U.S. patent application number 12/197880 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-23 for image forming apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA. Invention is credited to Reiji MURAKAMI.
Application Number | 20090103148 12/197880 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40563214 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090103148 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MURAKAMI; Reiji |
April 23, 2009 |
IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
Abstract
An image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the
present invention includes: an image generating unit configured to
generate an image to be printed onto recording paper; a paper type
specifying unit for a user to specify that a type of the recording
paper is directly identified or that a type of the recording paper
is automatically identified; a paper type identifier device having
a recessed portion on an outer face of the image forming apparatus,
the identifier device being operable to identify a type of the
recording paper from a paper bundle made of a plurality of
recording paper, inserted into the recessed portion by the user
when automatically identifying a type of the recording paper is
specified by the paper type specifying unit; and a printing unit
configured to print the image generated by the image generating
unit according to a type of the recording paper identified by the
paper type identifier device.
Inventors: |
MURAKAMI; Reiji; (Kanagawa,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PATTERSON & SHERIDAN, L.L.P.
3040 POST OAK BOULEVARD, SUITE 1500
HOUSTON
TX
77056
US
|
Assignee: |
KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
Tokyo
JP
TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
40563214 |
Appl. No.: |
12/197880 |
Filed: |
August 25, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60982109 |
Oct 23, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
358/498 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 1/00411 20130101;
H04N 1/00962 20130101; H04N 1/00716 20130101; H04N 2201/0098
20130101; H04N 1/00432 20130101; H04N 1/00681 20130101; H04N
1/00742 20130101; H04N 1/00482 20130101; H04N 1/00724 20130101;
H04N 1/00779 20130101; H04N 1/00413 20130101; H04N 1/00352
20130101; H04N 2201/0094 20130101; H04N 1/00734 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/498 |
International
Class: |
H04N 1/04 20060101
H04N001/04 |
Claims
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image generating unit
configured to generate an image to be printed onto recording paper;
a paper type specifying unit for a user to specify that a type of
the recording paper is directly identified or that a type of the
recording paper is automatically identified; a paper type
identifier device having a recessed portion on an outer face of the
image forming apparatus, the identifier device being operable to
identify a type of the recording paper from a paper bundle made of
a plurality of recording paper inserted into the recessed portion
by the user when automatically identifying a type of the recording
paper is specified by the paper type specifying unit; and a
printing unit configured to print on the recording paper the image
generated by the image generating unit according to a type of the
recording paper identified by the paper type identifier device.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
paper type identifier device further comprises: a light irradiating
unit configured to irradiate light to a plane of a paper bundle
inserted into the recessed portion; a leak light detecting unit
configured to receive the irradiated light transmitting the paper
bundle and leaking from among the recording paper at an end face of
the paper bundle; and a paper type identifying unit configured to
identify a type of paper of the inserted paper bundle from an
electrical signal obtained from light intensity of the leak
light.
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
leak light detecting unit receives leak light in a thickness
direction of a paper bundle irradiated by the light irradiating
unit and converts the light to an electrical signal to obtain a
leak light curve.
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the
paper type identifying unit identifies a paper type from the leak
light curve obtained at the leak light detecting unit.
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the
paper type identifying unit measures an inter-peak distance of the
leak light curve, senses thickness of the recording paper, and
identifies a paper type.
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the
paper type identifying unit integrates a signal that corresponds to
leak light in a direction substantially perpendicular to the
thickness direction of the paper bundle to obtain an integral leak
light curve in the thickness direction of the paper bundle.
7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the
paper type identifying unit identifies a paper type from the leak
light curve obtained at the leak light detecting unit.
8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the
paper type identifying unit measures an inter-peak distance of the
leak light integral curve, senses thickness of the recording paper,
and identifies a paper type.
9. An image forming apparatus comprising the paper type identifier
device according to claim 1, the device further comprising: a paper
bundle insertion sensing unit configured to sense insertion of the
paper bundle inserted into the recessed portion; a light
irradiating unit configured to irradiate light onto one face of the
paper bundle when insertion of the paper bundle is sensed by the
paper bundle insertion sensing unit; a leak light detecting unit
configured to detect light intensity leaking from among the
recording paper in a thickness direction of the paper bundle, of
light irradiated to one face of the paper bundle by the light
irradiating unit, and converting the detected light to an
electrical signal to obtain a leak light curve; an integrating unit
configured to integrate the electrical signal obtained by the leak
light detecting unit in a direction substantially perpendicular to
the thickness direction of the paper bundle to obtain an integral
light curve; an inter-peak distance detecting unit configured to
measure an inter-peak distance between adjacent local maximum
values or local minimum values, from the integral leak light curve
obtained by the integrating unit; and a paper type identifying unit
configured to identify a paper type of the paper bundle from the
inter-peak distance obtained by the inter-peak distance detecting
unit.
10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the
leakage light detecting unit is a two-dimensional image sensor
configured to receive the leak light.
11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the
paper bundle insertion sensing unit includes a sensing light source
and a light receiving device configured to receive light emitted
from the sensing light source which are provided in opposite in the
recessed portion, and senses insertion of the paper bundle by
interrupting light emitted from the sensing light source and
received by the light receiving device.
12. An image forming apparatus comprising the paper type identifier
device according to claim 1, the device further comprising: a paper
bundle insertion sensing unit configured to sense insertion of the
paper bundle inserted into the recessed portion; a light
irradiating unit configured to irradiate light onto one face of the
paper bundle when insertion of the paper bundle is sensed by the
paper bundle insertion sensing unit; a leak light detecting unit
configured to detect light intensity leaking from among the
recording paper in a thickness direction of the paper bundle, of
light irradiated to one face of the paper bundle by the light
irradiating unit, and converting the detected light to an
electrical signal to obtain a leak light curve; an optical lens
that is provided on a light receiving face of the leak light
detecting unit and that focuses leak light in a direction
substantially perpendicular to thickness of the paper bundle; an
inter-peak distance detection unit configured to measure an
inter-peak distance between adjacent local maximum values or local
minimum values from a curve obtained by integrating the leak light
obtained by the optical lens; and a paper type identifying unit
configured to identify a paper type of the paper bundle from the
inter-peak distance obtained by the inter-peak distance detecting
unit.
13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the
optical lens is a cylindrical lens.
14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
type of the recording paper is fed back to the image generating
unit.
15. A paper type identifying method of an image forming apparatus
which comprises: an image generating unit configured to generate an
image to be printed onto recording paper; a paper type specifying
unit for a user to specify that a type of the recording paper is
directly identified or that a type of the recording paper is
automatically identified; a paper type identifier device configured
to automatically identify a type of the recording paper when
automatically identifying a type of the recording paper is
specified by the paper type specifying unit; and a printing unit
configured to print on the recording paper the image generated by
the image generating unit according to a type of the recording
paper identified by the paper type identifier device, the method
comprising: irradiating light to one face of the paper bundle,
receiving light leaking from an end face of the paper bundle, and
identifying a type of the recording paper when the paper bundle
made of a plurality of the recording paper is inserted into a
recessed portion provided on an external face of the image forming
apparatus.
16. A paper type identifying method of an image forming apparatus
which comprises: an image generating unit configured to generate an
image to be printed onto recording paper; a paper type specifying
unit for a user to specify that a type of the recording paper is
directly identified or that a type of the recording paper is
automatically identified; a paper type identifier device configured
to automatically identify a type of the recording paper when
automatically identifying a type of the recording paper is
specified by the paper type specifying unit; and a printing unit
configured to print on the recording paper the image generated by
the image generating unit according to a type of the recording
paper identified by the paper type identifier device, the method
comprising: irradiating light to one face of the paper bundle and
receiving light leaking from an end face of the paper bundle when
the paper bundle made of a plurality of the recording paper is
inserted into a recessed portion provided on an external face of
the image forming apparatus; obtaining a leak light curve in a
thickness direction of the paper bundle and detecting an inter-peak
distance from the curve; obtaining thickness of the recording paper
from the inter-peak distance; and identifying a type of the
recording paper from thickness of the recording paper.
17. A paper type identifying method of an image forming apparatus
which comprises: an image generating unit configured to generate an
image to be printed onto recording paper; a paper type specifying
unit for a user to specify that a type of the recording paper is
directly identified or that a type of the recording paper is
automatically identified; a paper type identifier device configured
to automatically identify a type of the recording paper when
automatically identifying a type of the recording paper is
specified by the paper type specifying unit; and a printing unit
configured to print on the recording paper the image generated by
the image generating unit according to a type of the recording
paper identified by the paper type identifier device, the method
comprising: irradiating light to one face of the paper bundle when
insertion of the paper bundle inserted into the recessed portion
provided on an external face of the image forming apparatus is
sensed; detecting light intensity leaking from among the recording
paper in the thickness direction of the paper bundle, of light
irradiated to one face of the paper bundle, and converting the
detected light to an electrical signal; obtaining an integral leak
light curve by integrating the converted electrical signal in a
direction substantially perpendicular to the thickness direction of
the paper bundle; detecting an inter-peak distance between adjacent
local maximum values or local minimum values from the obtained
integral leak light curve; and identifying a paper type of the
paper bundle from the detected inter-peak distance.
18. An image forming apparatus comprising: a latent image
generating unit configured to generate a latent image to be printed
on recording paper; a paper type specifying unit configured to for
a user to specify that a type of the recording paper is directly
identified or that a type of the recording paper is automatically
identified; and a paper type identifier device having a recessed
portion on an external face of the image forming apparatus, the
identifier device being operable to identify a type of the
recording paper from a paper bundle made of a plurality of paper,
inserted into the recessed portion by the user when automatically
identifying a type of the recording paper is specified by the paper
type specifying unit; and a printing unit configured to print on
the printing paper the latent image generated by the latent image
generating unit, based on a printing condition according to a type
of the recording paper identified by the paper type identifier
device.
19. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the
printing condition is a developing voltage configured to develop
the latent image.
20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the
printing condition is a transfer bias voltage configured to
transfer to the recording paper after the latent image is
developed.
21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the
printing condition is a fixing temperature at which the transferred
image is fixed to the printing paper after the latent image is
developed, and the developed image is transferred to the recording
paper.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present invention is based on the benefit of priority of
provisional application No. 60/982,109 filed on Oct. 23, 2007. The
content of this provisional application is incorporated herein by
reference in the present application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] (1) Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.
In particular, the present invention relates to an image forming
apparatus having a paper type identifier device.
[0004] (2) Description of the Related Art
[0005] Conventionally, types of media for printing color images
have increased in image forming apparatuses such as multi-function
type color copying apparatuses (MFP). Even if printing media are
limited to paper, a variety of paper having different thicknesses
are employed.
[0006] Types of such paper are, in general, discriminated by a
basis weight (unit: g/m.sup.2) indicative of a weight per
predetermined area, and for example, paper of groups of 64 to 105
g/m.sup.2, 106 to 163 g/m.sup.2, 164 to 209 g/m.sup.2, 210 to 256
g/m.sup.2, and 257 to 300 g/m.sup.2 each are referred to as plain
paper, thick paper 1, thick paper 2, thick paper 3, and thick paper
4. The basis weight of these pieces of paper depends on density and
thickness of paper, and is proportional to the thickness if the
density of paper is constant.
[0007] The basis weight is described in package of paper, and a
user selects one of the groups of the described basis weight,
thereby printing conditions according to the types of paper are
automatically set.
[0008] However, many users are not aware of the basis weight
described in the package of paper, and it becomes very difficult
for general users to know the basis weight after paper has been
taken out from the package.
[0009] Therefore, in recent years, an attempt has been made to
cause a media sensor or the like installed in an apparatus to make
selection of the paper described above, thereby eliminating user's
inconvenience.
[0010] The media sensor identifies paper types by sensing
characteristics of paper such as paper thickness or light
transmission rate. It is preferable to separate paper into one
piece in order to precisely sense the characteristics of paper.
However, it is cumbersome for a user to separate only one piece of
paper from a bundle of paper, and cause the media sensor to sense
the characteristics of the paper. Therefore, before printing from a
bundle of paper laminated in a cassette, the media sensor is
installed in the course of a so called paper path after separation
into one piece of paper. In this case, paper types cannot be
discriminated after one piece of paper has reached the media
sensor, in other words, until paper has been separated into one
piece immediately before printing.
[0011] In general, in apparatus for forming and printing images, it
is preferable to adjust image forming conditions according to the
characteristics of paper types, and it is preferable that paper
types be discriminated until image forming has been started. Hence,
in the apparatus for forming and printing the images, in general,
images are formed before one piece of paper is separated from a
bundle of paper. Therefore, even if paper types are discriminated
at this stage, it is difficult to replace one type of paper being
in a printing state with another type of paper. Even if such
replacement can be made, it is necessary to cancel running of paper
being in a printing state, and bring another piece of paper in a
printing state, lowering printing performance.
[0012] It has been thought to sense characteristics of paper in a
state in which bundles of paper are laminated in a cassette. For
example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2005-104723,
a CCD sensor is mounted at a position opposite to a side end face
of a bundle of sheets set at a sheet supply tray (cassette) of an
image forming apparatus, and the side end face of the bundle of
sheets is picked up as an image by this CCD sensor. In this
publication, there is disclosed a sheet supply apparatus for
detecting thickness or the like of sheets from the picked up
image.
[0013] However, because shading caused by paper (sheet) itself and
a paper gap is utilized in this method, the contrast of shading is
unlikely to occur, and it is difficult to precisely measure the
thickness or the like of paper.
[0014] The above publication describes that a light is irradiated
obliquely upward or obliquely downward of the side end face of the
bundle of sheets in order to increase a difference in contrast of
shading. However, if the side end position of the bundle of sheets
is precisely aligned, the difference in contrast is unlikely to
occur, and on the other hand, if the side end position of the
bundle of sheets is nor precisely aligned, variation occurs in the
length of a shade, and it is difficult to precisely sense the
thickness or the like of sheet. In addition, while, in the
publication, there is disclosed that perpendicular movement of the
bundle of sheets is utilized and that air is blown from the side
face of the bundle of sheets, it is still difficult to precisely
measure the thickness or the like of sheets.
[0015] Further, in the apparatus described in the publication,
another cassette is provided for each type of paper. Thus, for
example, in the case where four types of paper are used, four
stages of cassettes are required, four sets of types of paper
sensing means are required, and the cost becomes four times as high
as usual.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The present invention has been made in view of the
conventional problems described above. The present invention
provides an image forming apparatus and an image forming method of
an image forming apparatus, which are capable of precisely
discriminating types of paper without separating one piece of paper
from a bundle of paper, with no need for types of paper sensing
means on each cassette even if plural types of paper are present,
and without degrading printing performance.
[0017] According to one aspect of the image forming apparatus of
the present invention, there can be provided: an image generating
unit configured to generate an image to be printed onto recording
paper; a paper type specifying unit for a user to specify that a
type of the recording paper is directly identified or that a type
of the recording paper is automatically identified; a paper type
identifier device having a recessed portion on an outer face of the
image forming apparatus, the identifier device being operable to
identify a type of the recording paper from a paper bundle made of
a plurality of recording paper inserted into the recessed portion
by the user when automatically identifying a type of the recording
paper is specified by the paper type specifying unit; and a
printing unit configured to print on the recording paper the image
generated by the image generating unit according to a type of the
recording paper identified by the paper type identifier device.
[0018] According to one aspect of the present invention, light is
irradiated to one face of a bundle of paper made of a plurality of
recording paper (hereinafter, referred to as paper); and the leak
light is sensed from a side face of the bundle of paper, thereby
sensing the characteristics such as thickness of paper and
identifying types of paper.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a multi-function type
color copying apparatus according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a
paper type identifier device in one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting an electrical
configuration of the paper type identifier device shown in FIG.
2;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a block diagram depicting an entire configuration
of the copying apparatus according to one embodiment shown in FIG.
1;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a plan view of an operating panel 102 in the
embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a view showing a display screen of a touch panel
display 300 of the operating panel 102 shown in FIG. 5;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a view showing a flow chart for explaining an
operation of a paper type identifier device 106;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a view showing a display screen of a touch panel
display 300 when types of paper are reset;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a view showing a display screen of the touch panel
display 300 when a type of paper is sensed;
[0028] FIG. 10 shows a state in which a bundle of paper is inserted
in a recessed portion of the paper type identifier device 106;
[0029] FIG. 11 is a view showing arrangement of two-dimensional CCD
light receiving elements as one example of an image sensor of the
paper type identifier device;
[0030] FIG. 12 is a view showing an example of a leak light curve
I1 and an integral leak light curve I2;
[0031] FIG. 13 is a view showing a paper bundle thickness direction
(X-axis direction) and a direction perpendicular thereto (Y-axis
direction);
[0032] FIG. 14 is a block diagram depicting an electrical
configuration of the touch panel display 300;
[0033] FIG. 15 is a block diagram depicting an entire electrical
configuration of the embodiment; and
[0034] FIG. 16 is a view showing an example of optically
integrating leak light in a direction substantially perpendicular
to the paper bundle thickness direction.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0035] Hereinafter, embodiments of an image forming apparatus
according to the present invention will be described with reference
to the accompanying drawings. In the following, a description will
be given assuming that the image forming apparatus of the
embodiment is a multi-function type color copying apparatus.
[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one example of an
appearance of the multi-function type copying apparatus according
to the embodiment of the present embodiment.
[0037] At the upper part f apparatus main body 100, an Auto
Document Feeder (ADF) 101, which is compatible with a document
cover and which automatically feed sheets of a document on one by
one basis, is openably provided. At the frontal upper part of the
apparatus main body 100, an operating panel 102 is provided and
includes a variety of operating keys for indicating copy conditions
and start of copying and a variety of display devices or the
like.
[0038] At the lower part of the operating panel 102 on the front
face of the apparatus main body 100, a grip 104 is provided to
allow opening of the inside of the main body when paper jamming or
the like occurs. On the front face of the apparatus main body 100,
a paper type identifier device 106, which will be described later
in detail, is provided at the lower corner of the operating panel
102. Therefore, it is easy to use the paper type identifier device
106 while verifying the display of the operating panel 102.
[0039] Paper feed cassettes 102, 153, and 154 are removably
provided at the lower part of the apparatus main body 100. In each
of these paper feed cassettes 152, 153, and 154, paper of the same
size is housed in a lateral direction or in a perpendicular
direction. The paper is selected and fed when printing is carried
out.
[0040] At the right side part of the apparatus main body 100, an
automatic double-side unit 155 for carrying out a double-side copy
and a manual tray 156 that can be folded when it is not used, the
tray being adapted to manually feed paper, are removably provided.
At the opposite side of the apparatus main body 100, a paper
discharge tray 162 for receiving printed paper is provided.
[0041] At the rear face of the apparatus main body 100, terminals
such as a parallel port, a serial port, and SCSI are provided,
although not shown. The parallel port makes connection between the
apparatus and an external device such as a personal computer (PC)
when the apparatus is operated as a printer.
[0042] The serial port makes connection between the apparatus and
an external device such as a PC, in order to read out internal
management information of the apparatus and to set functions of the
apparatus.
[0043] The SCSI makes command or data communication between this
apparatus and an external controller that operates as a master.
[0044] Now, a structure and a control system of the paper type
identifier device 106 will be described with reference to FIG. 2
and FIG. 3. FIG. 2 is a unital view showing a basic structure of
the paper type identifier device 106 and a state in which a bundle
of paper 102 is inserted into the device.
[0045] The paper type identifier device 106, as shown in FIG. 1, is
provided at the corner of the apparatus main body 100, and is
structured to have a recessed portion 121 in the lateral direction,
as shown in FIG. 2. The paper type identifier device 106 includes:
alight source 122 installed upwardly of the recessed portion 121 so
as to irradiate light downwardly; and an image sensor 123 provided
at the bottom of the recessed portion 121 so as to be proximal to
an end of a bundle of paper 120 inserted into the recessed portion
121.
[0046] FIG. 3 shows an example of an electric circuit configuration
in the case where paper thickness is measured, and a type of paper
is sensed in the paper type identifier device 106.
[0047] This paper type identifier device 106 includes: a paper
bundle insertion sensing unit 101 for sensing that a bundle of
paper 120 has been inserted into the recessed portion 121; a paper
type identification control unit 133 for receiving an insertion
sensing signal of the bundle of paper 120, and instructing a light
irradiating unit 132 to irradiate light to the bundle of paper; a
leak light detecting unit 134 for detecting leak light from an end
of the bundle of paper, and converting the detected light intensity
into an electrical signal; an integrating unit 135 for integrating
this electrical signal in the direction along the end of paper; an
inter-peak distance detecting unit 136 for detecting a distance
between peaks of the integrated leak light signal; and a paper type
identifying unit 137 for sensing paper thickness from the detected
inter-peak distance and identifying types of paper. The paper type
identification control unit 133 controls the paper bundle insertion
sensing unit 131, the light irradiating unit 132, the leak light
detecting unit 134, the integrating unit 135, the inter-peak
distance detecting unit 136, and the paper type identifying unit
137.
[0048] Information on types of paper identified by the paper type
identifying unit 137 of this paper type identifier device 106 is
fed back to each unit in the image forming process, thereby more
proper printing can be carried out. In this case, as shown in FIG.
3, an image forming unit 138 is connected to the paper type
identifying unit 106. This image forming unit 138 includes: a
latent image generating unit 139 for scanning an image to be
copied, for example, thereby generating an optical latent image; a
developing unit 140 for developing, by apparatus such as a toner,
the latent image generated by the latent image generating unit 140;
a transfer unit 141 for transferring onto paper a visible image
developed by the developing unit 140; and a fixing unit 142 for
fixing the transferred image.
[0049] When types of paper are identified at the paper type
identifying unit 137, the paper type information is transmitted to
the image forming unit 138. Then, according to the types of paper,
printing conditions, for example, a transfer bias voltage of the
transfer unit 141, a voltage applied at the time of development at
the developing unit 140, and a fixing temperature at the fixing
unit 142 can be changed. In this way, by automatically changing the
printing conditions according to types of paper, a proper printing
image can always be obtained.
[0050] A bundle of paper 120 is made up of a plurality of recording
paper, light is irradiated from a light source in the paper bundle
thickness direction, and light leaking from the end face of the
bundle of paper to the outside between sheets of paper is
sensed.
[0051] At the paper bundle insertion sensing unit 131, sensing
light sources, for example, a light emitting diode 128 and a light
receiving device 129 (paper bundle insertion sensing sensor) are
provided on the upper and lower close to the bottom of the recessed
portion 121. This sensing unit senses that the light from the light
emitting diode 128 is interrupted by the inserted bundle of paper.
Alight source 122 is included in the light irradiating unit 132.
The image sensor 123 is included in the leak light detecting unit
134. An operation carried out when the bundle of paper 120 is
inserted into the recessed portion 121 of this paper type sensor
device 106 will be described later.
[0052] FIG. 4 is a block diagram depicting an exemplary
configuration of a control system in a multi-function type color
copying apparatus according to the embodiment.
[0053] The apparatus includes: a system CPU 200; a flash ROM 201
for storing programs or fixed data; a font ROM 202 for converting
text data into font data; and a nonvolatile RAM (NVRAM) 203 and a
DRAM 204 for working and data storing.
[0054] The system CPU 200 controls the entire apparatus. More
specifically, this CPU controls functions according to a command
signal from the operating panel 102 by users and signal input from
a communication line, and an input signal from a variety of
external interfaces.
[0055] A scanner interface (SIF) 205 receives image data from a
scanner unit 205S. An image processor circuit 206 carries out image
editing processes such as an image enhancement process according to
recording media, an expansion and reduction process, a pixel
decimating process, a process for whitening a specified area by
marker detection.
[0056] A printer interface (PIF) 207 feeds image data to a printer
unit 207P. A page memory 208 stores, on a page by page basis, image
data queued to be output, the image data having been processed by
the image processor circuit 206. This memory functions as a page
buffer for temporarily storing image data and performs CODEC for
carrying out compression and decompression.
[0057] A control signal is exchanged at a high speed by a system
bus 211 between the system CPU 200 and each of the devices
including the paper type identifier device 106. On the other hand,
devices associated with image signal processing are connected via
an image bus 212.
[0058] The image bus 212 is uniquely provided when the apparatus
operates as a copying machine and the image bus 212 performs the
following operations in parallel. In order to guarantee a real time
operation of the copying machine, the scanner interface 205
receives image data input from the scanner unit 205S; the image
processor circuit 206 carries out a variety of editing processes
such as an image enhancement process and an expansion and reduction
process; and the printer interface 207 carries out an operation of
carrying out printout to the printer unit 207P. Hereinafter, this
processing operation is referred to as basic copying.
[0059] Among the boards connected to the image bus 212, a
processing board that is unnecessary for desired operation is in a
passed state.
[0060] A mass capacity storage device, for example, a hard disk
driving circuit (HDD) 209 stores image data provided from an
external device and image data or the like associated with printing
a plurality of copies obtained at the scanner unit 205S.
[0061] A printer network controller (PRNC) 210 includes an
interface with the printer unit 207P, for controlling an image
forming function at the time of a copying operation or a printer
operation. At the same time, this controller is LAN-connected via a
built-in device such as a network interface card, and carries out
protocol control and data transfer/compression/decompression
control for receiving print data via a LAN from a device such as an
external personal computer, buffering data, and transferring data
to the printer unit 207P.
[0062] FIG. 5 is a view showing an exemplary configuration of an
operating panel 102. On the operating panel 102, a touch panel
display 300 is provided at the left side thereof; and a start key
301, a stop key 302, a reset key 303, a ten key 304 for setting
numbers, and a function mode selection key 305, which is capable of
selecting functional modes such as copy and facsimile modes are
provided at the right side thereof. A print mode is used when
printing is carried out while an external device such as a personal
computer is connected.
[0063] The ten key 304 is disposed in the same manner as ten key
arrangement such as a button type telephone set so that it can be
shared in copying, facsimile processing, and printing.
[0064] The touch panel display 300 displays a touch panel guidance
screen as shown in FIG. 6, for example. A total of five modes such
as a basic mode, an image adjust mode, an advanced mode, a store
mode, and a confirm mode are available. One of these modes can be
selected by touching the tab displayed.
[0065] In the basic mode, as shown in FIG. 6, a main body side face
icon 401 is displayed, the icon indicating a side face of the
apparatus main body at the left side, and a color/monochrome icon
402 is indicated at the right side such that one of the color,
black, and auto printing images is selected. At the further right
side of these icons, there are displayed: a copy magnification icon
403; a single-side/double-side icon 404; a sort icon 405; an image
type icon 406; a paper type icon 407 indicating types of recording
paper; and a contrast icon 408 that illustrates contrasts and that
is capable of selecting one of the illustrated contrasts under
these icons.
[0066] By touching the copy magnification icon 403, the
single-side/double-side icon 404, the sort icon 405, or the image
type icon 406, a selection display screen is displayed so that one
of optional functions in each icon can be selected. On the
selection display screen, a user selects one of the functions by
touching it with finger, thereby the selected option is displayed
in the icon by turning to the display screen shown in FIG. 6.
[0067] For example, the user touches the single-side/double-side
icon 403, thereby selecting whether a document to be printed is
single-sided or double-sided. For example, if it is selected that
the document printed on double sides is printed on a single side,
the single-side/double-side icon 404 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed
as "double-side.fwdarw.single-side".
[0068] In an initial state, printing is made presuming that
recording paper is plain paper, and the paper type icon 407 is
displayed as plain paper. Now, an operation of the paper type
identifier device 106 when a user inserts a bundle of paper 120
into a recessed portion 121 will be described according to FIG.
7.
[0069] In step S101, a touch panel guidance screen as shown in FIG.
6 is displayed as a first guide screen. In step S102, it is sensed
whether or not a paper type is changed according to whether or not
a user touches a paper type icon 407.
[0070] When the paper type icon 407 is touched, as shown in FIG. 8
in step S103, for example, a paper type sensing guidance screen on
which icons of paper types are arranged is displayed as a second
guide screen (step S103).
[0071] In this case, icons 421, 422, 423, 424, and 425 of plain
paper, thick paper 1, thick paper 2, thick paper 3, and thick paper
4 and an icon 426 displayed as paper type sensing are displayed. A
message "select a paper type" is displayed upwardly of each of
these icons, and a message "touch for automatic paper type sensing"
is displayed at the side of the paper type sensing icon 426.
[0072] In the case where a user knows a paper type by basis weight
or the like, the icons 421 to 425 are directly touched, and a paper
type can be selected. After that, a set icon 428 displayed at the
lower right of a display screen is touched, and the paper type can
be set.
[0073] In step S104, it is sensed whether or not the user touches
an icon other than the paper type sensing icon 426. After any of
these icons has been touched, in the case where the set icon 428 is
touched, the procedure proceeds to step S106 in which the paper
type is determined, and the procedure returns to the touch panel
guidance screen shown in FIG. 6.
[0074] On the other hand, in the case where the user does not know
a paper type, the paper type sensing icon 426 is touched. This is
sensed in step S107, and the screen of FIG. 9 is displayed. On the
screen shown in FIG. 9, a message "Insert a unpacked paper bundle
into a lower left paper bundle insertion opening" is displayed
together with the left-oriented arrow. As shown in FIG. 1, the type
paper identifier device 106 is situated at the lower left viewed
from the user, and the user can easily find the paper bundle
insertion opening (recessed portion 121) of the paper type
identifier device 106. The paper bundle to be inserted into the
recessed portion 121 is taken out from a package, and if the
entirety is distorted once, recording paper is spaced, and a space
is slightly provided. Thus, when the paper thickness is measured,
such a space is preferable.
[0075] When the user inserted a paper bundle 120 into the recessed
portion 121, as shown in FIG. 10, a paper bundle insertion sensing
unit 131 shown in FIG. 3 senses a tip end of the paper bundle 120
in step S108. A paper type identification control unit 133 feeds a
light irradiation start signal to a light irradiating unit 132, and
in step S109, a light source 122 downwardly irradiates light whose
cross unit is circular to a top face of the paper bundle 120. It is
desirable that a distance between the light source 122 and the
paper bundle 120 is a distance to an extent such that they come
into slight contact with each other. This is because leak light is
strong when the light irradiated from the light source enters the
paper bundle 120 to the local maximum level; paper thickness or the
like can easily measured using an electrical signal by the strong
leak light; and it is possible to prevent that the light irradiated
from the light source directly enters an image sensor and adversely
affects the leak light. In order to cause the light source to be
proximal to the paper bundle when the leak light is sensed, in
general, the light source is spaced, a switch is installed near an
inlet of the recessed portion, or alternatively, the light emitting
diode 128 and the light receiving device are provided, thereby
insertion of the paper bundle is sensed and the light source is
brought into slight contact with the surface of paper of the paper
bundle by a mechanism in which a motor is used as a drive source.
Then, when detection of the leak light terminates, the light source
may be spaced from the paper bundle again. By doing so, paper
characteristics can be precisely sensed by the leak light, and
moreover, a paper type identifier device with its good operability
can be obtained.
[0076] However, when a light interrupt plate is provided so that
irradiation light to the paper bundle does not enter the image
sensor, it is possible for the light source and the paper bundle to
be spaced from each other to some extent.
[0077] The paper bundles 120 are stacked in sequentially order of a
top (first) paper 124a, a second sheet of paper 124b, and a third
sheet of paper 124c. A space 125a is provided between the first
sheet of paper 124a and the second sheet of paper 124b; a gap 125b
is provided between the second sheet of paper 124b and the third
sheet of paper 124c; and a gap 125c is provided between the third
sheet of paper 124c and a fourth sheet of paper 124d.
[0078] Because paper is an aggregate of fiber, although part of the
irradiation light is reflected on the surface of paper, the other
light transmits the paper. In other words, although part of the
irradiation light 126 of the light source 122 is scattered and
reflected from the first sheet of paper 124a, the remaining light
disperses and propagates the paper 124a, part of which transmits
the paper and reaches the gap 125a. Although part of the light
having reached this gap 125a is reflected by the second sheet of
paper 124b, and propagates the inside of the gap 125a in the
lateral direction, the remaining light disperses and propagates the
inside of the second sheet of paper 124b, part of which reaches the
gap 125b. Although part of the light having reached the gap 125b is
reflected by the third sheet of paper 124c, and propagates the
inside of the gap 125b in the lateral direction, the remaining
light disperses and propagates the inside of the third sheet of
paper 124c, part of which reaches the gap 125c. In the following,
similarly, the irradiation light 126 sequentially passes from the
first sheet of paper 124a of the paper bundle 120 through each
sheet of paper while the light attenuates, and part of the light
leaks from a gap between these sheets of paper. The leak light 127
is received by the image sensor 123 of the leak light detecting
unit 124 (step S110).
[0079] As the image sensor 123, as shown in FIG. 11, for example,
there can be employed a two-dimensional sensor in which CCD light
receiving elements 129 are arranged in a two-dimensional manner in
the X-axis direction and in the Y-axis direction. In FIG. 1,
although the CCD light receiving elements 129 are shown in an
enlarged manner, in actuality, a plenty of light receiving elements
are arranged at a high density, and thus, a two-dimensional sensor
is produced. The light having leaked from an end of a paper bundle
to the outside, i.e., the leak light is converted from an optical
signal to an electrical signal at a leak light sensing unit.
[0080] FIG. 12 shows an example of measuring the light received by
the image sensor 123. In the figure, the horizontal axis (X axis)
indicates the X direction shown in FIG. 13, i.e., the position in
the direction from the first to second sheets of paper, and the
perpendicular axis indicates light intensity at that position.
[0081] An electrical signal corresponding to the light intensity at
a given position in the X-axis direction appears as a light curve
I1 indicated by the dotted line. This optical signal is integrated
in the lateral direction, in other words, in a direction
substantially perpendicular to the light irradiation direction on
an end face (the direction indicated by Y in FIG. 13) in an
integrating unit 135 of FIG. 3. Then, an electrical signal having
light intensity appears as an integral leak light curve I2
indicated by the solid line in FIG. 12. A difference between a
local maximum value and a local minimum value in light intensity of
this integral leak light curve I2 becomes greater than that between
a local maximum value and a local minimum value in light intensity
of the leak light curve I1 (step S111). The "substantially
perpendicular direction" used here denotes that the direction may
not always be perpendicular if the leak light in the Y direction is
obtained.
[0082] A gap between a position of a given local maximum value and
a position of the adjacent local maximum value in the leak light
curve I1 and the integral leak light curve I2, or alternatively, a
gap between the position of a given local minimum value and a
position of the adjacent local minimum value is referred to as an
inter-peak distance.
[0083] In step S112, an inter-peak distance detecting unit 136
measures an inter-peak distance of a maximum value, for example, of
light intensity. In FIG. 12, an inter-peak distance P2 corresponds
to thickness of the second sheet of paper.
[0084] Advantageously, by integrating an electrical signal of the
leak light obtained from the side face of a paper bundle in a
direction substantially perpendicular to the light irradiating
direction; a distance between the peak values increases; an
inter-paper distance can be easily measured, and paper thickness
can be easily and precisely measured. However, in the present
invention, the leak light does not always need to be integrated in
the lateral direction.
[0085] In step S113, a paper type identifying unit 137 shown in
FIG. 3 identifies a paper type from the inter-peak direction
measured at the inter-peak distance detecting unit 136.
[0086] As described above, a paper type is automatically sensed by
the paper type identifier device 106, and the automatically sensed
paper type is displayed on the paper type icon 407 of the touch
panel guidance screen shown in FIG. 6.
[0087] A main body side face icon 401 displays the entire status of
an apparatus main body, for example, and, is employed to indicate a
paper cassette at which paper is set or a fault location.
[0088] In addition, at the upper left part of this touch panel
display 300, for example, there are displayed a currently set
expansion and reduction magnifications, the number of copies, and
size of paper.
[0089] For example, in the case where five copies are made, a
function mode selection key 305 is changed to "copy", and a
one-side/double-side icon 404 is touched, thereby selecting a
desired process such as a double-side copy, and a key of "5" of a
ten key 304 is pressed.
[0090] Then, the selected number is displayed in an upper right
area on the touch panel display 300. After the user has confirmed
this displayed number, a document is set, and a start key 301 is
pressed, thereby a copy operation is started, and five copies are
made.
[0091] FIG. 14 is a block diagram depicting an electrical
configuration of the touch panel display 300 described above.
[0092] The touch panel display 300 is configured while a touch
panel 520 is superimposed on a liquid crystal display 521. On the
touch panel 520, a transparent resistor is uniformly coated on a
transparent substrate, and transparent electrodes are arranged in
parallel to each other in a predetermined distance in the X and Y
directions.
[0093] Under the control of a touch panel control unit 522,
voltages are sequentially applied in a predetermined direction on
each of the transparent electrodes in the X and Y directions of the
touch panel 520. An operation of indicating a position relative to
the touch panel 520 is carried out with the use of a dedicated
electrically conductive pen or a user's finger.
[0094] The touch panel control unit 522 monitors a resistance value
between electrodes in each of the X and Y directions, and detects a
position at which a resistance value has been locally reduced, by
the electrically conductive pen or finger indication, through
computation from the resistance value between the electrodes.
[0095] In addition, to the liquid crystal display 521, a display
control unit 522 for driving the display is connected, and a video
RAM (VRAM) 524 for storing display data in units of display pixels
is connected to the display control unit 522.
[0096] In the touch panel display 300 made of the above
configuration, the position data obtained by a touch panel control
unit 523 is read by a system CPU 200 (refer to FIG. 4) in a main
control unit, and a processing operation corresponding to the
position data is executed by the system CPU 200. For example, in
the case where a manual input is made, this touch panel display 300
can be used for a variety of usage such that data existing on the
video RAM 524 corresponding to the position indicated on the touch
panel 520 is inverted from an inactive state to an active state or
operating parameters are input by a selection from among the
keyboard display or a variety of set buttons displayed on the
liquid crystal display 521.
[0097] FIG. 15 is a block diagram depicting a functional
configuration of a control unit in a multi-function type color
copying apparatus according to the present embodiment. This control
unit includes a control unit or the like, for various constituent
elements such as the system CPU 200 operable to execute programs or
fixed data stored in a flash memory 201 and a touch panel control
unit 523. This control unit can be functionally shown in FIG.
15.
[0098] A scanner control unit 530 includes a scanner control ASIC,
scanner control firmware operable to make scanner drive control or
ADF control at the time of image input, and a preprocessing image
processing unit operable to carry out shading correction or the
like. This control unit is mounted on the scanner unit 205S shown
in FIG. 4.
[0099] A printer control unit 531 includes a printer control ASIC,
an output side image processing ASIC, printer operation control
firmware operable to carry out printer control at the time of
printing or paper transportation control or the like, and printer
side image processing firmware mounted on a printer unit 52.
[0100] In addition, the printer control unit 531 includes an
interface with a printer driver of a personal computer or the like,
and carries out command communication of a control command or a
status and print data communication control. In addition, this
printer control unit carries out execution control of both of
printout of the image data input from the scanner unit 205S and
image data output transmitted from a printer driver.
[0101] The scanner control unit 530 and the printer control unit
531 each includes a control CPU, and achieves control at a high
speed. These control units carry out command-status communication
with the system CPU 200 shown in FIG. 4, controls synchronizing
operations of displaying, scanning, and printing, and achieves a
copy operation and a printout operation of the entire
apparatus.
[0102] An input/output operation control unit 532 includes an image
processing unit and an interface between the scanner control unit
530 and the printer control unit 531. This control unit carries out
drive timing control of the scanner unit 205S and a printer unit
207P by triggering an operation start command or the like received
from a whole operation control unit 533. At the same time, this
control unit calculates image processing parameters, provides
setting for the image processing circuit 206, and control a copy
function.
[0103] Timing control denotes, for example, specifying an ADF drive
timing, a scanner drive timing, a process for qualifying an image
expanded in memory, a printing start timing, or a next document
input start timing. In addition, a secure/release command relevant
to a printer resource received from the display control unit 534 or
the like is also notified to the printer control unit 531.
[0104] The display control unit 534 is made up of display control
software for controlling the operating panel 102 of this apparatus
described above with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. Here,
operational information on the operating panel 102 is transmitted
to the whole operation control unit 533 and a variety of state
changes having occurred with apparatus are received as information
by a machine state management unit 535, and the received changes
are included in a display. In addition, information relevant to a
result and a progress of processing such as a copy result, the
number of copies in copy, or size information is received by the
whole operation control unit 533, and the received information is
included in a display. This including method denotes illumination
of LED on the operating panel 102 or message display on the liquid
crystal display 521.
[0105] The whole operation control unit 533 further always monitors
an operation state of entire apparatus and carries out exclusive
control of resources shared by a plurality of functions such as the
scanner unit 205S and the printer unit 207P, priority operation of
copy or print data printing, and a screen unit change operation or
the like. For example, in the case where a copy screen is in
operation or in the case where copying is preferentially
executable, printing of print data is disabled for a predetermined
period of time. In turn, if printing of print data starts, the
screen is changed to "printing", and execution of copying is
restricted. In addition, time control of timer monitoring or the
like is carried out, and, according to a state, a menu change
control or the like is properly carried out for the display control
unit 534.
[0106] The machine state management unit 535 monitors a state of a
machine notified from the scanner control unit 530 and the printer
control unit 531. Specifically, this management unit monitors
information such as paper jamming, jamming release, and front cover
opening or closing, and notifies the fact to the whole operation
control unit 533 or the display control unit 534, thereby including
an error state in a display or including the error state in
judgment of whether or not to execute a copy operation.
[0107] In addition, a machine recovery operation at the end of a
job is managed at the time of error recovery by an instruction from
the whole operation control unit 533. The recovery operation in
this case denotes a preparation operation for making next copy such
as initialization of an indicator position of the scanner unit 205S
or a warming up operation of a heat roller unit.
[0108] A data transfer control unit 536 has a function of
transferring data between external devices. This data transfer
control unit 536 includes a printer network controller (PRNC) 210
shown in FIG. 4. This control unit also include a scanner or a
printer connected via a LAN, or alternatively, software for
controlling control signal and image data communication with a
digital copying machine. The printer network control 210 is made up
of a network interface card (NIC) and a buffer memory or the
like.
[0109] In this multi-function type copy copying apparatus, on the
operating panel 102 shown in FIG. 5, a user selects a function by
pressing any key of the function mode selection keys 305. The paper
type icon 407 is provided as described above.
[0110] A user press a copy key and inputs the number of copies by
the ten key 304 when the user desires to make a copy, for example.
At this time, the user looks settings displayed on the first guide
screen displayed on the touch panel display 300. If the user
desires to change these settings, the corresponding icon is touched
with a finger and the setting is changed. In the settings in which
three or more selections exist, the selections are displayed on the
second guide screen that appears next. For example, when the copy
magnification icon 403 is touched, a current magnification, an up
key, and a down key are displayed on the second guide screen. The
up key is touched, allowing the magnification to be increased. The
down key is touched, allowing the magnification to be reduced.
After the selecting has terminated, a "return" icon (not shown) is
touched, and the first guide screen is restored. If the settings
are acceptable on the first guide screen displayed on the touch
panel display 300, the star key 301 shown in FIG. 5 is pressed.
[0111] The information specified on the operating panel 102
including the touch panel display 300 is sent to the whole
operation control unit 533 via the display control unit 534 shown
in FIG. 15, and the entire control is carried out.
[0112] In the case of copying, the information specified or
automatically identified by the paper type icon 407 described above
and the information on the number of copies are sent from the
display control unit 534 to the input/output operation control unit
via the whole operation control unit 533. Further, the above items
of information are sent to the printer control unit 531, and the
operation is controlled so that proper printing is carried out
according to the paper type.
[0113] When the function mode selection key 305 has selected each
of the LAN, PRN, and FAX modes, the function mode selection signal
is transmitted from the display control unit 534 to the whole
operation control unit 533, and is transmitted to the machine state
management unit 535. This multi-function type color copying
apparatus is in a state suitable for the selected mode.
[0114] According to the embodiment, there can be provided a
multi-function type color copying apparatus in which, even if a
user does not know a paper type of recording paper at the time of
printing, and no paper type is input, the paper type can be
identified automatically and easily precisely, and the entire
printing time is never extended.
[0115] In the multi-function type color copying apparatus of the
embodiment, the paper type identifier device 106 is provided at the
lower left of the operating panel 102. When a paper type is
automatically identified, a sentence for guiding insertion of a
paper bundle is displayed on the touch panel display 300 included
in the operating panel 102. Therefore, a user can easily inserts a
bundle of paper into an insertion opening of the paper type
identifier device 106, and automatically identify the paper
type.
[0116] However, in the case where the user can find the paper type
identifier device immediately in the present invention, it is not
always necessary to display on the touch panel display a message
prompting insertion of a bundle of paper into the paper type
identifier device. The present invention can also be applied to an
image forming apparatus with no operating panel having a touch
panel display.
[0117] The paper type identifier device of the embodiment is
constructed so that light is irradiated downwardly to a bundle of
paper. However, the present invention does not always need to
irradiate light downwardly to the bundle of paper. For example,
light is irradiated upwardly from the bundle of paper, thereby the
leak light may be detected at an end part of the bundle of paper.
When the paper bundle is inserted longitudinally without being
flatly inserted into the insertion opening, light is irradiated to
the paper bundle from the lateral direction, it is possible to
detect the leak like at the end part thereof. In short, in the
present invention, light is irradiated substantially vertically
onto a plane of the paper bundle made of a plurality of paper
sheets, so that the light leaking from the end part of the paper
bundle between recording paper may be detected in the thickness
direction of the paper bundle. The end part of the paper bundle in
this case does not denote a portion of a short edge of recording
paper, and the leak light from a portion of the long edge may be
detected.
[0118] In the embodiment described above, the image sensor is made
up of two-dimensional CCD light receiving elements. However, the
present invention does not always need such two-dimensional light
receiving elements. A one-dimensional optical sensor provided near
the end face of the paper bundle can be employed in the thickness
direction of the paper bundle made of a plurality of paper
sheets.
[0119] While, in the embodiment, a signal of which the leak light
of irradiation light from the paper bundle is electrically
integrated in the Y direction of FIG. 13 is obtained at the
integrating unit 135 of FIG. 3, and the inter-peak distance is
obtained from this signal. However, the leak light signal can also
be optically integrated. FIG. 16 is a top view showing an apparatus
of this embodiment. In the embodiment, a cylindrical lens 160 is
arranged in front of the image sensor 123. Although the leak light
of light 161 irradiated to the paper bundle 120 goes out from this
end part, this leak light enters the cylindrical lens 160, and the
leak light in the Y direction is collected by the image sensor 123.
Therefore, according to the embodiment, there is attained an
advantageous effect that the leak light can be collected in a
comparatively wide range in the Y direction, and a leak light
signal with a large difference between the maximum and minimum peak
values can be obtained. A lens having a refractive index
distribution can also be employed instead of the cylindrical lens.
In short, an optical lens maybe provided for focusing the leak
light in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the
thickness direction of the paper bundle.
[0120] The foregoing embodiment has described a case in which paper
thickness is sensed by the leak light from the end part of the
paper bundle, and a paper type is identified. However, the
distribution of the leak light shown in FIG. 12 has characteristics
depending on paper density or the like as well as paper thickness.
Therefore, for example, it is also possible to sense the paper
density or the like from the distribution of the leak light,
calculate a value equivalent to a basis weight, and identify the
paper type.
[0121] When the following configuration is provided in the present
invention, a paper type identifier device with further good
operability can be provided. In order to associate paper
identifying a type of paper with a cassette for housing the paper,
a cassette for housing the paper bundle is drawn out before making
an operation of identifying a type of paper as described above.
After the drawn out cassette has been sensed, when the paper bundle
is identified, a copying apparatus according to one example of the
present invention can store the identified paper bundle to be
associated with the cassette.
[0122] In addition, a paper type identifier device is installed in
the vicinity of the cassette, and at a detection opening thereof, a
guide tapered from the opening side toward the back is provided.
With such a structure, there is an advantageous effect that a
bundle of paper can be easily inserted.
[0123] In the embodiment described above, there is attained an
advantageous effect that, even with a copying apparatus having a
plurality of cassettes, paper types mounted on all of the cassettes
can be identified merely by providing one paper type identifier
device.
[0124] While the foregoing embodiment has described a case in which
the present invention is applied to a multi-function type color
copying apparatus, the present invention can also apply another
image forming apparatus including an image generating unit for
generating an image to be printed onto recording paper and
specifying a paper type to be printed, such as a general copying
machine, a printer, or a facsimile.
[0125] Obviously, many, modifications and variations of this
invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is
therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended
claims, this invention may be practiced otherwise than as
specification.
* * * * *