JP2012206821A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance degree of freedom discharging a separate medium.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus and has a conveying section conveying a sheet-like media and conveying separate media every time when it is determined that a discharging condition is satisfied, an image forming section forming image in the sheet-like media conveyed by the conveying section, a mounting section on which the sheet-like media conveyed by the conveying the section and the separate media are mounted, a changing condition determining section determining whether or not a changing condition changing the discharging condition is satisfied, and a changing section changing the discharging condition when it is determined that the changing condition is a satisfied by the changing condition determining section.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for partitioning a sheet-like medium on which an image is formed by a separate medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus that receives a setting of a discharge position for discharging a separate medium between sheet-like media and discharges the separate medium to a set discharge position is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-26338 A

  By the way, instead of accepting the setting of the discharge position, it is possible to discharge the separate medium every time a predetermined condition is satisfied. Specifically, for example, the separate medium can be discharged every time one job is finished or every five jobs are finished.

However, if the separate medium is discharged under a predetermined condition, the condition for discharging the separate medium is fixed, and there is a problem that the degree of freedom for discharging the separate medium is small.
In the present specification, a technique for improving the degree of freedom for discharging a separate medium is disclosed.

  An image forming apparatus disclosed in this specification stores a sheet-shaped medium storage unit that stores a sheet-shaped medium on which an image is formed, and a separate medium for partitioning the sheet-shaped medium after the image is formed. A separation medium container, a discharge condition determination unit that determines whether or not a discharge condition for discharging the separate medium is satisfied, and the sheet condition medium is transported, and the discharge condition determination unit satisfies the discharge condition. A conveying unit that conveys the separate medium every time it is determined that the image is formed, an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet-like medium conveyed by the conveying unit, and the sheet-like medium conveyed by the conveying unit A loading unit on which the separate medium is loaded, a change condition determination unit that determines whether a change condition for changing the discharge condition is satisfied, Provided when the change condition is determined to have been satisfied by the change condition determination unit, and a changing unit that changes the dispense conditions.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus includes a detection unit that detects a remaining number of the separate media stored in the separate medium storage unit, and the change condition is that the remaining number of the separate media is equal to or less than a threshold value. It may be.

  In the image forming apparatus, the discharge condition is a time condition based on time or a non-time condition not based on time, and the changing unit changes the discharge condition from the time condition to the non-time condition. It may be changed to the condition, or from the non-time condition to the time condition.

  In the image forming apparatus, the discharge condition is a condition for discharging the separate paper so that the sheet-like medium is partitioned in a predetermined unit, and the changing unit sets the discharge condition to the predetermined condition. You may change into the conditions on which the said sheet-like medium is partitioned by a unit larger than the determined unit.

  The image forming apparatus may further include a notification unit that notifies the user that the discharge condition has been changed when the discharge condition is changed by the change unit.

  In the image forming apparatus, the changing unit may change the discharge condition stepwise.

  Further, the image forming apparatus includes a receiving unit that accepts setting of a discharge condition by a user, and the change unit determines the discharge condition when the change condition determination unit determines that the change condition is satisfied. You may change into the discharge conditions received in the reception part.

  In the image forming apparatus, the receiving unit may prohibit setting of a condition that a unit of the sheet-like medium partitioned by the separate medium is smaller than that before the change.

  The present invention can be realized in various forms such as an image forming method, an image forming program, a recording medium on which the image forming program is recorded.

  According to the above-described image forming apparatus, the separation medium discharge condition can be changed when the change condition is satisfied, so that the degree of freedom for discharging the separate medium is improved.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of an image forming apparatus. The schematic diagram for demonstrating discharge conditions and change conditions. The schematic diagram which shows the example of a change of discharge conditions. The schematic diagram which shows an example of a setting screen. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of separation paper conveyance control. The flowchart which shows the flow of a discharge condition change process.

<Embodiment 1>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
(1) Image Forming Apparatus FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. In the following description, the right side in FIG.

The image forming apparatus 1 includes a main body casing 10, a printing paper storage unit 20, a separate paper storage unit 30, a transport unit 40, and an image forming unit 50.
The printing paper storage unit 20 (an example of a sheet-like medium storage unit) includes a printing paper tray 22 on which printing paper 21 (an example of a sheet-like medium) on which an image is formed is stacked. The print paper tray 22 is biased upward by a spring 23, and the print paper 21 stacked on the top of the print paper tray 22 is in pressure contact with the pickup roller 41.

  The separate paper storage unit 30 (an example of a separate medium storage unit) includes a separate paper tray 32 on which a separate paper 31 (an example of a separate medium) for partitioning the print paper 21 after the image is formed is loaded. Yes. The separate paper tray 32 is also urged upward by a spring 33, and the separate paper 31 stacked on the top of the separate paper tray 32 is in pressure contact with the pickup roller 42.

  The conveyance unit 40 (an example of the conveyance unit) includes pickup rollers 41 and 42, various rollers 43 to 45, a stepping motor (not shown) that rotationally drives these rollers, and the like. The transport unit 40 transports the printing paper 21 stored in the printing paper storage unit 20 along the transport path T, and the separation paper 31 stored in the separation paper storage unit 30 satisfies a discharge condition described later. Each time it is transported along the transport path T.

The image forming unit 50 forms an image on the printing paper 21 conveyed by the conveying unit 40 by an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method.
The printing paper 21 on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 50 (an example of an image forming unit or an informing unit) is discharged to a paper discharge tray 11 (an example of a stacking unit) that constitutes the upper wall of the main body casing 10.

(2) Electrical Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 1.
The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 61, a storage unit 62, an operation unit 63, a display unit 64, a transport unit 40, an image forming unit 50, a network interface 65, and a separate paper remaining amount sensor 66.

  The control unit 61 (an example of a discharge condition determination unit, a change condition determination unit, a change unit, and a notification unit) includes a CPU 61A, a ROM 61B, and a RAM 61C. The CPU 61A controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 while storing the processing result in the RAM 61C according to the program read from the ROM 61B or the storage unit 62. Various programs and data for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 are recorded in the ROM 61B.

The storage unit 62 includes, for example, NVRAM and flash ROM. The storage unit 62 stores various programs for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 1.
The operation unit 63 (an example of a reception unit) includes a plurality of buttons. The user can perform various settings, discharge condition settings to be described later, and the like by operating the operation unit 63.

The display unit 64 includes a liquid crystal display, a lamp, and the like, and can display various setting screens, operation states, and the like.
The network interface 65 is connected to a terminal device or the like via a communication line, and receives a print job from the terminal device or the like.
A print job is data including image data of one or more pages, user information of a user who has transmitted the print job, printing conditions, and the like.

The separate sheet remaining amount sensor 66 (an example of a detection unit) is a sensor that detects the remaining number of separate sheets 31 stored in the separate sheet storage unit 30.
The separate paper remaining amount sensor 66 includes a variable resistor having a slide portion and a detection filler that moves up and down in conjunction with the separate paper tray 32. The detection filler is connected to the slide portion of the variable resistor. The detection filler moves up and down in accordance with the remaining number of separate sheets 31 stacked on the separate paper tray 32, and the resistance value of the variable resistor changes as the detection filler moves up and down.
When the resistance value of the variable resistor changes, the detection signal output from the separate paper remaining amount sensor 66 to the control unit 61 changes. The controller 61 estimates the remaining number of separate sheets 31 based on the detection signal output from the separate sheet remaining amount sensor 66.

(3) Discharge Condition and Change Condition FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the discharge condition for discharging the separate paper and the change condition for changing the discharge condition. The discharge condition and the change condition are stored in the storage unit 62.

  A unit for partitioning the printing paper 21 is set as the discharge condition. Specifically, the unit for partitioning the printing paper 21 is a time unit, a job unit, a user unit, a printing number unit, or the like.

For example, when the printing paper 21 is partitioned in units of time, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 120 minutes, or the like is set as the discharge condition. For example, assuming that a unit of 60 minutes is set, the image forming apparatus 1 starts counting elapsed time from 00 minutes every hour, and determines whether 60 minutes have passed or not every time an image is printed on the printing paper 21, and 60 minutes. Has passed, the separation paper 31 is conveyed after the printing of the image on the printing paper 21 is completed.
More specifically, for example, after an image is printed on the first printing paper 21 after 60 minutes have passed, the separation paper 31 corresponding to the 60 minutes is conveyed. That is, the time unit according to the first embodiment does not necessarily convey the separate paper 31 every time the set time elapses.

For example, when the printing paper 21 is partitioned in units of jobs, 1 job unit, 5 job units, or the like is set as a discharge condition. For example, assuming that a unit of 5 jobs is set, the image forming apparatus 1 conveys the separation paper 31 every time printing of 5 jobs is completed.
Similarly, when dividing by the number of printed sheets, 50 sheets, 100 sheets, etc. are set. The user unit is counted as one user when a job of a user different from the user of the previously printed job is printed. When partitioning by user unit, 1 user unit, 5 user unit, 10 user unit, etc. are set.

The discharge condition for partitioning the printing paper 21 by time unit is an example of a time condition based on time, and the discharge condition for partitioning the printing paper 21 by job unit, user unit, and print number unit is not based on time. It is an example of a non-time condition.
The unit that can be set as the discharge condition is not limited to one. For example, 60 minutes, 5 jobs, and 1 user can be set simultaneously as the discharge conditions. That is, the discharge conditions may be both time conditions and non-time conditions. When a plurality of units are set, the separate paper 31 is discharged for every unit.

  The change condition is a condition for changing the discharge condition. The purpose of changing the discharge condition in the present embodiment is to save the separate paper 31. When the change condition is satisfied, the image forming apparatus 1 changes the discharge condition in order to save the separate paper 31.

In this embodiment, the discharge conditions are changed in two stages. Therefore, FIG. 3 shows two change conditions, “first change condition” and “second change condition”.
In the illustrated example, “the remaining number of separate sheets is equal to or less than the first threshold” is shown as the first change condition. In this case, when the remaining number of separate sheets 31 stored in the separate sheet storage unit 30 is equal to or less than the first threshold, the discharge condition is changed.
Specifically, the first threshold is, for example, 30% of the maximum number of sheets that can be stored in the separate paper storage unit 30. The first threshold can be set as appropriate.

In the illustrated example, the second change condition indicates that “the remaining number of separate sheets is equal to or less than the second threshold (<first threshold)”. In this case, when the remaining number of separate sheets 31 stored in the separate sheet storage unit 30 is equal to or smaller than a second threshold value that is smaller than the first threshold value, the discharge condition is further changed.
Specifically, the second threshold is, for example, 10% of the maximum number of sheets that can be stored in the separate paper storage unit 30. The second threshold can be set as appropriate.

(4) Modification Example of Discharge Condition FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a modification example of the discharge condition. In the figure, “-” means “OFF” shown in FIG. 3, and the unit in which “-” is set indicates that the printing paper 21 is not partitioned in that unit.
The user operates the operation unit 63 to change the discharge condition before the “first change condition” is satisfied (referred to as “normal discharge condition”) and the “first change condition”. Discharge conditions (referred to as “changed discharge conditions (1)”) and discharge conditions to be changed when “second changed conditions” are satisfied (referred to as “changed discharge conditions (2)”) It can be set in advance.
The “changed discharge condition (1)” and the “changed discharge condition (2)” are examples of the “discharge condition received by the receiving unit”.

(4-1) Modification 1
Modification 1 is an example in which a non-time condition is set as “normal discharge condition” and a time condition is set as “change discharge condition (1)”. Specifically, in this example, one job unit is set as the “normal discharge condition”, and a 60-minute unit is set as the “changed discharge condition (1)”.
A time condition can be set as the “normal discharge condition”, and a non-time condition can be set as the “changed discharge condition (1)”.

It is desirable for the user to set the “changed discharge condition (1)” so that the frequency with which the separate paper 31 is discharged is smaller than the “normal discharge condition”.
For example, if one job unit is set as the “normal discharge condition” and one job is printed on average 120 minutes, “changed discharge condition (1)” is set to 60. Assuming that the unit is minutes, one sheet of separated paper 31 is discharged in 120 minutes before the change, but a maximum of two sheets of separated paper 31 are discharged in 120 minutes after the change. It can happen that it is discharged. Therefore, in this case, it is desirable to set a time longer than 120 minutes as the “changed discharge condition (1)”.

However, the image forming apparatus 1 does not prohibit setting a time of 120 minutes or less in the above-described example. This is because the time for saving the separate paper 31 cannot be determined when the past printing tendency is not grasped.
It should be noted that past printing trends may be grasped, and the setting of the time during which more separate paper 31 will be discharged than before the change may be prohibited.

The “changed discharge condition (2)” is preferably a condition for partitioning the printing paper 21 in the same unit as the “changed discharge condition (1)”.
For example, if “changed discharge condition (1)” is a time unit, “changed discharge condition (2)” is also a time unit, and if “changed discharge condition (1)” is a job unit. It is desirable that “changed discharge condition (2)” is also in units of jobs.

In order to save separate paper 31, the image forming apparatus 1 prohibits the “changed discharge condition (2)” from being set in units equal to or smaller than the “changed discharge condition (1)”. To do.
For example, if the “changed discharge condition (1)” is in units of 60 minutes, the image forming apparatus 1 prohibits the “changed discharge condition (2)” from setting a unit of 60 minutes or less.

Similarly, if “changed discharge condition (1)” is in units of five jobs, the image forming apparatus 1 indicates that a unit of five jobs or less is set in “changed discharge condition (2)”. Ban.
The prohibition of setting the “changed discharge condition (2)” in a unit equal to or smaller than the “changed discharge condition (1)” is the same in the other modified examples.

(4-2) Modification 2
The second modification is an example in which the non-time condition is changed to the non-time condition, and the discharge condition is changed between the same units. The term “between the same units” means a job unit for a job unit, a user unit for a user unit, and a time unit for a time unit.
When changing the discharge conditions between the same units, in order to save the separate paper 31, the image forming apparatus 1 uses units set in “normal discharge conditions” (an example of “predetermined units”). It is prohibited to set “changed discharge condition (1)” and “changed discharge condition (2)” in units equal to or smaller than.

  For example, if 5 job units are set in the “normal discharge conditions”, the image forming apparatus 1 has 5 jobs or less in “changed discharge conditions (1)” and “changed discharge conditions (2)”. Setting the unit of is prohibited.

(4-3) Modification 3
Modified example 3 is an example of changing from a non-time condition to a non-time condition. “Normal discharge condition” is a job unit, whereas “changed discharge condition (1)” is a user unit. . Thus, you may change to a different unit in non-time conditions.

In this case as well, it is desirable for the user to set the “changed discharge condition (1)” so that the frequency at which the separate paper 31 is discharged is smaller than the “normal discharge condition”.
For example, if 5 job units are set as “normal discharge conditions” and the user is changed every job on average, “changed discharge conditions (1)” is set to 1 user unit. Then, one sheet of separated paper 31 is discharged in five jobs before the change, but five sheets of separated paper 31 are discharged in five jobs after the change. On the contrary, a large amount of separated paper 31 is discharged. End up. Therefore, in this case, it is desirable to set the number of users greater than 5 users as the “changed discharge condition (1)”.

However, the image forming apparatus 1 does not prohibit setting the number of users of 5 users or less in the above-described example. This is because the number of users saving the separate paper 31 cannot be determined in a state where the past printing tendency is not grasped.
Note that the tendency of past printing may be grasped, and the setting of the number of users that will output more separate paper 31 than before the change may be prohibited.

(4-4) Modification 4
The fourth modification is an example in which a plurality of units are set as the discharge condition. Thus, a plurality of units can be set simultaneously for the discharge condition. However, as in the second modification, when the discharge condition is changed between the same units, the image forming apparatus 1 performs “change” in units equal to or smaller than the units set in “normal discharge conditions”. It is forbidden to set “exhaust condition after (1)” and “exchanging condition after change (2)”.

  For example, when 60 minutes is set in the “normal discharge condition”, the image forming apparatus 1 prohibits setting a unit of 60 minutes or less in the “changed discharge condition (1)”. Similarly, when 5 job units are set in the “normal discharge conditions”, it is prohibited to set a unit of 5 jobs or less in the “changed discharge conditions (1)”. The same applies to the number of printed sheets.

  In addition, when a unit larger than the unit set in “normal discharge conditions” for any one unit is set in “changed discharge conditions (1)”, “normal discharge conditions” are set for other units. The same unit as the unit set in “Condition” may be set.

(5) Operation Setting of Image Forming Apparatus Regarding Separation Sheet Discharge FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for performing operation setting of the image forming apparatus 1 regarding separation sheet 31 discharge. The user can set the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 related to the discharge of the separate paper 31 by operating the operation unit 63.

  “Color Separators Setting” is an item for setting whether or not the separate sheet 31 is conveyed every time the discharge condition is satisfied. When “ON”, the separate sheet 31 is conveyed every time the discharge condition is satisfied. When “OFF”, the separation paper 31 is not conveyed even if the discharge condition is satisfied.

  “Separators Save Mode” is an item for setting whether or not the discharge condition is changed when the first change condition is satisfied. When “ON” is set, “normal discharge” is set when the first change condition is satisfied. “Condition” is changed to “Discharge condition after change (1)”, and when it is “OFF”, even if the first change condition is satisfied, it is not changed.

  “Use Step Save Mode” is an item for setting whether or not to change the discharge condition when the second change condition is satisfied, and when “ON”, the second change condition is set to “After change”. The discharge condition (1) ”is changed to“ changed discharge condition (2) ”, and when it is“ OFF ”, even if the second change condition is satisfied, it is not changed.

  “Save Mode Change Message” is an item for setting whether or not to output a message indicating that the discharge condition has been changed when the discharge condition is changed. When “ON”, a message is output. When “OFF”, no message is output.

When “ON” is set in “Save Mode Change Message”, the user selects either “Print message on separators” or “Output 2 pages per change” as the message output method.
When “ON” is set in “Print message on separators”, a message indicating that the discharge condition has been changed is printed on the separate paper 31.
When “ON” is set in “Output 2 pages per change”, two separate sheets 31 are conveyed in succession when conveying the first separate sheet 31 after changing the discharge condition. The user can know that the discharge condition has been changed by continuously stacking two separate sheets 31 on the discharge tray 11.
The two output methods described above may be set to “ON” at the same time.

  “Print Message in Save Mode” is an item for setting whether or not to print the current discharge conditions on separate paper 31 when “Color Separators Setting” is “ON”. When the separate paper 31 is conveyed, the current discharge conditions are printed on the separate paper 31, and when “OFF”, the discharge conditions are not printed on the separate paper 31.

(6) Transport Control of Separate Paper Next, transport control of the separate paper 31 will be described.

(6-1) Separation Paper Transport Control FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of separation paper transport control. This process is executed after the previous printing paper 21 is sent out to the transport path T and before the next printing paper 21 is sent out to the transport path T.

In S101, the CPU 61A determines whether or not the separate paper conveyance (Color Separators Setting) is “ON”. If “ON”, the process proceeds to S102, and if it is “OFF”, the process ends.
In S102, the CPU 61A executes “discharge condition changing process”. The discharge condition changing process is a process for determining whether or not a change condition for changing the discharge condition is satisfied, and changing the discharge condition when the change condition is satisfied.

In S103, the CPU 61A determines whether or not the discharge condition is satisfied.
For example, when a unit of 60 minutes is set as the discharge condition, it is determined that the discharge condition is satisfied if 60 minutes have passed.
For example, when one user unit is set as the discharge condition, the previous print sheet 21 is the last print sheet 21 of one print job, and the user of the print job and the next print sheet 21 If the user of the print job that forms the image is different, it is determined that the discharge condition is satisfied.
For example, when a unit of 50 sheets is set as the discharge condition, it is determined that the discharge condition is satisfied if the previous print sheet 21 is the 50th print sheet 21.
The CPU 61A proceeds to S104 when the discharge condition is satisfied, and ends the process when it is not satisfied.

In S104, the CPU 61A determines whether or not the discharge condition has been changed in the “discharge condition change process” in S102. If not, the process proceeds to S105, and if it has just been changed, the process proceeds to S108. Proceed to
In S105, the CPU 61A controls the transport unit 40 to transport one sheet of separate paper 31.

In S <b> 106, the CPU 61 </ b> A determines whether “Print Message in Save Mode” is “ON”. If it is “ON”, the process proceeds to S <b> 107, and if it is “OFF”, the process ends. To do.
In S107, the CPU 61A controls the image forming unit 50 to print the current discharge conditions on the separate paper 31.

In S108, the CPU 61A determines whether or not the message output (Print Message in Save Mode) is “ON”. If it is “ON”, the process proceeds to S109, and if it is “OFF”, the process ends.
In S109, the CPU 61A determines whether or not the two-sheet separation (Output 2 pages per change) is “ON”. If “ON”, the process proceeds to S110. If it is “OFF”, the process proceeds to S111. Proceed to

  In S110, the CPU 61A controls the conveyance unit 40 to convey two separate sheets 31 in succession, thereby notifying the user that the discharge condition has been changed. Note that it is assumed that the user knows that two separate sheets 31 are continuously conveyed when the discharge conditions are changed.

In S <b> 111, the CPU 61 </ b> A determines that printing condition printing (print message on separators) is “ON”, and controls the transport unit 40 to transport one sheet of separate paper 31.
In S <b> 112, the CPU 61 </ b> A controls the image forming unit 50 to print a message to the effect that the discharge condition has been changed on the separate paper 31.

(6-2) Discharge Condition Change Process FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the discharge condition change process.
In S201, the CPU 61A determines whether or not the separator paper save mode is “ON”. If it is “ON”, the process proceeds to S202, and if it is not “ON”, the process ends.
In S202, the CPU 61A determines whether or not the first change condition is satisfied. Specifically, for example, the CPU 61A determines whether or not the remaining number of separate sheets 31 is equal to or less than 30% of the maximum number that can be stored in the separate sheet storage unit 30, and is equal to or less than 30% of the maximum number. If it is, it is determined that the first change condition is satisfied, and if it exceeds 30% of the maximum number of sheets, it is determined that the first change condition is not satisfied.
The CPU 61A proceeds to S203 if the first change condition is not satisfied, and proceeds to S205 if it is satisfied.

In S203, the CPU 61A determines whether or not the current discharge condition is the “normal discharge condition”.
Here, since the remaining number of separate sheets 31 exceeds 30% of the maximum number, if the current discharge condition is not “normal discharge condition”, it is necessary to return to “normal discharge condition”. Therefore, if the current discharge condition is not “normal discharge condition”, that is, if it is “changed discharge condition (1)” or “changed discharge condition (2)”, the CPU 61A proceeds to S204. If the “normal discharge condition” is satisfied, the process is terminated.
In S204, the CPU 61A returns the discharge condition to the “normal discharge condition”.

  In S205, the CPU 61A determines whether or not the current discharge condition is the “normal discharge condition”. Here, since the remaining number of separate sheets 31 is 30% or less of the maximum number, when the current discharge condition is “normal discharge condition”, it is necessary to change to “changed discharge condition (1)”. . Therefore, if the current discharge condition is “normal discharge condition”, the CPU 61A proceeds to S206, and if it is not “normal discharge condition”, that is, “changed discharge condition (1)” or “after change”. If it is “discharge condition (2)”, the process proceeds to S207.

In S206, the CPU 61A changes the discharge condition to “changed discharge condition (1)”.
In S207, the CPU 61A determines whether or not the step save mode (Use Step Save Mode) is “ON”. If it is “ON”, the process proceeds to S208, and if it is not “ON”, the process ends.

In S208, the CPU 61A determines whether or not the second change condition is satisfied. Specifically, for example, the CPU 61A determines whether or not the remaining number of separate sheets 31 is equal to or less than 10% of the maximum number that can be stored in the separate sheet storage unit 30, and is equal to or less than 10% of the maximum number. If it is, it is determined that the second change condition is satisfied, and if it exceeds 10% of the maximum number of sheets, it is determined that the second change condition is not satisfied.
The CPU 61A proceeds to S209 when the second change condition is satisfied, and ends the process when it is not satisfied.

In S209, the CPU 61A determines whether or not the current discharge condition is “changed discharge condition (1)”. Here, since the remaining number of separate sheets 31 is 10% or less of the maximum number, if the current discharge condition is “changed discharge condition (1)”, change to “changed discharge condition (2)”. There is a need to. Therefore, the CPU 61A proceeds to S210 when the current discharge condition is “changed discharge condition (1)”, and ends the process when it is not “changed discharge condition (1)”.
In S210, the CPU 61A changes the discharge condition to “changed discharge condition (2)”.

(7) Effects of Embodiment According to the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above, the discharge condition of the separate paper 31 can be changed before and after the first change condition is satisfied. The degree of freedom for discharging the paper 31 is improved.

Furthermore, according to the image forming apparatus 1, the discharge condition can be changed between when the remaining number of separate sheets 31 is larger than the first threshold and when it is equal to or smaller than the first threshold.
In general, it is more convenient for the user to divide the printing paper 21 in smaller units than in larger units. For this reason, when the remaining number of separate sheets 31 is larger than the first threshold value, the user's convenience that the print sheet 21 is desired to be partitioned in small units is set by setting a discharge condition in which the print sheet 21 is partitioned in small units. improves.
On the other hand, when the remaining number of separate sheets 31 is equal to or less than the first threshold value, the separation sheets 31 can be saved by changing to the discharge condition in which the print sheet 21 is partitioned in large units.
As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 1, it is possible to achieve harmony between the convenience of the user who wants the printing paper 21 to be partitioned in small units and the saving of the separate paper 31.
There is also an image forming apparatus in which printing is interrupted until the separate paper 31 is replenished when the separate paper 31 is used up. In the case of such an image forming apparatus, when the remaining number of separate sheets 31 is equal to or less than the first threshold, the period until the printing is interrupted by changing to the discharge condition in which the printing sheet 21 is partitioned in large units. Can be lengthened.

  Furthermore, according to the image forming apparatus 1, since the discharge condition can be changed from the time condition to the non-time condition or from the non-time condition to the time condition, the degree of freedom for discharging the separate paper 31 is further improved.

  Furthermore, according to the image forming apparatus 1, when the discharge condition is changed, the user is notified that the discharge condition has been changed, so that the user can know that the unit in which the printing paper 21 is partitioned has been changed. it can.

  Furthermore, according to the image forming apparatus 1, when the second change condition is satisfied, the discharge condition is changed stepwise by further changing the discharge condition. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the discharge conditions from changing greatly at once.

  Furthermore, according to the image forming apparatus 1, the user can set the “changed discharge condition (1)” and the “changed discharge condition (2)”, so that the convenience for the user is improved.

  Further, according to the image forming apparatus 1, when changing the discharge condition between the same units, it is necessary to change the condition so that the printing paper 21 is partitioned in a unit smaller than the unit set in the “normal discharge condition”. Since it is prohibited, the separate paper 31 can be saved.

<Embodiment 2>
Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described.
In the first embodiment, when a time condition is set as a discharge condition, an image is printed on the first print paper 21 after the set time has elapsed, and then a separate paper 31 corresponding to that time is conveyed. Although the case has been described as an example, in the second embodiment, the separate sheet is conveyed every time the set time elapses. For example, if 60 minutes is set as the time unit, the separate paper is conveyed when 60 minutes have passed.

“Separate paper conveyance control” and “discharge condition changing process” according to the second embodiment are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment.
However, in the second embodiment, “separate paper conveyance control” is executed after the previous printing paper 21 is sent out to the conveyance path T and before the next printing paper 21 is sent out to the conveyance path T, and 1 Repeatedly even at minute intervals.

When the “separate paper conveyance control” is executed after the previous printing paper 21 is sent out to the conveyance path T and before the next printing paper 21 is sent out to the conveyance path T, in S103, the non-discharge condition is set. For the time condition, it is determined whether or not the non-time condition is satisfied.
On the other hand, when “separate paper conveyance control” is repeatedly executed at 1-minute intervals, in S103, it is determined whether or not the time condition of the discharge condition is satisfied.
The second embodiment is substantially the same as the first embodiment in other points.

According to the image forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment described above, when the printing paper 21 is partitioned in units of time, the separation paper 32 is conveyed every time the set time elapses.
For this reason, for example, if two sheets of separate paper transport is “OFF”, and if two separate sheets of paper 32 are output in succession, it is easy to confirm that printing has not been performed for 60 minutes. I can grasp.
Further, the user can know the approximate time that an image is formed on each print sheet 21 from the number of separate sheets 32, and searches for the print sheet 21 on which an image is formed based on the print job transmitted by the user. It becomes easy.
In addition, if the separate paper 32 is conveyed every time the set time elapses, there is an advantage that it is possible to determine when the separate paper 31 will run out. For example, if the unit is changed from one job unit to one hour unit, the administrator knows that the separate sheet 31 will run out after “remaining number of separate sheets × 1 hour”. Thereby, the administrator can grasp the timing of replenishing the separate paper 31, and the convenience for the administrator is improved. In other words, the discharge conditions may be changed for the purpose of determining when the separate paper 31 will run out.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

(1) In the first embodiment, the case where “the remaining number of separate sheets is equal to or less than the first threshold value” has been described as an example of the first change condition. However, the first change condition may be other than this. .
For example, the discharge condition may be changed when the elapsed time after the separation paper 31 is stored in the separate paper storage unit 30 reaches a predetermined time. This is because in many cases, the remaining number of separate sheets 31 decreases with the passage of time.
Alternatively, the number of separate sheets 31 discharged per unit time is counted, and if the counted number is larger than the reference number, the discharge condition is changed to reduce the number of separate sheets 31 discharged per unit time. Also good.

  The first change condition is “the remaining number of separate sheets is equal to or less than the first threshold”, and the second change condition is “the number of separate sheets discharged per unit time is larger than the reference number of sheets”. It is good also as.

  (2) In the above embodiment, when changing the discharge condition between the same units, it is prohibited to change the condition so that the printing paper 21 is partitioned in a unit smaller than the unit set in the “normal discharge condition”. Although the case has been described as an example, it may not be prohibited to change to a condition in which the printing paper 21 is partitioned in small units.

(3) In the above embodiment, the case where the user can set “changed discharge condition (1)” and “changed discharge condition (2)” has been described as an example. The setting may be fixed, or the CPU 61A may set it automatically.
When the CPU 61A automatically sets, even if the CPU 61A changes to a condition in which the printing paper 21 is partitioned in a unit larger than the unit set in the “normal discharge condition” (an example of “predetermined unit”). Good. Thereby, the separate paper 31 can be saved.

  (4) In the above embodiment, the case where the first change condition and the second change condition are fixed has been described as an example. However, the user sets the first change condition and the second change condition. You may be able to do it.

  (5) In the above embodiment, the case where the discharge condition is changed in two stages when the first change condition is satisfied and when the second change condition is satisfied has been described as an example. You may change in more stages.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 11 ... Paper discharge tray, 20 ... Printing paper accommodating part, 21 ... Printing paper, 30 ... Separate paper accommodating part, 31 ... Separate paper, 40. ..Conveying section, 50... Image forming section, 61... Control section, 63... Operation section, 64... Display section, 66.

Claims (8)

A sheet-like medium accommodating portion for accommodating a sheet-like medium on which an image is formed;
A separate medium storage unit for storing a separate medium for partitioning the sheet-like medium after the image is formed;
A discharge condition determination unit that determines whether a discharge condition for discharging the separate medium is satisfied;
A transport unit that transports the sheet medium and transports the separate medium every time the discharge condition determination unit determines that the discharge condition is satisfied;
An image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet-like medium conveyed by the conveying unit;
A stacking unit on which the sheet-like medium conveyed by the conveying unit and the separate medium are stacked;
A change condition determination unit for determining whether or not a change condition for changing the discharge condition is satisfied;
When it is determined by the change condition determination unit that the change condition is satisfied, a change unit that changes the discharge condition;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
A detection unit that detects a remaining number of the separate media stored in the separate medium storage unit;
The change condition is an image forming apparatus in which the remaining number of separate media is equal to or less than a threshold value. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The discharge condition is a time condition based on time or a non-time condition not based on time,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the changing unit changes the discharge condition from the time condition to the non-time condition or from the non-time condition to the time condition. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The discharge condition is a condition for discharging the separate paper so that the sheet-like medium is partitioned in a predetermined unit,
The change unit is an image forming apparatus that changes the discharge condition to a condition in which the sheet-like medium is partitioned by a unit larger than the predetermined unit. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a notification unit that notifies a user that the discharge condition has been changed when the discharge condition is changed by the change unit. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The changing unit is an image forming apparatus that changes the discharge condition stepwise. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
It has a reception part that accepts the user's setting of discharge conditions,
The change unit changes the discharge condition to the discharge condition received by the receiving unit when the change condition determining unit determines that the change condition is satisfied. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the receiving unit prohibits setting of a condition in which a unit of the sheet-like medium partitioned by the separate medium is smaller than that before the change.

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