JP2009292033A - Image formation device and image forming control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the possibility that an image formation is performed in a false printing medium by detecting the size of the printing medium by the remaining detector even if there is a malfunctioning one among two or more detectors for detecting the size of the printing medium within a magazine for containing the printing medium. <P>SOLUTION: Size sensors S1 to S6 for detecting the sizes of a recording paper P in the longitudinal and lateral directions are installed in the magazine 101 for containing the recording paper P in a paper tray. With the same size sensor, the size sensor is determined to be malfunctioning from the inequality between the size of the recording paper P of the paper tray 101 designated by the setting of user and the size of the recording paper P detected by the size sensor, and then it is registered which is the malfunctioning size sensor. When there is the registration of such a malfunction, the size of the recording paper P is detected by the remaining size sensor to determine the inequality between the size of the recording paper P of the paper tray 101 designated by the setting of user and the size of the recording paper P detected by the size sensor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image formation control program.

  In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, even if an error occurs between the paper size specified by the user and the actual paper size detected by the sensor in the image forming apparatus, the error is set to be ignored. For example, a technique for reducing downtime by directly printing is disclosed.

In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 2, even if an error occurs in the image forming apparatus in which the paper size specified by the user is different from the actual paper size detected by the sensor, the error is set to be ignored. For example, a technique is disclosed in which the possibility of paper jam is determined from the size (paper length) in the paper transport direction, and printing is performed only when it is determined that no jam occurs.
JP 2003-95482 A JP 2006-139109 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-312109 JP 2002-51177 A

  In an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine, a plurality of sensors (size sensors) are provided in a paper tray for storing printing paper, and the size of the paper stored in the paper is detected. . The user sets the size of the sheet to be printed by operating the operation panel.

  In this case, if there is a malfunction among a plurality of size sensors, the size of the paper determined from the combination of the size sensors that detected the paper and the paper size set by the operation of the operation panel by the user are displayed. An inconsistent size error occurs, and the user is notified that the paper size cannot be detected normally. When such a size error occurs, a message prompting the user to change the paper or change the set paper size is notified. Even if it is repeated, the size error is repeated and the sheet cannot be conveyed.

  For example, even if A3 paper is stored in the paper tray, if the size sensor of the paper tray fails, the image forming apparatus determines that the A3 paper is not stored, and the user prints with A3 paper. Even if an instruction is given by operating the operation panel, the image forming apparatus continues to display a message to put A3 paper into the paper tray.

  In such a case, it is possible to travel along the road and time is lost. As a countermeasure, it is conceivable to perform image formation by ignoring the size error even if a size error is detected.

  However, in this case, an image is formed on a sheet having a size that is not desired by the user, or a sheet different from the size specified by the user may be conveyed to the printer engine, which may cause a paper jam. .

  As another countermeasure, the size (paper length) in the paper transport direction is detected by a sensor in the paper transport path, and image formation is performed only when it is determined that paper jam does not occur. Conceivable.

  However, in this case, since the sheet width is not detected, there is a possibility that an image is formed on a sheet having the wrong sheet width.

  An object of the present invention is to detect the size of a print medium with the remaining detectors even if there is a malfunction among a plurality of detectors that detect the size of the print medium in a storage unit that stores the print medium. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the possibility of image formation on an incorrect print medium without stopping the image forming apparatus.

  The invention according to claim 1 is provided at each of a plurality of locations in the storage unit, an image forming unit that forms an image on a print medium, a storage unit that stores the print medium supplied to the image forming unit, and the storage unit. A plurality of detectors for detecting the print medium stored in the storage unit, a size determination means for determining the size of the print medium based on detection results by the plurality of detectors, and the image formation A size designation accepting unit that accepts designation of a size of the print medium; a size designation accepted by the size designation accepting unit; and a size of the print medium in the storage unit determined by the size judging unit. It is determined that one of the plurality of detectors is out of order based on a match determination unit that determines whether or not they match, and based on the fact that the match determination unit determines that there is a mismatch. Failure determination means, and failure registration means for registering the detector as having failed when there is a detector determined to have failed by the failure determination means, the size determination means, An image forming apparatus that determines the size of the print medium based on a detection result by the detector other than the detector when there is the detector registered as a failure by the failure registration unit. is there.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the detection by the detector other than the detector registered as a failure by the failure registration unit by the size determination unit. The size of the printing medium is determined based on the result, the size designation received by the size designation receiving unit by the coincidence determination unit, and the printing medium in the storage unit determined by the size determination unit When it is determined that the size matches, there is further provided notification means for notifying that there is a possibility that the size does not match.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the number of times that the failure determination unit determines that the same detector is determined to be inconsistent by the consistency determination unit. When the predetermined number of N times is reached, it is determined that the detector is malfunctioning.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the failure determination means has a predetermined number of times that the same determination is determined by the consistency determination means for the same detector. When the predetermined number of times M (M <N) is reached during the period T, it is determined that the detector has failed.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the failure determination unit changes the designation of the size of the print medium on which the image formation is performed by the size designation receiving unit. If the number of times that the coincidence determining means has determined that the same detector does not match has reached a predetermined number of times L (L <M), the detection is performed. It is determined that the device has failed.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the notifying unit gives the request when the print medium stored in the storage unit is requested to perform image formation. When the notification is made, the image forming device further includes an image forming execution means for executing the image forming.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, when the notification is performed by the notification unit, the designation of the size of the print medium on which the image is formed is received again. Means are further provided.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, when the notification is performed by the notification unit, the print medium stored in the storage unit by the imager A setting unit configured to set whether to perform image formation or accept a designation of the size of the print medium on which the image formation is performed; and the execution of the image formation in the setting unit when the notification is performed by the notification unit Is set, the image forming execution means for executing the image formation by the image generator when there is a request to execute image formation on the print medium stored in the storage portion, and the notification If the re-acceptance of the designation is set in the setting means when the notification is performed by the means, the re-acceptance of the designation of the size of the print medium on which the image is formed is performed. Further comprising a constant reception means.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the print medium provided in each of a plurality of locations in the storage unit for storing the print medium to be supplied to the image forming device that forms an image on the print medium is stored in the storage unit. A size determination unit that determines the size of the print medium based on detection results from a plurality of detectors to be detected; a size designation reception unit that receives designation of the size of the print medium on which the image is formed; and the size A consistency determination unit that determines whether the size designation received by the size designation reception unit matches the size of the print medium in the storage unit determined by the size determination unit; and the consistency determination unit Failure determination means for determining that any one of the plurality of detectors has failed based on the determination by the failure determination means that the failure determination means has failed. When there is a detected detector, a failure registration means for registering the detector as failed is executed by a computer, and the magnitude determination means is registered as failed by the failure registration means. When there is the detector, a computer-readable image forming control program for determining the size of the print medium based on a detection result by the detector other than the detector.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image formation control program according to the ninth aspect, the detector other than the detector registered as having failed by the failure registering unit by the size determining unit. The size of the print medium is determined based on a detection result, the size designation received by the size designation receiving unit by the coincidence determination unit, and the printing in the storage unit determined by the size determination unit When it is determined that the size of the medium matches, the computer further executes notification means for notifying that there is a possibility that the size does not match.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image formation control program according to the ninth or tenth aspect, the number of times that the failure determination unit determines that the same detector is inconsistent by the coincidence determination unit. When N reaches a predetermined number of N times, it is determined that the detector is malfunctioning.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image formation control program according to the eleventh aspect, the failure determination means has a predetermined number of times that the same determination is determined by the consistency determination means for the same detector. When the predetermined number of times M (M <N) is reached during the period T, it is determined that the detector has failed.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image formation control program according to the twelfth aspect of the invention, the failure determination unit may change the designation of the size of the print medium on which the image formation is performed by the size designation receiving unit. Without being done, when the number of times that the coincidence determining means has determined that there is a mismatch for the same detector has reached a predetermined number of times L (L <M), It is determined that the detector has failed.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming control program according to the tenth aspect, when the print medium stored in the storage portion is requested to execute image formation, the notification means When the notification is performed, the computer is further caused to execute image formation execution means for executing the image formation by the imager.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image formation control program according to the tenth aspect, when the notification is performed by the notification unit, the designation of the size of the print medium on which the image formation is performed is received again. The receiving means is further executed by the computer.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image formation control program according to the tenth aspect, when the notification is performed by the notification unit, the image forming device stores the print medium stored in the storage unit. Setting means for setting whether to execute image formation or accept the designation of the size of the print medium on which the image formation is performed again, and when the notification is performed by the notification means, the setting means performs the image formation. When execution is set, an image formation execution unit that executes image formation on the image generator when there is a request for execution of image formation on the print medium stored in the storage unit; If the designation is set again in the setting means when the notification is given by the notifying means, the designation of the size of the print medium on which the image is to be formed is repeated. And re-designation accepting means for accepting, a further run on the computer.

  According to the first and ninth aspects of the invention, even if there is a malfunctioning detector, the size of the print medium is detected by detection of a detector other than the detector, so there is a possibility of erroneous detection. However, the length and width of the print medium can be detected, and the possibility of image formation on an incorrect print medium can be reduced.

  According to invention of Claim 2, 10, it can alert | report to a user that there exists a possibility of a misdetection and can call attention.

  According to the third and eleventh aspects of the present invention, when the number of times that the same detector is determined to be inconsistent by the coincidence determining means reaches a large number (N times), the user may perform an erroneous operation or the like. It is possible to accurately detect the failure of the detector by determining that there is a failure of the detector.

  According to the fourth and twelfth aspects of the present invention, when the number of times the same detector is determined to be inconsistent by the consistency determining means reaches a predetermined number (M times) in a short period (period T). Can detect the failure of the detector at an early stage by determining that the failure is not the user's erroneous operation but the detector.

  According to the fifth and thirteenth aspects of the present invention, the coincidence determining means does not match the same detector without changing the designation of the size of the print medium on which image formation is performed by the size designation receiving means. When the number of times determined to have reached the predetermined number of times (L times) continuously, it is determined that the detector is out of order, so that the size of the print medium on which image formation is performed by the size designation receiving unit is determined. It is possible to prevent a detector failure at an early stage by preventing a waste of time for repeating the change of the size specification and the mismatch determination by the matching determination unit for the same detector.

  According to the invention described in claims 6 and 14, it is determined that there is a possibility of erroneous detection by using a detector other than that determined to be faulty and determining that the match is determined by the match determination means. Since the image formation is immediately executed when the notification is made to the user, it is possible to prevent the user from performing troublesome operations for executing the image formation one by one.

  According to the invention described in claims 7 and 15, it is determined that there is a possibility of erroneous detection by using a detector other than that determined to be faulty and determining by the consistency determination means that there is a match. The size of the print medium may be different from what the user intended, and the size of the print medium can be reviewed by accepting the designation of the size of the print medium on which the image is formed again. Can be given to the user.

  According to the invention described in claims 8 and 16, it is possible to prevent the user from performing complicated operations for executing image formation one by one, or to give the user an opportunity to review the size of the print medium. It is possible to make it possible for the user to make it possible to set it or not.

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

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming system according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming apparatus main body 2 that performs image formation by an electrophotographic method, and a plurality of (three in this example) paper feed devices 3, 4, and 5 connected to the image forming apparatus main body 2 in series. And a post-processing device 6 connected to the image forming apparatus main body 2. The sheet feeding devices 3, 4, 5 are high capacity feeders and can supply a large amount of sheets to the image forming apparatus main body 2 capable of high-speed and large-scale printing. This is an optional device of the image forming apparatus main body 2 that is retrofitted to the main body 2. The post-processing device 6 is a high-capacity paper discharge device (High Capacity Stacker), and can receive a large amount of paper to the image forming device main body 2 capable of high-speed and large-volume printing. 2 is an optional device of the image forming apparatus main body 2 to be retrofitted with respect to 2. In this example, three paper feeding devices are connected in series, but any number of paper feeding devices may be connected.

  The image forming apparatus main body 2 includes an electrophotographic process unit 11 serving as an image forming device that performs image formation by an electrophotographic method, and a fixing unit that fixes a sheet serving as a print medium on which a toner image is formed by the electrophotographic process unit 11. A transport path 13 for sequentially transporting the sheet to the electrophotographic process unit 11 and the fixing unit 12, and discharging the fixed sheet to the outside of the apparatus, and an operation panel 18 on which a user performs various operations. Yes. A plurality of sheet trays 14 for stacking and storing sheets are provided in the lower part of the image forming apparatus main body 2, and each sheet tray 14 is connected to the transport path 13.

  A registration roller 15 is provided at a position in the vicinity of the electrophotographic process unit 11 on the transport path 13, and the registration roller 15 sends the sheet to the electrophotographic process unit 11 in accordance with the timing of image formation in the electrophotographic process unit 11. . Further, a registration sensor 16 configured by an optical sensor or the like for detecting paper is provided on the upstream side of the registration roller 15. In the conveyance path 13 and other conveyance paths in the image forming apparatus main body 2, the sheet is conveyed by the conveyance roller 17.

  In the post-processing device 6, the transport path 21 for transporting the paper is connected to the transport path 13, performs predetermined post-processing on the paper after image formation, and discharges the paper to the paper discharge tray 22.

  The paper feeding devices 3, 4, and 5 are connected in cascade from the position close to the image forming apparatus main body 2 in the order of the paper feeding device 3, the paper feeding device 4, and the paper feeding device 5.

  The sheet feeding device 3 includes a conveyance path 31 that conveys sheets, and a plurality of sheet trays 32 that store and stack sheets. In addition to supplying the paper in the paper tray 32 to the image forming apparatus main body 2, the conveyance path 31 conveys the paper from the paper feeding apparatuses 4 and 5 to the image forming apparatus main body 2. The conveyance path 31 conveys paper by the conveyance roller 33.

  The sheet feeding device 4 includes a conveyance path 41 that conveys sheets and a plurality of sheet trays 42 that store and stack sheets. In addition to supplying the paper in the paper tray 42 to the image forming apparatus main body 2, the conveyance path 41 conveys the paper from the paper feeding apparatus 5 to the image forming apparatus main body 2. The conveyance path 41 conveys paper by the conveyance roller 43.

  The sheet feeding device 5 includes a conveyance path 51 that conveys sheets, a plurality of sheet trays 52 that stack and store sheets, and a manual feed tray 53. The conveyance path 51 conveys the manual feed tray 53 to the image forming apparatus main body 2 and also conveys the paper in the paper tray 52 to the image forming apparatus main body 2. A path sensor 54 that detects the conveyance of the sheet is provided in the conveyance path 51. Although not shown, such a path sensor is also provided in each part of each conveyance path of the image forming apparatus main body 2, the sheet feeding apparatuses 3, 4, 5 and the post-processing apparatus 6.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of electrical connection of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus main body 2 stores a CPU 61 that centrally controls each unit, a ROM 63 that stores an image formation control program 62 executed by the CPU 61 and various fixed data, a RAM 64 that is a work area of the CPU 61, and image data. The system control unit 65 is connected to a hard disk (HDD) 66 to be connected. The system controller 65 includes an operation panel 18, various sensors 67 (various sensors used in the image forming apparatus main body 2 are collectively displayed as various sensors 67 for convenience), and various actuators 68 (image forming apparatus main body). 2 are collectively displayed as various actuators 68 for convenience), a communication interface (I / F) 70 that communicates with the network 69, and a communication I / F 71 that communicates with the paper feeding device 3. Is connected. A host computer 72 is connected to the network 69, and the host computer 72 can make a print job execution request to the image forming apparatus main body 2.

  The image formation control program 62 may be stored in the ROM 63 from the beginning, but is later transmitted to the image forming apparatus main body 2 in the form of a carrier wave via the communication interface 70 or the like, and constitutes a part of the ROM 63. You may make it set up in the non-volatile memory and HDD66.

  Each of the sheet feeding devices 3, 4, and 5 is a system in which a CPU 81 that centrally controls each unit, a ROM 83 that stores a control program executed by the CPU 81 and various fixed data, and a RAM 84 that is a work area of the CPU 81 are connected. A control unit 85 is provided. The system control unit 85 includes various sensors 87 (various sensors used in the paper feeders 3, 4, and 5 are collectively displayed as various sensors 87 for convenience) and various actuators 88 (used in the image forming apparatus main body 2). These various actuators are collectively referred to as various actuators 88 for convenience) and a communication I / F 89 that communicates with the adjacent image forming apparatus main body 2 and the sheet feeding apparatuses 3, 4, and 5 is connected.

  The post-processing device 6 includes a CPU 91 that centrally controls each unit, a ROM 93 that stores a control program executed by the CPU 91 and various fixed data, and a system control unit 95 that is connected to a RAM 94 that is a work area of the CPU 91. ing. The system controller 95 includes various sensors 97 (various sensors used in the post-processing device 6 are collectively displayed as various sensors 97 for convenience) and various actuators 98 (various types used in the post-processing device 6). The actuators are collectively indicated as various actuators 98 for convenience) and a communication I / F 99 for communicating with the image forming apparatus main body 2 is connected.

  The image forming apparatus main body 2 controls these apparatuses by transmitting commands to the sheet feeding apparatuses 3, 4, 5 and the post-processing apparatus 6. A command to the paper feeding device 5 is transmitted via the paper feeding devices 3 and 4, and a command to the paper feeding device 4 is transmitted via the paper feeding device 3.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view of the paper storage unit in the paper trays 14, 32, 42, 52. In the paper storage unit 101 in the paper trays 14, 32, 42, 52, the recording paper P serving as a printing medium is stacked and stored. A side guide 102 and an end guide 103 are provided in the paper storage unit 101. The side guide 102 is a member that abuts the side surface of the stacked recording paper P and guides the recording paper P conveyed from the paper trays 14, 32, 42, 52. The end guide 103 is a member that holds the recording paper P conveyed from within the paper trays 14, 32, 42, 52 from the opposite side in the conveying direction.

  A plurality of, in this example, six size sensors S1 to S6 are provided at the bottom of the sheet storage unit 101. These size sensors S1 to S6 are provided at different positions and detect the recording paper P, respectively. By detecting the presence / absence of the recording paper P at different positions in this way, the size of the recording paper P stored in the paper storage unit 101 is detected from the combination of ON / OFF of the size sensors S1 to S6. Can do. That is, the size sensors S1 to S3 are provided so as to be shifted from each other in the width direction of the recording paper P, and the recording stored in the paper storage unit 101 is based on the combination of turning on and off the size sensors S1 to S3. The size of the paper P in the width direction can be detected. The size sensors S4 to S6 are provided so as to be shifted from each other in the length direction of the recording paper P (paper transport direction). The combination of turning on and off of the size sensors S4 to S6 determines the paper storage unit 101. It is possible to detect the size of the recording paper P accommodated in the length direction (paper transport direction).

  Such detection signals of the size sensors S1 to S6 are transmitted to the system control unit 65 of the image forming apparatus main body 2, and the system control unit 65 determines the size of the recording paper P stored in each paper storage unit 101. Can be judged.

  Next, characteristic processing executed by the system control unit 65 of the image forming apparatus main body 2 based on the image forming control program 62 will be described.

  4 and 5 are flowcharts for explaining processing executed by the system control unit 65. When image formation is performed by the image forming apparatus 1, the user operates the operation panel 18 to set desired image formation contents. In such a setting, the designation of the paper tray to be used for which paper tray 14, 32, 42, 52 and the desired size (paper size) of the recording paper P are set. . When such setting is completed, the user operates the setting end button on the operation panel 18 to confirm the setting contents.

  The system control unit 65 (the CPU 61) determines whether or not such user operation / setting has been completed by operating the setting end button (step S1). When the user's operation / setting is completed (Y in step S1), it is determined whether or not any of the size sensors S1 to S6 has been registered as described later (step S2). If there is no sensor registered as a failure (Y in step S2), the paper size of the paper tray specified by the user setting matches the size of the recording paper P specified by the user setting. (Step S3), if they match (Y in step S3), the start of the print job is permitted with the contents set by the user (step S4).

  When there is a sensor that has been registered for failure (N in step S2), the size of the recording paper P is determined only by other size sensors other than the size sensor that has been registered for failure among the size sensors S1 to S6. Size detection is performed, and it is determined whether or not the size of the paper tray specified by the user setting matches the size of the recording paper P for which the detection has been performed (step S5).

  The determination in step S5 will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the combinations of the size sensors S1 to S6 and the paper size of the recording paper P at the time of the combination.

  In FIG. 1, No. 1 2 is the determination in step S3. That is, no. As shown in FIG. 1, when the sensor outputs of the size sensors S1 to S6 are 1 (on) only for the size sensors S3 and S6, and the size sensors S1, S2, S4, and S5 are 0 (off), the A4 LEF size in step S3 It is judged that. No. 2, when the sensor outputs of the size sensors S1 to S6 are 1 (on) only for the size sensors S2, S3, and S6, and the size sensors S1, S4, and S5 are 0 (off), 8.5 in step S3. It is determined that the size is “× 11” SEF.

  In contrast, no. 3 is a case where the size sensor S2 is out of order. The outputs of the size sensors S1, S3 to S6 are No. 1, No. 1 In this case, both the possibility of the A4 LEF size and the possibility of the 8.5 “× 11” SEF size are conceivable. Accordingly, in step S5 in this case, if the size of the recording paper P set by the user is A4 LEF size, the judgment of the paper size is also set to A4 LEF size in the outputs of the size sensors S1, S3 to S6, and the recording paper P set by the user is set. If the size of the sheet is 8.5 “× 11” SEF size, it is possible to determine that the paper size is 8.5 “× 11” SEF size from the outputs of the size sensors S1, S3 to S6. Therefore, in these cases, it can be determined that the paper size of the paper tray specified by the user setting matches the size of the recording paper P that has been detected (Y in step S5).

  Returning to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the size of the recording paper P is detected only by other sensors except for the sensors registered in the failure among the size sensors S1 to S6, and designated by the user setting. It is determined whether or not the paper size of the paper tray that has been detected matches the size of the recording paper P that has been detected (step S5). If they match (Y in step S5), this is only a determination by other sensors excluding the sensors that have already been registered for failure, and there is a possibility of other paper sizes as in the example of FIG. Therefore, the operation panel 18 displays a message notifying that there is a possibility that the paper size of the paper tray specified by the user setting and the size of the recording paper P that has been detected are inconsistent. (Step S6). Then, the print job requested by the user is executed (step S4).

  On the other hand, when the paper size of the paper tray specified by the user setting and the size of the detected recording paper P do not match (N in step S3, N in step S5), the size having the difference It stores which of the size sensors S1 to S6 the sensor is (step S7).

  For example, in the example of FIG. 6, if the paper size of the paper tray designated by the user setting is A4 LEF size and the size of the detected recording paper P is 8.5 “× 11” SEF size, Since it is considered that the size sensor S2 is out of order, the size sensor S2 is stored.

  Then, based on the information stored in step S7, there is no change in the paper size setting of the recording paper P in step S1, and the paper size of the paper tray specified by the user setting with the same size sensor, It is determined whether or not a discrepancy with the size of the recording paper P that has been detected has been detected continuously for L times (L is a predetermined number of times) or more (step S8). That is, it is determined whether or not the paper size of the paper tray designated by the user setting and the size of the detected recording paper P do not match in the execution request of the past L consecutive print jobs. When it is detected continuously for L times or more (Y in step S8), the discrepancy between the size of the paper tray specified by the user setting and the size of the recording paper P that has been detected is continuously some extent. Since the number of times has occurred, it is considered that the size sensor is not a malfunction of the user but a failure of the size sensor. Therefore, it is estimated that the corresponding size sensor has failed (step S9).

  Further, within the same size sensor, within a predetermined period T, a mismatch between the size of the paper tray specified by the user setting and the size of the detected recording paper P is detected M times (L <M). It is determined whether or not the above has been detected (step S10). When M times or more are detected within the period T (Y in step S10), the discrepancy between the paper size of the paper tray specified by the user setting and the size of the recording paper P that has been detected is in a short period of time. Since a certain number of times have occurred, it is considered that the size sensor is not malfunctioning rather than a user's erroneous operation, and it is estimated that the corresponding size sensor is malfunctioning (step S9).

  Further, in the same size sensor, a mismatch between the size of the paper tray specified by the user setting and the size of the recording paper P that has been detected has been detected N times in the past (L <M <N) or more. Whether or not (step S11). When N or more times have been detected in the past (Y in step S11), the discrepancy between the size of the paper tray specified by the user setting and the size of the recording paper P that has been detected has occurred many times in the past. Therefore, it is considered that the size sensor is not a malfunction of the user but a failure of the size sensor, and it is estimated that the corresponding size sensor has failed (step S9).

  As described above, when it is estimated that the corresponding size sensor has failed (Y in Step S9), it is determined whether or not the failure registration execution mode is set (Step S12). The failure registration execution mode is a mode in which the size sensor estimated to have failed in step S9 is registered as a failure, and the user operates the operation panel 18 to set the mode in advance. be able to.

  When the failure registration execution mode is set (Y in step S12), it is determined whether or not the corresponding size sensor estimated as having failed has already been registered in the predetermined area of the RAM 64 (step S13). ). If the corresponding size sensor is not yet registered for failure (N in Step S13), a message is displayed on the operation panel 18 to inquire the user (Step S14), and the user registers the failure by operating the operation panel 18. When the intention is displayed (Y in step S15), the corresponding size sensor is registered as a failure in a predetermined area of the RAM 64 (step S16). The above-described determination in step S2 is performed by checking whether or not the failure registration is performed for each of the size sensors S1 to S6.

  When the size sensor failure registration is performed in this way, it is operated that there is a possibility that there is a discrepancy between the paper size of the paper tray specified by the user setting and the size of the detected recording paper P. A message is displayed on the panel 18 to notify and notify the user (step S6), and the start of the print job requested by the user is permitted (step S4).

  On the other hand, if the corresponding size sensor is not estimated to be a failure by any of the determinations in steps S9, S10, and S11 (N in step S11), and is not in the failure registration execution mode (N in step S12), the corresponding size sensor is When the failure registration has already been performed (Y in step S13), and when the user does not perform failure registration (N in step S15), a message is displayed on the operation panel 18 to notify the user, so that the user setting can be made. A paper tray designation indicating which paper tray 14, 32, 42, or 52 is to be used is made by notifying the discrepancy between the paper size of the designated paper tray and the size of the detected recording paper P. Then, the user is prompted to reset the paper size of the recording paper P (step S17).

  Instead of the processes shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 described above, the processes shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 may be performed. The processing of FIGS. 7 and 8 differs from the processing of FIGS. 4 and 5 in that the recording paper is used only by the other size sensors except for the size sensors that have been registered for failure among the size sensors S1 to S6. P size detection is performed, and it is determined whether or not the size of the paper tray specified by the user setting matches the size of the recording paper P that has been detected (step S5). If it has been done (Y in step S5), a message is displayed on the operation panel 18 to notify the user, whereby the paper size of the paper tray specified by the user setting and the detected recording paper P are detected. This is a point of notifying the discrepancy in size and urging the user to specify the paper tray of which paper tray 14, 32, 42, 52 to use and to reset the paper size of the recording paper P ( Step S17). Therefore, in this case, unlike the processing of FIGS. 4 and 5, after notifying the mismatch between the size of the paper tray specified by the user setting and the size of the detected recording paper P, the user The start of the permitted print job is not performed, and the process returns to step S1.

  Also, the user selects the execution of the process shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 (hereinafter referred to as “first process”) and the execution of the process shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 (hereinafter referred to as “second process”). You may be able to do it. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of processing that enables such selection processing.

  That is, when the user selects the sensor failure processing selection mode screen by operating the operation panel 18 (Y in step S21), the system control unit 65 (the CPU 61) displays the sensor failure processing selection mode screen on the operation panel 18. It is displayed (step S22). On this sensor failure process selection mode screen, it is possible to select whether to execute the first process shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 or the second process shown in FIGS. That is, when a predetermined operation is performed on the sensor failure process selection mode screen to select the first process (Y in step S23), execution of the first process is set (step S24). In this case, the first process is executed. When the second process is selected by performing a predetermined operation on the sensor failure process selection mode screen (Y in step S25), the execution of the second process is set (step S26). In this case, the second process is executed.

1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing electrical connection of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a storage portion of a paper tray. 5 is a flowchart of processing executed by the image forming apparatus. 5 is a flowchart of processing executed by the image forming apparatus. It is explanatory drawing explaining the relationship between the combination of the output of a size sensor, and paper size. 10 is a flowchart of another example of processing executed by the image forming apparatus. 10 is a flowchart of another example of processing executed by the image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart of the process which selects a 1st process and a 2nd process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Image forming apparatus main body 14 Paper tray 32 Paper tray 42 Paper tray 52 Paper tray 101 Storage part P Recording paper S1-S6 Size sensor

Claims (16)

An imager for forming an image on a print medium;
A storage unit for storing the print medium supplied to the imager;
A plurality of detectors that are provided at a plurality of locations in the storage unit and detect the print medium stored in the storage unit;
Size determination means for determining the size of the print medium based on detection results by the plurality of detectors;
A size designation accepting unit for accepting designation of the size of the print medium for performing the image formation;
A consistency determination unit that determines whether the size designation received by the size designation reception unit matches the size of the print medium in the storage unit determined by the size determination unit;
Failure determination means for determining that any of the plurality of detectors has failed based on being determined to be inconsistent by the matching determination means;
When there is a detector that has been determined to be defective by the failure determination means, a failure registration means for registering the detector as defective, and
With
When there is the detector registered as having failed by the failure registration unit, the size determination unit determines the size of the print medium based on a detection result by the detector other than the detector. judge,
Image forming apparatus.   The size determination unit determines the size of the print medium based on a detection result by the detector other than the detector registered as being defective by the failure registration unit, and the coincidence determination unit If it is determined that the size designation received by the size designation receiving unit matches the size of the print medium in the storage unit determined by the size determination unit, there is a possibility that the sizes do not match. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notifying unit that notifies that there is.   When the number of times that the same detector is determined to be inconsistent by the coincidence determining unit reaches a predetermined number of N times, the failure determining unit has failed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is determined as follows.   The failure determination means reaches M times (M <N), in which the number of times that the same determination is determined by the consistency determination means to be inconsistent for the same detector is a predetermined multiple times during a predetermined period T. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when it is determined, the detector is determined to be faulty.   The failure determination means does not match the same detector by the consistency determination means without changing the designation of the size of the printing medium on which the image is formed by the size designation receiving means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the number of times determined to have reached L times (L <M), which is a predetermined plurality of times, the detector is determined to be faulty.   Image formation execution in which the image forming unit executes the image formation when the notification unit notifies the print medium stored in the storage unit when there is a request for execution of image formation. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a re-designation receiving unit that receives again the designation of the size of the print medium on which the image formation is performed when the notification is performed by the notification unit. When the notification is performed by the notification unit, the image forming unit executes image formation on the print medium stored in the storage unit or designates the size of the print medium on which the image formation is performed. A setting means for setting whether to accept again,
When execution of the image formation is set in the setting unit when the notification is performed by the notification unit, there is a request for execution of image formation for the print medium stored in the storage unit. Sometimes image formation executing means for executing the image formation by the imager;
Re-designation accepting means for re-accepting designation of the size of the print medium on which the image formation is to be performed when designation is again set in the setting means when the notification is given by the notifying means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: Detection by a plurality of detectors that are provided at a plurality of locations in a storage section for storing the print medium supplied to an image forming device that forms an image on the print medium, and that detect the print medium stored in the storage section. Size determining means for determining the size of the print medium according to the result;
A size designation accepting unit for accepting designation of the size of the print medium for performing the image formation;
A consistency determination unit that determines whether the size designation received by the size designation reception unit matches the size of the print medium in the storage unit determined by the size determination unit;
Failure determination means for determining that any of the plurality of detectors has failed based on being determined to be inconsistent by the matching determination means;
When there is a detector that has been determined to be defective by the failure determination means, a failure registration means for registering the detector as defective, and
To the computer,
When there is the detector registered as having failed by the failure registration unit, the size determination unit determines the size of the print medium based on a detection result by the detector other than the detector. judge,
Computer-readable image formation control program.   The size determination unit determines the size of the print medium based on a detection result by the detector other than the detector registered as being defective by the failure registration unit, and the coincidence determination unit If it is determined that the size designation received by the size designation receiving unit matches the size of the print medium in the storage unit determined by the size determination unit, there is a possibility that the sizes do not match. The image forming control program according to claim 9, further causing a computer to execute notification means for notifying that there is an image.   When the number of times that the failure determination means determines that the same detector does not match by the match determination means reaches N, which is a predetermined number of times, the detector has failed. The image formation control program according to claim 9 or 10, wherein   The failure determination means reaches M times (M <N), in which the number of times that the same determination is determined by the consistency determination means to be inconsistent for the same detector is a predetermined multiple times during a predetermined period T. The image formation control program according to claim 11, wherein when it is determined, the detector is determined to be faulty.   The failure determination means does not match the same detector by the consistency determination means without changing the designation of the size of the print medium on which the image is formed by the size designation receiving means. 13. The image forming control program according to claim 12, wherein when the number of times determined to have reached L (L <M), which is a predetermined plurality of times, the detector is determined to be faulty. .   Image formation execution in which the image forming unit executes the image formation when the notification unit notifies the print medium stored in the storage unit when there is a request for execution of image formation. The image forming control program according to claim 10, further causing the computer to execute the means.   The image forming control program according to claim 10, further causing a computer to execute re-designation accepting means for re-accepting designation of the size of the print medium on which the image formation is performed when the notice is given by the notifying means. When the notification is performed by the notification unit, the image forming unit executes image formation on the print medium stored in the storage unit or designates the size of the print medium on which the image formation is performed. A setting means for setting whether to accept again,
When execution of the image formation is set in the setting unit when the notification is performed by the notification unit, there is a request for execution of image formation for the print medium stored in the storage unit. Sometimes image formation executing means for executing the image formation by the imager;
Re-designation accepting means for re-accepting designation of the size of the print medium on which the image formation is to be performed when designation is again set in the setting means when the notification is given by the notifying means;
The image formation control program according to claim 10, further causing the computer to execute the process.

Images