JP2012101518A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing the occurrence of a jam by presenting setting for avoiding the occurrence of the jam.SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 1 calculates a jam occurrence rate, by an image control CPU (operation part 5) 66, for every printing condition where a printing rate calculated from image data acquired by an image processing part 2 and the kind and basis weight of a sheet set in an operation part 5 are combined. Then, the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether the acquired printing conditions are a subject to warning or a subject to encouragement based on the level of the jam occurrence rate, and searches the printing conditions being the subject to encouragement under approximate printing conditions with respect to the printing conditions being the subject to warning, to display the searched printing conditions on the operation part 5.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet.

  In an image forming apparatus that forms an image on paper, jams such as paper conveyance failure may occur due to printing conditions such as paper type and basis weight of the paper. In the case of printing close to a solid image, that is, with a high printing rate, a paper with a small basis weight tends to cause a jam due to winding around a fixing device.

  For example, in the case of performing staple printing or case binding printing, if all the sheets are not normally passed, the printed material does not become a final product. In such printing, if there is even one sheet with a setting that is highly likely to cause a jam in a series of image forming jobs, the occurrence of a user downtime due to the occurrence of a jam, an increase in cost due to a printing failure, etc. This jam risk becomes a job risk as it is.

  For this reason, it is necessary to manage the frequency of jam occurrence according to the type of paper and warn the user when the jam occurs frequently. Therefore, a technique for calculating a jam occurrence rate and issuing a warning has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Further, a technique for storing a history indicating that a jam has occurred and issuing a warning has been proposed (for example, see Patent Documents 2 and 3).

JP 2000-293070 A JP 2007-083460 A JP 2006-297654 A

  In the conventional image forming apparatus described in each document, a setting that frequently causes jamming can be displayed as a warning. However, the user must determine how to change the setting of the warning target to avoid jamming, and convenience is not improved. In addition, if there is an erroneous setting by the user, it will result in a jam.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing the occurrence of a jam by presenting a setting capable of avoiding the occurrence of a jam. To do.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention described in claim 1 includes an information acquisition unit that acquires printing conditions, and a management table that is referred to in calculating a jam occurrence rate under the printing conditions acquired by the information acquisition unit. Based on the stored storage means and the level of jam occurrence rate calculated by referring to the management table, determine whether the printing conditions are warning targets or encouragement targets, and approximate the printing conditions that are warning targets The image forming apparatus includes a control unit that retrieves and presents a printing condition to be recommended under the printing conditions.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the jam occurrence rate under the acquired printing conditions satisfies the warning condition, an approximate printing condition that can be substituted in advance is searched, and the jam occurrence rate under the approximate printing conditions is determined. When it is determined whether there is an incentive satisfying an incentive condition and an approximate print condition that satisfies the incentive condition is detected, the corresponding print condition is presented as information that avoids the possibility of a jam.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the storage means stores an approximation target table that is referred to in the search of the approximation target print condition with respect to the print condition that is the warning target, and the control means is a search specified by the approximation target table. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a printing condition approximate to the warning printing condition is searched according to the order.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the storage means stores a plurality of approximation target tables that are referred to in the search for the approximation target print condition for the print condition that is the warning target, corresponding to the plurality of different print conditions. The control means sequentially searches the approximate print conditions for the print conditions that are the warning targets by referring to the respective approximate target tables corresponding to a plurality of different print conditions according to the preset priority order. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the control means is set so that the priority order with reference to the approximation target table can be changed.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third or fourth aspect, the printing condition in which the printing condition to be approximated includes at least the basis weight of the paper and the type of the paper.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the management table stores the total number of printing times and the number of jam occurrences corresponding to the printing conditions, and the control unit searches the management table and acquires the printing conditions acquired by the information acquisition unit. Calculate the jam occurrence rate by obtaining the total number of printings and jam occurrences specified in, and determine whether the printing condition is a warning target or encouragement based on the level of the jam occurrence rate and the total number of printings The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, at the time of forming an image, a warning is given that a printing condition that is likely to cause a jam such as a paper conveyance failure is set, and at the same time, a recommended printing for avoiding the occurrence of a jam The conditions can be presented to the user based on the results of normal paper passing based on the level of the past jam occurrence rate.

  Thereby, the occurrence of jam is suppressed, the printing stop time due to the occurrence of jam is reduced, and the reliability at the time of printing is improved. In addition, it is possible to present a printing condition in which the jam occurrence rate is lower than the initial setting under the printing condition approximate to the initial printing condition set by the user, so that the user does not have to re-set and the error by the user. Setting can be prevented, and the occurrence of jam can be surely suppressed.

1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. It is a table | surface figure which shows an example of a management table. It is a table | surface figure which shows an example of an approximation object table. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which calculates jam incidence. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which calculates jam incidence. It is a flowchart which shows an example of an encouragement setting check process. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a priority order setting screen. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a basic weight encouragement setting check process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a basic weight encouragement setting check process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a basic weight encouragement setting check process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a paper type encouragement setting check process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the recalculation process of the frequency | count of jam generation. It is explanatory drawing which shows a screen display example. It is explanatory drawing which shows a screen display example. It is explanatory drawing which shows a screen display example. It is explanatory drawing which shows a screen display example.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Example of Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus of Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an image processing unit 2 that acquires image data from an external device, a scanner unit 3 that reads an image, and a printer unit 4 that forms an image. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 acquires image data with the operation unit 5 in which printing conditions are set and the image processing unit 2 or the scanner unit 3, and the printer unit 4 according to the printing conditions set in the operation unit 5. A control unit 6 that performs printing is provided.

  The image processing unit (print / scanner controller) 2 includes an image memory 20, a DRAM control IC 21, a LAN I / F 22, and a controller control CPU 23.

  In this example, the image memory 20 is composed of a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and a DRAM control IC (integrated circuit) 21 writes and reads image data to and from the image memory 20. The DRAM control IC 21 and the control unit 6 of the apparatus main body 11 are connected by a PCI (peripheral component interconnect) bus 12.

  A LAN (local area network) I / F 22 connects a network (not shown) and the image forming apparatus 1. A controller control CPU (central processing unit) 23 transmits and receives image data between an external device such as a personal computer (not shown) connected to the network and the image forming apparatus 1.

  The scanner unit 3 includes a CCD (charge coupled device) 30 constituting an image sensor and a scanner control unit 31. The printer unit 4 includes a laser diode (LD) 40 and a printer control unit 41 that constitute an exposure apparatus. The operation unit 5 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) 50 having a touch panel and constituting a display unit, and an operation unit control unit 51.

  The control unit 6 includes a reading processing unit 60, a compression IC 61, a DRAM control IC 62, an image memory 63, a decompression IC 64, a writing processing unit 65, an image control CPU 66, and a nonvolatile memory 67.

  The reading processing unit 60 performs processing such as analog-digital conversion of image data output from the CCD 30. The compression IC 61 compresses the image data in a predetermined form. The DRAM control IC 62 writes and reads image data to and from the image memory 63.

  The image memory 63 is composed of a DRAM and includes a compression memory 63a for storing compressed image data and a page memory 63b for storing image data in a predetermined unit. The decompression IC 64 decompresses the compressed image data. The writing processing unit 65 performs processing such as digital-analog conversion of the image data and outputs it to the laser diode 40.

  The image control CPU 66 is an example of a control unit, and controls the scanner control unit 31 and the printer control unit 41 to acquire and print image data. Further, the operation unit control unit 51 is controlled to display the liquid crystal display 50.

  Furthermore, the image control CPU 66 determines whether the printing condition is a warning target or a encouragement target based on the level of the jam occurrence rate calculated for each printing condition such as the type of paper, and sets the printing condition as the warning target. On the other hand, the recommended printing conditions are searched and presented with approximate printing conditions.

  The nonvolatile memory 67 is an example of a storage unit, and stores a program executed by the image control CPU 66 and the like. The non-volatile memory 67 also includes a management table that is referred to by the image control CPU 66 in the process of determining the printing condition that is the warning target and the printing condition that is the encouragement target, and the approximation target that is referenced in the process of searching for the approximate printing condition. The table is stored.

  FIG. 2 is a table showing an example of the management table. In the management table 100, management information used in calculating the jam occurrence rate under a preset printing condition and a single printing condition or a combination of a plurality of printing conditions is stored in association with each other.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, the image data acquired by the image processing unit 2 or the like is printed on a sheet according to the paper type and basis weight selected by the operation unit 5. When the printer unit 4 prints image data, the jam occurrence rate due to paper conveyance failure or the like changes depending on the paper type and basis weight of the paper and the amount of characters printed on the paper.

  Therefore, the management table 100 stores, as an example of printing conditions, a print rate Da indicating the amount of characters or the like printed on the paper, a paper type Db, and a paper basis weight Dc in a combination that is assumed in advance. The

  In addition, the management table 100 includes, as management information for calculating the jam occurrence rate under the printing conditions set in the image forming apparatus 1, the total number of times of printing Dd that is updated when printing is performed, and the occurrence of jam that is updated when jam occurs. The number of times De is stored. In this example, the total printing number Dd and the jam occurrence number De are stored for each combination of the printing rate Da, the paper type Db, and the basis weight Dc.

  FIG. 3 is a table showing an example of the approximation target table, FIG. 3A shows an example of the basis weight approximation target table, and FIG. 3B shows an example of the paper type approximation target table.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, the printing condition is specified by the printing rate Da, the paper type Db, and the basis weight Dc. Among these printing conditions, the printing rate Da is a value that varies depending on the image data. Therefore, in this example, it is possible to search for an alternative setting that can be substituted for either the paper type Db or the basis weight Dc, or for both the paper type Db and the basis weight Dc.

  In the basis weight approximation target table 101, the basis weight Dc of the paper assumed to be set as the printing condition is stored as the basis weight of the approximation target. In this example, the basis weight divided for every predetermined range preset according to the basis weight of the paper actually used is stored.

  The paper type approximation target table 102 stores an approximation target paper type in association with each paper type Db assumed to be set as a printing condition. A single replaceable sheet type is stored as the approximation target sheet type. Also, a plurality of substitutable paper types are stored with priorities set.

  Next, the flow of image data in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in order to use the image forming apparatus 1 as a copying machine or a scanner, when reading image data from a document, the image data read by the CCD 30 is processed by the reading processing unit 60, compressed by the compression IC 61, and compressed by the DRAM control IC 62. The data is stored in the compression memory 63a of the image memory 63.

  In order to use the image forming apparatus 1 as a printer, when reading digitized image data from a terminal such as a personal computer, the image data is first stored in the image memory 20 of the image processing unit 2. The image data stored in the image memory 20 is read by the DRAM control IC 21 of the image processing unit 2, sent to the control unit 6 via the PCI bus 70, and stored in the page memory 63 b of the image memory 63 by the DRAM control IC 62. The image data stored in the page memory 63b is read by the DRAM control IC 62, compressed by the compression IC 61, and stored in the compression memory 63a of the image memory 63 by the DRAM control IC 62.

  In order to use the image forming apparatus 1 as a copier or a printer, when outputting image data to a sheet, the image data stored in the compression memory 63a of the image memory 63 is read by the DRAM control IC 62 and decompressed by the decompression IC 64. The writing processor 65 sends the laser diode 40 and prints it on the paper.

<Functional Example of Image Control CPU of this Embodiment>
First, the outline of the function of the image control CPU 66 will be described. The image control CPU 66 searches the management table 100 with the print conditions acquired by the setting in the operation unit 5 as information acquisition means and the occurrence of a jam in the corresponding print conditions. The rate E is calculated.

  If the image control CPU 66 determines that the calculated jam occurrence rate E satisfies a predetermined warning condition, the image control CPU 66 searches the basis weight approximation target table 101 and the paper type approximation target table 102, or both, and sets approximate printing conditions. The jam occurrence rate E under the approximate printing conditions is obtained.

  When the image control CPU 66 determines that the jam occurrence rate E under the approximate printing conditions satisfies the predetermined incentive condition, the image control CPU 66 controls the operation unit control unit 51 to display the information on the liquid crystal display 50 and the like under the approximate printing conditions. The setting of the printing condition determined to be the target is presented.

  Next, details of the functions of the image control CPU 66 will be described. When the printer unit 4 executes printing, the image control CPU 66 prints the printing rate Da calculated from the image data acquired by the image processing unit 2 as an information acquisition unit and the paper type Db set by the operation unit 5. And the basis weight Dc of the paper is acquired.

  The image control CPU 66 searches the management table 100 with the printing conditions specified by the combination of the printing rate Da, the paper type Db, and the basis weight Dc, and acquires the total number of printing times Dd and the number of jam occurrence times De corresponding to the printing conditions. .

  Then, the image control CPU 66 obtains the jam occurrence rate E under the printing condition specified by the combination of the printing rate Da, the paper type Db, and the basis weight Dc by the following equation (1).

  The image control CPU 66 presents a warning for a printing condition with a high jam occurrence rate E calculated by the above-described equation (1), and also allows an alternative printing condition with a low jam occurrence rate to be presented. A threshold Th of a jam occurrence rate E for determining whether or not there is is set.

  The image control CPU 66 compares the jam occurrence rate E calculated by searching the management table 100 with the warning threshold Th, thereby obtaining the print rate Da, the paper type Db, and the basis weight obtained when the printer unit 4 executes printing. It is determined whether the printing condition specified by the combination of Dc is a warning target or an encouragement target.

  That is, when the image control CPU 66 detects that the jam occurrence rate E in the printing condition specified by the combination of the printing rate Da, the paper type Db, and the basis weight Dc is equal to or higher than the predetermined warning threshold Th, the warning condition is satisfied. The print condition setting that satisfies the warning condition is set as the warning target. On the other hand, when it is detected that the jam occurrence rate E is less than the warning threshold Th, it is determined that the incentive condition is satisfied, and the printing condition that satisfies the incentive condition is selected as the incentive target.

  Further, the image control CPU 66 has the jam occurrence rate E less than the warning threshold value Th and the total number of times of printing Dd is equal to or larger than a certain number in the approximate printing conditions that are alternatives to the printing conditions determined to be warning targets. To investigate.

  For this reason, the image control CPU 66 searches for a predetermined approximate printing condition as an alternative printing condition for the printing condition that is a warning target. In this example, for the printing conditions specified by the printing rate Da, the paper type Db, and the basis weight Dc, the basis weight approximation target table 101 is searched to obtain the approximation target basis weight Dc, and the paper type approximation target table 102 is used. To obtain the paper type Db to be approximated.

The image control CPU 66 sets a rule for searching for the basis weight Dc to be approximated with reference to the basis weight approximation target table 101 as shown below.
(1-a) A basis weight that is one step larger than the basis weight of the warning target is set as the approximation target.
(2-a) When the jam occurrence rate E calculated by the basis weight of the approximation target is a warning target, a basis weight that is one step lower than the basis weight of the initial warning target is set as the approximation target.
(3-a) When there is no basis weight to be approximated, it is treated as not satisfying the conditions for encouragement.

Further, the image control CPU 66 refers to the paper type approximation target table 102 according to the priority order specified in the paper type approximation target table 102 and searches for the paper type Db to be approximated as shown below.
(1-b) In the item of the paper type Db that is a warning target, the approximation target No. with priority M (M = 1, 2,..., N). M paper types are approximated. First, the paper type of the approximation target N0.1 having the highest priority is set as the approximation target.
(2-b) Approximation object N0. If the jam occurrence rate E calculated for the M paper types is a warning target, the approximation target N0. M + 1 paper types are set as approximation targets.
(3-b) After that, the search is performed until there is no paper type to be approximated.

  The image control CPU 66 has the jam occurrence rate E less than the warning threshold Th for the printing conditions to be approximated obtained by referring to either or both of the basis weight approximation target table 101 and the paper type approximation target table 102, and Then, it is sequentially investigated whether the total number of times of printing Dd is a certain number or more.

  If the image control CPU 66 determines that there is a printing condition in which the jam occurrence rate E is less than the warning threshold Th and the total number of times of printing Dd is equal to or greater than a certain number in the printing conditions to be approximated, the printing conditions are set as encouraged objects. End the survey.

  Then, the setting value of the recommended printing condition is displayed on the liquid crystal display 50 of the operation unit 5 together with the setting value of the warning printing condition, and presented to the operator of the image forming apparatus 1. On the other hand, if all the printing conditions of the approximation target are investigated and it is determined that there is no printing condition in which the jam occurrence rate E is less than the warning threshold Th and the total number of printing times Dd is a certain number or more, Only the set value to be warned is presented assuming that there is no printing condition.

<Example of Operation of Image Forming Apparatus of Present Embodiment>
Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

(A) Jam Occurrence Rate Calculation Process FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing an example of a process for calculating a jam occurrence rate. First, a process for calculating a jam occurrence rate will be described with reference to each drawing. .

  The image control CPU 66 designates the first sheet when the printer unit 4 performs printing on N sheets (N = 1 to m sheets) designated by the operation unit 5 shown in FIG. In order to check the jam occurrence rate E from the printed paper, in step SA1 in FIG. = 1, and in step SA2, the warning display flag is reset to OFF.

  In step SA3, the image control CPU 66 acquires the printing rate Da calculated from the image data acquired by the image processing unit 2 and the like, the paper type Db set by the operation unit 5, and the basis weight Dc of the paper. If the check target is the first sheet, the printing rate Da calculated from the image data printed on the first sheet, the sheet type Db of the first sheet set by the operation unit 5, and the sheet The basis weight Dc is obtained.

  In step SA4, the image control CPU 66 searches the management table 100 with printing conditions specified by a combination of the printing rate Da, the paper type Db, and the basis weight Dc, and sets the printing conditions set for the paper to be checked. The corresponding total printing number Dd and jam occurrence number De are acquired.

  In step SA5, the image control CPU 66 determines whether the total number of times of printing Dd under the printing conditions set for the check target paper is equal to or greater than a specified value. This determination is made because the accuracy of the jam occurrence rate is lowered, for example, when the total number of times of printing Dd is small, the jam occurrence rate is calculated to be high.

  If the image control CPU 66 determines in step SA5 that the total number of times of printing Dd is equal to or greater than the specified value, in step SA6, the print rate Da, the paper type Db, and the basis weight Dc set for the check target paper. The jam occurrence rate E under the printing condition specified by the combination is calculated by the above-described equation (1).

  In step SA7, the image control CPU 66 determines whether the jam occurrence rate E calculated from the total printing count Dd and the jam occurrence count De obtained under the printing conditions set for the check target paper is equal to or greater than the warning threshold Th. To do.

  If the image control CPU 66 determines in step SA7 that the jam occurrence rate E under the printing conditions set for the check target paper is greater than or equal to the warning threshold Th, in step SA8, the warning target printing conditions. The warning display flag indicating that has been detected is turned ON.

  In step SA9, the image control CPU 66 determines that the jam occurrence rate E is equal to or higher than the warning threshold Th and the print condition setting value determined as the warning target and the paper No. for specifying the paper set with the warning target printing condition. Save.

  In step SA10, the image control CPU 66 performs an encouraging setting check to determine whether there is an approximation target print condition that satisfies the encouragement condition for the warning print condition. Although details of the encouragement setting check will be described later, according to a preset priority order, printing of the approximation target obtained by searching one or both of the basis weight approximation target table 101 and the paper type approximation target table 102 Check whether the incentive conditions are met.

  If there is an approximate target print condition that satisfies the recommended condition, the recommended setting display flag indicating that the recommended target print condition has been detected is turned ON, and the approximate target print condition setting value determined to be the recommended target is saved. To do. If there is no approximate printing condition that satisfies the recommended conditions, the recommended setting display flag is turned OFF.

  When performing the encouragement setting check in step SA10 described above, the image control CPU 66 determines in step SA11 whether the checked paper is the final paper. Similarly, if it is determined in step SA5 described above that the total number of prints Dd under the printing conditions set for the check target paper is less than the specified value, it is determined whether the checked paper is the final paper. . If it is determined in step SA7 described above that the jam occurrence rate E under the printing conditions set for the check target sheet is less than the warning threshold Th, it is determined whether the checked sheet is the final sheet.

  If the image control CPU 66 determines in step SA11 that the checked paper is not the final paper, the image control CPU 66 determines in step SA12 the paper No. to be checked. 1 is added to the above, and the processing from step SA3 to step SA11 described above is repeated until the final sheet.

  When the image control CPU 66 determines in step SA11 that the checked paper is the final paper, it determines in step SA13 whether the warning display flag is ON. If the image control CPU 66 determines in step SA13 described above that the warning display flag is OFF instead of ON, the image control CPU 66 ends the jam occurrence rate check.

  If the image control CPU 66 determines in step SA13 that the warning display flag is ON, it determines in step SA14 whether the encouragement setting display flag is ON.

  If the image control CPU 66 determines in step SA14 that the encouragement setting display flag is ON, in step SA15, the image control CPU 66 displays the setting value of the recommended printing condition on the liquid crystal display 50 together with the setting value of the printing condition to be warned. indicate.

  If the image control CPU 66 determines in step SA14 that the encouragement setting display flag is OFF instead of ON, the image control CPU 66 displays the setting value of the print condition to be warned on the liquid crystal display 50 in step SA16.

(B) Outline of Encouragement Setting Check Process FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the encouraging setting check process. Next, an outline of the encouragement setting check process will be described with reference to each drawing.

  In step SB1, the image control CPU 66 determines whether to search for the printing condition to be approximated satisfying the incentive condition with priority on the basis weight or on the paper type in this example.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the priority order setting screen. The priority order setting screen 52 is configured so that items to be prioritized when searching for recommended settings for printing conditions can be selected. In this example, a button 52a for selecting a search process that prioritizes basis weight and a paper type are prioritized. A button 52 b for selecting a search process to be displayed is displayed on the liquid crystal display 50.

  When the button 52a is selected on the priority order setting screen 52 and the search process that prioritizes the basis weight is selected, the image control CPU 66 prioritizes the encouragement setting check process by changing the basis weight rather than the paper type. To do. That is, until the encouragement setting check processing is completed after the basis weight Dc is changed according to the basis weight approximation target table 101 shown in FIG.

  In addition, when the button 52b is selected on the priority order setting screen 52 and a search process that prioritizes the paper type is selected, the image control CPU 66 changes the paper type to the basis weight and performs the encouragement setting check process. Priority. That is, the encouragement setting check process by changing the basis weight is not performed until the sheet type Db is changed in accordance with the sheet type approximation target table 102 shown in FIG.

  In this way, by making it possible to set whether to search for printing conditions of approximation targets that satisfy the incentive conditions, for example, by giving priority to the basis weight or to giving priority to the paper type, the usage status of the user can be set. Accordingly, it is possible to acquire an appropriate approximation target printing condition.

  When the image control CPU 66 determines in step SB1 that the button 52a is selected on the priority order setting screen 52 and the search processing is performed with priority on the basis weight, the image control CPU 66 determines in step SB2 that the print condition to be warned is set. The basis weight encouragement setting check is performed to check whether there is an approximate printing condition that satisfies the encouragement condition by changing the basis weight. The details of the basis weight encouragement setting check will be described later, but according to a preset search rule, the approximation target print condition obtained by searching the basis weight approximation target table 101 is checked whether the encouragement condition is satisfied. .

  If there is an approximate target printing condition that satisfies the encouragement condition by changing the basis weight, the encouragement setting display flag indicating that the encouragement target print condition has been detected is turned ON. If there is no approximate printing condition that satisfies the encouragement condition even if the basis weight is changed, the encouragement setting display flag is turned OFF.

  In step SB3, the image control CPU 66 determines whether the encouragement setting display flag is OFF as a result of the basis weight encouragement setting check. If the encouragement setting display flag is OFF in step SB3 described above, the image control CPU 66 determines that there is no recommended printing condition in the basis weight encouragement setting check.

  In step SB4, the image control CPU 66 performs a paper type encouragement setting check to determine whether there is an approximation target print condition that satisfies the encouragement condition by changing the paper type for the warning print condition. Although details of the paper type encouragement setting check will be described later, according to a preset priority order, whether or not the encouragement condition is satisfied with respect to the printing conditions of the approximation target obtained by searching the paper type approximation target table 102 is checked. .

  Then, if there is an approximate target print condition that satisfies the recommended condition by changing the paper type, the recommended setting display flag indicating that the recommended target print condition is detected is turned ON. If there is no approximate printing condition that satisfies the encouragement condition even if the paper type is changed, the encouragement setting display flag is turned OFF.

  When the image control CPU 66 determines in step SB1 that the button 52b is selected on the priority order setting screen 52 and performs the search process with priority on the paper type, in step SB5, the image control CPU 66 determines that the print condition to be warned is set. Check the paper type encouragement setting.

  In step SB6, the image control CPU 66 determines whether the encouragement setting display flag is OFF as a result of the paper type encouragement setting check. If the encouragement setting display flag is OFF in step SB6 described above, the image control CPU 66 determines that there is no recommended printing condition in the paper type encouragement setting check. In step SB7, the image control CPU 66 determines that there is no warning printing condition. Check the basis weight encouragement setting.

  When the image control CPU 66 performs the paper type encouragement setting check in step SB4 described above, the image control CPU 66 determines in step SB8 whether the encouragement setting display flag is ON. Similarly, if the basis weight encouragement setting check is performed in step SB7 described above, it is determined in step SB8 whether the encouragement setting display flag is ON.

  If the image control CPU 66 determines in step SB8 that the encouragement setting display flag is ON, the image control CPU 66 determines that the printing condition to be encouraged has been detected in the basis weight encouragement setting check or the paper type encouragement setting check. In step SB9, the paper No. for specifying the paper set with the setting value of the printing condition of the approximation target determined as the encouragement target and the printing condition of the warning target searched for the printing condition of the approximation target. And end the encouragement setting check process.

  If the image control CPU 66 determines in step SB8 that the encouragement setting display flag is OFF instead of ON, the image control CPU 66 determines that there is no recommended printing condition, and ends the encouragement setting check process.

(C) Outline of Basis Weight Encouragement Setting Check Process FIGS. 8 to 10 are flowcharts showing an example of the basis weight encouragement setting check process. First, referring to FIG. explain.

  In step SC1, the image control CPU 66 searches the basis weight approximation target table 101 shown in FIG. 3A, and obtains a basis weight Dc that is one step larger than the basis weight Dc set in the printing condition that is the warning target. Then, the basis weight encouragement setting check process is performed. In the grammage encouragement setting check process with the grammage increased by one level, if there is a printing condition for approximation that satisfies the encouragement condition by increasing the grammage by one step, the encouragement setting display flag is turned ON. Also, even if the basis weight is increased by one step, if there is no approximate printing condition that satisfies the recommended condition, the recommended setting display flag is turned OFF.

  In step SC2, the image control CPU 66 determines whether the encouragement setting display flag is OFF. If the image control CPU 66 determines in step SC2 that the encouragement setting display flag is OFF, in step SC3, the image control CPU 66 searches the basis weight approximation target table 101 shown in FIG. A basis weight Dc that is one step smaller than the basis weight Dc set under a certain printing condition is acquired, and a basis weight encouragement setting check process is performed.

  If there is an approximate printing condition that satisfies the encouragement condition by reducing the basis weight by one step, the encouragement setting display flag is turned on, and the basis weight encouragement setting check process is terminated. If there is no approximate printing condition that satisfies the encouragement condition even if the basis weight is reduced by one level, the encouragement setting display flag is turned off and the basis weight encouragement setting check process is terminated. Further, if it is determined in step SC2 that the encouragement setting display flag is ON instead of OFF, there is an approximate target printing condition that satisfies the encouragement condition, and the basis weight encouragement setting check process is terminated.

(D) Basis Weight Encouragement Setting Check Process with Increased Basis Weight Next, with reference to FIG. 9, a basis weight encouragement setting check process with a larger basis weight will be described.

  In step SD1, the image control CPU 66 searches the basis weight approximation target table 101 shown in FIG. 3A, and there is a basis weight Dc that is one step larger than the basis weight Dc set in the printing condition that is the warning target. Judge.

  If the image control CPU 66 determines in step SD1 that there is a basis weight Dc that is one step greater than the basis weight Dc that is the warning target, in step SD2, the image control CPU 66 acquires the basis weight Dc that is one step larger as the approximation target printing condition. To do. If the image control CPU 66 determines in step SD1 described above that there is no basis weight Dc that is one step higher than the basis weight Dc that is the warning target, there is no basis weight to be approximated, and the printing conditions satisfy the conditions for the encouragement target. It is determined that there is no basis weight, and the basis weight encouragement setting check process with the basis weight increased by one step is terminated.

  In step SD3, the image control CPU 66 prints the printing condition specified by the combination of the basic weight Dc that is one step higher than the basic weight that is the warning object acquired as the printing condition to be approximated, the initially set printing rate Da, and the paper type Db. Then, the management table 100 is searched. Then, the total printing number Dd and the jam occurrence number De corresponding to the printing condition in which the printing rate Da and the paper type Db are fixed and the basis weight Dc is increased by one level are acquired.

  In step SD4, the image control CPU 66 calculates the jam occurrence rate E under the printing condition in which the printing rate Da and the paper type Db are fixed and the basis weight Dc is increased by one step according to the above-described equation (1).

  In step SD5, the image control CPU 66 determines whether or not the total number of printing times Dd under a printing condition in which the printing rate Da and the paper type Db are fixed and the basis weight Dc is increased by one level is equal to or greater than a specified value.

  If the image control CPU 66 determines in step SD5 described above that the total number of times of printing Dd is less than the specified value, it ends the basis weight encouragement setting check process by increasing the basis weight by one step.

  If the image control CPU 66 determines in step SD5 that the total number of times of printing Dd is equal to or greater than the specified value, in step SD6, the printing conditions are set such that the printing rate Da and the paper type Db are fixed and the basis weight Dc is increased by one step. It is determined whether the jam occurrence rate E is equal to or greater than the warning threshold Th.

  If the image control CPU 66 determines that the jam occurrence rate E is greater than or equal to the warning threshold value Th in step SD6 described above, it ends the basis weight encouragement setting check process by increasing the basis weight by one step.

  If the image control CPU 66 determines in step SD6 that the jam occurrence rate E is less than the warning threshold Th, in step SD7, the image control CPU 66 turns on the encouragement setting display flag indicating that the recommended printing condition has been detected. The basis weight encouragement setting check process with one basis weight increased is completed.

(E) Basis weight encouragement setting check process with reduced basis weight Next, a basis weight encouragement setting check process with a basis weight reduced by one level will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step SE1, the image control CPU 66 searches the basis weight approximation target table 101 shown in FIG. 3A, and has a basis weight Dc that is one step lower than the basis weight Dc set under the printing conditions that are the warning targets. Judge.

  If the image control CPU 66 determines in step SE1 that there is a basis weight Dc that is one step lower than the basis weight Dc that is the warning target, in step SE2, the image control CPU 66 acquires the basis weight Dc that is one step lower as the approximation target printing condition. To do. If the image control CPU 66 determines in step SD1 described above that there is no basis weight Dc that is one step lower than the basis weight Dc that is the warning target, there is no basis weight that is an approximation target, and the printing conditions satisfy the conditions for the encouragement target. It is determined that there is no basis weight, and the basis weight encouragement setting check process with the basis weight reduced by one step is terminated.

  In step SE <b> 3, the image control CPU 66 determines the printing condition specified by the combination of the basic weight Dc that is one step lower than the basic weight that is the warning target acquired as the printing condition to be approximated, the initially set printing rate Da, and the paper type Db. Then, the management table 100 is searched. Then, the total printing number Dd and the jam occurrence number De corresponding to the printing conditions in which the printing rate Da and the paper type Db are fixed and the basis weight Dc is reduced by one step are acquired.

  In step SE4, the image control CPU 66 calculates the jam occurrence rate E under the printing condition in which the printing rate Da and the paper type Db are fixed and the basis weight Dc is decreased by one step according to the above-described equation (1).

  In step SE5, the image control CPU 66 determines whether or not the total number of printing times Dd under a printing condition in which the printing rate Da and the paper type Db are fixed and the basis weight Dc is reduced by one level is equal to or more than a specified value.

  If the image control CPU 66 determines in step SE5 that the total number of times of printing Dd is less than the specified value, the basis weight encouragement setting check process with the basis weight reduced by one step is terminated.

  If the image control CPU 66 determines in step SE5 that the total number of times of printing Dd is equal to or larger than the specified value, in step SE6, the printing condition Da and the paper type Db are fixed and the basis weight Dc is reduced by one step. It is determined whether the jam occurrence rate E is equal to or greater than the warning threshold Th.

  If the image control CPU 66 determines that the jam occurrence rate E is greater than or equal to the warning threshold Th in step SE6 described above, the basis weight encouragement setting check process with the basis weight reduced by one step is terminated.

  If the image control CPU 66 determines in step SE6 that the jam occurrence rate E is less than the warning threshold Th, in step SE7, the image control CPU 66 turns on the encouragement setting display flag indicating that the recommended printing condition has been detected. The basis weight encouragement setting check process with the basis weight reduced by one level is completed.

(F) Paper Type Encouragement Setting Check Process FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the paper type encouragement setting check process. Next, the paper type encouragement setting check process will be described with reference to each drawing.

  In step SF1, the image control CPU 66 searches the paper type approximation target table 102 shown in FIG. 3B, and selects the item of the paper type Db set in the printing condition that is the warning target.

  In step SF2, the image control CPU 66 sets the approximation target No. in the item of the paper type Db that is the warning target searched in the paper type approximation target table 102. It is determined whether there is a paper type to be approximated to which is assigned. In step SF2 described above, the image control CPU 66 determines the approximation target No. If it is determined that there is no approximate target paper type to which “” is assigned, it is determined that there is no printing condition that satisfies the encouragement target condition, and the paper type encouragement setting check process is terminated.

  In step SF2 described above, the image control CPU 66 sets the approximation target No. in the item of the paper type that is the warning target. If there is an approximation target paper type to which the priority is given, in step SF3, in the item of the paper type Db that is the warning target, the approximation target No. M paper types are acquired as approximation targets. First, the paper type of the approximation target N0.1 having the highest priority is set as the approximation target.

  Then, the image control CPU 66 sets the management table 100 under the printing condition specified by the combination of the paper type Db with the priority M acquired as the printing condition to be approximated and the initially set printing rate Da and basis weight Dc. Search for. Then, the printing rate Da and the basis weight Dc are fixed, and the total printing number Dd and jam occurrence number De corresponding to the printing condition in which the paper type Db is changed according to the paper type approximation target table 102 are acquired.

  In step SF4, the image control CPU 66 calculates the jam occurrence rate E under the printing condition in which the printing rate Da and the basis weight Dc are fixed and the paper type Db is changed by the above-described equation (1).

  In step SF5, the image control CPU 66 determines whether the total number of times of printing Dd under the printing conditions in which the printing rate Da and the basis weight Dc are fixed and the paper type Db is changed is equal to or greater than a specified value.

  If the image control CPU 66 determines in step SF5 that the total number of prints Dd is less than the specified value, in step SF6, the approximation target No. 1 is added to and the process returns to the above-described step SF2.

  If the image control CPU 66 determines in step SF5 that the total number of prints Dd is equal to or greater than the specified value, in step SF7, the printing rate Da and the basis weight Dc are fixed and the paper type Db is changed. It is determined whether the jam occurrence rate E is equal to or higher than the warning threshold Th.

  If the image control CPU 66 determines in step SF7 that the jam occurrence rate E is equal to or greater than the warning threshold Th, in step SF6 described above, the approximation target No. 1 is added, and the process returns to the above-described step SF2, and the comparison judgment between the jam occurrence rate E and the warning threshold Th is made as an approximation target No. Repeat until there is no approximate target paper type to which.

  If the image control CPU 66 determines in step SF7 that the jam occurrence rate E is less than the warning threshold Th, in step SE8, the image control CPU 66 turns on the encouragement setting display flag indicating that the recommended printing condition has been detected. The paper type encouragement setting check process is terminated.

(G) Management Table Update Processing Next, update of the management table 100 will be described. Each time the printer unit 4 executes printing, the image control CPU 66 increments the total number of printing times Dd of the corresponding printing conditions in the management table 100 specified by the printing rate Da, the paper type Db, and the basis weight Dc. Further, when a jam occurs when printing is performed, the jam occurrence count De of the corresponding printing condition in the management table 100 is increased by one.

  Here, in the management table 100, the jam occurrence frequency De is managed for each jam sensor mounting location such as a fixing unit (not shown) of the printer unit 4, and the jam occurrence frequency De of the management table 100 shown in FIG. As shown in equation (2), the total number of jam occurrence times De1 to Den detected at each jam sensor mounting location S1 to Sn is the sum.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for recalculating the number of jam occurrences. When the parts are exchanged in the printer unit 4, the image control CPU 66 clears the jam occurrence frequency Dem at the jam sensor mounting location Sm in the exchanged parts to 0 in step SG1, and in step SG2, the following As shown in the equation (3), the number of jam occurrence times De is recalculated.

  For example, if the jam sensor mounting location S1 is a jam sensor mounting location in a fixing device (not shown), the equation (3) clears the jam occurrence frequency De1 in the equation (2) to 0, and the jam occurrence frequency De. Is recalculated.

(H) Specific example of encouragement setting check process giving priority to basis weight Next, a specific example of the encouragement setting check process giving priority to the basis weight will be described with reference to each drawing. It is assumed that the basis weight Dc is “81 to 105 g / m ² ” and the paper type Db is “plain paper” as printing conditions to be warned.

  In the encouragement setting check process with priority on the basis weight, the image control CPU 66 searches the basis weight approximation target table 101 shown in FIG. 3A as described in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. A grammage Dc that is one step larger than the grammage Dc set under the target printing condition is acquired, and an encouragement setting check process is performed.

In this example, the basis weight Dc is set to “106 to 135 g / m ² ” which is one step larger than “81 to 105 g / m ² ”. Then, the recommended setting check process is performed with the printing condition that the basis weight Dc is “106 to 135 g / m ² ” and the paper type Db is “plain paper” as the first approximation target printing condition.

  When the jam occurrence rate E in the first approximation target printing condition described above satisfies the encouragement condition, the encouragement setting display flag is turned on and the encouragement setting check process is terminated. Further, if the jam occurrence rate E in the first approximation target printing condition does not satisfy the encouragement condition, the second approximation target printing condition is acquired.

In this example, the basis weight Dc is set to “75 to 80 g / m ² ” which is one step smaller than the initial set value “81 to 105 g / m ² ”. Then, the recommended setting check process is performed with the printing condition that the basis weight Dc is “75 to 80 g / m ² ” and the paper type Db is “plain paper” as the second approximation target printing condition.

  When the jam occurrence rate E in the second approximation target printing condition satisfies the encouragement condition, the encouragement setting display flag is turned on and the encouragement setting check process is terminated. If the jam occurrence rate E in the second approximation target printing condition does not satisfy the encouragement condition, the process proceeds from the encouragement setting check process that prioritizes the basis weight to the encouragement setting check process that prioritizes the paper type.

  In the encouragement setting check process with priority on the paper type, as described in the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, the paper type approximation target table 102 shown in FIG. The item whose paper type Db is “plain paper” is selected.

The paper type Db is the item “plain paper” and the approximation target No. One paper type Db is acquired, and encouragement setting check processing is performed. In this example, the paper type Db is “high quality paper”. Then, the recommended setting check process is performed with the printing condition in which the basis weight Dc is the initially set value “81 to 105 g / m ² ” and the paper type Db is “quality paper” as the third approximation target printing condition.

  When the jam occurrence rate E in the above-described third approximation target printing condition satisfies the encouragement condition, the encouragement setting display flag is turned on and the encouragement setting check process is terminated. If the jam occurrence rate E in the third approximation target printing condition does not satisfy the encouragement condition, the fourth approximation target printing condition is acquired.

In this example, the paper type Db is set as the approximation target No. Assume that the paper type is “matte paper”. Then, the recommended setting check process is performed with the printing condition in which the basis weight Dc is the initial setting value “81 to 105 g / m ² ” and the paper type Db is “matte paper” as the fourth approximation target printing condition.

  When the jam occurrence rate E in the fourth approximation target printing condition satisfies the encouragement condition, the encouragement setting display flag is turned on and the encouragement setting check process is terminated. If the jam occurrence rate E in the fourth approximation target printing condition does not satisfy the incentive condition, the fifth approximation target printing condition is acquired.

In this example, the paper type Db is set as the approximation target No. It is assumed that “3” is a “color paper”. Then, the recommended setting check process is performed with the printing condition in which the basis weight Dc is the initial setting value “81 to 105 g / m ² ” and the paper type Db is “color paper” as the fifth approximation target printing condition.

  If the jam occurrence rate E in the fifth approximation target printing condition satisfies the encouragement condition, the encouragement setting display flag is turned on and the encouragement setting check process is terminated. If the jam occurrence rate E in the fifth approximation target printing condition does not satisfy the encouragement condition, the warning paper type Db is “plain paper” and the approximation target no. Since the paper type Db of 4 does not exist, it is treated as no encouragement setting.

(I) Specific Example of Encouragement Setting Check Process Prioritizing Paper Type Next, a specific example of the encouragement setting check process prioritizing the paper type will be described with reference to each drawing. It is assumed that the basis weight Dc is “64 to 74 g / m ² ” and the paper type Db is “high quality paper” as the printing conditions to be warned.

  In the encouragement setting check process in which the paper type is given priority, the image control CPU 66 searches the paper type approximation target table 102 shown in FIG. 3B, and the paper type Db set in the printing condition that is the warning target is “high quality”. Select the item that is "paper".

The paper type Db is the item “quality paper” and the approximation target No. One paper type Db is acquired, and encouragement setting check processing is performed. In this example, the paper type Db is “matte paper”. Then, the recommended setting check process is performed with the printing conditions in which the basis weight Dc is the initial setting value “64 to 74 g / m ² ” and the paper type Db is “matte paper” as the first approximation target printing conditions.

  When the jam occurrence rate E in the first approximation target printing condition described above satisfies the encouragement condition, the encouragement setting display flag is turned on and the encouragement setting check process is terminated. Further, if the jam occurrence rate E in the first approximation target printing condition does not satisfy the encouragement condition, the second approximation target printing condition is acquired.

In this example, the paper type Db is set as the approximation target No. It is assumed that “plain paper” is the second paper type. Then, the recommended setting check process is performed with the printing condition in which the basis weight Dc is the initial setting value “64 to 74 g / m ² ” and the paper type Db is “plain paper” as the second approximation target printing condition.

  When the jam occurrence rate E in the second approximation target printing condition satisfies the encouragement condition, the encouragement setting display flag is turned on and the encouragement setting check process is terminated. If the jam occurrence rate E in the second approximation target printing condition does not satisfy the encouragement condition, the third approximation target printing condition is acquired.

In this example, the paper type Db is set as the approximation target No. It is assumed that “3” is a “color paper”. Then, the recommended setting check process is performed with the printing condition in which the basis weight Dc is the initial setting value “64 to 74 g / m ² ” and the paper type Db is “color paper” as the third approximation target printing condition.

  When the jam occurrence rate E in the above-described third approximation target printing condition satisfies the encouragement condition, the encouragement setting display flag is turned on and the encouragement setting check process is terminated. If the jam occurrence rate E in the third approximation target printing condition does not satisfy the encouragement condition, the warning paper type Db is the “quality paper” item, and the approximation target No. Since the paper type Db of No. 4 does not exist, the process proceeds from the encouragement setting check process that prioritizes the paper type to the encouragement setting check process that prioritizes the basis weight.

  In the encouragement setting check process giving priority to the basis weight, the basis weight Dc that is one step larger than the basis weight Dc set in the printing condition that is a warning target by searching the basis weight approximation target table 101 shown in FIG. To perform encouragement setting check processing.

In this example, the basis weight Dc is set to “75 to 85 g / m ² ” which is one step larger than “64 to 74 g / m ² ”. Then, the recommended setting check process is performed with the printing condition in which the basis weight Dc is “75 to 85 g / m ² ” and the paper type Db is “plain paper” with the initial setting value as the fourth approximation target printing condition.

When the jam occurrence rate E in the fourth approximation target printing condition satisfies the encouragement condition, the encouragement setting display flag is turned on and the encouragement setting check process is terminated. Further, if the jam occurrence rate E in the fourth approximation target printing condition does not satisfy the recommended condition, the basis weight Dc of the approximation target is a set value that is one step smaller than the initial setting value “64 to 74 g / m ² ”. Because there is no, it is treated as no encouragement setting.

(J) Screen Display Examples FIGS. 13 to 16 are explanatory diagrams illustrating screen display examples. FIG. 13 shows a setting screen 53 called a job ticket editing screen in which the paper type Db, basis weight Dc, and the like are set.

  FIG. 14 shows an encouragement warning screen 54 in which setting values of the encouragement target and warning target print conditions are displayed when the encouragement target print conditions are detected in the above-described encouragement setting check process. On the encouragement warning screen 54, a paper No. that specifies the paper for which the printing conditions to be warned are set. And the setting value of the printing condition to be warned and the setting value of the printing condition to be approximated determined to be the encouragement object are displayed.

  In this example, the error check button 53 a provided on the setting screen 53 is highlighted due to a color change or the like, and the encouragement warning screen 54 is displayed on the setting screen 53 as a separate window. On the encouragement warning screen 54, a word prompting the change of the printing condition and a confirmation button 54 a for selecting permission / non-permission of the change of the printing condition are displayed. When the confirmation button 54a that permits the change of the printing condition is operated on the encouragement warning screen 54, the image control CPU 66 replaces the printing condition with the approximate printing condition determined to be the encouragement target, and performs the image forming process. Do.

  FIG. 15 shows an encouragement warning screen 55 in which setting values for the encouragement target and warning target printing conditions are displayed when the encouragement target print conditions are detected in the encouragement setting check process described above.

  When the recommended printing condition is detected in the encouragement setting check process, there is a case where the paper of the corresponding paper type or basis weight is not set in the paper tray (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 1. In such a case, on the encouragement warning screen 55, a paper No. that specifies the paper on which the printing condition to be warned is set. And the setting value of the printing condition to be warned and the setting value of the printing condition to be approximated determined to be the encouragement object are displayed. Further, a guidance message that prompts the user to set a paper type or basis weight to be encouraged is displayed.

  Also in this example, the error check button 53 a provided on the setting screen 53 is highlighted due to a color change or the like, and the encouragement warning screen 55 is displayed on the setting screen 53 as a separate window. On the encouragement warning screen 55, a word prompting the change of the printing condition and a confirmation button 55a for selecting permission / non-permission of the change of the printing condition are displayed. Then, when the recommended paper type or basis weight paper set is confirmed and the confirmation button 55a for permitting the change of the printing condition is operated on the encouragement warning screen 55, the image control CPU 66 sets the printing condition as the encouragement target. The image forming process is performed in place of the determined printing conditions for approximation.

  FIG. 16 shows a warning screen 56 on which the setting value of the print condition to be warned is displayed when there is no print condition to be encouraged in the encouragement setting check process described above. In this example, the error check button 53 a provided on the setting screen 53 is highlighted due to a color change or the like, and a warning screen 56 is displayed on the setting screen 53 as a separate window. In the warning screen 56, a paper No. that specifies the paper for which the printing condition to be warned is set is specified. And the setting value of the printing condition to be warned is displayed.

  The present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus in which the paper type, basis weight, and the like of paper can be set.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 2 ... Image processing part, 3 ... Scanner part, 4 ... Printer part, 5 ... Operation part, 6 ... Control part, 66 ... Image control CPU, 67... Nonvolatile memory, 100... Management table, 101... Basis weight approximation target table, 102.

Claims (6)

Information acquisition means for acquiring printing conditions;
A storage unit for storing a management table referred to in the calculation of the jam occurrence rate under the printing condition acquired by the information acquisition unit;
Based on the level of the jam occurrence rate calculated by referring to the management table, it is determined whether the printing condition is a warning target or encouragement target, and the recommended printing condition is an approximation target for the warning printing condition. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that searches for and presents the printing conditions. The storage means stores an approximation target table that is referred to when searching for an approximation target printing condition for a warning printing condition.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit searches for an approximate print condition with respect to a print condition that is a warning target in accordance with a search order specified in the approximation target table. The storage means stores a plurality of approximation target tables that are referred to in a search for a printing condition that is an approximation target for a printing condition that is a warning target, corresponding to a plurality of printing conditions of different types,
The control means sequentially searches for approximate printing conditions with respect to printing conditions that are warning targets by referring to the approximation target tables corresponding to a plurality of different printing conditions according to a preset priority order. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the priority of referring to the approximation target table is set to be changeable by the control unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the printing conditions for which the printing conditions to be approximated are set include at least a basis weight of the paper and a type of the paper. The management table stores the total number of printing times and the number of jam occurrences corresponding to the printing conditions,
The control means searches the management table, obtains the total number of printings and the number of jam occurrences specified by the printing conditions obtained by the information obtaining means, calculates the jam occurrence rate, and determines whether the jam occurrence rate is high or low 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus determines whether the printing condition is a warning target or an encouragement target based on the total number of times of printing.

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