Pickup error-sensing apparatus of image forming apparatus and method therefor

Abstract

A pickup error-sensing apparatus of an image forming apparatus and method therefor. The pickup error-sensing apparatus includes a sensing actuator rotatably disposed on a frame with respect to a paper cassette, displaceable when sheets of paper are loaded in the cassette, a paper sensor unit outputting a paper loading and unloading signals according to the displacement of the sensing actuator, a sensing actuator-operating unit operating the sensing actuator to allow the paper sensor unit to output the paper unloading signal when a pickup roller carries out a pickup movement, and a control unit determining whether the paper unloading signal is output when the pickup roller carries out the pickup movement, and determining occurrence of a pickup error to stop the image forming apparatus when the paper unloading signal is not output. The apparatus and method sense the pickup error generated from inadequate movement of the pick-up roller without installing a separate paper sensor.

1 . A pickup error-sensing method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: 
 determining whether a paper loading signal is output from a paper sensor unit;    determining whether a pickup driving signal is input when the paper loading signal is output;    driving a pickup unit when the pickup driving signal is input;    determining whether a paper unloading signal is output when the pickup unit is driven; and    determining the occurrence of a pickup error to stop the operation of the image forming apparatus when the paper unloading signal is not output.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the determining whether the paper unloading signal is output comprises determining whether the paper unloading signal is output until a predetermined time passes from a point of time when the pickup driving signal is input.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the determining the occurrence of a pickup error to stop the operation of the image forming apparatus further comprises at least one of sounding an audible alarm and visually displaying an occurrence of an alarm.