Method and apparatus for calibrating a paper sensor to account for media holes

Abstract

The image forming device includes an image forming section in which an image is formed on the prepunched paper; a paper feed path through which paper is fed to and from the image forming section during a process in which an image is formed on the paper; one or more sensors arranged along the paper feed path to monitor a flow of the prepunched paper as it is fed through the paper feed path; and a processor for receiving signals from the sensors and map data of the prepunched paper, and for analyzing the signals and the map data to determine if there is a paper jam along the paper feed path, wherein the map data indicates locations of all holes, cut-outs, and notches formed in the prepunched paper. A method of using the image forming device is also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An image forming device for printing a prepunched paper, the image forming device comprising:
 an image forming section in which an image is formed on the prepunched paper;   a paper feed path through which paper is fed to and from the image forming section during a process in which an image is formed on the paper;   one or more sensors arranged along the paper feed path to monitor a flow of the prepunched paper as it is fed through the paper feed path; and   a processor for receiving signals from the sensors and map data of the prepunched paper, and for analyzing the signals and the map data to determine if there is a paper jam along the paper feed path, wherein the map data indicates locations of all holes, cut-outs, and notches formed in the prepunched paper.   
     
     
         2 . The image forming device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a memory for storing the map of a prepunched paper. 
     
     
         3 . The image forming device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a scanner for scanning the prepunched paper prior to printing. 
     
     
         4 . The image forming device according to  claim 3 , further comprising a processor for receiving the scanned image of the prepunched paper and for mapping locations of all holes, cut-outs, or notches in the prepunched paper. 
     
     
         5 . The image forming device according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor uses the map data to account for holes, cut-outs, and notches in the prepunched paper so as to avoid any false indications of a trailing edge of the prepunched paper. 
     
     
         6 . The image forming device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of paper feeding trays, and the map data can include an identification of one of the paper feeding trays that contains the mapped prepunched paper. 
     
     
         7 . The image forming device according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensors each include a light emitter and a light receiver. 
     
     
         8 . An image forming method for printing a prepunched paper, the method comprising:
 creating a map of locations of all holes, cut-outs, and notches formed in the prepunched paper;   feeding the prepunched paper along a paper feed path to and from an image forming section;   forming an image on the prepunched paper by the image forming section;   using one or more sensors to detect a leading edge and a trailing edge of the prepunched paper as it moves along the paper feed path to detect a paper jam; and   using the map to avoid any false indications of a trailing edge of the prepunched paper.   
     
     
         9 . The image forming method according to  claim 8 , wherein the method is carried out in a multi-peripheral function device, which device comprises a memory for storing the map of the prepunched paper. 
     
     
         10 . The image forming method according to  claim 8 , wherein the map is created by scanning the prepunched paper prior to printing with a scanner. 
     
     
         11 . A nontransitory computer readable medium encoded with a program for causing an image forming apparatus to perform an image forming method for printing a prepunched paper, the method comprising:
 creating a map of locations of all holes, cut-outs, and notches formed in the prepunched paper;   feeding the prepunched paper along a paper feed path to and from an image forming section;   forming an image on the prepunched paper by the image forming section;   using one or more sensors to detect a leading edge and a trailing edge of the prepunched paper as it moves along the paper feed path to detect a paper jam; and   using the map to avoid any false indications of a trailing edge of the prepunched paper.   
     
     
         12 . The nontransitory computer readable medium according to  claim 11 , wherein the method is carried out in a multi-peripheral function device, which device comprises a memory for storing the map of the prepunched paper. 
     
     
         13 . The nontransitory computer readable medium according to  claim 11 , wherein the map is created by scanning the prepunched paper prior to printing with a scanner.