JP2006240194A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device which carries out sorted printing and stacked printing on various types of sheets, and then discharges the sheets after carrying out necessary post-processing, such as Z-folding of the sheets, wherein the image forming device suitably carries out the printing and the post-processing even if sheets conforming to a designated printing mode are not stored therein. <P>SOLUTION: According to the operation of the image forming device 1, if the type of sheets, such as paper thickness, designated by a printing request is different from the type of sheets stored in a paper feeding tray, the image forming device employs the sheets stored in the paper feeding tray as the sheets to be printed, and adopts a printing mode suitable for the type of the sheets to be printed, prior to the printing mode designated by the printing request, followed by carrying out the actual printing. Therefore even if the sheets in the type designated by the printing request are not present in the paper feeding tray, the image forming device can carry out the suitable printing processing in the mode most similar to the designated printing mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more specifically, includes a post-processing mechanism for performing post-processing such as Z-folding on various types of paper that have been sorted and stacked, and when there is no paper that matches print settings. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that appropriately performs printing and post-processing.

  In image forming devices such as printers, facsimile machines, copiers, and multifunction devices, set different types of paper such as paper thickness, paper size, paper quality, etc. in multiple paper feed trays, and respond to the specifications of the host device, etc. It is now possible to select a paper feed tray of the selected paper type and print it out.

  When printing on such various paper types, the designated paper type and the paper type set in the image forming apparatus may be different. Processing when the provided paper type is different becomes a problem.

  Therefore, conventionally, a technique has been proposed in which printing is stopped when the designated paper type and the paper type of the image forming apparatus are different (see Patent Document 1).

  Therefore, according to this conventional technique, print output to a paper type not intended by the user is prevented, and re-printing or the like is prevented from occurring.

  However, in this prior art, even if the difference in the paper type is a slight difference such as a difference in paper pressure, for example, the printing is stopped, so the paper is reset in the image forming apparatus. After this, there is a problem that it is necessary to perform a printing operation again and the usability is poor.

  The applicant can sort and stack prints on papers of various thicknesses, and has a plurality of paper discharge trays for discharging the printed papers. Select a paper discharge tray for each paper type. When the paper type setting from the printer driver is different from the paper discharge tray currently selected by the image forming apparatus, the paper can be discharged to the paper discharge tray selected by the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus that prioritizes setting on the engine side is proposed (see Patent Document 2).

  Conventionally, an image in which an image-formed sheet is discharged by selecting one of two or more discharge paths of face-up discharge and face-down discharge based on the determination result of the sheet type determination unit inside the apparatus. A forming apparatus has been proposed (see Patent Document 3).

JP 2001-213031 A JP 2003-266893 A JP 9-278252 A

  However, in the above prior art, when the specified paper type and the paper type set in the image forming apparatus are different, there is a need for improvement in order to perform a more appropriate printing process efficiently. It was.

  That is, in the prior art described in Patent Document 1, as described above, if the specified paper type and the paper type included in the image forming apparatus are different, printing is stopped. For example, in order to cancel printing even in the case of a slight difference such as a difference in paper pressure, it is necessary to perform a printing operation again after resetting the paper in the image forming apparatus. There was a problem of being bad.

  Further, in the conventional technique described in Patent Document 2, when a post-processing mechanism that performs a finishing process such as a Z-folding process is provided on a printed sheet, the post-processing mechanism It was not considered whether or not the above processing could be performed appropriately, and improvement was necessary.

  Furthermore, in the prior art described in Patent Document 3, the paper discharge path can be selected depending on the paper type, but the above problem cannot be solved.

  Therefore, the present invention uses the paper in the paper feed tray to perform an appropriate print process closer to the print setting even when the paper type specified in the print setting of the print request is not in the paper feed tray. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus with good usability by reducing reprinting.

  The image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention receives a print request and print data having various print settings such as a paper type from a host device, and a plurality of paper supplies capable of storing a plurality of types of paper such as a plurality of thicknesses. The print data on the paper fed from the paper tray is subjected to print processing such as sort printing and stack printing according to the print settings, and the post-processing mechanism needs to perform Z-folding processing on the printed paper. An image forming apparatus that performs post-processing and discharges the printed paper to at least one of a plurality of paper discharge trays, and is stored in the paper type and the paper feed tray specified in the print settings. If the paper type is different, the paper type of the paper stored in the paper feed tray is adopted as the print target paper, and the paper type of the print target paper is higher than the print setting specified in the print request. Print settings suitable for giving priority to, by printing the print data on the print object sheet, it has achieved the above objects.

  In this case, for example, as described in claim 2, the image forming apparatus specifies the Z-folding process in the print setting, and the Z-folding process cannot be performed depending on the priority print setting. The printing of the print data may be stopped.

  For example, as described in claim 3, the image forming apparatus has the Z-folding process specified in the print setting, and the Z-folding process cannot be performed depending on the priority print setting. If there is, the print data may be printed by canceling the Z-folding process designation of the print setting.

  Further, for example, the image forming apparatus is configured such that the Z-folding process is specified in the print setting, and the Z-folding process cannot be performed depending on the priority print setting. In some cases, whether to stop printing the print data or to cancel the Z-folding process designation of the print setting and print the print data may be executed according to the selection.

  For example, as described in claim 5, the image forming apparatus has a limit amount of paper that can be discharged to each of the paper discharge trays, and sets a plurality of paper thicknesses in the print setting. When the mixed printing used is specified, the number of printed sheets is discharged to the paper discharge tray by limiting the number of printed sheets based on the thickness of each mixed printing sheet, the number of printed sheets, the limit amount, etc. May be suppressed below the above limit amount.

  Further, for example, as described in claim 6, in the image forming apparatus, a limit amount of sheets that can be discharged to each discharge tray is set, and the print setting performs the Z-folding process. When specified, the number of printed sheets is limited and discharged to the paper discharge tray based on the thickness of the sheet to be printed, the number of printed sheets, the additional condition by the Z-folding process, the limit amount, and the like. The number of printed sheets that have been subjected to Z-folding may be suppressed to be equal to or less than the limit amount.

  Further, for example, when the number of discharged sheets on the discharge tray during the discharge reaches the limit amount, the image forming apparatus changes the discharge destination of the printed sheet to another destination. The paper discharge tray may be changed to discharge paper.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the paper type such as the paper thickness is different from the print setting paper of the print request and the paper in the paper feed tray, the paper in the paper feed tray is adopted as the print target paper and the printing is performed. Since the print settings suitable for the paper type of the target paper are adopted in preference to the print settings of the print request, printing is performed even if the paper type specified in the print settings of the print request is not in the paper feed tray. Appropriate print processing closer to the print setting can be performed using the paper in the paper feed tray, and re-printing can be reduced to improve usability.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, since the Example described below is a suitable Example of this invention, various technically preferable restrictions are attached | subjected, However, The scope of the present invention limits this invention especially in the following description. As long as there is no description of the effect, it is not restricted to these aspects.

  1 to 9 are diagrams showing an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 1 to which the embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied. .

  In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 1 includes a controller 2, an engine 3, and the like. A host personal computer (host PC) 10 that is a host device is connected to the controller 2.

  The controller 2 includes a host interface 4, an engine interface 5, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 6, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 7, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 8, etc., which are connected by a bus 9. .

  The host personal computer 10 is connected to the host interface 4, and the engine 3 is connected to the engine interface 5.

  The host personal computer 10 creates various documents such as texts, graphics, and photographs by various applications operating on the installed OS (Operating System), and when a print request is made, activates the installed printer driver to perform printing. When data is generated and various printing conditions are set, a print request for the set printing conditions is sent to the controller 2 of the image forming apparatus 1. In the setting of the printing conditions, for example, the presence / absence of sort / stack printing, the type of printing paper, the paper size, the content of finishing processing such as Z-folding, and the like are set.

  The ROM 7 stores various programs such as a basic processing program as the image forming apparatus 1 and a different paper type printing control processing program described later, and various data necessary for executing the program.

  The RAM 8 is used as a work memory, and various data, particularly various data required for the print control processing for different paper types, for example, the maximum of the paper discharge tray when there is no post-processing as shown in FIG. The relationship data between the load amount and the current load amount, the relationship data between the maximum load amount of the discharge tray and the current load amount when post-processing as shown in FIG.

  Note that the relationship data between the maximum stacking capacity of the paper discharge tray and the current stacking capacity when post-processing in FIG. 2 is not performed is the paper types A to C of the three paper discharge trays, and the discharge types for the paper types A to C. The maximum stack number of paper trays α to γ, consisting of the weight per sheet (L / α to L / γ) and the current number of prints x to z, and the maximum stack of discharge trays with the post-processing in FIG. The relationship data between the amount and the current load amount is obtained by adding post-processing weights (N (L / α) to N (L / γ)) to the data shown in FIG.

  2 and 3, the discharge limit of the discharge tray is calculated not by the number of sheets but by the amount. This amount is the least common multiple of the maximum number of sheets set for each paper type. Yes, this value is the maximum stacking capacity of the paper discharge tray. The value obtained by dividing the maximum load capacity by the maximum number of sheets provided for each paper type is the weight of the paper type, and the value obtained by multiplying the number of discharged paper sheets by the weight does not depend on the paper type. This is the amount of paper output. Further, the amount of discharged paper is obtained for each paper type, and the result of adding the discharged amount for each paper type is the current load amount.

  The CPU 6 controls each part of the image forming apparatus 1, in particular, the engine 3, while using the RAM 8 as a work memory based on a program in the ROM 7 and referring to data in the RAM 8. 1 is executed, and print control processing for different paper types described later is executed.

  The engine 3 is connected to the engine interface 5, and the engine 3 records and outputs an image on a sheet based on print data by an electrophotographic method, for example. Although not shown, the engine 3 is, for example, components necessary for recording and outputting print data on a sheet by electrophotography using a laser, such as a photoconductor, an optical writing unit, a developing unit, a charging unit, and a cleaning unit. And the like, by operating the optical writing unit according to the print data and the control signal to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor, supplying the toner onto the photoconductor by the developing unit and developing the toner image Form. The engine 3 feeds a sheet from the sheet feeding unit between the photosensitive member and the transfer unit, transfers the toner image on the photosensitive member to the sheet, and conveys the sheet onto which the toner image is transferred to the fixing unit. Then, the image is formed by fixing the toner image on the paper by heating and pressurizing in the fixing unit.

  The paper feed unit is provided with a plurality of paper feed trays, and a plurality of paper types can be set. For example, paper such as plain paper, thick paper, OHP, paper size, paper size, etc. can be set. Is possible. In addition, the paper feed unit has a plurality of paper discharge trays, and can be connected to a post-processing mechanism for performing print sorting, stack processing, and finishing processing such as Z-folding. A post-processing mechanism is connected. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, at least three paper discharge trays are provided.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment sets the print data sent from the host PC 10 based on the print request from the host PC 10 to the print condition setting (print setting) set in the print request and the engine 3 side. When the print setting corresponding to the set paper type is different, the print processing is performed with priority given to the setting on the engine 3 side.

  First, the basic printing process will be described with reference to FIG. First, the CPU 6 acquires the setting state of the engine 3, for example, error, tray information, etc. from the engine 3 and stores it in the RAM 8 (step S 101). When a print request is sent from the host PC 10, the host interface 4 The print request is received via the print request, and the print setting is acquired from the print request (step S102).

  Then, the CPU 6 performs setting processing of the paper feed tray and the post-processing based on the paper type information (step S103), and then sets the paper discharge tray based on the paper type weight and the setting of the paper discharge tray based on the post-processing weight. Perform (step S104) and start the printing operation (step S105).

  The CPU 6 performs the paper feed tray setting process and the post-processing setting process based on the paper type information in step S103 as shown in FIG. That is, the CPU 6 first initializes paper feed tray candidates (step S201), and the paper size of the print setting of the print request acquired in step S102 and the setting on the engine 3 side acquired in step S101 of FIG. It is checked whether they match (step S202).

  When the paper sizes match, that is, when the engine 3 has a paper feed tray in which paper of a paper size that matches the paper size of the print setting is set, the CPU 6 feeds paper in which the matching paper size is set. Trays are selected as paper feed tray candidates, the paper types of all the paper feed tray candidates are checked (step S203), and whether there is a paper feed tray in which paper of the paper type that matches the paper type of the print setting is set. (Step S204).

  In step S204, if there is a paper feed tray on which a paper type that matches the paper type of the print setting is set, the CPU 6 uses the paper feed tray candidate to print the print data of the print request. The setting is made as a paper feed tray, and the process ends (step S205).

  In step S204, when there is no paper feed tray in which paper of the paper type that matches the print setting paper type is set, the CPU 6 changes the paper type information specified by the printer driver in response to a print request from the host PC 10. Whether the paper type information is prohibited is checked (step S206). When the change of the paper type information is prohibited, a notification of a paper feed tray error indicating that there is no paper feed tray is sent to the host PC 10, and the process is performed. The process ends (step S207).

  When the change of the paper type information is permitted in step S206, the CPU 6 changes the paper type information based on the paper type information of the paper feed tray of the engine 3 (step S208), and the printer driver sets the print settings later. It is checked whether or not processing is specified (step S209).

  If no post-processing is specified in step S209, the CPU 6 sets a paper feed tray that is a paper feed tray candidate as a paper feed tray to be used for printing the print data of the print request, and ends the process (step S209). Step S205).

  If post-processing is designated in step S209, the CPU 6 determines whether post-processing such as Z-folding is possible according to the changed paper type information and resets the post-processing (step S209). In S210, the paper feed tray that is a paper feed tray candidate is set as a paper feed tray to be used for printing the print data of the print request, and the process ends (Step S205).

  In step S202, when the paper sizes do not match, that is, when the engine 3 does not have a paper feed tray in which paper of the paper size that matches the print setting paper size is set, the CPU 6 performs print settings by the printer driver. It is checked whether the designation of the paper feed tray is fixed or automatic (step S211). If the designation of the paper feed tray is fixed, a notification of a paper feed tray error indicating that there is no paper feed tray is sent to the host PC 10. To finish the process (step S207).

  If the designation of the paper feed tray is automatic in step S211, the CPU 6 selects a paper feed tray in which paper of the same paper size as that of the print setting is set from among the paper feed trays provided in the engine 3. It searches and enumerates (step S212), and checks whether there is a paper feed tray in which paper of the same paper size as the print setting paper size is set (step S213).

  In step S213, when there is no paper feed tray in which the same paper size as the print setting paper size is set, the CPU 6 notifies the host PC 10 of a paper feed tray error indicating that there is no paper feed tray. The process ends (step S207).

  If it is determined in step S213 that there is a paper feed tray in which a paper having the same paper size as the print setting paper size is set, the CPU 6 proceeds to step S203, and the paper feed tray in which the corresponding paper size is set. Are processed in the same manner as described above from the process of checking the paper types of all the paper feed tray candidates (steps S203 to S210).

  Further, the CPU 6 performs the paper discharge tray setting process by weighting the paper type in step S104 in FIG. 4 as shown in FIG. That is, the CPU 6 first initializes the paper discharge tray candidates based on the print settings sent from the host PC 10 (step S301), and obtains an addition specific to the paper type based on the paper type information. Add (step S302).

  Next, the CPU 6 compares the weight obtained by adding the current stack amount of the paper discharge tray and the weight of the paper type (additional condition) and the maximum stack amount of the paper discharge tray, and then compares the weight into the paper discharge tray. Further, it is checked whether or not it can be placed, that is, whether or not the maximum loading capacity is exceeded (step S303).

  That is, the relationship data between the maximum stacking capacity of the paper discharge tray and the current stacking capacity without post-processing in FIG. 2 is specifically shown in FIG. 7, and each of plain paper, cardboard, and OHP Is determined based on the maximum number of stacked sheets on each paper discharge tray, the added amount / 1 sheet, and the number of printed sheets. In the case of FIG. 7, as shown in the lower part of the table portion of FIG. 7, the maximum stacking amount L of a certain discharge tray is L = 300, and the current stacking amount Count of the discharge tray is Count. = 290, and the amount up to the maximum load capacity is “10”. Therefore, as can be seen from the addition amount of the soldier part, it is 1 sheet for plain paper, 1 sheet for thick paper, and OHP. In this case, the paper cannot be discharged.

  If it is determined in step S303 that the maximum stacking capacity has not been exceeded, the CPU 6 determines that the discharge tray candidate can be discharged, sets the discharge tray candidate as a discharge tray, and ends the process. (Step S304).

  If the maximum stacking capacity is exceeded in step S303, the CPU 6 updates the paper discharge tray candidate (step S305), and checks whether paper has already been discharged onto the updated paper discharge tray (step S306).

  If the sheet is not discharged onto the updated discharge tray in step S306, the CPU 6 determines that the discharge can be performed on the discharge tray candidate, and the process proceeds to step S304, where the discharge tray candidate. Is set as the paper discharge tray, and the process is terminated (step S304).

  If the paper has already been discharged onto the updated paper discharge tray in step S306, the CPU 6 determines that paper discharge to the paper discharge tray candidate is impossible, and there is an unsearched paper discharge tray. If there is an unsearched paper discharge tray, the process returns to step S305 to search for the paper discharge tray to make a paper discharge tray candidate and perform the same processing as described above (step S305, S304, S306, S307).

  If there is no unsearched paper discharge tray in step S307, the CPU 6 determines that there is no paper discharge tray that can be used, and notifies the host PC 10 of a paper discharge tray error indicating that there is no paper discharge tray. Is finished (step S308).

  Further, the CPU 6 performs the paper discharge tray setting process by the post-processing weighting in step S104 of FIG. 4 as shown in FIG. That is, the CPU 6 performs final setting of the discharge tray considering the weighting by the post-processing based on the discharge tray information determined in the process of FIG. First, the CPU 6 initializes paper discharge tray candidates based on the paper discharge tray information determined in the process of FIG. 6, and obtains and adds an addition specific to the subsequent process based on the post-processing information (step). S401). For example, in the case of the Z-folding process, the additional amount unique to this post-processing is “3” as shown in FIG.

  Next, the CPU 6 compares the current stacking amount of the discharge tray and the weight added by the post-processing weight with the maximum stacking amount of the discharge tray, and can further place the discharge tray on the discharge tray. That is, it is checked whether or not the maximum load capacity is exceeded (step S402).

  That is, the relationship data between the maximum stacking capacity of the paper discharge tray and the current stacking capacity when post-processing in FIG. 3 is performed is as shown in FIG. For each, a determination is made based on the maximum number of stacked sheets on each discharge tray, the added amount / 1 sheet, and the number of printed sheets. In other words, the post-processed paper is thicker than the paper that is normally discharged without post-processing, and therefore the weight per sheet is different. Therefore, the weight (N in FIG. 3) for each paper type that has undergone post-processing is an integral multiple of the weight at the time of normal paper discharge, and this weight is multiplied by the number of paper discharged. It is possible to determine the amount of discharged paper that does not depend on the presence or absence of post-processing and the paper type. Then, a paper discharge amount that does not depend on the paper type is obtained for each paper type on the paper discharge tray, and the result of adding the paper discharge amount of each paper type is the current stacking amount.

  In the case of FIG. 9, as shown in the lower part of the table portion of FIG. 9, the maximum stacking amount L of a certain discharge tray is L = 300, and the current stacking amount Count of the discharge tray is Count. = 290, and the amount up to the maximum load amount is “10”. As can be seen from the addition amount of the soldier portion, one sheet is used for plain paper, and one sheet is used for thick paper 1 and thick paper 2 is discharged. It will not be possible.

  If it is determined in step S402 that the maximum stacking capacity has not been exceeded, the CPU 6 determines that the paper discharge tray candidate can discharge paper, sets the paper discharge tray candidate as a paper discharge tray, and ends the process. (Step S403).

  If the maximum stacking capacity is exceeded in step S402, the CPU 6 updates the paper discharge tray candidate (step S404), and checks whether paper has already been discharged onto the updated paper discharge tray (step S405).

  In step S405, when the sheet is not discharged onto the updated discharge tray, the CPU 6 determines that the discharge can be performed on the discharge tray candidate, moves to step S403, and the discharge tray candidate. Is set as the paper discharge tray, and the process is terminated (step S403).

  If the paper has already been discharged onto the updated paper discharge tray in step S405, the CPU 6 determines that paper discharge to the paper discharge tray candidate is impossible and there is an unsearched paper discharge tray. If there is an unsearched paper discharge tray, the process returns to step S404, and the same processing as above is performed from the process of searching the paper discharge tray to make a paper discharge tray candidate (step S404, S405, S403, S406).

  If there is no unsearched paper discharge tray in step S406, the CPU 6 checks whether or not a post-processing cancellation designation is made by the user (step S407).

  If there is a post-processing release designation in step S407, the CPU 6 changes the setting to a setting for not performing post-processing, returns the paper discharge tray to the initial value (step S408), and sets the paper discharge tray candidate as the paper discharge tray. After setting, the process ends (step S403).

  If it is determined in step S407 that post-processing cancellation is not specified, the CPU 6 determines that there is no paper discharge tray that can be used, notifies the host PC 10 of a paper discharge tray error indicating that there is no paper discharge tray, and ends the processing. (Step S409).

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment employs the paper in the paper feed tray as the print target paper when the paper type such as the paper thickness is different from the print setting paper requested for printing and the paper in the paper feed tray. At the same time, the print settings suitable for the paper type of the print target paper are used in preference to the print settings of the print request.

  Therefore, even when the paper type specified in the print settings of the print request is not in the paper feed tray, the paper in the paper feed tray can be used to perform appropriate print processing that is closer to the print settings. It is possible to improve the usability by reducing redoing.

  The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment stops printing of the print data when the Z-folding process is designated in the print setting and the Z-folding process cannot be performed depending on the priority print setting. is doing.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent unnecessary printing, improve usability, and prevent waste of paper resources due to unnecessary printing.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment, if the Z-folding process is specified in the print setting and the Z-folding process cannot be performed depending on the priority print setting, the Z-folding process of the print setting is performed. Canceling the designation, printing the print data.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent the engine 3 from being damaged, and it is possible to suppress deterioration and failure of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment stops printing the print data when the Z-folding process is specified in the print setting and the Z-folding process cannot be performed depending on the priority print setting. Whether to print the print data after canceling the Z-folding process designation of the print setting is executed according to the selection.

  Therefore, the user's intention can be widely reflected in the print settings, and the usability can be further improved.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the limit amount of paper that can be discharged to each discharge tray is set, and the mixed printing using a plurality of paper thickness sheets is designated in the print setting. At this time, the number of printed sheets is limited based on the thickness, the number of printed sheets, the limit amount, and the like of each sheet of the mixed printing, and the number of printed sheets discharged to the paper discharge tray is suppressed below the limit amount.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent damage to the paper discharge tray and the engine.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment, when a limit amount of sheets that can be discharged is set to each discharge tray and the print setting specifies execution of the Z-folding process, Based on the thickness of the paper, the number of printed sheets, the additional condition (weighting) by the Z-folding process, the limit amount, etc. Is controlled below the limit.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent damage to the paper discharge tray and the engine.

  Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment changes the discharge destination of the printed sheet to another discharge tray when the number of discharged sheets in the discharge tray that is being discharged reaches the limit amount. is doing.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent damage to the paper discharge tray and the engine, and it is possible to perform printing continuously to further improve the usability.

  The invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say.

  Printers, multifunction devices, copiers, and facsimile machines that perform print processing appropriately even when the specified paper type is not provided when print processing is performed according to the specification of the paper type and post-processing conditions from the host device It can be applied to an image forming apparatus such as the above.

1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus to which an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of relationship data between a maximum stacking amount of a paper discharge tray and a current stacking amount when no post-processing is stored in the RAM of FIG. 1. The figure which shows an example of the relationship data of the maximum load capacity of the paper discharge tray in the case of accompanying post-processing and the current load capacity. 2 is a flowchart showing basic printing processing by the image forming apparatus of FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing detailed processing of paper feed tray setting processing and post-processing setting processing based on the paper type information in FIG. 4. 5 is a flowchart showing detailed processing of paper discharge tray setting processing based on paper type weighting in FIG. 4. The figure which shows the specific example of the relationship data of the maximum loading capacity of the paper discharge tray when not performing the post-process of FIG. 2, and the current loading capacity. 5 is a flowchart showing detailed processing of paper discharge tray setting processing by weighting of post-processing in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a specific example of relational data between the maximum stacking capacity of the paper discharge tray and the current stacking capacity when the post-processing in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Controller 3 Engine 4 Host interface 5 Engine interface 6 CPU
7 ROM
8 RAM
9 Bus 10 Host PC (Host PC)

Claims (7)

  Upon receiving a print request and print data having various print settings such as paper type from the host device, the printing is performed on the paper fed from a plurality of paper feed trays capable of storing a plurality of types of paper such as a plurality of thicknesses. The data is subjected to print processing such as sort printing and stack printing in accordance with the print settings, the post-processing mechanism performs necessary post-processing such as Z-folding on the printed paper, and the printed paper Is formed in at least one of a plurality of paper discharge trays, and if the paper type specified in the print setting is different from the paper type stored in the paper supply tray, The paper of the paper type stored in the tray is adopted as the print target paper, and the print setting suitable for the paper type of the print target paper is prioritized over the print setting specified in the print request. Image forming apparatus characterized by printing the printing data on the print target paper.   The image forming apparatus cancels printing of the print data when the Z-folding process is specified in the print setting and the Z-folding process cannot be performed depending on the priority print setting. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   The image forming apparatus cancels the Z-folding process designation of the print setting when the Z-folding process is designated by the print setting and the Z-folding process cannot be performed depending on the priority print setting. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print data is printed.   The image forming apparatus, when the Z-folding process is specified in the print setting and depending on the priority print setting, the Z-folding process cannot be performed, stops printing the print data, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein whether to print the print data after canceling the Z-folding process designation of the print setting is executed according to the selection.   In the image forming apparatus, when a limit amount of paper that can be discharged to each of the paper discharge trays is set and mixed printing using a plurality of paper thicknesses is set in the print setting, the mixed printing is performed. The number of printed sheets is limited based on the thickness of each printing sheet, the number of printed sheets, the limit amount, and the like, and the number of printed sheets discharged to the paper discharge tray is suppressed to the limit amount or less. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   In the image forming apparatus, when a limit amount of paper that can be discharged to each discharge tray is set and the print setting specifies execution of the Z-folding process, the thickness of the paper to be printed is set. The number of printed sheets, the additional condition by the Z-folding process, the limit amount, and the like are limited, and the number of printed sheets to be Z-folded discharged to the paper discharge tray is limited to the limit amount. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is suppressed to the following. When the number of sheets discharged from the paper discharge tray during the paper discharge reaches the limit amount, the image forming apparatus changes the paper discharge destination of the printed paper to another paper discharge tray and discharges it. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:

Images