JP2011168382A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device which prevents the occurrence of a paper feeding jam, by informing a user of a proper warning, in the image forming device having a plurality of paper feeding trays and forming part of a carrying passage of paper fed from a lower stage paper feeding tray, inside an upper stage body paper feeding tray. <P>SOLUTION: A printer includes four paper feeding parts (a first paper feeding cassette, a second paper feeding tray, a third paper feeding tray and a fourth paper feeding tray), and is provided with the carrying passage toward an image forming part from the respective paper feeding trays. The carrying passage is constituted so as to respectively pass through the upper stage paper feeding tray. In such a constitution, a warning message is displayed so as not to extract the upper stage paper feeding tray from a paper feeding object tray. Thus, a possibility of extracting the upper stage paper feeding tray from the paper feeding object tray is reduced, preventing the occurrence of the paper feeding jam. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to notification of an appropriate warning in an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper feed trays.

  Conventionally, an image forming apparatus including a plurality of paper feed trays has been disclosed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus in which a paper feed tray is provided at the bottom of the main body of the image forming apparatus, and a paper feed tray can be added below the main body paper feed tray. In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a part of the sheet conveyance path for conveying the sheet fed from the lower additional sheet feeding tray to the image forming unit is provided on the upper body sheet feeding tray. It is formed inside.

JP 2006-96456 A

  However, the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 has the following problems. For example, the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured to block the sheet conveyance path of the additional paper feed tray located in the lower stage when the main body paper feed tray located in the upper stage is pulled out. As a result, when the user pulls out the main unit paper tray while the additional paper tray is feeding, if the user pulls out the main unit paper tray, a paper jam will occur in the additional paper tray and printing will fail. It will be interrupted.

  The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the above-described conventional print forming apparatus and paper feed control method. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that includes a plurality of paper feed trays and a part of a paper transport path that feeds paper from a lower paper feed tray is formed inside an upper main body paper feed tray. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that prevents a paper jam from occurring by notifying a user of an appropriate warning.

  In order to solve this problem, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is provided with an image forming unit that prints an image on a recording medium, and upper and lower sides that can accommodate the recording medium. A plurality of paper feed trays, a first paper feed path for feeding the recording medium from the uppermost paper feed tray to the image forming unit, and a paper feed tray excluding the uppermost paper feed tray A second paper feed path for feeding the discharged recording medium to the image forming unit via a paper feed tray above the paper feed tray and one of the plurality of paper feed trays. A paper feed control unit that feeds the recording medium that has been recorded; and a notification unit that informs the paper feed control unit not to pull out a paper feed tray above the paper feed tray to be fed. It is characterized by that. That is, by notifying that the upper paper feed tray is not pulled out from the paper feed tray to be fed, the possibility that the upper paper feed tray is pulled out from the paper feed tray to be fed is reduced, and The occurrence of paper jam can be prevented.

An image forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the remaining amount for detecting the remaining amount of the recording medium stored in the paper feed tray. A detection unit, wherein the notification unit detects that there is no remaining amount by the remaining amount detection unit, and notifies that the upper sheet feed tray is not pulled out from the sheet supply target tray. To do. That is, it is expected that the user pulls out the upper empty paper feed tray in order to replenish the recording medium to the empty paper feed tray above the paper feed tray to be fed. In this case, by notifying that the upper empty paper feed tray is not pulled out, the possibility that the upper paper feed tray is pulled out from the paper feed tray to be fed is reduced, and a paper jam occurs. Can be prevented.

  An image forming apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the remaining amount detection unit accommodates the image forming apparatus in a sheet feeding tray to be fed. When it is detected that there is no remaining recording medium, the paper feed control unit switches to a paper feed tray other than the paper feed tray based on a predetermined paper feed priority, and continues feeding. The notification unit notifies the sheet feed control unit not to pull out a sheet feed tray above the sheet feed tray to be switched. That is, even when the paper feed tray to be fed becomes empty, the paper feed tray is automatically switched, so that printing can be continued. Further, by notifying that the upper sheet feed tray is not pulled out from the sheet feed tray to be switched, the possibility of the upper sheet feed tray being pulled out from the sheet feed tray to be switched is reduced, and the sheet jam is performed. Can be prevented from occurring.

  An image forming apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein a reception unit that receives a print job and an acquisition unit that acquires the number of prints of the received print job. And the number of prints acquired by the acquisition unit and the remaining amount of the recording medium stored in the paper feed tray that is the paper feed target detected by the remaining amount detection unit, A determination unit that determines whether or not the remaining amount is insufficient, and when the determination unit determines that the remaining amount is insufficient from the determination unit, In this case, a notification is given so as not to pull out the upper paper feed tray from the paper feed tray. In other words, if the remaining amount of the recording medium stored in the paper feed tray to be fed before printing is insufficient and the paper feed tray to be fed is switched, In addition to the upper sheet feed tray, a notification is given so that the upper sheet feed tray is not pulled out of the sheet feed tray to be switched. By informing in this way, the user can grasp in advance the paper feed tray that should not be pulled out. Therefore, the possibility of pulling out the paper feed trays to be fed and the paper feed trays higher than the paper feed trays to be switched can be reduced, and the occurrence of paper jam can be prevented.

  An image forming apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein the determination unit determines that the remaining amount of the paper feed tray to be fed is insufficient. In this case, the total of the remaining amount of the recording medium stored in the paper feed tray to be switched and the paper feed tray to be fed based on the paper feed priority and the printing of the print job The number of sheets is compared to determine whether or not the total remaining amount is insufficient. When the determination unit determines that the total remaining amount is not insufficient, When the determination unit determines that the total of the remaining amount is insufficient, the determination unit determines that the total of the remaining amount is not extracted. Next switching based on the paper feed priority By addition of the residual amount of the paper feed tray of interest, and repeating said determination. That is, before printing and before the print job is completed, all the paper feed trays to be fed are determined and the user is notified of the paper feed trays that should not be pulled out. By informing in this way, the user can grasp in advance the paper feed tray that should not be pulled out. Therefore, the possibility of pulling out the upper paper feed tray from the paper feed tray to be fed is reduced, and it is possible to prevent paper jamming.

An image forming apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the notification unit is a paper feed tray to be fed. It is characterized by notifying that it is used. With this configuration, the user can grasp which paper feed tray is the paper feed target.

  An image forming apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the image forming apparatus is a host device that generates the print job. The notification unit notifies at least one of the image forming apparatus and the host apparatus. If comprised in this way, it can alert | report to the user who exists in the host apparatus vicinity, and can improve a user's convenience.

  According to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus that includes a plurality of paper feed trays and a part of a paper transport path fed from a lower paper feed tray is formed inside an upper main body paper feed tray, By notifying an appropriate warning to the image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus that prevents the occurrence of paper jam is realized.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. (A) is a conceptual diagram showing an internal configuration of an image forming unit, and (B) is a diagram showing a configuration of a remaining sheet sensor. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print job execution processing according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a warning message (the 1). It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a warning message (the 2). 10 is a flowchart illustrating print job execution processing according to the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a warning message (the 3). It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a warning message (the 4).

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment [Overall Configuration of Printer]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer 100 (image forming apparatus) according to the present embodiment.

  The printer 100 includes an image forming unit 10 that prints an image on a sheet (recording medium), a paper feed tray 91 (hereinafter referred to as a first paper feed tray 91) located at the bottom of the image forming unit 10, and an image forming unit. 10 is provided with a paper discharge tray 93 positioned on the upper surface of the apparatus 10. In the printer 100, optional trays 92a to 92c (hereinafter, the optional trays 92a to 92c are referred to as a second paper feed tray 92a, a third paper feed tray 92b, and a fourth paper feed tray 92c, respectively) below the paper feed tray 91 are optional. It can be expanded with.

  Further, on the upper surface of the image forming unit 10, a display unit 41 (notification unit) composed of a liquid crystal display, a button group 42 including various buttons (for example, buttons of a start key, a stop key, and a numeric keypad) are provided. An operation panel 40 is provided. The display unit 41 and the button group 42 enable operation status display and user operation input.

[Configuration of image forming unit]
FIG. 2A is a conceptual diagram showing the internal configuration of the image forming unit, and FIG. 2B is a diagram showing the configuration of the remaining sheet sensor.

The image forming unit 10 forms an image by a known electrophotographic method. As shown in FIG. 2A, the image forming unit 10 forms a process unit 50 for forming an image and a fixing device 8 for fixing an unfixed toner image. The first paper feed tray 91, the second paper feed tray 92a, the third paper feed tray 92b, and the fourth paper feed tray 92c on which paper before image formation is placed, and the waste paper on which paper after image formation is placed. And a paper tray 93. Further, the first paper feed tray 91, the second paper feed tray 92a, the third paper feed tray 92b, and the fourth paper feed tray 92c are all provided with a remaining paper amount detection function.

  In the image forming unit 10, a spring 81 is provided at the bottom of the discharge side of the first paper feed tray 91, and the spring 81 is attached to the back surface of the paper mounting table 51, and the paper mounting table 51 is always urged upward. Yes. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2A, when the paper is stacked on the paper mounting table 51, the paper is always pressed against the paper feed roller 71 by the force of the spring 81. Further, the paper stored in the first paper feed tray 91 passes through the paper feed roller 71, the registration roller 75, the process unit 50, and the fixing device 8 and is guided to the upper paper discharge tray 93 via the paper discharge roller 73. Thus, a substantially S-shaped conveyance path (a chain line in FIG. 2) is provided. That is, the image forming unit 10 takes out the sheets placed on the first paper feed tray 91 one by one, conveys the sheets to the process unit 50, and displays the toner image formed in the process unit 50 on the sheet. Transcript to. Further, the sheet on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 8 and the toner image is thermally fixed on the sheet. Then, the paper after fixing is discharged to the paper discharge tray 93. Of the substantially S-shaped transport path, the transport path 11 (first feed path) is from the first paper feed tray 91 to the registration roller 75, and the transport path 13 is from the registration roller 75 to the paper discharge tray 93. And

  Further, in the image forming unit 10, the paper stored in the second paper feed tray 92 a located below the first paper feed tray 91 passes through the paper feed roller 72 a in the paper transport direction more than the registration roller 75. A transport path 12a (second feed path, two-dot chain line in FIG. 2) that joins the transport path 11 on the upstream side is provided. That is, when the image forming unit 10 feeds paper from the second paper feed tray 92 a, the image forming unit 10 transports the paper taken out from the second paper feed tray 92 a to the registration roller 75 via the first paper feed tray 91.

  The sheet accommodated in the third sheet feed tray 92b positioned below the second sheet feed tray 92a passes through the sheet feed roller 72b and joins the transport path 11 upstream of the registration roller 75 in the sheet transport direction. A path 12b (second paper feed path, two-dot chain line in FIG. 2) is provided. That is, when the image forming unit 10 feeds paper from the third paper feed tray 92b, the image forming unit 10 registers the paper taken out from the third paper feed tray 92b via the first paper feed tray 91 and the second paper feed tray 92a. Transport to roller 75. Here, the conveyance path 12b may merge with the conveyance path 12a on the upstream side of the registration roller 75 in the sheet conveyance direction.

  The sheet accommodated in the fourth sheet feed tray 92c positioned below the third sheet feed tray 92a passes through the sheet feed roller 72c and joins the transport path 11 on the upstream side of the registration roller 75 in the sheet transport direction. A path 12c (second feed path, two-dot chain line in FIG. 2) is provided. That is, when the image forming unit 10 feeds paper from the fourth paper feed tray 92c, the paper taken out from the fourth paper feed tray 92c is used as the first paper feed tray 91, the second paper feed tray 92a, and the third paper feed. It is conveyed to the registration roller 75 via the tray 92b. Here, the conveyance path 12c may merge with the conveyance path 12b on the upstream side of the registration roller 75 in the sheet conveyance direction.

  Therefore, as described above, the first paper feed tray 91 includes a part of the three transport paths, that is, the transport paths 12a to 12c, and the second paper feed tray 92a includes the transport paths 12b and 12c. A part of the two transport paths exists, a part of the transport path 12c exists in the third paper feed tray 92b, and a transport path does not exist in the fourth paper feed tray 92c.

Because of the above configuration, for example, the paper transport path 12 a from the second paper feed tray 92 a is formed via the first paper feed tray 91. Therefore, when the user removes the first paper feed tray 91 from the apparatus main body in order to replenish paper in the first paper feed tray 91 during paper feed from the second paper feed tray 92a, the transport path 12a is blocked and transported. It becomes impossible. Therefore, if the first paper feed tray 91 is taken out while paper is being fed from the second paper feed tray 92a, it is not preferable because it causes a paper feed jam.

  For example, a detection filler 66 (see FIG. 2B) for detecting the remaining amount of paper in the first paper feed tray 91 is attached to the paper stacking base 51. The detection filler 66 is connected to the slide portion of the variable resistor 67 of the remaining paper amount sensor 61 (remaining amount detecting portion) shown in FIG. Is changed so that the level of the detection signal of the remaining sheet sensor 61 can be changed.

  The process unit 50 includes a process unit 50C that forms a cyan (C) image, a process unit 50M that forms a magenta (M) image, and a process unit 50Y that forms a yellow (Y) image. And a process unit 50K that forms a black (K) color image, and the process units 50C, 50M, 50Y, and 50K are juxtaposed along a paper conveyance path. The process unit 50 forms a color image by superimposing the toner images formed by the process units 50C, 50M, 50Y, and 50K on a sheet. On the other hand, when a monochrome image is formed, a toner image is formed and printed by any one of the process units 50C, 50M, 50Y, and 50K.

[Electrical configuration of printer]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the electrical configuration of the printer 100.

  As shown in the figure, the printer 100 includes a control unit 30 including a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, an NVRAM 34, an ASIC 35, a communication interface 36, and a USB interface 37. The control unit 30 is electrically connected to the image forming unit 10, the operation panel 40, and the like. The image forming unit 10 and the operation panel 40 are controlled by the control unit 30 and operate independently.

  The CPU 31 executes arithmetic operations for realizing various functions in the printer 100 such as a print job execution process described later, and is the center of control. The ROM 32 stores various control programs for controlling the printer 100, various settings, initial values, and the like. The RAM 33 is used as a work area from which various control programs are read or as a storage area for temporarily storing image data. An NVRAM (Non Volatile RAM) 34 is a non-volatile storage means and is used as a storage area for storing various settings or image data.

  The CPU 31 stores the processing results in the RAM 33 or the NVRAM 34 according to the control program read from the ROM 32 and signals sent from various sensors, and turns on the components of the printer 100 (for example, the lighting timing of the exposure apparatus constituting the process unit 50). The drive motors (not shown) of various rollers arranged in the transport path 11, transport paths 12a to 12c, and transport path 13 are controlled via the ASIC 35.

  For example, the detection signal of the paper remaining amount sensor 61 is A / D converted by an A / D converter (not shown), and the A / D converted detection signal level change characteristic and the paper remaining amount correspondence table are displayed. Based on this, the remaining amount of paper in each paper feed tray is detected. This correspondence table is stored in the NVRAM in advance. Further, the obtained remaining amount of paper is stored in the RAM 33 or the NVRAM 34.

The communication interface 36 is connected to a LAN, USB, or the like, and enables connection with an information processing apparatus 200 such as a personal computer or a portable terminal device. Data communication with the information processing apparatus can be performed via the communication interface 36.

  In addition, a USB device such as a USB memory can be connected to the USB interface 37, and data communication with the connected USB device is possible. The printer 100 can read and execute a print job stored in a USB memory or the like.

  In the present embodiment, the printer 100 receives a print job generated by the information processing apparatus 200 via the communication interface 36 and executes the print job.

[Print job execution processing]
Hereinafter, the print job execution process of the printer 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. The print job execution process is repeatedly executed by the CPU 31 while the printer 100 is powered on. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing print job execution processing according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example (part 1) of the warning message. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example (part 2) of the warning message.

  First, it is determined whether a print job has been received via the communication interface 36 (S101). If it is determined that a print job has not been received (S101: No), the process waits until a print job is received. If it is determined that a print job has been received (S101: Yes), the priority information of the paper feed tray is acquired (S102).

  The paper feed tray priority indicates the order of switching the paper feed target tray, and is stored in the NVRAM 34. During printing, according to the priority, when the high-priority paper feed tray becomes empty, the printer 100 operates to feed paper from the next high-priority paper feed tray.

  Further, the priority of the paper feed tray may be a default priority preset by the printer manufacturer, or may be changed by a user setting.

  In the present embodiment, the priority information of the paper feed tray acquired by the CPU 31 is that paper is fed preferentially from the upper tray, that is, the first paper feed tray 91 has the highest priority, and the second paper feed. It is assumed that the priority is lowered in the order of the tray 92a, the third paper feed tray 92b, and the fourth paper feed tray 92c. Based on the priority, the highest priority paper feed tray (that is, the first paper feed tray 91) is set as a paper feed target tray, paper is fed from the paper feed target tray, and a print job is executed. (S103).

  The CPU 31 determines whether the paper feed target tray is the uppermost paper feed tray (first paper feed tray 91) (S104). If it is the uppermost paper feed tray (S104: Yes), it is determined whether or not there is paper stored in the paper feed target tray (S105). Here, whether or not there is a sheet stored in the sheet feed tray may be confirmed based on, for example, an output signal of the sheet remaining amount sensor 61 that confirms the storage state of the first sheet feed tray 91.

  If it is determined that there is a sheet to be stored in the tray to be fed (S105: Yes), the image data for one sheet is printed (S106). That is, the paper is fed from the paper feed target tray and the image data is printed.

Next, it is determined whether or not the print job is completed (S107). If the print job has not been completed (S107: No), the process proceeds to S105, and if completed (S107: Yes), the print job execution is terminated. In this case (S107: Yes), the process may proceed to S101 and wait until a new print job is received.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no sheet to be stored in the sheet feed target tray (S105: No), it is determined whether there is no sheet in all the sheet feed trays (S108). If there is no paper in all the paper feed trays, that is, there is a paper feed tray that is not yet empty (S108: No), priority is given to the paper feed target tray based on the priority of the paper feed tray described above. Switching to the next highest paper feed tray (S109), the process proceeds to S104. Here, whether or not there is a sheet stored in the sheet feed tray is determined based on an output signal of the sheet remaining amount sensor 61 installed in each sheet feed tray.

  If it is determined that there is no paper in all the paper feed trays (S108: Yes), the print job execution is terminated. In this case (S108: Yes), printing may be temporarily interrupted and the process may shift to a paper replenishment waiting state. Further, in a state of waiting for paper replenishment, in order to notify the user to that effect, a display to the effect that paper is replenished to the paper feed tray may be displayed on the display unit 41.

  Thereafter, according to the display on the display unit 41, the user may confirm that the paper supply to any of the paper feed trays has been completed, and then the process may proceed to S104 to resume execution of the print job. Here, completion of paper replenishment can be determined by, for example, checking an accommodation state of the first paper feed tray 91 based on an output signal from the paper remaining amount sensor 61.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 31 determines that the paper feed target tray is not the uppermost paper feed tray (first paper feed tray 91) (S104: No), a warning message is displayed on the display unit 41 (S110). ). As a form of displaying this warning message, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, a message “Please do not pull out the tray 1” is displayed. The example in FIG. 5 shows a warning message when the second paper feed tray 92a is set as a paper feed target tray. In this case, since there is a possibility that the first paper feed tray 91 in the upper stage from the second paper feed tray 92a is taken out and a paper feed jam occurs, the first paper feed tray 91 (corresponding to “Tray 1” in the warning message). ) Is notified to the user not to withdraw.

  When the paper feed target tray is switched in S109, the above warning message is updated to notify the user that the upper paper feed tray is not pulled out from the new paper feed target tray. Therefore, different warning messages are displayed depending on the vertical position of the paper feed target tray.

  For example, when the second paper feed tray 92a becomes empty, printing is continued by switching to the third paper feed tray 92b based on a predetermined priority of the paper feed tray. At this time, there is a possibility that the first paper feed tray 91 or the second paper feed tray 92a, which is an upper stage from the third paper feed tray 92b to be fed, is taken out and a paper feed jam may occur. As shown in FIG. 4, “Do not pull out tray 1” and “Do not pull out tray 2” are displayed as warning messages on the display unit 41 (the first paper feed tray 91 corresponds to “tray 1”, The second paper feed tray 92a corresponds to “tray 2”).

  After displaying the warning message, the process proceeds to S105, and the print job execution process is continued.

[Effect of this embodiment]
As described above in detail, the printer 100 according to this embodiment includes four paper feeding units (a first paper feeding cassette 91, a second paper feeding tray 92a, a third paper feeding tray 92b, and a fourth paper feeding tray 92c). , Transport paths 11 and 12a to 12c from each paper feed tray to the image forming unit 10 are provided. Further, the transport paths 12a to 12c are configured to pass through an upper paper feed tray. In such a configuration, a warning message is displayed so as not to pull out the upper paper feed tray from the paper feed target tray. According to this configuration, it is possible to display a warning message that the user expects to pull out the upper paper feed tray from the paper feed target tray and does not pull out the upper paper feed tray. As a result, the possibility that the upper paper feed tray is pulled out from the paper feed target tray is reduced, and it is possible to prevent the paper jam from occurring.

  Further, when it is detected that there is no paper stored in the paper feed tray, the printer 100 according to the present embodiment switches to a paper feed tray other than the paper feed tray based on a predetermined paper feed priority. A warning message is displayed so that the paper is continued and the upper paper feed tray is not pulled out from the paper feed tray to be switched. With this configuration, even when the paper feed tray becomes empty during paper feeding, the paper feed tray is automatically switched, so that printing can be continued. In addition, it is possible to display a warning message that the user expects to pull out the upper sheet feed tray from the sheet feed tray to be switched, and does not pull out the upper sheet feed tray. As a result, the possibility of pulling out the upper paper feed tray from the paper feed tray to be switched is reduced, and the paper jam can be prevented from occurring.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. Since the configuration of the printer 100 of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted, and the following description will focus on differences. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of print job execution processing according to the second embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is that, after comparing the number of print jobs and the remaining amount of paper in the paper feed tray, all the paper feed trays to be fed are determined, and the paper feed trays This is to notify the user of an appropriate warning so as not to pull out the upper tray.

  First, it is determined whether a print job has been received via the communication interface 36 (S201). If it is determined that a print job has not been received (S201: No), it waits until a print job is received.

  If the CPU 31 determines that a print job has been received (S201: Yes), it acquires the priority information of the paper feed tray (S202) and checks the remaining amount of paper in each paper feed tray (S203). Next, the number of printed sheets is acquired from the print job received by the CPU 31 (S204). The number of print jobs to be printed may be received in advance by the information processing apparatus 200, or the number of print jobs received by the printer 100 may be calculated. Note that the remaining amount of paper and the number of printed sheets of each paper feed tray are temporarily stored in the RAM 33. Further, the above information may be displayed on the display unit 41.

  In order to simplify the description, the priority of the paper feed tray is that the paper is fed preferentially from the upper tray, that is, the first paper feed tray 91 has the highest priority, the second paper feed tray 92a, It is assumed that the priority is lowered in the order of the third paper feed tray 92b and the fourth paper feed tray 92c. The flowchart shown in FIG. 7 shows print job execution processing according to this priority.

  Next, the highest priority paper feed tray is set as a paper feed target tray. In this embodiment, the first paper feed tray 91 is set as a paper feed target tray (S205).

Next, based on the information stored in the RAM 33, the CPU 31 compares the remaining paper amount of the highest priority paper feed tray, that is, the first paper feed tray 91 with the number of printed sheets (S206). If it is determined that the remaining amount of paper in one paper feed tray 91 is equal to or greater than the number of printed sheets (S206: Yes), the process proceeds to S104 in FIG. As a result, since the paper feed target tray is the first paper feed tray 91, if there is paper, printing is performed without displaying a warning (S106). If the tray to be fed is not the uppermost tray, for example, is the second paper feed tray 92a (S104: No), the warning message displayed in S110 is “do not pull tray 1” as shown in FIG. Please do ". That is, since the second paper feed tray 92a is used until the end of execution of the print job execution process and the first paper feed tray 91 is removed, a paper feed jam may occur. The user is notified that the password is not pulled out.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the remaining amount of paper in the first paper feed tray 91 is less than the number of printed sheets (S206: No), that is, when only the paper in the first paper feed tray 91 is insufficient to execute the print job. The total number of sheets remaining in the highest priority sheet feeding tray and the remaining sheet amount in the paper tray with the next highest priority are compared with the number of printed sheets (S207). Here, the remaining amount of paper in the first paper feed tray 91 and the remaining amount of paper in the second paper feed tray 92a are summed.

  When the sum of the remaining amount of paper in the first paper feed tray 91 and the remaining amount of paper in the second paper feed tray 92a is equal to or greater than the number of printed sheets (S207: Yes), the message “Do not pull out tray 1” is displayed on the display unit 41. A warning message is displayed (S208). That is, it can be seen from the determination in S207 that the first paper feed tray 91 and the second paper feed tray 92a are used until the end of execution of the print job execution process. Therefore, if the first paper feed tray 91 is removed during paper feeding, there is a possibility that paper jam will occur, so the user is notified that the first paper feed tray 91 will not be pulled out. After displaying the warning message, the process proceeds to S105 in FIG. As described above, in S208, a notification is given so that the upper paper feed trays than the paper feed trays that are all the paper feed target trays are not pulled out until the print job is completed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the total remaining amount of paper in the first paper feed tray 91 and the remaining amount of paper in the second paper feed tray 92a is less than the number of printed sheets (S207: No), the process proceeds to S209.

  Similarly, when it is determined in S209 that the total of the remaining amount of paper in the first paper feed tray 91, the remaining amount of paper in the second paper feed tray 92a, and the remaining amount of paper in the third paper feed tray 92b is equal to or greater than the number of printed sheets. (S209: Yes), the same processing as S208 is executed. That is, it is understood from the determination in S207 that the first paper feed tray 91, the second paper feed tray 92a, and the third paper feed tray 92b are used until the end of execution of the print job execution process. At this time, warning messages “Do not pull out tray 1” and “Do not pull out tray 2” are displayed on display unit 41 (S210). After displaying the warning message, the process proceeds to S105 in FIG.

  When it is determined that the total remaining amount of paper in the first paper feed tray 91, the remaining amount of paper in the second paper feed tray 92a, and the remaining amount of paper in the third paper feed tray 92b is less than the number of prints (S209: No). That is, it can be seen that the first paper feed tray 91, the second paper feed tray 92a, the third paper feed tray 92b, and the fourth paper feed tray 92c are used until the end of execution of the print job execution process. At this time, warning messages “Do not pull out tray 1”, “Do not pull out tray 2”, and “Do not pull out tray 3” are displayed on display 41 (S210). After displaying the warning message, the process proceeds to S105 in FIG.

[Effects of Second Embodiment]
The printer 100 according to the second embodiment described above acquires the number of prints of a print job before printing, the acquired number of prints, and the remaining amount of paper in the paper feed target tray detected by the remaining amount sensor 61. If the paper feed target tray is determined to be insufficient and the paper feed target tray is switched, in addition to the paper feed tray above the paper feed target tray, the paper feed tray to be switched Notify that the upper feed tray is not pulled out. By informing in this way, the user can grasp in advance the paper feed tray that should not be pulled out. Therefore, the possibility that the upper paper feed tray is pulled out of the paper feed tray and the paper feed tray to be switched is reduced, and the occurrence of paper jam can be prevented.

Further, when the printer 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment determines that the remaining amount of paper in the paper supply target tray is smaller than the number of printed sheets, the remaining amount of paper in the paper supply tray to be switched and the paper supply target tray based on the paper supply priority. When it is determined that the total number of prints exceeds the number of print jobs, a warning message is displayed so that the upper trays are not pulled out from the target tray and the target tray. Based on the paper feed tray and the total remaining amount of paper in the feed target tray is determined to be less than the number of print jobs to be printed, based on the paper feed priority. The determination is repeated by adding the remaining amount of the paper feed tray to be switched next. According to this configuration, before printing, all the paper feed target trays are determined before the print job is completed, and the user is notified of the paper feed trays that should not be pulled out. By informing in this way, the user can grasp in advance the paper feed tray that should not be pulled out. Therefore, the possibility that the upper paper feed tray is pulled out from the paper feed target tray is reduced, and the paper jam can be prevented from occurring.

[Other Embodiments]
The above embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the present invention. Therefore, the present invention can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the present invention is not limited to a printer, and can be applied to any apparatus having a printing function such as a copying machine, a multifunction machine, and a FAX apparatus. The image forming method of the image forming unit 10 is not limited to the electrophotographic method, and may be an ink jet method.

  Also, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, when the paper feed target tray is switched, a warning message is updated so that the upper paper feed tray is not pulled out due to the vertical position of the paper feed target tray. Is done. Here, a warning message may be displayed for all of the paper feed trays above the paper feed target tray, or only the empty paper feed tray of the paper feed trays above the paper feed target tray is pulled out. The user may be notified of such a warning message. That is, when the paper feed tray becomes empty, it is highly possible that the user pulls out the paper feed tray for paper replenishment, and it is considered that a paper feed jam occurs. In order to prevent this, the remaining amount of paper in each paper feed tray may be detected every time the paper feed target tray is switched. With this configuration, in order to replenish paper in the upper empty paper feed tray above the paper supply target tray, it is expected that the user will pull out the upper empty paper feed tray, and this upper empty paper feed A warning message not to pull out the tray can be displayed. Therefore, the possibility that the upper paper feed tray is pulled out to replenish paper into the empty paper feed tray above the paper feed target tray is reduced, and the occurrence of paper jam can be prevented.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the content of information related to the paper feed target tray may be added to a warning message that does not pull out the paper feed tray above the paper feed target tray. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, by simultaneously displaying “I use tray 2” and “Please do not pull tray 1”, the user grasps the information about the tray to be fed and feeds paper. The possibility that the upper paper feed tray is pulled out from the target tray is reduced, and the paper jam can be prevented from occurring.

  In the second embodiment, before printing, information regarding all the paper feed trays that are used may be added and displayed until the end of execution of the print job processing. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, by displaying “Use Tray 1 and Tray 2” and “Do not pull Tray 1”, the user can obtain information on the paper feed tray used before printing. As well as grasping, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the upper paper feed tray is pulled out from the paper feed target tray and to prevent paper jam.

In the first and second embodiments, when the communication interface 36 of the printer 100 is connected to a LAN, USB, or the like and can be connected to the information processing apparatus 200 such as a personal computer or a portable terminal device. The warning message may be displayed on an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer or a portable terminal device. Further, both warning messages may be displayed on the display unit 41 of the printer 100 and the information processing apparatus 200. With this configuration, a user in the vicinity of the information processing apparatus 200 can also see the warning message, and user convenience can be improved.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image formation part 11, 12a-12c Conveyance path 30 Control part 41 Display part 61 Paper remaining amount sensor 91 1st paper feed tray 92a 2nd paper feed tray 92b 3rd paper feed tray 92c 4th paper feed tray 100 Printer 200 Information Processing equipment

Claims (7)

An image forming unit for printing an image on a recording medium;
A plurality of paper feed trays arranged above and below to accommodate the recording medium;
A first paper feed path for feeding the recording medium from the uppermost paper feed tray to the image forming unit;
A second paper feed path for feeding the recording medium discharged from the paper feed tray except the uppermost paper feed tray to the image forming unit via the paper feed tray above the paper feed tray When,
A paper feed controller for feeding the recording medium accommodated in any of the plurality of paper feed trays;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a notifying unit that notifies the sheet feeding control unit not to pull out an upper sheet feeding tray from the sheet feeding tray to be fed.
A remaining amount detecting unit for detecting the remaining amount of the recording medium stored in the sheet feeding tray;
2. The notification unit according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit detects that there is no remaining amount by the remaining amount detection unit, and notifies the sheet feeding tray not to be pulled out from the sheet feeding tray to be fed. The image forming apparatus described.
When the remaining amount detecting unit detects that there is no remaining amount of the recording medium stored in the sheet feeding tray to be fed, the sheet feeding control unit determines a predetermined sheet feeding priority level. Switch to a paper tray other than the paper tray based on the
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the notification unit notifies the sheet feeding control unit not to pull out a sheet feeding tray above the sheet feeding tray to be switched.
A reception unit for receiving print jobs;
An acquisition unit for acquiring the number of prints of the accepted print job;
The remaining number of prints acquired by the acquisition unit is compared with the remaining amount of the recording medium stored in the paper feed tray to be fed detected by the remaining amount detection unit. And a determination unit for determining whether or not there is a shortage,
When the determination unit determines that the remaining amount is insufficient from the determination unit, the notification unit notifies that the sheet feed tray to be fed and the sheet feed tray above the switching target are not pulled out. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.
When the determination unit determines that the remaining amount of the paper feed tray to be fed is insufficient, the paper feed tray to be switched and the paper feed tray to be fed based on the paper feed priority Comparing the total remaining amount of the recording medium accommodated in the print job and the number of prints of the print job to determine whether or not the total remaining amount is insufficient,
When the determination unit determines that the total of the remaining amount is not short, the notification unit does not pull out the paper supply tray to be the paper supply target and the paper supply tray above the switching target paper tray. Inform
When the determination unit determines that the total of the remaining amount is insufficient, the determination unit adds the remaining amount of the paper feed tray to be switched next based on the paper feed priority to the total of the remaining amount, The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein:
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies that the sheet feeding tray to be fed is used.
The image forming apparatus can communicate with a host apparatus that generates the print job,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies at least one of the image forming apparatus and the host device.