JP2002284393A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent unexpected use-up of the paper sheets by displaying the residual quantity of the paper sheets of paper feeding trays. SOLUTION: In this image forming device having a paper feeding device, the information about the number of paper sheets housed in several paper feeding trays for housing the paper sheets is input, and stored (housed) in a nonvolatile memory per each tray. The information about the number of residual paper sheets of the nonvolatile memory is renewed in response to the number of paper sheets consumed with the image formation, and the information about the number of the residual paper sheets per each tray is displayed to inform it to a user.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, etc., provided with a paper feeding device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, in an image forming apparatus such as a copier or a printer, a multi-stage paper feed tray equipped with paper of various sizes and different directions is mounted on a paper feed unit, and an automatic image forming apparatus is provided according to the size of an image. Paper feed tray can be selected, but in an image forming apparatus equipped with such a multi-stage paper feed tray, the job is interrupted by A method of prompting the user to replenish the paper or a method of replenishing the paper from another paper feed tray and continuing the job is adopted.

However, in the above-described method, the paper supply operation is performed during the job, so that there is a problem that the work efficiency is deteriorated, that is, the productivity is lowered. Further, in the above-described method of replenishing paper from another paper feed tray, if paper of the same size and in the same direction is set, and if the set paper is in a different direction,
Since processing such as rotation of image information is required, it is a condition that control means for the processing is provided. Therefore, if these conditions are not satisfied, the actual situation is that there is no other way than to execute the method of resuming the paper by interrupting the job.

On the other hand, in order to grasp the remaining amount of paper with a conventional image forming apparatus, it is necessary to periodically open a paper feed tray and visually check the remaining amount of paper, and in particular, work for confirmation is required. Not only is it laborious, but the work itself is complicated. Therefore, a sensor for detecting the number of sheets or a mechanism for detecting the number of sheets is provided in the sheet feeding tray, and the remaining amount of sheets in the sheet feeding tray is automatically detected.

For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-77965, a paper height detector is provided in a paper tray, and when this paper detects that the number of papers on the tray is low, a near height is detected on an operation panel. There is disclosed an image forming apparatus that issues an alert by lighting an empty display. However, in the case of using a sensor in this way, at least the cost associated with the installation of the sensor and the like is added, and the cost of the image forming apparatus is increased.

[0006]

Therefore, the first aspect of the present invention
The purpose of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems.The purpose is to grasp the remaining amount of paper set in the paper feed tray and check whether the number of sheets to be used is sufficient. However, by always securing a sufficient amount of paper in the paper feed tray, it is possible to prevent interruption of work due to running out of paper during job execution.

A second object of the present invention is to notify the remaining amount of paper in the paper feed tray by software control without having a sensor for detecting the number of papers in the paper feed tray or a mechanism for detecting the number of papers. In this way, the function is improved without increasing the cost.

A third object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper feed trays, which counts the number of consumed paper sheets used for copying or printing individually for each paper feed tray. An object of the present invention is to accurately notify the observer of the number of sheets of paper size and the frequency of consumption.

A fourth object of the present invention is to display, on an operation unit, remaining amount information in which the number of sheets in the sheet feeding tray changes according to the consumption of sheets without the opener opening and closing the sheet feeding tray. Is to be able to confirm.
Hereinafter, a specific description will be given based on an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus having a paper feeding device, comprising: a paper feeding tray for storing paper; and means for inputting information on the number of papers stored in the paper feeding tray. Storage means for storing the input sheet number information, means for updating the sheet number information in the storage means according to the number of sheets consumed, and means for notifying the sheet number information stored in the storage means. An image forming apparatus comprising:

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the means for inputting the information on the number of sheets is a user interface, and the storage means is a non-volatile memory. An image forming apparatus.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the means for notifying the number of sheets information is a display means for displaying the information on the number of sheets. Device.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, there is provided a means for setting a means for inputting information on the number of sheets on a display surface of the display means in accordance with an opening / closing operation of a sheet feeding tray. An image forming apparatus is provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, a plurality of paper feed trays are provided, and the nonvolatile memory is provided for each of the plurality of paper feed trays. And the display means is capable of displaying information on the amount of remaining paper in each tray for each paper feed tray.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the display means displays the remaining paper amount information of each tray on a display surface of the display means in accordance with each paper feed tray. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the image is formed into a graph or displayed as a graph.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of the image forming apparatus. As shown in FIG.
OM2, nonvolatile RAM3, engine 1/04, paper feed tray open / close SW5, operation unit 1/06, input key 7, display unit 8
Etc. are provided.

Here, the CPU 1 performs an arithmetic and logic operation process in accordance with a control program according to a previously input algorithm in the central processing unit of the image forming apparatus. ROM (Read O
nlyMemory) 2 holds a control program for the entire image forming apparatus, and is a non-volatile RAM (Statlc®).
andom Access Memory) Read data from 3,
And has a role of instructing writing.

The engine 1 / O4 has an input / output port as an interface between the engine of the image forming apparatus and peripheral devices such as sensors and switches.
It has a function to capture opening / closing information by W5 as data and to notify the engine as sensor information via an input port.

The operation unit 1 / O6 has a function of inputting ON / OFF of an input key 7, which is a user interface, for example, a hard key or a touch key on an LCD screen, as data. It has a function to send data to the display unit 8 that can notify the operator of the status.

In the present invention, the number of used sheets or the number of remaining sheets stored in the sheet feeding tray is stored in the nonvolatile RAM 3, and the number of sheets is changed according to the change of the number of sheets by replenishing the sheets or feeding operation of the main body. The feature is that the data is rewritten in the nonvolatile RAM 3, the data in the nonvolatile RAM 3 is read, and the remaining number of sheets is displayed.

Hereinafter, a processing procedure for notifying the remaining amount of paper according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to a processing flowchart shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the opening / closing of the paper feed tray is captured as sensor information via the input port, and the sensor monitors the change from ON to OFF or from OFF to ON. Perform a process to determine whether or not (step S
l). Here, if it is determined that the sheet feed tray has been opened and closed (step S1, YES), it is possible that the operator replenishes or pulls out the sheet. If it is determined that the paper tray has been opened and closed, it is further checked whether the number of sheets has changed (step S2).

Since the present invention is premised on an apparatus which is not provided with a mechanism for counting the number of sheets by means of a sensor or the like, any change in the number of sheets is determined from the sheet number data stored in the nonvolatile RAM 3. Therefore, when the opening / closing of the paper feed tray is detected by the sensor information, the keys necessary for inputting the number of sheets are arranged on the LCD display surface, and if the number of sheets changes, how many sheets have increased or decreased?
The user inputs the increased number or the decreased number of sheets as data by the guidance on the LCD screen and the operation by key input. That is, when the number of sheets changes, the data in the nonvolatile RAM 3 is rewritten (step S3).

When the sheet tray is not opened or closed, or when the number of sheets is not input, it is assumed that the number of sheets in the sheet tray does not change.
The data in M is not rewritten. If paper is fed during copying or printing, the paper in the paper feed tray is consumed and reduced, so count one sheet when paper feeding starts, or count the total number of sheets when the job ends. Then, the data in the nonvolatile RAM 3 is rewritten (step S5).

For rewriting the data, the number of fed sheets is added if the data in the nonvolatile RAM 3 is processed as the number of used sheets, and the number of fed sheets is subtracted if the data is processed as the remaining amount of paper.

In an apparatus having a number of paper feed trays, the buffer of the nonvolatile RAM 3 is divided and managed for each paper feed tray, and the nonvolatile RAM data is rewritten for each paper feed tray. To

Due to its function, the nonvolatile RAM 3 does not lose its data even when the main body power is turned off, and the data of the number of sheets remains unchanged even after the power is turned on. Instead, the number of used paper sheets in the paper feed tray or the remaining amount of paper is maintained.

At the end of a series of processing, data is read from the nonvolatile RAM 3 (step S6), and the LEDs on the display unit are read.
Alternatively, the status of the number of sheets in the sheet feed tray is displayed on the LCD screen in the form of a numerical value or a graphic to notify the operator. In order to ensure the notification to the operator, when the remaining number of sheets in the tray becomes smaller than a predetermined amount, the LED blinks or lights, or the LED is turned on or off.
It is also possible to display an alert on a CD screen. Also,
Regarding the lighting of the LED, it is easy to visually and intuitively understand the operator by changing the timing or the emission color, and regarding the LCD display, by always displaying the remaining amount in the paper feed tray selection key or using a pop-up display. Notification can be performed.

[0028]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to check in advance whether the remaining amount of paper set in the paper feed tray is sufficient for the number of sheets to be used. Can be prevented from being interrupted. Also, since the detection of the remaining amount of paper is performed by control of only software without using a sensor or special hardware, it is possible to display the remaining amount of paper without increasing component costs and costs.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the number of used paper sheets or the remaining amount of paper is stored in the nonvolatile memory.
Even if the power is turned off by an operator's operation or the power is cut off due to an accidental power failure or the like, the data is not lost, and the operator can be notified of the remaining amount of paper without fail.

According to the third and sixth aspects: the remaining amount of paper can be displayed visually and intuitively.
An accurate and easy-to-understand user interface can be realized.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, by opening and closing the sheet feeding tray, when the number of sheets in the sheet feeding tray is changed, for example, by refilling sheets, the operator can be prompted to change the number of sheets. By preventing forgetting to input, the number of sheets can be reliably managed.

According to the fifth aspect, since a mechanism for managing the remaining amount of paper for each paper feed tray is provided, the remaining amount for each paper size of each paper feed tray can be displayed, and the amount of paper used and Procurement and preparation of paper of insufficient size can be performed smoothly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure for notifying the remaining amount of paper.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... CPU, 2 ... ROM, 3 ... Non-volatile memory, 4 ... Engine I / O, 5 ... Paper feed tray opening / closing SW, 6 ... Operation part I / O, 7 ..Input keys, 8
..Display unit.

Claims (6)

[Claims] In an image forming apparatus having a sheet feeding device, a sheet feeding tray for storing sheets, means for inputting information on the number of sheets stored in the sheet feeding tray, and storing the input information on the number of sheets. An image forming apparatus comprising: a storage unit; a unit for updating the number of sheets stored in the storage unit according to the number of sheets consumed; and a unit for notifying the information on the number of sheets stored in the storage unit. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for inputting the information on the number of sheets is a user interface, and the storage means is a nonvolatile memory. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for notifying the information on the number of sheets is a display means for displaying the information on the number of sheets. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising means for setting a means for inputting information on the number of sheets on a display surface of said display means in accordance with an opening / closing operation of a sheet feeding tray. Image forming apparatus. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of paper feed trays are provided, and said nonvolatile memory is provided for each of said plurality of paper feed trays; An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said display means is capable of displaying remaining paper information of each tray for each paper feed tray. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the display unit converts the remaining paper amount information of each tray into a numerical value or a graph on a display surface of the display unit according to each paper feed tray. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the image is displayed.