elapsed after the trailing edge of the recording sheet after the printing process is detached from the discharge roller and held by the stocker 77. is there.
In both figures, the same reference numerals are given to the same objects as those in both figures (a) and (b) of FIG. In FIGS. 12A and 12B, the double arrow indicated by the reference symbol H1 indicates the moving direction of the recording sheet S1, the double arrow indicated by the reference symbol H2 indicates the moving direction of the paper image, and the double arrow indicated by the reference symbol I indicates the stocker. 77 indicates a moving direction, and R ″ indicates the position of the y-coordinate on the display surface of the liquid crystal display device 6 that opposes the position of the leading end of the recording sheet S1 after the recording sheet S1 has moved a predetermined amount upward. Indicates.
After performing the process of step S1109, the control unit 60 performs the processes of step S611 and step S612.
(3) In the present embodiment, in the discharge state display process of FIG. 6, when the recording sheet after the printing process remains in the discharge port 80 (step S611: YES), the next printing process is prohibited. However, instead of prohibition, an instruction button for instructing the printing process is displayed in the opposite area, and an instruction to execute the printing process from the user is received via the instruction button. When the recording sheet remains in the discharge port 80, it is difficult to accept a print processing instruction from the user, and the next printing process is executed in a state where the recording sheet remains in the discharge port 80. It is good also as suppressing.
(4) In the present embodiment, the recording sheet after the printing process is discharged along the display surface of the liquid crystal display device 6 to improve the operability for the user. Even when discharging in a state away from the display surface, if the discharge direction is “a direction approaching the display surface of the liquid crystal display device 6” (a direction in which α ≦ θ is satisfied), the present embodiment As in the case of, the user operability can be improved.
For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the lower frame portion 6B is configured such that the cross section of the lower frame portion 6B constituting the lower frame of the liquid crystal display device 6 is bent, and the lower frame portion 6B is formed on the recording sheet. Used as a discharge guide, the recording sheet S1 after the printing process is separated from the display surface of the liquid crystal display device 6, and the discharge direction of the recording sheet by the discharge roller pair 74 (direction of arrow C) of the liquid crystal display device 6 As in the case of FIG. 3C, the inclination angle α with respect to the inclination direction of the display surface (in the direction of arrow D in the figure) is in a range not exceeding the inclination angle θ with respect to the direction of the vertical surface of the display surface 6A. It may be configured.
In FIG. 13, the same reference numerals are given to the components common to the components shown in FIG.
(5) In the present embodiment, the leading end portion of the recording sheet faces the display surface of the liquid crystal display device 6 in a state where the trailing end portion of the recording sheet after the printing process is held by the stocker 77. Even if the recording sheet in the discharged state does not necessarily face the display surface, the recording sheet may face the outer wall surface of the display unit 1B below the display surface. If at least a part of the recording sheet is discharged so as to face the outer wall of the display unit 1B, the user visually recognizes that the recording sheet is discharged without taking his eyes off the display surface. Because it is possible. The same applies to the case where the recording sheet is discharged.
(6) In the present embodiment, the paper image is displayed on the display surface of the liquid crystal display device 6 to indicate the progress of the recording sheet discharge. However, the display image is not limited to the paper image. For example, an image of a predetermined character may be displayed on the display surface of the liquid crystal display device 6 to display the progress of discharging the recording sheet.
(7) In the present embodiment, the discharge direction of the recording sheet after the printing process is set to the upward direction. However, the discharge direction is not limited to the upward direction as long as the recording sheet is discharged in the direction approaching the display surface of the liquid crystal display device 6. For example, it may be in the horizontal direction, or in the case of a desktop printer, may be in the downward direction (in this case, the discharge roller may also serve as a function of holding the rear end of the recording sheet. For example, when the trailing edge of the recording sheet reaches the discharge roller, the discharge roller may be stopped.)
The present invention can be used as a technique related to an image forming apparatus with a display in which a display and a printer are integrated.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 1A Main-body part 1B Display part 3 Image process part 4 Paper feed part 5 Fixing device 6 Liquid crystal display device 6A Display surface 6B Lower frame part 60 Control part 74 Discharge roller 77 Stocker 78 Discharge roller drive motor 80 Discharge port 81 Discharge port sensor 100 bottom plate 101 housing
Discharging means for discharging the recording sheet on which the image is formed from the inside of the housing to the outside along the display surface;
When the recording sheet is discharged by the discharge means, a display means for displaying an image indicating that the discharge has been performed in a facing area facing the recording sheet on the display surface of the display;
Said discharge means is disposed vertically below the display surface, the inclination angle of the discharge direction of the recording sheet for the previous SL display surface, the so as not to exceed the tilt angle of the display surface with respect to the vertical plane The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording sheet is discharged .
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharge unit discharges the recording sheet so that at least a part of the recording sheet faces the display surface.
Wherein the image is an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, the display position in conjunction with movement of the recording sheet by the discharge operation by the discharge means, characterized in that movement.
Holding means for holding the recording sheet discharged by the discharge means;
Detecting means for detecting whether the recording sheet is held by the holding means;
Display means for displaying, on the display surface, an image indicating that the recording sheet is held when the recording sheet is held for a predetermined time or more;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:
Discharging means for discharging the recording sheet on which the image is formed from the inside of the housing to the outside in a direction approaching the display surface;
If the time that holds the recording sheet is equal to or greater than a predetermined time, a movement control means for moving said holding means,
The discharge means is disposed vertically below the display surface,
The direction is a direction in which an inclination angle of the recording sheet discharge direction with respect to the display surface does not exceed an inclination angle of the display surface with respect to a vertical surface,
The images are images forming device you characterized by moving the display position in association with the movement of the holding means.
Prohibiting means for prohibiting new image formation when the recording sheet is held;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising:
The discharging means discharges the recording sheet such that at least a part of the recording sheet faces the display surface;
A touch panel is disposed on the display surface,
Holding means for holding the recording sheet discharged by the discharging means in a state in which at least a part thereof faces the display surface;
An accepting means for displaying an instruction button for instructing image formation on a portion of the display surface facing the part, and accepting a new image formation instruction;
Images forming device you comprising: a.
The display has a frame around the display surface,
Among the frame portion, it claims 1-8, wherein the display surface and the discharge means and the portion sandwiched between, characterized in that also serves as a sheet discharge guide for guiding a direction along the recording sheet on the display surface The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.
JP2012277081A 2012-12-19 2012-12-19 image forming apparatus Active JP5794221B2 (en)
JP2012277081A JP5794221B2 (en) 2012-12-19 2012-12-19 image forming apparatus
US14/132,929 US9352593B2 (en) 2012-12-19 2013-12-18 Image forming apparatus
JP2014118301A JP2014118301A (en) 2014-06-30
JP5794221B2 true JP5794221B2 (en) 2015-10-14
ID=50931029
JP2012277081A Active JP5794221B2 (en) 2012-12-19 2012-12-19 image forming apparatus
US (1) US9352593B2 (en)
JP (1) JP5794221B2 (en)
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2012-12-19 JP JP2012277081A patent/JP5794221B2/en active Active
2013-12-18 US US14/132,929 patent/US9352593B2/en active Active
JP2014118301A (en) 2014-06-30
US20140169822A1 (en) 2014-06-19
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