JP2010122259A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus enabling both accurate calculation of the number of the remaining sheets and operability capable of saving labor of setting the thickness. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 1 including paper feed trays FT1-FT9 and an image forming part 600, includes: a touch panel 502 which selects whether or not the thickness of sheets stored in the paper feed trays FT1-FT9 is set, and sets the sheet thickness when the setting of the thickness is selected; and a control part 101. The control part 101 calculates the number of remaining sheets in the paper feed trays FT1-FT9 using the set thickness of the sheets when the thickness of the sheets stored in the paper feed trays FT1-FT9 is set by the touch panel 502; or calculates the number of remaining sheets using the thickness of the sheets set as a standard value obtained from the predetermined weight of sheets when the thickness of the sheets is not set by the touch panel 502. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

In an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, a scanner, or a combination of these, an image forming process is executed in response to an image processing request called a job. As such an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus capable of reserving a plurality of jobs and sequentially executing the reserved plurality of jobs in order is widely used.
Conventionally, in such an image forming apparatus, in order to notify the user whether or not paper replenishment is necessary for each paper feed tray when a plurality of jobs are executed, the amount of paper in the paper feed tray is determined. Techniques for calculation have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).
JP 10-109783 A JP 2000-313545 A

However, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the estimated remaining paper amount is used to determine how much paper is present, so when the thickness varies depending on the type of paper, an accurate remaining paper number is obtained. There was a problem that we could not ask.
On the other hand, if the thickness is set for all the papers, it will be necessary to set the papers for which the remaining number of papers can be calculated almost accurately without setting the thicknesses of standard papers. There was a problem.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can achieve both the accuracy of calculating the remaining number of sheets and the operability of saving the trouble of setting the thickness.

The invention described in claim 1
A paper tray,
An image forming unit that executes image forming processing according to a reserved job;
In an image forming apparatus comprising:
A setting unit for setting whether or not to set the thickness of the paper stored in the paper feed tray, and setting the thickness of the paper when the setting is selected;
When the thickness of the paper stored in the paper feed tray is set by the setting unit, the remaining paper number of the paper feed tray is set by using the paper thickness of the paper feed tray set by the setting unit. To calculate
When the thickness of the paper stored in the paper feed tray is not set by the setting unit, the remaining number of papers in the paper feed tray is determined using a paper thickness set as a standard value from a predetermined amount of paper. A control unit for calculating
It is characterized by providing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect,
Position on the first axis on a two-dimensional table showing the tray information of the paper feed tray on the first axis and the scheduled job execution time or the expected number of sheets to be used on the second axis orthogonal to the first axis And a display unit for displaying a job scheduling screen that displays reservation information of a job reserved at a position on the second axis for a length corresponding to the scheduled execution time of each job or the expected number of sheets to be used. ,
The controller is
When the calculated remaining number of sheets is less than the expected number of jobs to be used, the reservation information display area for the job on the job scheduling screen is the first area corresponding to the number of images that can be formed, and image formation is not possible. The second area corresponding to a large number of images is displayed separately.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect,
An error value storage unit for storing an error value of the thickness of the paper stored in the paper feed tray;
The controller is
Calculating the error range of the remaining number of sheets from the error value stored in the error value storage unit;
In the reservation information display area, a predetermined area corresponding to the error range including a boundary between the first area and the second area is displayed as an error range area so as to be distinguished from the first area and the second area. With
When the thickness of the paper stored in the paper feed tray is not set by the setting unit, the thickness of the paper stored in the paper feed tray is set by the setting unit, compared with the case where the thickness of the paper stored in the paper feed tray is set by the setting unit. The error range area is displayed widely.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second or third aspect,
The controller is
When displaying reservation information for a plurality of jobs, the origin of the second axis is set as the current time, and the corresponding reservation information is placed at a position corresponding to the tray information that matches the setting information of each job in the execution reservation order of each job. It is characterized by displaying.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the second to fourth aspects,
The controller is
The display position of the reservation information on the job scheduling screen is updated with the origin of the second axis as the current time at a predetermined update timing.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect,
The predetermined update timing is:
When the tray information setting is changed, the image forming process for a predetermined number of sheets is completed, or a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous update timing.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to select whether or not to set the thickness of the paper stored in the paper feed tray, and to calculate the remaining number of sheets without setting the thickness. And the operability of saving the labor of setting the thickness can be achieved.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to grasp the shortage amount of paper used by the reserved job on the job scheduling screen.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the job scheduling screen is displayed with an expanded error range, and it is possible to more reliably notify that there is a possibility of running out of paper.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, on the job scheduling screen, it is possible to grasp at a glance the execution order of a plurality of jobs, the paper used in each job, and the paper feed tray in which the paper is stored. .

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to grasp the relationship between the execution order of a plurality of jobs, the paper used in each job, and the paper feed tray in which the paper is stored at every predetermined update timing.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, each time the setting of the tray information is changed, the image forming process is performed on a predetermined number of sheets, or the predetermined time elapses, It is possible to grasp the relationship between the paper used in the job and the paper feed tray in which the paper is stored.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a main body unit 10, and a large capacity tray unit 20 and a post-processing unit 30 that are optionally connected thereto.

  The main body unit 10 includes a scanner unit 200, an automatic document feeder (ADF: Auto Document Feeder) 300, an operation display unit 500, and an image forming unit 600. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is a so-called digital multi-function peripheral having a scanner function, a copy function, and a printer function.

  The main body unit 10 includes three paper feed trays FT1 to FT3 which are trays for printing paper, and stores printing paper. In the vicinity of each of the paper feed trays FT1 to FT3, detection sensors D.

  The large capacity tray unit 20 includes paper feed trays FT4 to FT9 which are trays for printing paper, and stores printing paper. In the vicinity of each of the paper feed trays FT4 to FT9, detection sensors D.

  The post-processing unit 30 is a so-called finisher that performs various post-processing on the paper conveyed from the main body unit 10. For example, a sorting unit that performs a sorting process on sheets conveyed from the main body unit 10, a punch unit that performs a punching process, a folding unit that performs a folding process, a cutting unit that performs a cutting process, and the like are provided. On the left side of the post-processing unit 30, there are provided paper discharge trays ET1 and ET2 for discharging the conveyed paper, and the conveyed paper is discharged.

Further, two post inserter upper PI1 and lower PI2 that are trays for inserted paper are provided on the upper portion of the post-processing unit 30, and various types of paper are stacked and fed in accordance with user needs. It is possible.
For example, one of the post inserters PI1 and PI2 is provided with a tab sheet having a tab portion protruding from a part of a sheet piece, a color sheet having a different color scheme, a sheet already formed with an image (hereinafter referred to as a tab sheet or the like). ) And the like, and paper is fed according to the job setting, these papers can be inserted between a plurality of printing papers conveyed from the main body 10.
Here, a job refers to a series of operations related to image formation. For example, when copying a plurality of documents, a series of operations related to copying a plurality of documents is one job. In addition, when a plurality of copies are performed, a series of operations related to a plurality of copies is one job. Note that the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment can reserve a plurality of jobs, and image forming processing corresponding to the reserved jobs is executed in the order of job execution reservation.

In the image forming process, for example, a document placed on a document tray of the ADF unit 300 is conveyed to a contact glass that is a reading portion of the scanner unit 200, and an image of the document is read by the optical system of the scanner unit 200. Here, the image includes not only image data such as graphics and photographs but also text data such as characters and symbols.
An image (analog image signal) read by the scanner unit 200 is output to a state management unit 100, which will be described later, A / D converted by the state management unit 100, and subjected to various types of image processing. Is output. In the image forming unit 600, an image based on the digital image data is formed on a sheet fed from any of the sheet feeding trays FT1 to FT9 provided in the main body unit 10 or the large capacity tray unit 20.
The paper on which the image has been formed is transported to the post-processing unit 30 by the transport unit 610 in the image forming unit 600, subjected to predetermined post-processing by the post-processing mechanism of the post-processing unit 30, and then the paper discharge trays ET1, ET2. The paper is discharged to either of these.

  The forms of the paper feed trays FT1 to FT9, the post inserters PI1 and PI2, and the paper discharge trays ET1 and ET2 are not limited to those illustrated in FIG. Also good.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1.
The main body unit 10 includes a state management unit 100, a scanner unit 200, an ADF unit 300, a printer controller 400, paper feed trays FT1 to FT3, a detection sensor D..., An operation display unit 500, and image formation. Unit 600.

  The state management unit 100 includes a control unit 101, a program memory (ROM: Read Only Memory) 102, a system memory (RAM: Random Access Memory) 103, a nonvolatile memory 104, a read processing unit 105, a write processing unit 106, a DRAM (Dynamic Random). (Access Memory) control IC 107, compression / decompression IC 108, and image memory 109.

  The control unit 101 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, reads various processing programs such as a system program, an image formation processing program, and a post-processing program stored in the ROM, expands them in the RAM, and expands them. The operation of each part of the image forming apparatus 1 is centrally controlled according to the program.

  The ROM 102 includes a nonvolatile memory such as a semiconductor, and stores a system program corresponding to the image forming apparatus 1 and various processing programs such as an image forming processing program and a post-processing program that can be executed on the system program. These programs are stored in the form of computer readable program codes, and the control unit 101 sequentially executes operations according to the program codes.

  The RAM 103 forms a work area for temporarily storing various programs executed by the control unit 101 and data related to these programs, and stores setting information and the like of the job being executed.

The nonvolatile memory 104 stores various setting data related to the image forming apparatus 1.
Specifically, the nonvolatile memory 104 stores setting information for each reserved job, a standard value of the paper thickness, and the like.

  The job setting information is information including tray setting information, paper setting information, and the expected number of sheets to be used. The tray setting information is information for setting the paper feed tray used by the job. Specifically, the job sets any one or a plurality of trays among the paper feed trays FT1 to FT9, the post inserters PI1 and PI2. Set as the paper tray to be used. The paper setting information is information for setting the paper used by the job, and specifically, the paper type, paper size, and weight of the paper used by the job. In addition, the expected number of sheets used is the number of sheets used by one job.

The standard value of the paper thickness is a standard value of the standard paper thickness corresponding to the amount of paper.
FIG. 3 shows an example of the standard value table 104a showing the relationship between the amount of wrinkles and the standard value of the paper thickness.
As shown in FIG. 3, the soot amount is, for example, 64-74 g / m ² , 75-80 g / m ² , 81-105 g / m ² , 106-135 g / m ² , 136-162 g / m ² , 163-220 g. / M ² , 221-256 g / m ² , 257-300 g / m ^{2, and the} like, and the standard value of the paper thickness corresponding to each wrinkle amount is 0.092, 0.100, 0 .131, 0.169, 0.203, 0.275, 0.320, and 0.375.
Therefore, when the amount of wrinkles is set to 64-74 g / m ² , for example, the standard value of the paper thickness is 0.092.

  Such job setting information is set by the operation of the touch panel 502 by the user, and operation display control is performed together with other information (information such as mode, user name, file name, post-processing mode, paper discharge tray ET1, ET2, etc.). The data is output to the control unit 101 via the unit 503 and stored in the nonvolatile memory 104 together with the execution reservation order. Thereby, the reservation of the job is completed.

Further, the nonvolatile memory 104 stores, as an error value storage unit, error values of the thicknesses of the sheets stored in the sheet feed trays FT1 to FT9.
The error value of the sheet thickness is set as a fixed value such as 5 [mm] according to the types of sheets stored in the sheet feed trays FT1 to FT9. Is referred to by the control unit 101 when estimating.
Note that the error value of the paper thickness can be set in advance by the user by operating the touch panel 502 on a setting screen (not shown).

  Further, the nonvolatile memory 104 stores tray information for each of the paper feed trays FT1 to FT9, update timing set by the user, and the like.

The tray information includes, for example, the paper type, paper size, basis weight, and remaining amount of paper stored in each of the paper feed trays FT1 to FT9 and the post inserters PI1 and PI2.
At this time, the detection sensor D ... detects the paper size and weight of the paper stored in each of the paper feed trays FT1 to FT9, and compares it with the value at the time of maximum stacking. %] Is detected.
By storing the tray information for each paper feed tray in the nonvolatile memory 104, the paper stored in each paper feed tray is set.

  The update timing is set when the tray information setting is changed, when the image forming process for a predetermined number of sheets is completed, or when a predetermined time has elapsed from the previous update timing. Such update timing can be set in advance by the user by operating the touch panel 502 on a setting screen (not shown).

The reading processing unit 105 performs various processing such as analog signal processing, A / D conversion processing, and shading processing on the analog image signal input from the scanner unit 200, generates digital image data, and outputs the digital image data to the DRAM control IC 107. .
The writing processing unit 106 generates a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal based on the image data input from the compression / decompression IC 108 and outputs the generated signal to the image forming unit 600.

The DRAM control IC 107 controls the compression / decompression processing of the compression / decompression IC 108 based on the control from the control unit 101 and performs input / output control of image data in the image memory 109.
Specifically, digital image data input from the reading processing unit 105 or image data input from the printer controller 400 is compressed by the compression / decompression IC 108, and the compressed image data is stored in the compression memory 109 a of the image memory 109. Write and store temporarily. In addition, the image data stored in the image memory 109 is decompressed by the compression / decompression IC 108 and output to the write processing unit 106. At this time, if a control signal indicating that the composition processing is to be performed is output from the control unit 101, the DRAM control IC 107 decompresses the image data by the compression / decompression IC 108, and then the unique image data in the nonvolatile memory 104. Are overwritten and output to the writing processing unit 106.
Further, the DRAM control IC 107 outputs the control data input from the printer controller 400 to the control unit 101.

The compression / decompression IC 108 performs image data compression processing and decompression processing under the control of the DRAM control IC 107.
The image memory 109 includes, for example, a compression memory 109a and a page memory 109b configured by DRAM. For example, the compression memory 109 a temporarily stores the job file compressed by the compression / decompression IC 108 in accordance with a control signal input from the DRAM control IC 107. For example, the page memory 109b temporarily stores an uncompressed job file to be printed before printing.

  The scanner unit 200 includes an image sensor such as a CCD 201 and a scanner control unit 201. The scanner control unit 201 drives and controls each unit of the scanner unit 200 based on a control signal from the control unit 101. Specifically, exposure scanning of the document surface placed on the contact glass is executed, and the reflected light is imaged by the CCD 201 to read the image. Then, the imaged optical signal is photoelectrically converted to generate an analog image signal, which is output to the reading processing unit 105.

  The ADF unit 300 includes an ADF control unit 301 that controls the ADF unit 300 based on a control signal from the control unit 101, and each document placed on the document tray is placed on the contact glass of the scanner unit 200 one by one. Automatic feeding.

The printer controller 400 includes a controller control unit 401, a DRAM control IC 402, an image memory 403, a LANIF 404, and the like. When the image forming apparatus 1 is used as a network printer, the image forming apparatus is connected from an external device connected to the network. Management and control of the job input to 1 is performed.
Specifically, the printer controller 400 receives data including job setting information from an external device, and transmits the data to the main body unit 10. The job setting information transmitted from the printer controller 400 to the main unit 10 is output to the control unit 101 together with other information such as mode, user name, file name, post-processing mode, paper discharge trays ET1, ET2, etc. It is stored in the memory 104 together with the execution reservation order.

  The controller control unit 401 comprehensively controls the operation of each unit of the printer controller 400. The controller control unit 401 converts print data input from the external device via the LANIF 404 into image data in a data format that can be printed by the image forming apparatus 1 using a predetermined page description language, and is input from the external device. Output to the DRAM control IC 402 together with job information.

  The DRAM control IC 402 outputs job information and print data received by the LANIF 404 to the controller control unit 401, and in accordance with an instruction from the controller control unit 401, job setting information and image data input from the controller control unit 401. Is temporarily stored in the image memory 403. The DRAM control IC 402 is connected to the DRAM control IC 107 of the control unit 101 via a PCI (Peripheral Components Interconnect) bus, and reads job setting information and image data from the image memory 403 in accordance with instructions from the controller control unit 401. To the DRAM control IC 402.

  The image memory 403 is composed of, for example, a DRAM, and temporarily stores input data.

  The LANIF 404 is configured by, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card) or the like, and performs data transmission / reception such as job information, print data, and FAX image data with an external apparatus connected to the communication network N. Job information, print data, and image data received from the external device are output to the DRAM control IC 402.

  The operation display unit 500 includes a display unit 501, a touch panel 502 provided integrally with the display unit 501, an operation display control unit 503, and other operation key groups (not shown).

The display unit 501 is configured by, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays various setting screens, image status displays, operation statuses of functions, and the like on the screen in accordance with display control signals from the operation display control unit 503. Do.
In addition, a pressure-sensitive (resistive film pressure type) touch panel 502 in which transparent electrodes are arranged in a grid pattern is configured on the screen of the display unit 501, and the XY coordinates of a power point operated by a finger or a touch pen are expressed as voltage values. The detected position signal is output to the operation display control unit 503 as an operation signal.
Specifically, the touch panel 502 serves as a setting unit when the user sets the thickness of the paper stored in the paper feed trays FT1 to FT9, or makes a selection without setting the paper thickness. To be operated. The touch panel 502 is operated when setting the paper thickness when setting the paper thickness.

  The operation display control unit 503 performs display control on the display unit 501 based on a control signal from the control unit 101. Specifically, the operation display control unit 503 outputs an operation signal based on the operation to the control unit 101 when various operations are performed on the touch panel 502, and controls the control unit according to the operation signal from the operation display control unit 503. Various screens are displayed on the display unit 501 in accordance with the control signal output from 101.

  Here, FIGS. 4 to 7 show examples of screens displayed on the display unit 501 of the operation display unit 500.

4 to 6 are examples of the setting change screen A. FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, on the setting change screen A, a change item selection area A1, a detailed setting area A2, a cancel button A3, an OK button A4, and the like are displayed.

The change item selection area A1 is an area for displaying operation buttons for selecting an item whose setting is to be changed. The change item selection area A1 includes a paper type button A11, a paper name button A12, a weight button A13, a colored paper button A14, a punch hole button A15, a front / back adjustment button A16, a speed setting button A17, a thickness button A18, and a process adjustment button A19. Etc., and the contents set by each button are displayed at positions corresponding to the respective buttons A11 to A19.
The detailed setting area A2 is an area for displaying detailed setting contents of the selected item when the buttons A11 to A19 of the change item selection area A1 are selected. When the user selects any of the buttons A11 to A19 in the change item selection area A1, a detailed setting screen corresponding to the selected item is displayed in the detail setting area A2.
The cancel button A3 is a button for canceling the contents instructed by the user's operation in the change item selection area A1 and the detailed setting area A2.
The OK button A4 is a button for confirming the contents instructed by the user operation in the change item selection area A1 and the detailed setting area A2.
Using this setting change screen A, the user can individually set the paper type, paper name, basis weight, colored paper, punch hole, front / back adjustment, speed setting, thickness, process adjustment, and the like.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, for example, when the thickness button A18 of the change item selection area A1 is selected, a “(No thickness) designation” button A21, “ “Specify (thickness)” button A22, etc. is displayed.

FIG. 4 is a screen displayed when the “specify (thickness)” button A22 displayed in the detailed setting area A2 is selected. When the “specify” button A22 is selected, a numeric key A23 is displayed.
The user selects the thickness button A18 in the change item selection area A1, selects the “specify” button A22 in the detailed setting area A2, inputs a predetermined value using the numeric keys A23, and then presses the OK button A4. By operating, the thickness of the paper can be specified to a predetermined value. FIG. 4 shows a case where the paper thickness is specified as 0.080 mm.

FIG. 5 is a screen displayed when the “Do not specify (thickness)” button A21 displayed in the detail setting area A2 is selected.
The user selects the thickness button A18 in the change item selection area A1, selects the “do not specify” button A21 in the detailed setting area A2, and then operates the OK button A4 to specify that the sheet thickness is not specified. can do.

Also, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, when the selection button A13 in the change item selection area A1 is selected, the detailed setting area A2 has 64-74 g / m ² , 75-80 g / m ² , 81-105 g / m. ² , 106-135 g / m ² , 136-162 g / m ² , 163-220 g / m ² , 221-256 g / m ² , 257-300 g / m ^2, etc. are displayed. FIG. 6 shows a case where “64-74 g / m ² ” is selected by the selection amount selection button A24.

FIG. 7 is an example of the job scheduling screen B.
The job scheduling screen B is a screen displayed on the display unit 501 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 101 according to a user operation, and displays a job execution schedule.
On the job scheduling screen B, reservation information R1 to R7 of each reserved job including the job being executed is displayed in a two-dimensional table having two axes orthogonal to each other.

The first axis, which is the vertical axis, indicates tray information for each paper feed tray (paper feed trays T1 to T9, post inserters PI1, PI2), and the second axis, which is the horizontal axis, indicates the expected number of sheets to be used. Show.
The first axis is provided with “no applicable sheet” as a display field for displaying reservation information Rn of a job having no tray information that matches the job setting information. For example, job reservation information Rn is displayed when only paper is set as job setting information and the set paper itself is not stored in any of the paper feed trays.

Specifically, the first axis is divided into 11 rows corresponding to each of the paper feed trays FT1 to FT9 and post inserters PI1 and PI2, and one row corresponding to “no corresponding sheet”. Each row displays, as tray information, paper feed tray number information for identifying a paper feed tray, paper size information, paper type information, paper amount, and paper remaining amount information. For example, in the top row of the first axis, the paper feed tray number information “1”, the paper size information “A4”, the paper type information “plain paper”, and the paper weight “62-71 g / m ² ”. , Current sheet remaining amount information (approximately displayed by the number of horizontal lines) is displayed.

  On the second axis, a scale indicating the expected number of sheets to be used is displayed. The origin of the second axis indicates zero sheets, and one scale indicates 100 sheets. Also, on the second axis, separator lines Sa to Sf indicating the separator of each job are displayed in parallel with the first axis, so that the reservation information R1 to R7 of each job can be individually distinguished.

  The reservation information R1 to R7 is information indicating the paper feed tray to be used and the expected number of sheets to be used in the order of execution, and corresponds to the position on the first axis corresponding to the paper feed tray to be used and the expected number of sheets to be used. It is displayed in an area composed of positions on the second axis of the length to be. For example, the reservation information R1 of the job with the first execution reservation order is displayed in the first row corresponding to the paper feed tray FT1 to be used, and the length of the reservation information R1 in the second axis direction is the estimated number of sheets to be used. It is the length of 8 scales corresponding to “800 sheets”.

The reservation information R1 to R7 is a bar representing information indicating the remaining number of sheets stored in the sheet feed tray used for executing the job. The information indicating the remaining number of sheets refers to a display form (for example, display pattern or color) indicating the level of the remaining number of sheets.
Specifically, the display areas for the reservation information R1 to R7 include a first area corresponding to the number of images that can be formed, a second area corresponding to the number of images that cannot be formed, and the first area and the second area. It is distinguished into an error range area indicating a predetermined area corresponding to the error range including the boundary. The display format of the reservation information R1 to R7 changes according to the level of the remaining number of sheets (first area, second area, error range area).

Here, an example of a display form of the reservation information Rn will be described with reference to FIGS.
As a display form of the reservation information Rn, a pattern indicating the first area, a pattern indicating the second area, and a pattern indicating the error range area are displayed. That is, the pattern indicating the first area indicates that the remaining number of sheets is sufficient, and the pattern indicating the second area indicates that there is no remaining sheet. Further, the pattern indicating the error range area indicates whether or not the remaining number of sheets is insufficient.

In FIG. 8A, the reservation information Rn is displayed in the same form (horizontal line). This display form is a pattern indicating the first area, and indicates that the remaining number of sheets is sufficiently large. In other words, the user can recognize that the sheet is sufficient if the scheduled number of use is 300 sheets.
In FIG. 8B, the reservation information Rn is displayed in two types (horizontal lines and diagonal lines). In this display form, the left pattern is a pattern indicating the first area, and the right pattern is a pattern indicating the error range area, which indicates that there is a possibility that the sheet runs out as the job is executed. In other words, the user can recognize that there is a possibility of running out of paper when the scheduled number of use is 500 to 550.
In FIG. 8C, the reservation information Rn is displayed in three types (horizontal line, diagonal line, vertical line). In this display form, the left pattern is a pattern indicating the first area, the middle pattern is a pattern indicating the error range area, and the right pattern is a pattern indicating the second area. This display form indicates that the paper gradually decreases and eventually runs short as the job is executed. That is, the user can recognize that there is a possibility that the paper is insufficient when the scheduled number of use is 500 to 600, and that the paper is insufficient when the number is 600 to 1000.

In the job scheduling screen B of FIG. 7, for the job being executed, the remaining number of sheets at the display / update timing of the job scheduling screen B is the expected number of sheets to be used.
Further, the second axis of the job scheduling screen B may be the scheduled execution time of the job instead of the scheduled number of sheets to be used. In this case, for example, the scheduled use number of sheets is converted into the scheduled execution time of the job by multiplying the scheduled use number of sheets by the standard time required for image formation of one sheet. When the second axis is the scheduled execution time of the job, the user can grasp the approximate time at which the paper runs out.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the image forming unit 600 includes a transport unit 610, an LD (Laser Diode) unit 620, and a printer control unit 630, and an image is formed on a sheet based on image data input from the writing processing unit 106. Form.

The transport unit 610 includes various rollers including a paper feed roller 611, a registration roller 612, and a paper discharge roller 613 for transporting paper according to a transport path in the LD unit 620, a transport path switching plate 614, a reversing unit 615, and the like. Prepare. Based on the control from the printer control unit 630, the transport unit 610 feeds paper from a paper feed tray according to job setting information, and transports the fed paper along a transport path.
A plurality of sensors (not shown) are provided on the conveyance path of the LD unit 620. These sensors generate a detection signal when the paper passes and output it to the printer control unit 630.

The LD unit 620 includes an LD 621, a photosensitive drum 622, a charging unit 623, a developing unit 624, a transfer unit 625, a fixing unit 626, and the like.
The LD unit 620 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 622 of the LD unit 620 with the charging unit 623 based on an instruction from the printer control unit 630, and the photoconductor with the LD 621 based on the PWM signal input from the writing processing unit 106. An electrostatic latent image is formed by irradiating the surface of the drum 622 with laser light. The developing unit 624 attaches toner to a region including the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 622, and the transfer unit 625 transfers the toner to a sheet to form an image. Then, after the transferred image is fixed by the fixing unit 626, the paper on which the image has been formed is conveyed to the post-processing unit 30 by the paper discharge roller 613.

The printer control unit 630 receives a control signal from the control unit 101 and controls the operation of each unit of the LD unit 620. Further, the printer control unit 630 counts the number of fed sheets based on a detection signal from a sensor provided on the conveyance path, and outputs the counted number of sheets to the control unit 101.
Further, the printer control unit 630 counts the number of fed sheets by counting sensor signals output from sensors (not shown) provided near the sheet feeding roller 611 during execution of each job. And output to the control unit 101.

Among the configurations described above, the control unit 101 executes various processes in cooperation with the operation display control unit 503, the printer control unit 630, and the like.
Here, as the processing operation of the image forming apparatus 1 configured as described above, the remaining sheet number calculation process and the job scheduling screen display / update process will be described in order.

[Paper remaining number calculation processing]
The remaining sheet number calculation process is a process for calculating the remaining sheet number so that the remaining sheet number of each reserved job can be recognized when the job scheduling screen B (see FIG. 7) is displayed.
As a method of calculating the remaining number of sheets, there are a case where the thickness of the sheet set by the user is used and a case where a standard value corresponding to the weight is used as the thickness of the sheet.

The case of using the paper thickness set by the user is processing executed when the thickness is designated on the setting change screen A (see FIG. 4).
When the thickness of the paper stored in the paper feed tray is set, the control unit 101 sets the paper thickness of the set paper feed tray, the remaining amount of paper measured by the detection sensor D, and the maximum stacking time. The remaining number of sheets in the sheet feed tray is calculated based on the total thickness of the sheets.

Specifically, the control unit 101 calculates the remaining number of sheets by the following equation (1).
Remaining number of sheets [sheets] = (sheet bundle thickness [mm] at maximum loading / sheet thickness [mm]) × remaining sheet [%] (1)

Further, the control unit 101 calculates the number of errors by the following equation (2).
Number of errors [sheets] = error [mm] / paper thickness [mm] (2)

Then, the control unit 101 calculates an error range of the remaining number of sheets by the following equation (3).
(Remaining number of sheets−number of errors) to (remaining number of sheets + number of errors) (3)
As described above, the error range of the remaining number of sheets indicates a delicate range as to whether or not the sheets used for the job are insufficient.
In other words, the control unit 101 determines the value obtained by Expression (3) as the length of the error range area (shaded line in FIGS. 7 and 8) of the job scheduling screen B.

On the other hand, the case where a standard value corresponding to the amount of paper is used as the sheet thickness is a process executed when the thickness is not specified on the setting change screen A (see FIGS. 5 and 6).
When the thickness of the paper stored in the paper feed tray is not set, the control unit 101 calculates the remaining number of papers using the paper thickness set as a standard value from the amount of paper.

Specifically, when the paper thickness is not set, the control unit 101 refers to the standard value table 104a, determines a standard value corresponding to the amount of paper, and uses the above formulas (1) to (3). To calculate the remaining number of sheets.
In this case, the control unit 101 calculates the error range of the remaining number of sheets by increasing the error value stored in the non-volatile memory 104, and the error in the remaining number of sheets is compared with the case where the thickness of the sheet is set. Display a wide range.

[Job scheduling screen display / update processing]
The job scheduling screen display / update process is a process for displaying the job scheduling screen B on the display unit 501. On the job scheduling screen B, reservation information Rn whose display form is determined based on the remaining sheet number calculated by the remaining sheet number calculation process is displayed.

Specifically, the control unit 101 displays a job scheduling screen B (see FIG. 4) based on the job setting information stored in the nonvolatile memory 104 on the display unit 501 when a display request is given by the user. To do.
Further, the control unit 101 updates the display position of the tray information and the reservation information Rn displayed on the job scheduling screen B when the predetermined scheduling timing is reached while the job scheduling screen B is displayed on the display unit 501. To do.
The predetermined update timing is, for example, when the setting of the tray information is changed, when the image forming process for a predetermined number of sheets is completed, when a predetermined time elapses from the previous update timing, or the like.
For example, when the tray information setting is changed, the job scheduling screen B in which the first axis tray information is changed is displayed.
Further, when the image forming process for a predetermined number of sheets is completed, the job scheduling screen B in which the reservation information R1 to R7 is moved to the left by the predetermined number is displayed.
When a predetermined time has elapsed from the previous update timing, the job scheduling screen B on which the reservation information Rn with the update timing as the current time is displayed is displayed.

Next, the flow of the remaining sheet number calculation process for the sheet feeding tray will be described with reference to FIG.
This process is executed in the same manner for each of the paper feed trays FT1 to FT9, and therefore the process for the paper feed tray FT1 will be described.

First, in step S101, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the paper feed tray FT1 is pulled out or the remaining amount of paper detected by the detection sensor D is 0%.
If it is determined in step S101 that the paper feed tray FT1 is in the pulled out state or the remaining amount of paper is 0% (step S101; YES), the control unit 101 determines that the remaining number of sheets is 0 in the subsequent step S102. The number is calculated, and the process proceeds to step S106 described later.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S101 that the paper feed tray FT1 is not pulled out or the remaining amount of paper is not 0% (step S101; NO), in the subsequent step S103, the control unit 101 is stored in the paper feed tray FT1. It is determined whether or not the thickness is set for the sheet, and if it is determined that the thickness is not set (step S103; YES), in the subsequent step S104, the set thickness value is used. The remaining number of sheets is calculated, and the process proceeds to step S106 described later.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S103 that the thickness has not been set (step S103; NO), the control unit 101 calculates the remaining number of sheets using a standard value corresponding to the amount of wrinkles in subsequent step S105, The process proceeds to step S106 described later.

  Next, in step S106, the control unit 101 updates the job scheduling screen B and ends this process.

  Next, the flow of update processing of the job scheduling screen B will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step S201, the control unit 101 determines whether it is any of preset update timings. In step S201, when the control unit 101 determines that it is not any of the update timings (step S201; No), the process of step S201 is repeated.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 101 determines in step S201 that it is any of the update timings (step S201; Yes), in each subsequent step S202, each paper feed tray at the present time calculated by the above-described remaining sheet number calculation process. The remaining number of sheets is stored in the nonvolatile memory 104.

  Next, in step S203, the control unit 101 selects a paper feed tray (for example, the paper feed tray FT1) used by the job in the execution reservation order N (initial value of N = 1) based on the setting information of the job. Identify. That is, the position on the first axis of the job in the execution reservation order N is specified.

  Next, in step S204, the control unit 101 calculates an integrated value of the number of sheets that are scheduled to be used for jobs in order of execution reservation No. 1 to No. N-1, and calculates the calculated integration with the origin of the second axis as zero sheets. The position on the second axis corresponding to the value is specified as the starting point of the reservation information Rn in the execution reservation order N. That is, the position on the second axis of the job in the execution reservation order N is specified.

  Next, in step S205, the control unit 101 refers to the non-volatile memory 104, and determines whether or not the scheduled number of sheets used by the job in the execution reservation order N is less than the remaining number of sheets stored in the sheet feed tray FT1. Determine whether. In step S205, when the control unit 101 determines that the expected number of sheets to be used is less than the remaining number of sheets (step S205; Yes), in the subsequent step S206, the control unit 101 performs the above-described steps S203 and 204 on the job scheduling screen B. From the specified position to the position on the second axis corresponding to the length corresponding to the expected number of sheets to be used, all the reservation information Rn of the job in the execution reservation order N is displayed in the first display form (pattern indicating the first area). ).

On the other hand, when the control unit 101 determines in step S205 that the scheduled number of sheets to be used is larger than the remaining number of sheets (step S205; No), in the subsequent step S207, the control unit 101 displays the above-described steps S203, The remaining amount of paper that can be imaged from the position specified in 204 is displayed in the first display form (pattern indicating the first area), and the shortage of paper is displayed in the second display form (pattern indicating the second area). Is displayed.
Further, the control unit 101 displays an error range area on the job scheduling screen B when the error range is calculated.

Next, in step S208, the control unit 101 determines whether there is an undisplayed job on the job scheduling screen B. In step S208, when the control unit 101 determines that there is an undisplayed job (step S208; Yes), the process returns to step S203 and repeats the process of step S203.
On the other hand, when the control unit 101 determines in step S208 that there is no undisplayed job (step S208; No), the process ends.

  Note that the processing in steps S201 to S208 described above describes the flow of the update processing of the job scheduling screen B, but the same processing is performed when the display timing is based on the display request for the job scheduling screen B. .

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to select whether or not to set the thickness of the sheets stored in the sheet feed trays FT1 to FT9, and the remaining number of sheets based on the setting. Therefore, it is possible to achieve both the accuracy of calculating the remaining number of sheets and the operability of saving the trouble of setting the thickness.
Further, when the paper thickness is not set, the error range of the remaining number of sheets is widened on the job scheduling screen B in order to widen the error range of the remaining number of sheets as compared with the case where the paper thickness is set. Thus, even if the thickness of the paper deviates from the standard value, a suitable display can be obtained. Accordingly, it is possible to more reliably notify that there is a possibility of running out of paper.

Further, on the job scheduling screen B, it is possible to grasp at a glance the execution order of a plurality of jobs, the paper used in each job, and the paper feed tray in which the paper is stored.
Further, when the remaining number of sheets is less than the scheduled number of jobs to be used, the second axis direction corresponding to the shortage of sheets in the reservation information Rn display area in the reservation information Rn of the job on the job scheduling screen B The display area for the length of the display area is different from the display of other display areas, and the shortage of paper is displayed. Therefore, the shortage of paper to be used can be grasped for each reserved job. .

In addition, since the job scheduling screen B is updated at a predetermined update timing, the current estimated number of sheets used and the number of paper shortages for each reserved job are grasped for each tray information at each predetermined update timing. It will be possible.
Specifically, each time the setting of the tray information is changed, the image forming process is performed on a predetermined number of sheets, or the predetermined time elapses, the current number of sheets to be used for each reserved job is determined. Thus, it can be grasped for each tray information.

In addition, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified as appropriate.
For example, when setting the thickness, the error value may not be set. That is, on the job scheduling screen B, a pattern (slashed line in FIGS. 7 and 8) indicating that the estimated remaining number of sheets is small is not displayed.
Further, when the remaining number of sheets is reduced, the update timing of the job scheduling screen B may be set to be advanced step by step.

1 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which illustrates the standard value table which shows the standard value of the thickness according to the amount of wrinkles. It is a figure which illustrates a job scheduling screen. It is a figure which illustrates a setting change image (thickness designation | designated). It is a figure which illustrates a setting change image (thickness designation | designated). It is a figure which illustrates a setting change image (the amount specification). It is a figure for demonstrating the display form of reservation information. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a remaining sheet number calculation process for a sheet feeding tray. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a job scheduling screen update process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 101 Control part 104 Non-volatile memory 501 Display part 502 Touch panel 600 Image forming part FT1-FT9 Paper feed tray A Setting change screen B Job scheduling screen

Claims (6)

A paper tray,
An image forming unit that executes image forming processing according to a reserved job;
In an image forming apparatus comprising:
A setting unit for setting whether or not to set the thickness of the paper stored in the paper feed tray, and setting the thickness of the paper when the setting is selected;
When the thickness of the paper stored in the paper feed tray is set by the setting unit, the remaining paper number of the paper feed tray is set by using the paper thickness of the paper feed tray set by the setting unit. To calculate
When the thickness of the paper stored in the paper feed tray is not set by the setting unit, the remaining number of papers in the paper feed tray is determined using a paper thickness set as a standard value from a predetermined amount of paper. A control unit for calculating
An image forming apparatus comprising: Position on the first axis on a two-dimensional table showing the tray information of the paper feed tray on the first axis and the scheduled job execution time or the expected number of sheets to be used on the second axis orthogonal to the first axis And a display unit for displaying a job scheduling screen that displays reservation information of a job reserved at a position on the second axis for a length corresponding to the scheduled execution time of each job or the expected number of sheets to be used. ,
The controller is
When the calculated remaining number of sheets is less than the expected number of jobs to be used, the reservation information display area for the job on the job scheduling screen is the first area corresponding to the number of images that can be formed, and image formation is not possible. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is displayed separately from a second area corresponding to a large number of sheets. An error value storage unit for storing an error value of the thickness of the paper stored in the paper feed tray;
The controller is
Calculating the error range of the remaining number of sheets from the error value stored in the error value storage unit;
In the reservation information display area, a predetermined area corresponding to the error range including a boundary between the first area and the second area is displayed as an error range area so as to be distinguished from the first area and the second area. With
When the thickness of the paper stored in the paper feed tray is not set by the setting unit, the thickness of the paper stored in the paper feed tray is set by the setting unit, compared with the case where the thickness of the paper stored in the paper feed tray is set by the setting unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the error range area is displayed widely. The controller is
When displaying reservation information for a plurality of jobs, the origin of the second axis is set as the current time, and the corresponding reservation information is placed at a position corresponding to the tray information that matches the setting information of each job in the execution reservation order of each job. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus displays the image. The controller is
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the display position of the reservation information on the job scheduling screen is updated at a predetermined update timing with the origin of the second axis as a current time. The predetermined update timing is:
6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when the setting of the tray information is changed, when an image forming process for a predetermined number of sheets is completed, or when a predetermined time elapses from the previous update timing. Image forming apparatus.

Images