JP2001002262A - Image forming device and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To execute the fine processing satisfying the need of an user by feeding the paper by switching a paper feeding means to another paper feeding means when the paper in the paper feeding means selected by an user is used up, and feeding the paper by switching the paper feeding means again to the paper feeding means selected by the user when the paper is supplemented to the selected paper feeding means. SOLUTION: In this image forming device comprising the first through third paper trays respectively accomodating, for example, A4 (lateral) paper, A3 paper and A4 (longitudinal) paper, whether the paper exists on, for example, the first paper tray selected by an user, or not is determined, and when the absence of paper is determined, whether the paper of the same size exists on another paper tray or not is determined. Then the paper on the third tray is fed in accordance with a result of the determination. On this occasion, when the paper is supplemented onto the selected first paper tray, the paper is fed from the first paper tray for the third paper tray after the completion of the paper supplement. Then whether the job is completed or not is detected, and the paper feeding is stopped when the job is completed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention has a plurality of paper feed trays, and has a limitless paper feed function for feeding paper to another paper feed tray when paper in a selected paper feed tray runs out. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in an image forming apparatus and an image forming method having a limitless sheet feeding function, when a sheet in a sheet feeding tray selected by a user runs out, the sheet is switched to another sheet feeding tray by the limitless sheet feeding function. Printing continues. According to this function, the user does not need to relocate the paper when the selected paper feed tray runs out of paper but the same or similar paper exists in another paper feed tray.

A prior art relating to an image forming apparatus having a limitless sheet feeding function is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-234610.

The image forming apparatus according to this prior art is an image forming apparatus having a function of selecting whether to perform limitless paper feeding based on a sheet size or a paper color.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, there is no mention of the processing after performing the limitless sheet feeding. Immediately after the user switches to another paper feed tray by the limitless paper feed function, even if the user refills the paper feed tray selected first, the user does not switch back to the paper feed tray again. There is a problem that a process different from the user's intention is performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and automatically feeds paper from the paper feed tray again when the paper is replenished in the paper feed tray selected first by the user. By doing so, the desired paper can be fed again, and when the paper feed tray is switched again, the completion of one batch job, the size of the replenished paper, An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method that realize detailed processing according to user needs by setting conditions such as types.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper feeding means for feeding paper from a plurality of paper feeding trays, and a paper feeding means selected by a user. When there is no more paper in the printer, the paper is switched to another paper feeder to feed paper, and when paper is replenished in the selected paper feeder, the paper is switched to the selected paper feeder again And a switching unit for performing sheet feeding.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the switching unit switches to the selected sheet feeding unit after one grouped job is completed.

The invention described in claim 3 is the first or second invention.
In the invention described above, the switching means switches to the selected paper feeding means when the paper supplied to the selected paper feeding means satisfies a certain condition.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the invention, the switching means selects the selected sheet when the sheet replenished to the selected sheet feeding means matches the sheet size of the sheet feeding means. It is characterized by switching to paper feeding means.

The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 3 or 4.
In the invention described above, the switching unit switches to the selected paper supply unit when the paper supplied to the selected paper supply unit matches the paper type of the paper supply unit.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the limitless sheet feeding means and the switching means are automatically operated.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper feeding step of feeding paper from a plurality of paper feeding trays, and switching to another paper feeding tray when paper in a paper feeding tray selected by a user runs out. It is characterized by a limitless paper feeding process for feeding paper and a switching process for feeding paper again by switching to the selected paper feeding tray when paper is supplied to the selected paper feeding tray.

The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 7, after one grouped job is completed, switching to the selected paper feed tray is performed.

The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 7 or 8.
In the invention described, in the switching step, when the paper replenished in the selected paper feed tray satisfies a certain condition,
It is characterized by switching to the selected paper feed tray.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the ninth aspect of the present invention, in the switching step, when the paper replenished to the selected paper feed tray matches the paper size of the selected paper feed tray, It is characterized by switching to a paper feed tray.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the ninth or tenth aspect of the present invention, the switching step is performed when the paper replenished to the selected paper feed tray matches the paper type of the paper feed tray. The paper feed tray is switched to the selected paper feed tray.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus comprising:
In the invention according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the limitless sheet feeding step and the switching step are automatically performed.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a microcomputer 1 for controlling sheet feeding, a driving actuator 2 for driving sheet feeding,
It comprises a size sensor 3 for detecting the size of the stacked paper, a remaining amount detection sensor 4 for detecting the presence or absence of the paper, a paper type detection sensor 5 for detecting the color of the paper and detecting the type of the paper, and the like. The microcomputer 1 controls paper feed by controlling the drive actuator 2 based on signals from three sensors in each paper feed tray.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of the sheet feeding operation. A4 (horizontal) size paper in the first paper tray, A3 paper in the second paper tray
The following description is based on the premise that sheets of A4 (vertical) size are stacked on the third sheet feed tray. The user selects the A4 (horizontal) size of the first paper feed tray,
Copy process and select 4 pages x
Assuming that 4 copies = 16 or more sheets are stacked,
As shown in (a), all sheets are fed from the first sheet feed tray, and all A4 (landscape) sheets are used.

Next, when seven sheets are stacked in the first sheet feeding tray, in the conventional image forming apparatus having the limitless sheet feeding function, sheets of the same size (different directions) If the setting is to perform limitless paper feeding, up to seven sheets of A4 (horizontal) paper will be fed from the first paper feed tray, and then limitless paper feeding will start from the eighth sheet. When the function is activated, A4 (vertical) paper is fed from the third paper feed tray, and the output is as shown in FIG. At the time of output to A4 (vertical) paper, the formed image is rotated by 90 ° by the image forming apparatus, so that the image on the paper has the same output as A4 (horizontal). Here, the output of A4 (vertical) with respect to the output of A4 (horizontal) corresponds to the time required for 90 ° rotation processing of the image in the image forming apparatus and the transport distance (vertical).
However, there is a problem that it takes a longer time to output the data because the data is longer.

In the conventional system, even if paper is replenished to the first paper feed tray during the A4 (vertical) image output processing, one image is output.
When the A4 (vertical) paper was fed, the paper feed tray was not changed until there was no more paper in that tray.

The operation of the conventional system will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, the size condition is used as the limitless sheet feeding condition. However, the condition may be the sheet type, or the size and paper type and conditions. The same applies hereinafter.

First, it is detected whether or not there is a sheet in the sheet feed tray selected by the user (step S100).
If there is no paper in the selected paper feed tray (step S
100 / NO), it is detected whether there is a sheet of the same size in another tray (step S101). If there is no paper of the same size in another tray (step S101 / N
O), the paper feed is stopped (step S109), and the process ends. If there is a sheet of the same size in another tray (step S100 / YES), the sheet is fed from the tray (step S102). Next, it is detected whether or not there is a sheet in the tray (step S103). If there is a sheet (step S103 / YES), the sheet is fed (step S102). If there is no paper (step S10
(3 / NO), and returns to S100 to perform the subsequent processing.

As a result of the detection in S100, if there is a sheet in the selected sheet feeding tray (step S100 / YE
S), paper is fed from the tray (step S107).
Next, it is detected whether or not all the jobs have been completed (step S108). When completed (step S108 /
(YES), paper feed is stopped (step S109), and the process is terminated. If not completed (step S108 / N
O), returning to S100, and performing the subsequent processing.

The operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Similarly to the description of the conventional method, when seven sheets are stacked in the first sheet tray, A4 (horizontal) sheets are fed from the first sheet tray up to seven sheets, and the limit is set from the eighth sheet. The A4 (vertical) paper is fed from the third paper feed tray by the less paper feed function. After the output processing of 10 sheets is performed, when sheets are replenished to the first sheet feeding tray, 1
After one job (here, the number of copies), that is, the output process of the third copy, the A4 (horizontal) sheets are fed again from the first sheet feed tray from the first sheet of the fourth copy. In the case where the image processing time is shorter than that of the conventional method and the paper in the first paper feed tray and the paper in the third paper feed tray are both A4 papers but different paper types, for example, In this case, the output of the sheet desired by the operator is obtained from the fourth copy.

The operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, it is detected whether or not there is paper in the paper feed tray selected by the user (step S10).
0). If there is no paper in the selected paper feed tray (step S100 / NO), it is detected whether or not another tray has the same size paper (step S101). If there is no paper of the same size in another tray (step S10
(1 / NO), paper feed is stopped (step S109), and the process is terminated. When there is a sheet of the same size in another tray (step S101 / YES), the sheet is fed from the tray (step S102). Next, it is detected whether or not there is a sheet in the tray (step S103). If there is no paper (step S103 / NO), the process returns to step S100 and the subsequent processes are performed. If there is a sheet (step S10
(3 / YES) It is detected whether one job is completed (step S104). When the job is completed (step S104 / YES), the process returns to step S100 and the subsequent processing is performed. If the job is not completed (step S104
/ NO), returning to S102 to perform the subsequent processing.

As a result of the detection in S100, when there is a sheet in the selected sheet feeding tray (step S100 / YE
S), paper is fed from the tray (step S107).
Next, it is detected whether or not all the jobs have been completed (step S108). When completed (step S108 /
(YES), paper feed is stopped (step S109), and the process is terminated. If not completed (step S108 / N
O), returning to S100, and performing the subsequent processing.

The operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2C, when seven sheets are stacked in the first sheet tray, A4 (landscape) sheets are fed from the first sheet tray up to seven sheets, and a limit is set from the eighth sheet. A4 paper from the third paper tray by
(Vertical) paper is fed. After the output processing of 10 sheets is performed, when sheets are replenished to the first sheet feeding tray, A4 (horizontal) sheets are fed again from the first sheet feeding tray from the third sheet of the third copy. You. The image processing time is shorter than that of the conventional method (it is shorter than that in FIG. 2C of the embodiment). For example, both the paper in the first paper tray and the paper in the third paper tray are A4 paper. However, if the paper type is different, in the present embodiment, the output of the sheet desired by the operator is performed from the third sheet of the third copy (the desired sheet is output more than the sheet of FIG. 2C of the embodiment). More outputs).

The operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, it is detected whether or not there is paper in the paper feed tray selected by the user (step S10).
0). If there is no paper in the selected paper feed tray (step S100 / NO), it is detected whether or not another tray has the same size paper (step S101). If there is no paper of the same size in another tray (step S10
(1 / NO), paper feed is stopped (step S109), and the process is terminated. If there is a sheet of the same size in another tray (step S101 / YES), the sheet is fed from the tray (step S102), and the process returns to step S100 to perform the subsequent processing.

As a result of the detection in S100, if there is a sheet in the selected sheet feed tray (step S100 / YE
S), paper is fed from the tray (step S107).
Next, it is detected whether or not all the jobs have been completed (step S108). When completed (step S108 /
(YES), paper feed is stopped (step S109), and the process is terminated. If not completed (step S108 / N
O), returning to S100, and performing the subsequent processing.

In FIG. 2C, the movement to the selected paper feed is not performed in the middle of the number of copies, so that the mixed paper (A4 (vertical) and A4 (horizontal)) does not occur in the same copy. Easy paper operation after output. For example, if the stapler processing function is provided, stapling cannot be performed if paper sizes (or directions) are mixed, but in the case of FIG. 2C, stapling can be performed because there is no mixed paper in the third copy. Becomes

In FIG. 2D, since there is a mixture of sheets (A4 (vertical) and A4 (horizontal)) in the same section, there is a drawback that a problem occurs in paper operation after output. There is also an advantage that the time is shorter than that in FIG. 2C, and more sheets are desired by the user.

Next, when paper is replenished to the selected paper feed tray, when the paper size differs from the paper size at the start of the operation (or when the paper type is different), the paper feed tray selected at the start of the operation is returned to. It is also possible not to let it.

The operation of the third embodiment in which the above conditions are added to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, it is detected whether or not there is a sheet in the sheet feed tray selected by the user (step S100). If there is no paper in the selected paper feed tray (step S100 /
NO), it is detected whether there is a sheet of the same size in another tray (step S101). If there is no sheet of the same size in another tray (step S101 / NO), the sheet feeding is stopped (step S109), and the process ends. If there is paper of the same size in another tray (step S
101 / YES), paper is fed from the tray (step S102). Next, it is detected whether or not there is a sheet in the tray (step S103). If there is no paper (step S103 / NO), the process returns to step S100 and the subsequent processes are performed. If there is a sheet (step S103 / YES),
It is detected whether one job is completed (step S
104). If the job is not completed (step S10
4 / NO), returning to S102 to perform the subsequent processing.

When the job is completed (step S10
4 / YES), it is detected whether or not there is paper in the paper feed tray selected first by the user (step S10).
5). If there is no paper in the selected paper feed tray (step S105 / NO), the process returns to step S102 and the subsequent processing is performed. If there is paper in the selected paper feed tray (step S105 / YES), the paper size at the time of selection of the paper feed tray first selected by the user is the same as the paper size refilled later by the user. It is detected whether or not (Step S106). If they are the same (step S
106 / YES), returning to S100 to perform the subsequent processing.
If they are not the same (step S106 / NO), S10
2 and the subsequent processing is performed.

As a result of the detection in S100, when there is a sheet in the selected sheet feeding tray (step S100 / YE
S), paper is fed from the tray (step S107).
Next, it is detected whether or not all the jobs have been completed (step S108). When completed (step S108 /
(YES), paper feed is stopped (step S109), and the process is terminated. If not completed (step S108 / N
O), returning to S100, and performing the subsequent processing.

The operation of the fourth embodiment in which conditions such as paper size and / or paper type are added to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, it is detected whether or not there is a sheet in the sheet feed tray selected by the user (step S100). If there is no paper in the selected paper feed tray (step S100 / NO), it is detected whether or not another tray has the same size paper (step S101). If there is no sheet of the same size in another tray (step S101 / NO), the sheet feeding is stopped (step S109), and the process ends. If there is paper of the same size in another tray (step S101 / YE
S), paper is fed from the tray (step S10)
2). Next, it is detected whether or not there is a sheet in the tray (step S103). If there is no paper (step S10
(3 / NO), and returns to S100 to perform the subsequent processing.

When there is a sheet (step S103 / Y)
ES), it is detected whether or not there is a sheet in the sheet feeding tray selected first by the user (step S105). If there is no paper in the selected paper feed tray (step S1
05 / NO), returning to S102 to perform the subsequent processing. If there is paper in the selected paper feed tray (step S10
(5 / YES), and it is detected whether or not the size of the paper at the time of selection of the paper feed tray selected first by the user is the same as the size of the paper replenished later by the user (step S106). If they are the same (step S106 /
YES), returning to S100 and performing the subsequent processing. If they are not the same (step S106 / NO), the process returns to step S102 and the subsequent processes are performed.

As a result of the detection in S100, when there is a sheet in the selected sheet feeding tray (step S100 / YE
S), paper is fed from the tray (step S107).
Next, it is detected whether or not all the jobs have been completed (step S108). When completed (step S108 /
(YES), paper feed is stopped (step S109), and the process is terminated. If not completed (step S108 / N
O), returning to S100, and performing the subsequent processing.

[0042]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the first aspect of the present invention, after the limitless sheet feeding operation, when the sheet is replenished to the sheet feeding tray selected first by the user, the selection is made. By restarting the paper supply from the selected paper supply tray, the time required for output is reduced, and the output on the same paper as the selected paper is increased, and the output on the output paper more expected by the user can be performed. .

According to the second aspect of the present invention, after the limitless sheet feeding operation, when the sheet is first replenished to the sheet feeding tray selected by the user, the sheet is fed from the selected sheet feeding tray by one. By waiting until one job (for example, one copy in the case of sorting) is completed, the time required for output is reduced, and the output is performed on the same paper as the selected paper, resulting in an output paper that the user expects more. . In addition, since paper is not mixed in one copy, the paper processing operation after output becomes easy. For example, if the post-processing of a sheet has a stapler processing function, stapling cannot be performed if the sheet sizes (directions) are mixed, but stapling can be performed if there is no mixed size.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when sheets of different conditions are first replenished to the paper feed tray selected by the user after the limitless paper feed operation, the paper is fed to the selected paper feed tray. By not performing the switching, output on paper that does not meet the conditions can be prevented.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when a sheet of a different size is first replenished to the sheet tray selected by the user after the limitless sheet feeding operation, the sheet is supplied to the selected sheet tray. Is not performed, it is possible to prevent output on paper of different sizes.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when a different type of paper is first replenished to the paper feed tray selected by the user after the limitless paper feed operation, the paper is transferred to the selected paper feed tray. By not performing the switching, output on different types of paper can be prevented.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, by automatically performing the limitless sheet feeding process and the process of switching to the sheet feeding tray selected by the user first, for example, the image forming process during printing by the user Even if the paper in the paper feed tray selected by the user runs out while the user is away from the apparatus, printing can be continued. Further, it is not necessary to perform the operation after replenishing the sheet, which is convenient.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, after the limitless sheet feeding operation, when sheets are first replenished to the sheet feeding tray selected by the user, sheet feeding is resumed from the selected sheet feeding tray. As a result, the time required for the output is reduced, and the output on the same paper as the selected paper is increased, and the output on the output paper more expected by the user becomes possible.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, after the limitless sheet feeding operation, when sheets are first supplied to the sheet feeding tray selected by the user, sheet feeding from the selected sheet feeding tray is performed by one. By waiting until one job (for example, one copy in the case of sorting) is completed, the time required for output is reduced, and the output is performed on the same paper as the selected paper, resulting in an output paper that the user expects more. . In addition, since paper is not mixed in one copy, the paper processing operation after output becomes easy. For example, if the post-processing of a sheet has a stapler processing function, stapling cannot be performed if the sheet sizes (directions) are mixed, but stapling can be performed if there is no mixed size.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, when sheets of different conditions are first replenished to the paper feed tray selected by the user after the limitless paper feed operation, the paper is fed to the selected paper feed tray. By not performing the switching, output on paper that does not meet the conditions can be prevented.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, when a sheet of a different size is first replenished to the sheet tray selected by the user after the limitless sheet feeding operation, the sheet is supplied to the selected sheet tray. Is not performed, it is possible to prevent output on paper of different sizes.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, when a different type of paper is first replenished to the paper feed tray selected by the user after the limitless paper feed operation, the paper is fed to the selected paper feed tray. By not performing the switching, output on different types of paper can be prevented.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, by automatically performing the limitless sheet feeding process and the process of switching to the sheet feeding tray selected first by the user, for example, the image forming operation performed by the user during printing Even if the paper in the paper feed tray selected by the user runs out while the user is away from the apparatus, printing can be continued. Further, it is not necessary to perform the operation after replenishing the sheet, which is convenient.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a sheet feeding operation according to the related art and the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a conventional paper feeding operation.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a sheet feeding operation according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a sheet feeding operation according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a sheet feeding operation according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a sheet feeding operation according to a fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 microcomputer 2 drive actuator 3 size sensor 4 remaining amount detection sensor 5 paper type detection sensor

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A paper supply unit for supplying paper from a plurality of paper supply trays, and a limitless supply for switching to another paper supply unit to supply paper when paper in a paper supply unit selected by a user runs out. An image forming apparatus comprising: a paper unit; and a switching unit configured to switch over to the selected paper supply unit again to perform paper supply when the selected paper supply unit is replenished with paper. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit switches to the selected sheet feeding unit after one set of jobs is completed. 3. The switching unit according to claim 1, wherein the sheet replenished to the selected sheet supply unit satisfies a predetermined condition.
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is switched to the selected sheet feeding unit. 4. The switching device according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit switches to the selected paper feeding unit when the paper supplied to the selected paper feeding unit matches the paper size of the paper feeding unit. Item 4. The image forming apparatus according to Item 3. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit switches to the selected paper supply unit when the paper supplied to the selected paper supply unit matches the paper type of the paper supply unit. Item 5. The image forming apparatus according to item 3 or 4. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the limitless sheet feeding unit and the switching unit automatically perform the operation. 7. A paper feeding process for feeding paper from a plurality of paper feeding trays, and a limitless feeding for switching to another paper feeding tray and feeding when there is no paper in a paper feeding tray selected by a user. An image forming method, comprising: a paper step; and a switching step of, when paper is replenished in the selected paper feed tray, switching to the selected paper feed tray again to feed paper. 8. The image forming method according to claim 7, wherein the switching step switches to the selected sheet feeding tray after one grouped job is completed. 9. The paper feeding tray according to claim 7, wherein when the paper replenished in the selected paper feeding tray satisfies a predetermined condition, the paper feeding tray is switched to the selected paper feeding tray. The image forming method as described in the above. 10. The paper feeding tray according to claim 1, wherein the paper feeding tray is switched to the paper feeding tray when the paper replenished in the paper feeding tray matches the paper size of the paper feeding tray. Item 10. The image forming method according to Item 9. 11. The paper feeding tray according to claim 11, wherein the paper feeding tray is switched to the selected paper feeding tray when the paper supplied to the selected paper feeding tray matches the paper type of the paper feeding tray. Item 11. The image forming method according to Item 9 or 10. 12. The method according to claim 7, wherein the limitless sheet feeding step and the switching step are performed automatically.
12. The image forming method according to any one of items 1 to 11.