JP2008260132A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which can check a size of an interposition sheet set in an interposition sheet tray by a basic screen where the basic setting operation related to a job accompanying image formation is received from a user. <P>SOLUTION: A control CPU 21 of an image forming apparatus body 10 acquires from an inserter 60 interposition sheet information that shows the size and remaining amount of the interposition sheets set in each interposition sheet tray 63 of the inserter 60, and displays a size of sheets set in a paper feed tray and the size of the interposition sheets set in the interposition sheet tray on the basic screen where the basic setting operation related to the job accompanied by image formation such as a copying job is received from the user, on the basis of both the interposition sheet information and the detection result of a paper sensor 18 which detects the size of the sheets set in the paper feed tray 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus to which an insertion device for inserting an insertion sheet as a cover is connected.

  There is a case where a booklet is configured by inserting inserted paper such as paper already printed on another printing device, special paper, or thick paper before and after paper on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine. . In general, such work is performed as post-processing after image formation by a post-processing device connected to a subsequent stage of the image forming apparatus, and the insertion sheet is fed from a dedicated insertion sheet tray different from the sheet feeding tray on which image forming sheets are stacked. It is done with paper.

  There is an image forming apparatus in which the setting relating to the insertion sheet function using the post-processing apparatus can be performed from the operation panel of the image forming apparatus main body (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  For example, when the intersheet button 501 in the application setting column is operated on the copy basic screen 500 as shown in FIG. 12, the insertion sheet function setting is changed to the setting screen 510 regarding the insertion sheet (intersheet) shown in FIG. When, for example, the “front cover” setting button 511 is selected on this screen 510, an insertion sheet selection screen 520 as shown in FIG. 14 is displayed, and this screen 520 is set in each insertion sheet tray provided in the post-processing apparatus. The procedure is such as confirming the size of the inserted paper and selecting the insertion paper tray as the paper feed source. In the example of FIG. 14, the tray 2 (A4) is selected as the insertion sheet tray that is the front sheet feed source.

JP 2003-156893 A

  In the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, the insertion sheet tray of the post-processing apparatus must be checked directly with respect to the type, size, or remaining amount of the insertion sheet set in the post-processing apparatus. It was inconvenient. This is especially inconvenient if the insert tray is hidden inside the post-processing device, and the size and remaining amount of the insert cannot be visually confirmed without opening the main body door or removing the cassette. large.

  In general, when inserting an insertion sheet, it is necessary to set the size of the sheet formed and ejected from the image forming apparatus and the size of the insertion sheet inserted by the post-processing apparatus to the same size. However, after selecting the paper feed tray on the basic copy screen and setting the paper size for image formation, when the transition is made to the insert paper selection screen in the procedure described above, the required size of the insert paper is transferred to the insert paper tray. You may notice for the first time that it is not set. In such a case, the insertion paper is set at that time, or the job input operation is stopped, and there is a problem that the work efficiency is not good.

  The present invention is intended to solve the above problem, and is set in the size of the paper set in the paper feed tray and the insertion paper tray in the basic screen for accepting a basic setting operation regarding a job involving image formation from the user. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of confirming the size of the inserted paper.

  The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.

[1] a paper feed tray;
A paper sensor for detecting the size of the paper set in the paper feed tray;
An image forming unit that forms and discharges an image on paper fed from the paper feed tray;
Insert paper tray,
An insertion paper sensor for detecting the size of the insertion paper set in the insertion paper tray;
An insertion device that feeds out the insertion sheet from the insertion sheet tray and inserts the insertion sheet in front of or behind the sheet discharged from the image forming unit downstream of the image forming unit;
A display unit for displaying a screen and accepting a user operation;
Based on the detection result of the insertion paper sensor and the paper sensor, a basic screen for accepting a basic setting operation related to a job involving image formation from a user, the display of the size of the paper set in the paper feed tray and the insertion An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that displays a basic screen including a display of a size of an insertion sheet set in a paper tray on the display unit.

[2] a paper feed tray;
A paper sensor for detecting the size of the paper set in the paper feed tray;
An image forming unit that forms and discharges an image on paper fed from the paper feed tray;
The insertion sheet is fed out from an insertion sheet tray provided with an insertion sheet sensor for detecting the size of the inserted insertion sheet, and the insertion is performed in front of or behind the sheet discharged from the image forming unit downstream of the image forming unit. A communication unit for obtaining a detection result of the insertion paper sensor from an insertion device for inserting paper;
A display unit for displaying a screen and accepting a user operation;
Based on the detection result of the insertion sheet sensor and the detection result of the sheet sensor acquired through the communication unit, this is a basic screen for accepting a basic setting operation regarding a job involving image formation from a user, and is set in the sheet feeding tray. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that causes a display unit to display a basic screen including a display of a size of a sheet being inserted and a display of a size of an insertion sheet set in the insertion sheet tray.

  In the inventions described in [1] and [2] above, the size of the paper set in the paper feed tray and the insertion paper tray are set on the basic screen for accepting a basic setting operation relating to a job involving image formation from the user. The size of the inserted paper is displayed. You can check the size of the paper for image formation and the size of the insert paper on the basic screen, so check whether the required size paper and the insert paper are set on the basic screen before changing to the setting screen for the insert paper can do. The basic screen is a screen that receives settings of basic items when a job that involves image formation is submitted, and is a screen that normally appears first when the job is submitted. A basic screen related to a predetermined job (for example, a copy job) may be displayed as a standby screen.

  The image forming apparatus described in [1] may be configured as a combination of an insertion apparatus and an image forming apparatus main body, or may be configured as an apparatus in which these are integrated. In the image forming apparatus described in [2] above, a separate insertion device is connected to the subsequent stage of the image forming apparatus.

[3] The image forming apparatus according to [1] or [2], wherein a selection operation for selecting a paper feed tray is received on the basic screen.

  In the above invention, after confirming the size of the set image forming paper and the size of the insertion paper on the basic screen, the paper feed tray (that is, the paper source for image forming paper on the basic screen) Paper).

[4] The image forming apparatus according to [1] or [2], further displaying a remaining amount of insertion sheets set in the insertion sheet tray on the basic screen.

  In the above invention, since it is possible to confirm on the basic screen whether or not the insertion sheet should be replenished, it is possible to quickly cope with the loading operation of the insertion sheet.

[5] The image forming apparatus according to [1] or [2], wherein an input operation of size information relating to an undefined insertion sheet set in the insertion sheet tray is received from a user.

[6] A setting operation for size information relating to the insertion sheet set in the insertion sheet tray is accepted, and the size of the insertion sheet indicated by the received size information and the size of the insertion sheet currently set in the insertion sheet tray The image forming apparatus according to [1] or [2], wherein a job input accompanied by an insertion operation of an insertion sheet fed out from the insertion sheet tray is received in a different state.

  In the above-described invention, it is possible to input a job accompanied by the insertion operation of the insertion sheet in a state where the size of the insertion sheet that is not set at the present time is designated. The job input operation can be efficiently performed by postponing the operation of setting the insertion paper of the required size.

[7] The insertion sheet tray selected as the insertion sheet feeding source among the insertion sheet trays is identified as the insertion sheet tray not selected as the insertion sheet feeding source and displayed on the basic screen. The image forming apparatus according to [1] or [2], which is characterized.

  In the above invention, when the insertion sheet is selected on another screen and then returned to the basic screen, which insertion sheet is selected can be reconfirmed on the basic screen, and convenience is improved.

[8] Insert an insertion paper tray in which an insertion paper having the same size as the paper size set in the paper feeding tray selected as the paper supply source of the paper on which an image is formed is set to the same size as the paper size. The image forming apparatus according to [1] or [2], wherein the image forming apparatus is identified as an insertion paper tray in which is not set and displayed on the basic screen.

  In the above invention, when image forming paper is selected on the basic screen, only the insertion paper tray in which the insertion paper of the same size as that of the paper is set is identified and displayed, and the insertion paper tray should be selected or necessary. It is possible to quickly and easily visually check that the insertion sheet of the size is not set.

[9] The image forming apparatus according to [1] or [2], wherein the basic screen is a first setting screen related to a copy job.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the size of the paper set in the paper feed tray and the insertion paper set in the insertion paper tray are displayed on the basic screen for accepting a basic setting operation regarding a job involving image formation from the user. Both sizes can be confirmed. Thus, it is possible to confirm on the basic screen whether or not the output material desired by the user can be created with the currently set paper and the inserted paper, and the job input operation can be efficiently performed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a mechanical configuration of an image forming apparatus 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 5 is configured by connecting an insertion device 60, which is a kind of post-processing device, to the subsequent stage of the image forming apparatus main body 10. The image forming apparatus main body 10 has a copy function for printing an image obtained by optically reading a document on a recording sheet and outputting it, a scan function for outputting image data obtained by optically reading the document to an external device, It is configured as a multi-function peripheral having a storage function for storing image data, a printer function, and the like. The insertion device 60 is a device that inserts an insertion sheet in front of or behind the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus main body 10.

  The image forming apparatus main body 10 includes a scanner unit 11 that reads a document image, an automatic document feeder 12 that feeds documents placed on a document tray one by one to a document reading position of the scanner unit 11, and forms an image on a sheet. And a printer unit 13 for outputting. The scanner unit 11 includes a light source that irradiates a document, a line image sensor that reads the document for one line in the width direction thereof, a moving unit that moves a reading position in units of lines in the length direction of the document, and reflected light from the document. It is composed of an optical path made up of a lens or a mirror that guides the image to a line image sensor.

  The printer unit 13 includes a plurality of paper feed trays 14 for storing paper for image formation, an image forming unit 15 for forming an image on the paper, and feeds the paper from any one of the paper feed trays 14. 15 and the like, and a paper transport mechanism 16 for discharging to the subsequent insertion device 60. The image forming unit 15 according to the present embodiment includes a photoconductor, a charging device, a laser unit, a developing device, a transfer device, a separation device, a cleaning device, a fixing device, and the like, and forms an image on a sheet by an electrophotographic process. To do.

  Each paper feed tray 14 is provided with a paper sensor 18 for detecting the size and remaining amount of paper set in the paper feed tray 14.

  The insertion device 60 receives a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus main body 10 and conveys the sheet to the sheet discharge tray 61, a plurality of insertion sheet trays 63 on which insertion sheets are set, a setting A sub-conveying path 64 that feeds out the inserting paper from the inserted paper tray 63 and feeds it to a joining point in the middle of the main conveying path 62, and the like. By inserting the insertion sheet fed from the insertion sheet tray 63 into the junction with the main conveyance path 62 at a timing before or after the sheet received from the image forming apparatus main body 10 passes through the junction, The printed material is stacked on the discharge tray 61 of the insertion device 60 as a back cover or in a state where the insertion sheet is inserted in the middle page.

  Each insertion paper tray 63 is provided with an insertion paper sensor 65 that detects the size and remaining amount of the insertion paper set in the insertion paper tray 63. The paper set in the paper feed tray 14 passes through the image forming unit 15, whereas the paper set in the insertion paper tray 63 does not pass through the image forming unit 15, and the subsequent stage of the image forming unit 15. Are inserted before and after the sheet discharged from the image forming unit 15.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 5. The image forming apparatus main body 10 is configured by connecting a main body control unit 20 to a scanner unit 11, a printer unit 13, an operation display unit 30 that controls a user interface, an FNS control unit 35, and the like.

  The operation display unit 30 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) as a display device having a touch panel on the surface, and operation switches such as a start button, and displays various setting screens and guidance screens, Accept various operations from. The image forming apparatus main body 10 receives various setting operations related to jobs, job input operations, and the like from the user through the operation display unit 30. The job includes a copy job for copying an original, a print job for printing based on print data, and the like.

  The main body control unit 20 includes a control CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21 as a control unit that performs overall control of the operation of the image forming apparatus main body 10. An independent image bus 22 and system bus 23 are connected to the control CPU 21.

  A read processor 24 and a write processor 25 are connected to the image bus 22. The reading processing unit 24 is a circuit that sequentially performs image processing such as seeding correction / luminance density conversion, density γ conversion, and error diffusion on the image data input from the scanner unit 11. The write processing unit 25 is a circuit that performs image processing such as cell averaging, resolution conversion, printer γ conversion, minute scaling, and screen processing on the image data output to the printer unit 13.

  A program memory 26, a system memory 27, a nonvolatile memory 28, a display memory VRAM 31, and an LCD controller 32 are connected to the system bus 23. The program memory 26 stores a program executed by the control CPU 21. The system memory 27 is used as a work memory or an image memory for temporarily storing various data when the control CPU 21 executes a program.

  The nonvolatile memory 28 stores user information such as a user name and password, job information indicating job settings such as job settings and owners, and various other information (the number of usages) to be stored even when the power is turned off. Counters etc.) are stored.

  A video random access memory (VRAM) 31 is a memory for storing screen data to be displayed on a liquid crystal display (LCD) of the operation display unit 30. The LCD controller 32 performs control for displaying a screen based on data stored in the VRAM 31 on a liquid crystal display (LCD) of the operation display unit 30.

  The printer unit 13 includes a control unit 19 that controls operations of the paper transport mechanism 16 and the image forming unit 15. The control unit 19 includes a CPU as a main part. A paper sensor 18 of each paper feed tray 14 and the like are connected to the control unit 19. The control unit 19 is connected to the control CPU 21 via the system bus 23. The control CPU 21 controls the operation of the printer unit 13 via the control unit 19. In addition, detection results from the paper sensor 18 and the like are input through the control unit 19 and the system bus 23.

  The insertion device 60 includes a control unit 66 for controlling operations of the main transport path 62 and the sub transport path 64. The control unit 66 includes a CPU as a main part. The control unit 66 is connected to the insertion sheet sensor 65 of each insertion sheet tray 63. The control unit 66 of the insertion device 60 is connected to the control CPU 21 of the image forming apparatus main body 10 via the FNS control unit 35 and the system bus 23. The control CPU 21 controls the operation of the insertion device 60 via the FNS control unit 35. The control CPU 21 is configured to input the detection result of the insertion sheet sensor 65 and the like through the control unit 66, the FNS control unit 35, and the system bus 23.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the basic copy screen 40 on which various settings relating to the copy job are performed. The copy basic screen 40 is displayed on the operation display unit 30 under the control of the control CPU 21 creating screen data in the VRAM 31 and causing the LCD controller 32 to display the screen on the operation display unit 30. At the top of each screen displayed on the operation display unit 30, there are provided tag buttons 51 arranged in a horizontal row and a basic information display unit 52 for displaying basic matters regarding the current state of the image forming apparatus body 10. It has been. By selecting the tag button 51, the display screen is switched.

  The copy basic screen 40 is displayed when the copy tag button 51a is operated. In the copy basic screen 40, below the basic information display section 52, there are provided setting fields for an original setting 41, an image quality setting 42, a magnification setting 43, a simplex / duplex setting 44, an application setting 45, an output setting 46, and a paper setting 47. ing. In each setting column 41 to 47, guidance information for setting and operation buttons are displayed, and the current setting content for each setting item is displayed.

  For example, the document setting is a setting relating to a document reading method (continuous / single leaf) and the orientation of the document set on the scanner unit 11. In the basic copy screen 40 shown in FIG. 3, the original reading method is set to “continuous reading”, and the original orientation is set to “upward”. The inter sheet button 45a displayed in the application setting field 45 is an operation button for turning on / off the inter sheet function. The inter sheet function is a function of inserting a separate insertion sheet (sheet) with the insertion device 60 between the sheets discharged from the printer unit 13. In the example of FIG. 3, the inter sheet function is turned off.

  In the paper setting column 47, tray selection display buttons 47a to 47e associated with each paper feed tray 14 provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus main body 10 are displayed. In this example, tray selection display buttons 47a to 47e corresponding to five sheet feeding trays 14 having tray numbers “Tray 1” to “Tray 5” are displayed. Each of the tray selection display buttons 47a to 47e has a function as an operation button for selecting the corresponding paper feed tray 14. In addition, the size, paper type, basis weight, remaining amount, and the like of the paper set in the corresponding paper feed tray 14 are displayed.

  Below the paper setting field 47, there is provided an insertion paper information display field 48 for displaying the size and remaining amount of the insertion paper set in each insertion paper tray 63 of the insertion device 60. In this example, insertion sheet information display fields 48a to 48c associated with three insertion sheet trays 63 having insertion sheet tray numbers “PI1” to “PI3” are displayed one-to-one.

  If the sheet reservation setting button 49 is operated, a state in which an arbitrary sheet different from the currently inserted sheet is set in the sheet feeding tray 14 is virtually set, and the sheet feeding tray 14 at the time of output is set. You can choose. If the paper reservation setting is performed, the job can be submitted while the paper of the set size is not set in the paper feed tray 14 at the present time. For example, in the case of a copy job, it is possible to reserve a job by reading a document with the scanner unit 11 while a sheet of the size set in the sheet reservation setting is not currently set in the sheet feeding tray 14.

  Next, the display operation of the setting screen related to the copy job will be described.

  FIG. 4 shows the flow of basic operations related to the display of the copy basic screen 40. The control CPU 21 of the image forming apparatus main body 10 displays a default copy basic screen 40 as shown in FIG. 3 as a standby screen, and a copy tag button 51a among the tag buttons 51 arranged at the top of the screen is displayed by the user. Displayed when a selection operation is performed (step S101).

  Specifically, the control CPU 21 recognizes the size and remaining amount of paper set in each paper feed tray 14 based on the detection result of each paper sensor 18 and selects each tray so as to correspond to the recognized content. Display buttons 47a to 47e are displayed (paper size, remaining amount, paper type, etc.). Further, the control CPU 21 uses the insertion sheet information indicating the size and remaining amount of the insertion sheet set in each insertion sheet tray 63 detected by the insertion sheet sensor 65 of the insertion device 60 as an FNS control unit as a communication unit. 35, and each insert sheet information display column 48 is displayed so as to correspond to the contents of the acquired insert sheet information (insert sheet size, remaining amount, display of paper type, etc.).

  The acquisition of the insertion sheet information indicating the size and remaining amount of the insertion sheet set in each insertion sheet tray 63 detected by the insertion sheet sensor 65 is continuously performed. The control CPU 21 detects that the state of the insertion sheet set on the insertion sheet tray 63 of the insertion device 60 (size, remaining amount of the insertion sheet, paper type, etc.) has changed from the continuous acquisition of the insertion sheet information. Then (step S102; Y), the display content of each insertion sheet information display column 48 is changed according to the changed content (step S103). For example, when the insertion sheet set in the insertion sheet tray 63 of “PI1” is changed from A4 to B5, the size display of the insertion sheet information display field 48a corresponding to “PI1” is changed from A4 to B5. .

  Further, when any of the tray selection display buttons 47a to 47e is selected on the copy basic screen 40 and the paper tray 14 for image formation is selected (step S104; Y), the selected paper feed tray 14 is selected. The insertion sheet information display field 48 of the insertion sheet tray 63 in which an insertion sheet of the same size as that of the sheet set in the sheet is displayed is displayed as it is, and the size of the sheet set in the selected sheet feeding tray 14 is displayed. The insertion sheet information display field 48 of the insertion sheet tray 63 in which no insertion sheet of the same size as that is set is not displayed (for example, grayed out) (step S105).

  FIG. 5 shows that when the tray selection display button 47a of “Tray 1” on which A4 size paper is set is selected (the selection state is indicated by a bold line in the figure), B5 size insertion paper is displayed. The state where the inserted sheet information display field 48c of “PI3” that has been set is grayed out is illustrated.

  By performing such a display, it is possible to recognize at a glance whether or not an insertion sheet having the same size as the sheet selected for image formation is set on the insertion sheet tray 63 of the insertion device 60 and is unnecessary. Since the information related to the insertion paper tray 63 is not displayed (or grayed out), it is easy to confirm the information related to the required insertion paper tray 63, and convenience and operability are improved.

  FIG. 6 shows the flow of display control when the intersheet function is selected on the copy basic screen 40. When the copy tag button 51 a is selected from the tag buttons 51 arranged at the top of the screen, the control CPU 21 of the image forming apparatus main body 10 displays a copy basic screen 40 as shown in FIG. 3 on the operation display unit 30. It is displayed (step S201). Here, when the inter-sheet button 45a is selected (step S202; Y), an inter-sheet setting screen (not shown) having the same contents as in FIG. 11 is displayed (step S203).

  In this intersheet setting screen, for example, when a front cover selection button is operated, an insertion sheet selection screen 70 as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. When “front cover is present” is selected as the front cover on this screen 70, and the insertion sheet selection button 72 corresponding to the insertion sheet tray of the insertion sheet to be inserted as the front cover is selected, the control CPU 21 selects the selected content. Is stored in the internal memory (step S205).

  Thereafter, when an operation for confirming the setting relating to the intersheet function is received by the operation of the OK button 71 (step S206; Y), the insertion sheet information display field 48 corresponding to the insertion sheet tray 63 selected by the above operation is selected ( The copy basic screen 40 is displayed again (step S207). As a result, the insertion sheet information display field 48 corresponding to the insertion sheet tray 63 selected as the sheet feeding source of the insertion sheet is copied in a different manner that is distinguishable from the insertion sheet information display field 48 corresponding to the other insertion sheet tray 63. It is displayed on the basic screen 40.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of the basic copy screen 40 when the intersheet function is set and the insertion sheet tray 63 of “PI1” is selected as the sheet feeding source of the insertion sheet. The insertion sheet information display field 48a of “PI1” is displayed in an active (selected) state (the frame is indicated by a bold line in the figure).

  As described above, the image forming apparatus main body 10 according to the present embodiment is provided with the tray selection display buttons 47a to 47e and the insertion sheet information display column 48 on the copy basic screen 40. Copy basic information (sheet size, remaining amount, etc.) related to the inserted paper set in the tray 14 and information (inserted paper size, remaining amount, etc.) related to the inserted paper set in the inserted paper tray 63 of the insertion device 60 They can be confirmed simultaneously on the screen 40. As a result, whether or not an output product desired by the user can be created using the paper currently set in the paper feed tray 14 and the insertion paper set in the insertion paper tray 63 is displayed on the basic copy screen 40. Thus, it is possible to efficiently input a copy job using the intersheet function.

  That is, since the above confirmation can be made on the copy basic screen 40 before the transition from the copy basic screen 40 to the insertion sheet selection screen 70 and various settings relating to the intersheet are made, The first time you notice that the insert paper of the required size has not been set in the insert paper tray 63, the settings up to that point will not be wasted, and there will be no need to set the insert paper at that point. The operability and convenience related to the input of jobs that use is increased.

  In particular, when the insertion paper tray 63 is hidden inside the insertion device 60 and, for example, the size and remaining amount of the insertion paper cannot be visually confirmed unless the main body door of the insertion device 60 is opened or the cassette is taken out. Thus, since the information on the insertion sheet set on the insertion sheet tray can be confirmed on the copy basic screen 40 as in the image forming apparatus main body 10 of the present embodiment, the work efficiency is greatly improved.

  Next, other setting functions related to the setting of the intersheet will be described.

  In the image forming apparatus main body 10, if an insertion sheet reservation setting button 75 displayed on the insertion sheet selection screen 70 of FIG. 7 is operated, an arbitrary insertion sheet different from the insertion sheet currently set is inserted in the insertion sheet tray 63. Is set virtually, the insertion sheet tray 63 at the time of output is selected, and a job accompanied by insertion operation of the insertion sheet can be submitted.

  For example, when the insertion sheet reservation setting button 75 is selected with the insertion sheet selection button 72 corresponding to “PI1” selected on the insertion sheet selection screen 70, an insertion sheet size setting screen 80 as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. On this screen 80, the size of the insertion sheet can be arbitrarily set.

  If the insertion sheet reservation setting described above is performed, it is possible to submit a job accompanied by the insertion operation of the insertion sheet while the insertion sheet of the set size is not set in the insertion sheet tray 63 at the present time. For example, in the case of a copy job with an inter-sheet function, the job is input without inserting the insertion sheet of the size set in the insertion sheet reservation setting at the present time into the insertion sheet tray 63, and the corresponding original is scanned by the scanner unit. 11 to reserve a job.

  When returning to the copy basic screen 40, the display of the insertion sheet size in the corresponding insertion sheet information display field 48 in the copy basic screen 40 is switched to the size set in the insertion sheet reservation setting. Further, if an insertion sheet having a size reserved at the time of execution of a job for which insertion sheet reservation has been made is not set, a warning is issued at that time.

  In this way, the insertion sheet reservation setting is possible, so that it is possible to submit a job using the intersheet function and execute a document reading operation while the insertion sheet setting work is delayed. Compared with the case where it is essential to set the paper immediately, the flexibility of performing only the document reading operation in advance is increased, and the overall work efficiency can be improved.

  Next, the numerical value input setting for the insertion sheet size will be described.

  In the image forming apparatus main body 10 according to the present embodiment, when an insertion sheet of an irregular size is set in the insertion sheet tray 63, the size of the insertion sheet can be set by numerical input. The standard size is a size defined as a standard paper size by a predetermined standard such as A4, B4, legal, or the like. Here, only a specific type that is set in advance in the image forming apparatus main body 10 as a handling target among the standard sizes, which is generally referred to as a standard size, is set as a standard size, and other sizes are set as non-standard sizes.

  When the size input button 82 is operated on the insertion sheet size setting screen 80 shown in FIG. 9, a size input screen 90 as illustrated in FIG. 10 is popped up to display an arbitrary insertion sheet size (insertion sheet length (1)). , Width (2)) can be entered numerically with the numeric keypad 91.

  Although not shown, when a numerical value is input, the numerical value or a special mark indicating that the numerical value has been set is displayed in the insertion sheet information display field 48 corresponding to the insertion sheet tray 63 of the copy basic screen 40. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, in the insertion sheet selection screen 70, the character string “irregular” is displayed on the insertion sheet selection button 72 corresponding to the insertion sheet tray 63 in which the insertion sheet of the irregular size is set. The

  FIG. 11 shows a flow of processing relating to the above-described display of the irregular size and numeric input. When displaying the copy basic screen 40, the control CPU 21 obtains the size information of the insertion sheet set on the insertion sheet tray 63 from the insertion device 60. If the size is a standard size (step S302; N), the copy is performed. The fixed size is displayed as the size of the insertion sheet set in the insertion sheet tray 63 in the corresponding insertion sheet information display field 48 of the basic screen 40 (step S303). In the insertion sheet selection screen 70, the standard size is displayed as the size of the insertion sheet set in the insertion sheet tray 63.

  If the size of the insertion sheet set in the insertion sheet tray 63 is an irregular size, the corresponding insertion sheet information display field 48 of the copy basic screen 40 displays that the size of the insertion sheet is irregular ( Step S304). In the example of the insertion sheet selection screen 70, a character string “indefinite” is displayed.

  In this state, when the user moves to the insertion sheet size setting screen 80 in FIG. 9 and selects the size input button 82 (step S305; Y), the size input screen 90 in FIG. The size information of the inserted sheet is received by numerical value input (step S306). When a numerical value is input regarding the size information regarding the insertion sheet of the irregular size, the numerical value or a special mark indicating that the numerical value is set is displayed in the insertion paper information display field 48 corresponding to the insertion paper tray 63 of the copy basic screen 40. It is displayed (step S307). Further, an irregular character is displayed on the corresponding insertion sheet selection button 72 of the insertion sheet selection screen 70.

  As described above, when the insertion sheet has an irregular size, the size can be numerically input. Therefore, the size of the insertion sheet of the irregular size can be confirmed on the copy basic screen 40 or the insertion sheet selection screen 70.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and there are changes and additions within the scope of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention.

  For example, in the embodiment, the image forming apparatus 5 is divided into the image forming apparatus main body 10 and the insertion device 60 connected to the subsequent stage. However, the image forming apparatus 5 may be integrally formed. Alternatively, the insertion device 60 may be a separate device attached later, and the image forming apparatus main body 10 may be configured as an image forming device that can be combined with the insertion device 60.

  Further, the display forms of the tray selection display buttons 47a to 47e and the insertion sheet information display field 48 on the copy basic screen 40 are merely examples, and the display form is not limited to this, and the display form may be arbitrary. Further, the copy basic screen 40 has been described as an example. However, if the setting screen is displayed first when setting related to a job involving image formation, for example, the basic screen related to a print job based on print data may be used. It doesn't matter. In this case, a screen similar to the copy basic screen 40 may be displayed on the printer driver screen of a personal computer connected to a network or the like. That is, information indicating the size and remaining amount of paper set in the paper feed tray 14 and information indicating the size and remaining amount of insertion paper set in the insertion paper tray 63 of the insertion device 60 are displayed on the printer driver screen. What is necessary is just to make it display on the basic screen regarding a print job.

  In the embodiment, the insertion sheet information display field 48 has only a display function such as size information, but may have a function as an operation button. For example, the insertion sheet information display field 48 may be operated to change the insertion sheet tray 63 as the insertion sheet supply source.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a mechanical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a basic copy screen displayed on the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of basic operations related to display of a copy basic screen in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a copy basic screen in a state where an insertion sheet information display field corresponding to an insertion sheet tray whose size does not match that of a selected sheet is hidden. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of display control when an intersheet function is selected on the copy basic screen in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an insertion sheet selection screen displayed on the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a basic copy screen in a state where an insertion paper tray is selected in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an insertion sheet size setting screen displayed on the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the size input screen displayed on the image forming apparatus which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing relating to display of an irregular size and numeric input performed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the conventional copy basic screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the conventional intersheet setting screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the conventional insertion sheet selection screen.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 ... Image forming apparatus 10 ... Image forming apparatus main body 11 ... Scanner part 12 ... Automatic document feeder 13 ... Printer part 14 ... Paper feed tray 15 ... Image forming part 16 ... Conveying mechanism 18 ... Paper sensor 19 ... Control part 20 ... Main body Control unit 21 ... Control CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 22 ... Image bus 23 ... System bus 24 ... Reading process part 25 ... Write process part 26 ... Program memory 27 ... System memory 28 ... Non-volatile memory 30 ... Operation display part 31 ... VRAM
32 ... LCD controller 35 ... FNS control unit 40 ... Basic copy screen 41-47 ... Setting field 45a ... Inter sheet button 47a-47e ... Tray selection display button 48 ... Insert paper information display field 49 ... Paper reservation setting button 51 ... Tag button 51a ... Copy tag button 52 ... Basic information display section 60 ... Insertion device 61 ... Paper discharge tray 62 ... Main transport path 63 ... Insert paper tray 64 ... Sub transport path 65 ... Insert paper sensor 66 ... Control section 70 ... Insert paper selection Screen 71 ... OK button 72 ... Insert paper selection button 75 ... Insert paper reservation setting button 80 ... Insert paper size setting screen 82 ... Size input button 90 ... Size input screen 91 ... Numeric keypad

Claims (9)

A paper tray,
A paper sensor for detecting the size of the paper set in the paper feed tray;
An image forming unit that forms and discharges an image on paper fed from the paper feed tray;
Insert paper tray,
An insertion paper sensor for detecting the size of the insertion paper set in the insertion paper tray;
An insertion device that feeds out the insertion sheet from the insertion sheet tray and inserts the insertion sheet in front of or behind the sheet discharged from the image forming unit downstream of the image forming unit;
A display unit for displaying a screen and accepting a user operation;
Based on the detection result of the insertion paper sensor and the paper sensor, a basic screen for accepting a basic setting operation related to a job involving image formation from a user, the display of the size of the paper set in the paper feed tray and the insertion An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that displays a basic screen including a display of a size of an insertion sheet set in a paper tray on the display unit. A paper tray,
A paper sensor for detecting the size of the paper set in the paper feed tray;
An image forming unit that forms and discharges an image on paper fed from the paper feed tray;
The insertion sheet is fed out from an insertion sheet tray provided with an insertion sheet sensor for detecting the size of the inserted insertion sheet, and the insertion is performed in front of or behind the sheet discharged from the image forming unit downstream of the image forming unit. A communication unit for obtaining a detection result of the insertion paper sensor from an insertion device for inserting paper;
A display unit for displaying a screen and accepting a user operation;
Based on the detection result of the insertion paper sensor and the detection result of the paper sensor acquired through the communication unit, a basic screen for accepting a basic setting operation regarding a job involving image formation from a user, which is set in the paper feed tray. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that causes a display unit to display a basic screen including a display of a size of a sheet being inserted and a display of a size of an insertion sheet set in the insertion sheet tray. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an operation for selecting a paper feed tray is received on the basic screen. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further displaying a remaining amount of insertion sheets set in the insertion sheet tray on the basic screen. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an input operation of size information regarding an indeterminate insertion sheet set in the insertion sheet tray is received from a user. 4. A state in which the setting operation of the size information related to the insertion sheet set in the insertion sheet tray is accepted, and the size of the insertion sheet indicated by the received size information is different from the size of the insertion sheet currently set in the insertion sheet tray The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a job input accompanied by an insertion operation of an insertion sheet fed from the insertion sheet tray is received. An insertion sheet tray selected as an insertion sheet feeding source among the insertion sheet trays is distinguished from an insertion sheet tray not selected as an insertion sheet feeding source and displayed on the basic screen. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. Insert paper of the same size as the paper size is set in the insertion paper tray in which the insertion paper of the same size as the paper size set in the paper feed tray selected as the paper supply source of the image forming paper is set. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is identified as a non-inserted paper tray and displayed on the basic screen. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the basic screen is an initial setting screen related to a copy job.

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