JP2003176048A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device appropriately selecting a paper feeding unit among a plurality of paper feeding units for storing paper having the same size. <P>SOLUTION: When a plurality of paper feeding units of the paper feeding units store the paper having the same size, a facsimile device sequentially exchanges the paper feeding units, selects a paper feeding unit for storing the paper having the same size every reception, supplies the paper from the selected paper feeding unit, and records a received image (steps S201 to S208). Therefore, the paper feeding units for supplying paper are appropriately dispersed, thereby preventing occurrence of a failure caused by intensively using a specific paper feeding unit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

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, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that appropriately selects a sheet feeding unit when there are a plurality of sheet feeding units that accommodate sheets of the same size.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper feeding units such as a facsimile machine, when there are a plurality of paper feeding units in which recording sheets of the same paper size are set, it is necessary to set a preset paper feeding unit. The paper unit is used with priority.

Further, the present applicant previously has a number setting means for setting the number of image forming sheets, and a plurality of sheet feeding means for accommodating a large number of recording sheets and feeding the recording sheets to the image forming section. In the image forming apparatus, at least one of the plurality of sheet feeding units is a large-capacity sheet feeding unit that accommodates a larger number of sheets than the others, and a normal sheet feeding unit or a large-capacity sheet feeding unit is used according to the number set by the number setting unit. An image forming apparatus has been proposed which is provided with a paper feed selection means for selecting whether the paper means (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-2301
96).

[0004]

However, in such a conventional image forming apparatus, the paper feeding unit is effectively used to suppress the occurrence of a failure and to improve the usability. There was a need.

That is, in the conventional image forming apparatus, when there are a plurality of paper feeding units in which papers of the same paper size are set, the papers are supplied only from the preset paper feeding unit. However, there is a problem that the paper feeding unit is easily damaged.

In the image forming apparatus proposed by the present applicant (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-230196), a large-capacity paper feeding means and a normal paper feeding means are selected and used in accordance with the set number of recording sheets. However, there is a need for improvement in order to extend the life by dispersing the paper feeding units used.

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the invention, one of a plurality of sheet feeding units that can store sheets of various sheet sizes is selected, and a document fed to the sheet fed from the selected sheet feeding unit is selected. When recording and outputting an image, if the same paper size is stored in multiple paper feed units among the paper feed units, the paper feed units that store the same paper size are sequentially switched for each document and selected. do it,
By feeding the paper from the selected paper feeding unit and recording the image of the document, the paper feeding units that feed the paper are appropriately dispersed, and the specific paper feeding units are intensively used. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing a failure from occurring and appropriately extending the life.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, if there is a paper feed unit in which no paper is stored among the paper feed units that should contain paper of the same paper size, the paper feed in which the paper is not stored By selecting a paper feed unit that supplies paper by omitting the unit from the selection of paper feed units, it is possible to properly feed paper and improve its usability, and to select a paper feed unit that supplies paper appropriately. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can be dispersed and prevent a failure due to intensive use of a specific paper feeding unit, and can appropriately extend the life.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, if there are a plurality of paper feeding units having the same paper size even if the stored paper is different in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, the paper feeding units having different paper directions are set. Also selects the paper feed unit that feeds the paper as the selection target of the paper feed unit, and if the paper orientation of the selected paper feed unit and the orientation of the image are different, the rotation function is used to By recording in the same direction, the paper feeding units that feed the paper are more appropriately distributed, and it is possible to further prevent the occurrence of failures due to the concentrated use of specific paper feeding units. ,
An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of further extending its life.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the paper is not stored in any of the paper feeding units, a predetermined warning is output to notify the user that there is no paper, thereby further improving the usability. It is an object of the present invention to provide an excellent image forming apparatus.

[0011]

An image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a plurality of sheet feeding units capable of accommodating sheets of various sheet sizes, and selects one of the sheet feeding units. In the image forming apparatus for recording and outputting the image of the document on the sheet supplied from the selected sheet supply unit,
If the same paper size is stored in a plurality of paper supply units among the paper supply units, the paper supply units that store the same paper size are sequentially switched and selected for each document, and the selection is performed. The above-mentioned object is achieved by feeding the paper from the paper feeding unit and recording the image of the document.

According to the above construction, one of a plurality of sheet feeding units capable of storing sheets of various sheet sizes is selected, and the image of the document is recorded and output on the sheet fed from the selected sheet feeding unit. In this case, when a plurality of paper feeding units among the paper feeding units store paper of the same paper size, the paper feeding units that store paper of the same paper size are sequentially switched and selected for each document, and Paper is fed from the selected paper feed unit and the image of the document is recorded, so the paper feed units that feed the paper can be appropriately distributed, and specific paper feed units can be used in a concentrated manner. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a failure and to prolong the life properly.

In this case, for example, as described in claim 2, in the image forming apparatus, the paper feed unit in which the paper of the same paper size is supposed to be stored is a paper feed unit in which no paper is stored. In this case, the paper feeding unit that does not contain the paper may be omitted from the selection targets of the paper feeding unit and the paper feeding unit that supplies the paper may be selected.

According to the above configuration, if there is a paper feeding unit that does not contain paper among the paper feeding units that should contain paper of the same paper size, the paper feeding unit that does not contain the paper is selected. Since the paper feed unit that supplies the paper is selected by omitting it from the selection target of the paper feed unit, it is possible to properly feed the paper and improve the usability, and also the paper feed unit that supplies the paper. It is possible to appropriately disperse the sheets, prevent the occurrence of a failure due to the concentrated use of the specific sheet feeding units, and appropriately extend the life.

Further, for example, as described in claim 3, when the direction of the image and the direction of the paper are different, the image forming apparatus records the image and the direction of the paper in the same direction. If there are multiple paper feed units that have a rotation function and the stored paper orientations are different in the vertical and horizontal directions and the paper sizes are the same, even if the paper feed units with different paper orientations are If a paper feeding unit that feeds the paper is selected as a selection target, and the orientation of the paper of the selected paper feeding unit is different from the orientation of the image, the rotation function causes the orientation of the image and the orientation of the paper to match. It may be recorded.

According to the above construction, if there are a plurality of paper feed units having the same paper size even if the stored paper directions are different in the vertical and horizontal directions, the paper feed units having different paper directions are also fed. If you select a paper feed unit that feeds paper as a paper unit selection target and the paper orientation of the selected paper feed unit and the orientation of the image are different, the rotation function is used to determine the orientation of the image and the paper. Since the recordings are made to coincide with each other, it is possible to more appropriately distribute the paper feeding units that feed the paper, and further prevent the occurrence of a failure due to the concentrated use of a specific paper feeding unit. The life can be further extended.

Further, for example, as described in claim 4, even if the image forming apparatus outputs a predetermined warning when no paper is stored in any of the paper feeding units. Good.

According to the above construction, if the paper is not stored in any of the paper feeding units, a predetermined warning is output, so that the user can be notified that there is no paper and the usability is further improved. Can be improved.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention, and therefore have various technically preferable limitations. However, the scope of the present invention refers to the present invention particularly in the following description. Unless otherwise stated, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

1 to 3 are views showing a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a facsimile to which the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied. 3 is a block diagram of a main part of the device 1. FIG.

In FIG. 1, a facsimile apparatus 1 as an image forming apparatus includes a scanner 2, a plotter 3 and an encoder / encoder.
Decoding unit 4, image memory 5, communication control unit 6, modem 7,
The network control unit 8, the operation display unit 9, the system memory 10, the system control unit 11 and the like are provided.
Connected by two.

The scanner 2 is, for example, a CCD (Ch
A line image scanner using an arge coupled device) is used, and the scanner 2 reads an image of a document at a predetermined resolution and outputs it as image information.

As the plotter 3, for example, a thermal recording device using a thermal element or an electrophotographic recording device is used, and the plotter 3 records a received image or an image read by the scanner 2 on a recording paper (paper). ) And various reports.

The encoding / decoding unit 4 is provided for shortening the transmission time of image information, improving the efficiency of storing the image information in the image memory 5, and the like, and in accordance with a predetermined encoding method. Is encoded and the encoded image information is decoded.

The image memory 5 mainly stores the image information of the transmission original read by the scanner 2 and the image information of the transmission original encoded by the encoding / decoding unit 4 and received and encoded. Accumulate image information.

The communication control unit 6 is connected to the modem 7 and also to the network control unit 8. The network control unit 8 is connected to the line L, for example, a public telephone line.

The modem 7 is connected to the communication controller 6 and operates under the control of the system controller 11 to modulate a transmission signal and demodulate a reception signal.

The network control unit 8 performs line acquisition, transmission of a selection signal which is a destination telephone number, detection of an incoming call, etc. to automatically receive an incoming call from the line L, and to the line L. Performs automatic call processing. The communication control unit 6 includes a network control unit 8 and a modem 7
To exchange a facsimile control signal with the partner facsimile apparatus and execute a facsimile communication procedure. In particular, the network control unit 8 receives the TSI / NSS signal sent from the transmitting side at the time of facsimile reception and transfers it to the system memory 10.

The operation display unit 9 is provided with various operation keys such as a ten-key pad, a start key, a function key, a one-touch key, and a shortening key, and a display (for example, a liquid crystal display). Various commands are input and operated, and various information to be notified to the operator from the facsimile apparatus 1 is displayed on the display. Using the operation keys of the operation display unit 9, the destination telephone number (facsimile number) to be registered in correspondence with the shortened number or one-touch number of the destination or the destination telephone number and destination to be registered in the ordinary telephone directory A name or the like is input and operated.

The system memory 10 is composed of, for example, a RAM backed up by a battery, and uses a destination of one-touch dial transmission, a destination of speed dial input, and a telephone directory input by the key operation of the operation display unit 9. For each destination such as a telephone directory destination, destination information (destination information) such as a destination telephone number and a destination name is stored in association with a one-touch number, an abbreviated number, etc. Various necessary information, for example, various kinds of information such as communication month / day / day, communication partner, number of communication originals, communication result, and communication result report item information are stored for each communication process. .

The system control unit 11 has a CPU (Central
Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and various programs such as the basic processing program of the facsimile apparatus 1 and a sheet feeding unit selection control processing program described later are stored in the ROM. In addition, various data and system data necessary for executing the basic processing program, the sheet feeding unit selection control processing program, and the like are stored. In the system controller 11, the CPU is RA
While using M as a work memory, each unit of the facsimile apparatus 1 is controlled based on the program in the ROM, and the basic processing as the facsimile apparatus 1 is executed and the paper feed unit selection control processing described later is executed.

Although not shown, the facsimile machine 1
Is provided with a time measuring unit (time measuring means) including an oscillator, a frequency divider, etc., and the time measuring unit measures the current date, time, and day of the week.
The time measurement result of the time measuring unit is used for various processes using the time.

As shown in FIG. 2, the facsimile apparatus 1 includes a plurality of paper feed units 20a to 20d in a paper feed section 20 for storing recording paper to be supplied to the printing section of the plotter 3.
In FIG. 2, all the sheet feeding units 20a to
Although the recording paper of the A4 vertical paper size is stored in 20d, the number of the paper feed units 20a to 20d in which the recording paper of the same paper size is stored is not limited to the above example.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. When the facsimile apparatus 1 receives a facsimile, the recording paper on which the transmission original of the facsimile reception is recorded is a paper feeding unit 20 in which the recording paper of the same paper size is stored.
When there are a plurality of a to 20 d, the paper feeding units 20 a to 20 d are sequentially selected for each reception (each document), and the plotter 3 prints the recording paper from the selected paper feeding units 20 a to 20 d.
The feature is that it is supplied to.

First, the transmission process of the facsimile apparatus 1 will be described. Facsimile device 1, when transmitting,
As shown in FIG. 3, the transmission original is set on the scanner 1 (step S101), the destination is input on the operation display unit 9 (step S102), and the start button is pressed (step S103). System control unit 11
However, the scanner 1 is driven to cause the scanner 1 to read a document (step S104).

The system control unit 11 transfers the image data of the original read by the scanner 1 to the image memory 5, connects the network control unit 8 to the line and makes a call operation to call the facsimile apparatus of the transmission destination. (Step S10
5).

When the other party responds, the system control unit 11
Causes the modem 7 and the communication control unit 6 to start a predetermined transmission procedure with the destination facsimile machine, transfers the image data from the image memory 5 to the encoding / decoding unit 4 to encode the image data, and the communication control The encoded image data is sent to the line L via the unit 6, the modem 7, and the network control unit 8 to start transmission, and when the transmission of all the image data is completed, the process ends (step S106). .

When receiving, the facsimile machine 1
Is received (step S20), as shown in FIG.
1) After the received image data is once stored in the image memory 5, or after being directly decoded by the encoding / decoding unit 4 and sent to the plotter 3, the plotter 3 records and outputs the received image on the recording paper. At this time, the system control unit 11
When there are a plurality of paper feed units 20a to 20d storing recording papers of the same paper size, a plurality of paper feeding units 20a storing recording papers of the same paper size.
.About.20d is switched and selected for each reception, and the received image is recorded and output. That is, now, as shown in FIG. 2, the facsimile apparatus 1 has four sheet feeding units 20a.
Since recording papers of A4 size, which are all the same paper size, are stored in the vertical direction in .about.20d, the system control unit 11
First, the paper feed unit 20a is selected and an image is recorded and output (step S202).

Next, when there is a reception (step S20)
3), the system control unit 11 controls the next paper feeding unit 20a.
.About.20d, the second sheet feeding unit 20b is selected, an image is recorded and output (step S204), and when the next reception is received (step S205), the next sheet feeding unit 20a to 20d is selected. Th paper feeding unit 2
0c is selected to record and output the image (step S2
06).

When there is another reception (step S
207), the system control unit 11 controls the next paper feeding unit 2
The fourth (last) sheet feeding unit 20 which is 0a to 20d
Select d to record and output the image (step S20).
8).

In the above process, the received image is recorded and output by using all the sheet feeding units 20a to 20d in the facsimile apparatus 1 in which the recording sheets of the same sheet size are stored. If there is, step S201
Returning to the first sheet feeding unit 20a, similarly to the above, the sheet feeding units 20a to 20d are received every time the document is received.
And the received image is recorded and output (step S20).
1, S202).

As described above, the facsimile apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment selects one of the plurality of sheet feeding units 20a to 20d capable of storing sheets of various sheet sizes, and selects the selected sheet feeding unit. When recording and outputting the received image on the paper supplied from 20a to 20d, the paper feeding unit 2
A plurality of paper feeding units 20a to 20d out of 0a to 20d
If the sheets of the same size are stored in the paper feed unit 20 that stores the sheets of the same size of paper every reception.
a to 20d are sequentially switched and selected, and the paper is fed from the selected paper feeding units 20a to 20d to record the received image.

Therefore, the paper feeding units 20a to 20d for feeding the paper are appropriately dispersed, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a failure due to the concentrated use of the specific paper feeding units 20a to 20d, and to prolong the service life. Can be appropriately lengthened.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the paper feed unit selection control processing by the facsimile apparatus to which the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied.

The present embodiment is applied to the same facsimile machine as the facsimile machine 1 of the first embodiment, and in the description of this embodiment,
If necessary, the reference numerals used in the description of the first embodiment will be used without modification.

The facsimile apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has a plurality of paper feed units 20a to 20d having the same paper size, but among the plurality of paper feed units 20a to 20d, the paper feed unit in which no recording paper is left is present. If there are 20a to 20d, the paper feeding unit 20a in which the recording paper has run out
.About.20d are skipped, and only the sheet feeding units 20a to 20d in which the recording sheets are stored are fed from the sheet feeding units 20a to 20d.
20d is selected and paper is fed.

That is, in the facsimile apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 5, in the paper feed unit selection control processing, first, the system control unit 11 causes the paper feed units 20a to 20a.
An initial value "1" is set to the count value N of the paper feeding unit selection counter for selecting d (step S201),
When receiving (step S202), the sheet feeding units 20a to 20d having the count value N of the sheet feeding unit selection counter are received.
Is selected (step S203), and it is checked whether or not recording paper is stored in the selected paper feeding units 20a to 20d (step S204). The presence / absence of the recording paper is determined based on the detection result of the sensor for detecting the presence / absence of the recording paper in the paper feeding units 20a to 20d, which is normally included in the facsimile apparatus 1.

When the recording paper is stored in the selected paper feeding units 20a to 20d in step S204, the system controller 11 causes the paper feeding units 20a to 20d having the count value N of the selected paper feeding unit selection counter. The recording paper is supplied from the printer, the received image is recorded and output to the plotter 3 (step S205), and the count value N of the paper feed unit selection counter is incremented by "1" (N = N +).
1) (step S206), and the incremented count value N is equal to the number of the paper feed units 20a to 20d in which recording papers of the same paper size are set, for example, in the present embodiment, the paper feed units 20a to 20d. It is checked whether the number is "5", which is a value exceeding "4" (step S207).

In step S207, the count value is "5".
If not, the system control unit 11 determines that the paper feeding units 20a to 2 in which the recording papers of the same paper size are set.
It is determined that the paper feed units 20a to 20d have not been selected until the end of 0d, the process returns to step S202, and the same processing is performed from the next reception (step S20).
2 to S207).

In step S204, when the recording paper is not stored in the selected paper feed units 20a to 20d, the system controller 11 increments the count value N of the paper feed unit selection counter by "1" (N = N +).
1) (step S208), the process returns to step S203, and the same process is performed again from the selection of the sheet feeding units 20a to 20d having the count value N of the sheet feeding unit selection counter (steps S203 to S208).

Then, in step S207, the count value N incremented in step S206 is set to the paper feeding unit 20a in which recording papers of the same paper size are set.
If the value is "5", which is greater than "4", which is the number of ~ 20d, it is determined that the paper feeding operation has been performed once for all the paper feeding units 20a to 20d in which the same paper size is set. Then, returning to step S301, the count value N of the paper feeding unit selection counter is set to the initial value "1", and the same processing as described above is performed.

As described above, in the facsimile apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, among the paper feeding units 20a to 20d that should have papers of the same size, the paper feeding units 20a to 20d that do not contain papers are In this case, the sheet feeding units 20a to 20d that do not contain the sheet are excluded from the selection targets of the sheet feeding units 20a to 20d, and the sheet feeding units 20a to 20d that supply the sheet are selected.

Therefore, it is possible to appropriately feed the paper and improve the usability of the facsimile apparatus 1, and also to appropriately disperse the paper feed units 20a to 20d for feeding the paper, thereby making it possible to supply a specific paper. Paper unit 20a
It is possible to prevent the occurrence of a failure due to the intensive use of 20 d to 20 d, and to prolong the life of the facsimile apparatus 1 appropriately.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are views showing a third embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

Note that this embodiment is applied to a facsimile machine similar to the facsimile machine 1 of the first embodiment, and in the description of this embodiment,
If necessary, the reference numerals used in the description of the first embodiment will be used without modification.

In the facsimile apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when there are paper feed units 20a to 20d which have the same paper size but different set directions, the recording paper is set in the same direction as the recorded image. If only the same paper size is selected instead of only the selected paper feeding units 20a to 20d, the paper feeding units 20a to 20d that perform paper feeding are selected even if the set directions are different, and the direction of the recorded image is selected. For recording paper in a different direction from
The printout is performed by aligning the direction of the print image with the direction of the print paper.

That is, the facsimile apparatus 1 has a rotating function of rotating the direction of the recorded image or the recording paper in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and at the time of recording the image, the rotating process is performed by using the rotating function as needed. I do.

As shown in FIG. 6, recording papers of the same paper size (A4 size) are set in the vertical and horizontal directions in the paper feeding units 20a to 20d of the facsimile apparatus 1. It is assumed that A4 size recording paper is set in the vertical direction in 20a and the paper feeding unit 20c, and A4 size recording paper is set in the horizontal direction in the paper feeding unit 20b and the paper feeding unit 20d. Then, the system control unit 11 causes the sheet feeding units 20a to 20
Information about the presence / absence of recording paper of 0d, the paper size, and the setting direction of the recording paper is acquired and stored in the system memory 10.

In the following description, the received image data will be described as A4 size image data in the vertical direction.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the facsimile machine 1 first performs the paper feed unit selection control process as follows.
The system control unit 11 sets an initial value "1" to the count value N of the paper feeding unit selection counter for selecting the paper feeding units 20a to 20d (step S301), and when receiving (step S302), the feeding Paper feed units 20a to 20d having a count value N of the paper unit selection counter are selected (step S303), and it is checked whether or not recording paper is stored in the selected paper feed units 20a to 20d (step S304).

When the recording paper is stored in the selected paper feeding units 20a to 20d in step S304, the system controller 11 determines that the count value N of the selected paper feeding unit selection counter is the size of the received image data. It is checked whether the count value is "1" or "3" indicating the paper feed units 20a to 20d in which the A4 vertical recording paper having the same size and direction is set (step S30).
5) If the count value N is "1" or "3", it is determined that the direction of the received image and the direction of the recording paper match, and the recording paper is removed from the selected paper feeding units 20a to 20d. It is supplied and the received image is recorded and output by the plotter 3 (step S306).

When the recording output is completed, the system controller 11 increments the count value N of the paper feed unit selection counter by "1" (N = N + 1) (step S307), and the incremented count value N is the same paper size. Paper supply unit 20 containing the recording paper
It is checked whether the number of a to 20d, for example, in the present embodiment, the number of sheet feeding units 20a to 20d is "5" which is a value exceeding "4" (step S30).
8) When the count value is not "5", the paper feeding units 20a to 20a in which recording papers of the same paper size are set
It is determined that the paper feed units 20a to 20d have not been selected until the end of 20d, the process returns to step S302, and the same processing is performed from the next reception (step S30).
2 to S308).

In step S304, when no recording paper is stored in the selected paper feed units 20a to 20d, the system controller 11 increments the count value N of the paper feed unit selection counter by "2" (N = N +).
2) (step S309), the process returns to step S303, and the same process is performed again from the selection of the paper feeding units 20a to 20d having the incremented count value N of the paper feeding unit selection counter (steps S303 to S30).
9). Note that the count value N is incremented by "2" in step S309 as shown in FIG.
Since every other is set to A4 portrait and A4 landscape,
This is for selecting the paper feed units 20a to 20d in which the recording papers in the same setting direction are set.

Then, in step S305, when the count value N of the selected paper feeding unit selection counter is not "1" or "3", that is, the size and direction of the received image data is the same as the A4 vertical recording paper. When the count value does not indicate the set paper feeding units 20a to 20d, it is determined that the direction of the received image does not match the direction of the recording paper, and the selected paper feeding units 20a to 20d.
The recording paper is supplied from 0d and the recording paper or the image data is rotated by using the rotation function to record and output the received image on the plotter 3 (step S31).
0).

Then, in step S308, the count value N incremented in step S307 is set in the sheet feeding unit 20a in which recording sheets of the same sheet size are set.
If the value is "5", which is greater than "4", which is the number of ~ 20d, it is determined that the paper feeding operation has been performed once for all the paper feeding units 20a to 20d in which the same paper size is set. Then, returning to step S301, the count value N of the paper feeding unit selection counter is set to the initial value "1", and the same processing as described above is performed.

As described above, in the facsimile apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the paper feeding unit 20a has the same paper size even if the stored paper is different in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.
If there are a plurality of sheet feeding units 20a to 20d, the sheet feeding units 20a to 20d having different sheet orientations also feed sheets as the selection targets of the sheet feeding units 20a to 20d.
0d is selected, and the selected paper feeding units 20a to 20 are selected.
When the direction of the sheet of d and the direction of the image are different, the rotation function is used to match the direction of the image and the direction of the sheet for recording.

Therefore, the paper feeding units 20a to 20d for feeding the paper can be more appropriately dispersed, and it is possible to prevent malfunctions due to the concentrated use of the specific paper feeding units 20a to 20d. Prevent further,
The life can be further extended.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the paper feed unit selection control processing by the facsimile machine to which the fourth embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied.

The present embodiment is applied to the same facsimile machine as the facsimile machine 1 of the first embodiment, and in the description of this embodiment,
If necessary, the reference numerals used in the description of the first embodiment will be used without modification.

The facsimile apparatus 1 of this embodiment outputs an alarm when all the sheet feeding units 20a to 20d have no recording sheets.

Further, the facsimile apparatus 1 of the present embodiment
Is the same paper size, but if there are paper feed units 20a to 20d that are set in different directions,
If the paper size is the same instead of selecting only the paper feeding units 20a to 20d in which the recording papers in the same direction as the recording image are set, the paper feeding unit 20a that feeds paper even if the setting directions are different. .About.20d, and when recording paper in a direction different from that of the recording image, the recording image and recording paper are aligned and printed. That is, the facsimile apparatus 1 has a rotation function of opening the recording image or the recording paper in the vertical and horizontal directions, and performs the arm rotation processing of the rotating machine as necessary when recording the image.

Further, in the paper feeding units 20a to 20d of the facsimile apparatus 1, recording papers of the same paper size (A4 size) are set in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, as shown in FIG. A4 size recording paper is set vertically in the paper feeding units 20a and 20c, and A4 size recording paper is set in the paper feeding units 20b and 20d.
It is assumed that 4 size recording sheets are set in the horizontal direction. Then, the system control unit 11 controls the paper feeding units 2
Information about the presence or absence of recording paper of 0a to 20d, the paper size, and the setting direction of the recording paper is acquired and stored in the system memory 10.

In the following description, it is assumed that the received image data has A4 size and is vertical image data.

Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the facsimile apparatus 1 first performs a paper feed unit selection control process as follows.
The system control unit 11 sets an initial value "1" to the count value N of the paper feeding unit selection counter for selecting the paper feeding units 20a to 20d (step S401), and when receiving (step S402), the paper feeding unit Paper feed units 20a to 20d having a count value N of the paper unit selection counter are selected (step S403), and it is checked whether or not recording paper is stored in the selected paper feed units 20a to 20d (step S404).

When recording paper is stored in the selected paper feed units 20a to 20d in step S404, the system controller 11 determines that the count value N of the selected paper feed unit selection counter is the size of the received image data. It is checked whether the count value is "1" or "3" indicating the paper feed units 20a to 20d in which A4 vertical recording papers having the same size and direction are set (step S40).
5) If the count value N is "1" or "3", it is determined that the direction of the received image and the direction of the recording paper match, and the recording paper is removed from the selected paper feeding units 20a to 20d. It is supplied and the received image is recorded and output by the plotter 3 (step S406).

When the recording output is completed, the system controller 11 increments the count value N of the paper feed unit selection counter by "1" (N = N + 1) (step S407), and the incremented count value N is the same paper size. Paper supply unit 20 containing the recording paper
It is checked whether the number of a to 20d, for example, the number of paper feeding units 20a to 20d in the present embodiment is "5" which is a value exceeding "4" (step S40).
8) When the count value is not "5", the paper feeding units 20a to 20a in which recording papers of the same paper size are set
It is determined that the paper feed units 20a to 20d have not been selected until the end of 20d, the process returns to step S302, and the same processing is performed from the next reception (step S40).
2 to S408).

Then, in step S405, when the count value N of the selected paper feed unit selection counter is not "1" or "3", that is, the size and direction of the received image data is the same as A4 vertical recording paper. When the count value does not indicate the set paper feeding units 20a to 20d, it is determined that the direction of the received image does not match the direction of the recording paper, and the selected paper feeding units 20a to 20d.
The recording paper is supplied from 0d and the recording paper or the image data is rotated by using the rotation function to record and output the received image on the plotter 3 (step S40).
9).

If no recording paper is stored in the selected paper feed units 20a to 20d in step S404, the system control unit 11 increments the count value N of the paper feed unit selection counter by "2" (N). =
N + 2) (step S410), and the paper feed units 20a to 20d that feed the paper feed units 20a to 20d having the incremented count value N of the paper feed unit selection counter.
It is selected as d (step S411), and it is checked whether or not there is a recording sheet in the selected sheet feeding units 20a to 20d (step S412).

In step S412, if there is a recording sheet in the selected sheet feeding units 20a to 20d, the system control section 11 moves to step S405 and similarly to the above.
Process (steps S405 to S409).

In step S412, if there is no recording paper in the selected paper feeding units 20a to 20d, it is determined that there is no recording paper in all the paper feeding units 20a to 20d, and the recording paper is displayed on the display of the operation display unit 9. There is an alarm output (alarm notification output) by displaying and outputting a message to the effect that there is not, or by outputting an alarm sound.

By this alarm output, the user sets the recording paper in the paper feeding units 20a to 20d, and if the recording paper is present in step S412, step S405 is performed.
, And the same process as above.

As described above, the facsimile apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment outputs a predetermined warning when no recording paper is stored in any of the paper feeding units 20a to 20d.

Therefore, the user can be notified that there is no recording paper, and the usability of the facsimile apparatus 1 can be further improved.

Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It goes without saying that it is possible.

For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the image forming apparatus is applied to the facsimile apparatus 1 has been described. However, the image forming apparatus is not limited to the facsimile apparatus, and may be a printer apparatus, a copying apparatus, or the like. It can be applied to an image forming apparatus that supplies recording paper from a plurality of paper feeding units and records an image.

[0086]

According to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, one of a plurality of sheet feeding units capable of storing sheets of various sheet sizes is selected and the selected sheet feeding unit is selected. When recording and outputting an image of a document on the supplied paper, if paper of the same paper size is stored in a plurality of paper feed units of the paper feed units, paper feed that stores paper of the same paper size for each document The units are sequentially switched and selected, and the paper is fed from the selected paper feeding unit to record the image of the document, so that the paper feeding units that feed the paper can be appropriately dispersed, and a specific paper feeding unit can be used. It is possible to prevent the failure due to the intensive use of the paper units, and to prolong the life properly.

According to the image forming apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention, if there is a paper feeding unit in which no paper is stored among the paper feeding units that should store paper of the same paper size, the paper Since the paper feed units that are not stored are excluded from the selection target of the paper feed unit and the paper feed unit that supplies the paper is selected, properly feed the paper,
It is possible to improve the usability, it is possible to properly distribute the paper feeding units that feed the paper, and it is possible to prevent failures due to the intensive use of specific paper feeding units. The life can be appropriately extended.

According to the image forming apparatus of the third aspect of the present invention, if there are a plurality of paper feed units having the same paper size even if the stored paper orientations are different in the vertical and horizontal directions, the paper orientation is changed. Select a paper feeding unit that feeds paper even if different paper feeding units are selected, and if the paper direction of the selected paper feeding unit and the image direction are different, the rotation function is used. Since the image is recorded in the same direction as the paper, it is possible to more appropriately distribute the paper feed units that feed the paper, and a specific paper feed unit is used intensively, causing a failure. Can be further prevented, and the life can be further extended.

According to the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect of the present invention, if no paper is stored in any of the paper feed units, a predetermined warning is output to notify the user that there is no paper. It is possible to improve the usability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a main part of a facsimile apparatus to which an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which recording sheets are set in a sheet feeding unit of a sheet feeding section of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.

3 is a flowchart showing a transmission process by the facsimile apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a paper feed unit selection control process by the facsimile apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a paper feed unit selection control process by a facsimile machine to which the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing how recording paper is set in a paper feed unit of a paper feed unit of a facsimile apparatus to which an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a paper feed unit selection control process by a facsimile machine to which the third embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the invention is applied.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a paper feed unit selection control process by a facsimile machine to which the fourth embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Facsimile machine 2 scanner 3 plotter 4 Encoding / decoding section 5 image memory 6 Communication control unit 7 modem 8 Network control unit 9 Operation display section 10 system memory 11 System control unit 12 buses 20 paper feeder 20a to 20d paper feeding unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of sheet feeding units capable of storing sheets of various sheet sizes, one of the sheet feeding units is selected, and a document image is printed on the sheet fed from the selected sheet feeding unit. In the image forming apparatus for recording and outputting, if papers of the same paper size are stored in a plurality of paper feeding units among the paper feeding units, a paper feeding unit for storing the papers of the same paper size is set for each document. An image forming apparatus characterized in that an image of a document is recorded by sequentially switching and selecting and feeding paper from the selected paper feeding unit. 2. The image forming apparatus, when there is a paper feeding unit in which no paper is stored among the paper feeding units which should accommodate the paper of the same paper size, the paper feeding unit in which the paper is not stored. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a paper unit is excluded from selection targets of the paper feeding unit and a paper feeding unit that supplies the paper is selected. 3. The image forming apparatus has a rotation function of recording the image and the paper in the same direction when the direction of the image and the paper are different from each other, and the stored paper direction is stored. If there are multiple paper feed units that have the same paper size even if they are different in the vertical and horizontal directions, the paper feed unit that selects the paper feed units with different paper orientations to feed the paper 2. A unit is selected, and when the direction of the paper of the selected paper feeding unit and the direction of the image are different, the rotation function causes the image and the direction of the paper to be aligned and recorded. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a sheet is not stored in any of the sheet feeding units, a predetermined warning is output. The image forming apparatus described.