JP2010262205A - Image forming apparatus, image forming method, image forming program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide: an image forming apparatus for suitably selecting an ejecting destination for an image forming medium such as paper on which image formation is carried out; an image forming method; an image forming program; and a recording medium. <P>SOLUTION: A digital copying apparatus 1 includes a plurality of paper ejection trays 3 and the like having specification information for paper passing that is a property condition for allowing or not allowing ejection of the paper P according to the property of the paper P. In this case, the properties of the paper P which actually has an image formed by a plotter section 20 is detected by a media sensor 19 and the ejection destination for ejecting the paper P is selectively controlled based on the properties of the paper P that is detected and the specification information on paper passing for the paper ejection tray 3 and the like. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, an image forming program, and a recording medium, and more specifically, an image forming apparatus and an image forming method for appropriately selecting a discharge destination of an image forming medium such as paper on which an image has been formed. The present invention relates to an image forming program and a recording medium.

  In an image forming apparatus such as a printer that prints data, when a plurality of discharge destinations of image forming media (hereinafter simply referred to as “paper”) such as printed paper and film are provided, prior to image formation. The paper discharge destination is designated by operating the operation display unit or the like, and the image forming apparatus discharges the image-formed paper to the designated discharge destination. In the image forming apparatus, it may be necessary to change the discharge destination because the specified discharge destination is jammed or paper discharge by another user is already placed.

  Therefore, conventionally, when a plurality of paper discharge destinations are provided and the designated paper discharge destination cannot be used, the paper discharge destination is changed to another paper discharge destination and discharged to the original paper discharge destination. A technique has been proposed in which the paper discharge destination is returned to the original paper discharge destination (see Patent Document 1).

  That is, according to this conventional technique, when the discharge destination designated as the discharge destination of the formed image cannot be used for some reason, other discharge destinations that can be discharged in the preset order are set. When the paper is retrieved and discharged, and the paper can be discharged to the original paper discharge destination, the paper discharge destination is returned to the original paper discharge destination. In addition, this conventional technique searches for a paper discharge destination corresponding to paper information such as a paper size and a paper type preset in the operation display unit or the like.

  However, in the prior art described in the above publication, since the paper discharge destination (discharge destination) is searched based on the paper information of the image forming medium such as paper set in advance, the operator forms an image by mistake. Even when the type of medium is set, the image forming medium that is actually formed and discharged (discharged) is searched for other discharge destinations based on the set paper information of the image forming medium. If the set paper information of the image forming medium is different, there is a possibility that a jam occurs or a discharge abnormality occurs such that post-processing such as folding processing or punch processing cannot be performed properly.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, an image forming program, and a recording medium that can further appropriately select a discharge destination of an image forming medium and improve discharge performance. It is said.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, an image formed by a plurality of discharge means having discharge permission / non-permission characteristic conditions for permitting / disallowing discharge of the image forming medium according to the characteristics of the image forming medium. The discharge destination for discharging the forming medium is detected based on the detected characteristics of the image forming medium and the discharge permission / non-permission characteristic conditions of the discharging means. A discharge destination selection control process for selection control is performed.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the discharge unit of the discharge destination of the image forming medium on which an image is formed is set, in the discharge destination selection control process, the detected characteristics of the image forming medium and the discharge unit Based on the discharge permission / non-permission characteristics, the permission / non-permission of discharge of the image forming medium with respect to the set discharging unit is determined. If it is determined that the image forming medium is not permitted, discharge of the image forming medium is permitted. The other discharge unit may be selected as a discharge destination of the image forming medium.

  Further, the present invention provides the image forming medium for the discharge unit set in the discharge destination selection control process based on the detected characteristic of the image forming medium and the discharge permission / non-permission characteristic of the discharge unit. Even if it is determined that the discharge is permitted / not permitted, if the other discharge means that are permitted to discharge the image forming medium cannot be selected, the discharge destination setting means sets the discharge medium. It is also possible to select an existing discharge destination as the discharge destination of the image forming medium, or to interrupt image formation.

  Further, the present invention provides a setting for whether or not the discharge destination selection control process is executed by the discharge control means, a priority order setting for selecting the other discharge means by the discharge destination selection control process, and the discharge destination selection control. When at least one of processing method settings when another discharge destination cannot be selected in the process is performed, the discharge destination selection control process may be processed according to the setting.

  According to the present invention, the discharge destination of the image forming medium can be selected more appropriately, and the discharge performance can be improved.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of a digital copying apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a main part of a digital copying apparatus. The figure which shows an example of paper passing specification information. 5 is a flowchart showing image formation control processing. The figure which shows an example of an automatic discharge destination switching setting screen. The figure which shows an example of a designated discharge destination paper discharge notification screen. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a paper discharge destination change notification screen. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen when a paper discharge destination cannot be switched. The figure which shows an example of a printing interruption notification screen.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, since the Example described below is a suitable Example of this invention, various technically preferable restrictions are attached | subjected, However, The range of this invention is unduly limited by the following description. However, not all the configurations described in the present embodiment are essential constituent elements of the present invention.

  1 to 9 are diagrams showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, an image forming program, and a recording medium according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and an image according to the present invention. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of an electrophotographic digital copying apparatus 1 to which an embodiment of a forming program and a recording medium is applied.

  In FIG. 1, the digital copying apparatus 1 includes a main body housing 2 in which a paper feeding unit 10, a plotter unit 20, and the like are housed, and a scanner unit 110 is disposed above the main body housing 2. In addition, the digital copying apparatus 1 includes an operation display unit 120 (see FIG. 2) that performs various operations of the digital copying apparatus 1 and displays necessary information.

  The scanner unit 110 irradiates the original with reading light, performs main scanning / sub-scanning on the original, reads an image of the original, and transfers image data of the read original to the plotter unit 20.

  The sheet feeding unit 10 includes a first sheet feeding tray 11, a second sheet feeding tray 12, sheet feeding rollers 13, 14, separation pads 15, 16, a conveyance roller 17, a registration roller 18, a media sensor 19, and the like. Each of the sheet feeding trays 11 and 12 stores a plurality of sheets (image forming media) P having different sheet characteristics such as various sheet sizes and sheet thicknesses. Note that the image forming medium that is the object of image formation by the digital copying apparatus 1 is not limited to the paper P, but may be a film or the like. However, in order to clarify the description, in the following description, the image forming medium Will be described as paper P. The paper feed unit 10 separates the paper P in the paper feed trays 11 and 12 one by one by the paper feed rollers 13 and 14 and the separation pads 15 and 16, and sends them to the transport roller 17. Transport to. The registration roller 18 adjusts the timing of the sheet P conveyed by the conveyance roller 17 and then conveys it to the plotter unit 20. Although not shown, the paper feeding unit 10 may include a manual paper feeding unit that manually sets the paper P. When the manual paper feeding unit is provided, the paper P is manually inserted into the manual paper feeding unit. Then, the manually fed paper P is conveyed to the plotter unit 20.

  The media sensor (characteristic detection means) 19 detects paper characteristics such as the size, thickness (paper thickness), and smoothness of the paper P conveyed from the paper feed trays 11 and 12 to the plotter unit 20. As the media sensor 19, an optical sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an electric resistance sensor, or the like can be used. As the optical sensor, an infrared transmitted light amount detection sensor, a regular reflection light amount detection sensor, a paper surface unevenness detection sensor, or the like. Can be used. The media sensor 19 detects the sheet characteristic of the sheet P conveyed from the sheet feeding trays 11 and 12 to the plotter unit 20 by using one or a plurality of these sensors.

  The plotter unit (image forming means) 20 includes a photosensitive belt unit 30, M (magenta), C (cyan), Y (yellow), and K (black) developing units 40M, 40C, 40Y, and 40K, and an intermediate transfer belt unit. 50, a secondary transfer unit 60, a writing unit 70, a charging unit 80, a fixing unit 90, a paper discharge unit 100, and the like. The digital copying apparatus 1 is provided in the main body housing 2 above the plotter unit 20. A main body discharge tray 3 is formed.

  The photosensitive belt unit 30 includes rollers 31, 32, and 33, a belt-shaped photosensitive belt 34 that is formed in an annular shape and stretched between the rollers 31 to 33, a photosensitive member cleaning unit 35, a photosensitive member waste toner bottle 36, and the like. The photosensitive belt 34 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 1 (the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1) along at least one of the rollers 31 to 33 when the rollers 31 to 33 are rotationally driven. Driven.

  The charging unit 80 is disposed in the vicinity of the roller 32 in the vicinity of the photosensitive belt 34 and uniformly charges the photosensitive belt 34.

  The writing unit 70 sequentially irradiates the photosensitive belt 34 uniformly charged by the charging unit 80 with the laser beam modulated based on the image data of each color from the scanner unit 110 one by one. Each time 34 completes one turn, an electrostatic latent image of each color is sequentially formed on the photosensitive belt 34.

  The developing units 40M to 40K are arranged in the order of M (magenta), C (cyan), Y (yellow), and K (black) from the lower side, and the toner bottles 41M, 41C, 41Y of each color of MCYK, respectively. 41K is accommodated in the cartridges 42M, 42C, 42Y, and 42K. Each of the developing units 40M to 40K is supplied with toner of each color from the toner bottles 41M, 41C, 41Y, and 41K of each color, and each time the photoreceptor belt 34 makes one turn, the writing unit 70 is based on the image data of each color. The toner of the color is supplied to the electrostatic latent image of the color on the photosensitive belt 34 formed by the above, and the toner image of each color is sequentially formed.

  In this case, the plotter unit 20 contacts and separates the developing units 40M to 40K from the photosensitive belt 34 in the order of the developing unit 40K → the developing unit 40C → the developing unit 40Y → the developing unit 40M. The toner is transferred (primary transfer) from the corresponding color developing units 40M to 40K to the corresponding electrostatic latent image, and each time the photosensitive belt 34 makes one turn, the color of each color is transferred onto the photosensitive belt 34. Toner images are sequentially formed.

  The photoreceptor belt 34 is rotated so that the toner image of each color formed on the photoreceptor belt 34 is sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 51 of the intermediate transfer belt unit 50 at the roller 33 portion every round. The images are superimposed and transferred, and a full-color toner image is transferred and formed on the intermediate transfer belt 51.

  After the transfer, the remaining toner is removed by the photoreceptor cleaning unit 35 and the removed waste toner is stored in the photoreceptor waste toner bottle 36.

  In the intermediate transfer belt unit 50, the intermediate transfer belt 51 is stretched around a plurality of rollers 52, and at least one roller 52 is driven to rotate, thereby being counterclockwise in FIG. 1 (indicated by an arrow in FIG. 1). Direction). The intermediate transfer belt unit 50 includes an intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 53, an intermediate transfer waste toner bottle 54, an intermediate transfer roller 55, and the like. The intermediate transfer roller 55 intermediates toner images of each color on the photosensitive belt 34. A color toner image is formed by sequentially superimposing and transferring on the transfer belt 51.

  The intermediate transfer belt 51 is provided with a secondary transfer unit 60 at a position opposite to the photosensitive belt 34, and the paper feeding unit is interposed between the secondary transfer unit 60 and the intermediate transfer belt 51. The paper fed out from the ten paper feed trays 11 and 12 and whose paper characteristics are detected by the media sensor 19 is conveyed after the timing is adjusted by the registration roller 18.

  The secondary transfer unit 60 transfers the color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 51 onto the paper P that has been conveyed to the intermediate transfer belt 51.

  After the transfer, the intermediate transfer belt 51 has the remaining toner removed by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 53, and the removed waste toner is stored in the intermediate transfer waste toner bottle 54.

  The plotter unit 20 conveys the paper P on which the color toner image is transferred by the secondary transfer unit 60 to the fixing unit 90, and heats and presses the paper P while conveying the paper P by the fixing unit 90. The toner image is fixed on the paper P.

  The fixing unit 90 conveys the fixed paper P to the paper discharge unit 100. The paper discharge unit 100 transfers the fixed paper P to the main body paper discharge tray 3 or a plurality of finishers (not shown). Discharge to one of the output trays. In addition, the fixing unit 90 includes a fixing oil application unit 91 for applying fixing oil to the fixing unit 90 so as to maintain fixability and glossiness.

  Although not shown, the paper discharge unit 100 is connected to a finisher (post-processing device) that performs post-processing such as stapling and folding, and a plurality of (three in this embodiment) discharges are connected to the finisher. The following description will be made assuming that a paper tray (hereinafter referred to as finisher trays Ft1 to Ft3) is provided. The finisher trays Ft1 to Ft3 are, for example, a staple tray, a proof tray, a saddle stitch tray, and the like.

  As will be described later, the paper discharge unit 100 selects any one of the main body paper discharge tray 3 and the finisher trays Ft1 to Ft3, and determines the paper discharge destination of the paper P on which the image is formed by the plotter unit 20. A paper discharge destination control process for discharging the paper P to the paper discharge destination is performed.

  Although not shown, the digital copying apparatus 1 is connected to a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) to which an external device such as a computer is connected, and a control signal is transmitted to the external device via the network. The image data read by the scanner unit 110 may be transmitted to the external device, or the data received from the external device may be recorded and output on the paper P by the plotter unit 20. Further, the digital copying apparatus 1 is connected to a public telephone line network, transmits / receives a facsimile control signal and image data to / from a partner facsimile apparatus via the public telephone line network, and reads an image read by the scanner unit 110. Data may be transmitted to the counterpart facsimile machine by facsimile, or image data received by facsimile from the counterpart facsimile machine may be recorded and output on the paper P by the plotter unit 20.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the digital copying apparatus 1 includes a controller 200, an operation panel 210, an engine 220, and the like. The engine 220 performs operations of the paper feeding unit 10, the plotter unit 20, and the scanner unit 110. Control is performed to read an original image using the scanner unit 110 and to form an image on the paper P using the paper feeding unit 10 and the plotter unit 20.

  The operation panel (paper discharge destination setting means, processing setting means) 210 includes various operation keys necessary for operating the digital copying apparatus 1 such as a start key, a numeric keypad, an image quality setting key, a font to be used, and a paper setting key. In addition, a display unit (for example, a liquid crystal display) or the like is provided, and various operations for operating the digital copying apparatus 1, particularly various setting operations in a paper discharge destination selection control process described later, are performed from the operation keys. The display unit (information output means) executes an image formation control method for appropriately performing the contents of commands input from the operation keys and various types of information notified to the user from the digital copying apparatus 1, particularly the paper discharge process. Various information necessary for the image formation control process is displayed.

  The controller 10 converts the image data read by the scanner unit 110, the data received from the external device, and the image data received from the partner facsimile machine into video data according to the control mode set at that time, and sends the video data to the engine 220. Further, the image data of the document read by the scanner unit 110 is subjected to necessary data processing according to the output format, and data transmission or facsimile transmission is performed.

  The engine 220 includes an ASIC 221, an NVRAM (Nonvolatile Random Access Memory) 222, a FROM (Flash Read Only Memory) 223, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 224, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 225, and the like. They are connected by a bus 226.

  The ASIC 221 includes a video output unit, a communication buffer, and the like, and performs data interface with the controller 200.

  The FROM 223 executes a basic program for controlling the operation of the engine 220, an image formation control program for executing an image formation control method for automatically selecting a paper discharge destination (discharge destination) of the paper P of the present invention, which will be described later, and these programs. The NVRAM 222 stores various data to be stored even when the power of the digital copying apparatus 1 is off, for example, print setting contents, various setting information necessary for communication, and the like. In particular, the NVRAM 222 stores sheet-passing specification information (discharge permission / non-permission characteristic conditions) used in image formation control processing for automatically selecting and controlling a sheet discharge destination, which will be described later. As shown in the drawing, for each paper discharge tray 3 and finisher trays Ft1 to Ft2, whether various paper characteristics, for example, plain paper, thin paper, and two types of thick paper (thick paper a, thick paper b, etc.) can be discharged. This is sheet passing specification information indicating whether or not the sheet can be discharged.

  The RAM 224 is used as a work memory for the CPU 225 and a page memory for developing image data for one page to be printed out as video data.

  Paper characteristics are input from the media sensor 19 to the CPU 225. The CPU 225 controls each part of the engine 220 using the RAM 224 as a work memory based on a program in the FROM 223, and performs engine 220 such as image forming processing and scanner processing. And an image formation control method for controlling the paper discharge destination of the paper P based on the paper characteristics from the media sensor 19 is executed.

  That is, the digital copying apparatus 1 includes a ROM, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), an EPROM, a flash memory, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a CD-RW (Compact Disc Rewritable), a DVD. An image formation control program for executing the image formation control method of the present invention recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a (Digital Video Disk), an SD (Secure Digital) card, or an MO (Magneto-Optical Disc) is read. In the image forming control method, selection control (discharge destination selection control) of a paper discharge destination (discharge destination) appropriate for the paper P actually transported as a paper discharge destination of the paper P described later is introduced into the FROM 223 and the like. It is constructed as an image forming apparatus that executes the above. This image formation control program is a computer-executable program written in a legacy programming language such as assembler, C, C ++, C #, Java (registered trademark), an object-oriented programming language, or the like, and is stored in the recording medium. And can be distributed.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The digital copying apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment appropriately controls the paper discharge destination based on paper characteristics such as the thickness, smoothness, and size of the paper P on which an image is actually formed.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the digital copying apparatus 1 has various print settings necessary for the printing process by the user of the digital copying apparatus 1, in particular, the paper feed trays 11 and 12 and the paper discharge destination (the main body paper discharge tray 3). When the discharge destination setting for setting the finisher trays Ft1 to Ft3) is performed by the operation panel 210 or an external device on the network and the start of printing is instructed by pressing the start key of the operation panel 210 or the like, the controller 200 The print setting contents are acquired and notified to the engine 220 (step S101), and the CPU 225 of the engine 220 separates the paper P one by one from the paper feed trays 11 and 12 specified by the print setting, and plots them. The paper feeding operation for conveying to the unit 20 is started (step S102).

  When the engine 220 starts the paper feeding operation, the media sensor 19 detects the paper characteristic of the paper P conveyed from the paper feeding unit 10 to the plotter unit 20 and outputs it to the CPU 225 (step S103). Based on the sheet characteristics of the sheet P detected by the sheet 19, the sheet P can be discharged to the discharge destination 3 and Ft 1 to Ft 3 specified in the print settings by referring to the sheet passing specification information in the NVRAM 222 (setting) It is determined whether or not the sheet can be discharged to a discharge destination (step S104).

  For example, when the paper setting of the paper feed trays 11 and 12 set in the print settings is “plain paper” and the finisher tray Ft3 is set as the paper discharge destination, it is designated as the paper discharge destination. The sheet characteristic that can be discharged to the finisher tray Ft3 is only “plain paper” in the case of the sheet passing specification information shown in FIG. Therefore, when the paper characteristic of the paper P actually stored in the paper feed trays 11 and 12 is “plain paper” and the media sensor 19 detects plain paper, the CPU 225 discharges paper to the set discharge destination. The sheet P of the sheet P actually stored in the sheet feeding trays 11 and 12 has a sheet characteristic other than “plain paper”, for example, “thin paper”, “thick paper a”, or “thick paper b”. When the media sensor 19 detects a paper characteristic other than “plain paper”, it is determined that paper discharge to the set paper discharge destination is impossible.

  In step S104, when paper discharge to the set paper discharge destination is possible, the CPU 225 prints out an image (image formation output) on the paper P conveyed from the paper supply unit 10 to the plotter unit 20, and has already been printed. The paper P is discharged to the paper discharge destination set in the print settings (main body paper discharge tray 3, finisher trays Ft1 to Ft3), and printing of one page is finished (step S105). The data to be printed out on the paper P by the plotter unit 20 is image data of a document read by the scanner unit 110, data received from an external device via a network, image data received by facsimile, or a hard disk (not shown). This is data that is stored.

  In step S104, when it is not possible to discharge to the set discharge destination, the CPU 225 checks whether the discharge tray switching setting is set to “switched” (step S106). In other words, the digital copying apparatus 1 automatically discharges paper in the print setting or the discharge exclusive setting, and switches the discharge destination based on the paper characteristics of the paper P actually detected by the media sensor 19. The destination switching control process (discharge destination selection control process) can be set on / off. In the automatic sheet discharge destination switching control process on / off setting, the CPU 225 displays the figure on the display unit of the operation panel 210. An automatic paper discharge destination switching setting screen G1 as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed to enable setting of automatic paper discharge destination switching. In this automatic paper discharge destination switching setting screen G1, “printing interruption”, “not switching”, and “switching” can be selected and set, and in the “switching” setting, the paper discharge tray 3 as a paper discharge destination, Priorities of Ft1 to Ft3 can be set.

  If the automatic paper discharge destination switching control process is set to OFF in step S106, the CPU 225 prints an image on the paper P conveyed from the paper supply unit 10 to the plotter unit 20, and prints the printed paper P. Without switching the paper discharge destination, the paper is discharged to the paper discharge destination specified in the print settings (main body discharge tray 3, finisher trays Ft1 to Ft3), and printing of one page is finished (step S105).

  In this case, the CPU 225 displays a designated discharge destination discharge notification screen G2 as shown in FIG. 6 on the display unit of the operation panel 210, and discharges to the discharge tray 3, Ft1 to Ft3 specified by the print settings. Paper P that cannot be printed is detected, but the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 3, Ft1 to Ft3 designated by the print setting without switching the paper discharge destination according to the setting of the automatic paper discharge destination switching control process. A message to that effect may be displayed.

  If the automatic paper discharge destination switching control process is set to ON in step S106, the CPU 225 sets a discharge destination to which the paper P that is actually the target of printing detected by the media sensor 19 can be discharged. Is searched from the sheet passing specification information (step S107), and it is determined whether or not there is a discharge destination that can be discharged (step S108). For example, if the paper characteristic of the paper P detected by the media sensor 19 is “thick paper b”, the CPU 225 determines that there is no paper discharge destination that can be discharged from the paper passing specification information of the NVRAM 222, and the above example. As described above, if the paper characteristic of the paper P detected by the media sensor 19 is “plain paper”, it is determined from the paper passing specification information in the NVRAM 222 that there is another discharge destination that can be discharged.

  If there is a discharge destination that can be discharged in step S108, the CPU 225 prints an image on the paper P conveyed from the paper supply unit 10 to the plotter unit 20, and the printed paper P is set in the print settings. The paper discharge destination is switched to a paper discharge destination searched as a paper discharge destination other than the paper discharge destination, and the printing of one page is finished (step S109).

  In this case, the CPU 225 displays a discharge destination change notification screen G3 as shown in FIG. 7 on the display unit of the operation panel 210, and discharges to the discharge tray 3 and Ft1 to Ft3 designated by the print settings. The impossible paper P is detected, and the paper discharge tray 3, Ft1 to Ft3, which can discharge the detected paper P, is switched according to the setting of the automatic paper discharge destination switching control process and discharged. A message to that effect may be displayed. In the paper discharge destination change notification screen G3 in FIG. 7, a message “The paper discharge tray has been switched because a paper that cannot be discharged to the designated paper discharge tray has been detected.” The paper tray name is displayed.

  If there is no paper discharge destination that can be discharged in step S108, the CPU 225 determines the setting state when switching is impossible (step S110). That is, the digital copying apparatus 1 sets the processing method in the case where there is no switchable discharge destination other than the discharge destination set in the print setting in the automatic discharge destination switching setting as the control process when switching is impossible. In the setting of the control process when switching is impossible, for example, a setting screen G4 when paper discharge destination cannot be switched as shown in FIG. It is possible to set the processing method when the paper tip cannot be switched. On this discharge destination switching impossible setting screen G4, either “continue conveyance” or “print interruption” can be selected and set as the control processing setting when switching is impossible.

  In step S110, if the setting of the control process when switching is impossible is continuous conveyance, the CPU 225 prints an image on the paper P conveyed from the paper supply unit 10 to the plotter unit 20, and discharges the printed paper P. Without switching the paper tip, the paper is discharged to the paper discharge destination (main body discharge tray 3, finisher trays Ft1 to Ft3) specified in the print settings, and printing of one page is finished (step S105).

  In this case, the CPU 225 may display the designated discharge destination discharge notification screen G2 shown in FIG. 6 on the display unit of the operation panel 210.

  In step S110, if the setting of the control process when switching is impossible is the interruption of printing, the CPU 225 immediately interrupts the printing operation and ends the process (step S111). In this case, the CPU 225 displays a print interruption notification screen G5 as shown in FIG. 9 on the display unit of the operation panel 210, and the paper cannot be discharged to the paper discharge tray 3 and Ft1 to Ft3 set in the print settings. A message indicating that the printing operation has been interrupted may be displayed according to the setting of the control process when switching is not possible in the setting of the automatic paper discharge destination switching control process.

  As described above, the digital copying apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment stores the sheet passing specification information, which is a discharge permission / non-permission characteristic condition for permitting / disapproving discharge of the paper P according to the characteristics of the paper (image forming medium) P. A paper discharge tray 3 serving as a plurality of discharge means and a paper discharge destination for discharging the paper P on which an image is formed from Ft1 to Ft3 are detected by detecting the characteristics of the paper P on which an image is actually formed by the media sensor 19. A discharge destination selection control process for performing selection control based on the characteristics of the sheet P and the sheet passing specification information stored in the NVRAM 222 is performed.

  Therefore, it is possible to select the paper discharge destination according to the characteristics of the paper P on which the image is actually formed, and to select the paper discharge destination of the paper P more appropriately, thereby improving the paper discharge performance (discharge performance). Can be made.

  Further, the digital copying apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is set from the operation panel 210 for setting the paper discharge destination 3 and Ft1 to Ft3 of the paper P to be printed (image formation) by the plotter unit 20 or setting from an external device. The CPU 225 of the engine 220 performs an operation based on the sheet passing specification information of the sheet discharge tray 3 and Ft1 to Ft3 and the characteristics of the sheet P detected by the media sensor 19 in the discharge destination selection control process. It is determined whether or not the discharge of the paper P to the paper discharge tray 3 and Ft1 to Ft3 set in the panel 210 or an external device is permitted. If it is determined that the paper P is not permitted, the discharge of the paper P is permitted. The paper discharge tray 3 and Ft1 to Ft3 are selected as the paper discharge destination of the paper P.

  Therefore, even when the paper discharge destination set by the user of the digital copying apparatus 1 is inappropriate for the paper P on which an image is actually formed, an appropriate paper discharge destination (discharge destination) can be flexibly set for the paper P. Thus, it is possible to more appropriately select the paper discharge destination of the paper P, and it is possible to improve the discharge performance.

  Further, in the digital copying apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the CPU 225 performs an operation based on the sheet passing specification information of the discharge tray 3 and Ft1 to Ft3 and the characteristics of the sheet P detected by the media sensor 19 in the discharge destination selection control process. Even if it is determined that the paper P is discharged in the discharge tray 3 and Ft1 to Ft3 set on the panel 210, etc. When the tray 3 and Ft1 to Ft3 cannot be selected, the paper discharge destination set on the operation panel 210 or the like is selected as the paper discharge destination of the paper P.

  Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately prevent the occurrence of a discharge abnormality such as a jam or a post-processing such as a folding process or a punching process, and improve the discharge performance, and use of the digital copying apparatus 1 It is possible to improve the usability by performing discharge control that appropriately reflects the request of the person in charge.

  Further, in the digital copying apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the CPU 225 of the engine 220 determines the characteristics of the paper P detected by the media sensor 19 and the paper passing specification information of the paper discharge tray 3 and Ft1 to Ft3 in the discharge destination selection control process. Based on the permission / non-permission determination of the discharge of the paper P for the paper discharge tray 3 and Ft1 to Ft3 set on the operation panel 210 or the like based on this, the discharge of the paper P is permitted. When the paper discharge tray 3 and Ft1 to Ft3 cannot be selected, image formation by the plotter unit 20 is interrupted.

  Therefore, it is possible to more appropriately prevent the occurrence of a discharge abnormality such as a jam or a post-processing such as a folding process or a punching process, and a waste of resources due to the discharge abnormality can be prevented. Can be prevented.

  Furthermore, the digital copying apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment uses the operation panel 210 or the like to set the presence / absence of execution of the paper P discharge destination selection control process by the CPU 225 of the engine 220, and performs another discharge by the discharge destination selection control process. At least one of a priority order setting for selecting the paper tray 3 and Ft1 to Ft3, and a processing method setting when another discharge destination cannot be selected in the discharge destination selection control process is set. Processing is performed according to the settings.

  Therefore, according to the purpose of use of the user of the digital copying apparatus 1, the usage situation, etc., whether to perform the discharge destination selection control process for the paper P, and when selecting another discharge tray 3, Ft1 to Ft3 When there is no other discharge destination to which the paper P can be discharged, it is possible to appropriately set whether to discharge to the preset discharge tray 3, Ft1 to Ft3, or to interrupt image formation. In addition, while improving the discharge performance of the paper P, it is possible to improve the usability by performing the paper discharge control of the paper P appropriately reflecting the request of the user of the digital copying apparatus 1.

  Further, the digital copying apparatus 1 of the present embodiment displays and outputs the processing contents in the discharge destination selection control process on the display unit of the operation panel 210.

  Therefore, the user of the digital copying apparatus 1 is notified of processing such as whether the paper discharge tray 3 is inappropriate for the paper P, whether Ft1 to Ft3 are set, whether the paper P is discharged, whether the image formation is interrupted, and so on. It is possible to prompt the user to cope with forgetting to remove the image-formed paper P, setting error, or the like.

  The invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to that described in the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It goes without saying that it is possible.

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying apparatus, a composite apparatus, a facsimile apparatus, and a printer apparatus that discharges an image forming medium to a discharge destination that is set by forming an image on a specified paper or film. It can be used for a forming method, an image forming program, and a recording medium.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital copying apparatus 2 Main body housing | casing 3 Main body discharge tray 10 Paper feed part 11 1st paper feed tray 12 2nd paper feed tray 13, 14 Paper feed roller 15, 16 Separation pad 17 Transport roller 18 Registration roller 19 Media sensor 20 Plotter unit 30 Photoconductor belt unit 31, 32, 33 Roller 34 Photoconductor belt 35 Photoconductor cleaning unit 36 Photoconductor waste toner bottle 40M, 40C, 40Y, 40K Development unit 41M, 41C, 41Y, 41K Toner bottle 42M, 42C, 42Y, 42K cartridge 50 intermediate transfer belt unit 51 intermediate transfer belt 52 roller 53 intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 54 intermediate transfer waste toner bottle 55 intermediate transfer roller 60 secondary transfer unit 70 writing unit 80 charging unit 90 fixing unit Tsu window 91 fixing oil coating unit 100 discharge unit 110 scanner unit 200 the controller 210 an operation panel 220 engine 221 ASIC 222 NVRAM
223 FROM 224 RAM
225 CPU 226 Local bus P Paper Ft1 to Ft3 Finisher tray

JP 2005-89026 A

Claims (9)

Image forming means for forming an image on an image forming medium;
The image forming medium on which the image is formed by the image forming unit is discharged, and a plurality of discharge permission / non-permission characteristic conditions for permitting / disallowing discharge of the image forming medium according to the characteristics of the image forming medium. Discharging means;
A characteristic detecting means for detecting a characteristic of the image forming medium;
A discharge destination selection control process for selecting and controlling the discharge means of the discharge destination of the image forming medium based on the characteristics of the image forming medium detected by the characteristic detection means and the discharge permission / non-permission characteristic conditions of the discharge means. Discharge destination control means to perform,
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus includes a discharge destination setting unit that sets the discharge unit of the discharge destination of the image forming medium on which an image is formed by the image forming unit,
The discharge destination control means is set by the discharge destination setting means based on the discharge permission / non-permission characteristics of the discharge means and the characteristics of the image forming medium detected by the characteristic detection means in the discharge destination selection control process. When it is determined that the discharge of the image forming medium is permitted or not permitted with respect to the discharged discharging unit, and when it is determined that the discharging is not permitted, another discharging unit that is permitted to discharge the image forming medium The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is selected as a discharge destination.   The discharge control unit is set by the discharge destination setting unit based on the discharge permission / non-permission characteristic of the discharge unit and the characteristic of the image forming medium detected by the characteristic detection unit in the discharge destination selection control process. If it is determined that the image forming medium is not permitted to be discharged in the discharge unit permitting / non-permitting determination, the other discharging unit that is permitted to discharge the image forming medium cannot be selected. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a discharge destination set by the discharge destination setting means is selected as a discharge destination of the image forming medium.   The discharge control unit is set by the discharge destination setting unit based on the discharge permission / non-permission characteristic of the discharge unit and the characteristic of the image forming medium detected by the characteristic detection unit in the discharge destination selection control process. If it is determined that the image forming medium is not permitted to be discharged in the discharge unit permitting / non-permitting determination, the other discharging unit that is permitted to discharge the image forming medium cannot be selected. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein image formation by the image forming means is interrupted. The image forming apparatus sets whether or not the discharge destination selection control process is executed by the discharge control unit, sets priority in selecting the other discharge unit by the discharge destination selection control process, and the discharge destination selection control. Processing setting means for setting at least one of processing method settings when other discharge destinations cannot be selected in processing,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharge control unit processes the discharge destination selection control process in accordance with a setting in the process setting unit. The image forming apparatus includes a predetermined information output unit,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharge control unit causes the information output unit to output processing contents in the discharge destination selection control process. An image forming process step of forming an image on an image forming medium;
A characteristic detection processing step for detecting characteristics of the image forming medium;
The image forming medium image-formed in the image forming processing step is discharged from a plurality of discharge means having discharge permission / non-permission characteristic conditions for permitting / disallowing discharge of the image forming medium according to the characteristics of the image forming medium. A discharge destination control processing step of selecting and controlling the discharge destination to be performed based on the characteristics of the image forming medium detected in the characteristic detection processing step and the discharge permission / non-permission characteristic conditions of the discharge means;
An image forming method characterized by comprising: On the computer,
An image forming process for forming an image on an image forming medium;
A characteristic detection process for detecting a characteristic of the image forming medium;
The image forming medium image-formed in the image forming process is discharged from a plurality of discharging means having discharge permission / non-permission characteristic conditions for permitting / disallowing discharge of the image forming medium according to the characteristics of the image forming medium. A discharge destination control process for selectively controlling the discharge destination based on the characteristics of the image forming medium detected in the characteristic detection process and the discharge permission / non-permission characteristic conditions of the discharge means;
An image forming program for executing   A computer-readable recording medium on which the image forming program according to claim 8 is recorded.

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