JP2016168774A - Image formation apparatus, control method and program of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation apparatus capable of starting print processing promptly.SOLUTION: An MFP 101 as an image formation apparatus comprises a sheet feeding tray 201 and a printer controller 210. When a recording medium type flag indicating "FALSE" is stored in an HDD 112 and then printing is instructed to the printer controller 210 in a case where attachment/detachment of the sheet feeding tray 201 is detected, recording medium specification processing for specifying the type of a recording medium stored in the sheet feeding tray 201 is executed. When printing is instructed to the printer controller 210 and a recording medium type flag indicating "TRUE" is stored in the HDD 112 in a case where attachment/detachment of the sheet feeding tray 201 is not detected, the recording medium specification processing is not executed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a control method for the apparatus, and a program.

  Conventionally, in order to reduce power consumption, a plurality of power modes, for example, a normal mode in which power is supplied to all components, a power saving mode in which power is not supplied to at least some of the components, and all components An image forming apparatus having a sleep mode in which power is not supplied is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 switches the power mode to the power saving mode or the sleep mode when no operation is performed during a predetermined time in the normal mode, and some operation is performed in the power saving mode or the sleep mode. When the power mode is switched, the power mode is switched to the normal mode.

  In recent years, recording media used for printing, such as recording paper, have been diversified. In order to obtain a printed product satisfying a certain quality regardless of which recording medium is used for printing, the type of the recording medium used for printing is detected by a sensor, and the toner is detected according to the detected type of the recording medium. There is known an image forming apparatus that sets printing conditions such as a fixing temperature and a conveyance speed of a recording paper, and executes a printing process based on the set printing conditions (for example, see Patent Document 2).

  Furthermore, an image forming apparatus including a sensor that detects attachment / detachment of a paper feed tray that stores a print medium is known (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

  By the way, when the power mode is switched from the normal mode to the sleep mode, power is not supplied to the sensor that detects the attachment / detachment of the paper feed tray, so that the removal / attachment of the tray in the sleep mode is not detected. As a result, the type of the recording medium is changed in the image forming apparatus even if the user removes the paper feeding tray during the sleep mode and replaces the recording medium stored in the paper feeding tray with a different type of recording medium. Cannot be detected. Correspondingly, the type of the recording medium is automatically detected when the power mode of the image forming apparatus is switched from the sleep mode to the normal mode.

JP 2014-104654 A JP 2002-182518 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2015-022144

  However, since it takes a certain time to detect the type of the recording medium used for printing by the sensor, there is a problem that the printing process is not started quickly when the power mode is switched from the sleep mode to the normal mode. there were.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of quickly starting a printing process, a control method for the apparatus, and a program.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention has a detection unit that detects the detachment of a storage unit that stores a recording medium, and the detection unit detects the detachment of a storage unit that stores the recording medium. And a recording medium type determining means for determining the type of the recording medium and not determining the type of the recording medium when the detecting means does not detect the detachment of the storage unit storing the recording medium. And

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus including a plurality of storage units for storing recording media, the detection unit detecting the detachment of each of the storage units, and the detachment is detected. And a recording medium type discriminating means for discriminating the type of the recording medium stored in the storage unit and not discriminating the type of the recording medium stored in the storage unit in which the detachment is not detected.

  According to the present invention, the printing process can be started quickly.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of an MFP as an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram used for explaining an internal configuration of the printer in FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of image forming processing executed by a printer controller in FIG. 2. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the electric power supply stop process performed by CPU in FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of power supply restart processing for restarting power supply to each component of the MFP whose power supply has been stopped by the power supply stop processing of FIG. 4. FIG. 10 is a diagram used for explaining an internal configuration of a printer included in an MFP as an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram used for explaining control of power to each component of the printer in FIG. 6. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of storage processing for storing automatic discrimination mode setting information of each paper feed tray stored in the HDD in FIG. 1 in each memory in FIG. 6. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a determination processing procedure for determining whether or not to stop power supply to the printer of FIG. 7.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of MFP 101 as an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  1 includes a control unit 102, an operation unit 103, a printer 104, a scanner 105, a modem 106, a power supply control unit 107, and an AC power supply 108. The control unit 102 includes a CPU 109, a ROM 110, a RAM 111, an HDD 112, a power control unit I / F 113, an operation unit I / F 114, a printer I / F 115, a scanner I / F 116, a modem I / F 117, and a network I / F 118. These components are connected to each other via a bus 119. The power control unit I / F 113 connects the control unit 102 and the power control unit 107, the operation unit I / F 114 connects the control unit 102 and the operation unit 103, and the printer I / F 115 connects the control unit 102 and the printer 104. The scanner I / F 116 connects the control unit 102 and the scanner 105, the modem I / F 117 connects the control unit 102 and the modem 106, and the network I / F 118 connects the control unit 102 and the network 120.

  The operation unit 103 includes a hard key and an operation panel, and the user inputs an instruction to the MFP 101 by operating the hard key and the operation panel. The scanner 105 reads an original and generates image data corresponding to the original, and the printer 104 prints the image data generated by the scanner 105 on a recording sheet, for example. The modem 106 inputs information from an external device connected via a public line (not shown), or outputs information to the external device. The power control unit 107 converts AC power supplied from the AC power source 108 into DC power. In addition, the power control unit 107 controls power supplied to each component of the MFP 101.

  The MFP 101 has a plurality of power modes in order to reduce power consumption, and the power supply control unit 107 is a normal mode in which power is supplied to all the components included in the MFP 101, and power is not supplied to at least some of the components. The power mode and the sleep mode in which no power is supplied to all the components are switched to each other, and the power supplied to each component of the MFP 101 is controlled according to each power mode. In this embodiment, the power saving mode is an operation unit power saving mode in which only the power supply to the operation unit 103 is stopped, and a super power saving mode in which the power supply to the operation unit 103, the printer 104, and the scanner 105 is stopped. It is assumed that there are two types of modes.

  The CPU 109 reads out the program stored in the ROM 110 to the RAM 111 and executes it, and controls each component of the MFP 101. The ROM 110 is a non-volatile memory that cannot be overwritten. A RAM 111 is a system work memory of the CPU 109. The RAM 111 stores various programs and image data. The HDD 112 is a non-volatile storage device, and various programs and various data, for example, image data input from an external device on the network 120, and an automatic determination mode for automatically determining the type of recording medium are set in the MFP 101. The automatic discrimination mode setting information indicating whether or not the recording medium has been set, or the recording medium type flag is stored. When the automatic determination mode is not set in the MFP 101, the user designates the type of recording medium stored in the paper feed trays 201 and 602 in advance.

  The recording medium type flag is supplied when the type of the recording medium stored in a paper feed tray 201, 602 (storage unit) described later is automatically detected when the automatic discrimination mode is set to the MFP 101, or by the user. When the type of the recording medium stored in the paper trays 201 and 602 is specified, “TRUE” is displayed when the type of the recording medium stored in the paper feed trays 201 and 602 is specified. “FALSE” is indicated when the type is not specified.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram used to explain the internal configuration of the printer 104 in FIG.

  2 includes a paper feed tray 201, a paper feed roller 202, a paper feed tray detachment sensor 203 (detection means), a transfer belt 204, photosensitive drums 205Y, 205M, 205C, and 205K, and transfer rollers 206Y, 206M, 206C, and 206K. Toner cartridges 207Y, 207M, 207C, and 207K, optical units 208Y, 208M, 208C, and 208K, a fixing unit 209, a printer controller 210, and a recording paper type determination sensor 211, and the printer controller 210 includes a memory 210a.

  The paper feed tray 201 stores recording paper S as a recording medium. A paper feed roller 202 feeds the recording paper S into the printer 104. A paper feed tray attachment / detachment sensor 203 detects the attachment / detachment of the paper feed tray 201. The optical units 208Y, 208M, 208C, and 208K are charged photosensitive drums 205Y and 205M with laser beams corresponding to yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) colors in the image data. , 205C, 205K. As a result, electrostatic latent images are formed on the photosensitive drums 205Y, 205M, 205C, and 205K, and the electrostatic latent images are developed by toner supplied from the toner cartridges 207Y, 207M, 207C, and 207K and a developing device (not shown). Then, toner images are generated on the photosensitive drums 205Y, 205M, 205C, and 205K.

  The generated toner image is transferred to the transfer belt 204, and the toner image transferred to the transfer belt 204 is recorded when the recording paper S fed into the printer 104 passes through the transfer rollers 206Y, 206M, 206C, and 206K. Transferred to the paper S. The toner image transferred to the recording paper S is fixed on the recording paper S by the fixing unit 209. Thereafter, the recording sheet S is discharged outside the printer 104. The printer controller 210 controls a series of processes (hereinafter referred to as “image forming process”) from when the recording sheet S is fed into the printer 104 to when the recording sheet S is discharged to the outside of the printer 104.

  The recording paper type discrimination sensor 211 detects the size, smoothness, reflected light amount, or transmitted light amount (hereinafter referred to as “type specifying item”) of the recording medium. Note that the CPU 109 (recording medium type determining means) uses a type specifying item to specify the type of the recording medium. For example, the type specifying item for each type of the recording medium stored in advance in the HDD 112 and the recording sheet type determining sensor. A recording medium specifying process for specifying the type of the recording sheet S is executed by comparing with the type specifying item of the recording sheet S detected in 211.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of image forming processing executed by the printer controller 210 in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram used to explain the operation of the printer 104 when the power mode of the MFP 101 is in the normal mode.

  In FIG. 3, first, when the user turns on the power of the MFP 101, the power mode of the MFP 101 is in the normal mode, or the power control unit 107 changes the power mode from the super power saving mode or the sleep mode to the normal mode. When switching, the power control unit 107 supplies power to the printer 104 (step S301), and the printer controller 210 stores a recording medium type flag indicating “FALSE” in the HDD 112 (step S302). Next, it is determined whether or not the control unit 102 has instructed printing to the printer controller 210 (step S303).

  As a result of the determination in step S303, when the control unit 102 instructs the printer controller 210 to print, it is determined whether or not the automatic determination mode is set in the MFP 101 (step S304). As a result of the determination in step S304, when the automatic determination mode is not set to the MFP 101, the type of the recording medium designated by the user is acquired (step S305), and the printing condition is determined according to the type of the recording medium (step S305). In step S306, the recording medium is fed from the paper feed tray 201 into the printer 104 (step S307), image forming processing is executed (step S308), and the process returns to step S303. As a result of the determination in step S304, when the automatic determination mode is set to the MFP 101, it is determined whether or not the recording medium type flag indicating “TRUE” is stored in the HDD 112 (step S309).

  As a result of the determination in step S309, when the recording medium type flag indicating “TRUE” is stored in the HDD 112, the process proceeds to step S306, and when the recording medium type flag indicating “FALSE” is stored in the HDD 112, the default The printing conditions are set in the MFP 101 (step S310), the recording medium is fed from the paper feed tray 201 into the printer 104 (step S311), and the recording paper type discrimination sensor 211 detects the type specifying item (step S312). The CPU 109 executes a recording medium specifying process to specify the type of the recording medium (step S313). Next, the printer controller 210 changes the recording medium type flag indicating “FALSE” to the recording medium type flag indicating “TRUE” and stores it in the HDD 112 (step S314), and according to the type of the recording medium specified in step S313. The printing conditions are determined (step S315), and the process proceeds to step S307.

  If the result of determination in step S303 is that the control unit 102 has not instructed the printer controller 210 to print, whether or not the control unit 102 has instructed the printer controller 210 to shift the power mode to the sleep mode or the super power saving mode. Is determined (step S316). As a result of the determination in step S316, when the control unit 102 instructs the printer controller 210 to shift the power mode to the sleep mode or the super power saving mode, the printer controller 210 shifts to the sleep mode or the super power saving mode (step S316). In step S317, the control unit 102 is notified that the transition to the sleep mode or the super power saving mode has been completed (step S318), and the process ends.

  When the control unit 102 does not instruct the printer controller 210 to shift the power mode to the sleep mode or the super power saving mode, it is determined whether or not the paper feed tray attachment / detachment sensor 203 detects the attachment / detachment of the paper feed tray 201. (Step S319).

  As a result of the determination in step S319, when the paper feed tray attachment / detachment sensor 203 has not detected attachment / detachment of the paper feed tray 201, the process returns to step S303, and when the paper feed tray attachment / detachment sensor 203 detects attachment / detachment of the paper feed tray 201, A recording medium type flag indicating “FALSE” is stored in the HDD 112 (step S320), default printing conditions are set in the MFP 101 (step S321), and the process returns to step S303.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of power supply stop processing executed by the CPU 109 in FIG.

  In FIG. 4, first, the user turns on the power of the MFP 101, the power control unit 107 supplies power to each component of the MFP 101 (step S401), and the CPU 109 starts timing by the sleep timer (step S402). It is determined whether or not the set time has elapsed (step S403). As a result of the determination in step S403, it is determined whether or not the automatic determination mode is set in the MFP 101 when a preset time has elapsed (step S404). It is determined whether or not an instruction to shift to the power mode or the sleep mode is given (step S405).

  As a result of the determination in step S405, when the shift to the power saving mode or the sleep mode is instructed, the process proceeds to step S404, and when the shift to the power saving mode or the sleep mode is not instructed, the execution of the print job is instructed. It is determined whether or not (step S406).

  If the execution of the print job is not instructed as a result of the determination in step S406, the process returns to step S403. When the execution of the print job is instructed, the print job is executed (step S407), and the sleep timer is reset ( Step S408) Proceed to step S403.

  As a result of the determination in step S404, when the automatic determination mode is set to the MFP 101, the operation unit power saving mode is set in the MFP 101 (step S409), and the supply of power to the operation unit 103 is stopped (step S410). When the automatic determination mode is not set in the MFP 101, the sleep mode or the super power saving mode is set in the MFP 101 (step S411), the supply of power to the scanner 105 is stopped (step S412), and the process proceeds to step S410.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the power saving mode set in the MFP 101 is the super power saving mode (step S413). As a result of the determination in step S413, when the power saving mode set for the MFP 101 is the operation unit power saving mode, this process is terminated. When the power saving mode set for the MFP 101 is the super power saving mode, the printer controller A transition request for shifting the power mode to the sleep mode or the super power saving mode is transmitted to 210 (step S414), and a completion response indicating that preparation for the transition to the sleep mode or the super power saving mode is completed is received from the printer controller 210. Then, the supply of power to the printer 104 is stopped (step S415), and this process ends.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of power supply restart processing for restarting power supply to each component of the MFP 101 whose power supply has been stopped by the power supply stop processing of FIG. The processing in FIG. 5 is executed by the CPU 109.

  In FIG. 5, first, it is determined whether or not a switching request for switching the sleep mode, the operation unit power saving mode, or the super power saving mode to the normal mode has been received (step S501). If the result of determination in step S501 is that a switching request has not been received, it is determined whether or not the power mode is the operation unit power saving mode (step S502). As a result of the determination in step S502, when the power mode is not the operation unit power saving mode, the process returns to step S501. When the power mode is the operation unit power saving mode, the paper feed tray removal sensor 203 detects the removal of the paper feed tray 201. Whether or not (step S503).

  As a result of the determination in step S503, when the paper feed tray attachment / detachment sensor 203 has not detected attachment / detachment of the paper feed tray 201, the process returns to step S501, and when the paper feed tray attachment / detachment sensor 203 detects attachment / detachment of the paper feed tray 201, In order to switch the power mode to the super power saving mode, a transition request for shifting the power mode to the super power saving mode is transmitted to the printer controller 210 (step S504), and preparation for the transition from the printer controller 210 to the super power saving mode is completed. Upon receipt of the completion response to the effect, the supply of power to the printer 104 is stopped (step S505), and the process returns to step S501.

  As a result of the determination in step S501, when a switching request is accepted, power is supplied to the operation unit 103 (step S506), power is supplied to the scanner 105 (step S507), and the power mode is the operation unit power saving mode. It is determined whether or not (step S508). As a result of the determination in step S509, when the power mode is the operation unit power saving mode, this process is terminated. When the power mode is the super power saving mode, power is supplied to the printer 104 (step S509). Exit.

  According to the process of FIG. 3, when the attachment / detachment of the paper feed tray 201 is detected (YES in step S319), the recording medium type flag indicating “FALSE” is stored in the HDD 112 (step S320), and then the printer controller 210. When printing is instructed (YES in step S303), a recording medium specifying process is executed to specify the type of the recording medium (step S313). On the other hand, when the attachment / detachment of the paper feed tray 201 is not detected (NO in step S319), when the printer controller 210 is instructed to print (YES in step S303), the recording medium type flag indicating “TRUE” is stored in the HDD 112. If it is stored (YES in step S309), the recording medium specifying process that requires a certain time is not executed. As a result, not only when there is a possibility that the recording medium stored in the paper feed tray 201 has been changed due to the detection of the paper feed tray 201 being removed, but when the removal of the paper feed tray 201 is not detected, that is, Even when there is no possibility that the recording medium stored in the paper feed tray 201 has been changed, it is possible to prevent the type of the recording medium from being detected, so that the printing process can be started quickly. .

  When the attachment / detachment of the paper feed tray 201 is detected (YES in step S319), the recording medium type flag indicating “FALSE” is stored in the HDD 112 (step S320), and the automatic determination mode is set to the MFP 101. (YES in step S304), the recording medium specifying process is executed to specify the type of the recording medium (step S313). Therefore, when the user does not set the automatic determination mode, that is, the user sets the recording medium type in advance to the MFP 101. In this case, it is possible to prevent the print condition from being set according to a type different from the type of the recording medium preset by the user when the type of the recording medium is newly detected.

  Further, according to the processing of FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, when the power supply mode is the operation unit power saving mode (YES in step S502) and the attachment / detachment of the paper feed tray 201 is detected (YES in step S503), the printer When the supply of power to 104 is stopped (step S505) and the power mode shifts to the normal mode, the recording medium specifying process is executed to specify the type of the recording medium (step S313). Therefore, even if the supply of power to the printer 104 is continued or not after the removal of the paper feed tray 201 is detected, the supply of power to the printer 104 is resumed and the recording medium specifying process is performed again. Since there is no change in the execution, unnecessary power consumption can be reduced by once stopping the supply of power to the printer 104.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The configuration and operation of the second embodiment of the present invention are basically the same as those of the first embodiment described above, and there are a plurality of paper feed trays that supply recording media inside the MFP 101. Different from the first embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the description of the duplicated configuration and operation will be omitted, and a description of the different configuration and operation will be given.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram used to describe the internal configuration of the printer 104 provided in the MFP 101 as the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The printer 104 in FIG. 6 includes a plurality of paper feed trays. In this embodiment, the printer 104 includes a paper feed tray 602 described later in addition to the paper feed tray 201.

  6 includes an optional sheet feeding unit 601 in addition to the components of the printer 104 in FIG. 2, and the optional sheet feeding unit 601 includes a sheet feeding tray 602, a sheet feeding roller 603, a sheet feeding tray attachment / detachment sensor 604, The option controller 605 includes a memory 605a.

  A paper feed tray 602 stores recording paper T as a recording medium. A paper feed roller 603 feeds the recording paper T into the printer 104. A paper feed tray attachment / detachment sensor 604 detects attachment / detachment of the paper feed tray 602. An option controller 605 controls the operation of the option paper feed unit 601. As in the first embodiment, automatic discrimination mode setting information indicating whether or not the automatic discrimination mode is set is stored in the HDD 112. In the second embodiment, automatic discrimination for each paper feed tray is performed. It is assumed that mode setting information is stored in the HDD 112. Further, in the second embodiment, it is assumed that the HDD 112 stores a recording medium type flag for each paper feed tray as in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram used for explaining control of power to each component of the printer 104 in FIG.

  7 includes a paper feed tray attachment / detachment sensor 203, a printer controller 210, a recording paper type discrimination sensor 211, an optional paper feed unit 601, a printer power source 701, a control unit I / F 702, various printer motors 703, and a printer power supply control unit. The optional sheet feeding unit 601 includes a sheet feeding tray attachment / detachment sensor 604, an option controller 605, a recording sheet type determination sensor 705, various optional motors 706, and an optional power supply control unit 707.

  The printer power supply 701 supplies the power supplied from the power control unit 107 to the printer 104 to each component of the printer 104. A control unit I / F 702 connects the control unit 102 and the printer 104. Various printer motors 703 are various motors for driving each component of the printer 104. For example, a paper feed motor (not shown) for driving the paper feed rollers 202 and 603, and a transfer belt drive motor for driving the transfer belt 204 are provided. (Not shown), a photosensitive drum drive motor (not shown) for driving the photosensitive drums 205Y, 205M, 205C, and 205K.

  A printer power supply control unit 704 controls power supplied to the paper feed tray attachment / detachment sensor 203, the recording paper type determination sensor 211, and various printer motors 703. Specifically, the printer power supply control unit 704 supplies power to each of the paper feed tray attachment / detachment sensor 203, the recording paper type determination sensor 211, and various printer motors 703 based on the printer power supply control signal 708 input from the printer controller 210. Or power supply is stopped.

  The recording paper type discrimination sensor 705 detects the type specifying matter of the recording paper T. Various optional motors 706 are various motors for driving each component of the optional paper feeding unit 601. The optional power supply control unit 707 controls the power supplied to the paper feed tray attachment / detachment sensor 604, the recording paper type determination sensor 705, and the various optional motors 706. Specifically, the option power supply control unit 707 supplies power to each of the paper feed tray attachment / detachment sensor 604, the recording paper type determination sensor 705, and the various optional motors 706 based on the option power supply control signal 709 input from the option controller 605. Or power supply to each of them is stopped.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of storage processing for storing the automatic discrimination mode setting information of the paper feed trays 201 and 602 stored in the HDD 112 in FIG. 1 in the memories 210a and 605a in FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of storage processing executed by the CPU 109 in FIG. 1, and FIG. 8B is a flowchart showing a procedure of storage processing executed by the printer controller 210 in FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of storage processing executed by an option controller 605 in FIG. 6.

  In FIG. 8, first, when the user turns on the MFP 101, the power control unit 107 supplies power to the printer 104, and the CPU 109, the printer controller 210, and the option controller 605 are activated (steps S801, S811, and S821). The printer controller 210 stores the recording medium type flag of the paper feed trays 201 and 602 indicating “FALSE” in the HDD 112 (step S812).

  Next, the CPU 109 reads out the automatic discrimination mode setting information of the paper feed tray 201 from the HDD 112 and also reads out the automatic discrimination mode setting information of the paper feed tray 602 from the HDD 112 (step S802). The automatic discrimination mode setting information of the paper feed tray 602 is transmitted to the printer 104 (step S803).

  The printer controller 210 receives the automatic discrimination mode setting information of the paper feed tray 201 and the automatic discrimination mode setting information of the paper feed tray 602 (step S813), and the automatic discrimination mode setting information of the paper feed tray 201 and the automatic of the paper feed tray 602 are received. The discrimination mode setting information is stored in the memory 210a (step S814), and the automatic discrimination mode setting information of the paper feed tray 602 is transmitted to the option controller 605 (step S815).

  The option controller 605 receives the automatic discrimination mode setting information for the paper feed tray 602 (step S822), stores the automatic discrimination mode setting information for the paper feed tray 602 in the memory 605a (step S823), and ends this processing.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a determination processing procedure for determining whether or not to stop power supply to the printer 104 in FIG. 7, and FIG. 9A shows a determination processing executed by the CPU 109 in FIG. FIG. 9B is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of determination processing executed by the printer controller 210 in FIG. 7, and FIG. 9C is a storage executed by the option controller 605 in FIG. 7. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a process.

  In FIG. 9, first, when the CPU 109 shifts the power mode of the MFP 101 to the sleep mode, the CPU 109 confirms the respective automatic determination mode setting information of the paper feed trays 201 and 602 (step S <b> 901), and both the paper feed trays 201 and 602. Whether or not the automatic discrimination mode is set is discriminated (step S902). When the automatic discrimination mode is set for both the paper feed trays 201 and 602 as a result of the discrimination in step S902, the supply of power to the operation unit 103 is stopped (step S906), and the supply of power to the scanner 105 is stopped. If the automatic determination mode is not set for at least one of the paper feed trays 201 and 602, a request for shifting to the sleep mode or the super power saving mode is sent to the printer controller 210 and the option. The data is transmitted to the controller 605 (step S903).

  The printer controller 210 receives a request for transition to the sleep mode or the super power saving mode from the CPU 109 (step S911), and transmits a request for transition to the sleep mode or the super power saving mode to the option controller 605 (step S912). A step 605 receives a request for shifting to the sleep mode or the super power saving mode from the printer controller 210 (step S921). The printer controller 210 determines whether or not the automatic discrimination mode is set for the paper feed tray 201, and the option controller 605 determines whether or not the automatic discrimination mode is set for the paper feed tray 602 (steps S913 and S922). ).

  As a result of the determination in steps S913 and S922, when the automatic determination mode is not set for the paper feed trays 201 and 602, the supply of power to the paper feed tray attachment / detachment sensors 203 and 604 is stopped (steps S914 and S923), and recording is performed. When the supply of power to the paper type discrimination sensors 211 and 705 is stopped (steps S915 and S924) and the automatic discrimination mode is set for the paper feed trays 201 and 602, steps S914 and S923 are skipped, and step S915 is entered. The process proceeds to S924.

  Thereafter, the printer controller 210 and option controller 605 stop supplying power to the printer motors 703 and option motors 706 (steps S916 and S925), and the response indicating that the option controller 605 is ready to shift to the power mode. (Hereinafter, referred to as “option transfer preparation completion response”) is transmitted to the printer controller 210 (step S926), and the printer controller 210 receives an option transfer preparation completion response (step S917), and preparation for shifting to the power mode is completed. A response to the effect (hereinafter referred to as “printer migration preparation completion response”) and an option migration preparation completion response are transmitted to the CPU 109 (step S918).

  The CPU 109 receives the printer transfer preparation completion response and the option transfer preparation completion response (step S903), and determines whether or not the automatic determination mode is set for both the paper feed trays 201 and 602 (step S904). As a result of the determination in step S904, when the automatic determination mode is not set for both the paper feed trays 201 and 602, the supply of power to the printer 104 is stopped (step S905), and the process proceeds to step S906. , 602, when the automatic discrimination mode is set, step S905 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S906.

  That is, when the automatic determination mode is set for both of the paper feed trays 201 and 602 (YES in step S902), the MFP 101 shifts to the operation unit power saving mode. In the present embodiment, even after the MFP 101 shifts to the operation unit power saving mode, the power supply to the printer 104 is continued, and when the paper feed trays 201 and 602 are removed, the paper feed tray attachment / detachment sensor 203, Since 604 can detect the attachment / detachment of the sheet feed trays 201, 602, when the attachment / detachment of the sheet feed trays 201, 602 is not detected, the recording sheets S, T of the sheet feed trays 201, 602 are of different types. There is no possibility that the recording sheets S and T have been replaced. Therefore, when the MFP 101 returns from the operation unit power saving mode to the normal mode, the CPU 109 may execute the recording medium specifying process for the paper feed trays 201 and 602 in which the attachment / detachment is detected.

  When the automatic determination mode is not set for both the paper feed trays 201 and 602 (YES in step S904), the MFP 101 shifts to the super power saving mode. In this embodiment, when the MFP 101 shifts to the super power saving mode, the power supply to the printer 104 is stopped, and the paper feed tray attachment / detachment sensors 203 and 604 can detect the attachment / detachment of the paper feed trays 201 and 602. Therefore, even if the attachment / detachment of the paper feed trays 201 and 602 is not detected, there is a possibility that the recording papers S and T in the paper feed trays 201 and 602 may be replaced with different types of recording papers S and T. It is done. Therefore, the CPU 109 always executes the recording medium specifying process when the MFP 101 returns to the normal mode.

  Furthermore, when the automatic discrimination mode is set for at least one of the paper feed trays 201 and 602 (NO in step S904), the MFP 101 shifts to the operation unit power saving mode, and the printer controller 210 and the option controller 605 automatically discriminate. Power is supplied to the paper feed tray attachment / detachment sensors 203 and 604 corresponding to the paper feed trays 201 and 602 for which the mode is set (YES in step S913 or YES in step S922), and the paper supply for which the automatic discrimination mode is not set No power is supplied to the paper feed tray attachment / detachment sensors 203 and 604 corresponding to the paper trays 201 and 602 (NO in step S913 or NO in step S922). In other words, the paper feed tray attachment / detachment sensors 203 and 604 corresponding to the paper feed trays 201 and 602 for which the automatic determination mode is set are the paper feed trays 201 and 602 even after the MFP 101 has shifted to the operation unit power saving mode. Can be detected. Therefore, when the paper feed tray attachment / detachment sensors 203 and 604 corresponding to the paper feed trays 201 and 602 for which the automatic determination mode is set do not detect the attachment / detachment of the paper feed trays 201 and 602, the MFP 101 returns to the normal mode. In this case, it is not necessary to execute the recording medium specifying process. On the other hand, the paper feed tray attachment / detachment sensors 203 and 604 corresponding to the paper feed trays 201 and 602 for which the automatic determination mode is not set remove the paper feed trays 201 and 602 after the MFP 101 shifts to the operation unit power saving mode. Since it cannot be detected, the paper feed tray attachment / detachment sensors 203 and 604 corresponding to the paper feed trays 201 and 602 for which the automatic discrimination mode is not set are not detecting the attachment / detachment of the paper feed trays 201 and 602. In addition, it is necessary to execute the recording medium specifying process when the MFP 101 returns to the normal mode. As a result, the MFP 101 enters the normal mode only when the paper feed tray attachment / detachment sensors 203 and 604 corresponding to the paper feed trays 201 and 602 for which the automatic discrimination mode is set do not detect the paper feed trays 201 and 602. Execution of the recording medium specifying process can be omitted when returning.

  According to the process in FIG. 9, the same effects as those in the processes in FIGS. 3 to 5 can be obtained for each paper feed tray.

  The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read the program. It can also be realized by processing executed in the above. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

S, T recording medium 101 MFP
109 CPU
201, 602 Paper feed tray 203, 604 Paper feed tray attachment / detachment sensor 210 Printer controller 211, 705 Recording paper type discrimination sensor 605 Option controller

Claims (9)

Detecting means for detecting detachment of the storage unit for storing the recording medium;
When the detection unit detects the detachment of the storage unit storing the recording medium, the type of the recording medium is determined, and when the detection unit does not detect the detachment of the storage unit storing the recording medium, An image forming apparatus comprising: a recording medium type determining unit that does not determine a type of the recording medium. Further comprising a setting means for setting an automatic determination mode for automatically determining the type of the recording medium
2. The image according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium type determining unit determines the type of the recording medium when the automatic determination mode is set and when a detachment of a storage unit storing the recording medium is detected. Forming equipment. A power supply means for supplying power to the recording medium type determination means;
The power supply unit stops supplying power to the recording medium type determination unit when the removal of the storage unit is detected, and the recording medium is supplied from the storage unit to the inside of the image forming apparatus. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium type determining unit determines the type of the recording medium when the supply of power to the recording medium type determining unit is restarted. An image forming apparatus including a plurality of storage units for storing recording media,
Detecting means for detecting attachment / detachment of each of the storage units;
A recording medium type determining unit that determines a type of a recording medium stored in the storage unit in which the detachment is detected and does not determine a type of recording medium stored in the storage unit in which the detachment is not detected. An image forming apparatus. Further comprising setting means for setting in each storage unit an automatic discrimination mode for automatically detecting the type of the recording medium,
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the recording medium type determining unit detects the type of the recording medium stored in the storage unit in which the automatic determination mode is set and the detachment is detected. A detection step of detecting the detachment of the storage unit for storing the recording medium;
When detachment of the storage unit storing the recording medium is detected in the detection step, the type of the recording medium is determined, and when detachment of the storage unit storing the recording medium is not detected in the detection step, And a recording medium type determining step that does not determine the type of the recording medium. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus including a plurality of storage units for storing recording media,
A detection step of detecting the attachment / detachment of each of the storage units;
A recording medium type determining step that determines a type of a recording medium stored in the storage unit in which the detachment is detected and does not determine a type of recording medium stored in the storage unit in which the detachment is not detected. A control method for an image forming apparatus. A program for causing a computer to execute a control method of an image forming apparatus,
The control method of the image forming apparatus is:
A detection step of detecting the detachment of the storage unit for storing the recording medium;
When detachment of the storage unit storing the recording medium is detected in the detection step, the type of the recording medium is determined, and when detachment of the storage unit storing the recording medium is not detected in the detection step, And a recording medium type determining step that does not determine the type of the recording medium. A program for causing a computer to execute a control method of an image forming apparatus including a plurality of storage units for storing recording media,
The control method of the image forming apparatus is:
A detection step of detecting the attachment / detachment of each of the storage units;
A recording medium type determining step that determines a type of a recording medium stored in the storage unit in which the detachment is detected and does not determine a type of recording medium stored in the storage unit in which the detachment is not detected. A featured program.

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