JP2007114688A - Image forming apparatus and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which suppresses error or omission of users in the setting of the attribute of paper housed in a paper supply device to the utmost, which enables the user to surely set the attribute of paper even when replacing the paper supply device in constitution equipped with a plurality of paper supply devices, and where consistency between the attribute of the paper set by the user and the attribute of the paper housed in the paper supply device is surely guaranteed, and to provide its control method. <P>SOLUTION: The attribute of paper input from a user interface part 11 is stored in a paper attribute storage part 121, and an identifier is automatically imparted by an identifier imparting part 123. When the identifier is designated from a paper attribute setting part 132a in a paper supply tray (paper supply tray (a)) 131a and a paper supply tray opening/closing detection part 140 detects that the paper supply tray (paper supply tray (a)) 131a is closed, a paper attribute setting enabling part 122 enables the setting of the attribute of paper corresponding to the designated identifier as setting for the paper supply tray (paper supply tray (a)) 131a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention has one or a plurality of paper feeding devices for storing paper, and is suitable for the paper stored so that appropriate image formation can be performed using the paper stored in the paper feeding device. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of setting an attribute to a sheet feeding device and a control method thereof. In particular, it is possible to reduce mistakes or forgetting to set a sheet attribute of a sheet stored in a sheet feeding device by a user as much as possible. Even when the paper feeding device is replaced in a configuration including the paper feeding device, the user can surely set the paper attribute, and the user sets the paper attribute and the paper attribute of the paper stored in the paper feeding device. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of reliably ensuring consistency and a control method thereof.

  In general, when forming an image on a sheet stored in a sheet feeding device, the image is formed at an optimum speed or temperature depending on the size and type of the sheet, or the close contact between the sheets when the sheet is fed. An image forming apparatus having a function of blowing air at a strength and time suitable for paper is well known.

  Conventionally, there are not many paper attributes (paper parameters) that control these operations, such as the size and paper type (coated paper / non-coated paper), and so the setting switch is also installed on the paper feeder. It was normal to set using.

  In such a case, when the paper is opened and the paper is stored, the paper attribute is set by the setting switch and then the paper supply device is closed, so that the paper stored in the paper supply device and the paper are set. The various attributes are always the same except for a selection switch selection error, and optimal control is possible for the paper stored in the paper feeder.

However, in recent years, the paper types that can be controlled by the image forming apparatus and the paper attributes for optimal image formation have been further subdivided into various types. It is difficult to perform all settings using the installed setting switches. Therefore, as shown in Patent Document 1, setting is performed using a user interface device provided in the image forming apparatus, or connection is made via a network or the like. A configuration for setting various paper attributes from a personal computer or the like has been proposed.
JP 2003-270872 A

  However, in a configuration in which various paper attributes are set from a user interface device provided in the image forming apparatus, a personal computer connected via a network, or the like, the timing of storing the paper in the paper feeding device and the user interface device Since the timing for setting various attributes corresponding to the paper is different, etc., there is a period when the paper and the various attributes set for the paper do not match, or the user forgets to set the various attributes and does not match For example, there is a problem in that optimal image formation control cannot be performed, causing paper jams and poor image quality.

  Furthermore, entering paper attributes from the user interface with the paper feeder open, or exchanging the paper feeder location when there are multiple paper feeders, is the setting for the paper in the paper feeder. This is impossible because it cannot guarantee the consistency with the paper attributes, and is inconvenient for the user.

  Therefore, the present invention can reduce mistakes in setting and forgetting to set the paper attributes of the paper stored in the paper feeding device by the user as much as possible, and also allows the user to replace the paper feeding device in a configuration having a plurality of paper feeding devices. To provide an image forming apparatus capable of surely setting a paper attribute and reliably ensuring consistency between a paper attribute set by the user and a paper attribute of a paper stored in a paper feeding device, and a control method therefor With the goal.

  In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 has an image forming process for forming an image on a sheet fed from the sheet feeding device, having one or a plurality of sheet feeding devices for accommodating the sheet. In the forming apparatus, a sheet attribute input unit that inputs a sheet attribute for performing image formation suitable for the sheet, a sheet attribute storage unit that stores a sheet attribute input by the attribute input unit, and the attribute storage unit. A paper attribute identifier assigning unit that assigns an identifier for identifying a stored paper attribute to the paper attribute, and a paper attribute that is provided in the paper feeding device and stored by the paper attribute storage unit is designated as the corresponding identifier. Thus, it is detected that the sheet attribute setting unit sets the sheet attribute of the sheet stored in the sheet feeding device, and that the sheet feeding device is closed with respect to the image forming apparatus. When the close detection unit and the close detection unit detect that the sheet feeding device is closed, the setting of the sheet attribute set by the sheet attribute setting unit of the sheet feeding device is set for the sheet feeding device. And a paper attribute setting validating means for validating as a feature.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, it is detected that the paper feeding device has been opened from the image forming device and image formation using the paper feeding device has become impossible. An opening detection unit configured to enable the paper attribute setting to be enabled by the sheet attribute setting valid unit when the opening detection unit detects that the sheet feeding device has been opened. It is made invalid.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the sheet attribute input unit is a device other than the image forming device through an interface that receives information from a device other than the image forming device in the image forming device. The paper attribute is received from the apparatus, and the received paper attribute is input.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the paper attribute identifier assigning unit assigns an identifier consisting of a name or a numerical value to the paper attribute.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the paper attribute identifier assigning means is received by an identifier accepting means for accepting an identifier assigned to the paper attribute, and the identifier accepting means. An identifier is assigned to the paper attribute.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for an image forming apparatus having an image forming process for forming an image on a paper sheet fed from the paper feeding apparatus. In this case, a paper attribute for image formation suitable for the paper is input by the paper attribute input means, the paper attribute input by the attribute input means is stored by the paper attribute storage means, and is stored by the attribute storage means. An identifier for identifying the paper attribute is assigned to the paper attribute by the paper attribute identifier assigning means, and an identifier according to the paper attribute stored by the paper attribute storage means is received from the apparatus provided in the paper feeding apparatus by the identifier receiving means. The closing detection unit detects that the sheet feeding device is closed by the image forming apparatus, and the sheet feeding device detected by the closing detection unit is To set the paper attributes corresponding to the identifier received by the child receiving means, characterized in that to enable the sheet attribute setting effective means as setting for paper feeding device.

  According to the present invention, when the paper attribute setting unit is provided in the paper feeding device and the user designates an identifier of a desired paper from the paper attribute setting unit of the paper feeding device, the paper identifier stored in the paper attribute storage unit is set to the paper identifier. Since the configuration of the corresponding paper attribute is made valid as the setting for the paper feeding device, the user, for example, at hand according to the operation of opening the paper feeding device to accommodate the paper (the paper feeding device) In this case, only the paper identifier needs to be specified for the setting operation. Therefore, the setting of the paper attribute is performed from the user interface unit of the apparatus main body. Compared with the case where it is performed, it is possible to greatly reduce mistakes and forgetting to set the paper attribute of the paper stored in the paper feeding device by the user.

  Further, according to the configuration of the present invention in which the paper attribute can be set by the paper attribute setting means provided in the paper feeding device, even when the paper feeding device is replaced in a configuration having a plurality of paper feeding devices, the paper of the paper feeding device By the attribute setting means, the user can surely set the paper attribute, and there is an effect that the consistency between the paper attribute set by the user and the paper attribute of the paper stored in the paper feeding device can be surely ensured.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an image forming apparatus and a control method thereof according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of an image forming apparatus provided with an image forming apparatus and a control method thereof according to the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 is connected to a print control apparatus 30, an image reading apparatus 40, and information processing apparatuses 50-1 to 50-n via a network 20.

  Here, the print control apparatus 30 performs print control of various documents using the image forming apparatus 10 and constitutes a print server.

  The image reading apparatus 40 reads an image to be printed using the image forming apparatus 10 and is configured as a network scanner.

  The information processing apparatuses 50-1 to 50-n perform processing of a document to be printed using the image forming apparatus 10, and each user's personal computer corresponds to this, for example.

  Here, the print control device 30, the image reading device 40, and the information processing devices 50-1 to 50-n input paper attributes of each paper feed tray that is each paper feed device of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present invention. Each has a user interface.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes a user interface unit 11, a control unit 12, and an image forming unit 13.

  Here, the user interface unit 11 inputs paper attributes for each paper feed tray of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present invention.

  Further, the control unit 12 controls the image forming unit 13. The sheet attribute and print control device 30, the image reading device 40, and the information processing devices 50-1 to 50-for each paper feed tray from the user interface unit 11 are controlled. a sheet attribute storage unit 121 configured by a non-volatile memory or the like that receives and stores a sheet attribute for each sheet tray from n, and a sheet attribute setting unit for each sheet tray for storing the sheet attribute stored in the sheet attribute storage unit 121 Paper that is validated as a setting for the paper feed tray based on the identifier specified by the printer, or invalidates the paper attribute setting for the paper feed tray opened when each paper feed tray is opened by the image forming apparatus 10. The attribute setting valid unit 122 includes an identifier assigning unit 123 that automatically generates an identifier and assigns an identifier to the sheet attribute.

  The image forming unit 13 includes a plurality of paper feed trays, that is, a paper feed tray (paper feed tray a) 131a, a paper feed tray (paper feed tray b) 131b, a paper feed tray (paper feed tray c) 131c, and a paper feed tray. A paper tray (paper feed tray d) 131d is provided, and a paper feed tray open / close detector 140 that detects the open / close of each paper feed tray is provided.

  Opening the paper feed tray refers to a state in which the paper feed tray is removed from the image forming apparatus 10 and image formation using the paper stored in the paper feed tray cannot be performed. “Closed” refers to a state in which the removed paper feed tray is installed in the image forming apparatus 10.

  Further, each paper feed tray is provided with a paper attribute setting unit which is a means for setting the paper attribute of the paper stored in the paper feed tray with an identifier specified by the user, and is provided with a paper feed tray (paper feed tray a) 131a. Is a paper attribute setting unit 132a, a paper attribute setting unit 132b is provided for the paper feed tray (paper feed tray b) 131b, and a paper attribute setting unit 132c is provided for the paper feed tray (paper feed tray c) 131c. The tray d) 131d is provided with a paper attribute setting unit 132d.

  When the paper feed tray open / close detection unit 140 detects the opened paper feed tray, the paper attribute setting validating unit 122 invalidates the paper attribute setting for the detected paper feed tray, and the paper feed tray When the open / close detection unit 140 detects a closed paper feed tray, the paper attribute setting corresponding to the identifier specified by the detected paper attribute setting unit of the paper feed tray is valid for the paper feed tray. To.

  In the following description of the present exemplary embodiment, a case where paper attribute input is performed using the user interface unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described.

  Next, main functions of the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of main parts of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment.

  The block diagram showing the main functions of the image forming apparatus 10 is the user interface unit 11, the identifier assigning unit 123, the paper attribute storage unit 121, the paper attribute setting unit 201, and the paper attribute setting valid unit described with reference to FIG. 122.

  The paper attribute setting unit 201 indicates a paper attribute setting unit provided in each paper feed tray in the image forming unit 13.

  “2nd BTB voltage”, “paper curl amount”, “NIP voltage”, “air assist operation” so that the user can form an image with a setting suitable for the paper by the user through the user interface unit 11. The paper attribute regarding the input is input and stored in the paper attribute storage unit 121.

  Then, the identifier assigning unit 123 performs processing for assigning an identifier to the stored paper attribute.

  In the process of assigning the identifier, the identifier assigning unit 123 may automatically generate a numerical identifier and assign it to the paper attribute input by the user, or may assign a name identifier. May give an arbitrary identifier.

  When an identifier is assigned to the stored paper attribute, the paper attribute storage unit 121 stores the paper attribute and the identifier as a pair.

  As described above, in order to set the paper attributes input by the user for the paper feed tray used for image formation when the paper attributes are stored and the user performs image formation, it is provided in each paper feed tray. This is done by designating an identifier assigned to the paper attribute by the user from the paper attribute setting unit 201 provided.

  When the user designates an identifier in the paper attribute setting unit 201 and the paper feed tray is closed by the image forming apparatus 10, the paper attribute setting valid unit 122 displays the paper attribute stored in a pair with the designated identifier as the paper attribute. A process of reading out from the storage unit 121 and validating the read paper attribute as a setting for the paper feed tray with the specified identifier is performed.

  Next, a paper attribute input screen displayed when a paper attribute is input from the user interface unit 11 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a screen configuration diagram showing a paper attribute input screen 300 displayed when a paper attribute is input from the user interface unit 11.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the paper attribute input screen 300 displays paper attributes relating to “2nd BTB voltage”, “paper curl amount”, “NIP voltage”, and “air assist operation” of the paper used for image formation. When the paper attribute is used as it is, the determination button 301 is pressed in this state, and when the paper attribute is changed, the displayed paper attribute is changed and then the determination button 301 is pressed to change the paper attribute. Make input.

  Next, an identifier assigning screen displayed when the identifier assigning unit 123 assigns an identifier to the paper attribute input from the paper attribute input screen 300 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a screen configuration diagram showing an identifier assigning screen 400 displayed when the identifier assigning unit 123 assigns an identifier to the paper attribute input from the paper attribute input screen 300.

  When the enter button 301 is pressed from the paper attribute input screen 300 described with reference to FIG. 3, an identifier assignment screen 400 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed, and the paper attributes entered on the paper attribute input screen 300 are automatically displayed. Is given an identifier.

  On the identifier assignment screen 400 shown in FIG. 4, the identifier “3” is assigned.

  Next, FIG. 5 shows an identifier assignment screen that is displayed when the identifier assigning unit 123 assigns an identifier to a paper attribute input from the paper attribute input screen 300 when the identifier is assigned with a name instead of a number. The description will be given with reference.

  FIG. 5 shows an identifier assignment screen 500 that is displayed when an identifier is assigned by a name instead of a number when the identifier assignment unit 123 assigns an identifier to the paper attribute input from the paper attribute input screen 300. FIG.

  When the determination button 301 is pressed on the paper attribute input screen 300 described with reference to FIG. 3 and the identifier is assigned with a name instead of a number, an identifier assignment screen 500 shown in FIG. A name identifier is automatically assigned to the paper attribute entered on the screen 300.

  In the identifier assignment screen 500 shown in FIG. 5, “Company A, Court, A3, 200 gsm” is assigned as a name identifier.

  Next, in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment, a processing flow of a process in which a paper attribute is input and the setting of the paper attribute for the paper feed tray is validated will be described with reference to FIG. Do.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of processing in which the paper attribute is input and the setting of the paper attribute is validated for the paper feed tray in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6A is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of processing in which a paper attribute is input from the user interface unit 11 and saved. FIG. 6B illustrates that the setting of the paper attribute is valid for the paper feed tray. It is the flowchart shown about the processing flow of the process made into.

First, with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 6A, a processing flow of processing in which a paper attribute is input from the user interface unit 11 and stored will be described. First, the user sets a paper attribute from the user interface unit 11. A paper attribute input screen 301 to be input is opened, and a paper attribute used for image formation is input.

  When specific paper attributes used for image formation are input from the paper attribute input screen 301 (step 601), they are stored in the paper attribute storage unit 121, and are input and stored from the identifier display screen 400 displayed next. An identifier is automatically assigned to the received paper attribute, and the input and stored paper attribute and the identifier corresponding to the paper attribute are combined and stored (step 602).

  Next, with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 6B, a processing flow of processing for validating the setting of the paper attribute for the paper feed tray will be described.

  When the user inputs the paper attribute and knows the identifier of the input paper attribute, the user next opens a paper feed tray desired to validate the input paper attribute setting (step 603).

  When the user opens the paper feed tray, the paper feed tray open / close detection unit 140 detects the opened paper feed tray, and the paper attribute setting valid unit 122 invalidates the paper attribute setting set in the paper feed tray. To.

  When the user opens a paper feed tray desired to validate the paper attribute setting, the user may store paper in the paper feed tray.

  After opening the paper feed tray, the user inputs the identifier of the paper attribute desired to be valid for the opened paper feed tray into the paper attribute setting unit provided in the opened paper feed tray (step 604).

  When the user inputs an identifier to the paper attribute setting unit of the paper feed tray, the user closes the opened paper feed tray and closes the paper feed tray opened by the paper feed tray open / close detection unit 140 in the image forming unit 13. Is detected (step 605).

  When it is detected in step 605 that the opened paper feed tray is closed, the paper attribute setting valid unit 122 in the control unit 12 detects the identifier designated for the closed paper feed tray, and the identifier The paper attribute corresponding to is read from the paper attribute storage unit 121, and the setting of the read paper attribute is validated for the closed paper feed tray (step 606).

  In a configuration including a plurality of paper feed trays, the paper attributes are set for the paper stored in the paper feed trays even when the paper feed trays are changed by changing the place where the paper feed trays are set in the image forming apparatus. The processing to be performed is performed by the processing from step 603 to step 606 in the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Next, the paper feed tray provided with the paper attribute setting unit will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a paper feed tray provided with a paper attribute setting unit. FIG. 7A shows a paper feed tray (paper supply) provided with a paper attribute setting unit in which a numerical identifier is specified. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a paper tray a) 131a, and FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram showing a paper feed tray (paper feed tray b) 131b provided with a paper attribute setting unit in which a name identifier is designated. FIG. 7C is a schematic diagram showing a paper feed tray (paper feed tray c) 131c in which a paper attribute setting unit to which an identifier is specified is provided on the side surface of the paper feed tray.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the paper feed tray (paper feed tray a) 131a in the image forming apparatus 10 is provided with a paper attribute setting unit 132a in which a numerical identifier is designated, and the user can form an image. The paper feed tray (paper feed tray a) 131a is opened from the apparatus 10, and the paper feed is performed in order to set paper attributes so that the paper stored in the paper feed tray (paper feed tray a) 131a can be optimally imaged. The identifier assigned by the identifier assigning unit 123 is input to the paper attribute setting unit 132a provided in the tray (paper feed tray a) 131a.

  Then, by closing the paper feed tray (paper feed tray a) 131a to the image forming apparatus 10, the paper attribute setting corresponding to the identifier specified in the paper attribute setting unit 132a is changed to the paper feed tray (paper feed tray a) 131a. When an image is formed on the paper stored in the paper feed tray (paper feed tray a) 131a, the paper attributes stored in the paper feed tray (paper feed tray a) 131a are used. Appropriate image formation controlled by is performed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, a sheet attribute in which the identifier of the name given from the identifier assigning screen 500 described with reference to FIG. 7 is designated for the paper feed tray (paper feed tray b) 131b. A setting unit 132b is provided, and the user selects a name from the paper attribute setting unit 132b and closes the paper feed tray (paper feed tray b) 131b to the image forming apparatus 10 to thereby feed the paper feed tray (paper feed). The setting of the paper attribute corresponding to the selected name for the tray b) 131b becomes effective, and the paper stored in the paper feeding tray (paper feeding tray b) 131b is used to control the appropriate value controlled by the paper attribute. Image formation is performed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7C, a paper attribute in which the identifier of the name assigned from the identifier assigning screen 500 described with reference to FIG. 7 is designated for the paper feed tray (paper feed tray c) 131c. The setting unit 132c is provided on the side surface of the paper feed tray 131c, and the paper attribute setting unit 132c can be seen even when the paper feed tray 131c is closed in the image forming unit 13, so that the paper feed tray 131c is the image forming unit. The name corresponding to the paper attribute that is valid for the paper feed tray 131c when it is closed inside 13 can be visually recognized, and it is valid for the paper feed tray 131c when the paper feed tray 131c is closed inside the image forming unit 13. The paper attributes can be confirmed.

  The identifier specified by the paper attribute setting unit 132c provided on the side surface of the paper feed tray may be a numerical identifier as well as a name identifier. A display field for displaying a designated numerical value is provided so that the identifier of the designated numerical value can be visually recognized.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 10, the user can open the paper feed tray and perform the paper attribute setting operation from the paper attribute setting unit of the paper feed tray. In addition, only the identifier is used for the setting operation. Since it is only necessary to specify, the setting of the paper attribute from the user interface unit of the main body of the apparatus is significantly different from the case of the present invention, and the setting error of the paper attribute of the paper stored in the paper feeding tray by the user is greatly reduced. Can be reduced.

  In addition, since the paper attribute can be set by the paper attribute setting unit provided in the paper feed tray, even when the paper feed tray is replaced in a configuration having a plurality of paper feed trays, the paper attribute setting means of the paper feed tray allows the user to set the paper attribute. The paper attributes can be set with certainty, and the consistency between the paper attributes set by the user from the paper attribute input screen 300 and the paper attributes of the paper stored in the paper feed tray can be reliably guaranteed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the instruction for setting the paper attribute is performed using the user interface unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 has been described. However, the instruction for setting the paper attribute is performed by the print control device 30, the image reading device 40, and the information. The same configuration can be made when using the user interface units of the processing devices 50-1 to 50-n.

  In the identifier assignment screen 400, an identifier is not automatically assigned to the paper attribute input on the paper attribute input screen 300, but the user can select an arbitrary value after inputting the paper attribute on the paper attribute assignment screen 300. It is also possible to provide an identifier input screen (not shown) through which an identifier can be input, accept the identifier from the identifier input screen, and assign the received identifier to the paper attribute.

  The identifier received on the identifier input screen can be either a name or a numerical value.

  In this embodiment, the paper attribute input by the user interface unit 11 is stored in the paper attribute storage unit 121, and is stored in the paper attribute storage unit 121 as a pair with the identifier provided by the identifier adding unit 123. As described above, instead of storing the paper attribute input in the user interface unit 11 in the paper attribute storage unit 121 first, the identifier generated by the identifier assigning unit 123 or the identifier received from the user from the identifier input screen and the user The paper attributes input from the interface unit 11 may be paired and stored in the paper attribute storage unit 121.

  The present invention has one or a plurality of paper feeding devices for storing paper, sets a paper attribute suitable for the paper stored in the paper feeding device, and stores the paper in the paper feeding device. The present invention can be used in an image forming apparatus that enables image formation suitable for paper.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce mistakes and forgetting to set the paper attributes of the paper stored in the paper feeding device by the user as much as possible, and to the user even when the paper feeding device is replaced in a configuration having a plurality of paper feeding devices. It is possible to reliably set the paper attribute, and it is possible to ensure the consistency between the paper attribute set by the user and the paper attribute of the paper stored in the paper feeder.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of an image forming apparatus provided with an image forming apparatus and a control method thereof according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment. The screen block diagram which showed the paper attribute input screen 300 displayed when inputting a paper attribute from the user interface part 11. FIG. The screen block diagram shown about the identifier provision screen 400 displayed when the identifier provision part 123 provides an identifier with respect to the paper attribute input from the paper attribute input screen 300. FIG. A screen configuration diagram showing an identifier assignment screen 500 displayed when an identifier is given by a name instead of a number when the identifier assignment unit 123 assigns an identifier to a paper attribute input from the paper attribute input screen 300 . 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of processing in which input of paper attributes is performed and setting of paper attributes is validated for a paper feed tray in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a paper feed tray provided with a paper attribute setting unit.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 11 User interface part 12 Control part 13 Image forming part 20 Network 30 Print control apparatus 40 Image reading apparatus 50-1-50-n Information processing apparatus 121 Paper attribute preservation | save part 122 Paper attribute setting effective part 123 Identifier provision part 131a Paper feed tray a
131b Paper feed tray b
131c Paper feed tray c
131d Paper tray d
140 Paper Tray Open / Close Detection Unit 132a Paper Attribute Setting Unit 132b Paper Attribute Setting Unit 132c Paper Attribute Setting Unit 132d Paper Attribute Setting Unit

Claims (6)

An image forming apparatus that includes one or a plurality of paper feeding devices that store paper and performs an image forming process for forming an image on paper fed from the paper feeding device.
Paper attribute input means for inputting paper attributes for performing image formation suitable for the paper;
Paper attribute storage means for storing paper attributes input by the attribute input means;
A paper attribute identifier giving means for giving an identifier for identifying the paper attribute saved by the attribute saving means to the paper attribute;
A sheet attribute setting unit that is provided in the sheet feeding device and sets a sheet attribute stored by the sheet attribute storing unit as a sheet attribute of a sheet stored in the sheet feeding device by designating the corresponding identifier;
A close detection means for detecting that the paper feeding device is closed with respect to the image forming apparatus;
When the closing detection unit detects that the sheet feeding device is closed, the sheet that enables the setting of the sheet attribute set by the sheet attribute setting unit of the sheet feeding device as a setting for the sheet feeding device An image forming apparatus comprising: an attribute setting valid unit. An open detection means for detecting that the paper feeding device is opened from the image forming device and image formation using the paper feeding device is impossible;
When the opening detection unit detects that the paper feeding device is opened, the paper attribute setting validated by the paper attribute setting validating unit is invalidated for the paper feeding device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The paper attribute input means includes
The paper attribute is received from an apparatus other than the image forming apparatus from an interface that receives information from an apparatus other than the image forming apparatus in the image forming apparatus, and the received paper attribute is input. Or the image forming apparatus according to 2; The paper attribute identifier giving means is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an identifier including a name or a numerical value is assigned to the sheet attribute. The paper attribute identifier giving means is
Identifier receiving means for receiving an identifier to be given to the paper attribute;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an identifier received by the identifier receiving unit is assigned to the sheet attribute. In a control method of an image forming apparatus that includes one or a plurality of paper feeding devices that store paper, and performs an image forming process for forming an image on the paper fed from the paper feeding device.
A paper attribute for performing image formation suitable for the paper is input by a paper attribute input unit,
The paper attribute input by the attribute input means is saved by the paper attribute saving means,
An identifier for identifying the paper attribute stored by the attribute storage means is assigned to the paper attribute by the paper attribute identifier giving means;
An identifier according to the paper attribute stored by the paper attribute storage unit is received by an identifier receiving unit from an apparatus provided in the paper feeding device;
Detecting that the sheet feeding device is closed by the image forming apparatus by a closing detection unit;
A paper attribute setting validating unit validates a paper attribute setting corresponding to the identifier received by the identifier receiving unit by the paper feeding device detected by the closing detection unit as a setting for the paper feeding device. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus.

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