JP2000338828A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To form a desired image without supplying paper in the midst of forming the image and to reduce the waste of time by comparing the number of output sheets and the total residual amount of recording media and executing a mode selected by a user based on the compared result. SOLUTION: The existence of the paper of respective cassettes and paper size are detected (S106). It is judged whether the paper is housed in the cassettes or not (S107). When the paper is housed in at least one cassette, the residual amount of the paper of the respective cassettes is calculated (S108). Next, the total residual amount is counted every size of the paper housed in the cassettes (S110). Then, the number of output sheets X is compared with the total residual amount L of the A-3 sized paper, for example (S111). In the case of L>=X, the image is started to be formed (S112) and outputted (S113). Thus, the image can be outputted without supplying the paper in the midst of forming the prescribed image and the waste of time is reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a composite image forming apparatus having a composite function such as copying, faxing, and printing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in any image forming apparatus having a recording medium remaining amount detecting means, the remaining amount of the recording medium is displayed on a display unit or the like.
In the process of actually performing an image forming operation, a warning is issued when paper runs out. However, replenishing the paper after the paper runs out during the image forming operation has a negative side such as wasting time for the user.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and compares the number of output sheets for performing image formation with the total remaining number of recording media. By prompting an operator such as a user to replenish paper based on the information, and setting an optimal mode, a desired image can be formed without replenishing paper during image formation, and time is wasted. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reducing image quality.

[0004]

Therefore, in the present invention, the object is achieved by providing an image forming apparatus described in any one of the following items (1) to (4). is there.

[0005] (1) Each storage means for storing a recording medium, a remaining amount of recording medium detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the recording medium stored in each storage means, A document number coefficient means for counting the number of documents, input means such as an operation unit and a computer, and setting of the number of output copies and mode by the input means. Setting means for performing the following operations: output sheet counting means for counting the number of output sheets for performing image formation on the recording medium from the results of the counting means and the setting means; and recording medium size detection for detecting the size of the recording medium Means, an original size detecting means for detecting an original size, or a designating means for designating an original size, and a toe for counting the total remaining amount of the recording medium stored in each storage means. A remaining amount counting unit, a comparing unit that compares the result of the output number counting unit with the result of the total remaining amount counting unit, and based on the result of the comparing unit, a warning is generated by the notification unit and an optimal An image, comprising: means for notifying a mode setting; selecting means for a user or the like to select a mode from information of the notifying means; and means for performing an image forming operation based on a result of the selecting means. Forming equipment.

(2) The image forming apparatus according to the above (1), wherein the notifying unit displays the information on a display unit such as an operation unit.

(3) The image forming apparatus according to the above (1), wherein the output sheet counting means performs counting for each size suitable for the document size.

(4) In the image forming apparatus described in (1) above, the total remaining amount counting means counts the total remaining amount for each size of the recording medium stored in the storage means. Image forming device.

[0009]

According to the configuration of the present invention as described above, the number of output sheets for image formation is compared with the total remaining number of recording media, and based on the result, paper is supplied to an operator such as a user. By prompting and suggesting an optimal mode setting to the user, and executing the mode selected by the user, a desired image can be formed without replenishing paper during image formation, and time is wasted. Can be omitted.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail based on a plurality of examples with reference to the drawings.

[0011]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment.
The reader unit 1 reads an image of a document, and outputs image data corresponding to the document image to the printer unit 2 and the image input / output control unit 3. The printer unit 2 records an image corresponding to image data from the reader unit 1 and the image input / output control unit 3 of the external device on a recording sheet. The image input / output control unit 3 includes the reader unit 1
, The facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5,
Computer interface unit 7, formatter unit 8,
It comprises an image memory unit 9, a core unit 10, and the like.

The facsimile unit 4 expands the compressed image data received via the telephone line, transfers the expanded image data to the core unit 10, and compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 10. And transmits the compressed image data via the telephone line.

The facsimile unit 4 includes a hard disk 1
2 is connected and can temporarily store the received compressed image data. The file unit 5 is connected to a magneto-optical disk drive unit 6 as an external storage device. The file unit 5 compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 10 and sends the compressed image data together with a keyword for searching the image data. Magneto-optical disk drive unit 6
Is stored in the magneto-optical disk set in. The file unit 5 searches compressed image data stored on the magneto-optical disk based on the keyword transferred via the core unit 10, reads out the searched compressed image data, decompresses the decompressed image data, and decompresses the decompressed image data. The image data is transferred to the core unit 10.

The computer interface unit 7 includes a personal computer or a workstation 11 (P
C / WC) and the core unit 10. The computer interface unit 7 has a built-in network interface unit shown in the figure, and can be connected to a computer or the like via a network such as Ethernet.

The formatter unit 8 temporarily stores data transferred from the PC / WC 11. Although the core unit 10 will be described later, the core unit 10 controls the flow of data among the reader unit 1, facsimile unit 4, file unit 5, computer interface unit 7, formatter unit 8, and image memory unit 9. Is what you do.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 of FIG. Document feeder 10 of reader unit 1
Reference numeral 1 denotes a case in which the originals are sequentially fed one by one onto the platen glass 102, and after the original reading operation is completed,
2 is for discharging the original. When the document is conveyed onto the platen glass 102, the lamp 103 is turned on, the movement of the scanner unit 104 is started, and the document is exposed and scanned. The light reflected from the original at this time is transmitted to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter simply referred to as a CCD) 10 by mirrors 105, 106, 107 and a lens 108.
It is led to 9. Thus, the scanned image of the original is C
Read by CD109.

The image data output from the CCD 109 is transferred to the printer unit 2 and the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3 in FIG. Also,
The document feeder 101 has a document size detecting unit (not shown), which can detect the size of a document stacked on the document feeder 101.

A cassette pedestal 117 of the printer unit 2 (FIG. 1) is a cassette for storing recording paper, and is electrically connected to the main body by a cable (not shown).
The paper feeding operation is performed in the same manner as the main body. Further, it is possible to store a large number of types and a large number of recording sheets over a plurality of levels.

The laser driver 221 of the printer unit 2
It drives the laser light emitting unit 201, and the reader unit 1
Causes the laser light emitting unit 201 to emit laser light corresponding to the image data output from. This laser beam is applied to the photosensitive drum 2
02, a latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 202. A developer is attached to a portion of the latent image on the photosensitive drum 202 by a developing device 203. Then, at a timing synchronized with the start of the laser beam irradiation, the recording paper is fed from one of the cassettes 204 and 205 and conveyed to the transfer unit 206, and the developer attached to the photosensitive drum 202 is transferred to the recording paper. Transcribe.

A plurality of sensors (not shown) are arranged near each of the cassettes 204, 205 and the like, and detect the remaining amount of the recording paper housed in the cassettes by using these sensors. Further, a plurality of sensors (not shown) are arranged in each of the cassettes 204, 205, and the like, and these sensors detect the size of the recording paper housed in each of the cassettes. The recording paper on which the developer is loaded is conveyed to the fixing unit 207, and the developer is fixed on the recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 207.

The recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 207 is discharged by paper discharge rollers 208, and the sorter 220 sorts the recording paper by storing the discharged recording paper in each bin. When no sorting is set, the sorter 220 discharges the recording paper to the uppermost bin.

When double-sided recording is set,
After the recording paper is conveyed to the discharge roller 208, the rotation direction of the discharge roller 208 is reversed, and the recording paper is guided to the re-feed conveyance path by the flapper 209.

When multiplex recording is set, the flapper 20 is set so that the recording paper is not conveyed to the discharge roller 208.
9 guides the sheet to the re-feeding conveyance path. The recording paper guided to the re-feed conveyance path is fed to the transfer unit 206 at the above-described timing.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the reader unit 1 (FIG. 1). The image data output from the CCD 109 is subjected to analog / digital conversion by the A / D / SH unit 110 and is subjected to shading correction. A / D
The image data processed by the SH unit 110 is transferred to the printer unit 2 via the image processing unit 111,
The data is transferred to the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3 via the interface unit 113.

The CPU 114 controls the image processing unit 111 and the interface unit 113 in accordance with the settings set by the operation unit 115. For example, when the copy mode for performing the trimming process is set by the operation unit 115, the trimming process is performed by the image processing unit 111 and the image data is transferred to the printer unit 2.

When the facsimile transmission mode is set on the operation unit 115, the interface unit 113
The control command corresponding to the image data and the set mode is transferred to the core unit 10.

Such a control program for the CPU 114 is stored in the memory 116, and the CPU 114 performs control while referring to the memory 116. Also, memory 1
Reference numeral 16 is also used as a work area of the CPU 114. A control unit (not shown) controls motors, clutches, and the like (not shown) disposed in the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 and performs drive control such as a sheet feeding operation and sheet conveyance. The control unit 118 is connected to a sensor (not shown) disposed in the reader unit 1 or the printer unit 2 to detect timing of sheet conveyance, size detection of sheets stored in a cassette, Detection of presence / absence, detection of remaining amount of paper, and the like are performed.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the core unit 10 (FIG. 1). The image data from the reader unit 1 is transferred to the data processing unit 121, and the control command from the reader unit 1 is transferred to the CPU 123. The data processing unit 121 performs image processing such as image rotation processing and scaling processing. Image data transferred from the reader unit 1 to the data processing unit 121 is converted into a control command transferred from the reader unit 1. Accordingly, the data is transferred to the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, and the computer interface unit 7 via the interface 120.

The code data representing the image input via the computer interface unit 7 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 and then transferred to the formatter unit 8 to be expanded into image data. After being transferred to the data processing unit 121, the data is transferred to the facsimile unit 4 and the printer unit 2. The image data from the facsimile unit 4 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 and then to the printer unit 2, the file unit 5, and the computer interface unit 7.

The image data from the file unit 5 is
After being transferred to the data processing unit 121, the data is transferred to the printer unit 2, facsimile unit 4, and computer interface unit 7. The CPU 123 performs such control according to a control program stored in the memory 124 and a control command transferred from the reader unit 1. The memory 124 is also used as a work area of the CPU 123. As described above, it is possible to perform processing combining functions such as reading of an original image, printing of an image, transmission and reception of an image, storage of an image, input and output of data from a computer, and the like, centering on the core unit 10. .

FIG. 5 is an external view of the key arrangement of the operation unit of the digital copier of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, which will be described below with reference to FIG. This key is used when giving an instruction. 304
Is a stop key, which is used to interrupt or stop copying. A reset key 305 operates as a key for returning to the standard mode during standby.

Reference numeral 302 denotes a numeric keypad, which is used to input numerical values such as the number of copies. A clear key 306 is used to clear a numerical value.

A touch panel 301 includes a combination of a liquid crystal screen and a touch sensor. An individual setting screen is displayed for each mode, and various detailed settings are made by touching drawn keys. It is possible. For example, a key screen for selecting the paper cassette and the auto paper selection function, a density key screen for up / down density,
There are a 1: 1, fixed size reduction / enlargement key screen, a zoom magnification key screen, and the like.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing sequence of the first embodiment, and the description will be made in accordance with the flowchart.

First, a user feeds a document to the automatic document feeder 1.
01 (FIG. 2) (step S101), the output unit number M is set from the operation unit 115 (FIG. 3), and the mode is set (step S102). In the mode setting in the present embodiment, it is assumed that a normal 1: 1 copy mode is set. In step S103, the number of originals is counted by the automatic original feeder 101, and the counted result is substituted for N in order to determine the number N of originals set in the automatic paper feeder. The above setting is performed by the CPU 114 and the control unit, and is set in the RAM.

While counting the number of originals,
Although the document size is also detected, it is assumed in this embodiment that the document size is A3 (step S104). Based on the above result, the output number X is set based on the setting process described above (step S105).
= M * N.

Next, the presence or absence of paper in each cassette and the paper size are detected (step S106). Then, it is determined whether or not sheets are stored in the cassette (step S107), and if at least one cassette contains sheets, the remaining amount of sheets in each cassette is calculated (step S108).

If the sheets are not stored in all the cassettes, a message is displayed on the display screen of the operation unit or the like so that the sheets are set in the cassettes, and the user is notified (step S109). Return to the processing flow.

Next, the total remaining amount is counted for each size of the sheets stored in the cassette (step S110).
However, in this embodiment, it is assumed that sheets of A3 and A4 sizes are stored, the total remaining amount of A3 size is L, and the total remaining amount of A4 size is M. In step S111, the number of output sheets X is compared with the total remaining amount L of A3 size paper (step S111). If L ≧ X, image formation is started (step S112) and output is performed (step S113). ).

If L <X, the number of output sheets X and A4
A comparison is made with the total remaining amount M of paper of the size (step S114). If M ≧ X, the user is informed that output in A4 size is possible without replenishing paper in the reduction mode. The notification is made to the display unit or the like, and the user is selected (step S115).

If M <X, a message is displayed on the display screen of the operation unit or the like so that paper is set in the cassette, the user is notified (step S116), and the process returns to step S106. .

In step S117, the user determines whether or not to output the reduced mode A4 size from the selection screen.
When the output in the reduction mode is selected, the image forming operation is executed (step S112), and the image is output (step S112).
113). When the user does not want to output in the reduction mode, a message is displayed on the display screen of the operation unit or the like so that sheets are set in the cassette, the user is notified (step S116), and the processing flow of step S106) is performed. Return.

By performing the above-described processing, it is possible to output an image without replenishing a sheet during a predetermined image formation, and it is possible to at least save time.

In the first embodiment, the image forming operation without replenishing the paper is performed by reducing the size of the paper from A3 size to A4 size. It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this, and is also applicable to zoom processing such as an enlargement mode. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the size of the document is A3, and the sizes stored in the cassette are A3 and A4. However, the size of the document and the size of the paper are not limited to these. is there.

(Second Embodiment) FIGS. 8 and 9 are flowcharts (No. 1) and (No. 2) showing a processing sequence in a second embodiment according to the present invention, and the description will be made according to them. First, the user sets a document on the automatic document feeder (step S201), sets the number of output copies M from the operation unit, and sets the mode (step S20).
2). It is assumed that the mode setting set in the second embodiment is the M copy setting for normal normal-size copying. Step S203
Then, the number of originals set in the automatic paper feeder is counted, and the original size is detected simultaneously with the counting. And
Based on the result obtained in the process of step S203, in this process, it is detected that an A4 size document has been set in the cassette, and the number N of A4 documents is determined (step S20).
4).

The above setting is performed by the CPU 114 (FIG. 3) and the control unit, and is set in the RAM. Then, based on the results of steps S202 and S204, the output number X of each A4 size is set (step S205).
However, it goes without saying that the number of output sheets in this case is X = M * N.

Next, the presence or absence of a sheet in each cassette and the sheet size are detected (step S206). Then, it is determined whether or not the cassette contains sheets (step S207). If at least one cassette contains sheets, the remaining amount of sheets in each cassette is calculated (step S208).

If the sheets are not stored in all the cassettes, a message is displayed on the display screen of the operation unit or the like so that the sheets are set in the cassettes, the user is notified (step S209), and the processing in step S206 is performed. Return to the flowchart.

Next, the total remaining amount of each size of the sheets stored in the cassette is counted (step S210).
In the second embodiment, A4 size paper is stored,
It is assumed that the total remaining amount of the A4 size is L. In step S211, the number of output sheets X is compared with the total remaining amount L of A4 size paper. If X ≦ L, image formation is started (step S212), and output is performed (step S212).
213).

If X> L, the number of output sheets X and A4
A comparison is made with a half of the total remaining amount L of the size paper (step S214). If X ≦ L / 2, it is determined that output is possible without paper replenishment in the duplex mode and the 2-in-1 mode (step S215).

If X> L / 2, the number of output sheets X is compared with 1/4 of the total remaining amount of A4 size paper (step S216), and if X.ltoreq.L / 4. If it is 4in1 mode and 2in1 double-sided mode,
It is determined that output is possible without paper supply (step S
217).

If X> L / 4, a message is displayed on the display screen of the operation unit or the like so that paper is set in the cassette, the user is notified (step S218), and the processing flow of step S206 is performed. Return to And step S
In step 219, the user is notified to the display unit or the like that the output is possible without replenishing the sheets in the two-sided mode, the two-in-one mode, the four-in-one mode, and the two-in-one two-sided mode, and the user is made to select (step S219).

In step S220, the user determines whether to output in the above four modes from the selection screen. When the output in the four modes is selected, the user is allowed to select which mode to output, and when the output is selected in the duplex mode (step S221), the image forming operation in the duplex mode is executed. , (Step S212), and output (Step S213).

When the 2in1 mode is selected (step S222), the image forming operation in the 2in1 mode is executed (step S212) and output (step S213). Further, when the 4in1 mode is selected (step S223), the image forming operation in the 4in1 mode is executed (step S212) and output (step S213). When the 2in1 double-sided mode is selected (step S224), an image forming operation in the 2in1 double-sided mode is executed (step S212) and output (step S213).

When the user does not desire the output in the four modes (step S220), a display is displayed on the display screen of the operation unit or the like so that the cassette paper is set.
The user is notified (step S225) and step S2
It returns to the processing flow of 06.

By performing the above-described processing sequence, the number of output sheets for performing image formation is compared with the total remaining number of recording media, and based on the result, an operator such as a user is notified. By prompting for paper supply and proposing, selecting, and outputting a mode in which output can be performed without paper supply, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of at least saving time.

In the second embodiment, it has been described that the image forming operation is performed without replenishing the paper of the A4 size original in four modes of the duplex mode, the 2-in-1 mode, the 4-in-1 mode and the 2-in-1 duplex mode. However, in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to only the four modes described above.
It is needless to say that the present invention is also applied to zoom processing such as reduction mode and reduction layout and enlargement layout processing. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the size of the document is A4 and the size accommodated in the cassette is A4, but the document size and the paper size are not limited to these.

Further, in this embodiment, the processing during the copying operation has been described. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is applied not only to the copying operation but also to, for example, printing out data from a computer. Nor.

[0059]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In a digital copying machine or the like, the number of output sheets for performing image formation is compared with the total remaining number of recording media, and based on the result, an operator such as a user is prompted to replenish paper and an optimal mode is set. By proposing settings to the user and executing the mode selected by the user, a desired image can be formed without replenishing paper during the predetermined image formation, thereby reducing waste of time. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing the above.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a reader unit and a printer unit of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a reader unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a configuration block diagram of a core unit of FIG. 1;

5 is an external view of an operation unit of the digital copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a processing sequence flowchart of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a display screen for mode selection in the processing of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a processing sequence flowchart of the second embodiment (part 1).

FIG. 9 is a processing sequence flowchart of the second embodiment (part 2).

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display screen for mode selection in the processing of FIGS.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reader part 2 Printer part 3 External device 10 Core part 101 Document feeder 111 Image processing part 115 Operation part 117 Cassette pedestal 202 Photosensitive drum 220 Sorter 301 Touch panel 302 Numeric keypad

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A storage means for storing a recording medium, a recording medium remaining amount detecting means for detecting a remaining amount of the recording medium stored in each of these storing means, An image forming apparatus comprising: a notification unit that notifies information based on a result; a document number coefficient unit that counts the number of documents; an input unit such as an operation unit and a computer; and an output unit number and a mode setting set by the input unit. Setting means for performing, output number counting means for counting the number of output sheets for performing image formation on the recording medium from the results of the counting means and the setting means, and recording medium size detecting means for detecting the size of the recording medium A document size detecting means for detecting a document size or a designating means for designating a document size; and a toe for counting the total remaining amount of the recording medium stored in each of the storage means. A remaining amount counting unit; a comparing unit that compares a result of the output number counting unit with a result of the total remaining amount counting unit; An image, comprising: means for notifying a mode setting; selecting means for a user or the like to select a mode from information of the notifying means; and means for performing an image forming operation based on a result of the selecting means. Forming equipment. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The image forming apparatus, wherein the notifying unit displays the information on a display unit such as an operation unit. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output sheet counting means performs counting for each size suitable for the document size. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the total remaining amount counting unit counts the total remaining amount for each size of the recording medium stored in the storage unit.