JP2011037273A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which is satisfactory in operability when an image formation is performed for recording materials in different kinds or in different sizes. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming apparatus includes: a non-volatile memory which stores the size information input by a size information-inputting means and the kind information of recording materials input by a kind-inputting means while correlating with a manual insertion tray 41H; and a controlling means for controlling an image forming section 30 so that an image formation in response to the size information and the kind information of the recording material stored in the non-volatile memory can be formed while correlating with the manual insertion tray when a section corresponding to the manual insertion tray which is displayed on an operation-display section is selected at the setting of a JOB. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus with improved operability when forming images on recording materials of various types or sizes.

  As a conventional image forming apparatus, an apparatus that forms an image on transfer paper (recording material) fed from a paper feed cassette is provided. More specifically, an original is placed on or supplied on a platen glass, and a character string or a pattern drawn on the original or an image such as a combination thereof is copied onto the transfer paper, such as a word processor of a personal computer. A printer that prints an image similar to the above created on the transfer paper or a facsimile that prints an image similar to the above transmitted via a communication line or the like is recognized as an image forming apparatus. Is.

  In such an image forming apparatus, the presence of the paper feed cassette makes it possible to prepare a plurality of transfer papers in the paper feed cassette in advance, so that the transfer paper is supplied one by one from the outside. Not only is it unnecessary, but it is also possible to continuously form the image on a relatively large amount of transfer paper.

  An image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper feed cassettes has already been provided. In this case, a plurality of types of transfer papers having various types and sizes are prepared in advance in each paper feed cassette. It is possible.

  By the way, as described above, when a transfer sheet having a special type or size is placed for each paper feed cassette, there has been the following problem. That is, when image formation is performed on transfer papers of different types and sizes, generally, the control conditions of the entire image forming apparatus, that is, the paper transport conditions and process conditions, etc. must be changed for each type and size. However, in the past, when forming an image on a special type of paper or a special size paper, an operation such as “mode setting” is specially performed prior to image formation for such a change in conditions. It was based on the method to cope with. Therefore, in the case of trying to cope with a transfer paper different from the transfer paper generally called plain paper, the operation of the image forming apparatus takes time and the operation is generally complicated. There was a problem with its operability.

  For example, regarding the size of the transfer paper, when an image is to be formed on a transfer paper having an “undefined size”, it is possible to input the vertical and horizontal sizes of the transfer paper before the image formation. It was necessary to select "unknown size input mode" and input the above conditions. In this respect, in particular, in view of the fact that the user who uses the "undefined size" is always in a use form in which image formation is always performed using the undefined size, the above-described mode is used. It can be said that there is a very problem in terms of efficiency if settings are made one by one.

  Further, more simply, transfer papers other than the standard size are uniformly bundled together by handling “special size”, and as a result, for example, the control conditions relating to “maximum size” are uniformly applied. As a result, there is a case where image formation relating to “indefinite size” is attempted. However, such a method is far from desired for optimal image formation, and there is a problem in that respect.

  Also, even if the type is different, basically the same as the above-mentioned “size”, for example, a mode such as “thick paper” and “thin paper”, or more generally “applied mode” is provided, and prior to image formation, Information necessary to determine the control conditions had to be entered from a setting screen relating to the mode.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that is excellent in operability when image formation is performed on transfer paper of different types or sizes. Is to provide.

The object of the present invention is achieved by the following invention.
1.
In an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material,
An operation / display unit in which the operation unit and the display unit are integrated;
A manual feed tray on which a non-standard recording material can be placed;
An image forming unit for forming an image on the non-standard recording material placed on the manual feed tray;
Size information input in which size information relating to the length and width of the non-standard recording material is input from the manual feed setting screen displayed by pressing the portion corresponding to the manual feed tray displayed on the basic screen in the operation / display unit Means,
From the manual difference setting screen, by selecting a recording material type related to selectable plain paper and special paper, a type input means for inputting type information of the recording material,
A non-volatile memory for storing the size information input by the size information input means and the type information of the recording material input by the type input means in association with the manual feed tray;
When returning to the basic screen after the size information of the non-standard recording material and the recording material type information are input from the manual setting screen, the portion corresponding to the manual tray displayed on the basic screen Control means for controlling the operation / display unit to display the size information of the non-standard recording material input from the manual setting screen and the type information of the recording material;
An image forming apparatus comprising:
2.
In an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material,
An operation / display unit in which the operation unit and the display unit are integrated;
A manual feed tray on which a non-standard recording material can be placed;
An image forming unit for forming an image on the non-standard recording material placed on the manual feed tray;
Size information input means for inputting size information related to the length and width of the non-standard recording material from the manual setting screen displayed by pressing the portion corresponding to the manual tray displayed on the operation / display unit;
From the manual difference setting screen, by selecting a recording material type related to selectable plain paper and special paper, a type input means for inputting type information of the recording material,
A non-volatile memory for storing the size information input by the size information input means and the type information of the recording material input by the type input means in association with the manual feed tray;
When a portion corresponding to the manual feed tray displayed on the operation / display unit is selected when setting JOB, the size information and the recording material stored in the nonvolatile memory in association with the manual feed tray Control means for controlling the image forming unit to perform image formation according to the type information;
An image forming apparatus comprising:
3.
As for the size information and the recording material type information stored in the nonvolatile memory in association with the manual feed tray, new size information or recording material type information is input by the size information input unit or the type input unit. 3. The image forming apparatus according to 1 or 2, wherein the image forming apparatus continues to be stored in the non-volatile memory until it is performed.

  Here, the “non-standard size” is a size that is not a “standard size” (for example, A4, A3, B5, B4, 8.5 × 11 inch, 11 × 17 inch, etc., each having a portrait and landscape orientation). However, it is sufficient that the length is at least the length of the recording material in the conveyance direction (hereinafter referred to as “longitudinal direction”), but it is preferable to include the length in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction (hereinafter referred to as “lateral direction”). . More specifically, the “standard size” is a standard size by which the standard size detection unit can detect that the recording material size corresponds to any one of a plurality of standard sizes. For example, in the Japanese and European specifications, A4, A3, B5, B4, etc. are called “standard size”, and in the US specification, 8.5 × 11 inch, 11 × 17 inch, etc. are called “standard size”. The standard size is called “special standard size” (8.5 × 11 inch, 11 × 17 inch, etc. in the Japanese and European specifications, and A4, A3, B5, B4, etc. in the US specification), For example, in the Japanese and European specifications, if the standard size detection unit can detect 8.5 × 11 inches, it is a standard size. Further, in the present specification, “size” simply includes “non-standard size” and “standard size”.

  The “type” is for discriminating the “type” of the recording material in order that the control conditions (conveyance conditions and process conditions) in the image forming apparatus change depending on the “type” of the recording material. The “type” is “plain paper” (in this embodiment, recycled paper, colored paper, high-quality paper, and release paper are the same control conditions as plain paper, and these are also treated as plain paper. If the control conditions are different from the paper, it can be treated as “special paper” to distinguish it from plain paper) and “special paper” (special paper in this embodiment as “plain paper”. There are different thick papers, thin papers, second base papers, TAB papers, OHTs, etc., and the control conditions are different in each of these.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the setting information of the type and the non-standard size is set for each of the plurality of recording material storage units, and one of the plurality of recording material storage units is recorded. When a material storage unit is selected, control conditions are automatically selected and determined based on setting information attached to the one recording material storage unit, and image formation is performed in response to the application of the control conditions. Therefore, the operability is improved in each stage as compared with the conventional method in which image formation is performed by a method such as mode setting each time the type and size are different.

  Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when an image is formed on a recording material that does not correspond to the setting information set in the recording material storage unit, an image is formed by using a manual feed tray. Can do. More specifically, when an image is formed on the recording material on the manual feed tray, a setting screen for setting the recording material type or / and size setting information is displayed. Such temporary image formation can be performed by inputting and selecting and determining the control conditions based on the information.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing document size detection means (optical document size sensor) in the image reading unit of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electrical configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. It is a figure which shows the basic screen in an operation part and a display part. It is a figure which shows the paper type setting screen in an operation / display part. It is a figure which shows the special size setting screen (standard size) in an operation and a display part. It is a figure which shows the special size setting screen (standard special size) in an operation / display part. It is a figure which shows the special size setting screen (indeterminate size) in an operation / display part. It is a figure which shows the special size setting screen (wide paper, size selection) in an operation / display part. It is a figure which shows the special size setting screen (wide paper, size input) in an operation / display part. It is a figure which shows the manual difference setting screen (standard size) in an operation / display part. It is a figure which shows the manual difference setting screen (standard special size) in an operation and a display part. It is a figure which shows the manual difference setting screen (indeterminate size) in an operation / display part. It is a schematic diagram showing a manual error setting screen (wide paper, size selection) in the operation / display unit. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of an image control condition when "an irregular size" is selected regarding setting information "size". FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of image control conditions when “wide paper” is selected and “adjust leading edge” is selected with respect to setting information “size”. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of image control conditions when “wide paper” is selected and “centering” is selected for the setting information “size”. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example different from FIG. 13 regarding image control conditions when “wide paper” is selected and “centering” is selected for the setting information “size”. 3 is a flowchart of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the display screen which appears when the setting information input with respect to a manual feed tray is completed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus is mainly composed of an image reading unit 10, an image writing unit 20, an image forming unit 30, a transfer paper transport unit 40, a transfer paper discharge unit 50, and a transfer paper reversing unit 60. An external paper feed means 41L and a copy post-processing unit 70 are provided so as to be externally attached to the apparatus main body. Note that the “transfer sheet” in the present embodiment corresponds to the “recording material” in the present invention.

  The image reading unit 10 is a part that reads a character string or a picture described in the document S as light information by irradiation light of a light source, and converts it into electrical information.

  The document S is placed directly on the platen glass 11 such that the document surface Sf (surface on which an image is formed) faces the surface of the platen glass (document glass) 11. The light source 12 projects light onto the placed document surface Sf. The light that reaches the document surface Sf becomes light (information) including the image information, reflects the surface, and reaches the mirror 13. The light source 12 and the mirror 13 are configured to be movable along the surface of the platen glass 11 so as to scan the entire document surface Sf.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an automatic duplex document feeder (RADF) 100 as an automatic document feeder. The document S can also be fed onto the platen glass 11A from here. As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic double-sided document conveying unit 100 separates one sheet of a group of documents S stacked on the document table 101 and sends them out by feeding rollers 100a and 100b. It supplies to platen glass 11A via. The light source 12A and the mirror 13A are stationary under the platen glass 11A (in this case, the light source 12 and the mirror 13 move to the left in FIG. 1 and are stationary). With these configurations, as described above, the document surface Sf of a plurality of document S groups can be continuously read.

  In addition to the above, in the configuration of the automatic double-sided document conveyance unit 100 and the platen glass 11A shown in FIG. In this case, the original S on which light is projected from the light source 12A on one side is once (once) sent out rightward in the drawing by the reverse roller 102, and when the reading is completed, the reverse roller 102 is completed. , And the document S is conveyed by the roller 100c so that the other surface of the document S faces the surface of the platen glass 11A. Note that the document S supplied from the automatic duplex document feeder 100 and projected by the light source 12 </ b> A is sequentially stacked on the sheet discharge tray 103.

  Further, the image reading unit 10 is provided with document size detection means for automatically detecting the document size. This corresponds to a plurality of optical document size sensors 18 provided under the platen glass 11 and a RADF document size detection unit (not shown). The former is a document size detection unit used when the document is directly placed on the platen glass 11 described above, and the latter is a document size detection unit used when the automatic double-sided document transport unit 100 is used.

As shown in FIG. 2, the optical document size sensor 18 includes sensors 18 ₁ and 18 ₂ for detecting the document size in the main scanning direction (vertical direction in FIG. 1), that is, the document width, which is the vertical direction in the drawing. , And sensors 18 ₃ and 18 ₄ for detecting the document size in the sub-scanning direction (left and right direction in FIG. 1) which is the left and right direction in the drawing, that is, the document length. Each of the sensors 18 _1, ..., 18 ₄ is composed of a pair of the light emitting element (not shown) and a light receiving element. Here, if a document S of a certain size is placed on the platen glass 11, the light from the light emitting elements in the _four sensors 18 ₁ ,. Between the cases where all of the originals S are detected by placing the original S, there is a combination of relations related to light detection. By examining the combination of the sensors 18 ₁ ,..., 18 ₄ based on the presence or absence of such light detection, the size of the document S is automatically detected.

  The RADF document size detection unit includes a side regulating plate provided on the document placement table 101 and a time sensor (none of which is not shown) that measures the document passage time in the sub-scanning direction. The size of the document S is determined by detecting its position (document width detection) when the side regulating plate is in close contact with the edge of the group of documents S placed on the document placement table 101, and by a time sensor. It is automatically detected by calculating from the measured document passage time and its conveying speed (document length detection).

  The size of the document S automatically detected by the optical document size sensor 18 or the RADF document size detection unit is used when an APS function described later is executed. It should be noted that the detection of the size of these documents is to detect that any one of a plurality of standard sizes corresponds to the standard size.

Now, as described above, the optical information relating to the document surface Sf irradiated with the light from the light source 12 or 12A is repeatedly reflected by the mirrors 14 ₁ , 14 ₂ or 15 ₁ , 15 ₂ , and the imaging optical system 16 is changed. To the CCD image pickup device 17. The CCD image pickup device 17 has a photocathode (not shown) in which a plurality of pixels having a photoelectric conversion function are arranged in a one-dimensional manner (in the main scanning direction and in the direction perpendicular to the paper in FIG. 1). An imaging unit that receives light information including image information of the document surface Sf by a plurality of pixels and converts it into electrical information (also referred to as image data).

  The image writing unit 20 is image data obtained as described above (image data subjected to image processing such as shading correction and γ correction, and in some cases, stored in an image memory (not shown)) This is a portion that irradiates (writes) a laser beam modulated on the basis of a later-described photosensitive drum 31 to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 31.

  The electrical information (image data) including the image information obtained by converting the optical information related to the document surface Sf is used to modulate a laser beam oscillated from a semiconductor laser (not shown). The laser beam modulated and oscillated based on the image data is applied to a polygon mirror 22 whose center is connected to a drive motor 21 and made rotatable. The reflected laser beam passes through a reflection mirror 23. Then, the photosensitive drum 31 is irradiated. When the polygon mirror 22 rotates while reflecting the laser beam, the laser beam is irradiated on the photosensitive drum 31 while being scanned in the axial direction (main scanning direction). By this laser beam irradiation, an electrostatic latent image based on the electrical information is formed on the photosensitive drum 31.

  When the image forming apparatus is connected to a network (for example, LAN), a laser beam modulated based on image data (original) transmitted from a computer via the network is applied to a photosensitive drum 31 described later. Irradiation (writing) may be performed to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 31.

  The image forming unit 30 is a part that forms an image on the transfer paper P based on the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 31.

  As described above, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 31 by laser beam irradiation. As a precondition, the entire surface of the photosensitive drum 31 is uniformly charged by the charging unit 32. The developing unit 33 attaches charged toner particles to the electrostatic latent image to visualize it. That is, a toner image based on the electrostatic latent image is formed. In the transfer unit 34, toner particles forming the toner image are transferred and attached to the separately fed transfer paper P surface, and an image is formed on the transfer paper P surface.

  Hereinafter, the separation unit 35 separates the transfer paper P adsorbed on the photosensitive drum 31 on the photosensitive drum 31, and the cleaning unit 36 cleans the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 31 after the transfer operation. As a result, a clean surface appears, and the electrostatic charging image can be formed again by uniform charging by the charging unit 32 and laser beam irradiation. On the other hand, the transfer paper P is sent to the fixing unit 38 via the transport mechanism 37. The fixing unit 38 applies heat and pressure to the transfer paper P by the heat rollers 38a and 38b to fix the transferred toner particles. Thereafter, the transfer paper P is discharged out of the image forming apparatus through several rollers provided in the transfer paper discharge unit 50. At this point, the “copying” of the image related to the document surface Sf on the transfer paper P surface is completed.

  Incidentally, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the transfer of the toner particles from the photosensitive drum 31 to the transfer paper P (that is, image formation) is not performed only on one surface of the transfer paper P, but other It is possible to carry out also on the other side. In this case, the transfer paper P that has been subjected to single-sided copying is conveyed to the transfer paper reversing unit 60. The guide unit 61 switches the transfer path of the transfer paper P with respect to the transfer paper reversing unit 60 and the transfer paper discharge unit 50. When the guide unit 61 is switched so as to convey the transfer paper P downward in the drawing, the transfer paper P is carried out to the reversing unit 63 via the reversing roller 62. Next, in a state in which the transfer paper P is sent to the reversing unit 63 by a predetermined amount, the reversing roller 62 is reversed, and the transfer paper P is conveyed to the reverse conveying path 64. Thereafter, the transfer paper P passes through the path 64 and reaches the upstream side of the photosensitive drum 31 again. At this time, the transfer paper P surface facing the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 is different from the surface transferred before passing through the transfer paper reversing unit 60. In general, when an image is actually formed on the transfer paper P reversed in this way, new image information is written on the photosensitive drum 31 by the image writing unit 20.

  The transfer paper transport unit 40 is a part that transports the transfer paper P to the above-described image forming unit 30, particularly the photosensitive drum 31.

The transfer paper P is stored in a plurality of paper feed cassettes (recording material storage means) 41 ( _three paper feed cassettes 41 ₁ , 41 ₂ , and 41 _{3 in} the figure) configured in a step shape in the vertical direction. Specifically, it is stacked and placed on a tray (bottom plate) 42 provided in each of the paper feed cassettes 41. These paper feed cassettes 41 are accommodated in the apparatus main body when the transfer paper P is sent to the image forming unit 30, that is, when an image is formed, and can be pulled out from the apparatus main body when the transfer paper P is replenished. It is configured as possible. Also, for each of the paper feed cassette ₄₁ 1, 41 ₂ and 41 _3, for example, the first paper feed cassette 41 ₁ "A4", the _two second sheet cassette 41 "A3" and the like, the size or housed in correspondence with different transfer sheet P, also, the first paper feed cassette 41 ₁ A4 size cardboard, a thin paper or the like of the ₂ second paper feed cassette 41 the same size, each to a different type Each can be stored in correspondence. Note that the paper feed cassettes 41 _{1 to} 41 ₃ in the present embodiment can store transfer papers P of various sizes, and are generally called “universal cassettes”.

  Although FIG. 1 shows a case where three paper feed cassettes are provided, the number of paper feed cassettes that can be provided in the present invention is not limited in principle. That is, any number of paper feed cassettes may be provided.

  In this embodiment, the transfer paper transport unit 40 includes a manual feed tray 41H and an external paper feed unit (so-called LCT) 41L. In addition to the paper feed cassette 41, the transfer paper P to be fed is provided. As shown in FIG. 1, as a means for placing (storing) the paper, a manual feed tray 41H and a paper feed tray (not loaded) in the external paper feed means 41L capable of stocking a large amount of transfer paper P in advance are stored. Are provided). According to the former, it is possible to cope with a case where image formation is specially performed on special transfer paper or OHP, and in the latter case, it is possible to perform continuous image formation on a large amount of transfer paper P. .

In this embodiment, if the setting information of the size and type relating to the transfer paper P is specified at the time of image formation, the corresponding paper feed cassettes 41 _{1 to} 41 ₃ , the manual feed tray 41H, The transfer paper P is fed out from the tray in the external paper feeding means 41L, and the transfer paper P is transported toward the image forming unit 30 by the configuration of a plurality of transport rollers and the like shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the trays in the sheet feeding cassettes 41 _{1 to} 41 ₃ , the manual feed tray 41H, and the external sheet feeding means 41L may be collectively referred to as a storage unit, and in this case, 41 _{1 to} 41 ₃ are attached. When a paper feed cassette 41H is attached, it indicates a manual feed tray, and when 41L is attached, it indicates a tray in the external paper feed means 41L.

  Further, the post-copy processing unit 70 passes through the transfer paper transport unit 40 and the image forming unit 30 (in the case of front and back double-sided copying, also passes through the transfer paper reversing unit 60), and the transfer paper P on which the image is formed. Is the part where the subsequent processing is performed.

  More specifically, the post-copy processing unit 70 performs various processes such as sorting, stapling, and punching on the transfer paper P after the image is formed. Here, the sorting is a process in which the transfer sheets P that are continuously discharged are arranged in a desired order or stacked in accordance with the order. For example, when the automatic double-sided document conveying unit 100 is used, the transfer sequence is the same as the stacking order of the individual documents S constituting the group of documents S placed on the document table 101. The case where it is desired to create a plurality of copies (number of sets) of the paper P group corresponds to an example of the “desired order”.

  Further, stapling refers to an operation of providing a binding tool (not shown) at a predetermined position and binding the transfer paper P with respect to the image-formed transfer paper P in which a plurality of sheets are stacked. Further, punching is an operation of forming a hole for passing a binding string or the like at a predetermined position of a plurality of laminated transfer papers P instead of providing a binding tool in the stapling ( The holes may be formed before being laminated).

  Next, regarding the image forming apparatus as an example of the mechanical configuration described in detail above, an example of the electrical apparatus configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes the RADF 100, the image reading unit 10, the image writing unit 20, the image forming unit 30, the transfer paper transport unit 40, the transfer reversing unit 60, and the post-copy processing unit. Various mechanisms in 70 are controlled and controlled by the central control means C.

Size detection means 43 ₁ ~ 43 _3, 43 _H (hereinafter also referred to as size detection means 43), the size of the transfer sheet P stored in the paper feed cassette ₄₁ 1-41 ₃ and manual-feed tray 43 in _H It is a detection means for detecting, and is provided in each of the paper feed cassettes 41 _{1 to} 41 ₃ and the manual feed tray 41 _H. As the configuration of the size detection means 43, a known one can be used, and in essence, it is means for detecting the size in the width direction and the length direction of the transfer paper P. The information obtained by the size detecting means 43 is input to the central control means C. In the central control means C, based on the obtained information (width size and length size of the transfer paper P), it is determined which one of a plurality of standard sizes corresponds to the standard size, and the paper feed cassette 41 _1. ˜41 ₃ and manual feed tray 41 Detect the standard size of transfer paper P stored in _H. The standard size detection by the size detection means 43 and the central control means C constitutes a standard size detection unit.

  Here, the “standard size” is a size by which the standard size detection unit can detect that the recording material size corresponds to any one of a plurality of standard sizes. For example, in the Japanese and European specifications, A4, A3, B5, B4, etc. are called “standard size”, and in the US specification, 5.5 × 8.5 inch, 8.5 × 11 inch, etc. are called “standard size”. Okay, other standard sizes are "special standard size" (5.5x8.5inch, 8.5x11inch, etc. in Japan and Europe specifications, and A4, A3, B5, B4 in US specifications) However, for example, even in Japanese and European specifications, if the standard size detector can detect 8.5 × 11 inches, it is “standard size”. Note that sizes other than “standard size”, including “special standard size”, are referred to as “non-standard size”, and “non-standard size” refers to “special standard size” and “non-standard size” as described later. ”And“ wide paper ”.

  In the present embodiment, the external sheet feeding unit 41L is not provided with a size detection unit. When the service person installs the external sheet feeding unit 41L, the nonvolatile setting (nonvolatile storage by the serviceman mode) is performed. However, similar to the above-described paper feed cassette 41, a size detecting means may be provided.

  The operation / display unit 81 generally includes an operation unit for the user to instruct operation timings such as start and stop of copying, etc., and to set various operating environments, and the operation status and settings of the image forming apparatus. The operation / display unit 81 is controlled by the central control means C. The touch panel and the like are integrated with a display unit for displaying the situation. The image forming apparatus may be connected to a network (for example, a LAN), and operation settings may be performed from a computer via the network. Information set by the computer is a part where the image forming apparatus is connected to the network. The information is input to the image forming apparatus (for example, a controller portion such as a network interface).

  A specific example of the basic screen displayed on the operation / display unit 81 is illustrated in FIG. In this figure, by pressing the icon display shown in each of the areas 811 to 815 and 81a, predetermined information input regarding JOB settings such as the setting of the operating environment is performed, and various operations related to the image forming apparatus are performed. It is possible to implement.

  More specifically, in area 811, designation is made regarding the output form of the transfer paper P after completion of copying, particularly the post-copy processing unit 70 described above, and in area 812, the automatic double-sided document conveying unit 100 and image formation in the image reading unit 10 described above. (The original S and the transfer paper P are both double-sided or single-sided), respectively. In area 813, the copy (image formation) density is set, in area 814, the copy magnification is selected, in 81a, transfer paper P for image formation is selected, and in area 815, various application settings as shown in the figure are performed.

When the “automatic” button in the area 81a is selected on this basic screen, the transfer sheet has a size that matches the size of the document S automatically detected by the optical document size sensor 18 or the RADF document size detection unit. This means that the automatic recording material selection function (hereinafter also referred to as APS) for selecting the storage unit storing P from the plurality of storage units 41 _{1 to} 41 ₃ , 41L is selected. In addition, when the “automatic” button is selected in the area 814 and any of the storage units 41 _{1 to} 41 ₃ , 41H, 41L other than the “automatic” button is selected in the area 81a, the optical document size sensor 18 or the RADF is selected. An automatic magnification selection function (hereinafter, referred to as “automatic magnification selection function”) that automatically changes the magnification so that the size of the document S automatically detected by the document size detection unit becomes the size of the transfer paper P stored in the selected storage unit. It is also referred to as AMS). Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, when the transfer sheet P on which image formation is being performed disappears from the storage unit during the formation of the set number of images, the transfer sheet P has the same size as the transfer sheet P. It also has an automatic paper feed switching function (hereinafter also referred to as ATS) for selecting another storage unit storing the transfer paper P.

  In the basic screen of FIG. 4, after the operator has set the image formation, the number of images to be formed is set by a number setting button (tenkey) not shown in FIG. Copying is started by pressing a copy button (not shown).

  Here, the area 81a will be described in detail. In the area 81a, as shown in FIG. 4, icons corresponding to the respective paper feed cassettes 41 are displayed, and information regarding the type and size of the transfer paper P stored therein is displayed. In FIG. 4, it can be seen that, for example, for the paper feed cassette 411, the type is set to “color paper” and the size is set to “A4”.

Incidentally, in the present embodiment, information about the "type" of transfer sheet P stored in the storage unit ₄₁ 1 _{to 41} 3, the 41L is for each of the receiving portions ₄₁ 1 _{to 41} 3, 41L, It is provided so that it can be set from the operation / display section.

  This setting is made by a copier administrator (the copier according to the present embodiment is a high-speed machine having an image forming speed of 60 sheets / min or more, and therefore there is a person who manages this copier among the users. In some cases, this person is called an administrator) in an administrator setting mode in which various settings are made. This administrator setting mode can be shifted by a password or the like known only to the administrator, and a general user cannot shift to this administrator setting mode. In this administrator setting mode, various copying machines can be set. As one of them, in the present embodiment, the type and size of the transfer paper P stored in the paper feed cassette 41 can be set. After the transition to the previous administrator setting mode, when the administrator presses the “paper type / special size setting” button displayed on the screen of the administrator setting mode, the transfer paper P type / size setting screen is displayed. It becomes.

An example of this setting screen is shown in FIG. On the left side of the setting screen, the paper feed cassette 41 and the external paper feed means 41L are displayed, and the type of transfer paper P set for each is displayed. Further, on the right side of the setting screen, types of transfer paper P that can be set are displayed. This setting screen is a type setting screen for setting the type of the transfer paper P, and the administrator presses on the screen corresponding to the paper cassettes 41 _{1 to} 41 ₃ or the external paper feeding means 41L to be set. Then, the paper feed cassettes 41 _{1 to} 41 ₃ or the external paper feed means 41L to be set are selected (when selected, they are displayed in black and white reversed). Then, on the right side of this setting screen, by pressing the “up arrow” button or the “down arrow” button for selecting the type, the part where the type is displayed (the part that is displayed in black and white reverse) ) Move sequentially, and the type that the administrator wants to set can be set by pressing the “OK” button.

  Here, regarding “type”, types that can be set include, for example, the types shown in Table 1 below.

In other words, it is broadly divided into “plain paper” and “special paper”. The “plain paper” in the present embodiment is a concept including five types of transfer paper including recycled paper, colored paper, special paper, high-quality paper, and release paper, in addition to so-called general plain paper. However, such handling is based on the fact that the control conditions (described later) for these five types of transfer papers are the same as those for ordinary plain papers in this embodiment. Among them, it is also possible to carry out handling that makes the above control conditions different. In other words, in this embodiment, recycled paper, colored paper, high-quality paper, release paper, and the like are also controlled as ordinary plain paper because they are the same control conditions as ordinary plain paper. Can be handled as “special paper” in order to distinguish them from “plain paper”. The “special paper” is a “type” paper having a control condition different from that of “plain paper”. Thick paper 1, thick paper 2 (paper thicker than thick paper 1), thin paper, OHP, second base paper, user-specified There are paper, TAB paper, etc., and in the present embodiment, as will be described later, the control conditions also differ for each of these “special papers”.

In the present embodiment, as described in the target storage unit in Table 1, the storage units in which these “types” can be set are in the paper feed cassettes 41 ₁ , 41 ₂ , 41 ₃ , and the external paper feed unit 41L. It is a tray. As will be described later, the “type” of the transfer paper P stored in the remaining manual feed tray 41H is set and stored on the manual feed setting screen prior to image formation on the transfer paper P on the manual feed tray 41H. Although not stored in the means 83, it may be configured to store in the same manner as other storage units.

The set “type” is stored in the nonvolatile storage unit 83 for each of the storage units 41 _{1 to} 41 ₃ , 41L.

Further, in this embodiment, information concerning "size" of transfer sheet P stored in the storage unit 41 ₁ to 41 ₃ each per housing portion 41 _{1-41 3,} from the operation and display unit It is provided so that it can be set.

When the administrator presses the “special size setting” button at the lower left of the type setting screen shown in FIG. 5, the size setting screen for the transfer paper P (FIGS. 6 to 10) is displayed. That is, the size can be set for each of the storage units 41 _{1 to} 41 _{3 on the} size setting screen as shown in FIG. 6 in the administrator setting mode. Paper cassettes 41 _{1 to} 41 ₃ are displayed on the left side of the setting screen, and the size of transfer paper P set for each of them is displayed. In addition, on the right side of the setting screen, types of sizes of transfer paper P that can be set are displayed. This setting screen is a size setting screen for setting the size of the transfer paper P, and the administrator presses on the screen corresponding to the paper cassettes 41 _{1 to} 41 ₃ to be set, and becomes a setting target. Paper feed cassettes 41 _{1 to} 41 _{3 are} selected (when selected, black and white are displayed in reverse video). On the right side of this setting screen, the “Up Arrow” button for selecting the types of sizes that can be set, “Standard Size”, “Standard Special Size”, “Irregular Size”, and “Wide Paper”, or “Down Arrow By pressing the “” button, the location where the type of size is displayed (the location where the black and white display is reversed) is sequentially moved.

Here, when “standard size” is selected (FIG. 6), the size (standard size) of the transfer paper P in the paper feed cassettes 41 _{1 to} 41 ₃ is detected by the above-described standard size detection unit, The detected size (standard size) is used for selection of control conditions.

  Here, when “standard size” is selected, “detection mode” in which image formation is performed under the control condition according to the size detected by the standard size detection unit is selected. On the other hand, when “standard special size”, “non-standard size” and “wide paper”, which will be described later, are selected, “setting mode” for performing image formation under control conditions according to the set information is selected. become. That is, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment has two modes of “detection mode” and “setting mode”, and one of them can be selected by the operation / display unit 81. It is configured.

  When “standard special size” is selected (FIG. 7), a special standard size that can be selected is displayed on the right side of the pop-up screen. From the displayed special standard sizes, an “up arrow” button, Alternatively, by pressing the “down arrow” button, a special fixed size to be set is selected (black and white reversed display).

  In addition, when “undefined size” is selected (FIG. 8), a size input screen is displayed as a pop-up screen on the right side, and the length (length in the paper feeding direction) and width (feeding direction) of the transfer paper P are displayed. The length of the paper in the direction perpendicular to the paper direction is set by the administrator by directly pressing the numeric keypad ("0" to "9" buttons), the "up arrow" button, or the "down arrow" button. Enter.

  When “wide paper” is selected (FIG. 9), a settable size is displayed on a pop-up screen. Here, “wide paper” refers to transfer paper having a length or / and width slightly longer (eg, 5 mm, 10 mm, etc.) than the standard size. Therefore, the settable size displayed on the pop-up screen is a standard size (in this case, including a special standard size) (however, a W symbol indicating wide paper is displayed behind it) Attached). Then, a desired size is selected from the displayed sizes by pressing an “up arrow” button or a “down arrow” button. Further, in the present embodiment, when the detailed size of the size is desired to be changed, when a “size input” button is pressed in FIG. 9, a size input screen is displayed (FIG. 10). On this size input screen, the length and width of the transfer paper P can be set using the numeric keypad or the arrow keys. In FIG. 9, a “tip” button and a “centering” button are buttons for setting a position where image formation is performed.

Thus, after the size is set for each of the paper feed cassettes 41 _{1 to} 41 ₃ , when the administrator presses the “OK” button, the selected size can be set for the tray.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the size of the transfer paper P stored in the tray in the external paper feed unit 41L is set to a non-volatile setting (depending on the serviceman mode) when the service person installs the external paper feed unit 41L. However, it may be configured such that the administrator sets in the administrator mode as in the above-described paper feed cassette 41.

The set “size” is stored in the non-volatile storage unit 83 for each of the trays of the sheet feeding cassettes 41 _{1 to} 41 ₃ and the external sheet feeding unit 41L. Here, the non-standard size other than the “standard size” is stored in the storage unit 83 (specifically, the sizes set in “standard special size”, “non-standard size”, and “wide paper”). The “standard size” is configured to be detected by the standard size detection unit prior to image formation, but may be detected in advance and stored in the storage unit 83.

  In the present embodiment, when the manual feed tray 41H is selected on the basic screen (FIG. 4), setting information relating to the transfer paper P placed on the manual feed tray 41H (as described above, “type”). And a manual setting screen for setting “size”) is displayed on the operation / display unit 81. This manual setting screen shows that the transfer paper P is placed on the manual feed tray 41H prior to image formation even if the manual feed tray 41H is not directly selected on the basic screen (FIG. 4). You may make it display by detecting with the sensor which is not shown in figure. In short, when an image is formed on the transfer paper P placed on the manual feed tray 41H, a manual feed setting screen for inputting setting information may be displayed.

  This manual error setting screen is a screen as shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, and is basically the same as the setting screen (FIGS. 6 to 10) for the transfer paper P stored in the paper feed cassette 41. Setting is possible. On the manual setting screen, the “type” of the transfer paper P is “thick paper” (corresponding to “thick paper 1” in FIG. 5), “thin paper”, “OHP”, “second base paper”, “tab paper”. ”And“ designated paper ”(corresponding to“ user designated paper ”in FIG. 5). When neither of these is selected, it is treated as“ plain paper ”.

  By the way, in the present embodiment, when image formation is performed on the manual feed tray 41H, the manual feed setting screen is displayed on the operation / display unit 81 as described above, but this is not displayed. Can also be done. For example, when an image is formed on the transfer paper P placed on the manual feed tray 41L in the administrator setting mode or the serviceman mode, whether or not the manual setting screen is displayed on the operation / display unit 81. If an administrator or a service man is set not to display the image, an operation is performed when forming an image on the transfer paper P placed on the manual feed tray 41L. It is possible to prevent the manual setting screen from being displayed on the display unit 81.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the nonvolatile memory 82 is a condition recording unit that stores control conditions (conveyance conditions and process conditions) of the image forming apparatus. Based on the stored control conditions, the central control unit C Controls each part. The control conditions are stored in the nonvolatile memory 82 for each “type” and “size” of the transfer paper P, and the control conditions corresponding to the transfer paper P to be conveyed are read out to the central control means C. To do. That is, according to the size or type of the transfer paper P stored in the storage unit 83 for each of the paper feed cassette 41 and the external paper feed unit 41L, or the detected size good for the size detection unit 83. The control conditions stored in the nonvolatile memory 82 are read out, and the entire image forming apparatus is controlled by the central control means C.

  Here, the control conditions refer to the overall conditions for determining the operation mode of the image forming apparatus, such as process conditions and paper conveyance conditions, and more specifically, the various conditions of various rollers in the transfer paper conveyance unit 40 shown in FIG. Rotational speed control conditions (that is, control of so-called “linear speed”), control conditions related to the temperature and the degree of pressure bonding of the heat rollers 38a and 38b, and other conditions that determine the operation and state of various mechanisms in the entire image forming apparatus That's what it means.

  In the present embodiment, the setting values are stored in advance in, for example, the nonvolatile memory 82 so that different control conditions are selected depending on the type or size of the transfer paper P. For example, depending on the difference of “type”, control conditions as shown in Table 2 below are prepared in advance.

  As shown in Table 2, various control conditions are switched depending on the thick paper 1, thick paper 2, thin paper, OHP film, and the like. “Thick paper 1” and “thick paper 2” mean that the latter is a thick paper having a larger “thickness”.

  Some simple mention of Table 2 shows that switching of “process control conditions” in the leftmost column is performed for all “types” except TAB paper. This is because the optimum copy is performed for each “type” and can be said to be the most preferable response. Further, the column “fixing approach guide height” on the right side indicates that the control conditions for the thick paper 1 and the thick paper 2 are switched with respect to those for the plain paper. This is because the guide height defined when passing plain paper is an obstacle to the passage of cardboard. Further, the column “duplex mode not allowed” on the right side means that the double-sided copying is prohibited for the thick paper 2 and the OHP film. This is limited as described above by the fact that reversal at the transfer paper reversing section 60 is difficult with the thick paper 2 and that copying on both the front and back sides usually does not make sense with the OHP film. In the following, the control conditions that are preferable for each “type” are also prepared for each column in the same manner as described above.

  For the difference in “size”, for example, control conditions as shown in Table 3 below are prepared in advance.

  As shown in Table 3, the control conditions are switched according to the standard special size, the irregular size, and the wide paper.

  Since the control condition for “standard size” in Table 3 is exactly “standard” (for example, “A4 size”), it can be determined in advance. Therefore, it is possible to store control conditions relating to various fixed sizes in the nonvolatile memory 82 in advance. In addition, “standard special size” generally means a size that is fixed in other countries, but is not normally used. For example, 8.5 × 11inch, 11 × 17inch, etc. Since there is no change, it is possible to set the control conditions in advance as described above. Therefore, the control conditions corresponding to each of the fixed special sizes are also stored in the nonvolatile memory 82 in advance.

  On the other hand, as described above, with regard to “undefined size” and “wide paper”, the size of the transfer paper P is basically determined freely by the user. I can't leave. Accordingly, in this case, based on the set size of the transfer paper P, it is fundamental to define a new control condition each time. Such a situation appears in Table 3 that “regular size control specifications (especially, paper transport conditions) are“ applied ”” for “indefinite size” and “wide paper”. Yes.

  A description will be given of the operation when the control condition is determined by the setting information related to the “undefined size” and “wide paper”.

  Since these “undefined size” and “wide paper” are basically set by the user arbitrarily as described above, the control conditions are appropriate each time according to the arbitrary setting. Must be determined to be In the present embodiment, “paper transport conditions” and “image control conditions” described below are targeted as factors that influence such determination.

  First, “paper conveyance conditions” regarding “undefined size” and “wide paper”, this is a feed length (that is, the above-described “conveyance” as shown in FIGS. Reference is made to “paper transport conditions” defined for a standard size (hereinafter referred to as an approximate standard size) which is smaller than the set value information of “direction” or “length in the vertical direction” and is approximated to the correction value α. Is calculated in consideration of In other words, this correction value α is intended to respond flexibly to copying of “indefinite size” and “wide paper” transfer papers having arbitrary or unknown sizes. Note that the “appropriate use” described with reference to Table 3 above is specifically thought of as the existence of the correction value α and the process of taking it into account.

  More specifically, the character of α is that the transfer time of the transfer paper P, which is “indefinite size” and “wide paper”, is generally longer or shorter than that of the standard size. The main point is to try to correct the problems caused by this.

More specifically, when the correction value α is specifically determined for a specific “undefined size” and “wide paper” transfer paper, the following points are used as a reference.
(1) PPM Control The PPM related to “indefinite size” and “wide paper” adds a PPM interval of α to the PPM of the approximate fixed size. Here, PPM (Print Per Minute) is the number of copies completed in one minute for a certain transfer paper P. Therefore, the addition of the PPM interval for α here refers to the addition of the α portion to the PPM related to the paper conveyance of the approximate regular size, so that the approximate regular size and the “undefined size” and “ It is aimed to make the conditions between the trailing edge and the leading edge relating to the conveyance of the transfer paper P with the “wide paper” equal, and to make the reversal time difference between the two in the transfer paper reversing unit 60 described above equivalent. .
(2) First paper feed delivery timing during continuous paper feed The feed is delayed by an amount corresponding to α minutes with respect to the set timer of the approximate standard size. That is, the setting timer is added corresponding to α minutes. This condition setting also has the purpose of making the conditions between the trailing edge and the leading edge of the transfer paper P equal between the approximate regular size and the non-standard size of interest.

It can be seen that (1) and (2) above relate to the control conditions for the transfer paper transport unit 40 in FIG.
(3) Setting the number of circulations in the reverse path for each size (used for ADU circulation judgment control)
When the double-sided image is added by adding the circulation delay time of α to the approximate standard size setting value, the setting value of the number of transfer sheets that can exist in the circulation path (reversing unit 63, reversing conveyance path 64, etc.) is corrected To do.
(4) Reversing motor speed switching timing during reversal Add the fixing missing delay time of α to the approximate standard size setting value. This relates to the motor for driving the reversing roller 62 in the transfer paper reversing section 60 described above, and intends to change the switching timing. In other words, the timing of exiting from the heat rollers 38a and 38b is different between the transfer sheet P having an approximate regular size and that having an irregular size, and the switching timing of the reversing roller 62 needs to be changed accordingly. . The reversing roller 62 is switched not only when the transfer paper is conveyed to the reversal conveyance path 64 but also when the transfer paper P is discharged in reverse.

  Needless to say, the operation / state or function relating to the image forming apparatus used as a reference for determining the correction value α may be considered by adding other conditions than the above (1) to (4). . In such a case, a correction value (for example, β) different from α may be introduced. Further, if the correction value α is considered only for the above (1) to (4), when inputting the setting information related to “undefined size” and “wide paper” (see FIGS. 8 to 10), Although it is sufficient to define the length in the vertical direction, it is preferable to set the horizontal direction in view of the fact that “other conditions may be added as described above”.

  Next, “image control conditions” relating to “irregular size” and “wide paper” are related to image formation on “irregular size” and “wide paper”, which is generally different from the original size. It is a control condition concerning how to determine. That is, the control conditions are related to the operation modes of the image writing unit 20 and the image forming unit 30 described above. As such “image control conditions”, the above-mentioned “indefinite size” and “wide paper” are used to control the image forming apparatus by applying different conditions as described below.

  First, with respect to the “irregular size”, an original size image is formed on the transfer paper P having a size arbitrarily set in FIG. The control condition is defined as a range in which the margin amount (the front end, the rear end, and both ends) determined in (Determine) can be secured.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the document size is 210 mm (= x2) in the main scanning direction, 410 mm (= y2) in the sub-scanning direction, and the main scanning direction is 220 mm (= x1) If the sub-scanning direction is 426 mm (= y1), the image control condition is 2 mm for the left end (same in the figure below) x3, 8 mm for the right end x4, 2 mm for the upper end y3, and 14 mm for the lower end y4. Determine.

  Secondly, with respect to “wide paper”, the control conditions are determined as follows through selection according to whether the leading edge is aligned or the center position (centering). Note that the leading edge alignment and centering use the “image alignment area” shown on the rightmost side in FIG. 9 to input setting information for the paper feed cassette 41 and the like, as mentioned earlier. This is set in advance.

(1) Leading edge alignment In FIG. 9, an original size image is formed on the leading edge of a wide paper size transfer paper P set arbitrarily. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, when the original size is A3, the main scanning direction is 304 mm, and the sub-scanning direction is 426 mm for the arbitrarily set wide paper size transfer paper, the left end x3 and the right end x4 are respectively set to The image control condition is determined by 4 mm, the lower end y4 is 6 mm, and naturally the upper end is 0 mm.

  When carrying out double-sided copying using the transfer paper reversing unit 60 described above, when the front end is aligned on one side so that the image forming positions coincide on the front and back, the other side This condition is determined so that the image formation of “rear end alignment” is performed.

(2) Centering An original size image is formed on the center of the wide paper size transfer paper P arbitrarily set in FIG. For example, in the case shown in FIG. 17 in which the situation is similar to that in FIG. 16, the image control conditions are determined so that the upper end y3 and the lower end y4 are 3 mm each, and the left end x3 and the right end x4 are 3 mm each.

  Compared to FIG. 17, in the case of FIG. 18 in which the main scanning direction of the wide paper size transfer paper is different from 299 mm and the sub-scanning direction is 420 mm, the upper end y3 is 2 mm and the lower end y4 is 3 mm. The image control conditions are determined so that the left end x3 and the right end x4 are 1 mm each.

  As described above, regarding the control conditions related to the size, while paying particular attention to the factors “paper transport conditions” and “image formation conditions”, the control conditions are set according to the actually set arbitrary size. The control conditions of the image forming apparatus are set and operated while changing to the occasion.

  In addition, what is shown in Table 3 is that which can be determined in advance even under the control conditions having the above-described properties, and is stored in the nonvolatile memory 82. , Information about such things.

  In other words, in the “non-standard size”, (1) double-sided copying using the transfer paper reversing unit 60 described above is not allowed, and (2) the sub-tray for the paper discharge mode related to the transfer paper discharge unit 50 described above. The non-volatile memory 82 stores control conditions that can be determined in advance, such as (not shown) discharging, and (3) prohibiting the APS function, AMS function, and ATS function.

  As for “wide paper”, the control conditions that can be set in advance are stored in the nonvolatile memory 82 in the same manner as described above. (1) Setting of image control conditions related to the image formation position on the transfer paper P (The above-described centering or leading end alignment is set in FIG. 9 or FIG. 14.) (2) As the paper discharge mode, a mode related to stapling in the above-described post-copy processing unit 70 (the stapling mode in Table 3). ) Is prohibited, and the other control functions are enabled. (3) Each function of the APS function, AMS function, and ATS function is prohibited. The control conditions are stored in the nonvolatile memory 82. The “image control condition” described in (1) will be described again later.

  Here, regarding the control conditions relating to the above-mentioned “indeterminate size” and “wide paper”, the former and the latter will be described regarding prohibition of the APS function and the like mentioned as (3).

  Here, the APS function (automatic recording material selection function) is an image forming apparatus such as the present embodiment having a plurality of sheet feeding cassettes 41 loaded with transfer sheets P on which images are formed. A transfer unit having a size detection unit 43 provided in the paper feed cassette 41 and the like and a document size detection unit (for example, the optical document size sensor 18) for detecting the size of the document S, and having a size that matches the size of the document S. This is a function for automatically selecting the paper P and forming an image of the original S on the transfer paper P.

  The ATS function (automatic paper feed switching function) refers to, for example, the paper feed cassette 41 that stores the transfer paper P when a copy using the APS function is continuously performed for a certain document size. In the state where the transfer paper P is completely consumed, if there is another paper feed cassette 41 on which the transfer paper P of the same size is placed, switching to the paper feed cassette 41 or the like is automatically performed. It refers to the function that is called.

  Further, the AMS function refers to the transfer for each size of the original S, based on the size of the original S detected by the original size detecting means and the size of the transfer paper P selected to be copied in advance. This refers to a function that automatically determines the scaling factor and the necessity of image rotation when performing image formation on the paper P.

  In implementing these functions, as a precondition, it is usually set for each of the paper feed cassettes 41 and the like whether or not the function is to be performed. That is, for example, when the APS function is performed, it is necessary to “target-set” the paper feed cassette 41 and the like to be selected in advance.

  From the above, regarding the paper feed cassette 41 in which the setting information of “irregular size” and “wide paper” shown in Table 3 is set, the APS function or the like is disabled among the control conditions. This may directly mean that the “target setting” cannot be performed. Further, when the setting information as described above is set for the paper feed cassette 41 etc. for which the target setting has already been made, it may mean that the target setting is canceled, and further, the APS function is used. When the paper feed cassette 41 as described above is selected during copying, the APS function may be canceled. In any case, the APS function, the ATS function, and the AMS function are prohibited in the paper feed cassette 41 and the like in which the setting information of “undefined size” and “wide paper” is set.

  In other words, when the transfer paper P is “indeterminate size” or “wide paper”, the target paper cassette 41 or the like when the APS function, the ATS function, and the AMS function are performed is used. Is generally unsuitable.

  In this regard, regarding the control conditions of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment relating to the APS / ATS / AMS function, the differences in the control conditions from the viewpoint of the difference in “type” are summarized as follows. Table 4 shown below.

  From Table 4, even when the “type” is considered, in the present embodiment, the APS function and the ATS function are prohibited except for “plain paper”. However, regarding the AMS function, what kind of setting information is attached to the paper feed cassette 41 and the like except that it is prohibited by “undefined size” and “wide paper” which are the setting information related to the “size” described above. Even if it works effectively.

  Hereinafter, the operation or effect of the image forming apparatus as the above configuration example will be described in accordance with an example of a specific work procedure and along the flowchart of FIG.

  First, prior to the description of the flowchart of FIG. 19, in the operation / display unit 81, the administrator sets “type” and “size” for each sheet cassette 41 and external sheet feeding unit 41 </ b> L in the administrator setting mode. Set the information. This setting will be described in detail again. First, with respect to the “size” related to the transfer paper P for each paper feed cassette 41, setting information related to “standard special size” is set in a certain paper feed cassette 41. In this case, after the setting screen as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the operation / display unit 81 from the administrator setting mode, the “special size setting” button is pressed to display the size setting screen.

  Then, after selecting the paper cassette 41 to be set, the size of the transfer paper P stored in the paper cassette 41 is input. Specifically, if the transfer paper is a standard size, the “standard size” button is selected, and if the transfer paper is a standard special size, the “standard special size” is selected, and then, as shown in the pop-up screen of FIG. The desired one is selected from several sizes (default values). Further, when setting information related to “undefined size” is to be set, a pop-up screen as shown in FIG. 8 appears when the “undefined size” button is selected. In this case, the length of each of the transfer direction (hereinafter referred to as the vertical direction) of the transfer paper P and the direction orthogonal to the transfer direction (hereinafter referred to as the horizontal direction) is indicated by a numeric keypad in the figure. Perform this setting by entering directly through the key.

  Similarly, when the “wide paper” button is selected, a pop-up screen as shown in FIG. 9 appears. In this case, a “standard size” serving as a reference is selected, and when the detailed size is to be changed, the “size input” button is selected and input directly from a pop-up screen as shown in FIG. . In this case, the difference value from the “standard size” may be input (by pressing the icons of the up arrow mark and the down arrow mark in the figure). Further, on the rightmost side in FIG. 9, the image to be formed on the wide paper is aligned with the “tip” of the transfer paper P (that is, the upper side of the transfer paper P) or is aligned with the center. Set for (centering). This point will be touched upon again when the “image control condition” described later is described.

  In the present embodiment, in addition to the settings related to the size, settings related to the type can be performed. In that case, after selecting the paper feed cassette 41 to be set in FIG. 5, icons corresponding to the type of transfer paper stored (for example, “plain paper”, “thick paper 1”, “thin paper” ”,“ Tab paper ”, etc.) can be set for each of the paper feed cassettes 41 in accordance with the above-mentioned size setting.

  On the other hand, as described above, regarding the external sheet feeding unit 41L, the type can be set from the operation / display unit 81 in the same manner as the sheet feeding cassette 41, and the size can be set by non-volatile settings by a service person. Input. As described above, since it is generally not considered that the setting information is frequently changed for the external paper feeding unit 41L, the input operation is limited to a case where the setting is made through a nonvolatile setting by a service person. It can be said that it is preferable to keep it.

  As described above, the setting information such as the type and size set for each paper feed cassette 41 and external paper feed means 41L is stored in the paper feed cassette 41 and the external paper feed means 41L in the storage means 83 shown in FIG. It is memorized while taking correspondence with each of these.

  It should be noted that such setting information setting (input) work is normally performed in advance before performing any operation relating to actual copying. In the present embodiment, once set, it is possible to use the setting information as it is to carry out daily operations of the image forming apparatus. That is, the set information is stored and held in the nonvolatile storage means 83 even when the power of the apparatus main body is turned off, and when the power is turned on again before the power is turned off. The setting information can be used as it is. By doing so, it is possible to avoid the trouble of having to perform the setting information input operation one by one, and the continuity of operation is maintained, which is provided for the convenience of the user. Become. That is, according to the above means, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the setting information is inadvertently lost due to the user's negligence.

  However, during operation of the image forming apparatus (for example, when the power is turned on and image formation is not being performed), the one once set by the operation / display unit 81 or the non-volatile setting is changed. Needless to say, it is possible.

  When the user actually starts copying, first, a job setting operation is performed (S1 in FIG. 19). For example, as shown in FIG. 4, this setting operation is performed in the area 811 where designation is made regarding the output form of the transfer paper P after completion of copying, particularly the post-copy processing unit 70 described above. The document conveying unit 100 and the image forming state (the document S and the transfer sheet P are both double-sided or single-sided) are set. In area 813, the copy (image formation) density is set, in area 814, the copy magnification is selected, in 81a, transfer paper P for image formation is selected, and in area 815, various application settings as shown in the figure are performed.

  When the setting is completed, copying (image formation) is started by pressing a copy start button (not shown) (S2). At this time, the “type” set on the transfer paper type setting screen described above is acquired in the paper feed cassette 41 or the external paper feed means 41L used in the JOB (S4). Then, as exemplified in Table 2, the control conditions such as process conditions are matched with the “type” set in the paper feed cassette 41 or the external paper feed means 41L to be used (S5).

  At this time, as shown in Tables 2 and 4, if the mode, function, and the like that are prohibited by the “type” are set in the JOB setting of S1, that is prohibited, and the operation / A warning is displayed on the display unit 81, and image formation is stopped.

  Next, the “size” set on the transfer paper size setting screen described above is acquired in the selected (used) paper feed cassette 41 or the external paper feed means 41L (S6). At this time, if “standard size” is selected, the information of the size detecting means 43 is read and it is detected which of the plurality of standard sizes the transfer paper corresponds to. Then, similarly to the case where “standard special size” is selected, the transport conditions based on the respective size control specifications stored in the nonvolatile memory 82 are set (S7), and are adjusted in the transport conditions and S5. The image formation is started under the control conditions (S8). On the other hand, when “undefined size” and “wide paper” are selected, the correction value α is added while referring to the conveyance conditions defined in the approximate fixed size (standard size) as described above. Then, the conveyance conditions are set (S7), and image formation is started under the conveyance conditions and the control conditions adjusted in S5 (S8). When the planned number of image formation is completed (S4), the image formation is completed.

  By the way, in the present embodiment, the administrator sets the transfer paper size in the paper feed cassette 41 or the like (sets “standard special size”, “undefined size”, “wide paper”). Therefore, if the setting of the administrator is set incorrectly, there is a risk of causing an abnormality (for example, jam) in the transport system. On the other hand, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a size detection unit 43 that detects the size of the transfer paper stored in the paper feed cassette 41. Thus, the size detection means 43 can be used to prevent the above-described inconvenience as much as possible. That is, when the “setting mode” is selected, if the set size does not correspond to the size detected by the size detecting means 43, a warning is issued (for example, displayed on the scanning / display unit 81). Image formation is prohibited, or image formation is performed under control conditions corresponding to the size detected by the size detection means 43. More specifically, since the size detecting unit 43 is a fixed size detecting unit for detecting any one of a plurality of fixed sizes together with the central control unit C, the set non-standard size is set. If a fixed size that does not correspond to (in this case, at least the length in the length direction is known) is detected by the fixed size detector, a warning is issued and image formation is prohibited, Alternatively, image formation is performed under the “detection mode”, that is, under the control conditions corresponding to the detected standard size. Here, “the fixed size that does not correspond to the non-standard size is detected” means that the fixed size detection unit is not the smallest fixed size among the fixed sizes larger than the non-standard size, at least in the vertical direction (length direction). Is detected, or a fixed size other than the largest fixed size among the fixed sizes smaller than the non-standard size is detected.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, when “standard size” is selected as shown in FIG. 6, image formation is performed under control conditions corresponding to the size detected by the standard size detector. When “Mode” is selected and “Standard Special Size”, “Irregular Size”, and “Wide Paper” are selected as shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, image formation is performed under the control conditions according to the set information. The “setting mode” to be performed is selected. That is, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment has two modes of “detection mode” and “setting mode”, and one of them can be selected by the operation / display unit 81. It is configured. However, the selection of either “detection mode” or “setting mode” is not performed on the setting screen as shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. For example, in the administrator setting mode, either one of them may be selected on a screen other than the screen for setting the “size” of the paper feed cassette 41.

  In this case, if “size” is not set in the paper feed cassette 41 on the size setting screen of FIG. 7 to FIG. The image may be formed in the “mode”.

  Furthermore, in the case where the above-described inconsistency exists, as described above, a method for solving the problem by performing the operation in the “detection mode” is also effective, but before that, the transfer paper P is stored, At the time when the size of the transfer paper is input, the operation / display unit 81 may display a warning with reference to information from the size detection unit 43. By doing so, it is possible to avoid inconsistency between the setting information and the actual situation in advance.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where only the size detection unit 43 for detecting the size of the transfer paper P in the paper feed cassette 41 has been described. Similarly, the type of the transfer paper P is detected. The type detecting means for performing the above may be provided for each paper feed cassette 41. For example, as this type detection means, the conductivity, surface roughness, color, transparency, etc. of the transfer paper P stored in the paper feed cassette 41 are detected, and the information obtained here is the central control means. The type of the transfer paper P can be determined based on the information input to C and obtained by the central control means C.

  Next, an operation related to image formation using the manual feed tray 41H will be described. Copying using the manual feed tray 41H corresponds to a special case of driving in the “setting mode”.

  Regarding the manual feed tray 41H, as already described, setting information of “type” and “size” can be set in the same manner as the paper feed cassette 41 and the like. Particularly important in the present embodiment is that the use of the manual feed tray 41H makes it possible to cope with “temporary” copying.

  That is, for the paper feed cassette 41 and the external paper feed means 41L, it is normally assumed that the setting information as described above is attached and the transfer paper P corresponding to the setting information is stored and used. However, there is a case where it is desired to temporarily copy the transfer paper P having a type or size not corresponding to any of the input setting information. In such a case, in this embodiment, it is effective to use the manual feed tray 41H.

  A user using the manual feed tray 41H first confirms the type or size of the transfer paper P on which image formation is to be performed, and places the transfer paper P on the manual feed tray 41H, or operates / displays the transfer paper P. By pressing a button on the manual feed tray 41H in the area 81a on the basic screen (FIG. 4) displayed on 81, the above-described manual feed setting screen (FIGS. 11 to 14) is displayed on the operation / display unit 81. . As described above, this manual setting screen is basically equivalent to the “type” and “size” setting screens (FIGS. 5 to 10) in the paper feed cassette 41. However, as described above, the setting screen in the paper feed cassette 41 is a setting under the administrator setting mode that can only be set by the administrator. Even if it is not an administrator, that is, even a general user, it can be set.

  As described above, when the setting of the transfer paper P placed on (or placed on) the manual feed tray 41H is completed, the screen returns to the basic screen of FIG. At this time, the set “type” and “size” are displayed in a portion corresponding to the manual feed tray 41H of the basic screen. That is, when this setting is completed, a screen as shown in FIG. 20 is displayed in the area 81a on the basic screen in FIG. 4, and it is displayed on the manual feed tray 41H that “special paper setting” regarding the type and size has been made. Is done. In the case of FIG. 20, as an example, the setting “B4 cardboard” is shown. Then, JOB is set on this basic screen (S1 in FIG. 19). Thereafter, similarly to the flow of FIG. 19 described above, the transfer paper is fed from the manual feed tray 41H to form an image.

  Note that the setting information once set for the manual feed tray 41H may be stored in the nonvolatile memory 82 until new setting information is input to the manual feed tray 41H, or waits for a certain period of time to elapse. It is also possible to automatically return to the original state.

  By adopting such a configuration that setting information can be set for the manual feed tray 41H, not only can a single user be handled, but also any special user or non-standard paper can be used. Image formation can be performed.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, setting information composed of information related to “type” and “size” can be set for each of the paper feed cassette 41 and the external paper feed unit 41L. When these paper cassettes 41 are selected by direct input through the display unit 81 or by the APS function or the like, the control conditions are automatically set based on the setting information set in the paper cassette 41 etc. Since the operation of the image forming apparatus is realized by the selection and determination of the control conditions and the application of the control conditions, it is very easy to copy the transfer paper P of any type or size. Can be implemented. In this regard, in the past, when attempting to copy a transfer sheet P having a special type or size, the copying could only be performed after a complicated operation such as “mode setting”. Compared with the point, it can be said that the operability of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is improved in each stage.

  Incidentally, such an effect in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is particularly clearly exhibited when, for example, copying by a so-called “intersheet method” is performed. Copying by the “inter sheet method” means, for example, copying a plurality of “A4 plain papers” with respect to a certain group of originals S, and stacking them, while “A4 cardboard” or “non-standard size / This is a copying method in which copying on “colored paper” is performed once and periodically. Here, “A4 cardboard” corresponding to “the middle” is, for example, “cover” or “back cover” when binding is completed, and “non-standard size / colored paper” is, for example, “binding paper” when binding is completed, And so on.

In the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, in order to respond to the copy-binding example, as described above, "A4 plain paper" in the paper cassette 41 ₁ for example, "A4 thick paper" is the paper feed cassette 41 _2, paper feed If the setting information of “irregular size / colored paper” is set in the cassette 413, this can be performed completely automatically. That is, in this case, the control conditions of the image forming apparatus, the normal, whereas the control conditions relating to "A4 plain paper" is selected, applied, per the "inter sheet implementation", sheet feeding cassette 41 ₂ when it is selected, based on the setting information set in the paper feed cassette 41 _2, automatically, because so that corresponding control condition is applied is selected and determined.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment, a complicated binding operation in which a plurality of types or sizes of transfer sheets are mixed can be performed completely automatically without requiring any complicated operation. It is.

  Further, in the present embodiment, by allowing setting information to be input each time for the manual feed tray 41H, a transfer having a type or size not set in the paper feed cassette 41 and the external paper feed means 41L. Temporary copying on the paper P can be performed flexibly.

  In the above embodiment, the description has been made mainly with the copying apparatus as an image forming apparatus in mind, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. That is, a printer or a facsimile attached to a personal computer or the like is assumed as the image forming apparatus, and embodiments conceived by these are also within the scope of the present invention. Naturally, a so-called “multifunction machine” having functions of an image forming apparatus, a printer, and a facsimile is also within the scope of the present invention.

  Further, the setting information set for each paper feed cassette 41 and the like in the above embodiment is configured by “type” and “size”, but the present invention is limited to such a form. Is not to be done. For example, in consideration of the storage state of the transfer paper P, more specifically, the moisture content due to being left for a long period of time, the concept of the "storage state" It may be included in the setting information. For example, regarding the “humidity”, a case can be considered in which control conditions such as changing the feeding speed in the transfer paper transport unit 40 are taken into account according to the difference in the degree of inclusion.

  Furthermore, in the above, the operation / display unit 81 is provided as an input unit for setting “type” and “size”, and as a selection unit for selecting between “detection mode” and “setting mode”. However, the present invention is not limited to such a form. For example, when the image forming apparatus is connected to a certain network such as a LAN, a mode in which operation, input, setting, selection, and the like are performed via communication by a computer on the network is also possible. In this case, the input unit or the selection unit is a portion (network interface or print controller unit) where the image forming apparatus is connected to the network, and the computer is a setting unit.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the size of the document S is detected by document size detection means (the optical document size sensor 18 and the RADF document size detection unit) in the image reading unit 10. However, also in this case, when the image forming apparatus is connected to the network as described above, and the image data is transmitted from the computer via the network, the image data is referred to as “original”. Therefore, a configuration may be adopted in which the size corresponds to the “original size”. In such a case, when the facsimile is assumed as the image forming apparatus, it is a more natural form.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image reading part 20 Image writing part 30 Image formation part 40 Transfer paper conveyance part 41 Paper feed cassette (recording material storage means)
41H Bypass tray 41L External paper feed means 43 Size detection means 50 Transfer paper discharge section 60 Transfer paper reversing section 70 Copying post-processing section 81 Operation section / display section (input section)
82 Nonvolatile memory 83 Storage means C Central control means P Transfer paper

Claims (3)

In an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material,
An operation / display unit in which the operation unit and the display unit are integrated;
A manual feed tray on which a non-standard recording material can be placed;
An image forming unit for forming an image on the non-standard recording material placed on the manual feed tray;
Size information input in which size information relating to the length and width of the non-standard recording material is input from the manual feed setting screen displayed by pressing the portion corresponding to the manual feed tray displayed on the basic screen in the operation / display unit Means,
From the manual difference setting screen, by selecting a recording material type related to selectable plain paper and special paper, a type input means for inputting type information of the recording material,
A non-volatile memory for storing the size information input by the size information input means and the type information of the recording material input by the type input means in association with the manual feed tray;
When returning to the basic screen after the size information of the non-standard recording material and the recording material type information are input from the manual setting screen, the portion corresponding to the manual tray displayed on the basic screen Control means for controlling the operation / display unit to display the size information of the non-standard recording material input from the manual setting screen and the type information of the recording material;
An image forming apparatus comprising: In an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material,
An operation / display unit in which the operation unit and the display unit are integrated;
A manual feed tray on which a non-standard recording material can be placed;
An image forming unit for forming an image on the non-standard recording material placed on the manual feed tray;
Size information input means for inputting size information related to the length and width of the non-standard recording material from the manual setting screen displayed by pressing the portion corresponding to the manual tray displayed on the operation / display unit;
From the manual difference setting screen, by selecting a recording material type related to selectable plain paper and special paper, a type input means for inputting type information of the recording material,
A non-volatile memory for storing the size information input by the size information input means and the type information of the recording material input by the type input means in association with the manual feed tray;
When a portion corresponding to the manual feed tray displayed on the operation / display unit is selected when setting JOB, the size information and the recording material stored in the nonvolatile memory in association with the manual feed tray Control means for controlling the image forming unit to perform image formation according to the type information;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   As for the size information and the recording material type information stored in the nonvolatile memory in association with the manual feed tray, new size information or recording material type information is input by the size information input unit or the type input unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus continues to be stored in the non-volatile memory until it is performed.

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