JP2008281666A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cassette selection method for selecting a paper feed cassette so that post processing such as both sides printing or a stapling process are given first priority in an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes a cassette function storage part for storing functions which can be processed for each paper feed cassette and the image forming apparatus is loaded with a function of specifying a processing function (for example, a priority for a both sides output, a priority for a stapling process or a priority for a punching process) preferentially in an input part and then selecting a corresponding cassette by a cassette selecting part based on the above input and information in the cassette function storage part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  In an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper feed cassettes, the present invention relates to a method for selecting the paper cassettes by prioritizing the processing functions of the apparatus when selecting the paper feed cassettes.

  In an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper feed cassettes, the paper size may be restricted or post-processing may be restricted depending on the paper feed cassette.

  In a printer or multi-function peripheral having a plurality of paper feed cassettes, there are two methods for selecting a paper feed cassette for printing: a method for selecting a cassette having the same paper size / paper type, and a method for selecting a paper feed cassette as a user. There is a selection method specified by.

  However, when it is desired to give the highest priority to double-sided or post-processing, or to give the highest priority to the discharge destination, a method of selecting a paper cassette, that is, a paper cassette capable of realizing the function with priority is selected. There was no way.

  As a conventional technique, the type of paper (for example, colored pre-punched paper, recycled paper, or plain paper) stored in each paper feeding slot of the paper feeding cassette is recorded, and which paper is fed depending on the paper that the user wants to copy. There is a method for determining whether to select a paper mouth (see Patent Document 1).

  However, with this method, it is possible to determine the paper feed cassette according to the type of paper, but it is not possible to select a paper feed cassette that prioritizes functions.

JP 2002-40881 A

  A problem to be solved is to provide a method of selecting a paper feed cassette that meets various user needs in an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper feed cassettes.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus that includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes and receives a selective supply of paper from the paper feed cassettes and performs printing in a printing unit. A cassette function storage unit for storing functions that can be processed in response to the function; an input unit for selecting the function and inputting a preferential setting; a function preferentially set in the input unit; and the cassette function storage And a cassette selection unit that selects the paper feed cassette based on the function that can be processed for each of the paper feed cassettes stored in the unit.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus that includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes and receives a selective supply of paper from the paper feed cassettes and performs printing in a printing unit. A cassette function storage unit for storing functions that can be processed in response to the function; an input unit for selecting the function and inputting a preferential setting; a function preferentially set in the input unit; and the cassette function storage And a cassette selection unit that selects the paper feed cassette based on the function that can be processed for each paper feed cassette stored in the storage unit. This makes it possible to select a paper cassette.

  In an image forming apparatus equipped with a plurality of paper feed cassettes, a problem that it is not possible to select a cassette by giving priority to post-processing such as double-sided printing or stapling is stored for each cassette. The cassette function storage unit is provided, and the operation panel unit (input / output unit) is used to select a processing function to be prioritized by the user.

[Constitution]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 101 includes an operation panel unit 111 (input unit, output unit, display unit), cassette selection unit 113, cassette function storage unit 115, paper size detection unit 117, enlargement / reduction setting unit 119, printing unit 121, network I. Each function block of / F (interface) 123 (input unit, output unit) is included.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 101 is connected to a PC 201 that is an external terminal apparatus through a network I / F (interface) 123.

  Hereinafter, each functional block of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. Note that functional units such as an image reading unit provided in a normal image forming apparatus are omitted because they are not related to the essence of the present invention.

  The operation panel unit 111 (input unit, output unit, display unit) displays setting information of the image forming apparatus on the display panel and receives operation input from the user. In addition, when printing (including copy printing or the like), a processing function (details will be described later) that is prioritized by receiving input from the user is set. In addition, when the function set with priority cannot be performed, it functions as a display unit for displaying the fact on the display panel.

  The cassette function storage unit 115 may or may not be able to perform double-sided printing, for example, depending on the position of the paper feed cassette and the size of the paper contained in the paper feed cassette. Function processing that is possible for each paper cassette is stored.

  If the processing function for the cassette is determined in advance in the apparatus depending on the position of the sheet feeding cassette, etc., it is stored as the initial setting of the apparatus. Also, items that can be processed depending on the setting status of the apparatus, such as paper size, are functions that can be processed based on the signal detected by the paper size detection unit 117 by detecting the paper size in the paper feed cassette. And memorize.

  The cassette selection unit 113 selects an optimum paper feeding cassette from the processing function to be prioritized input by the user through the operation panel unit 111 and the processing function stored in the cassette function storage unit 115.

  The paper size detection unit 117 detects the size of the paper stored in the paper feed cassette.

  When the paper size preset by the user is different from the paper size to be printed set by the cassette selection unit, the enlargement / reduction setting unit 119 enlarges or reduces the print data and prints according to the paper size (details). Later).

  The printing unit 121 performs printing.

  A network I / F (interface) 123 (input unit, output unit) is connected to a PC (Personal Computer) 201 which is an external terminal device through a network, and is set and displayed on the operation panel unit 111 by an operation from the PC. To be able to perform the same operations as

  A PC (Personal Computer) 201 (external terminal device) is capable of remotely operating setting of a preferential processing function performed on the operation panel unit 111, display of an alert, and the like.

[Example of actual priority function settings]
In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, a method for selecting a function (hereinafter referred to as a priority processing function) newly set as the following priority is newly added as a method for selecting a paper feed cassette.

(1) Duplex printing function priority (2) Staple processing function priority (3) Punch processing function priority (4) Ejection stage specification function priority The above selection methods can be selected simultaneously including existing selection methods. is there.

  The selection method can be set from the operation panel unit 111 of the image forming apparatus main body or from a printer driver of a PC connected via a network.

  Hereinafter, an example of selecting a paper feed cassette according to a difference in selection method of actual processing function priority will be described. FIG. 2 shows an example of a setting screen for the priority processing function at the time of copy printing on the operation panel unit 111. The user made the settings as follows.

[User settings]
Number of copies: 5 Paper size: A6
Priority for double-sided processing: Yes Staple processing priority: No Punch processing priority: No Ejection stage specification priority: Inner tray Here, in this device, the following functions can be set for each paper feed cassette.

(Cassette 1) Paper size: A6 (double-sided, stapling, and punching not possible)
(Cassette 2) Paper size: A4 (double-sided, stapleable, punchable size)
(Cassette 3) Paper size: B4 (double-sided, stapleable, punchable size)
The image forming apparatus selects a paper feed cassette and processing according to the following rules.

  Selection method 1: When the paper size set by the user on the operation panel unit 111 and the paper size of the paper cassette selected by the cassette selection unit 113 by the setting of the priority processing function are different, the user-set paper size is given priority. Then, the operation panel unit 111 displays that the priority processing function set by the user cannot be executed.

  For example, in the case of the above [user setting], the cassette 1 is selected in which both sides are impossible but the paper size A6 is the same.

  At this time, printing may be stopped due to a double side size prohibition error.

  Selection method 2: When the paper size set by the user on the operation panel unit 111 and the paper size of the paper feed cassette selected by the cassette selection unit 113 by the setting of the priority processing function are different, the paper size set by the cassette selection unit is selected. Prioritize. An example is shown in FIG.

  The cassette selection unit 113 selects the cassette 2 that can be printed on both sides, although the user-set paper size is A6, but duplex printing is possible with A4 (or B4 of the cassette 3 but A4 of the cassette 2 close to A6 is selected). To do. The alert unit 225 of FIG. 2 displays that “A6 paper is selected because A6 cannot be printed on both sides”.

  In this case, since the print sizes do not match, the enlargement / reduction setting unit 119 is set so as to print according to the paper size.

  In the example of FIG. 2, the image is enlarged, but may be reduced, so the processing is performed as follows.

  If the user-set size <paper feed size, the image is enlarged to fit the paper feed size.

  If user set size> paper feed size, the image is reduced to fit the paper feed size.

  The image forming apparatus can change the selection method 1 or 2 of the paper feed cassette described above according to the initial setting.

[Effect of Example]
According to the embodiment of the present invention, the user can select a paper feed cassette giving priority to the processing function, and can respond to various requests of the user.

  When the paper size set by the user is different from the paper size selected by the cassette selection unit, it is possible to set in advance which one to select, so that it can be used according to the user's use.

  When selecting the paper size selected by the cassette selection unit, the image is enlarged or reduced to fit the paper size, so the output image may not fit on the paper or may be printed on only a part of the paper. No such inconvenience occurs.

  The priority processing function can also be set from an external terminal device through the network interface unit.

1 is a functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention (Embodiment 1). FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram of an input unit screen when setting a copy function of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention (first embodiment);

Explanation of symbols

101 Image forming apparatus 111 Operation panel unit (input unit, output unit, display unit)
113 Cassette selection unit 115 Cassette function storage unit 117 Paper size detection unit 119 Enlargement / reduction setting unit 121 Printing unit 123 Network I / F (input unit, output unit)

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus that includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes and receives a selective supply of paper from the paper feed cassettes and performs printing in a printing unit.
A cassette function storage unit that stores functions that can be processed in accordance with the sheet cassette;
An input unit capable of inputting the preferential setting by selecting the function;
A cassette selection unit that selects the paper feed cassette based on a function preferentially set in the input unit and a function that can be processed for each of the paper feed cassettes stored in the cassette function storage unit. An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The input unit allows a user to input an output paper size setting;
If the selected paper size of the paper cassette is different from the paper size set in the input unit, the paper size set in the input unit is canceled and the selected paper size of the paper cassette And an enlargement / reduction setting unit for setting the enlargement / reduction of the print data in accordance with the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The input unit allows a user to input an output paper size setting;
If the paper size of the selected paper cassette is different from the paper size set in the input unit, select the paper size set in the input unit,
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a display unit that displays that the preferentially set function cannot be performed. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The image forming apparatus characterized in that the function set preferentially is any one or any combination of a double-sided printing function, a stapling processing function, a punching function, and a discharge stage designation function. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The input unit can be input from an external terminal device, and the output unit can be output from an external terminal device.

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