JP2009109763A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus for improving versatility and sufficiently contributing to energy saving and environmental friendliness. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes a control means 27 that performs processing according to priorities as described below. When paper feed cassette or a manual feed tray storing used paper is specified even in a double-sided printing mode, the double-sided printing mode is disabled if an automatic single-sided printing mode is valid, and single-sided printing is preferentially performed in which specified used paper is used as transfer paper. If the automatic single-sided printing mode is invalid, the double-sided printing mode is enabled and double-sided printing is preferentially performed in which regular paper is used as transfer paper. If used paper is not stored in the specified paper feed cassette or the manual feed tray, the used paper is stored in the other paper feed cassette or manual feed tray and if the automatic single-sided printing mode is valid, single-sided printing using the used paper as transfer paper is performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention enables an image forming process on both sides of a transfer sheet and can execute an image forming process after designating a plurality of transfer sheet storage units each storing a plurality of types of transfer sheets. About.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, or a complex machine that can perform image forming processing including these, image forming processing (hereinafter simply referred to as “printing”) on both sides of a transfer sheet. What can be done is well known.

  In addition, such an image forming apparatus is also known in which a plurality of paper feed cassettes (including a manual feed tray) are mounted as transfer paper storage means capable of storing a plurality of types of transfer paper.

  Furthermore, in order to use such an image forming apparatus, when using a printer function for executing printing based on print data including image data output from a personal computer connected to the image forming apparatus main body via a communication line. Is operated by an operator of a personal computer, or by operating a panel switch type display unit provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus when using a copying function for setting a document on the main body of the image forming apparatus and executing printing. The transfer paper storage means can be manually designated as required, and printing can be executed on the transfer paper stored in the designated transfer paper storage means.

  On the other hand, with recent energy saving and ecology, in order to prevent waste of transfer paper, double-sided printing using plain double-sided plain paper, or single-sided blank paper that became unnecessary after performing single-sided printing previously It is recommended to perform single-sided printing using a backing paper.

  At this time, for example, in printing using the printer function described above, the transfer paper storage means is designated by remote operation.

  Thus, double-sided printing is performed by designating the transfer paper storage means in which the back paper is stored without confirming on the spot which plain paper and back paper are stored in which transfer paper storage means. In this case, the original image and the new image overlap on the back side of the transfer paper, which causes a problem of waste of resources.

  Therefore, when specifying the transfer paper storage means that stores the backing paper when specifying the double-sided printing mode, use “Cancel printing”, “Print on one side”, or “Other cassette (transfer paper storage means)”. A technique is known in which a plurality of operations such as “printing (both sides)” can be selected immediately before the image forming process (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  When the duplex printing mode is specified, if there is plain paper, double-sided printing is executed on plain paper, if there is no plain paper, simplex printing is executed on the back paper, and when the simplex printing mode is specified. There is a known technique for matching the type of transfer paper and the printing mode, such as executing single-sided printing on the backing paper if there is a backing paper, and duplex printing on plain paper if there is no backing paper (for example, (See Patent Documents 2 and 3).

It is possible to automatically detect whether the transfer paper stored in the paper cassette is plain paper or backing paper, and whether the transfer paper of plain paper or backing paper is stored in the paper cassette. There is also known a technique that can be specified by the user, and can notify an error when the detection result of automatically detecting the type of transfer paper differs from the specification of the type of transfer paper stored in the paper feed cassette. (For example, see Patent Document 4).
JP 2003-063119 A JP 2005-049584 A JP-A-2005-004299 JP 2006-137593 A

  However, in the image forming apparatus configured as described above, for example, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the single-sided printing mode is designated, the single-sided printing may be performed on the backing paper. There was a possibility that one-sided printing was performed on plain paper unexpectedly, and there was a problem that it was not an energy-saving and eco-friendly measure.

  In addition, the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3 can specify the type of transfer paper, but cannot specify the paper feed cassette, in order to achieve consistency between the type of transfer paper and the print mode. The designation of the paper feed cassette is automatically performed by the main body of the image forming apparatus in conjunction with the designation of the transfer paper type.

  Therefore, for example, when you want to double-side print an external document such as a contract document, if plain paper is not stored in the paper cassette, there is a possibility that single-sided printing may occur unexpectedly on the back paper, saving energy.・ There was a problem that there was a case where it was not an eco-friendly measure.

  The technique disclosed in Patent Document 4 is to determine whether or not the detection of the type of transfer paper (plain paper / back paper) stored in the paper feed cassette and the designation of the type match each other. It does not matter that the print mode specification and the paper feed cassette specification match each other.

  In order to avoid such unforeseen printing, you can improve versatility by specifying the paper cassette and then specifying the duplex printing mode or single-sided printing mode. It is conceivable to provide an image forming apparatus that can sufficiently contribute.

  However, if the paper cassette is simply specified, for example, the transfer paper stored in the specified paper cassette is the back paper even though the duplex printing mode is specified.・ A new problem will arise that will not be an eco-friendly measure.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can improve versatility and can sufficiently contribute to energy saving and ecological measures.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image forming unit capable of performing image forming processing on both sides of a transfer sheet, a plurality of transfer sheet storing units capable of storing a plurality of types of transfer sheets, and a plurality of transfer sheet storing units. There are designated means for designating means, print mode designating means for designating whether the image forming process by the image forming means is single-sided printing or double-sided printing, and the types of transfer paper stored in the plurality of transfer paper storage means. Transfer paper type designation / identification means for specifying or identifying whether plain white paper or backing paper for single-sided blank paper, and automatic single-sided switching to single-sided printing when the print mode designation means designates double-sided printing mode Automatic print mode selection means for selecting whether the mode is valid or invalid, and the transfer paper storage in which the specification means stores the back paper in spite of the fact that the print mode specification means specifies the duplex printing mode If the automatic print mode selection means is valid when a stage is specified, the automatic print mode selection means executes the single-sided printing with the double-sided print mode disabled and the back paper as the transfer paper with the highest priority. Control means for prioritizing and processing so as to preferentially execute double-sided printing using plain paper as transfer paper when the double-sided printing mode is enabled.

  At this time, the control means does not store the back paper in the designated transfer paper storage means, stores the back paper in the other transfer paper storage means, and the automatic print mode selection means is valid. It is preferable to perform single-sided printing using the back paper as the transfer paper.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image forming unit that can perform image forming processing on both sides of a transfer sheet, a plurality of transfer sheet storage units that can store a plurality of types of transfer sheets, and the plurality of transfer units. A designating unit for designating a paper storage unit, a print mode designating unit for designating whether the image forming process by the image forming unit is single-sided printing or double-sided printing, and a plurality of transfer papers stored in the plurality of transfer paper storage units. Transfer paper type designation / identification means that designates or identifies whether the type is plain double-sided plain paper or single-sided blank paper, and automatically switches to double-sided printing when the print mode designation means designates single-sided printing mode Automatic printing mode selection means for selecting validity / invalidity of automatic duplex mode, and the transfer paper storage means in which the printing mode designation means designates a single-sided printing mode and the designation means accommodates plain paper When the automatic print mode selection means is valid, the double-sided printing using the plain paper as the transfer paper is executed with the highest priority. When the automatic print mode selection means is invalid, the plain paper is selected. Control means for prioritizing and processing so as to preferentially execute single-sided printing on transfer paper.

  At this time, it is preferable that the control means executes single-sided printing using the back paper as the transfer paper when the plain paper is not stored in the transfer paper storage means and the automatic print mode selection means is invalid. .

  Further, the control means checks whether or not the transfer paper is stored in the transfer paper storage means designated by the designation means, and when the transfer paper is stored in the transfer paper storage means, It is preferable to confirm the validity or invalidity of the mode or the automatic one-sided mode.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention can improve versatility and can sufficiently contribute to energy saving and ecological measures.

  Next, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a multifunction machine and will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a main part of the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of control example 2 of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

(Overall configuration of MFP)
As shown in FIG. 1, a multifunction machine 1 as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of sheet feeding cassettes 3, 4, 5 that can be pulled out from the front surface of the apparatus body 2, and an apparatus body 2. A manual feed tray 6 that can be opened and closed on one side of the paper, an automatic document feeder (ADF) 7 that is used when reading a document as various functions of a copying machine, a facsimile, and a scanner, and a display screen 8. And an operation unit 9 for performing setting / selection operations of various functions and the like.

  Note that the shape, configuration, function, and the like of the multifunction machine 1 are not limited to those shown in the drawings. Further, for example, it does not hinder the installation of optional equipment such as a sorter.

(Internal structure of MFP)
The apparatus main body 2 takes out transfer paper (not shown) stored in the paper feeding cassettes 3, 4, 5 or the manual feed tray 6 into the apparatus main body 2, and is disposed on the other side surface of the apparatus main body 2. , A registration sensor 12 that is disposed upstream of the conveyance path 11 in the sheet conveyance direction and detects transfer paper, and is disposed downstream of the registration sensor 12 in the sheet conveyance direction of the conveyance path 11. The registration roller pair 13, the image forming unit 14 disposed downstream of the registration sensor 12 in the sheet conveying direction of the conveying path 11, and the toner image transferred to the surface of the transfer paper by the image forming unit 14 Switch back the fixing unit 15 to be fixed on the surface, the branch path 16 disposed downstream of the fixing unit 15 in the sheet transport direction of the transport path 11, and the transfer paper guided to the branch path 16. When there are a plurality of originals set on the ADF 7 and a reverse path 18 that returns to the transport path 11 upstream of the registration sensor 12 in a state where the front and back sides are reversed via the path 17, the transfer paper after single-sided printing And a reverse discharge path 19 for discharging the discharge surface to the discharge tray 10 in a state where the discharge surface is aligned with the document order.

  The registration sensor 12 detects the transfer paper and synchronizes the position of the leading edge of the transfer paper with the position of the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 20, and the registration sensor 12 detects the leading edge of the transfer paper. The registration roller pair 13 and the photosensitive drum 20 are started to rotate after a predetermined time has elapsed, and the registration roller pair 13 and the photosensitive drum 20 are detected after the predetermined time has elapsed since the registration sensor 12 detects the trailing edge of the transfer paper. Rotation drive of is stopped. The registration sensor 12 detects the sheet length along the sheet conveyance direction of the transfer paper sent from the paper feed cassettes 3, 4, and 5 to the conveyance path 11. The length of the transfer paper (direction along the sheet conveyance direction) is detected based on the time until the end is detected.

  The registration roller pair 13 is connected to a drive source (not shown) such as a motor. The registration roller pair 13 corrects the oblique feeding of the transfer paper by stopping the transfer paper momentarily when the leading edge of the transfer paper is nipped in a stationary state.

  The image forming unit 14 includes a photosensitive drum 20 and a charging device 21, an exposure device 22, a developing device 23, a transfer device 24, a cleaning device 25, a static elimination device 26, and the like disposed around the photosensitive drum 20. . Each of these components constitutes the image forming means of the present invention.

  As a result, in the image forming unit 14, the photosensitive drum 20 is rotationally driven at a predetermined process speed (circumferential speed) by a driving unit (not shown), and the surface thereof is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity and potential by the charging device 21. .

  An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 20 by the exposure device 22. Here, for example, the exposure device 22 is connected via a communication line such as a print data read by a scanner unit using the ADF 7 by a copying machine function, a print data received through a telephone line by a facsimile function, or a network by a printer function. Based on the print data output from a personal computer or the like, the surface of the photoconductive drum 20 is irradiated with laser light, and the charge on the surface of the photoconductive drum 20 where the laser light is irradiated is removed. A latent image is formed.

  The electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 20 is developed as a toner image by electrostatically attaching a charged toner by the developing device 23. Further, the toner image is transferred onto the transfer paper as a transfer image by the transfer device 24.

  At this time, the photosensitive drum 20 having the toner image transferred onto the transfer paper is removed by the cleaning device 25 and the charge is removed by the charge removal device 26 for charging at the next image formation.

  By the way, the paper feed cassettes 3, 4, 5 and the manual feed tray 6 constitute transfer paper storage means of the present invention, and can detect the size of the transfer paper stored by a known sensor or switch. The transfer paper stored in the paper feed cassettes 3, 4, 5 and the manual feed tray 6 can be selected from the operation unit 9 (panel switch function of the display screen 8) as a type of plain paper or double-sided blank paper. ) Can be specified. At this time, a known sensor or the like may be used to automatically identify whether the paper is double-sided plain paper or single-sided white paper, and the identification result of the sensor and the type of transfer paper designated by the operation unit 9 may be used. It is also possible to determine whether or not the two are the same, and to notify an error if they are different.

(Print mode designation / automatic print mode designation)
On the other hand, the transfer paper information designated by the operation unit 9 (or automatically detected) as a double-sided white paper or a single-sided white paper is associated with the paper feed cassettes 3, 4, 5 and the manual feed tray 6. As shown in FIG. 2, the data is stored in a hard disk drive (HDD) 28 via a control circuit unit (control means) 27. In addition, setting information (for example, setting information such as the number of copies to be printed, enlargement / reduction ratio, and print density) designated by the operation unit 9 is temporarily stored in the RAM 29. Further, the operation unit 9 has a function as a designation means for designating the paper feed cassettes 3, 4, 5 or the manual feed tray 6 when using the copy function, for example. Further, the operation unit 9 enables a function as a print mode designating unit for designating a mode of single-sided printing or double-sided printing when using the copying function, and an automatic single-sided mode when designating the double-sided printing mode ( ON / OFF (OFF), or when the single-sided printing mode is specified, the automatic double-sided mode is enabled (ON) / disabled (OFF) as a function of automatic printing mode selection means. .

  These designation means, print mode designation means, and automatic print mode selection means are provided in a personal computer (printer driver) when using the printer function.

  The control circuit unit 27 controls the multifunction device 1 based on various control programs related to the overall image forming process stored in the ROM 30. The ROM 30 also stores a control program related to the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. Thus, the ROM 30 and the control circuit unit 27 constitute a microcomputer that executes image forming processing (automatic print mode designation) according to the present invention.

  Note that the HDD 28 has, for example, print data read by the scanner unit using the ADF 7 by a copying machine function, print data received through a telephone line by a facsimile function, and a personal computer connected by a communication line such as a network by a printer function. Is stored via the receiving unit 31 and the control circuit unit 27, and an image forming process (printing) is executed by the image forming unit 14 based on the print data.

  At this time, the control circuit unit 27 controls the print mode designation by the operation unit 9 in association with the designation of the paper feed cassettes 3, 4, 5 or the manual feed tray 6 when performing printing as a copying function. When printing is performed as a function, the print mode designation included in the print data received by the receiving unit 30 and the designation of the paper feed cassettes 3, 4, 5 or the manual feed tray 6 are controlled in association with each other.

  Hereinafter, a specific control example by the control circuit unit 27 relating to the automatic print mode designation of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  In the following description, it is assumed that the printer function is used. For example, A4 size plain paper is used for the paper feed cassette 3, A4 size back paper is used for the paper feed cassette 4, and other paper feed cassette 5 is used. In the following description, it is assumed that the transfer paper is a plain paper and the manual feed tray 6 stores an arbitrary transfer paper (described later).

(When the backing paper cassette is specified in duplex printing mode)
In the flowchart of FIG. 3, the user designates the double-sided printing mode and the control routine of the control circuit unit 27 assumes a case where the user has mistakenly designated the paper feed cassette 4 in which the backing paper is stored. It is.

(Step S1)
In step S1, the receiving unit 31 receives print data in which the duplex printing mode is specified and the paper feed cassette 4 in which the back paper is stored as transfer paper is specified, and the image data included in the print data is Print data stored in the HDD 28 and related to setting information such as print mode designation excluding image data is temporarily stored in the RAM 29, and the process proceeds to step S2.

(Step S2)
In step S2, the control circuit unit 27 checks whether or not the transfer paper (back paper) is stored in the paper feed cassette designated by the print data received by the receiving unit 31, that is, the paper feed cassette 4. If transfer paper is stored in the paper feed cassette 4, the process proceeds to step S3. If transfer paper is not stored in the paper feed cassette 4, the process proceeds to step S5.

(Step S3)
In step S3, the control circuit unit 27 checks whether the automatic single-sided printing mode of the print data received by the receiving unit 31 is valid (ON) or invalid (OFF), and the automatic single-sided printing mode is ON. If the automatic single-sided printing mode is OFF, the process proceeds to step S5.

(Step S4)
In step S4, since the automatic single-sided printing mode is ON, the control circuit unit 27 executes single-sided printing using the transfer paper (backing paper) stored in the designated paper feed cassette 4 as it is, and executes this routine. finish.

(Step S5)
In step S5, the control circuit unit 27 confirms whether plain paper is stored in the paper feed cassettes 3, 5 other than the paper feed cassette 4 designated by the print data or the manual feed tray 6, and plain paper is loaded. If it is stored, the process proceeds to step S6. If plain paper is not stored, the process proceeds to step S7.

(Step S6)
In step S6, since the plain paper is stored in the paper feed cassette 3, the control circuit unit 27 uses the plain paper stored in the paper feed cassette 3 as transfer paper, executes double-sided printing, and performs this printing. End the routine.

(Step S7)
In step S7, since the plain paper (A4) has not been stored in any of the paper feed cassettes 3, 4, 5 and the manual feed tray 6, the control circuit unit 27 determines whether the paper feed cassettes 3, 5 or the manual feed tray. 6 is confirmed whether or not the back paper (A4) is stored. For example, when the back paper is stored in the manual feed tray 6, the process proceeds to step S8, and the paper feed cassettes 3 and 5 and If no backing paper is stored in the manual feed tray 6, the process proceeds to step S10.

(Step S8)
In step S8, the control circuit unit 27 checks whether the automatic single-sided printing mode of the print data received by the receiving unit 31 is valid (ON) or invalid (OFF), and the automatic single-sided printing mode is ON. In step S9, the process proceeds to step S10 if the automatic single-sided printing mode is OFF.

(Step S9)
In step S9, the control circuit unit 27 uses the backing paper stored in the manual feed tray 6 as transfer paper, executes single-sided printing, and ends this routine.

(Step S10)
In step S10, the control circuit unit 27 does not store plain paper (A4) or backing paper (A4) in any of the paper feed cassettes 3, 4, 5 and the manual feed tray 6, or Assuming that it is designated not to perform single-sided printing, an error is notified and replenishment of plain paper (and back paper) is requested, and this routine ends.

(When plain paper cassette is specified in single-sided printing mode)
4 is a flowchart of a control routine of the control circuit unit 27 assuming that the user designates the single-sided printing mode and designates the paper feed cassette 3 in which plain paper is stored.

(Step S11)
In step S11, the receiving unit 31 receives print data in which the single-sided printing mode is specified and the paper cassette 3 in which plain paper is stored as transfer paper is specified, and the image data included in the print data is Print data stored in the HDD 28 and related to setting information such as print mode designation excluding image data is temporarily stored in the RAM 29, and the process proceeds to step S12.

(Step S12)
In step S12, the control circuit unit 27 checks whether or not transfer paper (plain paper) is stored in the paper feed cassette designated by the print data received by the receiving unit 31, that is, the paper feed cassette 3. If transfer paper is stored in the paper feed cassette 3, the process proceeds to step S13. If transfer paper is not stored in the paper feed cassette 3, the process proceeds to step S14.

(Step S13)
In step S13, the control circuit unit 27 confirms whether the automatic duplex printing mode of the print data received by the receiving unit 31 is valid (ON) or invalid (OFF), and the automatic duplex printing mode is OFF. The process proceeds to step S15, and if the automatic duplex printing mode is ON, the process proceeds to step S16.

(Step S14)
In step S14, the control circuit unit 27 checks whether or not plain paper is stored in the paper feed cassettes 4 and 5 or the manual feed tray 6 other than the paper feed cassette 3 designated by the print data. For example, when plain paper (A4) is stored in the difference tray 6, the process proceeds to step S13. When plain paper is not stored, the process proceeds to step S17.

(Step S15)
In step S15, since the automatic double-sided printing mode is OFF, the control circuit unit 27 uses the transfer paper (plain paper) stored in the designated paper feed cassette 3 as it is and executes single-sided printing while using the single-sided printing mode. This routine is then terminated.

(Step S16)
In step S16, since the plain paper is stored in the paper feed cassette 3, the control circuit unit 27 uses the plain paper stored in the paper feed cassette 3 as the transfer paper and enables the automatic duplex printing mode. Double-sided printing is executed and this routine is terminated.

(Step S17)
In step S17, since the plain paper (A4) is not stored in any of the paper feed cassettes 4 and 5 and the manual feed tray 6, the control circuit unit 27 stores the plain paper (A4) in the paper feed cassettes 4 and 5 or the manual feed tray 6. It is confirmed whether or not the back paper (A4) is stored. For example, when the back paper is stored in the paper feed cassette 4, the process proceeds to step S18, and the paper feed cassettes 4 and 5 and the manual feed. If no backing paper is stored in the tray 6, the process proceeds to step S20.

(Step S18)
In step S18, the control circuit unit 27 confirms whether the automatic duplex printing mode of the print data received by the receiving unit 31 is valid (ON) or invalid (OFF), and the automatic duplex printing mode is OFF. The process proceeds to step S19, and if the automatic duplex printing mode is ON, the process proceeds to step S20.

(Step S19)
In step S19, the control circuit unit 27 uses the backing paper stored in the paper feed cassette 4 as transfer paper, executes single-sided printing, and ends this routine.

(Step S20)
In step S20, the control circuit unit 27 does not store plain paper (A4) or backing paper (A4) in any of the sheet feeding cassettes 3, 4, 5 and the manual feed tray 6, or Assuming that it is designated not to perform single-sided printing, an error is notified and replenishment of plain paper (and back paper) is requested, and this routine ends.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus (multifunction machine 1) according to the present invention, it is possible to specify the paper feed cassettes 3, 4, 5 or the manual feed tray 6 to specify the duplex printing / single-sided printing mode. Execute printing that does not mistakenly perform printing when the transfer paper type and the printing mode are not consistent, such as double-sided printing using backing paper, and you do not want to use backing paper It is possible to sufficiently contribute to energy saving and ecological measures such as double-sided printing or single-sided printing using a backing paper.

1 is an explanatory diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of a main part of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of control example 1 of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of control example 2 of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Multifunction machine (image forming device)
3. Paper feed cassette (transfer paper storage means)
4 ... paper feed cassette (transfer paper storage means)
5. Paper feed cassette (transfer paper storage means)
6 ... Bypass tray (transfer paper storage means)
9. Operation unit (transfer sheet type designation means / print mode designation means / automatic print mode selection means)
14 Image forming unit (image forming means)
27 ... Control circuit (control means)

Claims (5)

  Image forming means capable of image forming processing on both sides of the transfer paper, a plurality of transfer paper storage means each capable of storing a plurality of types of transfer paper, a designation means for designating the plurality of transfer paper storage means, A printing mode designating unit for designating whether the image forming process by the image forming unit is single-sided printing or double-sided printing; and a plain paper or a single-sided white paper whose type of transfer paper stored in the plurality of transfer paper storage units is double-sided white paper Transfer paper type designation / identification means for specifying or identifying whether the paper is the back side of the paper, and whether automatic single-sided mode is automatically switched to single-sided printing when the printing mode designation means designates double-sided printing mode is selected When the automatic printing mode selection means and the printing mode designating means designates the double-sided printing mode, the designation means designates the transfer paper storage means containing the backing paper. When the automatic printing mode selection means is valid, the double-sided printing mode is disabled and single-sided printing using the backing paper as transfer paper is executed with the highest priority. When the automatic printing mode selection means is invalid, the double-sided printing mode is selected. An image forming apparatus comprising: control means for prioritizing and processing so as to preferentially execute double-sided printing using plain paper as transfer paper.   The control means does not store the back paper in the designated transfer paper storage means, and if the back paper is stored in another transfer paper storage means and the automatic print mode selection means is valid, the back paper The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein single-sided printing is performed using transfer paper as a transfer sheet.   Image forming means capable of image forming processing on both sides of the transfer paper, a plurality of transfer paper storage means each capable of storing a plurality of types of transfer paper, a designation means for designating the plurality of transfer paper storage means, A printing mode designating unit for designating whether the image forming process by the image forming unit is single-sided printing or double-sided printing; and a plain paper or a single-sided white paper whose type of transfer paper stored in the plurality of transfer paper storage units is double-sided white paper Transfer paper type designation / identification means for specifying or identifying the back side of the paper, and whether to enable / disable automatic duplex mode to automatically switch to duplex printing when the print mode designation means designates the single-sided printing mode When the automatic print mode selection means and the print mode designation means designate the single-sided print mode and the designation means designates the transfer paper storage means storing plain paper, the automatic print mode selection means When the mode selection unit is enabled, double-sided printing using plain paper as transfer paper is executed with the highest priority. When the automatic printing mode selection unit is disabled, single-sided printing using plain paper as transfer paper is executed with priority. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that prioritizes and processes the images.   The control unit executes single-sided printing using a back sheet as a transfer sheet when plain paper is not stored in the transfer sheet storage unit and the automatic print mode selection unit is invalid. Item 4. The image forming apparatus according to Item 3.   The control means checks whether or not the transfer paper is stored in the transfer paper storage means designated by the designation means, and when the transfer paper is stored in the transfer paper storage means, the automatic duplex mode or The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein validity / invalidity of the automatic single-side mode is confirmed.

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