JP2001134406A - Picture forming device and method for controlling the same and picture forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a picture forming device for communicating error information by operating the picture formation and output of error information instead of target picture formation data when any error is generated during picture formation processing, and for easily discriminating the presence of error information communication, and a method for controlling the picture forming device, and a picture forming system. SOLUTION: In the picture forming processing, an error output setting screen is displayed (S502), and a user sets a recording sheet size at the outputting of error information communication (S503). When any error is generated during the picture formation processing (S509), a sheet feeding tray in which recording sheets in a size, based on the set information, are housed is automatically selected (S519), and the error information communication is outputted (S521). Also, it is possible for the user to set the sheet feeding tray and a sheet ejecting tray at the outputting of the error information communication.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a control method thereof, and an image forming system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is known an image forming apparatus including a plurality of recording medium supply trays for supplying a recording medium and a plurality of recording medium discharge trays for discharging a recorded recording medium. As a typical example, a printer including a plurality of paper feed trays for supplying paper as a recording medium and a plurality of paper discharge trays for discharging recorded paper is known.

In such a printer, a user can specify a desired paper feed tray and a desired paper discharge tray in advance.

A printer has an instruction set for controlling various functions. Such an instruction set is a page description language capable of integrally describing data of documents, figures, and the like in page units. It is known to be realized by control software called.

[0005] In such a printer, if an error occurs during the interpretation of the page description language, for example, when the memory capacity required for the printing process is insufficient and the printing process ends abnormally, information on the error is stored in the target. 2. Description of the Related Art A printer including an error information notifying unit for notifying error information by printing out instead of print data is known.

[0006]

In the conventional printer as described above, the error information notification is printed on recording paper supplied from a paper feed tray set when printing the target print data. Because it is output to the output tray, even if the error information notification is printed,
There is a problem that the printed matter is mixed with other printed matter on the paper discharge tray, making it difficult to find the presence of the error information notification.

Further, in the conventional printer, when printing the error information notification, for example, a paper feed tray different from the paper feed tray set when printing the target print data is automatically selected. Printing on recording paper with different colors,
Since it is not possible to perform processing such as printing on recording paper cheaper than recording paper used for ordinary documents, it is possible to reduce not only the problem of discriminating the presence of error information notification but also the cost of recording paper. There was a problem that was difficult.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, a control method thereof, and an image forming system capable of easily determining the presence of an error information notification, in view of the above conventional technique. .

Further, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus, a control method thereof, and an image forming system capable of reducing the cost of a recording medium by using an inexpensive recording medium for error information notification. The purpose is to:

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus that performs an image forming process on a predetermined recording medium based on supplied output data and outputs the processed image. An image forming unit that performs the image forming process; a recording medium discharging unit that outputs the recording medium after the image forming process to a predetermined discharging unit; and a recording that supplies the predetermined recording medium to the image forming unit. A medium supply unit, and detects an error occurring during the image forming process, and sets error information on the detected error to a preset
Control means for controlling the recording medium supply means so as to form an image on a recording medium of a type different from the predetermined recording medium.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, comprising:
An image forming apparatus for performing an image forming process on a predetermined recording medium and outputting the same, comprising: an image forming unit for performing the image forming process; and a recording medium for outputting the recording medium after the image forming process to a predetermined discharging unit. Discharging means, recording medium supplying means for supplying the predetermined recording medium to the image forming means, detecting an error occurring during the image forming processing, and forming an image forming result based on the detected error information into the output data. And control means for controlling the recording medium discharge means so as to output to a predetermined discharge section different from the image formation result based on the image forming result.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, comprising:
An image forming apparatus for performing an image forming process on a predetermined recording medium and outputting the same, comprising: an image forming unit for performing the image forming process; and a recording medium for outputting the recording medium after the image forming process to a predetermined discharging unit. A discharging unit, a recording medium supply unit that supplies the predetermined recording medium to the image forming unit, an error that occurs during the image forming process is detected, and error information relating to the detected error is set in advance. The recording medium supply means and the recording medium discharge means for forming an image on a recording medium of a type different from a predetermined recording medium, and outputting the image to a predetermined discharge unit different from an image formation result based on the output data Control means for controlling
It is characterized by having.

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming system according to the present invention performs an image forming process on a predetermined recording medium based on an external device for supplying output data and an output data supplied from the external device. An image forming system connected to an image forming apparatus that outputs image data, wherein the image forming apparatus performs image forming processing,
A recording medium discharging unit that outputs the recording medium after the image forming process to a predetermined discharging unit, a recording medium supplying unit that supplies the predetermined recording medium to the image forming unit, and an error generated during the image forming process. And control means for controlling the recording medium supply means so as to form an image on a recording medium of a type different from the predetermined recording medium, the error information relating to the detected error being detected in advance. Features.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming system comprising: an external device for supplying output data; and an image forming apparatus on a predetermined recording medium based on the output data supplied from the external device. An image forming system in which an image forming apparatus that performs a forming process and outputs the image is connected, the image forming device includes an image forming unit that performs the image forming process, and a predetermined discharge medium that has been subjected to the image forming process. A recording medium discharging unit that outputs the predetermined recording medium to the image forming unit; an image forming unit that detects an error that occurs during the image forming process, and forms an image based on the detected error information. Control means for controlling the recording medium discharging means so as to output the result to a predetermined discharging unit different from the image forming result based on the output data. The features.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming system comprising: an external device that supplies output data; and an image forming device that stores an image on a predetermined recording medium based on the output data supplied from the external device. An image forming system in which an image forming apparatus that performs a forming process and outputs the image is connected, the image forming device includes an image forming unit that performs the image forming process, and a predetermined discharge medium that has been subjected to the image forming process. A recording medium discharge unit that outputs to the unit, a recording medium supply unit that supplies the predetermined recording medium to the image forming unit, an error that occurs during the image forming process is detected, and error information about the detected error is output. Pre-set,
The recording medium supply unit and the recording medium ejection unit form an image on a recording medium of a type different from the predetermined recording medium, and output the image to a predetermined ejection unit different from an image formation result based on the output data. Control means for controlling the means.

In order to achieve the above object, a method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises the steps of:
What is claimed is: 1. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: performing an image forming process on a predetermined recording medium; and outputting the image forming process, and outputting the recording medium after the image forming process to a predetermined discharging unit. A recording medium ejecting step, a recording medium supplying step of supplying the predetermined recording medium to the image forming step, an error occurring during the image forming processing is detected, and error information on the detected error is set in advance. And a control step of controlling the recording medium supply step so that an image is formed on a recording medium of a type different from the predetermined recording medium.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: performing image forming processing on a predetermined recording medium based on supplied output data;
A method for controlling an image forming apparatus to output to a predetermined discharge unit, comprising: an image forming step of performing the image forming process; and a recording medium discharging step of outputting a recording medium after the image forming process to the predetermined discharge unit. A recording medium supplying step of supplying the predetermined recording medium to the image forming step; detecting an error occurring during the image forming processing; and forming an image based on the detected error information into an image based on the output data. And a control step of controlling the recording medium discharge step so as to output the recording medium to a predetermined discharge unit, which is different from the formation result.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: performing image forming processing on a predetermined recording medium based on supplied output data;
A method for controlling an image forming apparatus that outputs to a predetermined discharge unit, comprising: an image forming step of performing the image forming process; and a recording medium discharging step of outputting a recording medium after the image forming process to a predetermined discharge unit. A recording medium supply step of supplying the predetermined recording medium to the image forming step, an error occurring during the image forming processing being detected, and error information relating to the detected error being set in advance to the predetermined recording medium Control for forming the image on a different type of recording medium and controlling the recording medium supply step and the recording medium discharge step so as to output to a predetermined discharge unit different from the image formation result based on the output data And a step.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium storing a control program of an image forming apparatus for performing an image forming process on a predetermined recording medium based on supplied output data and outputting the processed image. A storage medium readable by the device, a program code of an image forming step of performing the image forming process, and a program code of a recording medium discharging step of outputting the recording medium after the image forming process to a predetermined discharging unit; A program code for a recording medium supply step of supplying the predetermined recording medium to the image forming step, and detecting an error generated during the image forming processing;
And a program code for a control step of controlling the recording medium supply step so that error information relating to the detected error is set in advance to form an image on a recording medium different from the predetermined recording medium. And

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium for performing an image forming process on a predetermined recording medium based on supplied output data, and outputting the image to a predetermined discharge unit. A computer-readable storage medium storing a control program of the apparatus, wherein a program code of an image forming process for performing the image forming process and a recording medium after the image forming process are output to the predetermined discharge unit. Program code of the recording medium discharging process to be performed,
A program code of a recording medium supply step of supplying the predetermined recording medium to the image forming step, an error generated during the image forming process is detected, and an image formation result based on the detected error information is output to the output data. And a program code of a control step for controlling the recording medium discharge step so as to output to a predetermined discharge section, which is different from an image forming result based on the image forming result.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium for performing an image forming process on a predetermined recording medium based on supplied output data, and outputting the image to a predetermined discharge unit. A computer-readable storage medium storing a control program of the apparatus, the program code of an image forming process for performing the image forming process, and a recording for outputting the recording medium after the image forming process to a predetermined discharge unit A program code for a medium discharge step, a program code for a recording medium supply step for supplying the predetermined recording medium to the image forming step, and an error occurring during the image forming process. An image is formed on a recording medium of a type different from the predetermined recording medium set in advance, and an image forming result based on the output data is formed. Different, and having a program code of the recording medium supply process and controlling process of controlling the recording medium ejection step to output to the discharge unit determined in advance.

[0022]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Embodiment 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an image forming system using an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a computer as an external device according to the present invention, which includes a printer driver for controlling driving of a printer 102 as an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. A printer 102 is connected to the computer 101 via a network 103. Here, the printer 102 has a function of interpreting a page description language.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer 102.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes the network 10
A page description language control unit 2 which is a network interface unit connected to the control unit 3 and processes a page description language
02 and an image forming unit 205 that forms an image, the image forming unit 205 is connected to a discharge tray control unit 206. The paper discharge tray control unit 206 controls the paper discharge tray 207 and performs paper discharge processing. Reference numeral 203 denotes a plurality of paper feed trays, and a paper feed tray control unit 2 that controls the paper feed tray 203 to perform a paper feed process.
04 is connected to the input end of the image forming unit 205.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the page description language control unit 202 in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes a page description language interpreting unit for interpreting a page description language, and 303, an error description memory for holding a procedure executed when an error occurs, which is controlled via an error control unit 302. You.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a printer driver for printing on the printer 102 by operating the computer 101. As shown in FIG. Reference numeral 401 denotes a printer driver main body, and 402, a user interface unit, which enables a user to set information as described later. This setting information is stored in, for example, the internal memory 4 which is a partial area of a RAM (not shown) of the computer 101.
04. A page description language generation unit 403 generates a page description language that can be interpreted by the printer 102 based on the data set by the user interface unit 402.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an error output setting screen displayed on the display device of the computer 101 by the user interface unit 402 of FIG. This screen shows the operating system where the printer driver operates,
It can be called from an application that performs printing.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 601 denotes a radio button for the user to specify a recording paper size for error information notification, a paper feed tray or a paper discharge tray, and
A pointer (not shown) of a pointing device such as a mouse connected to 1 is set to a desired radio button and then clicked to turn on / off the radio button
Can be switched.

Reference numeral 602 denotes a list box showing the currently selected setting contents of the items that can be specified by the radio button unit 601. As shown by 603, the setting contents selectable in the list box 602 are respectively shown. It is configured as a stored pull-down menu. Here, when the pointer of the pointing device is positioned at the position of the triangle mark in the desired list box 602 and clicked, a pull-down menu 603 is displayed. In the example of FIG. 6, the recording paper sizes are A3, A4, and B5, the paper feed trays are Tra0, Tray1, and Tray2, and the discharge tray is T.
It shows that ray0, Ray1 and Ray2 can each be set.

FIG. 7 is an example of an error description code generated by the page description language generation unit 403.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 701 indicates the start of the error description code, and reference numeral 704 indicates the end of the error description code.

Reference numeral 702 denotes that the recording paper size of the error information notification is set to A3.
Are procedures proc a, proc b, proc c, and proc interpreted by the page description language interpreting unit 301 when an error represented by the error identifiers a, b, c, and d occurs.
d is described.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a data structure held in the error description memory 303 of the page description language control unit 202.

In FIG. 8, a recording sheet size information of the error information notification is shown in an area 801, a sheet feed tray information of the recording sheet of the error information notice is shown in an area 802, and a recording sheet discharge tray of the error information notice is shown in an area 803. Information is stored respectively.

An area 804 stores an error identifier and error table data in which a procedure corresponding to the error identifier is stored. The area 804 further includes an area 805 in which an error identifier is stored and a procedure 806 corresponding thereto.
Consists of

With reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, a description will be given of a control process when an error occurs during the printing process of the target print data.

First, in step S501, when there is a print request from the user, the user interface unit 402 of the printer driver 401 displays an error output setting screen shown in FIG. 6 on the display screen of the computer 101 (step S502). When the user sets information regarding the output of the error information notification via this error output setting screen,
The setting information is stored in the internal memory 404 (Step S503). Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the user sets the recording paper size of the error information notification to A3.

Next, proceeding to step S 504, the page description language generating unit 403 reads out information on the output of the set error information notification from the internal memory 404, and
Generate an error description code as shown in

Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S505, where the page description language generation unit 403 generates a page description language of the entire target print data, adds the above error description code,
The data is transmitted to the printer 102 via the network 103.

The page description language received by the printer 102 is sent to the page description language control unit 202 via the network interface unit 201, and is interpreted by the page description language interpretation unit 301.

Next, in step S506, the page description language interpretation unit 301 extracts an error description code from the received page description language and transmits it to the error control unit 302. In step S507, the error control unit 302 The error description code is sent to the error description memory 303, and the content is held. At this time, each data read from the error description code is stored in the internal memory 404 based on the data structure of FIG. FIG. 9 shows the storage state of the data read from the error description code shown in FIG.

In FIG. 9, an area 901 contains A corresponding to the description 702 in the received error description code as recording paper size information of error information notification when an error occurs.
3 is stored in an area 902 as an error table indicating an error identifier and a procedure corresponding to the error identifier.
An error table corresponding to the description is stored.

Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S508, where the page description language interpretation unit 301 interprets the page description language excluding the error code.

Here, it is assumed that an error represented by the identifier a has occurred during the interpretation of the page description language in the page description language interpretation unit 301 (step S509).

The procedure "proc a" is a procedure for generating an output result as shown in FIG. 10 as a result of the interpretation by the page description language interpreting unit 301.

At this time, the process proceeds to step S 510, where the page description language interpretation unit 301 transmits the generated error identifier a to the error control unit 302.

Then, from step S511 to step S
Through the processing up to 514, the error control unit 302 accesses the error description memory 303 and searches the error table data for an error procedure (proc a) corresponding to the received error identifier a.

That is, first, in step S 511, when the error control unit 302 receives the error identifier a, it accesses the head element of the table data 902 of the error description memory 303.

Subsequently, the flow advances to step S512 to determine whether or not the accessed identifier is a. Here, if the determination result is no, the process proceeds to step S513, and after accessing the element of the next identifier, step S51 is performed again.
Returning to step 2, it is determined whether or not the identifier is a. If the determination result is yes, the process proceeds to step S514, and the procedure corresponding to the identifier is extracted. In this embodiment, since the head identifier of the table data is a, the procedure proc a corresponding thereto is extracted in the first determination in step S512.

When the search processing of the above procedure is completed, the process proceeds to step S515, where the error control unit 302 acquires the recording paper size information (A3) of the error information notification from the error description memory 303, and in step S516, Size information and procedure proca are interpreted by page description language interpreter 3
Send to 01.

Next, in step S 517, the page description language interpreting section 301 executes the procedure proc a
Is interpreted, and the output result and the recording paper size information are transmitted to the image forming unit 205.

Then, the image forming unit 205 transmits the recording paper size information to the paper feed tray control unit 204 (step S518), and the paper feed tray control unit 204 transmits the recording paper size information based on the received recording paper size information. Is controlled to feed paper from the A3 paper feed tray (step S519).

Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S520, where the image forming unit 205 draws the output result on the A3 sheet fed in step S519.

Further, the process proceeds to step S 521, where the paper discharge tray control unit 206 performs control so that the paper is discharged to a predetermined paper discharge tray among the paper discharge trays 207. However, in this embodiment, since no paper discharge tray is set, the paper is discharged to the same paper discharge tray as the target print. Through the above process, the error information notification shown in FIG. 10 is printed and discharged on A3 paper set by the user.

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
Since the recording paper size of the error information notification can be set to a size different from the recording paper size of the target print, the presence of the error information notification can be easily determined. [Embodiment 2] In Embodiment 1 described above, the recording paper size of the error information notification can be directly set by the user to a size different from the recording paper size of the target print, so that the presence of the error information notification can be determined. In the present embodiment, the same effect can be obtained by explicitly enabling the user to set the paper feed tray at the time of outputting the error information notification. The effect can be obtained.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an error output setting screen displayed on the display device of the computer 101 by the user interface unit 402 of FIG. 4, which is the same as FIG. 6, but FIG. According to the intention of the mode, the user sets the paper tray at the time of outputting the error information notification to T.
This indicates that it has been set to ray0.

FIG. 13 is based on the setting contents of FIG.
5 is an example of an error description code generated by a page description language generation unit 403.

Reference numeral 1301 denotes that the sheet tray at the time of outputting the error information notification is set to Tray0.

Hereinafter, a control process in the case where the user sets the paper feed tray at the time of outputting the error information generated during the printing process of the target print data to Tray0 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. .

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing example of this embodiment.

In FIG. 11, steps indicating processes common to those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and only different processes will be described below.

In this embodiment, the first embodiment is also used.
Similarly to the above, it is assumed that an error represented by the identifier a has occurred during the interpretation of the page description language, and the procedure proc a has
As a result of the interpretation in the page description language interpretation control unit 301,
It is assumed that the output result shown in FIG. 10 is generated.

In step S1101, step S50
The paper feed tray at the time of outputting the error information notification is set as shown in FIG. 12 via the error output setting screen displayed in 2, and the setting information is stored in the internal memory 404.

In step S1102, the page description language generation unit 403 reads the information related to the output of the set error information notification from the internal memory 404, and generates an error description code as shown in FIG.

Next, the page description language generation unit 403 generates a page description language and sends it to the printer 102 (step S 505), the page description language interpretation unit 301 extracts an error description code, and sends it to the error control unit 302. After the transmission (step S506), in step S1103, the error control unit 302 sends the received error description code to the error description memory 303 and holds the content. At this time, each data read from the error description code is stored in the internal memory 404 based on the data structure of FIG.
Is stored in FIG. 14 shows the storage state of the data read from the error description code shown in FIG.

In FIG. 14, in an area 1401, data indicating that it is a Tray 0 corresponding to the description of 1301 in the received error description code is provided as sheet tray information at the time of outputting an error information notification when an error occurs. Is stored.

Next, the page description language interpreting unit 301 interprets the page description language (step S508), an error represented by the identifier a occurs at the time of interpreting the page description language (step S509), and the generated error identifier a Is transmitted to the error control unit 302 (step S510), and by the processing from step S511 to step S514,
After the error control unit 302 accesses the error description memory 303 and searches the error table data for an error procedure (proc a) corresponding to the received error identifier a, in step S1104, the error control unit 30
2 is the paper feed tray information (Tr
ay0) is obtained from the error description memory 303.

Next, in step S1105, paper feed tray information at the time of outputting the error information notification and the procedure proc a
Is transmitted to the page description language interpretation unit 301.

Subsequently, the flow advances to step S1106, where the page description language interpreting section 301 executes the received procedure proc.
A is interpreted, and the output result and paper feed tray information are transmitted to the image forming unit 205.

Next, in step S 1107, the image forming unit 205 transmits the paper feed tray information at the time of outputting the error information notification to the paper feed tray control unit 204.

Then, the flow advances to step S1108, where the paper feed tray control unit 204 controls the paper feed from the paper feed tray Tray0 based on the received paper feed tray information.

In this embodiment, since no paper discharge tray is set, the paper is discharged to the same paper discharge tray as the target print.

Through the above process, the error information notification shown in FIG. 10 is printed on the paper fed from the paper feed tray Tray0 set by the user and discharged.

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
Since the paper tray for outputting the error information notification can be set to a paper tray different from the paper tray for outputting the target print, for example, the paper tray for outputting the target print is A4 size. If the setting is made so that a paper tray containing A3-size paper is used when outputting the error information notification when the error information notification is output, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. Can be easily determined.

Further, for example, when a target print product is output, the paper feed tray contains normally used white paper, but when outputting error information notification, a paper feed tray containing red paper is used. Is set, the presence of the error information notification can be easily determined.

Further, for example, when a target print product is output, the paper feed tray contains high-quality paper that is normally used, and when outputting error information notification, a paper feed tray that contains cheaper medium-quality paper is used. If the setting is made so that the cost can be reduced, the cost for the paper can be reduced. Further, for example, if the OHP sheet is contained in the paper feed tray at the time of output of the target print product, but the paper feed tray containing the paper is used at the time of outputting the error information notification, it is possible to record different materials. The medium can be properly used, and the presence of the error information notification can be easily determined, and at the same time, the cost of the recording medium can be reduced. [Embodiment 3] In the above-described Embodiments 1 and 2, since the discharge tray for error information notification is not set, the error information notification is discharged to the same discharge tray as the target print. However, in the present embodiment, the output tray for outputting the error information notification is set to a different output tray from that for outputting the target print,
The presence of the error information notification can be easily determined.

FIG. 16 shows an example of an error output setting screen displayed on the display device of the computer 101 by the user interface unit 402 in FIG. 4, which is the same as FIG. 6 and FIG. 12, but FIG. According to the intention of the mode, the user sets the output tray at the time of outputting the error information notification to T.
This indicates that it has been set to ray0.

FIG. 17 is based on the setting contents of FIG.
5 is an example of an error description code generated by a page description language generation unit 403.

Reference numeral 1701 denotes that the output tray at the time of outputting the error information notification is set to Tray0.

Hereinafter, a control process in the case where the user designates the output tray as “Tray0” when outputting an error information notification generated during the printing process of the target print data will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing example of the present embodiment.

In FIG. 15, steps indicating processes common to those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and only different processes will be described below.

Note that, in this embodiment, too, Embodiment 1
Similarly to the above, it is assumed that an error represented by the identifier a has occurred during the interpretation of the page description language, and the procedure proc a has
As a result of the interpretation in the page description language interpretation control unit 301,
It is assumed that the output result shown in FIG. 10 is generated.

In step S1501, step S50
The output tray at the time of outputting the error information notification is set as shown in FIG. 16 via the error output setting screen displayed in 2, and the setting information is stored in the internal memory 404.

In step S1502, the page description language generation unit 403 reads out the set information related to the output of the error information notification from the internal memory 404, and generates an error description code as shown in FIG.

Next, the page description language generation unit 403 generates a page description language and sends it to the printer 102 (step S505), the page description language interpretation unit 301 extracts an error description code, and sends it to the error control unit 302. After the transmission (step S506), in step S1503, the error control unit 302 sends the received error description code to the error description memory 303 and holds the content. At this time, each data read from the error description code is stored in the internal memory 404 based on the data structure of FIG.
Is stored in FIG. 18 shows the storage state of the data read from the error description code shown in FIG.

In FIG. 18, in an area 1801, data indicating that it is a Tray 0 corresponding to the description of 1701 in the received error description code is stored as the output tray information at the time of outputting the error information notification when an error occurs. Is stored.

Next, the page description language interpreting unit 301 interprets the page description language (step S508), an error represented by the identifier a occurs at the time of interpreting the page description language (step S509), and the generated error identifier a Is transmitted to the error control unit 302 (step S510), and by the processing from step S511 to step S514,
After the error control unit 302 accesses the error description memory 303 and searches the error table data for an error procedure (proc a) corresponding to the received error identifier a, in step S1504, the error control unit 30
2 is the output tray information (Tr
ay0) is obtained from the error description memory 303.

Next, in step S1505, the output tray information at the time of outputting the error information notification and the procedure proc a
Is transmitted to the page description language interpretation unit 301.

Subsequently, the flow advances to step S1106, where the page description language interpreting section 301 executes the received procedure proc.
A is interpreted, and the output result and the discharge tray information are transmitted to the image forming unit 205.

Next, when paper is fed from the paper feed tray (step S519) and drawn by the image forming unit 205 (step S520), the process proceeds to step S1507, where the image forming unit 205 determines whether or not to output the error information notification. The discharge tray information is transmitted to the discharge tray control unit 206.

In step S1507, the paper discharge tray control unit 206 controls the paper discharge from the paper discharge tray Tray0 based on the received paper discharge tray information.

In this embodiment, since no paper feed tray is set, paper is fed from the same paper feed tray as when the target print data is output.

By the above process, the error information notice shown in FIG. 10 is discharged to the discharge tray Tray0 set by the user.

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
The output tray at the time of outputting the error information notification can be set to a different output tray from the output tray at the time of outputting the target print, so that the presence of the error information notification can be easily determined.

[Other Embodiments] In each of the above embodiments, only one type of information relating to the output of the error information notification is set. However, a plurality of pieces of information may be set in combination. That is, by combining the first and third embodiments, it is possible to set the recording paper size and the discharge tray at the time of outputting the error information notification.
Further, by combining the second embodiment and the third embodiment, it is possible to set the paper feed tray and the paper discharge tray when outputting the error information notification.

In each of the above-described embodiments, information relating to the output of the error information notification is set for each print request. However, this setting can be performed prior to the print request. It is also possible that the set content is not changed until it is set again. In the above-described embodiment, the image forming system including a plurality of network devices as shown in FIG. 1 has been described. However, the present invention is applied to an apparatus including a single device (for example, a copier, a facsimile machine, or the like). You may.

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or a recording medium) recording software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (a computer) of the system or the apparatus. It is needless to say that the present invention can also be achieved by a CPU or an MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Also,
When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instructions of the program code.
It goes without saying that a case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented by performing some or all of the actual processing, and the processing performs the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, the CPU included in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

When the present invention is applied to the above-mentioned storage medium, the storage medium includes the above-described storage medium shown in FIGS.
The program code corresponding to one or more flowcharts shown in FIG.

[0102]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible for the user to arbitrarily select the size of the recording medium, the color of the recording medium, and the like, with respect to the recording medium used for error information notification. Since the user can arbitrarily select the discharge port at the time of outputting the information notification, it is possible to easily determine the presence of the output of the error information notification from a large number of image-formed images. It works.

Further, according to the present invention, by using an inexpensive recording medium as the recording medium used for error information notification, the cost of the recording medium can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a page description language control unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a printer driver according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a control process of the image forming system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an error output setting screen according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an error description code according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an error description memory 3 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a structure of data stored in the data storage unit 03.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a storage state of data recorded in an error description memory 303 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an output result of an error information notification according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a control process of the image forming system according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of an error output setting screen according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an error description code according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a storage state of data recorded in an error description memory 303 according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a control process of the image forming system according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of an error output setting screen according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of an error description code according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a storage state of data recorded in an error description memory 303 according to the third embodiment.

Claims (33)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus for performing an image forming process on a predetermined recording medium based on supplied output data and outputting the image forming process, comprising: an image forming unit for performing the image forming process; A recording medium discharging unit that outputs the recording medium to a predetermined discharging unit, a recording medium supplying unit that supplies the predetermined recording medium to the image forming unit, and an error that occurs during the image forming process. Control means for controlling the recording medium supply means so as to form an image of the error information on the error on a recording medium of a type different from the predetermined recording medium set in advance. apparatus. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the type is the size, quality,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus includes one of a color and a material. 3. The information for setting the type of the recording medium used for outputting the error information is supplied along with the output data, and the image forming unit extracts the information for setting the type of the recording medium. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs the control based on the stored information while storing the information. 4. An image forming apparatus that performs image forming processing on a predetermined recording medium based on supplied output data and outputs the image forming processing, wherein: an image forming unit that performs the image forming processing; A recording medium discharging unit that outputs the recording medium to a predetermined discharging unit, a recording medium supplying unit that supplies the predetermined recording medium to the image forming unit, and an error that occurs during the image forming process. Control means for controlling the recording medium discharging means so as to output the image forming result of the error information to a predetermined discharging unit different from the image forming result based on the output data. Image forming device. 5. An information setting unit for setting a discharging unit of the error information is supplied along with the output data. The image forming unit extracts and stores setting information of the discharging unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control is performed based on stored information. 6. An image forming apparatus that performs image forming processing on a predetermined recording medium based on supplied output data and outputs the image forming processing, wherein: an image forming unit that performs the image forming processing; A recording medium discharging unit that outputs the recording medium to a predetermined discharging unit, a recording medium supplying unit that supplies the predetermined recording medium to the image forming unit, and an error that occurs during the image forming process. The error information about the error, which is set in advance, forms an image on a recording medium of a type different from the predetermined recording medium,
And different from the image forming result based on the output data,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the recording medium supply unit and the recording medium discharge unit so as to output the recording medium to a predetermined discharge unit. 7. The recording medium according to claim 7, wherein the type is the size, quality,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus includes one of a color and a material. 8. Information for setting the type of recording medium used for outputting the error information is supplied along with the output data, and the image forming means extracts information for setting the type of the recording medium. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit performs the control based on the stored information while storing the information. 9. The information for setting a discharge unit of the error information is supplied along with the output data, the image forming unit extracts and stores setting information of the discharge unit, and the control unit 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control is performed based on stored information. 10. The output data is a page description language, the image forming means interprets the page description language and performs the image forming process, and the error occurs during the interpretation of the page description language. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein 11. An image forming system in which an external device that supplies output data and an image forming apparatus that performs an image forming process on a predetermined recording medium based on the output data supplied from the external device and outputs the image data are connected. Wherein the image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit that performs the image forming process; a recording medium discharging unit that outputs a recording medium after the image forming process to a predetermined discharging unit; A recording medium supply unit that supplies a recording medium, and detects an error that occurred during the image forming processing, and sets error information relating to the detected error to a recording medium that is set in advance and that is different from the predetermined recording medium. Control means for controlling the recording medium supply means so as to form an image. 12. The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the type is the size, quality,
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming system includes one of a color and a material. 13. A method for setting the type of a recording medium to be used for outputting the error information, the information being supplied along with the output data, and the image forming unit extracting information for setting the type of the recording medium. 13. The image forming system according to claim 11, wherein the image forming system stores the information and performs the control based on the stored information. 14. An image forming system in which an external device that supplies output data and an image forming apparatus that performs an image forming process on a predetermined recording medium based on the output data supplied from the external device and outputs the image data are connected. Wherein the image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit that performs the image forming process; a recording medium discharging unit that outputs a recording medium after the image forming process to a predetermined discharging unit; A recording medium supply unit that supplies a recording medium, and detects an error that occurred during the image forming process, and determines an image formation result of the detected error information, which is different from an image formation result based on the output data. Control means for controlling the recording medium discharge means so as to output the recording medium to the discharge unit. 15. The information for setting a discharge unit of the error information is supplied along with the output data, the image forming unit extracts and stores setting information of the discharge unit, and the control unit controls The image forming system according to claim 14, wherein the control is performed based on stored information. 16. An image forming system in which an external device that supplies output data and an image forming apparatus that performs an image forming process on a predetermined recording medium based on the output data supplied from the external device and outputs the image data are connected. Wherein the image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit that performs the image forming process; a recording medium discharging unit that outputs a recording medium after the image forming process to a predetermined discharging unit; A recording medium supply unit that supplies a recording medium, and detects an error that occurred during the image forming processing, and sets error information relating to the detected error to a recording medium that is set in advance and that is different from the predetermined recording medium. Image forming,
And different from the image forming result based on the output data,
An image forming system, comprising: a control unit that controls the recording medium supply unit and the recording medium discharge unit so as to output the recording medium to a predetermined discharge unit. 17. The recording medium according to claim 17, wherein the type is a size, quality,
17. The ink composition according to claim 16, wherein the material includes one of a color and a material.
The image forming system as described in the above. 18. Information for setting the type of recording medium used for outputting the error information is supplied along with the output data, and the image forming means extracts information for setting the type of the recording medium. 18. The image forming system according to claim 16, wherein the control unit performs the control based on the stored information while storing. 19. The information for setting a discharge unit of the error information is supplied along with the output data, the image forming unit extracts and stores setting information of the discharge unit, and the control unit controls 19. The image forming system according to claim 16, wherein the control is performed based on stored information. 20. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said output data is a page description language, said image forming means interprets said page description language to perform said image forming processing, and said error occurs during interpretation of said page description language. The image forming system according to any one of claims 11 to 19, wherein: 21. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus for performing an image forming process on a predetermined recording medium based on supplied output data and outputting the image forming process, comprising: an image forming step of performing the image forming process; A recording medium discharging step of outputting the recording medium after the formation processing to a predetermined discharge unit; a recording medium supply step of supplying the predetermined recording medium to the image forming step; and detecting an error occurring during the image forming processing And a control step of controlling the recording medium supply step so as to form an image of a predetermined type of error information related to the detected error on a recording medium different from the predetermined recording medium. Control method for an image forming apparatus. 22. The method according to claim 19, wherein the type is a size, quality,
22. A material containing any of a color and a material.
The control method of the image forming apparatus described in the above. 23. Information for setting the type of recording medium used for outputting the error information is supplied along with the output data, and the image forming step extracts information for setting the type of the recording medium. 23. The control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the control step performs the control based on the stored information while storing. 24. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus for performing an image forming process on a predetermined recording medium based on supplied output data and outputting the image forming process to a predetermined discharging unit, wherein the image forming process performs the image forming process A recording medium discharging step of outputting the recording medium after the image forming processing to the predetermined discharging section; a recording medium supplying step of supplying the predetermined recording medium to the image forming step; Control for detecting the error occurring in the recording medium and controlling the recording medium discharging step to output an image forming result based on the detected error information to a predetermined discharging unit different from the image forming result based on the output data. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: 25. Information for setting a discharge section of the error information is supplied along with the output data, and the image forming step extracts and stores the setting information of the discharge section, and the control step performs The method according to claim 24, wherein the control is performed based on stored information. 26. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus for performing an image forming process on a predetermined recording medium based on supplied output data and outputting the image forming process to a predetermined discharge unit, wherein the image forming process performs the image forming process. A recording medium discharge step of outputting the recording medium after the image forming process to a predetermined discharge unit; a recording medium supply step of supplying the predetermined recording medium to the image forming step; Detecting the error that has occurred, forming error information about the detected error on a recording medium of a type different from the predetermined recording medium set in advance,
And different from the image forming result based on the output data,
A control step of controlling the recording medium supply step and the recording medium discharge step so as to output the recording medium to a predetermined discharge unit. 27. The method according to claim 27, wherein the type is a size, quality,
27. A material containing any of a color and a material.
The control method of the image forming apparatus described in the above. 28. Information for setting a type of recording medium used for outputting the error information is supplied along with the output data, and the image forming step extracts information for setting the type of the recording medium. 28. The control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the control is performed based on the stored information while storing. 29. Information for setting a discharge section of the error information is supplied along with the output data, and the image forming step extracts and stores the setting information of the discharge section, and the control step executes 29. The control according to claim 26, wherein the control is performed based on stored information.
The control method of the image forming apparatus according to any one of the above. 30. An output method according to claim 27, wherein said output data is a page description language, said image forming step interprets said page description language to perform said image forming processing, and said error occurs during interpretation of said page description language. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 29, wherein: 31. A computer-readable storage medium storing a control program of an image forming apparatus for performing an image forming process on a predetermined recording medium based on the supplied output data and outputting the same. A program code for an image forming step for performing an image forming process; a program code for a recording medium discharging step for outputting the recording medium after the image forming process to a predetermined discharging portion; and supplying the predetermined recording medium to the image forming step. A program code for a recording medium supply step to be performed, and an error generated during the image forming process is detected. And a program code for a control step of controlling the recording medium supply step. 32. A computer-readable storage medium storing a control program of an image forming apparatus for performing an image forming process on a predetermined recording medium based on the supplied output data and outputting to a predetermined discharge unit A program code of an image forming step of performing the image forming process; a program code of a recording medium discharging step of outputting the recording medium after the image forming process to the predetermined discharging unit; A program code of a recording medium supply step of supplying a predetermined recording medium, an error generated during the image forming process is detected, and an image formation result based on the detected error information is an image formation result based on the output data. And a program code for a control step of controlling the recording medium discharging step to output to a different predetermined discharging unit. Storage medium characterized Rukoto. 33. A computer-readable storage medium storing a control program of an image forming apparatus for performing image forming processing on a predetermined recording medium based on the supplied output data and outputting the image forming processing to a predetermined discharge unit. A program code of an image forming step of performing the image forming process; a program code of a recording medium discharging step of outputting the recording medium after the image forming process to a predetermined discharging unit; A program code for a recording medium supply step of supplying a recording medium, and an error generated during the image forming process is detected, and error information relating to the detected error is stored in a predetermined type of recording medium different from the predetermined recording medium. Forming an image on the medium,
And different from the image forming result based on the output data,
And a program code for a control step of controlling the recording medium supply step and the recording medium discharge step so as to output the recording medium to a predetermined discharge unit.