JP2002156870A - Optional device for image forming device, paper carrying control method thereof and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optional device for an image forming device, a paper carrying control method thereof and a storage medium by which paper carrying information is easily changed when paper carrying circumstances are changed. SOLUTION: The optional device such as a paper supply optional device 200 and a paper ejection optional device 300 stacks the paper carrying information transmitted from the image forming device 100, performs paper carrying processing according to the stacked paper carrying information, and informs the device 100 that the paper carrying circumstances are changed when the circumstances at the time of carrying paper are changed. When receiving the changing processing method for the paper carrying information transmitted from the device 100 in accordance with the informed matter, the paper carrying information is changed according to the received changing processing method.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optional device for an image forming apparatus, a paper transport control method for the same, and a storage medium. The present invention relates to an optional device of an image forming apparatus for controlling the image forming apparatus, a paper transport control method thereof, and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when an optional device of an image forming apparatus prints on a plurality of sheets of paper, the image forming apparatus is informed in advance of the sheet conveying information requesting a process of conveying a plurality of sheets of paper.

[0003]

However, in the optional device, there are no paper, no staples, full loading of the discharge bin, etc.
Conventionally, when a change in the paper transport status occurs, the previously notified paper transport information cannot be changed, so that unnecessary paper is transported or the paper must be manually removed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an optional apparatus of an image forming apparatus capable of easily changing paper transport information when a change in paper transport status occurs, a paper transport control method therefor,
Another object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, an optional apparatus of an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is provided.
In an optional apparatus of the image forming apparatus which is connected to the image forming apparatus and performs a paper conveying process based on the paper conveying information transmitted from the image forming apparatus, a stacking unit for stacking the paper conveying information and a change in the state of the paper conveying. Notifying means for notifying the image forming apparatus, receiving means for receiving a change processing method of the paper transport information transmitted from the image forming apparatus in response to the notification, and changing the paper transport information according to the change processing method And changing means for performing the setting.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the optional apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the paper transport processing is temporarily stopped by the notification means, and the paper transport processing is performed by the changing means. And a resetting means for resetting the paper transport information after discarding the information.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the optional device according to the second aspect, wherein the receiving means transmits, from the image forming apparatus, a plurality of setting methods for temporarily stopping paper conveyance processing as the change processing method. Receiving, the suspending means selects one setting method from the plurality of setting methods, and suspends the paper transport process according to the selected setting method.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the optional device according to the third aspect, wherein the plurality of setting methods are such that only the already reserved paper is conveyed and then the paper conveyance is temporarily stopped. And a setting method for temporarily stopping the paper conveyance after conveying only the paper that has already been fed, and a setting method for physically stopping the conveyance of the paper being conveyed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the optional device according to the third or fourth aspect, further comprising a determination unit configured to determine whether the paper transport information can be changed by the changing unit. When it is determined, the change unit changes the paper transport information.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the optional device according to the first aspect, the optional device is a paper feeding device having a plurality of cassettes for feeding paper to the image forming apparatus, and the changing means includes: When there is no paper in the cassette that has been performing the above, the paper transport information is changed so as to switch to supply paper from another cassette.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the optional device according to the first aspect, the sheet discharging device includes a plurality of trays on which sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus are placed. When the discharged tray is full, the paper transport information is changed so as to switch to discharge the paper to another tray.

In order to achieve the above object, a paper transport control method according to claim 8 is an option of an image forming apparatus which is connected to an image forming apparatus and performs a paper transport process based on paper transport information transmitted from the image forming apparatus. In the paper transport control method of the apparatus, a stacking step of stacking the paper transport information,
A notification step of notifying the image forming apparatus of a change in the status of paper transport, a receiving step of receiving a change processing method of the paper transport information transmitted from the image forming apparatus in response to the notification, and the change processing method And a changing step of changing the paper transport information according to the following.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the paper transport control method according to the eighth aspect, a temporary stop step of temporarily stopping the paper transport processing in response to the notification in the notification step; And a resetting step of resetting the paper transport information after discarding the paper transport information.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the paper transport control method according to the ninth aspect, the receiving step includes:
A plurality of setting methods for temporarily stopping paper transport processing are received from the image forming apparatus as the change processing method, and in the temporarily stopping step, one setting method is selected from the plurality of setting methods. The paper transport process is temporarily stopped according to a setting method.

According to a eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the paper transport control method according to the tenth aspect, the plurality of setting methods temporarily stop the paper transport after transporting only the reserved paper. The method includes a setting method, a setting method of temporarily stopping the paper conveyance after conveying only the paper which has already started feeding, and a setting method of physically temporarily stopping the conveyance of the paper being conveyed. I do.

A paper transport control method according to a twelfth aspect is the paper transport control method according to the tenth or eleventh aspect, further comprising a determining step of determining whether the paper transport information can be changed in the changing step. When it is determined that the change is possible, the change step changes the paper transport information.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the paper transport control method according to the eighth aspect, the optional device is a paper feeder having a plurality of cassettes for feeding paper to the image forming apparatus. The changing step is characterized in that, when there is no paper in the cassette that has been feeding paper, the paper transport information is changed so as to switch to supply paper from another cassette.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the paper transport control method according to the eighth aspect, the optional device has a plurality of trays on which sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus are placed. The apparatus is characterized in that the change step changes the paper transport information so that when the discharged tray is full, the paper is switched to discharge the paper to another tray.

In order to achieve the above object, the storage medium according to the present invention is connected to an image forming apparatus, and is an optional device of the image forming apparatus for performing a paper conveying process based on paper conveying information transmitted from the image forming apparatus. A storage medium storing a program for executing a paper transport control method, the program comprising: a stack module for stacking the paper transport information; a notification module for notifying the image forming apparatus of a change in the status of paper transport; A receiving module that receives the paper transport information change processing method transmitted from the image forming apparatus in response to the notification; and a change module that changes the paper transport information according to the change processing method. .

[0020]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus and an optional apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus including an optional device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that there are two optional devices, a paper feed option and a paper discharge option.

The image forming apparatus 100 includes an electrophotographic processor 1
01, a paper transport path 102, an image forming control board 103,
An image forming unit CPU 104;
0 includes a paper feed option control board 201, a paper feed option CPU 202, and a paper presence / absence sensor 203, and a paper discharge option 300 includes a paper discharge option control board 301.
And a paper discharge option CPU 302 and tray full load detection sensors 303 to 305.

In the above configuration, the image forming unit CPU 10
4 executes an image forming operation according to a command from an external computer.

The image forming unit CPU 104 calculates the number of sheets necessary for image formation, reserves the result as stacking information in the sheet feeding option 200 via the communication 105 as sheet conveying information, and thereafter sets the sheet discharging state. In order to specify, the paper transport information is also reserved by stacking the same in the paper discharge option 300 via the communication 106.

When the paper feeding option CPU 202 starts paper feeding in accordance with the above-mentioned reserved paper conveyance information, the paper feeding option CPU 202 sends the fed papers one by one to the image forming apparatus 100 via the paper conveyance path 102 and feeds the papers one by one. Paper presence sensor 203
Is passed, the paper presence / absence sensor 203 detects whether or not the next paper is present.

From the paper feed option 200 to the image forming apparatus 1
The sheet sent to the sheet feeder 00 is ejected to the sheet ejection option 300 after an image is formed.

The discharge option CPU 302 discharges the sheets one by one to a designated tray in accordance with the above-mentioned reserved paper transport information, and the discharged sheets are completely discharged to the tray when the paper is completely discharged to the tray. The tray full load detection sensors 303 to 30
5 is used to detect whether a full load has occurred.

When a paper-out option occurs, the paper-feeding option CPU 202 notifies the image forming unit CPU 104 via the communication 105 of the situation, and the paper-delivery option CPU 302
Notifies the image forming unit CPU 104 via the communication 106 when the full load occurs.

FIG. 2 is a connection diagram showing the detailed configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 and each optional device, particularly the internal functions of each CPU and the communication connection between each CPU.

In the present embodiment, each CPU, specifically, the image forming unit CPU 104 and the paper feed option CPU 20
2 and a paper discharge option CPU 302 each include a ROM for storing a program, a RAM for executing a process, and a communication I / F for controlling communication. Buffers 107 and 20
4 and 306 are connected, and communication terminating resistors 205 and 307 are connected to the buffers 204 and 306, respectively. Further, the paper feed option CPU 202 has an input port I0, and the paper discharge option CPU 302 has an input port I0.
1, I2 and I3.

Referring to FIG. 2, the relationship between each CPU and input / output elements will be described.

When a print command is transmitted from an external computer to the image forming unit CPU 104 via communication, the image forming unit CPU 104 controls the electrophotographic processing unit 101 to perform a printing process, and then performs a printing process via the communication 105. Paper feed information including information on the number of sheets to be fed to the image forming apparatus 100 is transmitted (reserved) to the feed option CPU 202. Thereafter, the image forming unit CPU 104
Transmits (reserves) the paper transport information including information on the number of sheets to be discharged to the tray to the discharge option CPU 302 via the communication 106.

The paper supply option CPU 202 communicates with the
When the paper feed information is acquired from the image forming unit CPU 104 via the CPU 5, the paper feed operation is controlled, and the output of the paper presence / absence sensor 203 indicating whether paper is present inside the paper feed option 200 is input to the input port I 0. To determine whether or not the paper has run out.

The paper ejection option CPU 302 communicates with the communication
When the paper conveyance information from the image forming unit CPU 104 is obtained via the CPU 6, the paper discharge operation is controlled, and the outputs of the tray full load detection sensors 303 to 305 indicating whether or not the paper on the tray is full are input to the input port. I1, I2, I3
To determine whether a full load has occurred.

FIG. 3 shows the paper feed option CPU 20 of FIG.
2 is a flowchart of a sheet feeding process by the second embodiment.

When the main sheet feeding process is started (step S101), the sheet feeding option CPU 202 waits for sheet conveying information from the image forming unit CPU 104 via the communication 105, and receives (reserves) the sheet conveying information. (Step S10
If the answer is YES in step S2), it is determined from the output of the paper presence / absence sensor 203 input through the input port I0 whether or not the paper cassette is out of paper (step S103).

If the result of determination in step S103 is that no paper is out, paper is fed from the paper feed option 200 (step S104). When the trailing edge of the fed paper has passed the paper presence sensor 203 (step S1)
05 (YES in step S <b> 05), it is determined whether or not the required number of sheets (the number of sheets reserved by the sheet conveyance information) has been fed (step S <b> 106). Until it is determined in step S106 that the required number of sheets have been fed, the processing from step S103 is repeated, and then the present processing ends (step S1).
10).

On the other hand, if the required number of sheets have not been fed yet in step S106, step S10
As a result of the judgment of No. 3, when the paper-out occurs, the occurrence of the paper-out is notified to the image forming unit CPU 104 via the communication 105 (step S107).
When the command for discarding the paper transport information transmitted from 104 is received (YES in step S108), step S10 is performed.
Discard the paper transport information reserved in step 2 (step S10).
9), end this processing (step S110).

When no paper is generated in the paper feed option 200 by the above-described processing, the fact is notified to the image forming unit CPU1.
04, the image forming unit CPU
Since the reserved paper transport information is destroyed according to the destroy command transmitted from 104, the paper transport information can be easily changed.

FIG. 4 shows a detailed configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 and each optional device according to the second embodiment,
FIG. 2 is a connection diagram showing internal functions of a PU and communication connections between CPUs.

Image forming apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment
0 and the configuration of each optional device are basically the same as the configuration according to the first embodiment, except that the paper transport path 102 has a plurality of paper transport paths.
0 is different from that in that a sheet presence sensor 207 is provided separately from the sheet presence sensor 203. The paper presence sensor 203 is provided in the upper cassette and the paper presence sensor 207 in the lower cassette, respectively. The paper presence sensor 207 is connected to an input port (not shown) in the paper feed option CPU 202 similarly to the paper presence sensor 203. Have been.

The paper feed option 200 is a paper presence sensor 2
In steps S03 and S207, it is detected whether or not there is paper in the upper cassette and the lower cassette (not shown) in the paper feed option 200. As a result, the paper presence sensor 203 detects, for example, that the upper cassette has no paper. In this case, the paper feed information is rewritten to switch to paper feeding from the lower cassette.

FIG. 5 shows the paper feed option CPU 20 of FIG.
2 is a flowchart of a sheet feeding process by the second embodiment.

Steps S201 to S of this process
The processing up to 209 is performed in steps S101 to S109 in the flowchart of the above-described sheet feeding processing in FIG.
This is exactly the same as the above processing.

In this embodiment, the sheet feeding option 200
Has two cassettes, an upper cassette and a lower cassette, so that it is possible to switch cassettes when paper is exhausted. In step S209, after discarding the paper transport information, the image forming unit CPU 104 The cassette is switched via the communication 105 to re-reserve the paper transport information indicating that the remaining paper is to be transported (step S21).
0), the processing from step S203 is performed again. According to the process of step S210, when it is detected that the upper cassette that has fed the paper has run out of paper during the paper conveyance process based on the paper conveyance information reserved from the image forming unit CPU 104, Since the paper transport information is re-reserved so that the remaining paper is fed by switching the paper feed cassette, it is possible to easily change the paper feed cassette.

Note that, similarly to the sheet feeding process, the image forming unit CP
If it is detected that the discharged tray is full during the paper conveyance process based on the paper conveyance information reserved from U104, the tray to be discharged is switched and the remaining paper is discharged. As described above, the paper transport information may be re-reserved, whereby the tray for discharging the paper can be easily changed.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are flowcharts of the sheet feeding process by the sheet feeding option CPU 202 of FIG. 4 according to the third embodiment.

Steps S301 to S of this process
The processing up to step 308 is performed in steps S101 to S108 in the flowchart of the sheet feeding processing in FIG.
This is exactly the same as the above processing.

In this embodiment, the setting of the temporary stop method is included in the discard command of the paper transport information. When the discard command is received in step S308, setting processing of the temporary stop method included in the discard command is performed (step S309). It is determined whether or not the setting of the suspension method is a setting for stopping the new sheet feeding (step S31).
0), if the setting is a new paper feed stop, the new paper feed is stopped (step S311), and the paper that has already started being transported is transported (step S312), and the image forming unit CPU
After re-reserving the paper transport information indicating that the remaining paper is transported by switching the cassette from 104 to 104 via the communication 105 (step S313), the processing from step S302 described above with reference to FIG. 6 is performed.

On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S310 is that there is no new paper feed stop setting, it is determined that immediate stop processing has been designated by the discard command (step S31).
4). The conveyance of all the papers, that is, the paper conveyance which has already started as well as the new paper feeding is temporarily stopped (step S
315) Then, the sheet feeding option 20 is set by the operator.
Then, the paper staying inside the area 0 is removed (YES in step S316), and the processing from step S313 described above is performed.

Since the suspension method can be selected from a plurality of methods by the processing after step S309,
The paper conveyance can be controlled according to the characteristics of the paper conveyance and the print job at that time, and the necessary paper conveyance can be realized for the operator.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are flow charts of the paper discharge process by the paper discharge option CPU 302 of FIG. 4 according to the fourth embodiment.

When the main discharge process is started (step S401), the paper discharge option CPU 302 waits for paper conveyance information from the image forming unit CPU 104 via the communication 106, and receives (reserves) the paper conveyance information. (Step S40
Then, it is determined from the tray full load detecting sensors 303 to 305 input via the input ports I1 to I3 whether or not the full tray has occurred in the discharged tray (step S403).

If the result of determination in step S 403 is that no full load has occurred, the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 is received and discharged to a predetermined tray (step S 404). The trailing edge of the paper is the tray full load detection sensor 3.
03, 304, and 305 (step 40
5) It is determined whether or not the required number of sheets (the number reserved by the paper transport information) has been discharged (step S406).
Until it is determined in step S406 that the required number of sheets have been discharged, the processing from step S403 is repeated, and the present processing ends (step S422).

On the other hand, if the required number of sheets have not been discharged yet in step S406, the process proceeds to step S40.
As a result of the determination in step 3, if a full load has occurred, the occurrence of the full load is notified to the image forming unit CPU 104 via the communication 106 (step S407).
When the temporary stop method setting command transmitted from 104 is received (YES in step S408), the temporary stop method is set (step S409).

As a result of judging whether or not the setting of the suspension method was "prohibition of new reservation" (step S410), "
If "Reservation is prohibited", the paper ejection option CP
New reservation to U302 is prohibited (step S411),
Convey all the reserved paper (step S41)
2), the process ends (step S422). on the other hand,
If the result of determination in step S410 is not "prohibition of new reservation", it is determined whether or not the setting of the suspension method is "convey the fed paper" (step S410).
413). As a result of the determination in step S413, if the setting is "convey paper that has already been fed", only the paper that has been fed from the paper feed option 200 is conveyed up to the middle of the reservation (step S414). . Image forming unit C
When the PU 104 determines that all of the paper that has been fed from the paper feed option 200 has been conveyed, the PU 104 transmits a discard command of the paper conveyance information to the paper discharge option CPU 302, and the discharge option CPU 302 receives this command (step (YES in S415), the paper transport information reserved in step S402 described above with reference to FIG. 8 is discarded (step S416), and the process ends (step S416).
422).

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S413, "
If the setting is not "convey the fed paper", it is determined that the setting of the temporary stop method is "immediate stop" (step S417), and the conveyance of all the papers is stopped (step S418). ), A paper feed option 200, an image forming apparatus 100, or a paper discharge option 3 by an operator.
00 is removed (step S419).
Then, when the command to discard the paper transport information is received (YES in step S420), the paper transport information reserved in step S402 described above with reference to FIG. 8 is discarded (step S421), and the process ends (step S421). Step S
422).

By the processing after step S407 in FIG. 8, the setting of the temporary stop method is as follows: (1) the setting to temporarily stop the sheet conveyance after conveying only the paper for which the reservation has already been made; There are a setting for temporarily stopping the paper conveyance after conveying only the paper that has started the paper, and a setting for (3) physically stopping all the conveyance of the paper being conveyed. Since one of the temporary stop methods can be selected, unnecessary paper is not conveyed.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the sheet feeding process by the sheet feeding option CPU 202 of FIG. 4 according to the fifth embodiment.

Steps S501 to S of this process
The processing up to 506 is performed in steps S101 to S106 in the flowchart of the above-described sheet feeding processing in FIG.
This is exactly the same as the above processing.

In this embodiment, when the absence of paper is detected in step S503, the paper feed option CPU 202
Notifies the image forming unit CPU 104 of the occurrence of the absence of paper via the communication 105 (step S507). Image forming unit C
When a paper-out confirmation command indicating confirmation of the above-mentioned notification transmitted from the PU 104 is received (step S508)
(YES in step S509), preparation for discarding the paper transport information starts (step S509), and the paper transport is executed only for the fed paper that has already started to be fed (step S51).
0). Thereafter, when the conveyance of the fed paper is completed (YES in step S511), the paper conveyance information is discarded (step S512), and the present process ends (step S51).
3).

By the processing in step S511, the paper feed option 200 controls the timing of discarding the paper transport information, so that unnecessary communication is eliminated and the paper transport information can be reset more quickly.

It is also said that the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus using a storage medium storing software program modules for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments. Not even. In this case, the program module itself read from the storage medium implements the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program constitutes the present invention.

The program module in each of the above-described embodiments is stored in each CPU. Examples of storage media for supplying the program module include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, and CD-ROM. ROM, CD-R, DV
D, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, or the like can be used.

[0065]

As described above, according to the optional device of the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the paper transport control method according to the eighth aspect, and the storage medium according to the fifteenth aspect, the optional device is used for the image forming apparatus. The paper transport information transmitted from the apparatus is stacked, and the paper transport processing is performed based on the stacked paper transport information.When the paper transport status changes, the fact is notified to the image forming apparatus, and the notification is transmitted. Upon receiving the change processing method of the paper transport information transmitted by the image forming apparatus, the optional apparatus changes the paper transport information according to the received change processing method.
The paper transport information can be changed, and unnecessary paper transport can be avoided.

According to the optional device of the second aspect and the paper transport control method of the ninth aspect, the paper transport information processing is temporarily stopped in response to the notification, and the paper transport information is discarded. Since the paper transport information is reset, the paper transport information can be changed according to a change in the situation during the paper transport.

According to the optional device of the third aspect and the paper transport control method of the tenth aspect, a plurality of setting methods for temporarily stopping paper transport processing are received from the image forming apparatus as the change processing method. Then, one setting method is selected from the plurality of setting methods, and the paper conveyance process is temporarily stopped according to the selected setting method. Therefore, according to the paper conveyance status at that time and the nature of the print job at that time, Paper conveyance can be controlled, and necessary paper conveyance can be realized for the operator.

According to the optional apparatus of the fourth aspect and the paper transport control method of the eleventh aspect, the plurality of setting methods include the steps of temporarily transporting the paper after transporting only the reserved paper. Since it includes a setting method to stop, a setting method to temporarily stop the paper conveyance after conveying only the paper that has already started feeding, and a setting method to physically temporarily stop the conveyance of the paper being conveyed, Unnecessary paper transport can be eliminated.

According to the optional device of the fifth aspect and the paper transport control method of the twelfth aspect, it is determined whether or not the paper transport information can be changed. Since the paper transport information is changed, the optional device side controls the timing of discarding the paper transport information.
Unnecessary communication is eliminated, and the paper transport information can be reset more quickly.

According to the optional device of the sixth aspect and the paper transport control method of the thirteenth aspect, the optional device is a paper feeding device having a plurality of cassettes for feeding paper to the image forming apparatus. When there is no paper in the cassette that has been feeding paper, the paper transport information is changed so that the paper is switched to supply paper from another cassette. Therefore, paper is changed based on the paper transport information reserved from the image forming apparatus. Even during the carrying process, the paper carrying information can be changed according to the change of the situation, and the cassette can be easily changed.

According to the optional device according to the seventh aspect and the paper transport control method according to the fourteenth aspect, the optional device has a plurality of trays for placing paper discharged from the image forming apparatus. When the discharged tray is full, the paper conveyance information is changed so as to switch to discharge the paper to another tray, so that the same effect as in the paper feeding device can be obtained. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus including an optional device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a detailed configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 and each optional device in FIG. 1, particularly, internal functions of each CPU and each CPU.
It is a connection diagram which shows the communication connection between them.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a sheet feeding process by a sheet feeding option CPU 202 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a connection diagram showing a detailed configuration of an image forming apparatus and each optional device according to a second embodiment, in particular, an internal function of each CPU and a communication connection between each CPU.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a sheet feeding process by a sheet feeding option CPU 202 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a sheet feeding process by a sheet feeding option CPU 202 of FIG. 4 according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a sheet feeding process by a sheet feeding option CPU 202 of FIG. 4 according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a sheet discharge process by a sheet discharge option CPU 302 of FIG. 4 according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a sheet discharging process by a sheet discharging option CPU 302 of FIG. 4 according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a sheet feeding process by a sheet feeding option CPU 202 of FIG. 4 according to a fifth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 image forming apparatus 104 image forming unit CPU 105 communication with paper feed option 106 communication with paper discharge option 200 paper feed option 202 paper feed option CPU 300 paper discharge option 302 paper discharge option CPU

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H027 DC12 DC18 ED19 EE05 EE10 FA23 FB13 3F054 AA01 AC02 AC03 AC05 BF02 BF08 BF22 BF23 CA10 CA12 CA34 DA01 3F343 FA02 FB01 FC30 HA33 HB03 HC28 JA01 KB20 MA03 MA09 MA55 MA23 MB04 MB13 MB14 MB15 MC08 MC21 MC23 MC30

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. An optional apparatus of an image forming apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus and performing a sheet conveying process based on the sheet conveying information transmitted from the image forming apparatus, a stacking unit for stacking the sheet conveying information; Notification means for notifying the image forming apparatus of a change in the status of the image forming apparatus; receiving means for receiving a change processing method of the paper transport information transmitted from the image forming apparatus in response to the notification; An optional device, comprising: changing means for changing paper transport information. 2. A pause unit for temporarily suspending the paper transport process in response to a notification from the notification unit; and a resetting unit for resetting the paper transport information after discarding the paper transport information by the change unit. 2. The optional device according to claim 1, further comprising means. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the receiving unit receives, from the image forming apparatus, a plurality of setting methods for temporarily stopping a paper transport process as the change processing method. 3. The optional apparatus according to claim 2, wherein one of the setting methods is selected, and the paper transport process is temporarily stopped according to the selected setting method. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of setting methods include a method of temporarily stopping paper conveyance after conveying only the already reserved paper, and a method of conveying only paper already started to be fed. 4. The optional device according to claim 3, further comprising: a setting method for temporarily stopping paper conveyance, and a setting method for physically stopping paper conveyance during conveyance. 5. A printing apparatus comprising: a determination unit configured to determine whether the paper transport information can be changed by the change unit; and when the change is determined to be possible, the change unit changes the paper transport information. The optional device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein 6. A paper feeding device having a plurality of cassettes for feeding paper to the image forming apparatus, wherein the change unit is configured to switch from another cassette when there is no paper in the cassette that has been feeding paper. 2. The optional device according to claim 1, wherein the paper transport information is changed so as to switch to supply paper. 7. A paper ejection device having a plurality of trays for placing paper ejected from the image forming apparatus, wherein the change unit switches to another tray when the ejected tray is full. 2. The optional apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the paper transport information is changed so as to switch to discharge the paper. 8. A paper transport control method for an optional device of an image forming apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus and performing a paper transport process based on the paper transport information transmitted from the image forming apparatus, wherein a stack for stacking the paper transport information is provided. A notification step of notifying the image forming apparatus of a change in the status of paper transport; a receiving step of receiving a change processing method of the paper transport information transmitted from the image forming apparatus in response to the notification; Changing the paper transport information according to a change processing method. 9. A pause step for temporarily stopping the paper transport processing in response to the notification in the notification step, and a resetting for resetting the paper transport information after discarding the paper transport information in the changing step. 9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the steps of: 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the receiving step includes receiving, from the image forming apparatus, a plurality of setting methods for temporarily stopping a paper transport process as the change processing method. 10. The paper conveyance control method according to claim 9, wherein one of the setting methods is selected, and the paper conveyance processing is temporarily stopped according to the selected setting method. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of setting methods include a method of temporarily stopping paper conveyance after conveying only the reserved paper, and a method of conveying only paper already started to be fed. 11. The paper conveyance control method according to claim 10, further comprising a setting method for temporarily stopping conveyance and a setting method for physically temporarily stopping conveyance of the paper being conveyed. 12. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: a determination step of determining whether or not the paper transport information can be changed in the change step. When the change is determined to be possible, the change step changes the paper transport information. The paper transport control method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein: 13. The optional device is a paper feeding device having a plurality of cassettes for feeding paper to the image forming apparatus, and the changing step is performed when there is no paper in the cassette that has been feeding paper. 9. The paper transport control method according to claim 8, wherein the paper transport information is changed so as to switch to supply paper from another cassette. 14. The optional device according to claim 1, wherein the optional device is a paper discharging device having a plurality of trays on which the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus is placed, and the changing step is performed when the discharged tray is full. 9. The paper transport control method according to claim 8, wherein the paper transport information is changed so as to switch to discharge the paper to another tray. 15. A storage medium which is connected to an image forming apparatus and stores a program for executing a paper conveyance control method of an optional device of the image forming apparatus which performs paper conveyance processing based on paper conveyance information transmitted from the image forming apparatus. Wherein the program comprises: a stack module for stacking the paper conveyance information; a notification module for notifying the image forming apparatus of a change in the status of paper conveyance; and the notification module transmitted from the image forming apparatus in response to the notification. A storage medium comprising: a receiving module that receives a paper transport information change processing method; and a change module that changes the paper transport information according to the change processing method.