JP2008156053A - Image forming device and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device and an image forming method capable of improving productivity, by eliminating downtime caused by an end of paper. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming device is composed of a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, an nonvolatile RAM 24, a control part 20 composed of an IO control 25, an operation part 10, a sensor 37, a load 38, an HDD controller 31, an HDD 34, an image processor 32, a reading part 35, a writing-in part, an image RAM, an NCU 39 and an FCU 40, and feeds paper from a usable tray by determining a set/registered alternately paper feedable tray by referring to the nonvolatile RAM 24. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method that eliminate downtime due to a paper end.

  Conventionally, even when a paper end occurs during a continuous image forming operation, the formed image is not wasted, so that the intermediate transfer belt can hold an image (toner image). The paper transfer is interrupted by separating the belt, and while the belt is idled once, the paper is switched to another paper cassette by limitless paper feeding, and the image on the belt is transferred to the paper at the timing of transfer. A technique has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Also, when a paper end occurs during rotating sort copy, depending on the number of copies and the user, the copy operation may be interrupted and the paper rotated and then rotated appropriately instead of forcing the copy operation to continue. Since there is a case where it is desired to output after sorting, a technique for performing paper end display has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-12080 JP 2001-328739 A

  However, in the technology as described above, it takes time to determine the remaining amount of paper (PE) when the paper feed tray is switched by the paper end at the time of printing. The problem that the nature falls.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and is not used until there is no more paper in one paper feed tray, but instead of using paper feed trays, downtime due to paper end is reduced. The goal is to improve productivity.

  The invention according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus including a sheet feeding unit that feeds paper from a plurality of sheet feeding trays, and further includes a switching unit that switches a sheet feeding tray to be fed every time an image is formed. The switching means is an image forming apparatus characterized in that when one of the paper feed trays to be switched is a paper end, the paper feed tray is removed from the switching target.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus according to the first aspect, when the paper is supplied to the paper feed tray which is a paper end, the switching means sets the supplied paper feed tray as a switching target. It is characterized by that.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the apparatus further comprises a remaining amount detecting means for detecting a remaining amount of paper in the paper feed tray, and the switching means is configured to detect the remaining amount of the paper feed tray by the remaining amount detecting means. When it is detected that the remaining amount of paper is below a certain amount, the paper feed tray is switched.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the paper feeding means feeds paper in order from a paper feeding tray that is separated from the image forming mechanism. Features.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the switching means is a target for switching the paper feed tray when a non-paper jam occurs in the paper feed tray. And image formation is continued.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the switching means switches the paper feed tray when a non-paper jam occurring in the paper feed tray is released. It is characterized by being a target.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, whether or not the switching means is to be switched according to the paper type of the paper inserted into the paper feed tray. It is characterized by judging.

  The invention according to claim 8 is an image forming method comprising a step of feeding paper from a plurality of paper feed trays, comprising a step of switching a paper feed tray to be fed every time an image is formed, wherein the step of switching comprises The image forming method is characterized in that when one of the paper feed trays to be switched is a paper end, the paper feed tray is removed from the switching target.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the method according to the eighth aspect, when the paper is supplied to the paper feed tray that has become a paper end, the switching step sets the supplied paper feed tray as a switching target. It is characterized by that.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the method according to the eighth or ninth aspect, the method includes the step of detecting the remaining amount of paper in the paper feed tray, and the switching step includes the step of detecting the remaining amount of paper in the feed tray. When it is detected that the remaining amount of paper is below a certain amount, the paper feed tray is switched.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the method according to any one of the eighth to tenth aspects, the paper feeding step feeds paper in order from a paper feed tray that is separated from the image forming mechanism. It is characterized by that.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the method according to any one of the eighth to eleventh aspects, the switching step is a target for switching the paper feed tray when a non-paper jam occurs in the paper feed tray. And image formation is continued.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the method according to any one of the eighth to twelfth aspects, the switching step switches the paper feed tray when a non-paper jam occurring in the paper feed tray is released. It is characterized by being a target.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the method according to any one of the eighth to thirteenth aspects, whether or not the switching step is to be switched according to the paper type of the paper inserted in the paper feed tray. It is characterized by judging.

  According to the present invention, the downtime due to the paper end can be eliminated and the productivity can be improved.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus and an image forming method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention, and thus various technically preferable limitations are given. However, the scope of the present invention is particularly limited in the following description. As long as there is no description which limits, it is not restricted to these aspects.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 20 includes a CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, nonvolatile RAM 24, and IO control 25. The CPU 21 is connected to the operation unit 10, and the IO control 25 is connected to the sensor 37 and the load 38. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the HDD controller 31, HDD 34, image processing 32, reading unit 35, writing unit, image RAM, NCU 39, and FCU 40 are included in the constituent elements.

  FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a tray according to the present embodiment. The tray has a remaining amount detection sensor, and the tray 1 has a configuration closest to the image forming mechanism. Ascending order away from the imaging mechanism.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram displayed on the operation unit 10 when the alternate paper feed tray setting according to the present embodiment is performed. The operation unit 10 is, for example, a touch panel format, and a tray marked with * indicates a currently set tray. In the alternate paper feed tray setting according to the present embodiment, only trays of the same size and paper type can be set. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, only the tray for A4 size and plain paper can be set, so the tray 3 and the tray 4 are not set.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation control of the alternate paper feed setting according to the present embodiment. In this embodiment, it is determined whether or not each of the trays 1 to 5 is the same size (step S1). In the case of the same paper type (step S2 / Yes), a tray that can be set and registered is displayed so that it can be selected from the operation unit 10.

  The content set from the operation unit 10 in the above procedure is stored in the nonvolatile RAM 24. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a region of the nonvolatile RAM according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, each tray has a memory area and registration information is stored.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram displayed on the operation unit 10 when the paper feed JAM mode setting according to the present embodiment is performed. With this setting, it is possible to switch processing when a non-paper feeding JAM occurs alternately during paper feeding. When “Feeding priority” is selected (marked with * in the figure), paper feeding from other trays is continued even when non-paper feeding JAM occurs. On the other hand, if “no paper feeding priority” is selected, the non-paper feeding JAM is displayed and the paper feeding is not performed until the JAM is released thereafter.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation process of the alternate sheet feeding according to the present embodiment. When printing is started, it is determined by referring to the nonvolatile RAM 24 whether or not a tray that can be alternately fed is registered (step S5). If it is set (step S5 / Yes), an available tray is searched (A), and paper is fed from the tray corresponding to the condition (step S6). Here, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, the operation control for searching for an available tray is abbreviated as “A”. The omitted processing contents will be described later with reference to FIG.

  If a non-paper feeding JAM occurs during paper feeding (step S7 / Yes), JAM display is performed (step S8), and it is determined whether or not the paper feeding priority mode is set (step S9). If the paper feed priority mode is set (step S9 / Yes), tray error setting is performed (step S10), the paper feedable tray is searched again, and paper feed is resumed (A).

  On the other hand, if no alternate paper feed tray is registered (step S5 / No), paper is fed from the selected tray (step S11).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing tray search operation control capable of alternately feeding A shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, since the search is performed in descending order from the tray 5 far from the image forming mechanism as shown in FIG. 7, in the search contents described below, “search for the next tray” means tray 5 → This means that each tray is searched in descending order such as tray 4 and tray 4 → 3.

  First, the nonvolatile RAM 24 is referred to, and it is determined whether or not it is registered in a tray that performs alternate sheet feeding (step S11). If not registered (step S11 / No), the next tray is searched.

  If registered (step S11 / Yes), it is determined whether or not a non-paper feeding JAM has occurred (step S12). If it has occurred (step S12 / Yes), the next tray is searched.

  If no paper feeding JAM has occurred (step S12 / No), the remaining amount of paper in the tray is checked (step S13). If the remaining amount of paper is at the paper end (step S13 / Yes), an alert is displayed (step S17), and the next tray is checked.

  If it is not a paper end (step S13 / No), it is examined whether or not the remaining amount of paper is set (step S14). If it is set (step S14 / Yes), it is determined whether the remaining amount of paper is below a certain level (step S15). If it is below a certain level (step S15 / Yes), paper can be fed alternately. Is set as a secure tray and the search is terminated.

  This flow is repeated for the number of registered trays. The above is an operation of searching for a tray that can be alternately fed. After the search, the process proceeds to step S6 in FIG. 4, and alternate paper feeding is performed.

  Even if it is not registered, it is subject to switching from the size and type of paper inserted in the paper feed tray stored in the storage means (RAM 23, ROM 22 or HDD 34) of the image forming apparatus. It is also conceivable to select a paper feed tray. The sheet feeding tray selection operation process in such a case is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  If the size of the inserted paper and the size of the output image match (step S20 / Yes), the first paper feed tray is selected (step S21). Next, it is determined whether or not the size and the paper type of the paper inserted in the first paper feed tray match (step S22). If they match (Yes in step S22), the paper supply A paper tray is selected (step S23). If it is the last tray, the selection is finished (step S24 / Yes).

  According to the above embodiment, by alternately feeding paper from the two paper feed trays, it is possible to eliminate the downtime of paper feed tray switching by the paper end.

  In addition, when one paper feed tray becomes a paper end, paper is fed from a paper feed tray with another paper, so that the downtime of paper feed tray switching by the paper end can be eliminated.

  Further, when paper is supplied to the paper feed tray at the paper end, it is possible to eliminate the downtime of paper feed tray switching by the paper end by continuously feeding paper alternately.

  Further, by alternately feeding paper with three or more paper feed trays, it is possible to eliminate downtime of paper feed tray switching due to a paper end.

  Further, the remaining amount detecting means is provided in each sheet feeding tray, and when a certain remaining amount or less is detected, the sheet feeding trays are alternately fed thereafter, thereby eliminating the downtime of sheet feeding tray switching due to the paper end.

  In addition, by feeding preferentially from a tray far from the image forming mechanism, even when image formation has not yet been performed when paper feed JAM occurs, JAM processing can be performed without wasteful operation. Can do.

  In addition, when there is a paper feed tray that becomes a paper end during paper feeding alternately, a replenishment alarm is issued, so that the user can be notified of the paper end in a timely manner, and user operability can be improved.

  In addition, when a non-paper jam occurs, the user operability can be improved by switching the processing.

  In addition, when a non-paper jam occurs, if other paper feed trays can feed paper, continuing the paper feed from the remaining paper feed trays can eliminate downtime due to JAM and resuming printing. it can.

  In addition, when the non-feed jam that has occurred is canceled, the downtime of the paper feed tray switching by the paper end can be eliminated by returning to the paper feed alternately including the paper feed tray.

  In addition, by limiting the paper feed trays that alternately feed paper types, the user can eliminate tray setting errors.

  Note that the program for the CPU to execute the processing shown in the flowcharts of the respective drawings constitutes a program according to the present invention. As a recording medium for recording the program, a semiconductor storage unit, an optical and / or magnetic storage unit, or the like can be used. By using such a program and recording medium in a system having a configuration different from that of each of the above-described embodiments and causing the CPU to execute the program, substantially the same effects as those of the present invention can be obtained.

  Although the present invention has been specifically described above based on the preferred embodiments, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-described ones and can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof.

1 is a block configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation control of the alternate paper-feed setting which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the paper feed tray which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of alternating sheet feeding according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing tray search operation control capable of alternately feeding paper according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram displayed on the operation unit when performing alternate paper feed tray setting according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the area | region of the non-volatile RAM which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram displayed on the operation unit when performing paper feed JAM mode setting according to the embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a paper feed tray selection operation process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

10 operation unit 20 control unit 21 CPU
22 ROM
23 RAM
24 Nonvolatile RAM
25 IO control 31 HDD controller 32 Image processing 33 Image RAM
34 HDD
35 Reading unit 36 Writing unit 37 Sensor 38 Load 39 NCU
40 FCU

Claims (14)

An image forming apparatus including a sheet feeding unit that feeds paper from a plurality of sheet feeding trays,
Comprising a switching means for switching a paper feed tray to be fed every time an image is formed,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit removes the paper feed tray from the switching target when one of the paper feeding trays to be switched is a paper end.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the paper is supplied to a paper feed tray that is a paper end, the switching unit sets the supplied paper feed tray as a switching target. It has a remaining amount detection means for detecting the remaining amount of paper in the paper feed tray,
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit switches the paper feeding tray when the remaining amount detecting unit detects that the remaining amount of paper in the paper feeding tray is a predetermined amount or less. .   4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet feeding unit sequentially feeds sheets from a sheet feeding tray that is separated from an image forming mechanism. 5.   5. The switching device according to claim 1, wherein when the non-feed jam occurs in the paper feed tray, the switch means removes the paper feed tray from the switching target and continues image formation. The image forming apparatus described.   7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit is configured to switch the paper feed tray when a non-paper jam occurring in the paper feed tray is released. apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit determines whether or not to make a switching target according to a paper type of the paper inserted in the paper feed tray. apparatus. An image forming method comprising a step of feeding paper from a plurality of paper feed trays,
A step of switching a paper feed tray for each time an image is formed,
In the image forming method, the switching step includes removing the paper feed tray from the switching target when one of the paper feeding trays to be switched is a paper end.   9. The image forming method according to claim 8, wherein, in the switching step, when paper is supplied to a paper feed tray that is a paper end, the supplied paper feed tray is set as a switching target. A process for detecting the remaining amount of paper in the paper tray;
10. The paper feed tray according to claim 8, wherein the switching step switches the paper feed tray when it is detected by the step of detecting the paper remaining amount that the paper remaining amount of the paper feed tray is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. Image forming method.   11. The image forming method according to claim 8, wherein in the paper feeding step, paper feeding is performed in order from a paper feed tray that is separated from an image forming mechanism.   12. The switching process according to claim 8, wherein when the non-feed jam occurs in the paper feed tray, the paper feed tray is removed from the switching target and the image formation is continued. The image forming method described.   13. The image forming according to claim 8, wherein, in the switching step, when the non-paper jam occurring in the paper feed tray is released, the paper feed tray is set as a switching target. Method.   14. The image forming according to claim 8, wherein in the switching step, it is determined whether or not to perform switching according to a paper type of the paper inserted in the paper feed tray. Method.

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