JP2010145634A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of eliminating mismatch between a sheet of paper supplied from a sheet storage section and a set value set corresponding to the sheet storage section with an input operation of the set value, even if the mismatch occurs. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes an assisting means configured to, when a job is not canceled even though the mismatch is detected, assist jamming-processing, exchange the sheets so as to match with the set value of the sheet (S113, S119 and S120), or change the set value of the sheet and exchange the sheets (S113 to S116). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  As an image forming apparatus, for example, a multifunction machine or a printer can change settings so that an actual print result matches a print condition setting by a user when printing is performed. In some models, the user interface (UI) may be the minimum necessary or may not have a paper size sensor.

  In such a model, sufficient support is not provided for the user, so the user issues a print start request without noticing the mismatch (mismatch), printing on a paper smaller than the required size, Conversely, it may be printed on paper larger than the required size.

In view of this, the print control apparatus described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 determines whether there is a mismatch with the paper set by the user based on the paper information from the printer, and can warn the user. In the print control apparatus described in Patent Document 2, the range in which the setting can be changed is limited, and the item in which the setting can be changed and the current setting value can be displayed.
JP 2003-305923 A JP 2006-11847 A

  The object of the present invention is to solve the inconsistency even if a mismatch occurs between the paper supplied from the paper storage unit and the set value set corresponding to the paper storage unit. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which can be used.

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

[1] A detection unit that detects a mismatch between a sheet supplied from a sheet storage unit designated by a print instruction and a setting value set corresponding to the sheet storage unit, and for changing the setting value And a setting value reception mode for stopping execution of printing based on the print instruction and receiving the input of the setting value from the input unit when the inconsistency is detected by the detection unit. And when the set value is input from the input unit, a control unit that changes the set value set corresponding to the paper storage unit to the set value input from the input unit, An image forming apparatus provided.

[2] The image forming apparatus according to [1], further including an operation unit for entering the set value reception mode, wherein the control unit enters the set value reception mode when the operation unit is operated.

[3] The image forming apparatus according to [1], wherein the control unit switches the content of the setting value input by the input unit according to the content of the mismatch detected by the detection unit.

[4] The image forming apparatus according to [1], wherein the set value reception mode enables the sheet to be replaced with respect to the sheet storage unit without changing the set value.

[5] The image forming apparatus according to [1], wherein the set value reception mode enables the change of the set value and the replacement of the sheet with respect to the sheet storage unit.

[6] The detection unit detects the size of the paper supplied from the paper storage unit, and the control unit is set corresponding to the paper storage unit with the size of the paper detected by the detection unit. The image forming apparatus according to [1], wherein the set value is rewritten to enter the set value reception mode.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, even if a mismatch occurs between the sheet supplied from the sheet storage unit and the set value set corresponding to the sheet storage unit, the mismatch is set. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus which can be eliminated by inputting a value.

  According to invention of Claim 2, it can enter into setting value reception mode by a user's intention.

  According to invention of Claim 3, compared with the case where an input part is provided for every content of mismatching, an input part can be made a simple structure.

  According to the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, a combination of setting value change and sheet replacement can be selected according to a desired output mode.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, there is a case where the user does not need to input the set value in the set value receiving mode, and the input operation can be omitted.

(Configuration of image forming apparatus)
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 is a multi-function machine having a plurality of functions such as a copier, a printer, and a scanner, but may be a copier or a printer.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes a main body 1, a plurality of paper cassettes 2 a to 2 d mounted on the front of the main body 1, an openable manual feed tray 3 provided on the side of the main body 1, and the manual tray 3 is provided on the upper surface of the main body unit 1, and is provided on the upper surface of the main body unit 1. An operation display unit 5 provided for inputting printing instruction information, changing setting values, displaying information, and the like, and an ADF (automatic document feeder) 6 installed on the upper part of the main body unit 1 are provided. The paper cassettes 2a to 2d and the manual feed tray 3 are examples of a paper storage unit.

  The main body 1 includes an image input unit, an image output unit, a paper supply unit, a power supply device (not shown), and the like which will be described later. The main unit 1 is connected to a plurality of personal computers (PCs) 200 installed in an office, in-house or the like via a network 300 such as a local area network (LAN). Note that only one PC 200 is shown in the figure.

  The paper cassettes 2a to 2d can be attached to and detached from the main body 1 in a pull-out manner, and can separately store papers of different sizes such as A4, B4, and B5.

  The manual feed tray 3 has a different size from the paper stored in the paper cassettes 2a to 2d, or when it is desired to use an overhead projector (OHP) sheet or colored paper that is not normally used, the paper cassettes 2a to 2d that are desired to be used. Is used when the paper is out of paper or when the designated paper is not stored in the paper cassettes 2a to 2d, and is normally closed to the main body 1.

  The paper discharge unit 4B is configured to receive the print sheets printed by the image output unit in a stacked manner.

  The ADF 6 has a document tray 60 on which a plurality of documents (not shown) can be set collectively, and the documents are automatically transferred from the document tray 60 one by one to the reading position (not shown) of the image input unit. And reading the previous document, and the next document is transported from the document tray 60 when the reading of the preceding document is completed.

(Configuration of operation display)
FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a configuration example of the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus of FIG. The operation display unit 5 performs settings related to the start button 50 used for instructing the start of the printing operation, the stop button 51 used for instructing the stop of the printing operation started by the start button 50, and the sheets of the paper cassettes 2a to 2d. A paper setting mode button 52 that is operated at the time, an up / down button 53 used for setting a paper size, a paper type, the number of printed sheets, and the like, and a paper size, a paper type, the number of printed sheets, the number of copies, an error number, and the like are displayed. A display unit 54 to be used, a 2-in-1 switching button 55 used for an instruction when printing an image for two pages on one sheet, a single-sided / double-sided switching button 56 used for designating single-sided printing or double-sided printing, and designation And a Collate switching button 57 used for an instruction to sequentially print the number of copies in units of copies.

  The start button 50 also serves as a button for confirming a set value by the paper setting mode button 52 or the like.

  The display unit 54 has a simple configuration with limited display information. For example, the display unit 54 is configured by using a 7-segment LED, and can display a maximum of three digits. For example, the paper size is “A4”, “B5”, etc., the error is “U01” (paper size mismatch), “U02” (paper type mismatch), etc., and the number of copies is “1”, “ 2 ”... Can be displayed. The paper type is a distinction between plain paper and an overhead projector (OHP) sheet. As described above, since the error is displayed by a number, it cannot be understood by a person unfamiliar with the handling of the image forming apparatus 100. Therefore, a manual is attached to the image forming apparatus 100.

  The 2-in-1 switching button 55, the single-sided / double-sided switching button 56, and the collate-switching button 57 are configured so that the designation contents are switched each time they are pressed, and each has a built-in LED, each of which designates 2-in1 and duplex printing. And it lights up corresponding to the designation of Collate.

(Configuration of control device)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control device included in the image forming apparatus of FIG. The control device 10 includes the operation display unit 5 and a controller 7 connected to the operation display unit 5, and is built in the main body unit 1 of the image forming apparatus 100.

  The controller 7 includes a control unit 71, a paper detection unit 72, and a printing condition storage unit 73. The control unit 71 is connected to the ADF 6, the image input unit 8, the image output unit 9, and the paper supply unit 11.

  The image input unit 8 is configured to optically scan a document that has reached the image reading position from the ADF 6 or a document set at the image reading position by a user using a linear image sensor or the like, and generate a photoelectrically converted signal. Yes.

  The image output unit 9 includes a semiconductor laser, an optical system, a photosensitive drum, and the like, and includes a printing mechanism (not shown) that forms a toner image on one surface of a sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit 11 and a printing mechanism. And a fixing mechanism (not shown) for fixing the toner image on the paper output from.

  The paper supply unit 11 is configured to discharge paper one by one from the paper cassettes 2 a to 2 d (or the manual feed tray 3) in accordance with the timing of image formation and to feed the paper to the image output unit 9.

  The printing condition storage unit 73 is composed of a semiconductor memory or the like, and stores printing conditions including paper information such as paper size and paper type corresponding to the paper cassettes 2a to 2d as the paper storage unit and the manual feed tray 3. .

  The paper detection unit 72 detects the time from passing the leading edge of the paper to passing the trailing edge when the paper carried out of any of the paper cassettes 2a to 2d and the manual feed tray 3 passes the detection position, and transmits the paper. Alternatively, a paper detection sensor that detects the amount of reflected light is provided. The paper detection sensor may be either a transmission type or a reflection type.

  The control unit 71 is configured using a microcomputer including a CPU 710, a ROM 711, a RAM 712, an interface circuit (not shown), and the like. The CPU 710 controls the ADF 6, the image input unit 8, the image output unit 9, and the paper supply unit 11 according to a program written in the ROM 711.

  The CPU 710 detects the paper size based on the measurement result of the time from the leading edge passage to the trailing edge passage of the paper detected by the paper detector 72, and the paper cassettes 2a to 2d and the manual feed tray 3 designated by the print instruction. If the paper size setting value stored in the printing condition storage unit 73 does not match, the paper size is determined to be inconsistent, and an error to that effect is displayed on the display unit 54 of the operation display unit 5. To do. Here, the “print instruction” includes a print instruction from the operation display unit 5 based on a user operation and a print instruction from the PC 200. The print instruction includes designation of the paper cassettes 2a to 2d and the manual feed tray 3.

  Further, when the paper detection unit 72 cannot detect the passage of the rear end of the paper for a predetermined time or longer, the CPU 710 detects a jam and displays an error to that effect on the display unit 54 of the operation display unit 5.

  Further, the CPU 710 detects the paper type based on the amount of light detected by the paper detection sensor of the paper detection unit 72, and stores the print condition corresponding to the paper cassettes 2a to 2d and the manual feed tray 3 specified by the print instruction. If the paper type stored in the unit 73 is inconsistent, it is determined that the paper type is inconsistent, and an error to that effect is displayed on the display unit 54 of the operation display unit 5. When the paper detection sensor is a transmissive type, when the amount of light received by the light receiving element is greater than the specified value, it is detected that the paper type is an OHP sheet, and the amount of light received by the light receiving element is less than the specified value. It can be detected that the paper type is plain paper. When the paper detection sensor is a reflection type, when the amount of light received by the light receiving element is smaller than the specified value, it is detected that the paper type is an OHP sheet, and the amount of light received by the light receiving element is greater than the specified value. It can be detected that the paper type is plain paper.

(General MFP)
Here, before explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus 100, a general multifunction peripheral will be outlined. The multifunction device stops its operation when a mismatch is detected due to a difference between the set value and the actual sheet. For example, a jam occurs when the supplied paper is larger than a set value, and when the paper size is smaller than the set value or the paper type is different, the corresponding paper is often stopped after being discharged. Such an error will be caused again unless the user takes any action.

  In the case of a low-cost multifunction device, the function of displaying the paper size and the like stored in the paper cassette in an easy-to-understand manner for the user is omitted, so the user often selects the paper uncertainly. . For example, when a multifunction machine is used as a copying machine, the size of the paper contained in each paper cassette is usually fixed if it is frequently used. Therefore, the user selects a tray assuming this state. That is, the user mainly considers the paper size desired to be output from the multifunction device. Further, the user may try to output from the paper cassette after confirming the paper in the paper cassette. In such a case, the user desires the paper size actually contained in the paper cassette, not the set value of the paper size displayed on the multifunction peripheral.

  On the other hand, when a multifunction peripheral is used as a printer, an electronic document from a personal computer is often output. In this case, the output paper size is often set in the electronic document. Therefore, the user is not particularly aware of the paper size, and specifies the paper size with the electronic document itself. If the paper size set for the electronic document is different from the paper size of the multifunction device, no output is made. In this case, in order to output, it is necessary for the user to set the same paper as the set value in the paper cassette. The present embodiment solves the above problems, and the details thereof will be described below.

(Operation of image forming apparatus)
4A and 4B are flowcharts showing the operation of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 4B shows a process following FIG. 4A. 4A and 4B is executed according to a program stored in the ROM 711 of the control unit 71.

  For example, when a document such as a document is copied by the image forming apparatus 100 using the paper stored in the paper cassettes 2a to 2d, the user sets the document on the document tray 60 of the ADF 6 and then as necessary. Each button of the operation display unit 5 is operated to input print instruction information such as the number of copies, the number of copies, one side / both sides, and the paper size. Next, the user presses the start button 50 of the operation display unit 5 to give a print instruction, and causes the image forming apparatus 100 to start a printing operation.

  In the process of executing the printing operation, the image forming apparatus 100 causes a mismatch between the set paper size and paper type and the paper size and paper type in the paper cassettes 2a to 2d, or an error such as a jam until the printing is completed. If not (S101: No), copy processing (print processing) is executed as specified (S102). If an error occurs (S101: Yes), the error content is displayed as a number on the display unit 54 and the printing operation is stopped (S103). The user sees the error content displayed on the display unit 54, cancels the job (S104: Yes), performs the process again (S105), performs the process corresponding to the error (S104: No), or determines whether the image forming apparatus performs the process. Decide whether to give up using 100. Here, it is assumed that the user performs processing corresponding to the error. Note that the control unit 71 determines that there is no job cancellation when, for example, a certain time has elapsed (S104: No).

  If a jam is detected (S106: Yes), an error display indicating the occurrence of a jam is made on the display unit 54 in step S103, and the user who has seen this display uses the image forming apparatus to display the paper on which the jam has occurred. It removes from the inside of 100 (S107). When there is no jam (S106: No), the user presses the paper setting mode button 52 (S108). When the paper setting mode button 52 is pressed, the setting value acceptance mode is entered.

  If it changes to setting value reception mode, the control part 71 will determine the content of inconsistency (S109). When the paper size mismatch is determined (S109: size mismatch), the setting value input in the setting value reception mode is the paper size setting (S110), and when the paper type mismatch is determined (S109). : Media mismatch), the setting value input in the setting value reception mode is the media type (paper type) setting (S111).

  Next, the control unit 71 sets the current set value as a default input value in the print condition storage unit 73 (S112).

  5A and 5B show examples of size mismatch in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 5A is a diagram for explaining the case 1 and FIG. 5B is a diagram for explaining the case 2. FIG.

  In the process of FIG. 4, the correspondence shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B exists depending on the relationship between the display of the paper on the display unit 54 and the paper stored in the paper cassettes 2a to 2d. That is, after step S112, it is determined whether or not the user replaces the sheet without changing the set value of the sheet (S113). Such a determination is likely to occur when the image forming apparatus 100 is used as a printer.

  [Case 1] shown in FIG. 5A is an example in which a sheet is replaced for a sheet size mismatch. After the error “U01” indicating the paper size mismatch is displayed on the display unit 54, the set value “A3” of the paper size is displayed on the display unit 54, but A3 is displayed on any of the paper cassettes 2a to 2d. Paper is not loaded. Therefore, the user replaces the A4 paper stored in any of the paper cassettes 2a to 2d with the A3 paper so that printing can be performed with the A3 paper (S113: Yes, S120). For this measure, the control unit 71 determines the set value with the default value (A3) (S121). That is, the paper size is determined by “A3”. As a result, the display on the display unit 54 remains “A3”.

  Next, [Case 2] shown in FIG. 5B is a case where the set value is changed for paper size mismatch and the paper is replaced. After the error “U01” indicating the paper size mismatch is displayed on the display unit 54, the set value “A3” of the paper size is displayed on the display unit 54, but A3 is displayed on any of the paper cassettes 2a to 2d. Paper is not loaded. Therefore, the user first operates the paper setting mode button 52 and the up / down button 53 of the operation display unit 5 to change the paper size to A4 (S114). Next, when the user replaces A4 paper in one of the paper cassettes 2a to 2d (S115: Yes, S116), the control unit 71 determines the set value (A4) after the change in step S114 (S117). . In step S115, if the user does not replace the sheet (S115: No), the controller 7 determines the set value (A4) after the change (S117).

  When the set value of the sheet is determined in step S117 or S121, the error processing by the control unit 71 ends (S118). After that, if the start button 50 of the operation display unit 5 is pressed, an error does not occur because the sheets are aligned (matched), and the printing process is executed with the replaced sheets (S119).

[Other embodiments]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible within the range which does not change the summary. For example, the error detection is performed by the paper detection unit 72, but can be performed by other detection means.

  The set value is determined by operating the start button 50, but may be configured by operating other buttons, for example, by “long pressing” the up / down button 53.

  Note that the combination of paper sizes shown in FIG. 5 is merely an example, and arbitrary combinations are possible within the range of paper that can be used in the image forming apparatus 100.

  In the above-described embodiment, the processing of steps S106, S113, S115, etc. is performed by the control unit 71 on the procedure (action) that the user can take next, and display on the display unit 54 with numbers, symbols, and combinations thereof. You may go.

  Also, based on the time from the leading edge passage to the trailing edge passage detected by the sheet detection unit, the size of the sheet actually stored in the sheet cassettes 2a to 2d is predicted, and the printing condition storage unit is set as a default. The stored contents of 73 may be rewritten, and the predicted size may be displayed on the display unit 54 to shift to the set value reception mode. Further, the predicted paper size may be displayed by the next selection.

  In addition, when there are a plurality of papers whose actual paper sizes are expected, they may be displayed according to the selection from the most likely ones.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a configuration example of the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus of FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control device included in the image forming apparatus of FIG. FIG. 4A is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 4B is a flowchart illustrating processing subsequent to FIG. 4A. FIGS. 5A and 5B show examples of inconsistencies in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 5A is a diagram for explaining case 1 and FIG. 5B is a diagram for explaining case 2.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main-body part, 2a-2d ... Paper cassette, 3 ... Manual feed tray, 4A ... Paper discharge tray, 4B ... Paper discharge part, 5 ... Operation display part, 6 ... ADF, 7 ... Controller, 8 ... Image input part, 9 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Image output part, 10 ... Control apparatus, 11 ... Paper supply part, 50 ... Start button, 51 ... Stop button, 52 ... Paper setting mode button, 53 ... Up / down button, 54 ... Display part, 55 ... 2-in-1 switch button, 56 ... single-sided / double-sided switching button, 57 ... Collate switching button, 60 ... document tray, 71 ... control unit, 72 ... paper detection unit, 73 ... printing condition storage unit, 100 ... image forming apparatus, 200 ... PC, 300 ... network, 710 ... CPU, 711 ... ROM, 712 ... RAM

Claims (6)

A detection unit for detecting inconsistency between a sheet supplied from a sheet storage unit designated by a print instruction and a set value set corresponding to the sheet storage unit;
An input unit for inputting a set value for changing the set value;
When the inconsistency is detected by the detection unit, the execution of printing based on the print instruction is stopped and the setting value receiving mode for receiving the input of the setting value from the input unit is entered, and the setting value is received from the input unit. A control unit that changes the set value set corresponding to the paper storage unit to the set value input from the input unit,
An image forming apparatus. An operation unit for entering the set value reception mode;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit enters the setting value reception mode when the operation unit is operated.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit switches the content of the setting value input by the input unit in accordance with the content of the mismatch detected by the detection unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the set value reception mode enables the sheet to be replaced with respect to the sheet storage unit without changing the set value.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the set value reception mode enables the change of the set value and the replacement of the sheet with respect to the sheet storage unit. The detection unit detects the size of the paper supplied from the paper storage unit,
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit rewrites a setting value set corresponding to the sheet storage unit with the size of the sheet detected by the detection unit and enters the setting value reception mode. .

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