JP2015138249A - image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of reducing the waste of paper due to printing on paper in a paper size different from a paper size set by a user at the occurrence of paper size mismatch.SOLUTION: On a paper size mismatch setting screen 100, a user selects an "error ignorance" area 110a of an "operation setting at the occurrence of paper size mismatch" area 110 in the case of continuing print processing by ignoring the error of paper size mismatch, and selects a "paper feed cassette 4" area 120d of a "paper feed setting at the occurrence of paper size mismatch" area 120 in the case of setting the paper feed destination of paper at the occurrence of paper size mismatch to a paper feed cassette 4 when the "error ignorance" area 110 is selected. Backing paper or inexpensive paper is stored in the paper feed cassette 4 so that it is possible to prevent the waste of paper due to printing on normal paper. Also, it is possible for the other users to keep using the image forming apparatus.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing process of an image forming apparatus when a sheet having a size different from a sheet size set by a user is conveyed from a sheet feeding cassette (hereinafter referred to as “sheet size mismatch”).

  An image forming apparatus, which is a printer, a multifunction printer, a multifunction peripheral device, or a multifunction peripheral (MFP), transports paper from a paper cassette and generates an electrostatic latent image of a document formed on a photoconductor. Development is performed with toner supplied from the developing device, and the sheet on which the toner image is transferred is discharged from the image forming device. When the user performs printing in such an image forming apparatus, the printing process is executed after setting the size of the printing paper (hereinafter referred to as “paper size”) and the paper feed cassette in which the printing paper is stored. The image forming apparatus detects the size of the paper stored in the paper cassette by a mechanism that automatically detects the size of the paper. When a printing paper different from the paper size set by the user is conveyed from the paper cassette, the printing paper is removed. In order to save, the execution of the printing process can be stopped. For example, in the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, a user sets in advance whether the image forming apparatus continues or stops processing when a paper size mismatch occurs, and a printing paper that is different from the paper size set by the user is supplied. When the sheet is conveyed from the paper cassette, it is possible to select whether to continue the printing process or stop the printing process according to the user setting.

JP 2003-95482 A

  However, in the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1, the user can set in advance whether to continue or stop the printing process when a paper size mismatch occurs. However, if the printing process is continued, the paper size set by the user is set. Printed on different printing paper. In other words, if the image forming apparatus continues the printing process, other users can continue to use the image forming apparatus, but the printing paper is wasted because printing is performed on a printing paper having a different paper size from the printing paper set by the user. There was a problem of becoming.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of solving the above-described problems.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper feed destinations, and is a paper size setting means for setting a paper size and a paper size for detecting an actual paper size conveyed from the paper feed destination. Detecting means, paper size setting means, and paper size comparing means for comparing the paper sizes of the paper size detecting means, selected when the paper size comparing means determines that the paper sizes are different. Another feature is that the paper is taken out from another paper source.
The image forming apparatus according to the present invention further includes a printing process selection unit that selects either printing process continuation or printing process cancellation. The sheet size comparison unit determines that the sheet size is different, and the printing process selection unit When the print processing continuation is selected, the sheet is taken out from the selected other paper feed destination.
The image forming apparatus according to the present invention further includes a sheet detecting unit that detects whether or not the paper of the paper size is stored in the paper supply destination, and the paper of the paper size is not stored in the paper supply destination. In addition, the sheet is taken out from the selected other sheet feeding destination.
In addition, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is characterized by further comprising another paper source selection unit that can select the other paper source.
The image forming apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that the paper supply destination from which the paper is taken out and the other paper supply destinations are a plurality of paper supply cassettes and a manual feed tray.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when a paper size mismatch occurs, another user can continue to use the image forming apparatus by continuing the printing process, and the paper size is different from the paper size set by the user. It is possible to reduce waste of printing paper due to printing.

1 is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a format of a paper size mismatch setting screen for setting an operation or a paper feed destination when a paper size mismatch occurs according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart of print control processing for detecting a paper size mismatch and controlling print processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiments”) will be described with reference to the drawings. An image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment is an image forming apparatus that forms an image such as a printer, a multifunction printer, a multifunction peripheral device, or a multifunction peripheral. Referring to FIG. A unit 3, a main body unit 4, and an operation unit 5 are provided. The document reading unit 2 is disposed on the top of the main body unit 4, and the document feeding unit 3 is disposed on the top of the document reading unit 2. Further, the main body unit 4 is provided with a manual feed tray 40, the manual feed tray 40 is opened outward, and a sheet is set on the opened manual feed tray 40.

  On the front side of the image forming apparatus 1, an operation unit 5 for setting and operating instructions of the image forming apparatus 1 is disposed. The operation unit 5 is provided with a liquid crystal display unit 51 and operation buttons 52. The user operates the operation unit 5 to input an instruction, thereby performing various settings of the image forming apparatus 1 and executing various functions such as image formation. The liquid crystal display unit 51 displays the status of the image forming apparatus 1, the image forming status and the number of copies to be printed, or displays various setting screens, and as a touch panel, the paper size, the paper supply destination to which the printing paper is supplied, duplex printing, black and white inversion Etc., various settings such as magnification setting and density setting can be performed. The operation buttons 52 include a start button for instructing start of image formation, a stop / clear button for instructing to stop image formation, a reset button used when various settings of the image forming apparatus 1 are set to a default state, a numeric keypad, and the like. Is provided.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the document reading unit 2 includes a scanner 21, a platen glass 22, and a document reading slit 23. The scanner 21 includes a light source 24 using an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and a light receiving unit 25 including a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) line sensor, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) line sensor, and the like. The unit 3 is configured to be movable in the conveyance direction of the document MS (manuscript). The document reading slit 23 is a slit formed in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the document MS by the document feeding unit 3.

  The document feeding unit 3 includes a document placement unit 31, a document discharge unit 32, and a document transport mechanism 33. The document MS set on the document placement unit 31 is sequentially fed out one by one by the document transport mechanism 33, transported to a position facing the document reading slit 23, and then discharged to the document discharge unit 32. The document feeding unit 3 and the document reading unit 2 are connected to each other by a hinge mechanism on the back side of the image forming apparatus 1, and the document feeding unit 3 functions as a platen cover that opens and closes the upper surface of the platen glass 22. . By opening the document feeder 3 upward, the upper surface of the platen glass 22 is opened, and the document MS can be set on the platen glass 22.

  When reading of the document MS is instructed by the operation button 52 of the operation unit 5 in a state where the document MS is not set on the document placement unit 31 or in an opened state where the document feeding unit 3 (platen cover) is opened. A document MS set on the platen glass 22 is read. When reading the document MS placed on the platen glass 22, the scanner 21 is moved to a position facing the platen glass 22, and the document MS set on the platen glass 22 is moved in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. The image data is obtained by scanning while scanning from the sub-scanning direction reference line B, and the obtained image data is output to the control unit 7 (FIG. 3) in the main body unit 4.

  When reading of the document MS is instructed by the operation button 52 of the operation unit 5 in a state where the document MS is set on the document placement unit 31, the document MS conveyed by the document feeding unit 3 is read. The document MS is set on the document placement unit 31 with the front surface (surface from which a document image is read) facing up. Then, the document MS set on the document placement unit 31 is conveyed from the left side by the document feeding unit 3, and the surface of the document MS is guided to a position facing the document reading slit 23. Further, when reading the document MS conveyed by the document feeding unit 3, the scanner 21 is moved to a position facing the document reading slit 23 and is synchronized with the conveying operation by the document feeding unit 3 via the document reading slit 23. Then, the original MS is read to acquire image data, and the acquired image data is output to the control unit 7 (FIG. 3) in the main body unit 4.

  The main body 4 includes a recording unit 6, and includes a paper feed unit 41, a paper feed roller 42, a paper transport path 43, a transport roller 44, and a discharge roller 45. The paper feed unit 41 is a paper feed cassette that stores a plurality of sheets of paper P (hereinafter referred to as “paper P” because it is the paper P in the embodiment). The paper P is fed out to the paper transport path 43 one by one. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 is illustrated with respect to one paper feed cassette, but in practice, a plurality of paper feed cassettes can be provided. The paper P fed to the paper transport path 43 by the paper feed roller 42 is transported to the recording unit 6 by the transport roller 44. When the transport roller 44 transports the paper P so that the leading edge of the paper P supplied from the paper feed unit 41 or the manual feed tray 40 and the leading edge of the image read from the original are aligned, a size detection sensor (not shown) of the paper P The size of the paper P is detected based on the time when it contacts the paper P. The paper P on which recording has been performed by the recording unit 6 is discharged by a discharge roller 45 into a discharge space 46 formed between the document reading unit 2 and the main body unit 4. As described above, the paper feed roller 42, the transport roller 44, and the discharge roller 45 function as a transport unit for the paper P. Although not shown in the drawing, the paper feed roller of the manual feed tray 40 is configured to feed paper P one by one from the manual feed tray 40 in the same manner as the paper feed unit 41. It feeds out to the conveyance path 43.

  The recording unit 6 includes a photosensitive drum 61, a charging unit 62, an exposure unit 63, an image forming unit 64, a transfer unit 65, a fixing unit 66, and a cleaning unit 67. The exposure unit 63 is an optical unit including a laser device, a mirror, and the like. The exposure unit 63 outputs a laser beam based on image data to the photosensitive drum 61 uniformly charged by the charging unit 62 and exposes the photosensitive drum 61. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the drum 61. The image forming unit 64 is a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 61 using toner, and forms a toner image based on the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 61. The transfer unit 65 transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 61 by the image forming unit 64 to the paper P. The fixing unit 66 heats the paper P on which the toner image is transferred by the transfer unit 65 to fix the toner image on the paper P. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 61 is removed by the cleaning unit 67.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. The document reading unit 2, document feeding unit 3, transport unit (feed roller 42, transport roller 44, discharge roller 45), operation unit 5, recording unit 6, storage unit 8, and communication unit 9 are a control unit. 7, and the operation is controlled by the control unit 7. The control unit 7 includes a print control processing unit 71 and a conveyance control processing unit 72.

  The control unit 7 is an information processing unit such as a microcomputer including a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The ROM stores a control program for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 7 reads out the control program stored in the ROM and develops the control program in the RAM, thereby controlling the print engine that operates the transport unit when executing the printing process, and is input from the operation unit 5. The entire apparatus is controlled according to the predetermined instruction information. The print control processing unit 71 detects a paper size mismatch and controls print processing. The transport control processing unit 72 holds the paper size of the paper P detected by the size detection sensor when the transport roller 44 of the image forming apparatus 1 transports the paper P.

  The storage unit 8 is a storage unit such as a semiconductor memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores image data of the document MS read by the scanner 21 as well as various management information and setting information. .

  The communication unit 9 has a function of transmitting / receiving various data to / from a peripheral device 11 such as a PC (personal computer) and another image forming apparatus 1a via a network 10 such as a LAN. The communication unit 9 is configured to be connectable to the Internet 13 via the network 10 and the router 12. The communication unit 9 has a function of transmitting / receiving various data to / from various communication devices connected to the Internet 13.

Next, an operation when a paper size mismatch occurs according to an embodiment of the present invention or a paper size mismatch setting screen for setting a paper feed destination will be described with reference to FIG. The paper size mismatch setting screen 100 is provided with an “operation setting when a paper size mismatch occurs” area 110 and a “paper supply setting when a paper size mismatch occurs” area 120.
The “operation setting when a paper size mismatch occurs” area 110 sets whether to ignore the error and continue the printing process when a paper size mismatch error occurs or to display the error and stop the printing process. . When the user ignores the error and continues the printing process, the “error ignored” area 110a of the “operation setting when paper size mismatch occurs” area 110 is selected. When the user displays an error and cancels the printing process, the “error display” area 110b of the “operation setting when paper size mismatch occurs” area 110 is selected.
The “paper feed setting when paper size mismatch occurs” area 120 sets the paper feed destination when the “ignore error” area 110a is selected in the “operation setting when paper size mismatch occurs” area 110. When the user selects the paper feed cassette 1 when the paper size mismatch occurs, the “paper feed cassette 1” area 120a in the “paper feed setting when paper size mismatch occurs” area 120 is selected and the paper feed destination is supplied. When the paper cassette 2 is selected, the “paper cassette 2” area 120b is selected. When the paper supply destination is the paper cassette 3, the “paper cassette 3” area 120c is selected. To do so, the “paper cassette 4” area 120d is selected.

Next, a print control process for detecting a paper size mismatch and controlling the print process according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the user displays the paper size mismatch setting screen 100 shown in FIG. 4 from the touch panel of the liquid crystal display unit 51, and the “error ignorance” area 110a or “error display” area of the “operation setting when paper size mismatch occurs” area 110 is displayed. 110b is selected. Further, when the user selects the “ignore error” area 110a, the “paper feed cassette 1” area 120a, the “paper feed cassette 2” area 120b, and the “paper feed setting” area 120b in the “paper feed setting when paper size mismatch occurs” area 120 are displayed. Either the “paper cassette 3” area 120c or the “paper cassette 4” area 120d is selected. Thus, the information on the area selected by the user is stored in the storage unit 8 as selection information. The setting of the paper size mismatch setting screen 100 is not performed every time the user executes the printing process, but can be set in advance when the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on, for example. Alternatively, it can be set in a nonvolatile memory.
Next, when the user sets the document MS on the document placement unit 31, sets the sheet size and the paper feed destination by the liquid crystal display unit 51 and presses the start button of the operation button 52, the control unit 7 causes the print control processing unit to 71 is activated, and the print control processing unit 71 starts the print control process. Hereinafter, description will be given in the order of steps of the print control process shown in FIG.

(Step S101)
First, the print control processing unit 71 extracts selection information of the “operation setting when a paper size mismatch occurs” area 110 and the “paper supply setting when a paper size mismatch occurs” area 120 stored in the storage unit 8.

(Step S102)
Next, the print control processing unit 71 inputs the paper size and paper feed destination set by the user from the liquid crystal display unit 51.

(Step S103)
Next, the print control processing unit 71 outputs a paper feed command to the paper feed roller 42 of the paper feed unit 41 that is the paper feed destination input in step S102. In response to this paper feed command, the paper feed roller 42 feeds the paper P from the paper feed unit 41 to the paper transport path 43 one by one, and the transport roller 44 transports the paper P.

(Step S104)
Next, the print control processing unit 71 inputs the paper size of the paper P detected by the size detection sensor from the transport control processing unit 72 when the transport roller 44 transports the paper P.

(Step S105)
Next, the print control processing unit 71 compares the paper size input in step S102 with the paper size input from the transport control processing unit 72 in step S104 and determines whether a paper size mismatch has occurred. If a paper size mismatch has occurred (Yes in step S105), the process proceeds to step S106. If no paper size mismatch has occurred (No in step S105), the process proceeds to step S109.

(Step S106)
In step S105, the print control processing unit 71 determines whether the “error ignorance” area 110a is selected in the “operation setting when paper size mismatch occurs” area 110 based on the selection information extracted in step S101. When the “ignore error” area 110a is selected (Yes in step S106), the process proceeds to step S107. When the “error display” area 110b is selected instead of the “ignore error” area 110a (No in step S106), the process proceeds to step S108.

(Step S107)
In step S106, the print control processing unit 71 determines that the “paper feed cassette 1” area 120a, the “paper feed cassette 2” area 120b, and “feed” are selected in the “paper feed setting when paper size mismatch occurs” area 120. A paper feed command is output to the paper feed roller 42 of the paper feed unit 41 corresponding to the “paper cassette 3” area 120c or the “paper cassette 4” area 120d, and the print control process is terminated. In response to this paper feed command, the paper feed roller 42 feeds the paper P from the paper feed unit 41 to the paper transport path 43 one by one, and the transport roller 44 transports the paper P.

(Step S108)
In step S106, the print control processing unit 71 outputs a command to stop the print process to the print engine, and the print control process ends.

(Step S109)
In step S105 No, the print control processing unit 71 outputs a command to continue the print process to the print engine, and ends the print control process.

  As described above, when the paper size set by the user is different from the paper size detected by the size detection sensor when the transport roller 44 of the paper feed unit 41 that is the paper feed destination set by the user transports the paper P, the paper size Based on the selection information on the mismatch setting screen 100, it is determined whether the “ignore error” area 110 a is selected in the “operation setting when a paper size mismatch occurs” area 110. The “ignore error” area 110a is selected, and the “paper feed cassette 1” area 120a, “paper feed cassette 2” area 120b, and “paper feed cassette 3” area in the “paper feed setting when paper size mismatch occurs” area 120 When either the 120c or the “paper cassette 4” area 120d is selected, the selected “paper cassette 1” area 120a, “paper cassette 2” area 120b, and “paper cassette 3” area 120c are selected. Alternatively, a paper feed command is output to the paper feed roller 42 of the paper feed unit 41 corresponding to the “paper feed cassette 4” area 120d. As a result, for example, the “paper cassette 4” area 120d is selected, and the front surface of the paper cassette 41 corresponding to the “paper cassette 4” 120d is used and the back surface is not used. By storing inexpensive paper (hereinafter referred to as “back paper”), it is possible to reduce paper waste due to printing of normal paper P when a paper size mismatch occurs. Further, since the printing process is continued by printing on the back paper or inexpensive paper, other users can continue to use the image forming apparatus 1.

  In the embodiment, the user sets the paper feed destination from the liquid crystal display unit 51. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the image forming apparatus 1 has a function capable of automatically determining the paper size of the paper P stored in the paper feed cassette of the paper feed unit 41, the user selects a paper feed destination from the liquid crystal display unit 51. Set only paper size without setting. However, even in such an image forming apparatus 1, there is a case where there is no paper feed cassette in which the paper P of the paper size set by the user is stored or the paper P is not stored in the paper feed cassette. Even in such a case, by feeding paper from the paper cassette selected from the paper size mismatch setting screen 100, waste of paper due to printing of normal paper P can be prevented, and other users can use images. The forming apparatus 1 can continue to be used.

  In the paper size mismatch setting screen 100 according to the embodiment, only the paper feed cassette can be selected in the “paper feed setting when paper size mismatch occurs” area 120, but the manual feed tray 40 can also be selected. In this case, by placing a backing paper or inexpensive paper on the manual feed tray 40, a paper size mismatch occurs when the manual feed tray 40 is selected, or the paper P of the paper size set by the user is stored. When there is no paper feed cassette that is being used, printing can be performed on a backing paper set on the manual feed tray 40 or an inexpensive paper.

  In the embodiment, the user operates the touch panel of the liquid crystal display unit 51 to display the paper size mismatch setting screen 100. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the print driver of the image forming apparatus 1 is mounted on the peripheral device 11 such as a PC shown in FIG. 3, and the user displays the paper size mismatch setting screen 100 on the display panel of the peripheral device 11 using the print driver. Then, the selection information selected by the user from the “operation setting when a paper size mismatch occurs” area 110 and the “paper feeding setting when a paper size mismatch occurs” area 120 is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 and a print request is formed. It is also possible to transmit to the device 1.

  In such an image forming apparatus of the present invention, when a paper size mismatch occurs, another user can continue to use the image forming apparatus by continuing the printing process, and the paper size set by the user Waste of printing paper due to printing on different paper sizes can be reduced.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated by specific embodiment, it cannot be overemphasized that the said embodiment is an illustration of this invention and is not limited to this embodiment.

  The present invention is suitable for an image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to an image forming apparatus, and can be applied to a general apparatus including an apparatus and a process for discharging or conveying paper.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus 1a ... Image forming apparatus 2 ... Document reading part 3 ... Document feeding part 4 ... Body part 5 ... Operation unit 6 ... Recording unit 7 ... Control unit 8 ... Storage unit 9 ... Communication unit 10 ... Network 11 ... Peripheral device 12 ...... Router 13 ... Internet 21 ... Scanner 22 ... Platen glass 23 ... Original reading slit 24 ... Light source 25 ... Light receiving unit 31... Document placing unit 32... Document discharge unit 33... Document transport mechanism 40 .. Manual feed tray 41. ... Feeding roller 43 ... Paper transport path 44 ... Conveying roller 45 ... Discharge roller 46 ... ... Discharge space 51 ... Liquid crystal display part 52 ... Operation buttons 61 ... Photoconductor drum 62 ... Charging part 63 ... Exposure part 64 ... ... Image forming section 65 ... Transfer section 66 ... Fixing section 67 ... Cleaning section 71 ... Print control processing section 72 ... Conveyance control processing section 100... Paper size mismatch setting screen 110... “Operation setting when paper size mismatch occurs” area 110 a... “Ignore error” area 110 b. ... “Paper size mismatch occurrence paper feed setting” area 120 a... “Paper feed cassette 1” area 120 b... “Paper feed cassette 2” area 120 c. "Area 120d ..." Feeding Set 4 "area

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper feed destinations,
A paper size setting means for setting the paper size;
Paper size detection means for detecting the actual paper size conveyed from the paper supply destination;
A paper size comparison means for comparing the paper size of the paper size setting means and the paper size of the paper size detection means,
An image forming apparatus, wherein when the paper size comparing unit determines that the paper sizes are different, the paper is taken out from another selected paper feed destination. A printing process selection means for selecting either printing process continuation or printing process cancellation;
When the paper size comparison unit determines that the paper sizes are different and the print processing selection unit selects the print processing continuation, the paper is taken out from the selected other paper feed destination. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. Paper detection means for detecting whether the paper of the paper size is stored in the paper supply destination;
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the paper of the paper size is not stored in the paper feeding destination, the paper is taken out from the selected other paper feeding destination. .   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising another paper source selection unit that can select the other paper source.   5. The image formation according to claim 1, wherein the paper supply destination from which the paper is taken out and the other paper supply destination are a plurality of paper supply cassettes and a manual feed tray. 6. apparatus.

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