Printer sheet detection method and printer

Abstract

The present application relates to a kind of printer paper detection method, paperless actual threshold B is preset in printer;When printer carries out paper detection work, the paper detection value C detected by photoelectric detector is obtained, C is carried out difference calculation with B, and then the detection difference D=B-C is obtained, if D≤Δ, it is judged that there is no paper in printer, if D>Δ, it is judged that there is paper in printer, wherein Δ is the difference threshold value of preset.This printer paper detection method improves the accuracy of paper detection.The present application also relates to a kind of printer, including shell, paper box, photoelectric detector, controller, memory being arranged in shell, photoelectric detector is arranged towards paper box, photoelectric detector, memory is respectively connected with the electric signal of controller, the program for realizing the printer paper detection method as described above is stored in memory, and the program in memory can be called and executed by controller.The detection accuracy of the printer to paperless is high, and the use experience is better.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of printer technology, specifically to a printer paper detection method, and further to a printer using the printer paper detection method. Background Technology

[0002] Printers typically include a paper detection device to ensure proper paper feeding and printing. Existing technologies usually employ an infrared emitter and reflector for paper detection. For example, the Chinese utility model patent CN207622705U (application number 201721666465.6), entitled "A Sensor for Paper Detection," discloses a paper detection sensor that primarily uses infrared light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for paper detection. However, in practice, a fixed threshold is usually set, and the detected value is compared to this threshold to determine the presence of paper. A detection value higher than the threshold indicates no paper, while a value lower indicates paper. However, due to variations in printer structure and inconsistencies in infrared detection elements, voltage consistency cannot be guaranteed. This necessitates setting the fixed threshold very low, which can lead to the printer misjudging a paperless state, such as when printing only one side of gray paper, requiring the use of new paper, thus hindering resource utilization. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The first technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a printer paper detection method that can meet the detection requirements of various colored papers and improve the accuracy of paper detection, in contrast to the above-mentioned prior art.

[0004] The second technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a printer that applies the aforementioned printer paper detection method in contrast to the prior art.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the first technical problem mentioned above is: a paper detection method for a printer, characterized in that: an actual threshold B for whether there is paper is pre-stored in the printer;

[0006] When the printer performs paper detection, it obtains the paper detection value C detected by the photoelectric detector, calculates the difference between C and B, and obtains the detection difference D = B - C. If D ≤ Δ, it is determined that there is no paper in the printer; if D > Δ, it is determined that there is paper in the printer. Here, Δ is a preset difference threshold.

[0007] Preferably, when the printer is turned on for the first time, without any paper inserted, a photoelectric sensor is used to detect and obtain the paper detection value B in the case of no paper, and B is used as the initial actual threshold B for no paper.

[0008] As an improvement, a minimum theoretical threshold A for paperless operation is preset in the printer;

[0009] When the printer is turned on for the first time, without any paper in the printer, the photoelectric sensor detects the paper level (B) in the absence of paper. If B > A, then B is used as the initial actual threshold for no paper (B); if B ≤ A, a message is sent indicating whether the photoelectric sensor is malfunctioning.

[0010] To prevent the equipment from being affected by its own degradation, dust accumulation and other environmental factors after long-term operation, a minimum theoretical threshold A for no paper is preset in the printer.

[0011] Each time the printer is turned on, it acquires the paper detection value X detected by the photodetector and compares the paper detection value X with the minimum theoretical threshold A for no paper. If X < A, then B remains unchanged; otherwise, B = X.

[0012] Preferably, the difference threshold Δ is a threshold obtained based on big data processing.

[0013] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the second technical problem mentioned above is as follows: a printer, including a casing, a paper tray, a photodetector, a controller, and a memory disposed within the casing, wherein the photodetector is disposed facing the paper tray, and the photodetector and the memory are respectively electrically connected to the controller, characterized in that: the memory stores a program that implements the aforementioned printer paper detection method, and the controller is capable of retrieving and executing the program in the memory.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are as follows: When judging erroneous paper based on the paper detection value C, the paper detection method of the present invention does not simply compare it with a fixed threshold. Instead, it uses the detection difference between the paper detection value and the actual paperless threshold B to judge whether there is paper. Both of these data are detection values ​​obtained based on the printer's usage environment. That is, each printer has its corresponding actual paperless threshold B. By judging the difference, all the differences in the printer's components and the photoelectric detector itself can be filtered out, enabling it to cover the detection of high grayscale paper. Various kinds of colored paper can be detected, and it can also effectively detect paper when it is printed on both sides, thus improving the accuracy of paper detection.

[0015] Printers that utilize this paper detection method have high accuracy in detecting the presence or absence of paper inside the printer, resulting in a better user experience. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the printer paper detection method in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2This is a method for determining the initial paperless actual threshold B in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a method for updating the actual threshold B without paper in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0020] The printer paper detection method in this embodiment can be applied to various laser printers and inkjet printers, as well as office equipment with printing and copying functions. Specifically, the printer includes a casing, a paper tray, a photodetector, a controller, and a memory disposed within the casing. The photodetector can be any device capable of detecting paper via light signals, such as a photodetector composed of an infrared emitting tube and an infrared receiving tube, but is not limited to this component. The photodetector faces the paper tray, so the light emitted by the photodetector is reflected back to the photodetector after passing through the paper in the paper tray. The photodetector and the memory are electrically connected to the controller. During operation, the controller determines whether there is paper in the paper tray based on the magnitude of the detection signal from the photodetector. The paper used in the printer is usually not pure black, so some infrared light is reflected back by the paper and received by the infrared receiving tube. The infrared receiving tube is a phototransistor; when the infrared receiving tube receives infrared light, the leakage current changes. The greater the light intensity, the greater the leakage current, and the smaller the corresponding feedback voltage value. The whiter the paper, the more infrared light it reflects, and the lower the voltage. When there is no paper in the cardboard box, almost no infrared light is reflected back, so the leakage current of the receiving tube is very large, and the feedback voltage is very large.

[0021] The memory contains a program that implements the printer paper detection method described below. The controller can retrieve and execute the program in the memory, that is, the controller determines whether there is paper in the paper tray based on the detection data obtained by the photodetector.

[0022] In this embodiment, the printer paper detection method is as follows.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, the printer has a pre-stored paperless actual threshold B. When the printer is assembled on the production line and turned on for the first time, it can use a photoelectric sensor to detect the paper in the paper tray even when no paper is in it. The controller then uses this paperless detection value B as the initial paperless actual threshold B. In other words, by using this paperless actual threshold B and performing certain calculations, it is possible to effectively determine whether there is paper in the paper tray.

[0024] Specifically, when the printer performs paper detection, the controller acquires the paper detection value C detected by the photoelectric detector and calculates the difference between C and B. Δ is a preset difference threshold, which is a threshold obtained based on big data processing. Depending on the circuit parameters, the corresponding difference threshold Δ will also be different. In this embodiment, Δ = 0.15V.

[0025] The detection difference D = B - C is obtained. When there is no paper in the paper tray, the difference between C and B is very small, and the difference is usually less than or equal to Δ. When paper is placed in the paper tray, the difference between C and B is larger, and the difference usually exceeds Δ. Based on this, if D ≤ Δ, it means that the paper detection value C is very close to the actual paperless threshold B when there is no paper, and in this case, it is determined that there is no paper in the printer. Conversely, if D > Δ, it is determined that there is paper in the printer.

[0026] This printer paper detection method, when judging erroneous paper based on the paper detection value C, does not simply compare it with a fixed threshold. Instead, it uses the detection difference between the paper detection value and the actual paperless threshold B to determine the presence or absence of paper. Both of these data are detection values ​​obtained based on the printer's operating environment. That is, each printer has its corresponding actual paperless threshold B. By judging the difference, all the differences in the printer's components and the photoelectric detector itself can be filtered out, enabling it to cover the detection of high grayscale paper. Various types of colored paper can be detected, and it can also effectively detect paper when it is printed on both sides, thus improving the accuracy of paper detection.

[0027] Furthermore, to prevent excessive deviations in the actual paperless threshold B caused by photodetector malfunctions, thus hindering effective paper detection, this embodiment presets a minimum theoretical paperless threshold A in the printer. This theoretical threshold A is a minimum value calculated based on extensive production line data and theoretical calculations for a paperless state. Value A serves as an initial threshold for determining the presence or absence of paper for each machine. This value must be permanently stored in the firmware and cannot be arbitrarily altered; it can only be modified in batches during firmware upgrades.

[0028] like Figure 2 As shown, based on this, when the printer is first turned on, with no paper in the paper tray, the photoelectric sensor detects and obtains the paper detection value B in the absence of paper. If B > A, then B is used as the initial actual paperless threshold B. This actual paperless threshold B can more accurately determine whether there is paper in the paper tray. If B ≤ A, it means that even relative to the minimum theoretical paperless threshold A, the photoelectric detector's detection data indicates that there is paper in the paper tray. This situation does not match the actual situation, so it prompts a check for abnormalities in the photoelectric detector. In this way, technicians can promptly identify problems with the photoelectric detector.

[0029] like Figure 3 As shown, when users receive the printer, their environments vary greatly. To prevent the device from affecting paper detection due to factors such as wear and tear and dust accumulation after prolonged use, the actual paperless threshold B needs to be updated frequently to ensure its consistency with actual usage. Therefore, each time the printer restarts, it acquires the paper detection value X from the photodetector and compares it with the minimum theoretical paperless threshold A. If X < A, B remains unchanged; otherwise, B = X.

[0030] The printer paper detection method of this invention can filter out all differences in printer components and photodetectors themselves by using differential judgment, enabling it to detect papers with high grayscale levels and various colored papers. It also effectively detects double-sided printing, improving the accuracy of paper detection. Printers using this paper detection method have high accuracy in detecting the presence or absence of paper, resulting in a better user experience.

Claims

1. A method of detecting printer paper, the method comprising: A paperless actual threshold B is pre-stored in the printer; When the printer performs a paper detection operation, a paper detection value C detected by the photoelectric detector is obtained, and a difference D=B-C between B and C is calculated to obtain a detection difference D; if D≤Δ, it is determined that the printer is paperless; if D>Δ, it is determined that the printer has paper, wherein Δ is a preset difference threshold; A minimum paperless theoretical threshold A is pre-stored in the printer; When the printer is started for the first time, a paper detection value B in a paperless condition is obtained by using the photoelectric sensor to detect; if B>A, B is taken as an initial paperless actual threshold B; if B≤A, it is prompted to detect whether the photoelectric detector is abnormal; When the printer is started each time, a paper detection value X detected by the photoelectric detector is obtained, and the paper detection value X is compared with the minimum paperless theoretical threshold A; if X 2. The printer sheet detection method of claim 1, wherein: The difference threshold Δ is a threshold obtained based on big data arrangement.

3. A printer, comprising a housing, a paper tray, a photodetector, a controller, and a memory disposed within the housing, wherein the photodetector is disposed facing the paper tray, and the photodetector and the memory are respectively electrically connected to the controller, characterized in that: The memory stores a program for implementing the printer paper detection method according to claim 1 or 2, and the controller can call and execute the program in the memory.

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