JP2004287121A - Method and device for identifying option device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an option device identification method and device capable of quickly identifying an option device by simple constitution in the case of attaching the option device to a device body, instantaneously deals with an error generated in the option device and easily deals with the variation of the option device. <P>SOLUTION: A pulse signal for identification is sent from a main control means of the body device to a sub-control means of a succeeding option device, the sub-control means of the succeeding option device sends a pulse signal obtained by adding prescribed identification information to the received pulse signal to its succeeding option device. The sub-control device of each option device receiving the pulse signal for identification detects the pulse signal for identification or the like and stores the identification information in a storage means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for identifying an optional device used in an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copying machine to which an electrophotographic method or an electrostatic recording method is applied. The present invention relates to a method and a device for identifying an optional device for identifying the optional device when the device is mounted.
[0002]
[Patent Document 1] JP-A-11-100147
[0003]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copying machine to which the above-described electrophotographic method or electrostatic recording method is applied, paper is fed from a paper feeder equipped with a paper feed cassette to a transfer position of a photosensitive drum. The image forming apparatus is configured to convey the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum and transfer and fix the toner image on a sheet to form an image.
[0004]
By the way, in the image forming apparatus, when an image is frequently formed on sheets of different sizes, a sheet feeding device as an optional device is newly added to the image forming device main body, and a plurality of sheet feeding devices are selectively provided. An image is formed by feeding paper of a desired size. At this time, the image forming apparatus identifies the sheet feeder attached to the image forming apparatus main body and the additionally provided sheet feeder, and determines the size of the sheet from the sheet feeder at any stage. It is possible to always form an image on a sheet of a desired size by grasping whether the sheet is fed.
[0005]
For this reason, in the image forming apparatus, as shown in FIG. 8, the MCU 100 of the apparatus main body and the SCUs 101, 102, and 103 of optional devices such as a paper feeding device are sequentially connected by an endless loop communication line 104, The MCU 100 of the device body sends commands 105 to 108 in which identification numbers are sequentially assigned to the SCUs 101, 102, and 103 of each optional device. Is stored in storage means (not shown). In the image forming apparatus, this operation is performed until the commands 105 to 108 return to the MCU 100 of the apparatus main body, that is, until there are no more optional devices as recipients, and an operation of assigning identification numbers to all optional devices is performed. It is configured as follows. The operation of assigning the identification number is performed every time the power of the image forming apparatus is turned on. As a technique related to data communication between the main unit and the optional device, there is a technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-100147, for example.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional technique has the following problems. That is, in the case of the above-described conventional image forming apparatus, as shown in FIG. 8, when the identification number is assigned to the optional device mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, a command with the identification number added from the MCU 100 on the apparatus main body side. The steps 105 to 108 are performed by sequentially transmitting the commands 108 which have not been received by the optional devices until the commands 108 return. Therefore, in the case of the above-described image forming apparatus, the process of assigning an identification number to the optional device takes time, and the system can be promptly reset when an error such as a paper jam occurs in the optional device such as a paper feeding device. For example, when there is a request for restoration, there is a problem that the restoration process takes a long time and the situation may be further deteriorated.
[0007]
Further, in the case of the above-described conventional image forming apparatus, it is necessary to sequentially connect the MCU 100 of the apparatus main body and the SCUs 101, 102 and 103 of optional apparatuses such as a paper feeder to the endless loop type communication line 104. Also, there is a problem that operations such as changing the order of the optional devices become complicated.
[0008]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the related art. It is an object of the present invention to easily identify an optional device when the optional device is mounted on the device body. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for identifying an optional device, which can be performed in a short time and can respond instantaneously when an error occurs in the optional device, and can easily cope with modification of the optional device. .
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention described in claim 1 includes an optional device attached to a main device, and comprises a main control unit of the main device and a sub-control unit provided in the optional device. Connecting in series, in the method of identifying an optional device for identifying the optional device, a step of transmitting a pulse signal for identification from the main control means of the main body device to the sub-control means of the next optional device; The sub-control means of the next-stage optional device that has received the identification pulse signal, further sends a pulse signal obtained by adding predetermined identification information to the received pulse signal to the next-stage optional device, Upon receiving the identification pulse signal, the sub-control device of each optional device detects the identification pulse signal and identification information added to the pulse signal, and detects the option. It is a method of identifying options device characterized by comprising the step of storing identification information for identifying the device with other optional devices.
[0010]
Further, in the invention described in claim 2, the identification pulse signal sent from the main control means of the main body device is a signal having an arbitrary number of pulses, and the pulse signal to which predetermined identification information is added is 2. The method for identifying an optional device according to claim 1, comprising a pulse signal in which at least one pulse number is changed.
[0011]
Further, the invention described in claim 3 is characterized in that the timing of transmitting the pulse signal for identification from the main control means of the main unit is at the time of turning on the power of the main unit. It is a method for identifying the optional device described.
[0012]
The invention described in claim 4 is characterized in that the main body device is an image forming device, and the optional device comprises a sheet feeding device having at least one additional stage. The method for identifying an optional device according to any one of the above.
[0013]
Further, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an identification device for an optional device for identifying the optional device, wherein the main control means is provided in the main device. A sub-control unit provided in the optional device, a storage unit provided in the optional device, a serial bus that connects the main control unit of the main unit and the sub-control unit of the optional device in series with each other, The main control unit of the main unit sends a pulse signal for identification to the sub-control unit of the next optional device, and the sub-control unit of the next optional device receives the pulse signal for identification. A pulse signal obtained by adding predetermined identification information to the received pulse signal is further transmitted to the next optional device, and The control device detects a pulse signal for identification or a pulse signal in which identification information is added to the pulse signal, and stores identification information for identifying the optional device from other optional devices in the storage unit. It is a device for identifying optional devices.
[0014]
Further, according to the invention described in claim 6, the identification pulse signal sent from the main control means of the main body device is a signal having an arbitrary number of pulses, and the pulse signal to which predetermined identification information is added is 6. The identification device for an optional device according to claim 5, wherein the identification device comprises a signal in which at least one pulse number is changed.
[0015]
Further, the invention described in claim 7 is characterized in that the timing of transmitting the pulse signal for identification from the main control means of the main device is at the time of turning on the power of the main device. It is an identification device of the optional device described.
[0016]
Still further, according to the invention described in claim 8, the main body device is an image forming device, and the optional device comprises a sheet feeding device having at least one additional stage. 7. An identification device for an optional device according to any one of 7.
[0017]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, the optional device includes an adding unit for adding auxiliary identification information for identifying the optional device. It is an identification device of the optional device described.
[0018]
Further, in the invention described in claim 10, the pulse signal sent from the main control means of the main unit is set so as to be always kept LOW and ended, and whether the pulse signal is LOW or HIGH is determined. The identification device for an optional device according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the determination identifies that the optional device has been changed.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
Embodiment 1
FIG. 2 shows a laser printer as an image forming apparatus to which the method and the apparatus for identifying an optional apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention are applied.
[0021]
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a laser printer as a main body device. Inside the printer 1, an image processing unit 2 for performing predetermined image processing on image information input from the outside, An image output unit 3 that outputs an image based on image information on which predetermined image processing has been performed by the processing unit 2 is provided. The image processing unit 2 in the printer 1 reads image information sent from a host computer such as a personal computer (not shown), a communication line such as a telephone line or a LAN, or an image reading device (not shown). Image information and the like are input.
[0022]
An ROS 4 (Raster Output Scanner) that performs image exposure based on image information on which predetermined image processing has been performed by the image processing unit 2 is arranged in the image output unit 3 in the printer 1. Image exposure with laser light LB is performed according to the image information.
[0023]
In the ROS 4, as shown in FIG. 2, laser light LB is emitted from a semiconductor laser (not shown) in accordance with the gradation data of the image information. Laser light LB emitted from the semiconductor laser is deflected and scanned by a rotating polygon mirror (not shown), and is scanned on a photosensitive drum 5 as an electrostatic latent image carrier via a reflecting mirror (not shown).
[0024]
As the photosensitive drum 5 on which the laser beam LB is scanned and exposed by the ROS 4, for example, a photosensitive body using an organic photoconductive substance (OPC) is used. Is driven to rotate at a predetermined speed in the direction of the arrow. The surface of the photosensitive drum 5 is previously charged to a predetermined potential by a charging roll 6 serving as a charging unit, and is then scanned and exposed to laser light LB in accordance with image information to form an electrostatic latent image. . The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 5 is developed by a developing roll 8 as a developer carrier of a developing device 7 to become a toner image.
[0025]
The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 5 is transferred onto a transfer sheet 10 as a transfer medium by a transfer roll 9 arranged so as to be in contact with the photosensitive drum 5, and the toner image is transferred. The transferred transfer paper 10 is separated from the photosensitive drum 5. As shown in FIG. 2, the transfer paper 10 is separated one by one from a paper feed cassette 12 of a paper feeder 11 disposed at a lower portion of the printer main body 1 by a nager roll 13, a feed roll 14, and a retard roll 15. And fed. The transfer paper 10 fed from the paper cassette 12 is transported to the transfer position of the photosensitive drum 5 by the registration roll 17 via the transport roll 16 and the paper transport path 16a.
[0026]
By the way, in the illustrated embodiment, a paper feeder 11 is built in two stages in advance in the lower part of the printer 1. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the paper feeder 11 can be added one by one such as three or four in accordance with the needs of the user. Paper 10 and transfer paper 10 of the same size can be fed from a paper feed cassette 12 of a plurality of paper feeders 11.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 2, the printer main body 1 is provided with a manual feed tray (not shown) in place of the uppermost sheet feeding device, so that transfer from the manual feed tray such as OHP sheets and postcards having different materials and sizes is performed. Media can be fed.
[0028]
The transfer paper 10 on which the toner image has been transferred from the photosensitive drum 5 is separated from the surface of the photosensitive drum 5 and then conveyed to the fixing device 21 as described above. After the toner image is fixed on the transfer paper 10 by heat and pressure by the heating roll 22 and the pressure roll 23 of the fixing device 21, the transfer paper 10 separated from the surface is switched via the switching levers 24a and 24b. The sheet is discharged onto the discharge tray 26 provided on the upper portion of the printer main body 1 by the discharge roll 25, and the image forming process is completed.
[0029]
Further, when printing images on both sides of the transfer paper 10, as shown in FIG. 2, the transfer paper 10 on which the image is printed on one side is not discharged onto the discharge tray 26 as it is, The transfer direction of the transfer paper 10 is switched by the switching levers 24a and 24b provided at the outlet of the transfer paper 10 and guided to the double-sided unit 29 including the plurality of transfer rolls 28 by the reversing discharge roll 25. In the reversed state, the photosensitive drum 5 is transported to the transfer position again.
[0030]
After the transfer of the toner image is completed, the surface of the photosensitive drum 5 is cleaned with a cleaning device having a cleaner blade 30, as shown in FIG. It is prepared for the forming process.
[0031]
Further, in the above laser printer, the photosensitive drum 5 and the image forming member around the photosensitive drum 5 are integrally formed as an image forming unit 31, and when the toner in the developing device 7 runs out or the photosensitive drum 5 When it reaches, the entire image forming unit 31 is replaced with a new one.
[0032]
Optional devices other than the paper feeding device used in the laser printer 1 include a duplex unit 29 that is attached to the side of the device body 1 to form a reversing path for paper to enable double-sided printing. A post-processing device 52 that functions as a discharge unit (not shown) that varies the discharge capacity stacked on the paper discharge unit on the top surface of the first unit or a sorter that is mounted above the discharge unit and discharges the paper with appropriate offset. And the like.
[0033]
The post-processing device 52 that functions as the sorter is provided with the transfer sheet on which an image is formed on one or both surfaces and subjected to the fixing process by the fixing device 21 by the switching lever 24 and the discharge roll 53 inside the post-processing device 52. The sheet is introduced into the supplied paper transport path 54, and is discharged onto an offset catch tray 57 by a transport roll 55 and a discharge roll 56 provided in the paper transport path 54.
[0034]
FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing a paper feed cassette of a paper feed device as an optional device used in the laser printer, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a paper feed device used in the laser printer.
[0035]
As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet feeding device 11 as an optional device is arranged in a state where a plurality of stages (two stages in the illustrated example) are stacked below the laser printer 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the paper feeder main body 32, side panels 33 and 34 provided on both sides of the paper feeder main body 32, and a paper feeder which is detachably attached to the paper feeder main body 32. The paper cassette 12 includes a paper cassette 12 and a paper feed unit 35 for feeding the transfer paper 10 from the paper cassette 12. The sheet feeding device main body 32, the side panels 33 and 34, and the sheet feeding unit 35 are integrally assembled with each other by screws.
[0036]
As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the paper feed cassette 12 is formed in a flat rectangular box shape having an open upper surface, and the paper feed cassette 12 is supplied to the front side thereof. A front panel 37 is provided which has a handle 36 for pulling out from the paper device main body 32 and also serves as a front panel of the paper feeding device 11. Inside the paper feed cassette 12, a paper support member (bottom plate) 39 for mounting a large number of transfer papers 10 stored therein is provided so as to be tiltable. As shown in FIG. 3, the paper support member 39 is tiltably attached to rotating shafts 40 protruding from both side surfaces on the rear side in the paper feeding cassette 12. In addition, a push-up lever 41 for pushing up the paper support member 39 is disposed below the leading end side of the paper support member 39 inside the paper feed cassette 12, and the push-up lever 41 is arranged as shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the load shaft 42 is fixed to a rectangular section of the load shaft 42 by means of screws or the like.
[0037]
By the way, in the present embodiment, an optional device to be attached to the main device is provided, and in the identification device of the optional device for identifying the optional device, a main control means provided in the main device; And a serial bus that connects the main control unit of the main unit and the sub control unit of the optional device in series with each other, The main control means sends a pulse signal for identification to the sub-control means of the next optional device, and the sub-control means of the next optional device receives the pulse signal for identification when it receives the pulse signal for identification. A pulse signal obtained by adding predetermined identification information to the pulse signal is further transmitted to the next optional device, and a sub-control of the optional device is performed. The apparatus is configured to detect a pulse signal for identification or a pulse signal in which identification information is loaded on the pulse signal and store identification information for identifying the optional apparatus from other optional apparatuses in a storage unit. Have been.
[0038]
Further, in this embodiment, the identification pulse signal sent from the main control means of the main unit is a signal having an arbitrary number of pulses, and the pulse signal to which predetermined identification information is added includes at least one pulse signal. It is configured to be composed of a pulse signal in which the number of pulses is changed.
[0039]
Further, in this embodiment, the timing at which the main control unit of the main unit transmits the identification pulse signal is configured to be when the main unit is turned on.
[0040]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an identification device for an optional device according to this embodiment. The identification device of this optional device has an MCU (main control unit) 60 as a master control device of the laser printer 1 as a master, and an SCU (sub control unit) 61 as a sub control device of the sheet feeding device 11 as each optional device. , 62, and 63 as slaves, and these MCUs 60 and SCUs 61, 62, and 63 are connected by a single internal bus 64, so that ordinary commands are exchanged.
[0041]
Further, the MCU 60 of the laser printer 1 and the SCUs 61, 62, 63 of the paper feeding device 11 are connected in series with each other by a conducting wire 65 as a serial bus, and from the MCU 60, as shown in FIG. Is transmitted to the SCU 61 of the sheet feeding device 11 as a subsequent optional device. Further, the SCU 61 that has received the pulse signal sequentially transmits the pulse signals 67 and 68 having the number of pulses obtained by adding 1 to the number of received pulses to the SCUs 62 and 63 of the sheet feeding device 11 as a further optional device. Is configured. Each of the SCUs 61, 62, 63, and 64 detects the falling edge of the pulse signal, counts the number of pulses, and stores the counted number in NVMs (non-volatile memories) 71, 72, and 73. By repeating this, the number of pulses stored in each of the NVMs 71, 72, 73 becomes a different value (for example, 1, 2, 3) respectively. The MCU 60 sends a command with the assigned identification number (for example, 1, 2, 3) attached to the header, so that the SCUs 61, 62, 63 are stored in their own NVMs 71, 72, 73. It is configured to receive a command addressed to itself by referring to the identification number.
[0042]
Further, the pulse signals 66 to 68 are set so as to be always kept LOW and ended. This is for discriminating between a normal power-off and a reset due to some error (noise or temporary disconnection) and to determine whether or not to perform the optional device certification work again at the time of recovery. In other words, when the power is turned on, the signal is held at a high level. Therefore, when the signal is at a high level, the MCU 60 recognizes that addition or removal of the optional device may have been performed, and Signals 66 to 68 are sent to perform an identification number assigning operation for the sheet feeding device 11 as an optional device. If the signal is LOW, the identification number is still assigned, and Are not added or replaced, the values stored in the NVMs 71, 72, and 73 are used as they are.
[0043]
In the above configuration, the optional device identification apparatus according to the present embodiment can identify the optional device in a short time with a simple configuration when the optional device is mounted on the main unit as follows. This makes it possible to respond instantaneously, for example, when an error occurs in the optional device, and to easily respond to modification of the optional device.
[0044]
That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the printer 1 to which the identification device of the optional device according to this embodiment is applied has a paper feeder 11 disposed in two stages inside the printer 1 and the printer 1. A paper feeder 11 as an optional device is further added to the lower portion of the printer 1 in a state of being stacked in two stages. As a result, the printer 1 is provided with four paper feeders 11 so that transfer papers 10 of different sizes and types or transfer papers 10 of the same size can be fed from different paper feeders 11. . In addition, the paper feeder 11 can be added later, as well as changing the order of the added paper feeder 11 up and down or changing the size of paper to be fed. An operation is performed.
[0045]
In particular, in the image forming apparatus such as the printer 1 and the like, diversification of the paper feeders 11 is strongly demanded, and usually includes a plurality of paper feeders 11. In addition, since it is common for a user to specify a paper feeder 11 and issue a print instruction, the MCU 60 of the main unit must know exactly which paper feeder 11 is installed where. It is a mandatory condition.
[0046]
By the way, in the printer 1 to which the identification device of the optional device according to the present embodiment is applied, when the power of the printer 1 is turned on, the MCU 60 of the printer 1 connects via the signal line 65 as shown in FIG. Then, a pulse signal 66 for identification is transmitted to the paper feeder 11 at the next stage.
[0047]
Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the printer 1 has a two-stage paper feeder 11, and two additional stages of the paper feeder 11 as an optional device are added. 11 is provided. At this time, it is a matter of course that only the lower two-stage paper feeding device 11 added as an optional device may be identified, but in this embodiment, the two-stage paper feeding device mounted on the printer 1 is used. 11 are configured to identify all four paper feeders 11 connected in series.
[0048]
As the identification pulse signal 66 transmitted from the MCU 60 of the printer 1 to the paper feeder 11 at the next stage via the signal line 66, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, a pulse that changes once from HIGH to LOW is used. A signal is used.
[0049]
Next, upon receiving the identification pulse signal 66 from the MCU 60, the SCU 61 of the next-stage paper feeder 11 outputs a pulse signal 67 obtained by adding one pulse signal to the pulse signal 66 via the signal line 65, Further, it is sent to the SCU 62 of the paper feeding device 11 at the next stage. Further, the SCU 61 of the paper feeding device 11 counts the number of the received pulse signals 67 and determines the number of the pulses (for example, 1) or a predetermined identification number corresponding to the number of the pulses (in the present embodiment, , For example, 4) is stored (stored) in the NVM 71.
[0050]
Further, similarly, when the SCU 61 of the sheet feeder 11 at the next stage receives the identification pulse signal 67 from the MCU 60, the SCU 61 transmits a pulse signal 68 obtained by adding one pulse signal to the pulse signal 67 via the signal line 65. Then, it is sent to the SCU 63 of the paper feeder 11 at the next stage. Further, the SCU 62 of the sheet feeding device 11 performs an operation of counting the number of received pulse signals and holding (storing) in the NVM 72 the number of the pulses or a predetermined identification number corresponding to the number of the pulses. .
[0051]
The same operation is repeated up to the last four paper feeders 11.
[0052]
As described above, in the above-described embodiment, the MCU 60 of the printer 1 only sends the pulse signal 66 for identifying the optional device once, so that the sheet feeding as the optional device is smaller than the conventional method. The time required for assigning an identification number to the device 11 is greatly reduced. Further, since the sheet feeding device 11 as each optional device includes the NVMs 71 to 73 holding the identification numbers, an unexpected system reset due to noise or a reset of the SCUs 61, 62, 63 due to a temporary disconnection occurs. In this case, it is not necessary to perform the work of assigning the identification number again, and the time required for restoring the system is reduced.
[0053]
Further, the sheet feeding device 11 as an optional device is connected in series to the printer 1 as a main device, and the pulse signals 66 and 6768 for giving an identification number may be one-way, as in a conventional method. Therefore, it is not necessary to return to the MCU 60 of the main unit, so that it is possible to easily cope with addition and removal or replacement of the sheet feeding device 11 as an optional device.
[0054]
More specifically, even when the paper feeding device 11 is newly added or the already installed paper feeding device 11 is turned upside down, when the power of the printer 1 is turned on again, the above-described identification number is used. Are assigned and identification numbers are assigned in order from the upper sheet feeding device 11. Therefore, the MCU 60 of the printer 1 uses the identification numbers assigned to the SCUs 61, 62, and 63 of each sheet feeding device 11 to identify each feeding device. The paper device 11 can be identified, and desired paper can be fed from the desired paper feed device 11.
[0055]
The signal 66 transmitted by the SCUs 61, 62, and 63 of the sheet feeding device 11 as an optional device to the next-stage sheet feeding device 11 only needs to change at least one pulse signal. This also includes a mode of reduction.
[0056]
Note that the pulse signal may be configured such that the width of the pulse signal is changed instead of the number of pulse signals and the change in the pulse width is detected.
[0057]
Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the work of assigning the identification number is performed when the power of the printer 1 is turned on, addition or removal or replacement of the optional device can be efficiently detected. That is, the power of the main unit 1 is always turned off when adding / removing or replacing the optional device. Therefore, when turning on the power of the main unit 1 again, the work of assigning the identification number of the sheet feeding device 11 as an optional device is performed. Is performed.
[0058]
Therefore, if the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus, the number of stages of the sheet feeding device 11 can be efficiently grasped. Further, in such an image forming apparatus, there is a strong demand for the addition of the sheet feeding device 11, but according to the present invention, it is possible to easily respond. Note that the optional device is not limited to the sheet feeding device 11, but includes general optional devices connected to the image forming apparatus such as a sheet discharging device or a post-processing device.
[0059]
In particular, the paper feeder 11 generally has a configuration in which the paper feeders 11 are stacked and installed in a plurality of stages below the image forming apparatus. There is a mode that can be loaded and installed on a vehicle. If the present invention is applied to such an embodiment, a user-friendly image forming apparatus that can easily cope with any change in the stacking order can be provided.
[0060]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the case where the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus as a main unit, and the main unit includes an optional device such as a printer, a scanner, or an external storage device such as a personal computer. It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to those that do.
[0061]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when an optional device is mounted on the device main body, the optional device can be identified in a short time with a simple configuration, and when an error occurs in the optional device, etc. It is possible to provide an optional device identification method and device that can be instantaneously handled and can easily be adapted to modification of the optional device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an identification device of an optional device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a printer as an image forming apparatus to which the optional device identification device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a sheet cassette of the optional device.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a sheet feeding device as an optional device.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a sheet feeding device as an optional device.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a main part of a sheet feeding device as an optional device.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of the identification device of the optional device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing a conventional optional device identification device.
[Explanation of symbols]
60: MCU (main control means), 61 to 63: SCU (sub control means), 65: communication line, 71 to 73: storage device.

Claims (10)

An optional device identification method for identifying an optional device, comprising an optional device attached to the main device, and connecting a main control unit of the main device and a sub-control unit provided in the optional device in series. At
Sending a pulse signal for identification from the main control means of the main unit to the sub-control means of the next optional device;
The sub-control means of the next-stage optional device that has received the identification pulse signal, a step of sending a pulse signal obtained by adding predetermined identification information to the received pulse signal to the next-stage optional device,
The sub-control device of each optional device that has received the identification pulse signal detects the identification pulse signal and identification information added to the pulse signal, and identifies the optional device from other optional devices. Storing the identification information of the optional device. The identification pulse signal sent from the main control means of the main body device is a signal having an arbitrary number of pulses, and the pulse signal to which predetermined identification information is added is a pulse signal having at least one pulse number changed. 2. The method for identifying an optional device according to claim 1, comprising: 3. The method for identifying an optional device according to claim 1, wherein the timing of transmitting the identification pulse signal from the main control unit of the main unit is at the time of turning on the power of the main unit. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the main body device is an image forming device, and the optional device includes a sheet feeding device added at least one level. An optional device identification device for providing an optional device to be attached to the main device, and for identifying the optional device,
Main control means provided in the main unit,
Sub-control means provided in the optional device;
Storage means provided in the optional device;
A serial bus connecting the main control unit of the main unit and the sub control unit of the optional device in series with each other,
The main control unit of the main unit sends a pulse signal for identification to the sub-control unit of the next optional device, and the sub-control unit of the next optional device receives the pulse signal for identification. A pulse signal obtained by adding predetermined identification information to the received pulse signal is further transmitted to the next optional device, and the sub-control device of the optional device transmits the identification pulse signal or the identification information to the pulse signal. Detecting the pulse signal to which the optional device is added and storing identification information for identifying the optional device from other optional devices in a storage unit. The identification pulse signal sent from the main control means of the main body device is a signal having an arbitrary number of pulses, and the pulse signal to which predetermined identification information is added is a pulse signal having at least one pulse number changed. The identification device for an optional device according to claim 5, comprising: 7. The identification device for an optional device according to claim 5, wherein the timing of transmitting the identification pulse signal from the main control unit of the main device is when the power of the main device is turned on. The apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the main body device is an image forming apparatus, and the optional device includes a sheet feeding device having at least one additional stage. The apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the option apparatus includes an adding unit that adds auxiliary identification information for identifying the option apparatus. The pulse signal sent from the main control means of the main unit is set so as to be always kept at LOW, and the option device is changed by determining whether the pulse signal is LOW or HIGH. 10. The identification device for an optional device according to claim 5, wherein the identification device identifies the optional device.

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