JP2009256074A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve such a problem that labors are required for making setting for grouping paper feeding trays, although there is a method for doing a continuous printing by grouping a plurality of paper feeding trays and switching to paper-feeding from another cassette grouped when sheets in one paper feeding tray are consumed and the tray becomes empty in an image forming device having a plurality of paper feeding trays. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming device is provided with an automatic group setting part for automatically grouping paper feeding trays based on attributes such as a paper size and a paper kind, so as to solve the problem. Also, in this image forming device, a group button for a group setting action is installed, and the group can be set simply by a method for pushing the group button to display an automatic grouping candidate and making decision by a user's confirmation, or editing the candidate by the user to set the group. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  When an image forming apparatus having a plurality of sheet storage units (such as a sheet cassette or a manual sheet feed tray) is grouped and used as a single sheet storage unit, grouping is automatically set. It is about what to do with.

  In an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper feed storage units (such as a paper feed cassette or a manual paper feed tray), there is a method in which the plurality of paper feed storage units are grouped according to paper size, paper type, and the like. It was.

  For example, there is a method in which a plurality of paper feed trays are handled as a group, and the statuses of the individual paper feed trays (paper feed accommodation units) are represented as the statuses of the grouped paper feed trays (see Patent Document 1).

By grouping, when the paper in one paper feed storage unit (paper feed tray) is consumed, printing can be continuously performed by switching to paper feed from another paper feed storage unit in the same group. Although it is possible, when grouping, it is necessary to set which sheet storage unit among the plurality of sheet storage units to be a group, which is troublesome.
JP 2006-76868 A

  A problem to be solved is that, when grouping in an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper feed storage units, a group cannot be automatically generated based on the attributes of the paper.

  An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the invention includes a group setting holding unit configured to group and set the sheet feeding unit, and a sheet stored in the sheet feeding unit in an image forming apparatus having a plurality of sheet feeding units. An automatic group setting unit that automatically performs the grouping based on attributes is the main feature.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention is the image forming apparatus, further comprising a sheet attribute detecting unit that detects the attribute of the sheet, and the automatic group setting unit is configured to detect a sheet detected by the sheet attribute detecting unit. The main feature is that the grouping is automatically performed based on attributes.

  Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is the image forming apparatus, wherein the group setting holding unit can accept user input and set the attributes of the paper, and the automatic group setting unit can set the group setting The main feature is that the grouping is automatically performed based on the attribute of the sheet held by the holding unit.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention is the image forming apparatus having a group setting key for starting the automatic grouping.

  An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the invention includes a group setting holding unit configured to group and set the sheet feeding unit, and a sheet stored in the sheet feeding unit in an image forming apparatus having a plurality of sheet feeding units. The most important feature is that it has an automatic group setting unit that automatically performs the grouping based on attributes, so that it is possible to easily use the group function without the need for group setting. It was.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention is the image forming apparatus, further comprising a sheet attribute detecting unit that detects the attribute of the sheet, and the automatic group setting unit is configured to detect a sheet detected by the sheet attribute detecting unit. Since the main feature is that the grouping is automatically performed based on the attribute, the group setting can be automatically performed without the user setting the sheet attribute.

  Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is the image forming apparatus, wherein the group setting holding unit can accept user input and set the attributes of the paper, and the automatic group setting unit can set the group setting Since the main feature is that the grouping is automatically performed based on the paper attributes held by the holding unit, even if the paper attributes cannot be detected by a sensor or the like, Setting is possible, and automatic group setting is possible based on the attribute of the input sheet.

  Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is the image forming apparatus and mainly has a group setting key for starting the automatic grouping. Therefore, by pressing a dedicated key called the group setting key. Since grouping is automatically started, even a user unfamiliar with the image forming apparatus can use the group function.

  In an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper feed storage units, an automatic group setting unit is provided to automatically group the plurality of paper feed storage units based on the attributes of the paper by providing an automatic group setting unit. The problem was solved by the method.

[Device configuration]
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view mainly showing a mechanical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The paper feed storage section in the description refers to both a flat paper feed tray such as a manual feed tray 220 described later and a box-type paper feed tray such as paper feed cassettes 201a, b, c, and d. Indicates.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes a main body unit 200, a sheet post-processing unit 300 disposed on the left side of the main body unit 200 in FIG. 1, an operation unit 400 for a user to input various operation commands, and the like. The document reading unit 500 is disposed above the document reading unit 500, and the document feeding unit 600 is disposed above the document reading unit 500.

  The operation unit 400 includes a touch panel 401 (display unit), a start key 402, a numeric keypad 403, and the like. The touch panel 401 (display unit) displays various operation screens and various operation buttons for the user to input various operation commands. The start key 402 is used for the user to input a print execution command and the like, and the ten key 403 is used for inputting the number of prints and the like.

  The document feeding unit 600 includes a document storage unit 601, a document discharge unit 602, a paper feed roller 603, a document transport unit 604, and the like, and the document reading unit 500 includes a scanner 501 and the like. The paper feed roller 603 feeds the original set in the original storage unit 601, and the original transport unit 604 transports the fed original one by one on the scanner 501 one by one. The scanner 501 sequentially reads the conveyed document, and the read document is discharged to the document discharge unit 602.

  The main body 200 includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes 201a, b, c, and d (paper feed accommodation unit), a manual paper feed tray 220 (paper feed accommodation unit), and a plurality of paper feed rollers 202a, b, c, d, and 221. (Paper feeding drive unit), transfer roller 203 (printing unit), photosensitive drum 204 (printing unit), exposure device 206 (printing unit), developing device 207 (printing unit), fixing roller 208 (printing unit), discharge port 209, a discharge tray 210, and the like.

  The sheet feeding cassettes 201a, b, c, d and the manual sheet feeding tray 220 constitute a sheet feeding container.

  A printing unit 240 is formed by the transfer roller 203, the photosensitive drum 204, the exposure device 206, the developing device 207), and the fixing roller 208.

  The plurality of paper feed rollers 202a, b, c, d, 221 and the paper feed path from the paper feed storage unit to the printing unit 240 and its drive system constitute a paper feed drive unit 230.

  The photosensitive drum 204 is uniformly charged by a charging device (not shown) while rotating in the direction of the arrow. The exposure device 206 converts a modulation signal generated based on the image data of the document read by the document reading unit 500 into a laser beam and outputs the laser beam, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 204. The developing device 207 supplies a black developer to the photosensitive drum 204 to form a toner image.

  On the other hand, in the paper feed cassettes 201a, b, c, and d of the paper feed storage unit 201, the paper feed rollers 202a, b, c, and d are the outermost of the paper feed cassettes 201a, b, c, and d in which printing paper is stored. The printing paper is pulled out to the paper feed path of the paper feed drive unit 230 by rotating in contact with the paper on the upper surface. Further, in the manual paper feed tray 220, the paper feed roller 221 rotates in contact with the uppermost paper of the manual paper feed tray 220 to draw the print paper to the paper feed path of the paper feed drive unit 230 and transfer it. Feed to the roller 203. The transfer roller 203 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 204 to the conveyed printing paper, and the fixing roller 208 heats and fixes the transferred toner image on the printing paper. Thereafter, the printing paper is carried into the paper post-processing unit 300 from the discharge port 209 of the main body 200. The printing paper is also discharged to the discharge tray 210 as necessary.

  In the paper feed cassettes 201a, b, c, d, remaining amount sensors 205a, b, c, d for detecting the remaining amount of paper are attached to the respective paper feed cassettes. The remaining amount sensors 205a, b, c, d are J-shaped as shown in the figure, and detect the remaining amount of paper by rotating around the upper shaft as the remaining amount of paper decreases. When the paper runs out, the portion of the remaining amount sensor that contacts the paper falls into a hole (not shown) formed in the bottom surface of the paper feed cassette (paper feed tray), so that it can be detected that the paper has run out.

  In the manual paper feed tray 220 (paper feed accommodating portion), the paper feed roller 221 serves as a remaining amount sensor.

  When the paper cassettes 201a, b, c, and d of the image forming apparatus 1 are taken out from the image forming apparatus main body 200 for paper replenishment, they are slid out in the right direction in FIG. 1 (arrow P in FIG. 1). Therefore, the paper feed path of the paper feed driving unit 230 connected to the transfer roller 203 and the photosensitive drum 204 from the paper feed rollers 202a, b, c, and d is not blocked. Therefore, even during the printing operation, it is possible to replace the paper feeding cassette that is not related to the paper feeding to the printing unit 240, and in this case, the printing operation is not stopped.

  Similarly, the manual paper feed tray 220 can be replenished without interrupting the printing operation.

  The paper post-processing unit 300 includes a carry-in port 301, a print paper carrying unit 302, a carry-out port 303, a stack tray 304, and the like. The printing paper conveyance unit 302 sequentially conveys the printing paper carried into the carry-in port 301 from the discharge port 209 and finally discharges the printing paper from the carry-out port 303 to the stack tray 304. The stack tray 304 is configured to be movable up and down in the direction of the arrow in accordance with the number of print sheets stacked from the carry-out port 303.

[Function block]
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In this functional block diagram, only the part related to the essence of the present invention is illustrated in a block diagram. A block diagram of the printing unit 240 and the post-processing device 300 described in the configuration diagram of FIG.

  FIG. 2 shows the paper feed storage unit (paper feed cassettes 201a, b, c, and d and the manual paper feed tray 220), the paper feed drive unit 230, the operation unit 400, and the operation already described with reference to the side sectional view of FIG. In addition to the touch panel 401 (display unit) in the unit 400, a software function unit 700 and a communication interface unit 751 which are functional block units not illustrated in FIG.

  The software function unit 700 includes a remaining paper amount detection unit 701, a paper size type detection unit 703 (paper attribute detection unit), an internal Web server 707, a paper feed switching control unit 709, a paper out notification unit 711, and a group setting holding unit 713. And an automatic group setting unit 715.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is connected to a network 801 through the communication interface unit 751 and is connected to a PC 1 (Personal Computer) 901 and a PC 2 (Personal Computer) 903 that are also connected to the network.

  Each functional unit will be described below. In the description of this functional block, descriptions of image processing units and the like that are not related to the essence of the present invention are omitted.

  The communication interface unit 751 is an interface unit that connects the image forming apparatus 1 to a network. The communication interface unit 751 is connected to an external device such as a PC (Personal Computer).

  The software function unit 700 is a function unit that causes the computer of the image forming apparatus 1 to implement various functions using software.

  The remaining paper amount detection unit 701 receives signals from remaining amount sensors 205a, b, c, and d that detect the remaining amount of paper in each of the paper feed cassettes 201a, b, c, and d included in the paper feed storage unit 201. Then, it is detected how much paper is left in each of the paper feed cassettes 201a, b, c, and d and that the paper has run out.

  A paper size type detection unit 703 (paper attribute detection unit) is a signal of a paper size measured by a frame portion that determines the paper size of each of the paper feed cassettes 201a, b, c, and d of the paper feed storage unit 201, and a paper feed. The paper size and paper type supplied to each paper feed cassette are detected by signals from sensors installed in the path.

  For attributes of paper types that cannot be detected by these sensors, such as thick paper, colored paper, or single-sided used paper, the group setting holding unit 713 (described later) records and holds the attributes after receiving user input. To do.

  The internal Web server 707 is provided so that the state of the image forming apparatus 1 can be accessed from the browser 913 of the PC 2; 903 which is an external apparatus. By accessing the page of the internal Web server 707, the setting state of the image forming apparatus 1 can be confirmed and the setting can be changed. As described above, the grouping setting of the sheet storage unit can also be confirmed and changed by accessing the internal Web server 707.

  The paper feed switching control unit 709 automatically does not stop the printing operation when the paper runs out of one of the paper feed storage units (paper feed cassette and manual feed tray) grouped during printing. This is a functional unit that controls the paper feed drive unit 230 to feed paper from another grouped paper feed storage unit.

  The out-of-paper notification unit 711 is a functional unit that notifies that the paper is out when printing has been performed and the paper has been consumed and any of the grouped paper storage units has run out.

The group setting holding unit 713 is a functional unit for performing setting (grouping function) by dividing a plurality of paper feeding cassettes into groups. Generally, grouping is performed for each sheet having the same size and type. (However, it is possible to set different items in a group. This is because the default group setting may be made by the maintenance staff when paper is not replenished at the time of setting.)
In the image forming apparatus 1, a plurality of paper feed storage units (a plurality of paper feed cassettes 201 a, b, c, and d and a manual paper feed tray 220) are grouped, and the grouped one is a large capacity. It can be handled as a paper feed storage unit (hereinafter referred to as a grouping function). With this grouping function, a large amount of printing exceeding the maximum sheet capacity of one sheet feeding cassette can be continuously performed. In other words, even when one grouped paper cassette is used up and emptied, it automatically switches to paper feeding from a different grouped paper cassette. It is possible to perform continuous printing until all the grouped sheet storage units run out of paper without causing the “engine pause” state, which is the greatest advantage of this grouping function.

  The group setting holding unit 713 sets the grouping of the paper feed storage unit (for example, the paper feed cassettes a and c in which A4 plain paper is put in one group, the paper feed cassettes b and d, and the manual paper feed. A tray is set as A3 paper in one group, and the setting state is recorded and held.

  This setting may be performed by input from the operation unit 400, may be performed by the printer monitoring utility 911 of the PC 1; 901 that is the external device through the communication interface unit 751, or may be performed by the PC 2; 903 that is the external device. The setting may be performed using the setting function of the internal Web server 707 by accessing the internal Web server 707 of the image forming apparatus 1 using the browser 913.

  The automatic group setting unit 715 has the same paper attribute based on the paper attribute detected by the paper size type detection unit (paper attribute detection unit) 703 and the paper attribute set by the input from the user. Group paper trays together. The group setting holding unit 713 holds the set grouping information.

  When grouping, it is possible to select whether to group based on the paper size, to group based on the paper type, or to set based on both (referred to as mode setting). ing.

[flowchart]
The automatic grouping setting operation in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  S11: The remaining paper amount detection unit 701 detects the amount of paper that has been replenished from the sensors provided in the respective paper feed storage units (the paper feed cassettes 201a, b, c, and d and the manual paper feed tray 220) of the image forming apparatus. It receives a signal of the size and paper type if possible, and records those paper attributes in the group setting holding unit 713.

  S13: The group setting holding unit 713 accepts the user input, records and holds the paper attributes and the like that could not be detected in the above step.

  In addition, the group setting holding unit 713 determines whether or not to perform the group setting. If so, the group setting holding unit 713 determines whether the setting is performed manually or automatically. The user's input as to whether to group based on (referred to as mode setting in FIG. The acceptance of the automatic group setting and the mode setting will be described later in detail with reference to the setting screen diagram of FIG.

  S15: When performing group setting based on the setting in S13, the operation proceeds to S17. When the group setting is not performed, the setting operation is finished.

  S17: Based on the setting in S13, it is determined whether to perform automatic group setting or manual group setting. When performing manual group setting, the operation proceeds to S19. When performing group setting passively, the operation proceeds to S21.

  S19: The group setting holding unit 713 receives, records, and holds a group setting by a user input.

  S21: Based on the setting in S13, the automatic group setting unit 715 determines the mode setting (which condition is used for grouping) when performing automatic group setting. When grouping based on the paper size, the operation proceeds to S23. When grouping based on the type of paper, the operation proceeds to S27. When grouping paper feed trays based on both the paper size and paper type conditions, the operation proceeds to S25.

  S23: The automatic group setting unit 715 performs setting for grouping paper feed trays having the same paper size.

  S25: The automatic group setting unit 715 performs setting for grouping paper feed trays having the same paper size and paper type.

  S27: The automatic group setting unit 715 performs setting for grouping paper feed trays having the same paper type.

  The series of operations related to group setting is completed by the above series of operations.

  After that, when a print job is executed, printing from the paper feed tray in the specified group is performed, and even if all the paper in that paper feed tray is consumed, another paper feed tray in the same group By switching to the paper feed from, continuous paper feed is possible.

[Actual operation of group setting; its user interface]
With reference to FIG. 4, the actual operation when performing group setting will be described with respect to the user interface.

  FIG. 4A is a diagram of the operation unit 400 of the image forming apparatus 1. The operation unit 400 includes a touch panel 401 that is a display unit, a group setting key 411 that is an operation key, an enter key 413, and an up / down key 415.

  When the group setting key 411 is pressed, the group setting operation is started, and a group setting screen 401s shown in FIG.

  The group setting screen 401 s shows a paper feed tray attribute table 421 that shows paper feed tray attributes and the remaining amount of paper. For example, information about the cassette is displayed in the attribute and status display line 423 for the sheet cassette 1; 201 a. If group settings have already been made at this point, the group settings are displayed in the group display field 425. Further, when the mode for group setting (which attribute of the paper is used for grouping) is set, for example, as shown in the figure, the paper size attribute key 431 is selected, and the group setting corresponding to it is selected. In the group display field 425, the cassettes 1 and 4 accommodating the paper size A4 and the manual paper feed tray are set as group A, and the cassettes 2 and 3 accommodating the paper size A3 are group B. It is shown that it is set.

  In addition to the size attribute key 431 described above, the mode setting key for group setting is related to the type attribute key 435 for grouping according to the paper type, and those for which both the paper size and paper type attributes match. Both attribute keys 433 for grouping are provided. By pressing the up / down key 415 in FIG. 4A, the selection between these mode setting keys is moved, and by pressing the enter key 413, the automatic group setting unit 715 performs grouping according to the newly set mode. Done.

  If the paper type item of each paper feed tray is touched while the paper feed tray attribute table 421 is displayed, the touch panel 401 can detect the contact and change the setting of the paper type (paper type) item. And Since the type of paper is generally difficult to detect by a sensor or the like, the setting is performed by user input.

  After changing the paper type, the group setting key 411 is pressed to set the grouping based on the newly set paper type.

[Effect of Example]
The image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention enables the following.

  The paper attributes (paper size and type) are acquired by the paper size type detection unit, and for paper types that cannot be detected, the paper attributes are set by user input, and these are acquired and set. Based on the attribute, the automatic group setting unit can automatically group the sheet storage units. This greatly simplifies the grouping setting. In addition, there is no longer a problem that occurs when everything is performed manually, such that paper feed trays containing different paper sizes are mistakenly grouped to print on unintended paper.

[Others]
The image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described by taking as an example a relatively high-functional image forming apparatus including functional units such as the document feeding unit 600, the document reading unit 500, and the post-processing device 300. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and can be applied to, for example, an image forming apparatus that does not include the above-described functional unit. The apparatus configuration of the image forming apparatus is within the scope of the gist or technical idea of the present invention. It can be changed as appropriate. In addition, the image forming apparatus that has made these changes is also within the scope of the technical scope of the present invention.

  In this embodiment, the method of grouping the paper feed trays based on the two items of paper size and paper type has been described. However, other conditions, such as the paper feed direction (eg, A4 and A4-R). ) May be set as a grouping setting condition.

  The determination key 413 illustrated in FIG. 4A may be configured to serve as the start key 402 described in the item of the device configuration.

  The group setting key 411 may be a hardware key as shown in FIG. 4A, or may be a software key displayed on the touch panel 401 and selectable by touching the screen. good.

  When setting a group, as described in the description of FIG. 4B, a method of moving an item to be selected using the up / down key 415 may be used, or a touching item on the touch panel 401 may be touched. The method of selecting may be used.

1 is a side sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart for group setting of the image forming apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure of the use key of the operation part in the case of the group setting of this invention Example, and a group setting screen.

Explanation of symbols

1 Image forming apparatus 201a, b, c, d Paper feed cassette (paper feed accommodating portion)
202a, b, c, d Paper feed roller (paper feed drive unit)
203 Transfer roller (printing section)
204 Printing drum (printing section)
205a, b, c, d Remaining amount sensor 206 Exposure device (printing unit)
207 Development device (printing unit)
208 Transfer roller (printing section)
220 Manual paper feed tray (paper feed compartment)
221 Paper feed roller (paper feed drive)
230 Paper Feed Drive Unit 240 Printing Unit 400 Operation Unit 401 Touch Panel (Display Unit)
401s Group Setting Screen Displayed on Touch Panel 411 Group Setting Key 413 Enter Key 415 Up / Down Key 421 Paper Tray Attributes Table 423 Individual Paper Tray Attributes Table 425 Group Name Set for Individual Paper Tray 431 Group Mode Based on Paper Size Setting key 433 Group mode setting key based on both paper size and paper type 435 Group mode setting key based on paper type 701 Remaining paper amount detection unit 703 Paper size detection unit (paper attribute detection unit)
707 Internal web server (internal web server)
709 Paper feed switching control unit 711 Out of paper notification unit 713 Group setting holding unit 715 Automatic group setting unit 901 PC1 (Personal Computer) (external device)
903 PC2 (Personal Computer) (external device)
911 Printer Monitoring Utility P Paper cassette drawer direction

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus capable of feeding paper from a plurality of paper feed storage units to a printing unit by a paper feed driving unit,
A group setting holding unit for grouping and setting the sheet storage unit;
A remaining paper amount detection unit for detecting a paper out of a paper storage unit in the group;
When the sheet remaining amount detection unit detects that any of the sheet storage units is out of paper, the sheet feed switching unit controls the sheet feed drive unit to switch to feeding from another sheet storage unit in the same group. A control unit;
An image forming apparatus, comprising: an automatic group setting unit that automatically performs the grouping based on an attribute of a sheet stored in the sheet storage unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
A paper attribute detection unit for detecting the attribute of the paper;
The image forming apparatus, wherein the automatic group setting unit automatically performs the grouping based on a paper attribute detected by the paper attribute detection unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The group setting holding unit can receive user input and set the attribute of the paper.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the automatic group setting unit automatically performs the grouping based on the attribute of the sheet held by the group setting holding unit. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a group setting key for starting the automatic grouping. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The image forming apparatus, wherein the attribute of the sheet is at least one of a sheet size, a sheet type, and a sheet feeding direction.

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