JP2007246220A - Image forming device and control method for image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent troubles in the case of replenishment of paper in a paper feed cassette etc. by outputting information indicating whether or not paper can be stored in each paper feed cassette to attract users' attention. <P>SOLUTION: The residual amount of paper stored in each of the paper feed cassette which is feeding paper and the paper feed cassettes LC1 to LC4 is obtained. For the paper feed cassette which is feeding paper and the paper feed cassettes wherein a percentage of residual amount of the stored paper is 100%, paper replenishment is impossible. Moreover, in the case of a front face paper feeding mechanism, paper replenishment is also impossible for a paper feed cassette, when detached, blocking the carrying path of the paper feed cassette which is feeding paper. Based on such information, a message indicating whether or not paper can be replenished in each paper feed cassette is displayed on a display panel 119P. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of paper feed cassettes are mounted, and a method for controlling the image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an image forming apparatus that displays the remaining amount of paper stored in a loaded paper cassette and prevents the paper from running out during image formation. For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228688, FAX reception data may be output to paper in a sleep mode in which a part of the power of the image forming apparatus is turned off. Therefore, when the sleep mode is selected, the paper feed cassette The remaining amount of paper stored in the is detected and displayed. Also, in Patent Document 2 below, the user inputs the number of sheets stored in the paper feed cassette, and subtracts the number of sheets consumed for image formation from the number of sheets to display as the remaining amount of sheets. ing.

JP-A-8-32382 JP 2002-284393 A

  However, in the conventional image forming apparatus described above, in the image forming apparatus in which a plurality of paper feed cassettes are mounted, even if the remaining amount of paper stored in each paper feed cassette can be grasped, the remaining amount of paper is actually reduced. It is not possible to grasp whether or not paper can be replenished to a small number of paper cassettes. For example, if a paper feeding cassette that is feeding paper for image formation is pulled out of the image forming apparatus because the remaining amount of paper is low, it is natural that paper jams (hereinafter referred to as jamming) on the paper transport path. Transport troubles such as (name) occur. In the case of a type in which a paper cassette is attached to and detached from the front side of the image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a front paper feed mechanism), the front surface of the paper cassette also serves as a paper transport path, By pulling out another paper feed cassette different from the paper cassette, the transport path of the paper being fed may be interrupted, and a transport trouble such as a jam may occur.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to output information indicating whether or not sheets can be accommodated in each paper feed cassette in an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of paper feed cassettes are mounted, thereby alerting the user. It is to prevent troubles when replenishing paper in the paper cassette.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of paper feed cassettes are mounted, and each of the mounted paper feed cassettes feeds paper. A paper feed information acquisition unit for acquiring paper feed information indicating whether or not the paper is present, a remaining amount information acquisition unit for acquiring residual amount information indicating the remaining amount of paper stored in each of the mounted paper feed cassettes, and A storage information generation unit that generates storage information indicating whether or not sheets can be stored in each of the paper feed cassettes based on the acquired paper feed information and the acquired remaining amount information; and the acquired remaining amount A storage information output unit that outputs at least the storage information among the information and the generated storage information.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, paper feed information indicating whether or not each paper feed cassette is feeding paper is obtained by the paper feed information obtaining unit, and each paper feed is obtained by the remaining amount information obtaining unit. Whether or not it is possible to acquire the remaining amount information indicating the remaining amount of the paper stored in the cassette and store the paper in each paper feeding cassette by the storage information generation unit based on the paper feeding information and the remaining amount information The accommodation information indicating this is generated and output by the accommodation information output unit. By checking the output storage information, the user can grasp whether or not it is possible to store paper in each paper feed cassette, so that the paper feed cassette that cannot store paper is erroneously pulled out. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a transport trouble such as a jam.

  In the above-described image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the accommodation information generation unit can accommodate sheets in a sheet feeding cassette indicating that the acquired sheet feeding information is an operation state of feeding sheets. The accommodation information indicating that it is impossible is generated.

  In the above-described image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the accommodation information generation unit blocks the conveyance path of the paper accommodated in the paper feed cassette indicating that the paper is in an operation state of feeding the paper by attaching and detaching. Storage information indicating that it is impossible to store paper in another paper feed cassette is generated.

  In the above-described image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the accommodation information generation unit is unable to accommodate paper in a paper feed cassette in which the acquired remaining amount information indicates a remaining amount of a predetermined number or more. The accommodation information indicating that is generated.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the control method of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention provides paper feed information indicating whether or not each of a plurality of installed paper feed cassettes is in an operation state of feeding paper. A paper supply information acquisition step to acquire, a remaining amount information acquisition step to acquire residual amount information indicating the remaining amount of paper stored in each of the mounted paper cassettes, the acquired paper supply information and the acquired residual A storage information generation step for generating storage information indicating whether or not it is possible to store paper in each of the paper feed cassettes based on amount information; and at least storage information among the acquired remaining amount information and the generated storage information And an accommodation information output step for outputting.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Configuration of image forming apparatus>
First, the configuration of an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of toner cartridges are detachably mounted will be described.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus of FIG. The image forming apparatus 1 forms a full color image by superposing four color toners of yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K), or uses only black (K) toner. To form a monochrome image. In the image forming apparatus 1, when an image signal is given from an external device such as a host computer to the main controller 11 shown in FIG. 2, the mechanical controller 12 operates the parts of the engine unit EG in response to a command from the main controller 11. Are controlled to execute a predetermined image forming operation, and an image defined by the image signal is formed on the sheet S.

  In the engine unit EG, as shown in FIG. 1, the photosensitive member 22 is provided to be rotatable in the arrow direction D1. Further, a charging unit 23, a developing unit 4, and a cleaning unit 25 are arranged around the photosensitive member 22 along the rotation direction D1. The charging unit 23 is applied with a predetermined charging bias, and uniformly charges the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor 22 to a predetermined surface potential. The cleaning unit 25 removes toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor 22 after the primary transfer, and collects it in a waste toner tank provided inside. The photosensitive member 22, the charging unit 23, and the cleaning unit 25 integrally constitute a photosensitive member cartridge 2, and the photosensitive member cartridge 2 is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 as a whole. Yes.

  Further, the exposure unit 6 irradiates the light beam L toward the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive member 22 charged by the charging unit 23. The exposure unit 6 exposes the light beam L onto the photoconductor 22 in accordance with an image signal given from an external device, and forms an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image signal.

  The electrostatic latent image thus formed is developed with toner by the developing unit 4. The developing unit 4 is configured as a toner cartridge that is detachable with respect to a support frame 40 that is rotatably provided around a rotating shaft 4a orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 1, and for yellow that contains toner of each color. The toner cartridge 4Y, the toner cartridge 4C for cyan, the toner cartridge 4M for magenta, the toner cartridge 4K for black, and a rotary drive unit for rotating these integrally are provided. The developing unit 4 is controlled by a mechanical controller 12 shown in FIG. The developing unit 4 is driven to rotate based on a control command from the mechanical controller 12, and the toner cartridges 4Y, 4C, 4M, and 4K are selectively brought into contact with the photosensitive member 22 and face each other with a predetermined gap therebetween. When the toner is positioned at a predetermined developing position, toner is applied to the surface of the photosensitive member 22 from developing rollers 41Y, 41C, 41M, and 41K that are provided in the toner cartridge and carry toner of a selected color. As a result, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 22 is visualized with the selected toner color.

  The toner image developed by the developing unit 4 as described above is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 71 of the transfer unit 7 in the primary transfer region TR1. The transfer unit 7 includes an intermediate transfer belt 71 that is stretched over a plurality of rollers 72 to 75, and a drive unit that rotates the intermediate transfer belt 71 in a predetermined rotation direction D2 by rotationally driving the roller 73. . When a color image is transferred to the sheet S, a color image is formed by superimposing the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive member 22 on the intermediate transfer belt 71, and the lower one, for example, from the sheet cassettes LC1 to LC1. The color image is secondarily transferred onto the sheet S which is taken out one by one and conveyed along the conveyance path F to the secondary transfer region TR2.

  At this time, in order to correctly transfer the image on the intermediate transfer belt 71 to a predetermined position on the sheet S, the timing of feeding the sheet S to the secondary transfer region TR2 is managed. Specifically, a gate roller 81 is provided on the transport path F on the front side of the secondary transfer region TR2, and the gate roller 81 rotates in accordance with the timing of the circumferential movement of the intermediate transfer belt 71. S is sent to the secondary transfer region TR2 at a predetermined timing.

  The sheet S on which the color image has been transferred is fixed by the color image on the sheet S while being conveyed by the fixing unit 9 and further provided on the upper surface portion of the image forming apparatus 1 via the pre-discharge roller 82 and the discharge roller 83. The discharged tray unit 89 is conveyed.

  Further, when images are formed on both sides of the sheet S, when the rear end portion of the sheet S on which the image is formed on one side as described above is conveyed to the reversal position PR behind the pre-discharge roller 82. The rotation direction of the discharge roller 83 is reversed, whereby the sheet S is conveyed in the direction of the arrow D3 along the reverse conveyance path FR. Then, the sheet is again placed on the transport path F before the gate roller 81. At this time, the image is transferred first on the surface of the sheet S on which the image is transferred by contacting the intermediate transfer belt 71 in the secondary transfer region TR2. It is the opposite surface. In this way, images can be formed on both sides of the sheet S.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 is equipped with a standard paper feed cassette LC1, and below that there are optional units 1a to 1c with optional paper feed cassettes LC2 to LC4, respectively. It is connected. These sheet feeding cassettes LC1 to LC4 are front sheet feeding mechanisms that allow each sheet feeding cassette to be pulled out in the arrow direction D4 with respect to the image forming apparatus 1 including the option units 1a to 1c. Further, remaining amount sensors S1 to S4 for detecting the remaining amount of paper shown in FIG. 2 are disposed in each of the sheet feeding cassettes LC1 to LC4.

The sheets S accommodated in the sheet feeding cassettes LC1 to LC4 are taken out by the pickup rollers 111, 121, 131, and 141, and are sent out to the conveyance path F, respectively. The sheet S of the sheet cassette LC1 is conveyed by the feed roller 112, the sheet S of the sheet cassette LC2 is conveyed by the feed rollers 122 and 112, and the sheet S of the sheet cassette LC3 is fed by the feed rollers 132, 122, and 112. The sheet S of the sheet feeding cassette LC4 is conveyed by the feed rollers 142, 132, 122 and 112 and reaches the gate roller 81, respectively.
Here, the sheet feeding cassettes LC1 to LC4 are front sheet feeding mechanisms, and the front portion of the sheet feeding cassette also serves as a sheet conveying path, and therefore the conveying path F of the sheet S taken out from the sheet feeding cassette LC2. Is interrupted by a user's attaching / detaching operation for pulling out or inserting the paper feeding cassette LC1, and the transport path F of the sheet S taken out from the paper feeding cassette LC3 is interrupted by an attaching / detaching operation of the paper feeding cassettes LC1 and LC2. The conveyance path F of the sheet S taken out from the paper feed cassette LC4 is blocked by the attachment / detachment operation of the paper feed cassettes LC1 to LC3.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 1, a manual feed tray MP is mounted above the paper feed cassette LC1. The sheet S stored in the manual feed tray MP is sent out to the transport path F by the pickup roller 151, transported by the feed roller 112, and reaches the gate roller 81.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the main controller 11 includes a CPU 111, an interface 112, a ROM 113, and a RAM 114. Further, the main controller 11 includes an accommodation information generation unit 115 and an accommodation information output unit 116.
The interface 112 receives an image signal for image formation from an external device. The ROM 113 stores a calculation program executed by the CPU 111, control data for controlling the mechanical controller 12, and the like. The RAM 114 temporarily stores calculation results in the CPU 111 and data such as image signals received via the interface 112. The RAM 114 also includes information on the paper feed cassettes LC1 to LC4 and the manual feed tray MP (hereinafter referred to as the paper feed cassettes LC1 to LC4 and the manual feed tray MP) mounted on the engine unit EG. Is acquired via the mechanical controller 12 and temporarily stored.

  The accommodation information generation unit 115 generates accommodation information indicating whether or not the sheet S can be accommodated in each of the sheet feeding units based on the information regarding each sheet feeding unit stored in the RAM 114. The accommodation information output unit 116 outputs the accommodation information generated by the accommodation information generation unit 115 to the display panel 119P provided in the operation unit 119.

On the other hand, the mechanical controller 12 includes a CPU 121, a ROM 122, a RAM 123, an image formation control unit 124, and a paper feeding device control unit 125. The paper feed device control unit 125 includes a paper feed information acquisition unit 126 and a remaining amount information acquisition unit 127.
The ROM 122 stores a calculation program executed by the CPU 121, control data for controlling the engine unit EG, and the like. The RAM 123 temporarily stores the calculation result by the CPU 121. The image formation control unit 124 controls the photoconductor cartridge 2, the developing unit 4, the exposure unit 6, the fixing unit 9, and the like that perform an image forming operation.
The sheet feeding device control unit 125 sends out the sheet S accommodated in each sheet feeding unit to the conveyance path F, or sets the type of sheet feeding unit that is feeding the sheet S by the sheet feeding information acquisition unit 126. And the remaining amount information acquisition unit 127 performs control such as acquiring information on the remaining amount of the sheet S accommodated in each sheet feeding unit as remaining amount information.

<Operation for displaying information on whether or not to replenish paper>
Next, an operation for generating and displaying accommodation information indicating whether or not it is possible to replenish a sheet as a sheet S for each sheet feeding unit will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of generating and displaying accommodation information indicating whether or not paper replenishment is possible. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing details of the operation of disabling the paper supply cassette that interrupts the conveyance path. The CPU 111 provided in the main controller 11 shown in FIG. 2 periodically executes the entire operation of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 (for example, every 1 second).

  First, in step S <b> 110 shown in FIG. 3, the type of paper feed unit mounted in the image forming apparatus 1 is stored in the RAM 114 provided in the main controller 11. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the types of installed paper feed units stored in the RAM 114 and the accommodation information indicating whether or not each paper feed unit can be replenished. FIG. It is a figure which shows the initial value of information. As shown in FIG. 5A, here, the types of installed paper feed units are standard paper feed cassette LC1, optional paper feed cassettes LC2 to LC4, and manual feed tray MP. The initial values are all set to “possible” (paper replenishment is possible). If some or all of the optional paper feed cassettes LC2 to LC4 are not installed in the image forming apparatus 1, the types of paper feed cassettes that are not installed are selected from the types of paper feed cassettes stored in the RAM 114. exclude.

In step S120, it is determined whether or not the image forming apparatus 1 is forming an image. If the image is being formed, the process proceeds to the next step S130.
On the other hand, when the image is not being formed, the paper can be replenished to all the paper feeding units, so the process proceeds to step S180, and the display panel 119P indicates that the paper can be replenished to all the paper feeding units. indicate.

In step S <b> 130, the type of the sheet feeding unit that is in the operation state of feeding sheets along with image formation is acquired as sheet feeding information from each sheet feeding unit.
In the present embodiment, the operation state during the above-described sheet feeding is performed by the CPU 121 provided in the mechanical controller 12 shown in FIG. 2 feeding the sheet feeding unit to be fed via the sheet feeding device control unit 125. The operation state is set from the transmission of the operation start signal to the reception of the paper feed operation completion signal. Note that the above-described operation state during paper feeding may be determined based on another operation state. For example, an operation state may be set from when a sheet on which an image is formed is conveyed from a sheet feeding unit to be fed to a conveyance path until the conveyance of the sheet is completed.

In step S140, the remaining amount of paper stored in each of the paper feed cassettes LC1 to LC4 is acquired as remaining amount information.
In the present embodiment, the remaining amount of paper stored in each of the paper feed cassettes LC1 to LC4 is the number of papers transported from each paper feed cassette to the transport path, and FIG. Are obtained by calculation based on the remaining amount information detected by the remaining amount sensors S1 to S4 shown in FIG. The remaining amount sensors S1 to S4 have a predetermined number of sheets stacked in each sheet cassette (here, 25% of the maximum sheet height that can be stacked in the sheet cassette). ) A sensor that detects that: The state of the paper in the paper feed cassette that has become the predetermined number or less is referred to as near empty.

Specifically, when the sheet feeding cassette shifts from the unmounted state to the mounted state and the sheet feeding cassette is not near empty at that time, the CPU 111 of the main controller 11 determines the sheet feeding cassette. It is defined that the remaining amount ratio of the paper in the paper cassette is 100%. The CPU 111 subtracts the ratio of the remaining amount of the paper every time the paper is transported from the paper feed cassette to the transport path. If the near empty is acquired by the remaining amount sensor, the remaining amount of paper at that time is acquired. The amount is defined as a remaining amount ratio of a predetermined number (here, 25%).
The method for acquiring the remaining amount of paper stored in each paper feed cassette described above is not limited to this, and the remaining amount of paper may be acquired by another method.

  In step S150, the paper feeding unit that is currently feeding acquired in step S130, the paper feeding unit that has a remaining amount ratio of 100% based on the remaining amount information acquired in step S140, and the manual feed tray MP are set to the paper. Set as a paper supply unit that cannot be refilled. That is, “impossible” (paper cannot be replenished) is set in the accommodation information of these paper feed units stored in the RAM 114 in step S110.

  FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating accommodation information when the paper feed cassette LC2 is feeding paper and the paper remaining amount ratio of the paper feed cassette LC4 is 100%. As shown in the drawing, “not permitted” is set in the accommodation information of the sheet feeding cassettes LC2, LC4 and the manual feed tray MP, and the initial value “possible” is set as it is for the other sheet feeding units.

  Here, the reason why the storage information of the manual feed tray MP is set to “impossible” is that, in the case of the manual feed tray MP, when a new paper is placed on the tray during image formation, the user guides the position of the placed paper to the paper guide. In order to prevent this problem, there is a case where the paper is transported before the adjustment is performed, and a problem such as a jam or the paper being transported obliquely occurs. This occurs in an image forming apparatus set to feed paper from the manual feed tray MP when the paper feed cassette is out of paper. When the above-described problem does not occur in the manual feed tray MP, the accommodation information of the manual feed tray MP does not have to be “impossible”.

In step S160, it is determined whether the image forming apparatus is a front sheet feeding mechanism. In the case of the front paper feed mechanism, that is, when the paper feed cassette is pulled out and the transport path of another paper feed cassette being fed may be interrupted, the process proceeds to the next step S170.
On the other hand, instead of the front sheet feeding mechanism, for example, in the case of a side sheet feeding mechanism in which a conveyance path is formed on the side surface portion of the sheet feeding cassette or a rear sheet feeding mechanism in which a conveyance path is formed on the rear surface section, In the case where the conveyance path of the paper feeding cassette being fed is not blocked by pulling out the cassette, the process proceeds to step S180.

  In step S170, in the case of the front-side paper feed mechanism, all of the paper feed cassettes that block the conveyance path of the paper feed cassette being fed are set as paper feed units that cannot replenish paper. Details of this operation will be described later.

  FIG. 5C is a diagram illustrating accommodation information when the paper feed cassette LC2 is feeding paper, the remaining amount ratio of the paper in the paper feed cassette LC4 is 100%, and the front paper feed mechanism. Unlike FIG. 5B, “No” is set in the accommodation information of the paper feed cassette LC1. This is because when the sheet feeding cassette LC1 is on the conveyance path of the sheet feeding cassette LC2 and the sheet feeding cassette LC2 is feeding paper, the sheet feeding cassette LC1 cannot be pulled out to replenish paper.

  In step S180, based on the accommodation information of each paper feed unit stored in the RAM 114, a message indicating whether or not each paper feed unit can be replenished is displayed on the display panel 119P connected to the main controller 11.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a message indicating whether or not to allow paper replenishment to be displayed on the display panel 119P, and FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a message capable of replenishing paper to all paper feeding units. (B) is a diagram showing a message capable of replenishing paper in the paper feed cassettes LC1 and LC3, and (c) is a diagram showing a message capable of replenishing paper in the paper feed cassette LC3.

For example, when the accommodation information of each paper feed unit has the contents shown in FIG. 5A, that is, when the image is not being formed, the paper feed cassettes LC1 to LC4 and the manual feed tray MP as shown in FIG. A message indicating that the paper can be replenished is displayed on the display panel 119P.
Further, for example, when the accommodation information of each paper feed unit has the contents shown in FIG. 5B, that is, the paper feed cassette LC2 is feeding paper, the paper remaining amount ratio of the paper feed cassette LC4 is 100%, and the front surface If it is not the paper feed mechanism, a message indicating that paper can be replenished to the paper feed cassettes LC1 and LC3 as shown in FIG. 7B is displayed on the display panel 119P.
Further, for example, when the accommodation information of each paper feed unit has the contents shown in FIG. 5C, that is, the paper feed cassette LC2 is feeding paper, the paper remaining amount ratio of the paper feed cassette LC4 is 100%, and the front surface In the case of the paper feed mechanism, a message indicating that paper can be replenished only to the paper feed cassette LC3 as shown in FIG. 7C is displayed on the display panel 119P.

  The remaining amount information acquisition process of the present invention corresponds to step S140. The paper feed information acquisition process of the present invention corresponds to step S130 described above. Further, the accommodation information generation process of the present invention corresponds to the above steps S110, S150, and S170. The accommodation information output process of the present invention corresponds to step S180 described above.

<Details of the operation to disable paper replenishment for the paper cassette that cuts off the transport path>
Next, details of the operation of setting all the paper feeding cassettes that block the conveyance path of the paper feeding cassette being fed as paper feeding units that cannot replenish paper will be described. When the process proceeds to the process of disabling the paper supply cassette that interrupts the conveyance path in step S170 of FIG. 3, the process of step S210 shown in FIG. 4 is started.

In step S210, it is determined whether or not the paper feed cassette LC1 or the manual feed tray MP is being fed. If it is being fed, nothing is set in the accommodation information, and the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. Return. That is, when the paper feed cassette LC1 or the manual feed tray MP is being fed, it is possible to block the transport path of the paper feed cassette LC1 and the manual feed tray MP by pulling out each of the other paper feed cassettes LC2 to LC4. Absent.
On the other hand, if neither the paper feed cassette LC1 nor the manual feed tray MP is currently feeding, the process proceeds to step S220.

In step S220, it is determined whether or not the paper feed cassette LC2 is feeding paper. If paper feed is being carried out, “impossible” is set in the accommodation information of the paper feed cassette LC1 in step S240. The processing returns to the flowchart shown in FIG. That is, when the paper feed cassette LC2 is being fed, the transport path of the paper feed cassette LC2 is blocked by pulling out another paper feed cassette LC1. On the other hand, by pulling out each of the other paper feed cassettes LC3 and LC4, the paper feed path of the paper feed cassette LC2 is not blocked.
On the other hand, if the paper feed cassette LC2 is not currently feeding, the process proceeds to step S230.

  In step S230, it is determined whether or not the paper feed cassette LC3 is feeding paper. If paper feed is in progress, “impossible” is set in the accommodation information of the paper feed cassettes LC1 and LC2 in step S250. Returning to the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. That is, when the paper feed cassette LC3 is being fed, the transport path of the paper feed cassette LC3 is blocked by pulling out the other paper feed cassettes LC1 and LC2. On the other hand, by pulling out the other paper feed cassette LC4, the paper feed path of the paper feed cassette LC3 is not blocked.

  On the other hand, if the paper feed cassette LC3 is not feeding paper, the paper feed cassette LC4 is feeding paper. Therefore, in step S260, “impossible” is set in the accommodation information of the paper feed cassettes LC1 to LC3. Returning to the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. That is, when the paper feed cassette LC4 is being fed, the conveyance path of the paper feed cassette LC4 is blocked by pulling out all the other paper feed cassettes LC1 to LC3.

FIG. 6 is a correspondence table between each sheet feeding cassette and manual feed tray that is currently feeding and the accommodation information of each sheet feeding cassette. For example, when the paper feed cassette LC2 is being fed, “impossible” is set in the accommodation information of the paper feed cassettes LC1 and LC2 in this correspondence table. The paper feed cassette LC1 is “impossible” because it interrupts the conveyance path of the paper feed cassette LC2, and the paper feed cassette LC2 is “impossible” because paper feed is in progress. On the other hand, since “acceptable” is set in the accommodation information of the paper feeding cassettes LC3 and LC4, when the paper feeding cassette LC2 is feeding paper, the paper feeding cassettes LC3 and LC4 can be replenished. Is shown.
Further, for example, when the paper feed cassette LC4 is being fed, “impossible” is set in the accommodation information of all the paper feed cassettes LC1 to LC4 in this correspondence table. This indicates that when the paper feed cassette LC4 is feeding paper, it is not possible to replenish all the paper feed cassettes.
For example, when the manual feed tray MP is currently feeding, “acceptable” is set in the accommodation information of all the paper feed cassettes LC1 to LC4 in this correspondence table. This indicates that when the manual feed tray MP is feeding paper, it is possible to replenish paper in all paper feeding cassettes.

As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment sets the paper feeding unit being fed as a paper feeding unit that cannot replenish paper based on the acquired type of the paper feeding unit being fed. In the case of the front sheet feeding mechanism, a sheet feeding cassette that pulls out the sheet feeding cassette and interrupts the conveyance path of other sheet feeding cassettes during sheet feeding is set as a sheet feeding unit that cannot replenish sheets. Further, based on the acquired sheet remaining amount of each sheet feeding cassette, a sheet feeding cassette having a remaining sheet ratio of 100% is set as a sheet feeding unit that cannot replenish the sheet. Then, information indicating whether or not these set paper feeding units can be replenished is displayed as a message on the display panel 119P.
The user confirms the message indicating whether or not the paper can be replenished displayed on the display panel 119P, thereby pulling out the paper feeding cassette that is feeding paper or blocking the conveyance path of the paper feeding cassette that is feeding paper. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a trouble such as a jam caused by erroneously pulling out the paper feed cassette. Further, it is no longer necessary to pull out a paper feed cassette that does not require paper replenishment (the remaining amount ratio of paper is 100%), and paper replenishment work can be performed efficiently.

(Modification 1) In the above-described embodiment, on the display panel 119P provided in the operation unit 119 based on the accommodation information of each paper feed unit stored in the RAM 114, the paper feed units as shown in FIG. A message indicating whether or not paper can be refilled is displayed. However, the content of the message displayed on the display panel 119P is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, whether or not each sheet feeding unit can be replenished is indicated by symbols “O” and “X”. In addition to this, the remaining ratio of the paper stored in each paper cassette may be displayed. Here, the remaining amount ratio of the paper in each paper cassette is displayed based on the remaining amount of paper acquired in step S140 of the flowchart shown in FIG.
As a result, the user can grasp the paper feed cassette in which the remaining amount of paper is low, and also determine whether or not paper can be replenished to the paper feed cassette in which the remaining amount of paper is low. It can be confirmed with the symbol. For this reason, paper replenishment to the paper feeding unit with the remaining amount of paper can be performed efficiently and without causing troubles such as jamming.

  (Modification 2) In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the paper feed cassettes LC1 to LC4 are provided below the photosensitive cartridge 2, the developing unit 4, the exposure unit 6, the fixing unit 9 and the like that perform the image forming operation. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the paper feed cassettes LC1 to LC4 may be mounted above each unit that performs these image forming operations. For example, when the sheet feeding cassettes LC4 to LC1 are stacked in the upper order in the order (LC1 is the uppermost) and loaded, each sheet feeding cassette and manual feed tray shown in FIG. The correspondence table with the cassette accommodation information is the correspondence table shown in FIG. That is, for example, when the paper feed cassette LC2 is being fed, paper can be replenished only for the paper feed cassette LC1, and when the paper feed cassette LC4 is being fed, paper can be replenished for the paper feed cassettes LC1 to LC3. Further, for example, when the manual feed tray MP is feeding paper, it is possible to replenish paper in all the paper feeding cassettes as in the correspondence table shown in FIG.

  (Modification 3) In the above-described embodiment, a message indicating whether or not each sheet feeding unit can be replenished with paper is displayed on the display panel 119P provided in the operation unit 119. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and by providing a mechanism for locking the drawer from the image forming apparatus for a paper cassette that cannot be replenished, the user can accidentally pull out a paper cassette that cannot be replenished. You may make it prevent.

1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of an image forming apparatus. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation for generating and displaying accommodation information indicating whether or not paper replenishment is possible. 6 is a flowchart showing details of an operation for disabling paper replenishment for a paper feed cassette that cuts off a conveyance path. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating examples of types of sheet feeding units and accommodation information, where FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating initial values of accommodation information, and FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the sheet feeding cassette LC2 is feeding and a sheet feeding cassette LC4. FIG. 10C shows a case where the remaining amount ratio of the paper is 100%, and FIG. 9C shows the case where the sheet cassette LC2 is feeding, the remaining amount ratio of the sheet in the sheet cassette LC4 is 100%, and the front sheet feeding mechanism. FIG. A correspondence table between each paper feed cassette and manual feed tray being fed and the storage information of each paper feed cassette. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating an example of a message indicating whether or not a sheet can be replenished, which is displayed on the display panel. FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a message capable of replenishing paper to all paper feeding units, and FIG. FIG. 4C is a diagram showing a message that can replenish paper in LC3, and FIG. 5C is a diagram showing a message that can replenish paper in cassette 3. The figure which shows the example which displayed the residual amount ratio of the paper on the display panel. 6 is a correspondence table between each sheet feeding cassette and manual feed tray that are being fed and storage information of each sheet feeding cassette when the sheet feeding cassette is mounted above the image forming apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 11 ... Main controller, 12 ... Mechanical controller, 111, 121 ... CPU, 115 ... Accommodating information generation part, 116 ... Accommodating information output part, 119 ... Operation unit, 119P ... Display panel, 124 ... Image formation Control unit 125 ... Paper feeding device control unit 126 ... Paper feed information acquisition unit 127 ... Remaining amount information acquisition unit EG ... Engine unit LC1, LC2, LC3, LC4 ... Paper feed cassette, MP ... Manual tray, S1, S2, S3, S4.

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus to which a plurality of paper feed cassettes are mounted,
A paper feed information acquisition unit for acquiring paper feed information indicating whether or not each of the mounted paper feed cassettes is in an operation state of feeding paper;
A remaining amount information acquisition unit that acquires remaining amount information indicating the remaining amount of paper stored in each of the mounted paper feed cassettes;
An accommodation information generation unit that generates accommodation information indicating whether or not sheets can be accommodated in each of the paper feed cassettes based on the acquired paper feed information and the acquired remaining amount information;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an accommodation information output unit that outputs at least accommodation information among the acquired remaining amount information and the generated accommodation information.   The accommodation information generation unit generates accommodation information indicating that it is impossible to store paper in a paper feed cassette indicating that the acquired paper feed information is in an operation state of feeding paper. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The accommodation information generation unit supplies a sheet to another sheet feeding cassette that is blocked by detaching a conveyance path of the sheet accommodated in the sheet feeding cassette indicating that the sheet is in an operation state of feeding the sheet. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein accommodation information indicating that the accommodation is impossible is generated.   The accommodation information generation unit generates accommodation information indicating that it is impossible to accommodate a sheet in a paper feed cassette in which the acquired remaining amount information indicates a remaining amount of a predetermined number or more. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A paper feed information acquisition step of acquiring paper feed information indicating whether or not each of the plurality of mounted paper feed cassettes is in an operation state of feeding paper;
A remaining amount information acquisition step of acquiring remaining amount information indicating the remaining amount of paper stored in each mounted paper feed cassette;
An accommodation information generating step for generating accommodation information indicating whether or not sheets can be accommodated in each of the paper feed cassettes based on the acquired paper feed information and the acquired remaining amount information;
A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a storage information output step for outputting at least storage information among the acquired remaining amount information and the generated storage information.

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