U.S. patent application number 11/708906 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-30 for paper feed control apparatus and image forming apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to KYOCERA MITA CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Masaki Osoreda.
Application Number | 20070200282 11/708906 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38443214 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070200282 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Osoreda; Masaki |
August 30, 2007 |
Paper feed control apparatus and image forming apparatus
Abstract
In a paper feed apparatus, a CPU 211 functionally includes: an
abnormality detector (211a) that detects whether or not abnormal
transport of recording paper is occurring in a paper feed path via
which recording paper is transported from the paper feed apparatus
to a main apparatus; a cover state detector (211b) that detects
whether or not a cover is in a closed state; a lowered position
setter (211c) that, when the cover is operated from the closed
state to an open state, sets a lowered position of an electrically
movable tray based on the detection result from the abnormality
detector (211a); and an up/down movement controller (211e) that,
when the cover is detected to be operated from the closed state to
the open state, controls an up/down motor (222) to move the
electrically movable tray down into the lowered position set by the
lowered position setter (211c).
Inventors: |
Osoreda; Masaki; (Kobe-Shi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SMITH, GAMBRELL & RUSSELL
1850 M STREET, N.W., SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20036
US
|
Assignee: |
KYOCERA MITA CORPORATION
|
Family ID: |
38443214 |
Appl. No.: |
11/708906 |
Filed: |
February 22, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
271/9.08 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 2601/11 20130101;
B65H 2511/20 20130101; B65H 2402/441 20130101; B65H 2511/52
20130101; B65H 1/14 20130101; B65H 2511/52 20130101; B65H 2511/20
20130101; B65H 2220/02 20130101; B65H 2220/01 20130101; B65H
2220/01 20130101; B65H 2220/11 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
271/9.08 |
International
Class: |
B65H 3/44 20060101
B65H003/44 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 24, 2006 |
JP |
2006-047698 |
Claims
1. A paper feed control apparatus for controlling up/down movement
of an electrically movable tray in a paper feed apparatus
including: the electrically movable tray on which a supply of
sheet-form recording paper is loaded in a stack and that is
positioned at a predetermined paper feed position when recording
paper is fed to a main apparatus; and a cover that can be operated
between an open state and a closed state and that is brought into
the open state when the supply of recording paper on the
electrically movable tray is replenished and when abnormal
transport of recording paper is dealt with that is occurring in a
paper feed path via which recording paper is fed from the paper
feed apparatus to the main apparatus, the paper feed control
apparatus comprising: an abnormality detecting portion that detects
whether or not abnormal transport of recording paper is occurring
in the paper feed path; a cover state detecting portion that
detects whether or not the cover is in the closed state or not; a
lowered position setting portion that sets a lowered position into
which the electrically movable tray is moved based on a detection
result from the abnormality detecting portion when the cover is
operated from the closed state to the open state; and an up/down
movement controlling portion that moves the electrically movable
tray down into the lowered position set by the lowered position
setting portion when the cover is operated from the closed state to
the open state.
2. The paper feed control apparatus of claim 1, wherein, when the
abnormality detecting portion detects abnormal transport, the
lowered position setting portion sets the lowered position of the
electrically movable tray near the paper feed position.
3. The paper feed control apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
an accepting portion that accepts an operation input from outside
relating to the lowered position, wherein the lowered position
setting portion sets the lowered position into which the
electrically movable tray is moved when the abnormality detecting
portion detects abnormal transport based on the operation input
accepted by the accepting portion.
4. The paper feed control apparatus of claim 1, wherein, so long as
the abnormality detecting portion does not detect abnormal
transport, the lowered position setting portion sets the lowered
position of the electrically movable tray at a lower movement limit
thereof.
5. The paper feed control apparatus of claim 1, wherein, when the
cover is operated from the open state to the closed state, the
up/down movement controlling portion moves the electrically movable
tray up into the paper feed position.
6. The paper feed control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the
abnormality detecting portion detects a paper jam as abnormal
transport.
7. An image forming apparatus comprising: a paper feed apparatus
including the paper feed control apparatus of claim 1; and a
printing portion that forms according to image data an image on
recording paper fed from the paper feed apparatus.
8. An image forming apparatus comprising: a paper feed apparatus
including the paper feed control apparatus of claim 2; and a
printing portion that forms according to image data an image on
recording paper fed from the paper feed apparatus.
9. An image forming apparatus comprising: a paper feed apparatus
including the paper feed control apparatus of claim 3; and a
printing portion that forms according to image data an image on
recording paper fed from the paper feed apparatus.
10. An image forming apparatus comprising: a paper feed apparatus
including the paper feed control apparatus of claim 4; and a
printing portion that forms according to image data an image on
recording paper fed from the paper feed apparatus.
11. An image forming apparatus comprising: a paper feed apparatus
including the paper feed control apparatus of claim 5; and a
printing portion that forms according to image data an image on
recording paper fed from the paper feed apparatus.
12. An image forming apparatus comprising: a paper feed apparatus
including the paper feed control apparatus of claim 6; and a
printing portion that forms according to image data an image on
recording paper fed from the paper feed apparatus.
Description
[0001] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No.
2006-047698 filed on Feb. 24, 2006, the contents of which are
hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a paper feed control
apparatus for controlling up/down movement of an electrically
movable tray in a paper feed apparatus including: the electrically
movable tray on which a supply of sheet-form recording paper is
loaded in a stack and that is positioned at a predetermined paper
feed position when recording paper is fed to a main apparatus; and
a cover that can be operated between an open state and a closed
state and that is brought into the open state when the supply of
recording paper on the electrically movable tray is replenished and
when abnormal transport of recording paper is dealt with that is
occurring in a paper feed path via which recording paper is fed
from the paper feed apparatus to the main apparatus. The present
invention also relates to an image forming apparatus provided with
a paper feed apparatus incorporating such a paper feed control
apparatus. More generally, the present invention relates to
copiers, printers, facsimile machines, and internet facsimile
machines, and also to multifunction products equipped with one or
more of the functions of those devices.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] The recent trend toward faster printing speeds in image
forming apparatuses such as copiers and printers has been
increasing the consumption of recording paper per unit time (e.g.,
per month), requiring the users to replenish the supply of
recording paper in their image forming apparatuses more frequently,
and hence adding to their trouble. As an effort to reduce the
frequency of recording paper replenishment, large-capacity paper
feed apparatuses (e.g., with a capacity of 1 000 sheets) have been
proposed and put to practical use.
[0006] As disclosed in, for example, JP-2004-159069, a
large-capacity paper feed apparatus is furnished with an
electrically movable tray that moves up and down with a large
number of sheets of recording paper loaded on it and a cover that
is opened when the supply of recording paper is replenished. When
the supply of recording paper is replenished, as the cover is
opened, the electrically movable tray moves down to its lower
movement limit; as the cover is closed, the electrically movable
tray moves up to its paper feed position.
[0007] Here, since the electrically movable tray moves up and down
with a large number of (e.g., 1 000) sheets of recording paper
loaded on it, it is so controlled as to move up slowly to save the
electric capacity needed. Moreover, when abnormal transport of
recording paper, such as a paper jam, occurs, opening the cover
causes the electrically movable tray to move down to its lower
movement limit as described above unnecessarily. Thus, having
rectified the paper jam or the like, the user then has to wait for
the electrically movable tray to move from the lower movement limit
to the paper feed position before he can use the image forming
apparatus again; that is, a wait is imposed on the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a paper
feed control apparatus and an image forming apparatus that operate
with a reduced wait imposed on the user having rectified a paper
jam or the like.
[0009] To achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of
the invention, a paper feed control apparatus for controlling
up/down movement of an electrically movable tray in a paper feed
apparatus includes: the electrically movable tray on which a supply
of sheet-form recording paper is loaded in a stack and that is
positioned at a predetermined paper feed position when recording
paper is fed to a main apparatus; and a cover that can be operated
between an open state and a closed state and that is brought into
the open state when the supply of recording paper on the
electrically movable tray is replenished and when abnormal
transport of recording paper is dealt with that is occurring in a
paper feed path via which recording paper is fed from the paper
feed apparatus to the main apparatus. Here, the paper feed control
apparatus is further provided with: an abnormality detecting
portion that detects whether or not abnormal transport of recording
paper is occurring in the paper feed path; a cover state detecting
portion that detects whether or not the cover is in the closed
state or not; a lowered position setting portion that sets the
lowered position into which the electrically movable tray is moved
based on the detection result from the abnormality detecting
portion when the cover is operated from the closed state to the
open state; and an up/down movement controlling portion that moves
the electrically movable tray down into the lowered position set by
the lowered position setting portion when the cover is operated
from the closed state to the open state.
[0010] With this paper feed control apparatus, when the cover is
operated from the closed state to the open state, based on the
detection result of whether or not abnormal transport of recording
paper is occurring, the lowered position of the electrically
movable tray is set, and the electrically movable tray is moved
down into the so set lowered position. Thus, when abnormal
transport of recording paper is occurring, the lowered position can
be set at a position higher than the lower movement limit at which
the electrically movable tray is positioned when the supply of
recording paper is replenished. This reduces the time needed after
abnormal transport such as a paper jam is rectified until the
electrically movable tray reaches the paper feed position, and thus
reduces the wait imposed on the user.
[0011] According to a second aspect of the invention, the paper
feed control apparatus may be so configured that, when the
abnormality detecting portion detects abnormal transport, the
lowered position setting portion sets the lowered position of the
electrically movable tray near the paper feed position.
[0012] With this paper feed control apparatus, when abnormal
transport is detected, the lowered position of the electrically
movable tray is set near its paper feed position. This further
reduces the time needed after abnormal transport such as a paper
jam is rectified until the electrically movable tray reaches the
paper feed position, and thus further reduces the wait imposed on
the user.
[0013] According to a third aspect of the invention, the paper feed
control apparatus may be further provided with an accepting portion
that accepts an operation input from outside relating to the
lowered position so that the lowered position setting portion sets
the lowered position into which the electrically movable tray is
moved when the abnormality detecting portion detects abnormal
transport based on the operation input accepted by the accepting
portion.
[0014] With this paper feed control apparatus, when abnormal
transport is detected, the lowered position of the electrically
movable tray is set based on the operation input. This allows the
user to set the lowered position as he likes it, and thus improves
user convenience.
[0015] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, the paper
feed control apparatus may be so configured that, so long as the
abnormality detecting portion does not detect abnormal transport,
the lowered position setting portion sets the lowered position of
the electrically movable tray at its lower movement limit.
[0016] With this paper feed control apparatus, so long as no
abnormal transport is detected, the lowered position of the
electrically movable tray is set at its lower movement limit. This
makes it easy to replenish the supply of recording paper.
[0017] According to a fifth aspect of the invention, the paper feed
control apparatus may be so configured that, when the cover is
operated from the open state to the closed state, the up/down
movement controlling portion moves the electrically movable tray up
into the paper feed position.
[0018] With this paper feed control apparatus, even when abnormal
transport is detected, if the cover is operated from the open state
to the closed state, the electrically movable tray is moved up into
the paper feed position. This improves user convenience.
[0019] According to a sixth aspect of the invention, the paper feed
control apparatus may be so configured that the abnormality
detecting portion detects a paper jam as abnormal transport.
[0020] With this paper feed control apparatus, paper jams, which
occur commonly, can be detected as abnormal transport This further
improves user convenience.
[0021] According to another aspect of the invention, an image
forming apparatus is provided with: a paper feed apparatus
including the paper feed control apparatus according to the first
aspect of the invention; and a printing portion that forms
according to image data an image on recording paper fed from the
paper feed apparatus.
[0022] With this image forming apparatus, thanks to the provision
of the paper feed apparatus including the paper feed control
apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, it is
possible to reduce the wait imposed on the user having rectified
abnormal transport such as a paper jam.
[0023] According to another aspect of the invention, an image
forming apparatus is provided with: a paper feed apparatus
including the paper feed control apparatus according to the second
aspect of the invention; and a printing portion that forms
according to image data an image on recording paper fed from the
paper feed apparatus.
[0024] With this image forming apparatus, thanks to the provision
of the paper feed apparatus including the paper feed control
apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention, it is
possible to reduce the wait imposed on the user having rectified
abnormal transport such as a paper jam.
[0025] According to another aspect of the invention, an image
forming apparatus is provided with: a paper feed apparatus
including the paper feed control apparatus according to the third
aspect of the invention; and a printing portion that forms
according to image data an image on recording paper fed from the
paper feed apparatus.
[0026] With this image forming apparatus, thanks to the provision
of the paper feed apparatus including the paper feed control
apparatus according to the third aspect of the invention, it is
possible to reduce the wait imposed on the user having rectified
abnormal transport such as a paper jam.
[0027] According to another aspect of the invention, an image
forming apparatus is provided with: a paper feed apparatus
including the paper feed control apparatus according to the fourth
aspect of the invention; and a printing portion that forms
according to image data an image on recording paper fed from the
paper feed apparatus.
[0028] With this image forming apparatus, thanks to the provision
of the paper feed apparatus including the paper feed control
apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the invention, it is
possible to reduce the wait imposed on the user having rectified
abnormal transport such as a paper jam.
[0029] According to another aspect of the invention, an image
forming apparatus is provided with: a paper feed apparatus
including the paper feed control apparatus according to the fifth
aspect of the invention; and a printing portion that forms
according to image data an image on recording paper fed from the
paper feed apparatus.
[0030] With this image forming apparatus, thanks to the provision
of the paper feed apparatus including the paper feed control
apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the invention, it is
possible to reduce the wait imposed on the user having rectified
abnormal transport such as a paper jam.
[0031] According to another aspect of the invention, an image
forming apparatus is provided with: a paper feed apparatus
including the paper feed control apparatus according to the sixth
aspect of the invention; and a printing portion that forms
according to image data an image on recording paper fed from the
paper feed apparatus.
[0032] With this image forming apparatus, thanks to the provision
of the paper feed apparatus including the paper feed control
apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the invention, it is
possible to reduce the wait imposed on the user having rectified
abnormal transport such as a paper jam.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an example
of the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the
invention;
[0034] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of a paper feed
apparatus;
[0035] FIG. 3 is a structure diagram illustrating an example of how
a paper feed position is controlled in the paper feed apparatus
along with other features;
[0036] FIG. 4 is a functional configuration diagram showing an
example of the functional configuration of a main controller and a
paper feed controller; and
[0037] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of how the paper
feed controller operates.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0038] Hereinafter, an example of an image forming apparatus
according to the invention will be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically
showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according
to the invention. The following description deals with an example
where the image forming apparatus is a printer; it should however
be understood that the image forming apparatus may be any other
kind of image forming apparatus that forms an image on recording
paper (e.g., a copier, facsimile machine, internet facsimile
machine, or multifunction product). As shown in FIG. 1, the printer
10 is composed of a main apparatus 1 and a paper feed apparatus 2.
The main apparatus 1 includes a main controller 11, a print
processor 12, and an operated portion 13. The paper feed apparatus
2 includes a paper feed controller 21 and a paper feed processor
22. The printer 10 is connected to an unillustrated personal
computer (PC) so that these can communicate with each other, and
the printer 10 forms an image on recording paper according to print
instructions from the personal computer.
[0039] The main controller 11 controls the operation of the printer
10 as a whole, and includes a CPU (central processing unit) 111, a
RAM (random-access memory) 112, and an unillustrated ROM (read-only
memory). The main controller 11 feeds the paper feed controller 21
with instructions related to the control of the paper feed
apparatus 2, and the paper feed controller 21 controls the
operation of the paper feed apparatus 2 according to the
instructions from the main controller 11.
[0040] The print processor 12 (corresponding to a printing portion)
forms an image (here, an image according to image data received
from the PC) on recording paper electrophotographically, and
includes a developer unit 121, a photoconductor unit 122, and a
fixer unit 123. According to image data received from the PC, the
developer unit 121 forms an electrostatic latent image on the
surface of a photoconductor drum with a laser beam or the like; the
developer unit 121 then attaches toner to the so formed
electrostatic latent image to form a toner image. That is, the
developer unit 121 includes a photoconductor drum; first, the
surface of the photoconductor drum is electrically charged by a
charging roller substantially uniformly; next, to an electrical
latent image formed according to image data received from the PC,
toner is attached by the developer unit 121 to form a toner image;
then, the toner image is transferred onto recording paper. The
fixer unit 123 includes a fixing roller with which it fixes the
toner image formed on the photoconductive drum.
[0041] The operated portion 13 (corresponding to part of an
accepting portion) accepts operation inputs from the user, and to
that end includes a plurality of operation buttons. As these
buttons are operated, the operated portion 13 recognizes
corresponding instructions, which it then feeds to the CPU 111.
Here, the instructions recognized by the operated portion 13
includes, as will be described later, those related to the lowered
position of an electrically movable tray.
[0042] The paper feed controller 21 (corresponding to part of a
paper feed control apparatus) controls the operation of the paper
feed apparatus 2, and includes a CPU 211, a RAM 212, and an
unillustrated ROM. The paper feed controller 21 controls the
operation of the paper feed apparatus 2 according to instructions
from the main controller 11.
[0043] The paper feed processor 22 feeds sheet-form recording paper
to the main apparatus 1, and includes a cover state sensor 221 and
an up/down motor 222. The cover state sensor 221 (corresponding to
part of the paper feed control apparatus) detects whether a cover
224, described later (see FIG. 2), is in an open or closed state,
and feeds the detection result to the paper feed controller 21. The
up/down motor 222 (corresponding to part of the paper feed control
apparatus) moves an electrically movable tray 223, described later,
up and down according to instructions from the paper feed
controller 21.
[0044] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the paper
feed apparatus 2, and FIG. 3 is a structure diagram illustrating
how the paper feed position is controlled in the paper feed
apparatus 2 along with other features. As shown in FIG. 2, the
paper feed apparatus 2 (paper feed processor 22) includes, in
addition to the cover state sensor 221 and the up/down motor 222,
an electrically movable tray 223, a cover 224, slits 225 (of which
only one appears in the figure), and slider members 226 (of which
only one appears in the figure). The cover 224 has, formed in a
left side upright part 224a thereof, a sensor pressing projection
224b for pressing the cover state sensor 221.
[0045] The cover state sensor 221 (corresponding to part of a cover
state detecting portion) is, for example, a push switch. When the
user brings the cover 224 into the closed state, the cover state
sensor 221 is pressed by the sensor pressing projection 224b formed
on the cover 224, thereby detecting the cover 224 to be in the
closed state.
[0046] The up/down motor 222 operates according to instructions
from the paper feed controller 21, and moves the electrically
movable tray 223 in the direction (vertical direction) indicated by
arrow B in FIG. 3 (moves it up and down). The up/down motor 222
achieves this via a power train including, for example, a gear, a
belt, and the slider members 226, to which a central portion of the
electrically movable tray 223 is fixed.
[0047] The electrically movable tray 223 has a supply of sheet-form
recording paper loaded on it in a stack. When recording paper is
fed to the main apparatus 1, according to an instruction from the
paper feed controller 21, the electrically movable tray 223 is
positioned in a predetermined paper feed position (such that the
top end of the recording paper loaded on the electrically movable
tray 223 is at the level indicated by arrow A in FIG. 3).
[0048] The cover 224 can be freely operated between an open and a
closed state. The user brings the cover 224 into the open state
when replenishing the supply of recording paper on the electrically
movable tray 223, and when dealing with abnormal transport of
recording paper (here, a paper jam) occurring in the paper feed
path (indicated by arrow A in FIG. 3) via which recording paper is
fed to the main apparatus 1.
[0049] The slits 225 are vertically extending guide grooves formed
in side plates of the paper feed apparatus 2. The slider members
226 are guided along the slits 225 to move up and down, and a
central portion of the electrically movable tray 223 is fixed to
the slider members 226. That is, the driving power of the up/down
motor 222 is transmitted to the slider members 226 so that the
slider members 226 are guided along the slits 225 to move up and
down, thereby making the electrically movable tray 223 fixed to the
slider members 226 move up and down.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 3, the paper feed apparatus 2 (paper feed
processor 22) further includes an abnormal transport sensor 227, a
movable lever 228, and a paper feed position sensor 229. The
abnormal transport sensor 227 (corresponding to part of an
abnormality detecting portion) is, for example, a transmissive (or
reflective) photosensor, and detects whether or not recording paper
is present at a predetermined position in the paper transport path.
As will be described later with reference to FIG. 4, the abnormal
transport sensor 227 also detects a paper jam at the predetermined
position in the paper transport path.
[0051] The paper feed position sensor 229 is, for example, a
transmissive photosensor. The movable lever 228 and the paper feed
position sensor 229 (together corresponding to part of an up/down
movement controlling portion) detect whether or not the recording
paper loaded on the electrically movable tray 223 is in the paper
feed position. Specifically, the movable lever 228 is a bar-shaped
lever that rotates about a predetermined point to keep constant
contact with the top end of the recording paper loaded on the
electrically movable tray 223 (or with the electrically movable
tray 223 itself). When the recording paper is not in the paper feed
position, the movable lever 228 interrupts the light path of the
paper feed position sensor 229; when the recording paper is in the
paper feed position, the movable lever 228 remains out of the light
path of the paper feed position sensor 229.
[0052] FIG. 4 is a functional configuration diagram showing an
example of the functional configuration of the main controller 11
and the paper feed controller 21. The CPU 111 functionally includes
an operation accepter 111a. The CPU 211 functionally includes an
abnormality detector 211a, a cover state detector 211b, a lowered
position setter 211c, an accepter 211d, and an up/down movement
controller 211e.
[0053] Here, the CPUs 111 and 211 read and execute programs
previously stored in the ROMs or elsewhere to function as
functional blocks such as the operation accepter 111a, the
abnormality detector 211a, the cover state detector 211b, the
lowered position setter 211c, the accepter 211d, and the up/down
movement controller 211e.
[0054] Of the various kinds of data stored in the RAMs 112 and 212
and the ROMs, any part that can be stored on a removable recording
medium may be read from a drive compatible with the medium, such as
a hard disk drive, optical disc drive, flexible disk drive, silicon
disc drive, or cassette medium reader, in which case the recording
medium used may be, for example, a hard disk, optical disc,
flexible disk, CD, DVD, or semiconductor memory.
[0055] The operation accepter 111a (corresponding to part of the
accepting portion) accepts operation inputs (specifically, those
related to the lowered position, described later, of the
electrically movable tray 223) from the user via the operated
portion 13, and then feeds the instructions corresponding to the so
accepted operation inputs to the lowered position setter 211c of
the paper feed controller 21. Specifically, in the operated portion
13, there are arranged, for example, a numeric keypad, an LCD
(liquid crystal display), and an "set" button. As the numerical
keypad is operated, the operation accepter 111a displays the
entered figures on the LCD; when the "set" key is then pressed, the
operation accepter 111a accepts the entered figures as a value
indicating the lowered position (e.g., a position lower than the
paper feed position by that value (mm)).
[0056] Based on the detection result from the abnormal transport
sensor 227, the abnormality detector 211a (corresponding to part of
the abnormality detecting portion) detects whether or not abnormal
transport of recording paper is occurring in the path via which
recording paper is fed from the paper feed apparatus 2 to the main
apparatus 1. Specifically, a predetermined time (e.g., five
seconds) after recording paper starts to be fed, if the abnormal
transport sensor 227 detects recording paper to be present at a
predetermined position in the paper transport path, a paper jam,
which is one form of abnormal transport, is detected to be
occurring.
[0057] Based on the detection result from the cover state sensor
221, the cover state detector 211b detects whether or not the cover
224 is in the closed state; that is, based on the detection result
from the cover state sensor 221, the cover state detector 211b
detects the cover 224 to be operated from the closed to the open
state, and detects the cover 224 to be operated from the open to
the closed state.
[0058] When the cover state detector 211b detects the cover 224 to
be operated from the closed to the open state, the lowered position
setter 211c sets the lowered position of the electrically movable
tray 223 (i.e. its position into which it is moved down when the
cover 224 is operated from the closed to the open state) based on
the detection result from the abnormality detector 211a.
Specifically, if the abnormality detector 211a detects abnormal
transport, the lowered position setter 211c sets the lowered
position near the paper feed position (hereinafter referred to as
the first lowered position); if the abnormality detector 211a
detects no abnormal transport, the lowered position setter 211c
sets the lowered position at the lower movement limit of the
electrically movable tray 223 (hereinafter referred to as the
second lowered position). The lowered position setter 211c sets the
first lowered position based on an operation input accepted by the
accepter 211d. The first lowered position is located, for example,
10 mm below the paper feed position.
[0059] The accepter 211d accepts operation inputs (specifically,
those relating to the lowered position, described later, of the
electrically movable tray 223) from the user via the operated
portion 13 and the operation accepter 111a, and feeds instructions
corresponding to the so accepted inputs to the lowered position
setter 211c.
[0060] The up/down movement controller 211e controls the up/down
motor 222 so that, when the cover state detector 211b detects the
cover to be operated from the closed to the open state, the
electrically movable tray 223 moves down into the lowered position
(first or second lowered position) set by the lowered position
setter 211c and, when the cover state detector 211b detects the
cover to be operated from the open to the closed state, the
electrically movable tray 223 moves up into the paper feed
position.
[0061] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation
of the paper feed controller 21. Here, for the sake of simplicity,
it is assumed that the first lowered position has already been
accepted by the accepter 211d and is stored in a predetermined
memory (e.g., the RAM 212). At the start of the flow, the cover
state detector 211b checks whether or not the cover 224 is operated
from the closed to the open state (S101). So long as the cover 224
is not found to be operated from the closed to the open state ("NO"
in S101), a standby state is maintained. On the other hand, if the
cover 224 is found to be operated from the closed to the open state
("YES" in S101), then the abnormality detector 211a checks whether
or not abnormal transport is occurring (S103). If abnormal
transport is found to be occurring ("YES" in S103), the lowered
position setter 211c acquires the data of the first lowered
position from the predetermined memory (S105), and sets it as the
lowered position; the up/down movement controller 211e then
controls the up/down motor 222 so that the electrically movable
tray 223 moves down into the position (lowered position)
corresponding to the data of the first lowered position acquired in
step S105 (S107).
[0062] On the other hand, if no abnormal transport is found to be
occurring ("NO" in step S103), the up/down movement controller 211e
sets the second lowered position as the lowered position, and
controls the up/down motor 222 so that the electrically movable
tray 223 moves down into the second lowered position (S109). On
completion of the operation in step S107 or S109, the cover state
detector 211b checks whether or not the cover 224 is operated from
the open to the closed state (S111). So long as the cover 224 is
not found to be operated from the open to the closed state ("NO" in
S111), a standby state is maintained. On the other hand, when the
cover 224 is found to be operated from the open to the closed state
("YES" in S111), the up/down movement controller 211 e controls the
up/down motor 222 so that the electrically movable tray 223 moves
up into the paper feed position (S113). When the electrically
movable tray 223 reaches the paper feed position (i.e. on
completion of the operation in step S113), the flow ends.
[0063] In this way, when the cover 224 is operated from the closed
to the open state, based on the detection result of whether or not
abnormal transport of recording paper is occurring, the lowered
position of the electrically movable tray 223 is set, and the
electrically movable tray 223 is moved into the so set lowered
position. Thus, when abnormal transport of recording paper is
occurring, the lowered position can be set at a position higher
than the lower movement limit of the electrically movable tray 223
in which it is positioned when the supply of recording paper is
replenished. This reduces the time needed after abnormal transport
such as a paper jam is rectified until the electrically movable
tray 223 reaches the paper feed position, and thus reduces the wait
imposed on the user.
[0064] Moreover, when abnormal transport is detected, the lowered
position of the electrically movable tray 223 is set near the paper
feed position. This further reduces the time needed after abnormal
transport such as a paper jam is rectified until the electrically
movable tray 223 reaches the paper feed position, and thus further
reduces the wait imposed on the user. Furthermore, the lowered
position of the electrically movable tray 223 where it is
positioned when abnormal transport is detected is set based on an
operation input. This allows the user to set the lowered position
as he likes it, and thus improves user convenience.
[0065] In addition, when no abnormal transport is detected, the
lowered position of the electrically movable tray 223 is set at its
lower movement limit. This makes it easy to replenish the supply of
recording paper. Even when abnormal transport is detected, if the
cover 224 is operated from the open to the closed state, the
electrically movable tray 223 is moved up into the paper feed
position. This improves user convenience. Moreover, paper jams,
which occur commonly, can be detected as abnormal transport This
further improves user convenience.
[0066] The present invention allows many modifications and
variations, of which some examples are as follows:
[0067] Although the embodiment described above deals with an
example where the paper feed apparatus 2 includes a CPU 211, it is
also possible, instead of providing the paper feed apparatus 2 with
a CPU 211, to provide the CPU 111 of the main apparatus 1 (main
controller 11) with a abnormality detector 211a, a cover state
detector 211b, a lowered position setter 211c, a accepter 211d, and
a abnormality detector 211a. This allows all control to be
performed by the CPU 111 in a centralized fashion, and thus helps
simplify the processing.
[0068] Although the embodiment described above deals with an
example where the CPU 211 of the paper feed apparatus 2 (paper feed
controller 21) is provided with an abnormality detector 211a, it is
instead also possible to provide the CPU 111 of the main apparatus
1 (main controller 11) with a abnormality detector 211a. This
allows abnormal transport of recording paper in the entire printer
10 to be managed by the CPU 111 in a centralized fashion. In that
case, it should be noted, the detection result of whether or not
abnormal transport is occurring needs to be fed from the CPU 111 to
the CPU 211 (lowered position setter 211c).
[0069] Although the embodiment described above deals with an
example where the first lowered position is accepted by the
accepter 211d, it is instead also possible to set the first lowered
position beforehand. This helps simplify the processing.
[0070] Although the embodiment described above deals with an
example where the different functional blocks essential to the
invention are functionally included in the CPUs 111 and 211, that
is, realized on a software basis, it is also possible to realize
those functional blocks on a hardware basis, for example with
electronic circuits built to function as such functional
blocks.
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