JP2010145513A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus reducing repeated supply of a recording medium having a mismatching in the attribute information. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 1 is equipped with: a memory unit 61 storing sheet sizes as tray setting information 610 respectively corresponding to a plurality of paper feed trays housing sheets; a sheet conveying unit 3 supplying sheets to an image forming unit 5 from a plurality of designated paper feed trays in the plurality of paper feed trays based on print instruction information; a sheet size detecting means 603 detecting the sheet size of the sheet supplied from the sheet conveying unit 3; and a tray setting information control means 604 that compares the sheet size stored in the tray setting information 610 corresponding to the designated paper feed tray with the sheet size detected by the sheet size detecting means 603, and upon detecting a mismatch between the sizes, rewrites the sheet size of the tray setting information 610 by the detected sheet size. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, when the detected paper size that has detected the size of the fed recording paper does not match the specified paper size, the image forming operation depends on whether to ignore the paper size mismatch Has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The image forming apparatus compares a detected paper size with a specified designated paper size, and detects a mismatch between both paper sizes as a paper size error. When the paper size comparison means to detect, the means for the user to set whether or not to ignore the paper size mismatch, and the setting to ignore the paper size mismatch when the paper size error is detected, the image forming operation is continued. Control means for controlling the image forming unit to stop the image forming operation when the setting for ignoring the paper size mismatch is not made.
JP 2003-95482 A

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reducing the repeated supply of recording media having inconsistencies in attribute information.

  In order to achieve the above object, one embodiment of the present invention provides the following image forming apparatus.

[1] Storage means for storing attribute information of the recording medium corresponding to each of a plurality of storage units that store the recording medium, and an image from a specified storage unit among the plurality of storage units based on the print instruction information A supply unit that supplies the recording medium to the forming unit, a detection unit that detects attribute information of the recording medium supplied from the supply unit, and a storage unit corresponding to the designated storage unit When the attribute information is compared with the attribute information detected by the detecting means and a mismatch is detected between the attribute information and the attribute information detected by the detecting means, the attribute information of the storage means is An image forming apparatus comprising rewriting means for rewriting.

[2] The storage unit includes setting information for setting whether to rewrite the attribute information of the storage unit with the attribute information detected by the detection unit when the inconsistency is detected. The image forming apparatus according to [1], wherein the rewriting unit controls rewriting of the attribute information according to the setting information stored in the storage unit when the inconsistency is detected.

[3] The storage unit continues the operation by the image forming unit when the inconsistency is detected, or stops the operation by the image forming unit and discharges the recording medium supplied by the supply unit. Or setting information for setting whether to stop the operation of the image forming unit without discharging the recording medium for each of the plurality of storage units, and when the inconsistency is detected, the storage unit The image forming apparatus according to [1], further including a control unit that controls the supply unit and the image forming unit in accordance with the setting information stored in the image forming unit.

[4] The storage unit stores, for each of the plurality of storage units, setting information for setting whether to stop the supply of the recording medium from the specified storage unit when the inconsistency is detected. The image forming apparatus according to [1], further comprising a control unit that controls the supply unit according to the setting information stored in the storage unit when the inconsistency is detected.

[5] The plurality of storage units include a recording medium replacement detection unit that detects that the recording medium has been replaced, and the control unit includes the recording medium included in the storage unit that stops supplying the recording medium The image forming apparatus according to [4], wherein when the replacement detection unit detects that the recording medium has been replaced, the supply of the recording medium from the storage unit that stopped supplying the recording medium is resumed.

[6] When the attribute information of the storage unit that stopped supplying the recording medium is changed or the setting information corresponding to the storage unit that stopped supplying the recording medium is supplied to the control unit, the control unit supplies the recording medium The image forming apparatus according to [4], wherein when the recording medium is changed so as not to stop, the supply of the recording medium from the storage unit that stopped supplying the recording medium is resumed.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the repeated supply of recording media in which inconsistencies exist in attribute information.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 2, when the mismatch of attribute information is detected, it can be selected whether attribute information is rewritten.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 3, the operation | movement at the time of detecting the mismatch of attribute information can be selected.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 4, the useless consumption of a recording medium can be reduced.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 5, supply restart of the exchanged recording medium can be performed simply compared with the case where it does not have a recording medium exchange inspection means.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the supply of the recording medium can be resumed by changing the setting without replacing the recording medium.

  An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a storage unit that stores attribute information of the recording medium corresponding to a plurality of storage units that store recording media, and the plurality of storage units based on print instruction information. Supply means for supplying the recording medium from a specified storage section to the image forming section, detection means for detecting attribute information of the recording medium supplied from the supply means, and the specified storage section Correspondingly, the attribute information stored in the storage means and the attribute information detected by the detection means are compared, and when an inconsistency is detected between them, the attribute detected by the detection means Rewriting means for rewriting the attribute information of the storage means with information.

  The recording medium is a medium that can record an image as a visible image, and includes, for example, paper, a film, an OHP sheet, a postcard, and the like.

  The attribute information is information indicating the characteristics of the recording medium, and includes, for example, the size, color, material, thickness, and the like of the recording medium.

  In the above configuration, when a recording medium is supplied from the storage unit designated by the print instruction information and a mismatch is detected with the attribute information stored in the storage unit, the attribute information detected by the detection unit is stored. The attribute information of the means is rewritten. Therefore, if the recording medium of the storage unit has not been exchanged until the next print instruction information is received, the attribute information stored in the storage unit matches the attribute information of the storage unit, so the user It is possible to reduce the trouble of setting information and the deterioration of image formation quality due to inconsistent attribute information.

  FIG. 1 is an overall view showing an example of a schematic configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This image forming system 100 is configured by connecting an information processing apparatus 300 to an image forming apparatus 1 via a network 200.

  The network 200 is a communication network such as a LAN (local area network) that transmits and receives data by wired communication (electric cable, optical cable, etc.), wireless communication (radio waves, infrared rays, etc.), and the like.

  The information processing apparatus 300 includes, for example, a personal computer (PC), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, and the like. When the information processing apparatus 300 accepts a print instruction operation for document data, the information processing apparatus 300 transmits the document data and print instruction information based on the operation to the image forming apparatus 1 via the network 200. In FIG. 1, there is one information processing apparatus 300, but a plurality of information processing apparatuses 300 may be used.

  The print instruction information is information specifying, for example, a tray, the number of copies, the number of copies, single side / double side, paper size, and the like.

(Image forming device)
The image forming apparatus 1 includes a main body 2 constituting a housing and the like, a paper transport unit (supplying unit) 3 that supplies a paper (recording medium) to an image forming unit 5 along a predetermined transport path 30, and an optical document. An image reading unit 4 for reading the image and generating read image data as digital data, an image forming unit 5 for forming an image as a visible image on a sheet, and a controller 6 for controlling each unit of the image forming apparatus 1. Prepare.

  The main body 2 has a display unit with limited display information, for example, a display unit such as a 7-segment LED, and an operation display unit 20 having hard keys such as a start key and a setting key, and sheets for each size such as A4 and B4. The first to third paper feed trays (accommodating units) 21A to 21C for accommodating the paper, the manual feed tray 22 for supplying the paper manually fed from the outside of the main body 2 to the image forming unit 5, and the image forming unit 5 for images. A paper discharge tray 23 that discharges the formed paper, a document supply tray 24 that sequentially feeds documents placed in a batch as a document to be read to the image reading unit 4, and a document read by the image reading unit 4. Is provided with a document discharge tray 25 and a platen 26 on which a document to be read is placed.

  The first to third paper feed trays 21 </ b> A to 21 </ b> C can be opened / closed from the main body 2 and provided with an open / close detection sensor (recording medium replacement detection means) for detecting that the open / close is performed. . The number of paper feed trays 21A to 21C may be two, or four or more.

  The paper transport unit 3 transports paper from the tray specified in the print instruction information (hereinafter referred to as “designated tray”) to the image forming unit 5 among the first to third paper feed trays 21A to 21C or the manual feed tray 22. And a plurality of paper presence / absence sensors 32 that detect the presence / absence of the paper conveyed by the conveyance roller 31. The sheet presence / absence sensor 32 may be a reflection type sensor or a transmission type sensor.

  The image reading unit 4 optically reads a predetermined surface of a document to be read. For example, the image reading unit 4 converts a photoelectric conversion element such as an image sensor and an analog signal output from the photoelectric conversion element into a digital signal for reading. An A / D converter for generating image data.

  The image forming unit 5 is based on an exposure unit 50 that generates an optical signal based on image data to be imaged, a mirror 51 that reflects light from the exposure unit 50 in a predetermined direction, and light from the mirror 51. A photosensitive drum 52 on which a latent image is formed on the surface and a toner image is formed on the latent image; a transfer unit 53 that transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 52 to a predetermined surface of the paper; And a fixing device 54 that fixes the transferred toner image as an image on a sheet by heat and pressure.

  The image formed by the image forming unit 5 may be black and white or color. The image forming unit 5 may use an image forming method such as an ink jet method, a thermal transfer method, or a plotter method instead of the electrophotographic method, but is not limited thereto.

(Control system for image forming apparatus)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a control system of the image forming apparatus. The controller 6 of the image forming apparatus 1 is connected to the paper transport unit 3, the image reading unit 4, the image forming unit 5, and the operation display unit 20.

  The controller 6 is connected to, for example, a control unit 60 realized by a CPU or the like, a storage unit (storage means) 61 realized by a ROM, RAM, hard disk, or the like that stores programs, data, and the like, and a network 200. For example, the communication unit 62 is realized by a network interface card.

  The storage unit 61 includes a control program 610 for executing each step shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 to be described later, and tray setting information including sheet attribute information corresponding to the first to third paper feed trays 21A to 21C. 611 is stored. In the present embodiment, the set paper size is used as attribute information. Details of the tray setting information 611 will be described later.

  The control unit 60 operates according to the control program 610 to thereby perform image processing means 600, paper conveyance control means (control means) 601, paper size detection means (detection means) 602, inconsistency detection means 603, and tray setting information management. It functions as a means (rewriting means) 604 or the like.

  The image processing unit 600 controls the image reading unit 4 and the image forming unit 5 and performs image processing such as processing and conversion of image data used in the image reading unit 4 and the image forming unit 5.

  The paper transport control unit 601 controls the paper transport unit 3 so as to supply the paper from the designated tray to the image forming unit 5, and controls the paper transport unit 3 according to various setting parameters described later recorded in the tray setting information. Control.

  The paper size detection unit 602 detects the paper size of the paper transported by the paper transport unit 3 from the detection state of the paper presence sensor 32. Hereinafter, the paper size detected by the paper size detection unit 602 is referred to as “detected paper size”.

  The inconsistency detection unit 603 compares the set sheet size stored in correspondence with the designated tray in the tray setting information 611 and the detected sheet size by the sheet size detection unit 602, and an inconsistency occurs between the two. Detect that

  When the inconsistency detection unit 603 detects inconsistency, the tray setting information management unit 604 rewrites the set sheet size for the designated tray in the tray setting information 611 with the detected sheet size.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the tray setting information. The tray setting information 611 includes a mismatch tray operation setting parameter, a paper size automatic setting parameter, a mismatch tray availability parameter, and a set paper size (for each of the first to third paper feed trays 21A to 21C. Attribute information) and a paper size mismatch state are recorded. Note that the tray setting information 611 may include records for the manual feed tray 22 and the document supply tray 24.

  The tray setting information 611 is configured to be changeable by the user via the operation display unit 20. In the example of FIG. 3, the current setting value 611a set by the user in the inconsistent tray operation setting parameter, the paper size automatic setting parameter, and the inconsistent tray availability parameter is marked with a black circle.

  The inconsistency tray operation setting parameter is setting information for setting an operation when inconsistency is detected by the inconsistency detection unit 603, and can take three setting values of “continue”, “stop”, and “discharge”. .

  When the setting value 611a of the inconsistent tray operation setting parameter is “continue”, the image forming operation by the image forming unit 5 is continued on the sheet in which the inconsistency is detected. When the set value 611a is “discharge”, the image forming operation by the image forming unit 5 is stopped, and the sheet in which inconsistency is detected is discharged as a blank sheet. When the set value 611a is “stop”, the image forming operation by the image forming unit 5 is stopped without discharging the paper in which the inconsistency is detected.

  In the paper size automatic setting parameter, “ON” and “OFF” whether or not to rewrite the set paper size for the designated tray in the tray setting information 611 with the detected paper size when the inconsistency is detected by the inconsistency detecting unit 603. The setting information is set with the two setting values.

  The mismatch tray availability parameter indicates whether or not to stop the supply of paper from the designated tray when mismatch is detected by the mismatch detection unit 603 with two set values “permitted” and “impossible”. This is setting information to be set.

(Operation of image forming system)
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the image forming apparatus. Here, a case where the user operates the image forming apparatus 1 to copy a document placed on the platen 26 will be described.

  First, when the user places an original to be read on the platen 26 and performs an operation of a copy instruction specifying, for example, a tray, the number of copies, etc., by the operation display unit 20, the control unit 60 displays the copy instruction. Accepted as print instruction information (S1).

  Next, when the image processing unit 600 sends a document reading start command to the image reading unit 4, the document on the platen 26 is optically read by the photoelectric conversion element of the image reading unit 4, and the A / D converter Read image data is generated (S2).

  Next, in parallel with the operation of the image reading unit 4, the sheet conveyance control unit 601 sends a rotation command including a rotation speed to the conveyance roller 31 in order to convey the sheet from the designated tray of the print instruction information. The transport roller 31 rotates in accordance with the rotation command, so that the paper is transported from the designated tray and supplied to the image forming unit 5 along the transport path 30 (S3).

  Then, when the paper presence / absence sensor 32 sends a detection state signal indicating the presence / absence of paper to the paper size detection means 602 as the paper is conveyed by the conveyance roller 31, the paper size detection means 602 detects the rotation speed of the conveyance roller 31. In addition to obtaining the sheet conveyance speed, the passage time from when the leading edge of the sheet passes over the sheet presence sensor 32 until the trailing edge of the sheet passes is obtained from the detection state signal of the sheet presence sensor 32. Then, the paper size detection unit 602 detects the paper size in the conveyance direction of the conveyance path 30 from the conveyance speed and the passage time (S4).

  Next, the mismatch detection unit 603 determines whether or not there is a mismatch between the detected sheet size detected by the sheet size detection unit 602 and the set sheet size for the specified tray in the tray setting information 611 ( S10).

  Then, as a result of the determination, if the detected paper size does not match the set paper size and the paper transport control unit 601 detects an inconsistency between the detected paper size and the set paper size (S10: Yes) ) “Inconsistent” is recorded in the paper size inconsistent state for the designated tray (S11).

  Next, the image processing unit 600, the sheet conveyance control unit 601, the tray setting information management unit 604, etc., “continue”, “stop” or “discharge” according to the setting value of the inconsistent tray operation setting parameter for the designated tray. The process branches to "" (S20).

  If the inconsistent tray operation setting parameter is set to “continue” (S20: “continue”), the tray setting information management unit 604 sets “no inconsistency” to the paper size inconsistency state for the designated tray. Record (S30). Next, when the setting value of the paper size automatic setting parameter for the designated tray is “ON” (S31: “ON”), the tray setting information management unit 604 detects the detected paper as the set paper size in the tray setting information 611. The size is recorded (S32).

  Then, the image processing unit 600 sends the read image data generated in step S2 to the exposure unit 50 of the image forming unit 5, and converts the read image data into the read image data via the mirror 51, the photosensitive drum 52, the transfer unit 53, and the like. The base image is formed on the sheet supplied by the conveyance roller 31, and the sheet conveyance control unit 601 controls the conveyance roller 31 to discharge the sheet to the sheet discharge tray 23 (S33).

  In step S10, when the mismatch detection unit 603 detects that the detected paper size matches the set paper size and does not detect a mismatch between the detected paper size and the set paper size (S10: No). In step S33, an image is formed on the sheet, and the sheet is discharged to the discharge tray 23 (S33).

  When the inconsistent tray operation setting parameter is set to “stop” (S20: “stop”), the paper transport control unit 601 indicates on the operation display unit 20 that the paper size is inconsistent. An error message is displayed and the process stops with a paper size mismatch error (S40).

  When the inconsistent tray operation setting parameter is set to “discharge” (S20: “discharge”), the sheet conveyance control unit 601 does not perform image formation by the image forming unit 5 on the sheet. The sheet is discharged to the discharge tray 23 as it is (S50).

  Then, the tray setting information management unit 604 indicates that the setting value of the inconsistent tray availability parameter for the designated tray is “available” (S51: “enabled”), and the installation value of the paper size automatic setting parameter is “on”. In the case of (S52: “ON”), the detected paper size is recorded in the set paper size of the tray setting information 611 (S53), and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if the setting value of the inconsistent tray availability parameter for the designated tray is “impossible” (S51: “impossible”), the tray setting information management unit 604 proceeds to step S51 and performs a paper size mismatch error. (S51).

  Further, the paper transport control unit 601 stops the supply of new paper from the paper feed tray in which “mismatched” is recorded in the paper size mismatching state. Thereafter, for example, when opening / closing of the paper feed tray is detected by the open / close detection sensor, the paper transport control unit 601 resumes the paper supply from the paper feed tray.

  Further, when the user operates the operation display unit 20 and (1) the set paper size of the paper feed tray recorded with “mismatched” in the paper size mismatch state is changed, (2) the mismatch tray When the usability parameter is changed to “possible”, (3) when the paper size inconsistency state is changed to “no inconsistency”, the paper transport control unit 601 determines the paper from the paper feed tray. Restart supply.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 receives document data and print instruction information from the information processing apparatus 300, the generation of read image data (step S2) is omitted in the flowchart shown in FIG. Processing may be performed by replacing image data with document data.

[Other embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, each unit included in the image forming apparatus is realized by the control unit and the control program, but part or all of them may be realized by hardware.

  The program used in the above embodiment may be read from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM into a storage unit in the apparatus, or downloaded to a storage unit in the apparatus from a server connected to a network such as the Internet. May be.

FIG. 1 is an overall view showing an example of a schematic configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a control system of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the tray setting information. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the image forming apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 2 ... Main body, 3 ... Paper conveyance part, 4 ... Image reading part, 5 ... Image forming part, 6 ... Controller, 20 ... Operation display part, 21A-21C ... Paper feed tray, 22 ... Manual feed tray , 23 ... paper discharge tray, 24 ... document supply tray, 25 ... document discharge tray, 26 ... platen, 30 ... transport path, 31 ... transport roller, 32 ... paper presence sensor, 50 ... exposure part, 51 ... mirror, 52 ... Photosensitive drum, 53 ... transfer unit, 54 ... fixer, 60 ... control unit, 61 ... storage unit, 62 ... communication unit, 100 ... image forming system, 200 ... network, 300 ... information processing device, 600 ... image processing means 601... Paper conveyance control means 602... Paper size detection means 603... Mismatch detection means 604... Tray setting information management means 610. ... settings

Claims (6)

Storage means for storing attribute information of the recording medium corresponding to each of a plurality of storage units for storing the recording medium;
Supply means for supplying the recording medium from a specified storage unit to the image forming unit among the plurality of storage units based on print instruction information;
Detecting means for detecting attribute information of the recording medium supplied from the supplying means;
When the attribute information stored in the storage means corresponding to the designated storage unit is compared with the attribute information detected by the detection means, and a mismatch is detected between them, the detection is performed. An image forming apparatus comprising: rewriting means for rewriting the attribute information in the storage means with the attribute information detected by the means. The storage unit stores setting information for setting whether to rewrite the attribute information of the storage unit with the attribute information detected by the detection unit when the inconsistency is detected for each of the plurality of storage units. And
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rewriting unit controls rewriting of the attribute information according to the setting information stored in the storage unit when the inconsistency is detected. The storage unit continues the operation by the image forming unit when the inconsistency is detected, stops the operation by the image forming unit and discharges the recording medium supplied by the supply unit, or Storing setting information for setting whether to stop the operation of the image forming unit without discharging the recording medium for each of the plurality of storage units;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that controls the supply unit and the image forming unit according to the setting information stored in the storage unit when the mismatch is detected. The storage means stores, for each of the plurality of storage units, setting information for setting whether to stop the supply of the recording medium from the specified storage unit when the inconsistency is detected,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that controls the supply unit according to the setting information stored in the storage unit when the inconsistency is detected. The plurality of storage units include a recording medium replacement detection unit that detects that the recording medium has been replaced,
When the recording medium exchange detecting means included in the storage unit that has stopped supplying the recording medium detects that the recording medium has been replaced, the control unit detects from the storage unit that stopped supplying the recording medium. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the supply of the recording medium is resumed.   The control means does not stop the supply of the recording medium when the attribute information of the storage unit that stopped supplying the recording medium is changed or the setting information corresponding to the storage unit that stopped supplying the recording medium The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the change is made, the supply of the recording medium is resumed from the storage unit that stopped supplying the recording medium.

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