JP2000229738A - Method and apparatus for control of paper feed by picture image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and an apparatus for control of paper feed of a picture image formation device dividing a plurality of paper feed trays into groups and switching the paper feed trays automatically by individual setting per group. SOLUTION: Whether automatic switching is possible or not is set on a plurality of paper feed trays controlled by a paper feed control part 7 per paper feed tray and is stored in a non-volatile memory part 3, whether automatic switching is possible or not is set per quality of paper and is stored in the non-volatile memory part 3, and a control part 1 determines whether automatic switching is permitted or not based on both settings to operate the paper feed control part 7.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper feed control method and apparatus for an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to a paper feed control method for an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper feed trays for switching the paper feed source to form an image. The present invention relates to a paper feed control method and apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some image forming apparatuses such as copiers, printers and fax machines are provided with a plurality of paper feed trays for feeding paper. When a plurality of paper feed trays are provided, the paper to be stored in each paper feed tray can store any type of paper. Therefore, the same paper is stored in a plurality of paper feed trays (for example, two paper feed trays). It is possible to store and use different types of paper.

As described above, when the same type of paper is stored in different paper feed trays, the same type of paper is stored when one of the paper feed trays serving as a paper source runs out of paper. The load on the user is reduced by automatically switching another paper feed tray as a paper feed source.

In order to automatically switch the paper feed tray as a paper feed source, it is set as shown in Table 1 whether or not automatic switching is permitted for each tray. In the example shown in Table 1, automatic switching is set for trays 1 and 2 in which plain paper is stored, and automatic switching is disabled for the other trays.

[0005]

[Table 1] In such a setting, if the tray 1 runs out of paper while the tray 1 is being used as a paper source, the paper source is automatically switched to the tray 2, and as a result, the image forming apparatus is continuously operated. And output is possible.

However, in a conventional image forming apparatus,
If you want to allow not only automatic switching of trays 1 and 2 storing plain paper but also automatic switching of trays 3 and 4 storing fine paper, the settings shown in Table 2 are required. However, if automatic switching is permitted for trays 1 to 4, switching to a paper feed tray storing different sheets is performed, such as automatic switching from tray 1 to tray 3. Will be That is, automatic switching can be set to only one group (for example, tray 1 and tray 2 storing plain paper), and a plurality of groups (for example, a group of tray 1 and tray 2 and a tray 3).
And the group of trays 4) could not be set as automatic switching targets.

[0007]

[Table 2] Further, when plain paper is stored in tray 1 and high-quality paper is stored in tray 2, switching from tray 1 to tray 2 is permitted, but switching from tray 2 to tray 1 is not permitted. In other words, it was not possible to set such that the use of high quality paper as a substitute for plain paper can be permitted, but the use of plain paper as a substitute for high quality paper cannot be permitted.

[0008]

As described above, in the conventional image forming apparatus, it is possible to automatically switch the paper supply tray as the paper supply source when the paper runs out. Is limited to one group. In addition, for the sheet feed tray designated as the target of automatic switching, the switching direction is designated (switching from tray 1 to tray 2 is permitted as described above, but switching from tray 2 to tray 1 is not permitted. Settings).

In view of the above, the present invention provides a paper feed control method and apparatus for an image forming apparatus that can divide a plurality of paper feed trays into groups and automatically switch the paper feed trays with individual settings for each group. The purpose is to:

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper feed control method for an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper feed trays. The paper quality of the paper stored in the plurality of paper feed trays is stored. Out of the paper feed trays, a second paper feed tray as a new paper source is determined based on the paper quality of the paper stored in the first paper feed tray. A paper tray is switched from the first paper feed tray to the second paper feed tray.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the second sheet tray is a sheet stored in the first sheet tray among the plurality of sheet trays. The paper feed tray stores paper of the same paper quality as the paper tray.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, permission or non-permission of switching is set for each paper quality, and the second paper feed tray is determined by the first tray. Is performed only when the paper quality of the paper stored in is set to the switching permission.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the second sheet tray is a sheet stored in the first sheet tray among the plurality of sheet trays. The paper feed tray stores paper of a paper quality that is permitted to be switched from the above paper quality.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the second or fourth aspect, permission or non-permission of switching is set for each of the plurality of paper feed trays, and the determination of the second paper feed tray includes The operation is performed only when the switching of the first tray is permitted.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the paper feed control device of the image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper feed trays,
Storage means for storing the paper quality of the paper stored in each of the plurality of paper feed trays; and a first paper feed tray which is a paper feed source among the plurality of paper feed trays is in a paper feed disabled state. In this case, based on the paper quality of the paper stored in the first paper feed tray stored in the storage unit, a new paper feed source is selected from other paper feed trays of the plurality of paper feed trays. A switching destination determining unit that determines a second paper feeding tray; and, based on the determination by the switching destination determining unit, changing the paper feeding source serving as the paper feeding tray from the first paper feeding tray to the second paper feeding tray. And a switching means for switching to a tray.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the present invention, the switching destination determining means is configured to select a paper quality of a sheet stored in the first sheet tray among the plurality of sheet trays. A paper feed tray storing paper of the same paper quality as that of the second paper feed tray is determined as the second paper feed tray.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the seventh aspect of the present invention, the storage unit further stores a setting of permission or non-permission of switching for each sheet quality of the sheet, and the switching destination determining unit determines the switching destination. The second tray is determined only when the quality of the paper stored in one tray is set to the switching permission.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the sixth aspect, the switching destination determining means is configured to control a paper quality of a sheet stored in the first sheet feeding tray among the plurality of sheet feeding trays. The paper feed tray storing paper of paper quality permitted to be switched from is determined as the second paper feed tray.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the seventh or ninth aspect of the present invention, the storage unit further stores a setting of permission or non-permission of switching for each of the plurality of paper feeding trays, and determines the switching destination. The means determines the second paper feed tray only when the first tray is set to allow switching.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a paper feed control method and apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus. As shown in FIG.
Comprises a control unit 1, a UI unit 2, a nonvolatile storage unit 3, a data input unit 4, an image creation unit 5, an image formation unit 6, and a paper feed control unit 7.

The control unit 1 controls the operation of each of the other units, and
The unit 2 controls a user interface for displaying information to a user and receiving an instruction from the user. The non-volatile storage unit 3 is a storage device such as a non-volatile memory or a hard disk that does not lose its stored contents when the power of the image forming apparatus 10 is shut off. The data input unit 4 is a PDL (Page Description Language) input from a client PC or the like (not shown).
Reception (when operating as a printer), reception of image data read by an image reading unit (not shown) (when operating as a copier), reception of image data received via a telephone line (not shown) (operation as a facsimile) Do). The image creation unit 5 includes a data input unit 4
Expands the PDL input from to the image data,
Processing such as performing predetermined correction processing on the input image data is performed. The image forming unit 6 transfers the image data developed or corrected by the image creating unit 5 to a sheet to form an image, and the sheet feeding control unit 7 sends a desired sheet from a plurality of sheet feeding trays (not shown) to the image forming unit. 6

In this image forming apparatus 10, if the paper runs out during image formation, the control unit 1 and the paper feed control unit 7 automatically switch the paper feed tray of the paper feed source and continue the processing. The automatic switching of the paper feed tray is performed based on the contents set by the user.

The setting for performing the automatic switching is performed by operating the operation panel 20 (under the control of the UI unit 2) shown in FIG. 2, and the setting contents are stored in the nonvolatile storage unit 3. The operation panel 20 includes a display unit 21 on which information from the image forming apparatus 10 is displayed, a cursor key 22 (22-1 to 22-4), a setting key 23, a menu key 24, a stop key 25, and a pause key 26. Are arranged. When setting the automatic switching, the menu key 24 is pressed, the setting content displayed on the display unit 21 is checked by pressing the cursor key 22, and the setting key 23 is pressed when deciding the setting. Further, a stop key 25 and a pause key 26 are keys for instructing stop and temporary stop of a job of the image forming apparatus 10, respectively.

Items to be set for automatic switching of the paper feed tray include setting of paper quality of paper stored in each paper feed tray,
There is a setting for enabling / disabling automatic switching for each paper quality and a setting for enabling / disabling automatic switching for each paper feed tray.

Here, the paper quality setting of the paper stored in each paper feed tray will be described. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 will be described as having five paper feed trays.

To store sheets of paper quality as shown in Table 3 in each of the five paper feed trays (trays 1 to 5) of the image forming apparatus 10, the menu key 2 on the operation panel 20 is used.
When "4" is pressed, "port setting" is displayed on the display unit 21, as in a display 21-1000 shown in FIG. Here, when the cursor key (down) 22-2 is pressed, the display on the display unit 21 is changed to the display 21-2 shown in FIG.
Change to "Maintenance" like 000. Thereafter, when the cursor key (down) 22-2 is further pressed, the display unit 2 is pressed.
The display of No. 1 is changed to "Paper Tray Setting" as in the display 21-3000 shown in FIG.

[0028]

[Table 3] Press the cursor key (right) 2 in the state where “Paper Tray Setting” of the display 21-3000 is displayed on the display unit 21.
When the user presses 2-4, the display unit 21 displays “SHIFT SETTING” on the display 21-3100 shown in FIG. When the cursor key (right) 22-4 is pressed in this state, a display 21-311 shown in FIG.
0 is displayed, and when the cursor key (right) 22-4 is further pressed, the display unit 21 displays FIG.
The display 21-3111 shown in FIG.

The cursor key (upper) 2 is displayed on the display unit 21 while the display 21-3111 "Fuji" is displayed.
By pressing the 2-1 or the cursor key (lower) 22-2 sequentially, the display content of the display unit 21 is changed to “Job” in the display 21-3112 shown in FIG. 6B, and FIG.
6 of display 21-3113 shown in FIG.
The display sequentially changes to "Atsugami" on the display 21-3114 shown in (d). In this state, by pressing the cursor key (up) 22-1 or the cursor key (down) 22-2, the paper quality of the paper to be stored in the tray 1 is selected (when performing the setting shown in Table 3, the display 21- By pressing the setting key 23 in a state where “FUSHU” 3111 is displayed, the paper quality of the paper stored in the tray 1 is set.

When setting the paper quality of the paper to be stored in the tray 2, the display unit 21 displays the display 2 shown in FIG.
With “Tray 1” of 1-3110 displayed,
Pressing the cursor key (up) 22-1 or the cursor key (down) 22-2 causes the display unit 21 to display "Tray 2" on the display 21-3120 shown in FIG. 5B and display shown in FIG. Either “Tray 3” of the display 21-3130, “Tray 4” of the display 21-3140 shown in FIG. 5D, or “Tray 5” of the display 21-3150 shown in FIG. (Tray 1) is displayed, and in this state, the cursor key (right) 22-4 is pressed to select the paper quality as in the case of Tray 1.

Next, the setting of whether or not automatic switching can be performed for each type of paper will be described. The setting of automatic switching for each paper quality
As shown in Table 4, there are fixed settings that are default values and user settings that can be arbitrarily set by the user. Table 4
In the setting shown in the figure, the fixed setting without automatic switching is performed for the thick paper and the user setting is not possible, but the automatic switching is performed for the special paper such as the thick paper and the OHP (physical switching). In some cases) impossible.

[0032]

[Table 4] When performing user settings for automatic switching for each paper type,
While the display section 21-3100 is displaying the "Shift setting" of the display 21-3100 shown in FIG. 4A, the cursor key (down) 22-2 is depressed, and the display section 21 displays FIG.
The display 21-3200 shows “Shissiki Kirie setting” shown in (b). In this state, when the cursor key (right) 22-4 is pressed, the display unit 21 displays FIG.
When "FUJUSHI" is displayed on the display 21-3210 shown in (a) and the cursor key (right) 22-4 is further depressed, the display unit 21 displays "KILLER ED KYOKA SUL" on the display 21-3211 shown in FIG. Is displayed.

While the display 21-3211 displays "Kirikae @ Kyoka Suru", the cursor key (up) 22-1 or the cursor key (down) 2
When the user presses 2-2, the display contents of the display unit 21 are changed as shown in FIG.
The display changes to “Kirika @ Kyoka Shinai” on the display 21-3212 shown in FIG. Here, the user inputs the cursor key (up) 22-1 or the cursor key (down) 22-
By pressing 2, the display 21-3211 is displayed on the display unit 21.
Display “Kirikae ヲ Kyoka Sul” 21-321
By displaying any one of “No. 2” and pressing the setting key 23, whether or not automatic switching to plain paper is possible is set.

To set whether or not automatic switching can be performed for other paper qualities, display 21-32 shown in FIG.
In the state in which the "FULL" is displayed, the cursor key (up) 22-1 or the cursor key (down) 22-
By pressing 2, the display content of the display 21 is changed to “JOBS” of the display 21-3220 shown in FIG.
The cursor key (right) is displayed in a state in which “Say” in the display 21-3230 shown in FIG. 7C or “Atsugami” in the display 21-3240 shown in FIG. ) Press 22-4 to set whether or not automatic switching can be performed for the paper quality in the same manner as in the case of setting plain paper described above.

Next, a description will be given of whether automatic switching is enabled or disabled for each paper feed tray. In the case where the automatic switching setting for each paper feed tray is set to, for example, a value as shown in Table 5, the display unit 21 displays the display 21-310 shown in FIG.
In a state where “SHIFT SETTING” of “0” is displayed, the cursor key (up) 22-1 is pressed, and the display unit 21 is displayed as shown in FIG.
“Tray cleaning setting” on the display 21-3300 shown in (c) is displayed. In this state, when the cursor key (right) 22-4 is pressed, the display unit 21 displays FIG.
"Tray 1" of the display 21-3310 shown in FIG. 10A is displayed, and when the cursor key (right) 22-4 is further pressed, the display 21-3311 shown in FIG.
Is displayed in the display.

[0036]

[Table 5] When the cursor key (up) 22-1 or the cursor key (down) 22-2 is pressed while the display 21-3311 "Kirika @ Kyoka Suru" is displayed on the display unit 21, the display content of the display unit 21 becomes The display changes to "Kirikae @ Kyoka Shinai" on the display 21-3312 shown in FIG. Here, the user presses the cursor key (up)
By pressing the cursor 22-1 or the cursor key (lower) 22-2, the display unit 21 displays either "Kirikae @ Kyoka Suru" on the display 21-3311 or "Kirikae @ Kyoka Shinai" on the display 21-3312. By pressing the setting key 23, whether or not automatic switching to the tray 1 is possible is set.

To set whether or not automatic setting can be performed for another sheet feeding tray, in the state where "Tray 1" of the display 21-3310 shown in FIG. Pressing the cursor key (up) 22-1 or the cursor key (down) 22-2 causes the display unit 21 to display FIG.
"Tray 2" of display 21-3320 shown in FIG. 9 (c)
"Tray 3" of display 21-3330 shown in FIG. 9 (d)
"Tray 4" of display 21-3340 shown in FIG.
The cursor key (right) 22-4 is pressed while any one of the “tray 5” (the paper tray to be set) is displayed on the display 21-3350 shown in FIG. As in the case of (1), whether or not automatic switching can be performed for the paper feed tray is set.

FIG. 11 shows the displays 21-1000 to 21-335 displayed on the display unit 21 when the above-described settings are made.
2 is a diagram showing a list of FIG. As shown in the figure, each display has a hierarchical structure, and a cursor key (up) 22-
1 and the cursor key (down) 22-2 to change the display in the same layer, and use the cursor key (left) 22-3 and the cursor key (right) 22-4 to move between layers and change the display. I have.

When the respective settings are made as shown in Tables 3 to 5 by the above-described method, the final setting of whether or not automatic switching can be performed is as shown in FIG.
The processing shown in the flowchart of FIG.

[0040]

[Table 6] The final process of determining whether to enable automatic paper tray switching is
When the control unit 1 performs the processing for each paper feed tray and the processing is started (step 101), first, the paper quality (setting in Table 3) set in the paper feed tray is checked (step 1).
02). Next, the fixed setting (setting in Table 4) for the checked paper quality is checked (step 103), and if the automatic switching is permitted (set to "Yes") (step 10).
4 (YES at 4), user settings for paper quality (settings in Table 4)
Is checked (step 105). If the automatic switching is permitted (set to “Yes”) by the user setting (YES in step 106), the final setting adopts the sheet tray switching setting (setting in Table 5) (step 107). ,
The process ends (step 109).

On the other hand, if the setting is not permitted (set to “no”) in the fixed setting or the user setting for the paper quality (NO in step 104 or N in step 106).
O), the final setting is set without switching (step 1)
08), and the process ends (step 109).

The process shown in FIG. 12 only needs to be performed when any of the settings in Tables 3 to 5 is changed, and the settings in Table 6 obtained as a result of this process are stored in the nonvolatile storage. The information is stored in the unit 3 and used. In addition, if the processing in step 12 is performed even when the image forming apparatus 10 is started, the setting can be stored in a volatile storage unit instead of the nonvolatile storage unit 3.

Next, a description will be given of a process for automatically switching the paper feed tray when the paper runs out during image formation by the image forming apparatus 10. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of the paper feed tray automatic switching process.

When the paper runs out during the image formation by the image forming apparatus 10, the paper feed control unit 7 starts a paper feed tray automatic switching process (step 201), and first switches the current paper feed source tray n. The settings are checked (step 202).
If the switching setting of the tray n is permitted (YES in Step 203), the value of the variable m is initialized to 1 (Step 20).
4).

Next, if the value of the variable m is not equal to the value of n indicating the tray n (YES in step 205, it is not possible to switch to the same tray), the switching setting of the tray m (Table 6)
Is checked (step 206). Tray m
If the switching setting is permitted (YE in step 207)
S) Check the paper size of tray m (step 2)
08) If the paper sizes match (Y in step 209)
ES), the paper quality of tray m (setting in Table 3) is checked (step 210). Here, if the paper quality of the tray m matches the paper quality of the tray n (YES in step 211), it is checked whether the tray m is in a state in which paper can be fed (step 212). YE at 213
S), the tray m is set as the switching destination of the paper feed source (step 214), and the process ends (step 217).

On the other hand, when the value of the variable m is equal to the value of n indicating the tray n (NO in step 205), or when the switching setting of the tray m (setting in Table 6) is not permitted (in step 207). NO), if the paper size of the tray m is different from the paper size of the tray n (N in step 209)
O), when the paper quality of tray m (setting in Table 3) is different from the paper quality of tray n (NO in step 211), and when tray m is in a state where paper cannot be fed due to a failure, out of paper, or the like. (NO in step 213), if the variable m does not indicate the last tray (5 in the case of five trays) (NO in step 215), the value of the variable m is incremented (step 216), Returning to the processing of 205, the same processing is performed.

If the variable m is a value indicating the last tray at step 215 (YE at step 215).
S) Since the paper feed source cannot be switched to any of the paper feed trays, the process ends without switching the paper feed tray (step 217).

On the other hand, if the switching setting of the tray n is not permitted in step 203 (NO in step 203), the process is terminated without switching the sheet feeding tray (step 21).
7).

Next, the processing shown in FIG. 13 will be described using the settings shown in Table 6 as an example. Note that here, tray 1
It is assumed that the sheets stored in Nos. 5 to 5 are all the same size, and that the sheet feeding trays other than tray 1 are in a state in which sheets can be fed. When the image forming apparatus 10 operates with the tray 1 in which plain paper is stored as a paper source, the tray 1
When the paper runs out (step 201), first, the switching setting of the tray 1 is checked (step 202). Since the switching of the tray 1 is permitted (see Table 6, YES in Step 203), the value of the variable m is initialized to 1 (Step 204).

Here, the variable m (= 1) is equal to the value n (= 1) indicating the tray n (NO in Step 205), and is not the value (= 5) indicating the last tray (Step 21).
5 is NO) and incremented (step 216,
m = 2). Since the incremented variable m (= 2) is not equal to the value n (= 1) indicating the tray n (YES in Step 205), the switching setting of the tray m (= 2) is checked (Step 206).

Since the switching setting of the tray m (= 2) is permitted (see Table 6, YES in step 207), the tray m
Check the paper size of (= 2) (Step 20)
8), the paper size of tray m (= 2) is tray n (=
Since it matches the paper size of (1) (Y in step 209)
ES), the paper quality of the tray m (= 2) is checked (step 210). The paper quality of tray m (= 2) is tray n
Since it matches the paper quality of (= 1) (see Table 3) (YES in step 211), it is checked whether or not the tray m (= 2) can be fed (YES in step 212), and the tray m (=
2) is a state in which paper can be fed (Y in step 213)
ES), the tray m (= 2) is set as a new paper source (step 214), and the process ends.

In this example, if the tray 2 is in a state in which the sheet cannot be fed (NO in step 213), each check for the trays 3 to 5 is performed. ), The process ends without any switching destination of the tray 1.

In the process shown in FIG. 13, trays 1 to 5 are sequentially checked as candidates for the paper feed tray to be switched. However, when the tray 5 is a large-capacity tray or the like, the tray 5 is to be prioritized. In step 204, the variable m
Is initialized to 5 and decrement is performed in step 216. Although the description is omitted because the processing becomes complicated, each paper feed tray may be checked in an arbitrary order.

Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment of a paper feed control method and apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
In the second embodiment, automatic switching to a paper feed tray storing sheets of paper of different paper quality can be performed, and the direction of the switching, for example, switching from recycled paper to plain paper is permitted. However, individual settings can be made such that switching from plain paper to recycled paper is not permitted.

This setting is, for example, as shown in Table 7. The settings shown in Table 7 indicate which paper quality is to be switched to when the paper shown in the leftmost column is the paper source. For example, if the paper runs out while using recycled paper, switching to the paper tray that stores recycled paper and plain paper is permitted, but the paper runs out while using plain paper. Indicates settings such as not permitting switching to the paper feed tray storing recycled paper, but permitting switching only to the paper feed tray storing plain paper.

[0056]

[Table 7] When such setting is performed, the menu displayed on the display unit 21 of the operation panel 20 is displayed on the display 2 as shown in FIG.
1-34000 "Shishitsukan Kirika Esseti"
Add. Under the display 21-34000, the display 21-34 is displayed in a lower layer of the “Shift Can Kirika Settings”.
100 "Foot", "Print" on display 21-34200, and "Atsugami" on display 21-34400 are displayed. In addition, "Fujishi" on display 21-34100
In the lower layer of the display, "Justice Tonika Kirie" on the display 21-34110, "Saisei Tonoki Kirae" on the display 21-34120, and "Atsugami Tonoki Kirae" on the display 21-34130 are displayed. The display 21-34111 “Kirikawarukotokyokasuru” and the display 21-34112 (not shown: the same display content as the display 21-34132 in the figure) “Kirikawarukoto @ kyokashinai” and the like are displayed. Press to set.

In the menu structure shown in FIG. 14,
In the lower layer of “Fujishi” of display 21-34100, “Toshika Toki Kirikae” of display 21-34110, “Tokai Kirikae” of display 21-34120, and “Atsugami Tonoyoshi” of display 21-34130.
Only “Kirikae” is displayed, but by further adding “Futoshitono Kirikae”, the display 21-3200 is displayed.
It is possible to omit “Shishikikae” of 0 (this lower layer is the same as the embodiment described above).

When the settings shown in Table 7 are made using the menu shown in FIG. 14 and the settings shown in Tables 8 to 10 are made using the same menu as in the previous embodiment, the final settings are shown in Table 11. It will be as shown. The settings shown in Table 11 are the same as the settings in Table 6 described above, as in Tables 7 to 10.
Is changed only when any of the settings is changed, and the settings in Table 11 obtained as a result of this processing are stored in the non-volatile storage unit 3 and used.

[0059]

[Table 8]

[Table 9]

[Table 10]

[Table 11] Here, the processing for determining the final setting contents shown in Table 11 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for setting whether or not automatic switching from tray n to tray m is possible.

When the process is started (step 301),
First, the paper quality setting set for tray n is checked (Table 8, step 302). Subsequently, the paper quality set for the tray m is checked (Table 8, step 303), and the paper quality set for the tray n is determined based on the paper quality set for the tray n.
It is checked whether or not the paper quality can be switched to the paper quality set in (Tables 7 and 9, step 304).

If the switching from the paper quality set for tray n to the paper quality set for tray m is permitted (YES in step 305), the switching setting for tray n is checked (step 305). If the switching is permitted (YES in step 307), the switching setting of tray m (Table 10) is adopted as the switching setting from tray n to tray m (step 308), and the processing is performed. Is ended (step 310).

On the other hand, when switching from the paper quality set in tray n to paper quality set in tray m is not permitted (NO in step 305), or when switching setting of tray n is not permitted (N in step 307)
O), the setting of switching from tray n to tray m is set to non-permitted (“not performed”) (step 309), and the process ends (step 310).

Next, a description will be given of a process for automatically switching the paper feed tray when the paper runs out during image formation by the image forming apparatus 10. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the paper feed tray automatic switching process according to the second embodiment.

If the paper runs out during image formation by the image forming apparatus 10, automatic paper feed tray processing is started (step 4).
01) First, the switching setting (setting in Table 10) of the tray n which is the current paper source is checked (step 402).
If the switching setting of the tray n is permitted (YES in step 403), the value of the variable m is initialized to 1 (step 40).
4).

Next, if the value of the variable m is not equal to the value of n indicating the tray n (YES in step 405, it is not possible to switch to the same tray), the setting for switching from tray n to tray m (see Table 11) Check Settings (Step 4)
06). If the setting of switching from tray n to tray m is permitted (YES in step 407), the paper size of tray m is checked (step 408). Here, if the sheet sizes of tray n and tray m match (step 40).
9), it is checked whether or not the tray m is ready to be fed (step 410). If it is possible (YES in step 411), the tray m is set as the paper source switching destination. (Step 412), and the process ends (Step 415).

On the other hand, when the value of the variable m is equal to the value of n indicating the tray n (NO in step 405), or when the switching setting from the tray n to the tray m (setting in Table 11) is not permitted. (NO in step 407), when the paper size of tray m is different from the paper size of tray n (NO in step 409), and when tray m is in a state where paper cannot be fed due to a failure, out of paper, or the like. (Step 411
If the variable m does not indicate the last tray (4 if there are four trays) (NO in step 413),
The value of the variable m is incremented (step 414),
Returning to the processing of step 405, the same processing is performed.

If the variable m is a value indicating the last tray in step 413 (YE in step 413).
S) Since the paper feed source cannot be switched to any of the paper feed trays, the process ends without switching the paper feed tray (step 415).

On the other hand, if the switching setting of the tray n is not permitted in step 403 (NO in step 403), the process is terminated without switching the sheet feeding tray (step 41).
5).

Next, the processing shown in FIG. 13 will be described using the settings shown in Table 11 as an example. Here, the sheets stored in the trays 1 to 4 are all the same size, the state in which the tray 2 is out of order, and the sheet trays other than the sheet tray in which the sheet has run out are in a state in which the sheet can be fed. It is assumed that there is. If the tray 1 runs out of paper while the image forming apparatus 10 is operating with the tray 1 in which plain paper is stored as a paper source (step 401), first, the switching setting of the tray 1 is checked (step 401). Step 402). Since the switching of the tray 1 is permitted (see Table 10, YES in Step 403), the value of the variable m is initialized to 1 (Step 404).

Here, the variable m (= 1) is equal to the value n (= 1) indicating the tray n (NO in step 405), and is not the value (= 4) indicating the last tray (step 41).
5 is NO) and incremented (step 416,
m = 2). Since the incremented variable m (= 2) is not equal to the value n (= 1) indicating the tray n (YES in Step 405), the tray m (= 1) to the tray m (=
The switching setting to 2) is checked (step 406).

The setting of switching from tray n (= 1) to tray m (= 2) is permitted (see Table 11, step 4).
07), the paper size of tray m (= 2) is checked (step 408), and the paper size of tray m (= 2) matches the paper size of tray n (= 1) (YES in step 409). ), Whether or not the tray m (= 2) can be fed is checked (YES in step 410). However, the tray m (= 2) is in a paper-disabled state (NO in step 411), and the value of the variable m is not the value indicating the last tray (= 4) (NO in step 413).
The variable m is incremented (step 414, m =
3).

The incremented variable m (= 3) is
Since it is not equal to the value n (= 1) indicating the tray n (YES in Step 405), the tray n (= 1) to the tray m
The switching setting to (= 3) is checked (step 40).
6), the switching setting from tray n (= 1) to tray m (= 3) is not permitted (NO in step 407), and the variable m
Is not the value indicating the last tray (= 4) (NO in step 413), the variable m is incremented (step 414, m = 4).

The incremented variable m (= 4) is
Since it is not equal to the value n (= 1) indicating the tray n (YES in Step 405), the tray n (= 1) to the tray m
The switching setting to (= 3) is checked (step 40).
6), the switching setting from tray n (= 1) to tray m (= 3) is not permitted (NO in step 407), and the variable m
Is the value indicating the last tray (= 4) (step 413 YES), and the process ends assuming that there is no sheet tray to which the tray n is to be switched (step 4).
15).

When the tray 3 runs out of paper while the image forming apparatus 10 is operating with the tray 3 storing recycled paper as a paper supply source (step 401), first, the tray 3 is switched. Check the settings (Step 40
2). Since the switching of the tray 3 is permitted (see Table 10, YES in step 403), the value of the variable m is initialized to 1 (step 404).

Here, since the variable m (= 1) is not equal to the value n (= 3) indicating the tray n (YE at step 405).
S), the setting of switching from tray n (= 3) to tray m (= 1) is checked (step 406).

The setting of switching from tray n (= 3) to tray m (= 1) is permitted (see Table 11, step 40).
7), the paper size of tray m (= 1) is checked (step 408), and the paper size of tray m (= 1) matches the paper size of tray n (= 3) (YES in step 409). ), It is checked whether or not the tray m (= 1) can be fed (step 410). Here, since the tray m (= 1) is in a state in which the sheet can be fed (YES in step 411), the tray m (= 1) is set as the switching destination of the tray n (= 3), and the process ends. (Step 415).

As described above, in the second embodiment, individual settings such as switching from recycled paper to plain paper without switching from plain paper to recycled paper can be performed.

In the process shown in FIG. 16, as in the case of the process shown in FIG. 13, the order in which the check is performed as a candidate for the sheet tray to be switched can be arbitrarily set.

[0079]

As described above, according to the present invention, whether or not automatic switching is possible is set for each paper feed tray, and whether or not automatic switching is possible is also set for each paper quality. The automatic switching of the paper feed tray should be performed for each of a plurality of groups in which the paper quality of the paper is used as a group when the paper tray runs out, etc. Can be.

Further, whether or not automatic switching can be performed when the paper quality is different is set, the direction of the automatic switching is set, and the automatic switching of the paper feeding tray is performed based on each setting. Automatic switching can be arbitrarily performed, and the use of the image forming apparatus is facilitated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an operation panel 20.

FIG. 3 is a diagram (1) showing a display example of a menu.

FIG. 4 shows a display example of a menu (2).

FIG. 5 is a diagram (3) showing a display example of a menu.

FIG. 6 is a diagram (4) showing a display example of a menu.

FIG. 7 is a diagram (5) showing a display example of a menu.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a display example of a menu (6).

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a menu (7).

FIG. 10 shows a display example of a menu (8).

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a menu list and a hierarchical relationship.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of a process for deciding the final setting of automatic switching.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a paper feed tray automatic switching process.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a menu list and a hierarchical relationship in the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 illustrates trays n to m in the second embodiment.
9 is a flowchart showing a flow of a process for setting whether or not automatic switching to a job can be performed.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a paper feed tray automatic switching process according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 control unit 2 UI unit 3 nonvolatile storage unit 4 data input unit 5 image creation unit 6 image forming unit 7 paper feed control unit 10 image forming apparatus 20 operation panel 21 display unit 21-1000 to 21-34400 display 22 (22 -1 to 22-4) Cursor key 23 Setting key 24 Menu key 25 Cancel key 26 Pause key

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A paper feed control method for an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper feed trays, wherein the paper quality of paper stored in each of the plurality of paper feed trays is stored, and If the first paper tray that is the paper source is out of paper,
A second paper feed tray as a new paper supply source is determined based on the paper quality of the paper stored in the first paper feed tray from among the other paper feed trays of the plurality of paper feed trays. A sheet feeding tray serving as the sheet feeding source is switched from the first sheet feeding tray to the second sheet feeding tray. 2. The paper supply tray according to claim 2, wherein the second paper supply tray stores paper of the same paper quality as the paper stored in the first paper supply tray among the plurality of paper supply trays. 2. The sheet feeding control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet is a tray. 3. A permission or a non-permission of switching is set for each paper quality of the paper, and the determination of the second paper feed tray is such that the paper quality of the paper stored in the first tray is set to a switching permission. 3. The sheet feeding control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the method is performed only when the sheet feeding is performed. 4. The paper feed tray according to claim 1, wherein the second paper feed tray is a paper feeder that is allowed to switch the paper quality of the paper stored in the first paper feed tray among the plurality of paper feed trays. 2. The paper feed control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the paper feed tray is a stored paper feed tray. 5. A switch permission or non-permission is set for each of the plurality of paper feed trays, and the determination of the second paper feed tray is performed only when the first tray is set to be allowed to be switched. 5. The sheet feeding control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the method is performed. 6. A paper feed control device for an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper feed trays, wherein: a storage unit for storing paper quality of paper stored in each of the plurality of paper feed trays; When the first paper feed tray among the paper trays, which is the paper feed source, becomes incapable of feeding paper, based on the paper quality of the paper stored in the first paper feed tray stored in the storage means. A switching destination determining unit that determines a second paper feeding tray to be a new paper source from among the other paper feeding trays of the plurality of paper feeding trays; Switching means for switching a paper feed tray serving as a paper feed source from the first paper feed tray to the second paper feed tray. 7. The switching destination determining means, wherein the paper feed tray storing paper of the same paper quality as the paper stored in the first paper feed tray among the plurality of paper feed trays is provided. 7. The paper feed control device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second paper feed tray is determined. 8. The storage unit further stores a setting of switching permission or non-permission for each sheet quality of the sheet, and the switching destination determining unit determines whether the sheet quality of the sheet stored in the first tray is switchable. 8. The sheet feeding control device of the image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the second tray is determined only when the second tray is set. 9. The switching destination determining unit stores a sheet of paper quality of the plurality of sheet feeding trays, the sheet quality of which is allowed to be switched from the sheet quality of the sheet stored in the first sheet feeding tray. 7. The sheet feeding control device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a sheet feeding tray that is set is determined as the second sheet feeding tray. 10. The storage unit further stores a setting of switching permission or non-permission for each of the plurality of paper feeding trays, and the switching destination determining unit sets the first tray to switching permission. 10. The sheet feeding control device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the second sheet feeding tray is determined only in the case.