JPH02196674A - recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve conveying efficiency of a recording medium and to accelerate a recording speed by altering the conveying path of the recording medium corresponding to the recording when the recording medium is recorded on both front and rear faces or on only one face. CONSTITUTION:Whether initial data is printing data by whether there is FF code or not is determined to observe whether there is printing data on the front face or not. If there is not printing data on the front face, the start of sheet feeding is instructed to a printer 9. In this case, a branch unit 21 is so set as to convey a recording sheet to a transfer unit 22. Then, whether there is printing data on the rear face or not is determined according to whether there is only FF code or not. If it is determined that there is printing data on the rear face, a switch-back mechanism 27 is stopped, and the recording sheet conveying path is switched to an inverting mechanism 25 by a branch unit 24. Thereafter, printing data on the rear face is input, pattern-developed in a frame memory 4, and a recording sheet is conveyed from the inverting mechanism 25 to the transfer unit 22. Thus, the recording sheet is conveyed to the transfer unit 22 through the branch unit 21, thereby transfer recording the rear face.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a recording device, and more particularly to a recording device capable of recording on both the front and back sides of a recording medium on a sheet, or on either one of them.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, in a recording device capable of printing on the front and back sides of recording paper, during double-sided printing, recording is performed on the front side of the recording paper and then on the back side (however, there are output devices that print on the back side first). Printing was performed in the following order:

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the conventional example described above, the transport path of the recording paper is uniquely fixed, assuming that printing is always performed on the front and back sides of the recording paper. Therefore, even if printing is performed only on one side, such as when printing only on the front side of the recording paper and not printing on the back side, the printed paper will not pass through the path for duplex printing. The problem was that the printing speed could not be increased because it passed through the printer.

Also, in the case of recording paper with printing only on the front side of the recording paper, recording paper with recording only on the back side of the recording paper, and recording paper with printing on both sides, the direction of the final output recording paper is It may be different. That is, some recording papers may be stacked on a stacker or the like with their front sides facing up, while other recording papers may be stacked with their back faces facing up. For this reason, there is a problem that if the recording sheets are taken out of the stacker as they are and put into a bundle, the pages will not be aligned.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional example, and when recording on a recording medium is performed on both the front and back sides or on either side, the conveyance path of the recording medium is changed in accordance with the recording. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a recording apparatus that can efficiently transport a recording medium and increase recording speed.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the recording device of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, a recording device capable of printing on a sheet-like recording medium,
A determining means for determining whether the recorded data is printed on the front side, the back side, or both sides of the recording medium based on input recorded data; and a discharging unit for reversing the recorded recording medium and ejecting it from the apparatus. means for reversing a recorded recording medium and printing on the reverse side of the recorded side of the recording medium; and the determining means determining that recording is performed only on the front or back side of the recording medium. and driving the ejecting means in accordance with the recording surface of the recording medium to be recorded so that the front and back directions of the recorded recording medium on which only one side is recorded and the recording medium on which both sides are recorded match. ,
and control means for controlling the recording medium to be ejected from the apparatus.

[Operation] In the above configuration, based on the input recording data, it is determined whether the recording data is to be printed on the front side, the back side, or both sides of the recording medium. When it is determined that recording is to be performed only on the front or back side of the recording medium, the recorded recording medium is reversed and ejected from the apparatus in accordance with the recording surface of the recording medium to be recorded. In this way, the recording medium is ejected from the apparatus so that the front and back directions of the recorded recording medium on which both sides are recorded and the recording medium on which only the front side or the back side is recorded are aligned.

[Embodiments] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Description of Document Output Device (FIG. 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the document output device of this embodiment.

In the figure, 1 is a control unit of the document output device, 2 is a CPU such as a microprocessor that controls the entire device, and this CPU 2 has a ROM that stores CPU control programs and various data, and a work area for the CPU. It includes a RAM that temporarily stores various data. Reference numeral 3 denotes a font memory, which is composed of a ROM and the like in which pattern data such as characters and symbols are stored. 4 is a frame memory, and 4-1 and 4-2 each store one page worth of document information as dot pattern data.While developing a pattern in one frame memory, the printer section 9 is loaded from the other frame memory. A frame memory for two pages is provided so that the print data output can be used.

5 converts the dot pattern information from the frame memory 4 into a laser on/off signal to a printer section 9 configured with a laser beam printer, for example, and exchanges information with the printer section 9; This is a printer interface unit that performs data conversion. CPU2
can change the conveyance path of the recording paper by giving an instruction to each branching section (21, 24, 26), which will be described later, of the printer section 9 via the interface section 9.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a panel unit that issues various instructions to the document output device, such as recording paper feed, forced paper ejection, online instructions, etc., and 7 an interface circuit that connects with various host computers, such as an R3-2320 interface circuit. have. 8 is a host computer that is a source of print data, and 9 is a printer unit.

<Description of Printer Section (FIG. 2)> FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the main parts of the conveyance section of the printer section 9 of the embodiment, and the arrow indicates the conveyance direction of the recording paper.

In the figure, 20 is a paper feeding mechanism, 21 is a conveyance path through which the recording paper is conveyed from the sheet feeding mechanism 20 to the transfer section 22, and a conveyance path through which the recording paper is conveyed from the reversing mechanism section 25 at the bottom of the printer section 9. This is the confluence section where they merge. Reference numeral 22 denotes a transfer section that transfers a toner image onto recording paper using a known electrophotographic technique. A fixing section 23 fixes the transferred toner image on the recording paper to the recording paper. Reference numeral 24 denotes a branching section where a conveyance path for conveying the recording paper in the ejection direction and a conveyance path to the reversing mechanism section 25 diverge.

25 is the front side of the recording paper from the branching part 24 on which one side is recorded.
This is a reversing mechanism section for outputting the back side of the recording paper by reversing the back side and sending the recording paper to the merging section 21. Reference numeral 26 denotes a branching section, which branches the recording paper conveyance path so that the recording paper is conveyed to the switchback section 27 or to the discharge direction. Reference numeral 27 denotes a switchback section, which is provided with a switchback mechanism for inverting the recording paper from the branching section 26 by switchback, and for aligning the front and back pages of the recording paper in the stacker section 28. Reference numeral 28 denotes a stacker section in which printed recording sheets are stacked with their front and back sides aligned.

Print processing in the document output device having the above configuration will be described below.

Print data and control instructions from the host computer 8 are taken into the CPU 2 via the interface circuit 7. The CPU 2 reads a font pattern corresponding to the print data (character code) from the font memory 3, and develops it as pattern data on the memory of the frame memory 4 corresponding to the output position of the print data. In this way, the CPU 2 sequentially processes the print data and develops the pattern. When the pattern development for one page is completed, the CPU 2 instructs the printer section 9 to start printing via the printer interface section 5, and also updates the frame memory 4. Instructs to convert dot data into a video signal. As a result, the printer interface section 5 not only instructs the printer section 9 to feed paper, but also sequentially converts each dot data in the frame memory into a serial signal for turning on/off the laser.
Output to.

The printer section 9 starts feeding recording paper from the paper feeding mechanism 20 in response to a paper feeding instruction from the CPtJ2 input via the printer interface section 5. Then, a toner image is formed on the recording paper by the transfer section 22 in accordance with the laser on/off serial signal input next, and the toner image is formed by the fixing section 22.
Step 3 fixes the image onto the recording paper. The recording paper on which the image has been fixed is accumulated in the stacker section 28 via the branching sections 24 and 26 and the switchback mechanism 27 when outputting only on one side.

On the other hand, when double-sided printing is instructed for the recording paper on which the image has been fixed, the recording paper printed on one side is sent to the conveyance path 29 by the branching section 24 and sent to the reversing mechanism section 25. . Thereafter, the CPU 2 of the control unit 1 develops a data processing pattern for one page corresponding to the back page and instructs to start printing the back side. As a result, the front and back sides of the recording paper are reversed within this reversing mechanism section 25, and the branching section 21
is conveyed to the transfer section 22. Thereafter, the pattern data in the frame memory corresponding to the back page is sequentially converted into laser on/off serial signals and transferred to the printer section 9. In this way, the transfer section 22 forms a toner image on the back side of the recording paper, and the fixing section 23 fixes it onto the recording paper. The recording paper on which both sides have been printed and the image fixed is stacked on the stacker section 28 via the branch sections 24 and 26 (without passing through the switch pack mechanism 27). In this way, printed recording sheets are sequentially stacked on the stacker 28 with the front side facing down and the back side facing up.

Explanation Regarding Discrimination of Printed Surface (FIG. 3)> Here, a method for determining whether front side, back side, or both sides are printed in this embodiment will be explained. FIGS. 3(A) to 3(D) are diagrams showing printing examples.

In the figure, FIG. 3(A) shows a case where only the back side is printed, and nothing is printed on the front side, and here rABCJ is printed only on the back side.

At this time, the control code sent from the host computer 8 is shown, and FF is a form feed command, indicating a page feed command. First, a control code for printing on the front side is sent, followed by a control code for printing on the back side. Here, since there is no print data for the front side, only the FF code is sent, and then the print data (ABC) + FF code for the back side is sent.

In contrast, FIG. 3(B) shows the case where rABCJ is printed only on the surface. At this time, print data on the front side (AB
C) Following the +FF code, FF as the print data on the back side
Only the code has been sent.

Figure 3 (C) shows rABcJ on the front side and rDEFJ on the back side.
Indicates the case where the print data on the front side is (
ABC) + FF code, the print data on the back side is (DEF)
)+FF code.

FIG. 3(D) shows a case where there is no print data on either the front side or the back side, and here the recording paper is simply conveyed from the paper feed mechanism 20 to the stacker 28. This is indicated by two consecutive FF codes.

As is clear from the above explanation, in this embodiment, FF is used as a method for distinguishing between printing on the front side, the back side, or both sides.
Form feed code is used.

When the CPU 2 receives the data shown in FIG. 3(A) during double-sided output, it first determines that there is no data to be output on the front side. Next, print data corresponding to the back side is input, the pattern development process is performed, and the data is output to the printer section 9. As a result, the pattern is transferred and fixed in the printer section 9. Note that at this time, the recording paper is conveyed to the stacker section 28 and stacked by the branching sections 24 and 26 without passing through the reversing mechanism section 25 and the switchback mechanism section 27.

Next, when printing on both sides, data as shown in Figure 3 (B) is input, and if it is determined that there is no data to be printed on the back side, the CPU 2 processes the data corresponding to the front side and develops the pattern. Output to printer section 9. Thereby, the printer section 9 transfers and fixes the pattern. The recorded recording paper is reversed by the branch section 24 via the switchback mechanism section 27, and is conveyed to the stacker section 28 with the back side facing up and stacked thereon. However, in order to determine that there is no data to be printed on the back side, the next data (back side data) is determined in advance after the processing of the data corresponding to the front side and the pattern development process are completed, and the next data (back side data) is determined in advance.・
This is the case when there is only a feed code.

Next, during double-sided output, when printing on both sides is instructed as shown in FIG. Then, the paper is conveyed again to the transfer unit 22 with the back side facing up, and printing is performed on the back side.

In this way, the recording paper printed on both sides is transferred to the branch section 24.26.
The stacker 2 is transferred to the stacker 2 without being reversed again.
8 and loaded. As a result, Figure 3 (A)
As in case (B), the surface of the printed recording paper is facing down.
They are loaded onto the stacker 28 with the back side facing up.

During double-sided output, if it is determined that there is no data to be printed on both the front and back sides, as shown in Figure 3 (CD), the recording paper is transferred to the paper feed section 20.
The transfer unit 22, which feeds the paper from the
It passes through the fixing section 23 and branching sections 24 and 26. and,
The sheets are transported and stacked on the stacker section 28 without passing through the reversing mechanism section 25 or the switchback mechanism 27.

<Explanation of CPU operation (Figures 1 to 4)> Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the CPtJ2 described above.
The control program that executes this control process is R of the CPU2.
Stored in OM. This process is started by inputting print data and control codes from the host computer 8.

First, in step S1, it is determined whether the first data is print data or an FF code, and it is checked whether there is print data on the front side. If there is no print data on the front side, the process advances to step S2, and the printer unit 9 is instructed to start paper feeding operation. At this time, the branch section 21 is set to convey the recording paper to the transfer section 22. Next, the process advances to step S3, and it is determined whether there is print data on the back side based on whether there is only an FF code. If there is no print data on the back side, that is, if nothing is printed on the front and back sides, the process advances to step S4, where only the recording paper conveyance instruction is performed and the operation of the switchback mechanism section 27 is turned off. Next, the process proceeds to step S5, where the branching section 24 prohibits conveyance of the recording paper to the reversing mechanism section 25, and the branching section 26 prohibits the conveyance of the recording paper to the switchback mechanism section 25.
7 is prohibited, and the recording paper is directly transported to the stacker section 28 and stacked thereon.

If it is determined in step S3 that there is print data on the back side, the process proceeds to step SIO, and the operation of the switchback mechanism 27 is stopped. Next, the process proceeds to step Sit, where the branching section 24 switches the conveyance path of the recording paper to the reversing mechanism 25 side. After that, in step S12, the print data for the back side is input and the pattern is developed in the frame memory 4.
In step S13, the recording paper is conveyed from the reversing mechanism 25 to the transfer section 22.

As a result, the recording paper is conveyed to the transfer section 22 via the branching section 21, and transfer recording to the back side of the recording paper is executed in step S14. After printing is executed on the back side of the recording paper in this way, the process proceeds to step S15, where the branching unit 24 is instructed to convey the recording paper to the branching unit 26, and the branching unit 26 is instructed to transport the recording paper to the stacker unit 2.
Instruct the transport to 8. As a result, the printed recording paper is directly conveyed to the stacker section 28 without passing through the switchback mechanism 27, and is stacked on the stacker 28 with the back side facing up.

Next, a case in which printing is performed on the surface of recording paper will be described. At this time, in step SL, it is determined that there is data to be printed on the front side of the recording paper, and the process proceeds to step S6, in which the print data to be printed on the front side is pattern-developed in the frame memory 4. Next, in step S7, an instruction to start paper feeding is issued, and in step s8, the recording data on the front side is converted into a video signal and output. As a result, printing is performed on the surface of the recording paper conveyed from the paper feed mechanism 20 to the transfer section 22.

When printing on the front side of the recording paper is completed, the process advances to step S9 to check whether there is data to be printed on the back side of the recording paper. If it is determined that there is data to be printed on the back side, the process proceeds to step SIO, and printing on the back side of the recording paper is executed by the operations in steps SIO to 15 described above.

On the other hand, if there is no print data on the back side, step S16
Then, the operation of the switchback mechanism 27 is turned on.

Then, the process proceeds to step S17, where the branch section 24 is connected to the branch section 26.
to convey the recording paper, and instruct the branching section 26 to convey the recording paper to the switchback mechanism section 27. As a result, the printed recording paper is conveyed to the branching unit 26 via the branching unit 24, and the recording paper with only the front side printed is turned over in the switchback mechanism unit 27, and then placed in the stacker unit 28 with the back side facing up. It will be loaded.

In this embodiment, the printer section has been described as a laser beam printer, but similar effects can be obtained with an impact printer such as a wire dot printer.

In addition, in this embodiment, the presence or absence of data to be printed is determined based on the form feed code (FF), but the present invention is not limited to this. A similar effect can be obtained by checking whether there is data for one page. Alternatively, the determination may be made based on the CCC format control code (on a line printer).

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a case has been described in which control is performed using two frame memories for the front and back sides, but the same effect can be obtained even with one frame memory.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, after developing the pattern data printed on the front side, printing is performed on the back side, but depending on the operation of the printer unit, the pattern may be expanded on the back side and then printed on the front side. It is clear that it is also good.

As explained above, according to this embodiment, during double-sided printing,
High-speed printing is possible by changing the transport path of the recording paper depending on whether there is data for printing on the front or back side, and by providing a switchback mechanism, it is possible to print on both sides or only on one side. In either case, it is possible to obtain the effect that the printed recording sheets are stacked so that their front and back surfaces are on the same side.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, when recording on a recording medium is performed on both the front and back sides or on either side, the conveyance path of the recording medium is adjusted in accordance with the recording. This change has the effect of increasing the printing speed by increasing the efficiency of conveyance of the recording medium, and outputting the recorded recording medium with the front and back sides on the same side.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a document processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
... Control unit, 2... CPU, 3... Font memory, 4... Frame memory, 5... Printer interface section, 6... Operation panel section, 7... Interface section, 8... host computer, 9...
・Printer section, 20...Paper feeding mechanism, 21.24.26
... branching section, 22... transfer section, 23... fixing device,
25... Reversing mechanism section, 27... Switchback mechanism section, 28... Stacker section. Patent Applicant: Canon Co., Ltd. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the control processing of the CPU in this embodiment. (C) Figure 3

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim] A recording device capable of printing on a sheet-like recording medium, wherein the recording data is printed on the front side, back side, or both sides of the recording medium based on input recording data. a discriminating means for discriminating, a discharging means for reversing the recorded recording medium and ejecting it out of the apparatus, a reversing printing means for reversing the recorded recording medium and printing on the reverse side of the recorded side of the recording medium; When the determining means determines that recording is to be performed only on the front or back side of the recording medium, the ejecting means is driven in accordance with the recording surface of the recording medium to be recorded, so that only one side is recorded. 1. A recording apparatus comprising: a control means for controlling the recording medium to be ejected from the apparatus so that the front and back directions of the recorded recording medium match the front and back directions of the recording medium having both sides recorded.