JP2024070161A - Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and image forming program - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To prevent the occurrence of an event in which an incorrect image is formed on a recording medium. [Solution] An image forming device (100) includes a manual feed tray (153) with an upwardly open mounting surface on which a recording medium to be used for image formation is placed, a camera (180) whose imaging range is the mounting surface, and a determination means for determining whether or not the set state, which indicates the state in which the recording medium is placed on the tray, is normal, based on image data captured by the camera. [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

This invention relates to an image forming device, an image forming method, and an image forming program, and in particular to an image forming device equipped with a manual feed tray, and an image forming method and an image forming program executed by the image forming device.

Image forming devices, such as MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals), are equipped with a manual feed tray. In the manual feed tray, users place various recording media, such as paper, envelopes, and postcards, on which images will be formed. For this reason, after placing the recording media on the manual feed tray that is the subject of image formation, the user may be required to perform operations such as setting the MFP to form an image on that recording media. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-191051 describes a technology in which a recording medium placed on the manual feed tray is imaged by a camera, ruled lines drawn on the recording medium are detected from the image, and the image is reduced or enlarged to match the pitch of the ruled lines.

On the other hand, since the manual feed tray can accommodate a variety of recording media with different sizes and thicknesses, the user is required to perform various operations when placing a recording medium on the manual feed tray. For example, the user is required to match the direction and position of the recording medium to the manual feed tray. For this reason, if the recording medium is not set correctly on the manual feed tray, the image forming device cannot transport the recording medium properly, which can result in an image not being formed correctly on the recording medium.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-191051

This invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one of the objects of this invention is to provide an image forming device that suppresses the occurrence of an event in which an incorrect image is formed on a recording medium.

Another object of the invention is to provide an image forming method that suppresses the occurrence of an event in which an incorrect image is formed on a recording medium.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming program that suppresses the occurrence of an event in which an incorrect image is formed on a recording medium.

According to one aspect of this invention, the image forming device includes a tray with an upwardly open loading surface on which a recording medium to be used for image formation is placed, a camera whose imaging range is the loading surface, and a determination means for determining whether the set state, which indicates the state in which the recording medium is placed on the tray, is normal or not, based on image data captured by the camera.

According to another aspect of the invention, the image forming method is an image forming method executed by an image forming device, the image forming device having a tray with an upwardly open loading surface on which a recording medium to be used for image formation is placed, and a camera having an image capturing range of the loading surface, and including a determination step of determining whether a set state indicating the state in which the recording medium is placed on the tray is normal or not based on image data captured by the camera.

According to another aspect of the invention, the image forming program is an image forming program executed by a computer that controls an image forming device, the image forming device having a tray with an upwardly open loading surface on which a recording medium to be used for image formation is placed, and a camera having an image capturing range that covers the loading surface, and including a determination step that determines whether a set state indicating a state in which the recording medium is placed on the tray is normal or not based on image data captured by the camera.

1 is a front view of an MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the MFP. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of a hardware configuration of the MFP. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of functions of a CPU included in the MFP according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of an image forming process. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a set state determination process.

Below, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, identical parts are given the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

Fig. 1 is a front view of an MFP according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the MFP. With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) 100 is an example of an image forming device, and includes a document reading unit 130 that reads a document, an automatic document feeder 120 that transports the document to the document reading unit 130, an image forming unit 140 that forms an image on paper based on image data, a paper feed unit 150 that supplies paper to the image forming unit 140, an operation panel 160, and a camera 180.

The document reading unit 130 exposes the image of the document set on the document glass 11 by the automatic document feeder 120 with an exposure lamp 13 attached to a slider 12 that moves below the document. The light reflected from the document is guided to a lens 16 by a mirror 14 and two reflecting mirrors 15 and 15A, and forms an image on a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) sensor 18.

The reflected light that forms an image on the CCD sensor 18 is converted into image data as an electrical signal within the CCD sensor 18. The image data is converted into printing data for cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K), and output to the image forming unit 140.

The image forming section 140 has developing units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K, and toner bottles 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K, which correspond to yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively. Here, "Y", "M", "C", and "K" stand for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively.

The only difference between developing units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K and toner bottles 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K is the color of the toner they use. Here, we will explain developing unit 20Y and toner bottle 41Y for forming yellow images.

The toner bottle 41Y contains yellow toner. The developer contains non-magnetic toner and magnetic carrier. The toner bottle 41Y rotates using a toner bottle motor as a drive source, and discharges toner to the outside. The toner discharged from the toner bottle 41Y is supplied to the developing device 24Y. The toner bottle 41Y supplies developer to the developing device 24Y when the remaining amount of toner contained in the developing device 24Y falls below a predetermined lower limit.

The intermediate transfer belt 30 is suspended by a drive roller 33 and a driven roller 34 so as not to slacken. When the drive roller 33 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 1, the intermediate transfer belt 30 rotates counterclockwise in the figure at a predetermined speed. As the intermediate transfer belt 30 rotates, the driven roller 34 rotates counterclockwise.

The developing unit 20Y contains developer. The developer contains non-magnetic toner and magnetic carrier. The developing unit 20Y receives toner from the toner bottle 41Y and mixes the carrier and toner. The developing unit 20Y forms a toner image with the toner contained in the developer and transfers the toner image to the intermediate transfer belt 30. The timing at which the developing unit 20Y transfers the toner image onto the intermediate transfer belt 30 is adjusted by detecting a reference mark on the intermediate transfer belt 30.

When forming a full-color image, the MFP 100 drives all of the developing units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K. This causes yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images to be superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 30. When forming a monochrome image, the MFP 100 drives any one of the developing units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K. It is also possible to form an image by combining two or more of the developing units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K.

The paper feed section 150 includes two paper feed cassettes 151, 152 and one manual feed tray 153. The two paper feed cassettes 151, 152 can each store multiple sheets of paper of different sizes. The topmost sheet of paper stored in each of the two paper feed cassettes 151, 152 is removed by removal rollers 36, 36A attached to the paper feed cassettes 151, 152, respectively, and supplied to the transport path. The paper passing through the transport path is sent to the timing roller 31 by the paper feed roller 37.

The manual feed tray 153 holds one or more recording media. The manual feed tray 153 can hold multiple types of recording media, including paper of different sizes and thicknesses, envelopes, postcards, etc. The topmost recording medium held by the manual feed tray 153 is removed by the removal roller 36B attached to the manual feed tray 153 and supplied to the transport path. The recording medium passing through the transport path is sent to the timing roller 31 by the paper feed roller 37.

The timing roller 31 transports the paper transported by the paper feed roller 37 to the nip between the intermediate transfer belt 30 and the secondary transfer roller 26, which is a transfer member. The secondary transfer roller 26 generates an electric field at the nip. The toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 30 is transferred to the paper transported by the timing roller 31 by the action of the electric field force at this nip. The paper with the transferred toner image is transported to the fixing roller 32, where it is heated and pressed. This melts the toner and fixes it to the paper. The paper is then discharged to the paper output tray 39. A belt cleaning blade 29 is provided upstream of the developing device 24Y of the intermediate transfer belt 30. The belt cleaning blade 29 removes toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 30 that has not been transferred to the paper.

Here, we will explain an example in which the MFP 100 employs a tandem system with developing devices 24Y, 24M, 24C, and 24K that form four color toners on paper, but it may also employ a four-cycle system in which the four color toners are transferred to paper in sequence using a single photoconductor drum.

The camera 180 is fixed to the side of the document reading unit 130 above the manual feed tray 153. The lens magnification is set so that the angle of view of the camera 180 includes the manual feed tray 153. The camera 180 also has an automatic focus adjustment function. The camera 180 focuses on the surface of the manual feed tray 153 on which the recording medium is placed, or on the top surface of the recording medium when a recording medium is placed on the manual feed tray 153. The camera 180 also has a tilt mechanism in the part connected to the document reading unit 130. This adjusts the optical axis of the lens of the camera 180 so that it is perpendicular to the placement surface 153A (see FIG. 3) of the manual feed tray 153. This adjustment is performed by the user. Note that if a mechanism for changing the tilt angle by driving a motor is provided, the tilt angle may be adjusted by driving the motor.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the manual feed tray. In Figure 3, the portion of the MFP 100 where the manual feed tray 153 is installed is cut away. Referring to Figure 3, the manual feed tray 153 has a pair of paper width adjustment plates 173A, 173B, grooves 174A, 174B, and paper detection protrusions 175A, 175B. The manual feed tray 153 has an end 176 that is coupled to the main body of the MFP 100. The manual feed tray 153 is connected to the MFP 100 at the end 176 via a rotation shaft that extends parallel to the side of the MFP 100 and in the horizontal direction. The manual feed tray 153 rotates around the rotation shaft to which the end 176 is connected, and the state is switched between an open state and a closed state. Figure 3 shows the case where the manual feed tray 153 is in the open state. When the manual feed tray 153 is in the open state, a recording medium is placed on the upper surface, which is the placement surface 153A.

When manual feed tray 153 is open, mounting surface 153A is inclined. End 176 is the lowest, and the end opposite end 176 is at the highest position. Because mounting surface 153A is inclined downward toward the main body of MFP 100, the recording medium placed on mounting surface 153A of manual feed tray 153 is subjected to a force due to its own weight in a direction toward the main body of MFP 100.

The pair of paper width adjustment plates 173A and 173B are attached to the manual feed tray 153 so as to be slidable along the grooves 174A and 174B, respectively. The grooves 174A and 174B are parallel. The pair of paper width adjustment plates 173A and 173B have surfaces that are perpendicular to and face the grooves 174A and 174B.

When paper is placed on the loading surface 153A of the manual feed tray 153, the paper slides down along the slope of the loading surface 153A of the manual feed tray 153 toward the edge 176, and abuts against the main body of the MFP 100, aligning the edges of the paper. This determines the relative position of the paper and the manual feed tray 153 in the direction perpendicular to the grooves 174A and 174B. The main body of the MFP 100 is provided with a paper detection sensor 154 that detects paper present at the edge 176 of the loading surface 153A of the manual feed tray 153.

The pair of paper width adjustment plates 173A, 173B are connected by a rack and pinion mechanism. Therefore, when one of the pair of paper width adjustment plates 173A, 173B is slid toward the other by the user, the other moves toward the other, and when one is slid away from the other by the user, the other moves away from the other. The user moves one of the pair of paper width adjustment plates 173A, 173B so that the distance between the pair of paper width adjustment plates 173A, 173B is greater than the length of the paper (width of the paper) in the direction parallel to the grooves 174A, 174B, and then places the paper on the manual feed tray 153, and then moves one of the pair of paper width adjustment plates 173A, 173B until each of the pair of paper width adjustment plates 173A, 173B abuts against the paper. This determines the center of the paper in a direction parallel to the grooves 174A, 174B to be the center of the pair of paper width adjustment plates 173A, 173B, thereby determining the relative position of the paper with respect to the manual feed tray 153. The rack and pinion mechanism is equipped with a paper width sensor that measures the distance between the pair of paper width adjustment plates 173A, 173B.

The paper detection protrusion 175A is disposed on the manual feed tray 153 closer to the end 176 than the paper detection protrusion 175B. Therefore, the distance between the end 176 and the paper detection protrusion 175A is shorter than the distance between the end 176 and the paper detection protrusion 175A. Each of the paper detection protrusions 175A and 175B is attached to the manual feed tray 153 so that it can move up and down relative to the manual feed tray 153. Each of the paper detection protrusions 175A and 175B is biased upward relative to the manual feed tray 153 by a spring. Therefore, when no paper is set in the manual feed tray 153, each of the paper detection protrusions 175A and 175B protrudes upward from the loading surface 153A of the manual feed tray 153. Each of the paper detection protrusions 175A and 175B is pressed downward by the weight of the paper set in the manual feed tray 153. A sensor is provided for each of the paper detection protrusions 175A and 175B to detect that it has been pressed downward. Here, the sensors provided for the paper detection protrusions 175A and 175B each output an OFF signal when the paper detection protrusions 175A and 175B each protrude from the loading surface 153A of the manual feed tray 153, and output an ON signal when the paper detection protrusions 175A and 175B each are pressed downward.

The distance between end 176 and paper detection protrusion 175A is adjusted to be longer than the short side length of B5 size paper and shorter than the short side length of A4 size paper. Also, the distance between end 176 and paper detection protrusion 175B is adjusted to be longer than the short side length of A4 size paper and shorter than the long side length of B5 size paper.

The output of the sensors corresponding to the paper detection protrusions 175A and 175B varies depending on the size of the paper loaded in the manual feed tray 153. There are three combinations of output of the sensors corresponding to the paper detection protrusions 175A and 175B: a first combination in which the sensor corresponding to the paper detection protrusion 175A is OFF and the sensor corresponding to the paper detection protrusion 175B is OFF; a second combination in which the sensor corresponding to the paper detection protrusion 175A is ON and the sensor corresponding to the paper detection protrusion 175B is OFF; and a third combination in which the sensor corresponding to the paper detection protrusion 175A is ON and the sensor corresponding to the paper detection protrusion 175B is ON.

Therefore, when the paper detection sensor 154 detects that paper has been set in the manual feed tray 153, the size of the paper is determined from the combination of the width of the paper detected by the paper width sensor and the output of the sensors corresponding to the paper detection protrusions 175A and 175B. From the width of the paper detected by the paper width sensor, it is determined whether the paper set in the manual feed tray 153 is A size, which includes A4 and A3 sizes, or B size, which includes B5 and B4 sizes. If the width of the paper is B size and the output of the sensors corresponding to the paper detection protrusions 175A and 175B is the first set, the size of the paper is B5. If the width of the paper is B size and the output of the sensors corresponding to the paper detection protrusions 175A and 175B is the third set, the size of the paper is B4. If the width of the paper is A size and the output of the sensors corresponding to the paper detection protrusions 175A and 175B is the second set, the size of the paper is A4. If the paper width is size A and the output of the sensors corresponding to paper detection protrusions 175A and 175B is set 3, the paper size is A3.

A reference sheet 155 is attached to the center of the placement surface 153A. The reference sheet 155 is rectangular, and has a solid image printed on it in a color different from the color of the placement surface 153A. The length and width of the reference sheet 155 are predetermined.

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an outline of the hardware configuration of an MFP. Referring to Figure 4, the MFP 100 includes a main circuit 110. The main circuit 110 is connected to an automatic document feeder 120, a document reading unit 130, an image forming unit 140, a paper feed unit 150, an operation panel 160 as a user interface, and a camera 180.

The main circuit 110 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 111, a communication interface (I/F) section 112, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 113, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 114, a hard disk drive (HDD) 115 as a large-capacity storage device, a facsimile section 116, and an external storage device 117 to which a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM 118 is attached. The CPU 111 is connected to the automatic document feeder 120, the document reading section 130, the image forming section 140, the paper feeding section 150, the operation panel 160, and the camera 180, and controls the entire MFP 100.

The ROM 113 stores the programs executed by the CPU 111, or data necessary to execute the programs. The RAM 114 is used as a working area when the CPU 111 executes the programs. Furthermore, the RAM 114 temporarily stores image data that is continuously sent from the document reading unit 130.

The communication I/F unit 112 is an interface for connecting the MFP 100 to a network. The CPU 111 communicates with a personal computer (PC) connected to the network via the communication I/F unit 112 to send and receive data. The communication I/F unit 112 can also communicate with a computer connected to the Internet via the network.

Facsimile unit 116 is connected to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and transmits facsimile data to the PSTN or receives facsimile data from the PSTN. Facsimile unit 116 stores the received facsimile data in HDD 115 or outputs it to image forming unit 140. Image forming unit 140 prints the facsimile data received by facsimile unit 116 on paper. Facsimile unit 116 also converts data stored in HDD 115 into facsimile data and transmits it to a facsimile device connected to the PSTN.

CD-ROM 118 is attached to external storage device 117. CPU 111 can access CD-ROM 118 via external storage device 117. CPU 111 loads a program recorded on CD-ROM 118 attached to external storage device 117 into RAM 114 and executes the program. Note that the recording medium for storing the program executed by CPU 111 is not limited to CD-ROM 118, but may be a recording medium such as a flexible disk, cassette tape, optical disk (MO (Magnetic Optical Disc)/MD (Mini Disc)/DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)), IC card, optical card, mask ROM, EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), or other semiconductor memory.

The programs executed by CPU 111 are not limited to those recorded on CD-ROM 118, but may be those stored in HDD 115 that are loaded into RAM 114 and executed. In this case, another computer connected to the network may rewrite the programs stored in HDD 115 of MFP 100, or may add and write new programs. Furthermore, MFP 100 may download programs from other computers connected to the network and store the programs in HDD 115. The programs referred to here include not only programs that CPU 111 can directly execute, but also source programs, compressed programs, encrypted programs, etc.

The operation panel 160 is provided on the top surface of the MFP 100, and includes a display unit 161 and an operation unit 163. The display unit 161 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic LE (electroluminescence) display, and displays an instruction menu for the user, information on the acquired image data, and the like. The operation unit 163 includes a touch panel 165 and a hard key unit 167. The touch panel 165 is provided on the top or bottom surface of the display unit 161, superimposed on the display unit 161. The hard key unit 167 includes a plurality of hard keys. The hard keys are, for example, contact switches. The touch panel 165 detects a position indicated by the user on the display surface of the display unit 161.

Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example of functions of a CPU included in an MFP according to this embodiment. The functions shown in Figure 5 are realized by CPU 111 included in MFP 100 as a result of CPU 111 executing an image forming program stored in ROM 113, HDD 115, or CD-ROM 118.

Referring to FIG. 5, the CPU 111 includes an imaging control unit 51, an image analysis unit 53, a determination unit 55, a warning unit 57, and an image formation control unit 59.

The imaging control unit 51 controls the camera 180 and acquires image data that the camera 180 captures and outputs from the subject. The imaging control unit 51 outputs the acquired image data to the image analysis unit 53. The imaging control unit 51 also controls the ON/OFF of the power of the camera 180. The power of the camera 180 is turned ON when the power of the MFP 100 is ON. Therefore, the imaging control unit 51 turns ON the power of the camera 180 in response to the power of the MFP 100 being switched ON, and turns OFF the power of the camera 180 in response to the power of the MFP 100 being switched OFF. In addition, when the MFP 100 switches the operating mode between a normal mode and a power saving mode that consumes less power than the normal mode, the power of the camera 180 may be switched in response to the switching of the operating mode. The imaging control unit 51 turns on the power of the camera 180 while the operating mode of the MFP 100 is the normal mode, and turns off the power of the camera 180 while the operating mode of the MFP 100 is the power saving mode. Furthermore, when the open state and the closed state are detected as the state of the manual feed tray 153, the imaging control unit 51 may control the power of the camera 180 according to the open/closed state of the manual feed tray 153. In this case, the imaging control unit 51 turns on the power of the camera 180 while the open state is detected as the state of the manual feed tray 153, and turns off the power of the camera 180 while the closed state is detected as the state of the manual feed tray 153.

The imaging control unit 51 includes a focus adjustment unit 61. The focus adjustment unit 61 adjusts the focus of the lens of the camera 180 and obtains the focal length of the lens. The focus adjustment unit 61 outputs the focal length to the loading height determination unit 71 of the judgment unit 55.

The imaging control unit 51 also executes a distortion removal process to remove distortion from the image of the image data output by the camera 180. If the optical axis of the camera 180 is perpendicular to the loading surface 153A of the manual feed tray 153, the reference sheet 155 will be rectangular, but if it is not perpendicular, it will be trapezoidal. For this reason, the imaging control unit 51 executes a distortion removal process using the image data output by the camera 180 after capturing an image of the manual feed tray 153. The imaging control unit 51 deforms the image data so that the image of the reference sheet 155 in the image data becomes rectangular. As a result, when the imaging control unit 51 captures an image of a recording medium placed on the manual feed tray 153, the shape of the recording medium included in the image data output by the camera 180 is corrected to the actual shape.

The angle of view of the camera 180 includes the manual feed tray 153. Therefore, the image data output by the camera 180 includes the manual feed tray 153. Also, if a recording medium is placed on the manual feed tray 153, the image data includes both the manual feed tray 153 and the recording medium.

The image analysis unit 53 analyzes the image data. The image analysis unit 53 includes a tray extraction unit 63, a recording medium extraction unit 65, and a reference sheet extraction unit 67. The tray extraction unit 63 extracts an image of the manual feed tray 153 from the image data. For example, the image of the manual feed tray 153 is stored, and the image of the manual feed tray 153 is extracted by pattern matching. The tray extraction unit 63 outputs the image of the manual feed tray 153 and tray position information indicating the position of the image of the manual feed tray 153 in the image data to the relative position determination unit 77 of the determination unit 55.

The recording medium extraction unit 65 extracts an image of the recording medium from the image data. It extracts as the recording medium the portion that overlaps with the manual feed tray 153 and that is a difference from the pre-stored image of the manual feed tray. When an image of the recording medium is extracted from the image data, the recording medium extraction unit 65 outputs the image of the recording medium and recording medium position information indicating the position of the image of the recording medium in the image data to the relative position determination unit 77 and size determination unit 78 of the judgment unit 55.

The reference sheet extraction unit 67 extracts an image of the reference sheet 155 from the image data. Since the shape and color of the reference sheet 155 are predetermined, the reference sheet extraction unit 67 extracts the image of the reference sheet 155 by, for example, pattern matching. When the image of the reference sheet 155 is extracted from the image data, the reference sheet extraction unit 67 outputs the image of the reference sheet 155 in the image data to the size determination unit 78 of the judgment unit 55.

The determination unit 55 determines the set state in which a recording medium is placed on the manual feed tray 153. The determination unit 55 includes a stacking height determination unit 71, a type determination unit 73, a direction determination unit 75, a relative position determination unit 77, and a size determination unit 78.

The type determination unit 73 determines the type of recording medium based on the image of the recording medium input from the image analysis unit 53. The type determination unit 73 stores images for each type of recording medium in advance. Types of recording medium include, for example, envelopes, postcards, and paper. Paper also includes plain paper and paper on which a predetermined image, such as a shipping label, is formed. The type determination unit 73 determines the type of recording medium by pattern matching using the images stored for each type of recording medium.

The stacking height determination unit 71 determines the height of the recording media placed on the manual feed tray 153 as the set state based on the focal length input from the focus adjustment unit 61. The stacking height determination unit 71 calculates the height distance at which the recording media overlap from the difference between the focal length when no recording media is placed on the manual feed tray 153 and the focal length when a recording media is placed on the manual feed tray 153. The judgment unit 55 outputs an error signal to the warning unit 57 if the height distance of the recording media is equal to or greater than a threshold value. The error signal includes the height distance of the recording media.

The stacking height determination unit 71 may determine the thickness of the recording medium based on the type of recording medium determined by the type determination unit 73, and may determine the number of recording media placed on the manual feed tray 153 from the height calculated from the focal length of the camera 180 and the thickness of the recording media. In this case, the error signal that the stacking height determination unit 71 outputs to the warning unit 57 includes the number of recording media.

When a specific type is determined by the type determination unit 73, the direction determination unit 75 determines the direction in which a specific type of recording medium is placed on the manual feed tray 153 based on the image of the recording medium input from the image analysis unit 53. The direction determination unit 75 determines the direction in which the recording medium is placed on the manual feed tray 153 by comparing the image of the recording medium of the type determined by the type determination unit 73, which is pre-stored in correspondence with the type of recording medium, with the image of the recording medium input from the image analysis unit 53. For example, when the type of recording medium is an envelope, the direction of the recording medium is determined based on the position of the overlapping portion. Also, when the type of recording medium is depicted with predetermined information, the direction of the recording medium is determined based on that information. The direction of the recording medium indicates whether it is above or below the recording medium in the conveying direction of the recording medium. When the top side of the recording medium faces the conveying direction, the top side of the recording medium is downstream in the conveying direction, and when the bottom side of the recording medium faces the conveying direction, the bottom side of the recording medium is downstream in the conveying direction. The image depicted on the recording medium is, for example, a character or/and a figure. The image drawn on the recording medium is, for example, a frame for writing the postal code on a postcard.

The direction determination unit 75 also determines whether the front or back of the recording medium faces upward based on the image of the recording medium input from the image analysis unit 53. For example, when the type of recording medium is an envelope, the direction determination unit 75 determines whether there is an image of a line indicating the entrance of the envelope near the glue margin. An envelope has a portion where the paper on the back side of the envelope overlaps with the paper on the front side and a portion where they do not overlap. When the envelope is viewed from the front side, only the paper on the front side of the envelope is visible, but when the envelope is viewed from the back side, the portion of the paper on the front side of the envelope that does not overlap with the paper on the back side of the envelope is visible. For this reason, the image data output by the camera 180 capturing an image of the envelope from the back side includes an image of a line indicating the entrance of the envelope, which is the boundary between the portion where the paper on the front side of the envelope overlaps with the portion where the paper on the back side of the envelope does not overlap. The direction determination unit 75 determines that the back side of the recording medium faces upward when a line indicating the entrance is detected, and determines that the front side of the recording medium faces upward when a line indicating the entrance is not detected.

The relative position determination unit 77 receives the image of the manual feed tray 153 and the tray position information from the tray extraction unit 63, and receives the image of the recording medium and the recording medium position information from the recording medium extraction unit 65. The relative position determination unit 77 determines the relative position between the manual feed tray 153 and the recording medium. The relative position determination unit 77 determines the relative position between the manual feed tray 153 and the recording medium by superimposing the image of the manual feed tray 153 and the image of the recording medium based on the tray position information and the recording medium position information. The manual feed tray 153 has a rotation axis connected to the main body of the MFP 100, and the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis coincides with the transport direction of the recording medium. The relative position determination unit 77 determines the transport direction from the image of the manual feed tray 153 and judges whether the recording medium is parallel to the transport direction. The direction of the recording medium is determined by two opposing sides of the contour of the recording medium. If the recording medium is not parallel to the transport direction, the relative position determination unit 77 outputs an error signal indicating that the recording medium is not placed parallel to the transport direction to the warning unit 57.

The relative position determination unit 77 also determines the relative position between the recording medium and the pair of paper width adjustment plates 173A, 173B provided on the manual feed tray 153. Since the shapes of the pair of paper width adjustment plates 173A, 173B are predetermined, the positions of the pair of paper width adjustment plates 173A, 173B are determined from the image of the manual feed tray 153 by pattern matching. The relative position determination unit 77 determines whether the positions of the paper width adjustment plates 173A, 173B match the two opposing sides of the contour of the recording medium extracted from the image of the recording medium. If the distance between the two opposing sides of the contour of the recording medium and the paper width adjustment plates 173A, 173B is greater than a predetermined distance, the relative position determination unit 77 outputs an error signal to the warning unit 57 indicating that the paper width adjustment plates 173A, 173B are not properly set.

The size determination unit 78 receives the image of the reference sheet 155 from the reference sheet extraction unit 67 and the image of the recording medium from the recording medium extraction unit 65. The size of the reference sheet 155 is determined in advance. The size determination unit 78 determines the size of the recording medium by comparing the image of the recording medium with the image of the reference sheet. The size determination unit 78 identifies the four sides of the recording medium by extracting the contour of the recording medium from the image of the recording medium. The length of the four sides of the recording medium is determined from the ratio between the length of the four sides of the recording medium in the image of the recording medium and the length of at least one of the four sides of the reference sheet 155 in the image of the reference sheet 155.

In response to an error signal being input from the determination unit 55, the warning unit 57 outputs a prohibition signal to the image formation control unit 59 and issues a warning corresponding to the error signal. For example, the warning unit 57 outputs a predetermined message in response to the error signal to the display unit 161. In addition, if the MFP 100 is equipped with a speaker, the warning unit 57 may output the message by voice.

The image formation control unit 59 controls the image forming unit 140 and the paper feeding unit 150 to transport the recording medium placed on the manual feed tray 153 and form an image on the recording medium. When a prohibition signal is input from the warning unit 57, the image formation control unit 59 does not allow the image forming unit 140 and the paper feeding unit 150 to form an image on the recording medium.

Figure 6 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of image formation processing. Image formation processing is processing that is executed by CPU 111 of MFP 100 as CPU 111 executes an image formation program stored in ROM 113, HDD 115, or CD-ROM 118. Referring to Figure 6, CPU 111 of MFP 100 determines whether manual feed tray 153 has changed from a closed state to an open state (step S01). A sensor that detects the state of manual feed tray 153 detects that manual feed tray 153 has changed from a closed state to an open state, and the system enters a standby state (NO in step S01). If a change to the open state is detected (YES in step S01), the process proceeds to step S02.

In step S02, the power of the camera 180 is switched ON, and the process proceeds to step S03. In step S03, the camera 180 captures an image of the reference sheet 153A, and the process proceeds to step S04. At this stage, image data obtained by the camera 180 capturing an image of the reference sheet 153A is acquired.

In step S04, the focal length at the time when the camera 180 captured the image of the reference sheet 153A is acquired, and the process proceeds to step S05. In step S05, the reference sheet 153A is extracted from the image data acquired in step S03. An image of the reference sheet 155 is extracted by pattern matching. At this stage, the size of the reference sheet 153A in the image data is determined.

In step S06, it is determined whether or not it has been detected that a recording medium has been placed on the manual feed tray 153. The image data output by the camera 180 may be analyzed to detect that a recording medium is included in the image. Also, based on the output of a sensor that detects that the paper detection protrusion 175A has been pressed down, it is detected that a recording medium has been placed on the manual feed tray 153. A standby state is entered until it is detected that a recording medium has been placed on the manual feed tray 153 (NO in step S06), and if it is detected that a recording medium has been placed on the manual feed tray 153 (YES in step S06), the process proceeds to step S07.

In step S07, the recording medium is imaged by the camera 180, and the process proceeds to step S08. At this stage, image data obtained by the camera 180 capturing an image of the recording medium is acquired.

In step S08, the focal length at the time when the camera 180 captured the image of the recording medium is acquired, and the process proceeds to step S09. The focal length at the time when the camera 180 focused on the top surface of the recording medium is acquired.

In step S09, an image of the manual feed tray 153 is extracted from the image data acquired in step S07. For example, CPU 111 stores an image of the manual feed tray 153 and extracts the image of the manual feed tray 153 by pattern matching. In step S10, a recording medium is extracted from the image data acquired in step S07. For example, CPU 111 extracts as the recording medium a portion that overlaps with the image of the manual feed tray 153 and is a difference from the image of the manual feed tray 153 previously stored. The image of the manual feed tray 153 and the image of the recording medium are extracted from the same image data. In step S11, a set state determination process is executed, and the process proceeds to step S12.

Figure 7 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of the set status determination process. Referring to Figure 7, the CPU 111 determines the type of recording medium (step S21) and proceeds to step S22. The type of recording medium is determined based on an image of the recording medium. The type of recording medium is determined by pattern matching using images of the recording medium that are pre-stored for each type of recording medium. Types of recording media include, for example, envelopes, postcards, and paper.

In step S22, the orientation of the recording medium is determined, and the process proceeds to step S23. The CPU 111 determines the orientation of the recording medium placed on the manual feed tray 153 by pattern matching using an image of the recording medium of the type determined in step S21 that is prestored in correspondence with that type of recording medium. The orientation of the recording medium indicates which of the top and bottom faces the conveying direction for a recording medium whose up and down directions are determined. For example, if the type of recording medium is an envelope, the orientation of the recording medium is determined based on the position of the overlapping portion. The orientation also includes whether the recording medium is front or back. Based on the image of the recording medium, it is determined whether the front or back of the recording medium is facing upward. For example, if the type of recording medium is an envelope, if an image of a line indicating the entrance of the envelope is detected near the overlapping portion, the back side of the recording medium is determined to be facing upward, and if the line indicating the entrance is not detected, the front side of the recording medium is determined to be facing upward.

In step S23, the relative position between the manual feed tray 153 and the recording medium is determined, and processing proceeds to step S24. The image of the manual feed tray 153 and the image of the recording medium are superimposed to determine the relative position between the manual feed tray 153 and the recording medium. The transport direction is determined from the image of the manual feed tray 153, and the angle of the recording medium relative to the transport direction is determined. The direction of the recording medium is determined by two opposing sides of the contour of the recording medium. In addition, the relative position between the pair of paper width adjustment plates 173A, 173B provided on the manual feed tray 153 and the recording medium is determined. The distance between the two opposing sides of the contour of the recording medium and the paper width adjustment plates 173A, 173B is detected.

In step S24, the height of the recording media is determined. Based on the difference between the focal length acquired in step S04 and the focal length acquired in step S08, the height distance at which the recording media overlap is calculated. The thickness of each recording medium is determined from the type of recording medium determined in step S21, and the height distance and thickness of one or more recording media placed on the manual feed tray 153 may be converted into the number of recording media placed on the manual feed tray 153.

In step S25, the size of the recording medium is determined. The image of the reference sheet extracted from the image data in step S05 is compared with the image of the recording medium extracted from the image data in step S10, and the size of the recording medium is determined. Since the size of the reference sheet 155 is predetermined, the size of the recording medium is determined from the ratio of the lengths of each side of the image of the recording medium to the image of the reference sheet.

Returning to FIG. 6, in step S12, the setting state is judged. It is judged whether the direction in which the recording medium is placed is correct. The direction is judged whether the recording medium, which has a fixed up-down direction, faces the correct direction relative to the transport direction. The correct direction is the direction that matches the direction of the image formed by the image forming unit 140. It is also judged whether the front and back of the recording medium are correct. It is judged to be correct if the side on which the image is formed faces downward.

In addition, based on the relative position of the recording medium and the manual feed tray 153, it is determined whether the recording medium is correctly placed on the manual feed tray 153. Based on the angle of the recording medium with respect to the transport direction, it is determined whether the recording medium is parallel to the transport direction. Since the angle of the recording medium with respect to the transport direction is detected as the relative position, it is determined based on this angle whether the recording medium is placed so that it is parallel to the transport direction. In addition, based on the distance between the recording medium and the paper width adjustment plates 173A, 173B, it is determined whether the recording medium is correctly placed on the manual feed tray 153. If the distance between the recording medium and the paper width adjustment plates 173A, 173B is equal to or less than a predetermined value, it is determined that the setting is correct.

In addition, the system determines whether the recording medium is overloaded based on the height of the recording medium. If the height of the recording medium is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the system determines that the recording medium is overloaded; otherwise, the system determines that the recording medium is correctly placed on the manual feed tray 153.

In step S13, it is determined whether or not an image can be formed based on the result of the determination. If image formation is possible, the process proceeds to step S14, otherwise the process proceeds to step S16. If it is determined that the recording medium is not correctly placed on the manual feed tray 153, it is determined that image formation is not possible. If it is determined that the recording medium is correctly placed on the manual feed tray 153, image formation may or may not be possible depending on the orientation of the recording medium. If a recording medium with a defined up-down direction is not placed in the correct orientation, image formation is possible. If a recording medium with a defined front-back direction is not placed in the correct orientation, image formation is not possible.

In step S16, the CPU 111 warns the user and proceeds to step S17. For example, a predetermined message in response to the judgment result is displayed on the display unit 161. If the MFP 100 is equipped with a speaker, the message may be output by voice.

For example, if it is determined that the recording medium is placed in the wrong direction, the message "The recording medium is upside down" is displayed. If it is determined that the recording medium is not parallel to the transport direction, or if the distance between the recording medium and the paper width adjustment plates 173A, 173B is greater than a specified value, the message "Please set the paper width adjustment plates to the correct position" is displayed. Furthermore, if the distance in the height direction of the recording medium is greater than or equal to a specified value, the message "Please reduce the number of recording media" is displayed.

In step S14, the image forming conditions are changed, and the process proceeds to step S15. Step S14 is executed when it is determined in step S12 that the recording medium is not correctly placed on the manual feed tray 153, and when it is determined in step S13 that an image can be formed. For example, when a recording medium with a specified up-down direction is not placed in the correct direction. In this case, the image forming conditions are changed to a setting that inverts the orientation of the image formed by the image forming unit 140 up-down. Step S14 may also be executed when it is determined in step S12 that the recording medium is correctly placed on the manual feed tray 153, and when it is determined in step S13 that an image can be formed. For example, when the type of recording medium is detected as an envelope or a shipping label in step S21, when it is determined in step S12 that the recording medium is correctly placed on the manual feed tray 153, and when it is determined in step S13 that an image can be formed. In this case, the image forming conditions are automatically set to the image forming conditions that are predetermined for the type of recording medium detected in step S21. If the type of recording medium is determined to be an envelope, the image formation conditions defined for the envelope are automatically set, and if the type of recording medium is determined to be an invoice, the image formation conditions defined for the invoice are automatically set. In step S15, an image is formed on the recording medium, and the process proceeds to step S17.

In step S17, it is determined whether the MFP 100 has been powered off. Powering off here includes transitioning to a sleep state in which power consumption is lower than normal. If it is detected that the power has been switched off, the process proceeds to step S18, but if not, the process returns to step S06. In step S18, the power of the camera 180 is switched off, and the process ends.

As described above, the MFP 100 in this embodiment functions as an image forming device, and determines whether the set state, which indicates the state in which the recording medium is placed on the manual feed tray 153, is normal or not, based on image data captured by the camera 180. Therefore, it is possible to determine before an image is formed on the recording medium that the user has set the recording medium in an incorrect state on the manual feed tray 153. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an event in which an incorrect image is formed on the recording medium.

The MFP 100 also analyzes the image data and determines whether the recording medium is set correctly based on the relative position between the recording medium and the manual feed tray 153 (loading surface 153A). This makes it possible to determine whether the position and direction in which the recording medium is loaded on the loading surface 153A are incorrect.

The MFP 100 determines the relative position for each type of recording medium, so it can accurately determine the setting status of the recording medium.

The MFP 100 also detects the direction in which the recording medium placed on the placement surface 153A faces based on image data, and when it is determined that the set state is normal, it changes the image formation conditions to correspond to the direction in which the recording medium faces, and then forms an image on the recording medium. Therefore, when the recording medium has a direction, it is possible to match the direction in which the recording medium is placed with the direction of the image formed on that recording medium.

In addition, the MFP 100 warns before an image is formed if the setting state is abnormal, preventing an image from being erroneously formed on the recording medium.

In addition, the MFP 100 detects the height of the recording media in the loading direction based on the focal length of the camera 180, so it can detect overloading of recording media placed on the manual feed tray 153.

The MFP 100 also determines the size of the recording medium by comparing the image of the reference sheet 155 with the image of the recording medium. This allows the size of the recording medium to be accurately determined.

The MFP 100 also corrects distortion of the image output by the camera 180 based on the shape of the reference sheet 155 contained in the image data. Therefore, even if the tilt angle of the camera 180 is not properly adjusted, the recording medium can be accurately extracted from the image data, and the size of the recording medium can be accurately detected.

In addition, the MFP 100 turns off the power to the camera 180 while the operating mode is switched to the power saving mode or while the main power supply is off. This makes it possible to reduce power consumption.

<Summary of the embodiment>
(Item 1) A tray having an upwardly open mounting surface on which a recording medium to be used for image formation is placed;
a camera having an image capturing range including the placement surface;
and a determination unit that determines whether a set state, which indicates a state in which the recording medium is placed on the tray, is normal or not, based on image data captured by a camera.

According to this aspect, it is determined whether the set state, which indicates the state in which the recording medium is placed on the tray, is normal or not, based on image data captured by the camera. Therefore, it is determined that the recording medium has been set on the tray in an incorrect state by the user before an image is formed on the recording medium. As a result, it is possible to provide an image forming device that suppresses the occurrence of an event in which an incorrect image is formed on the recording medium.

(Item 2) The image forming device according to item 1, wherein the determination means determines the relative position between the recording medium and the placement surface based on the image data, and determines whether the setting state is normal or not based on the determined relative position.

According to this aspect, whether the setting state is normal or not is determined based on the relative position between the recording medium and the placement surface. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether the position and direction in which the recording medium is placed on the placement surface are correct.

(Item 3) The image forming device according to Item 2, wherein the determination means determines the type of the recording medium based on an image of the recording medium included in the image data, and compares the relative position with a predetermined positional relationship for the determined type.

In this way, the relative position is determined for each type of recording medium, so the setting status can be determined accurately.

(Item 4) The image forming device further includes an image forming unit for forming an image on the recording medium,
The determination means detects a direction in which the recording medium placed on the placement surface faces based on the image data,
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the determination unit determines that the set state is normal, the image forming unit forms an image on the recording medium under image forming conditions according to the direction in which the recording medium is facing.

According to this aspect, the direction in which the recording medium placed on the placement surface faces is detected based on image data, and if the set state is determined to be normal, an image is formed on the recording medium under image formation conditions according to the direction in which the recording medium faces. Therefore, if the recording medium has a direction, it is possible to match the direction in which the recording medium is placed with the direction of the image formed on the recording medium.

(Item 5) Further comprising an image forming unit for forming an image on the recording medium,
When the judgment means determines that the type of the recording medium is an envelope or a shipping invoice and the set state is determined to be normal, the image forming means automatically sets predetermined image forming conditions for the envelope or the shipping invoice and forms an image on the recording medium.

(Item 6) The image forming device according to item 1, further comprising a warning means for issuing a warning before the recording medium is transported from the tray if the determination means determines that the set state is abnormal.

In this aspect, if the setting state is abnormal, a warning is issued before an image is formed, preventing an image from being erroneously formed on the recording medium.

(Item 7) The image forming device according to item 6, wherein the warning means displays a warning on a display means that displays an image.

(Item 8) The tray has a reference sheet having a predetermined shape provided on the placement surface,
an adjustment means for automatically adjusting the focal length of a lens of the camera;
2. The image forming apparatus described in item 1, further comprising a height determination means for determining a height of the recording medium in a loading direction by comparing a first focal length of the lens while the reference sheet is included in the imaging range of the camera with a second focal length of the lens while the recording medium is included in the imaging range of the camera.

In this way, the stack height of the recording media placed on the tray can be determined, making it possible to determine whether or not the recording media is overloaded.

(Item 9) The tray has a reference sheet having a predetermined shape provided on the placement surface,
an adjustment means for automatically adjusting the focal length of a lens of the camera;
2. The image forming apparatus described in item 1, further comprising a size determination means for determining the size of the recording medium by comparing the size of the image of the recording medium contained in the image data with the size of the image of the reference sheet contained in the image data while the reference sheet is included in the camera's imaging range.

By following this aspect, the size of the recording medium can be accurately detected.

(Item 10) The image forming apparatus according to Item 9, further comprising an image correction means for correcting distortion of the recording medium contained in the image data while the recording medium is included in the imaging range of the camera, based on the shape of the reference sheet contained in the image data while the reference sheet is included in the imaging range of the camera.

By following this aspect, the size of the recording medium can be accurately detected.

(Item 11) The image forming device according to item 1, wherein the camera is disposed above the placement surface.

(Item 12) The image forming device described in item 1 further includes an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the angle at which the optical axis of the camera intersects with the placement surface.

(Item 13) A switching means for switching an operation mode between a normal mode and a power saving mode in which power consumption is less than that in the normal mode;
A camera control unit for controlling the camera is further provided.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the camera control means turns off the power supply of the camera while the image forming apparatus is in the power saving mode or while a main power supply is off.

By following this approach, power consumption can be reduced.

(Item 14) The image forming apparatus further includes an image forming unit for forming an image on the recording medium,
7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the warning means prevents the image forming means from forming an image when it is determined that the recording medium is an envelope and that the recording medium is set upside down.
(Item 15) The image forming apparatus further includes an image forming unit for forming an image on the recording medium,
9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the warning unit does not allow the image forming unit to form an image when the determination unit determines that the number of recording media set is greater than a predetermined number.

The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

100 MFP, 51 Imaging control unit, 53 Image analysis unit, 55 Determination unit, 57 Warning unit, 59 Image formation control unit, 61 Focus adjustment unit, 63 Tray extraction unit, 65 Recording medium extraction unit, 67 Reference sheet extraction unit, 71 Stacking height determination unit, 73 Type determination unit, 75 Orientation determination unit, 77 Relative position determination unit, 78 Size determination unit, 110 Main circuit, 111 CPU, 118 CD-ROM, 120 Automatic document feeder, 130 Document reading unit, 140 Image forming unit, 150 Paper feed unit, 151, 152 Paper feed cassette, 153 Manual feed tray, 153A Placement surface, 154 Paper detection sensor, 155 Reference sheet, 160 Operation panel, 161 Display unit, 163 Operation unit, 165 Touch panel, 167 Hard key section, 173A, 173B paper width adjustment plate, 174A, 174B groove, 175A, 175B paper detection protrusion, 180 camera.

Claims (15)

a tray having an upwardly open placement surface on which a recording medium to be used for image formation is placed;
a camera having an image capturing range including the placement surface;
and a determination means for determining whether a set state, which indicates a state in which the recording medium is placed on the tray, is normal or not, based on image data captured by the camera. The image forming device according to claim 1, wherein the determining means determines the relative position between the recording medium and the placement surface based on the image data, and determines whether the setting state is normal or not based on the determined relative position. The image forming device according to claim 2, wherein the determination means determines the type of the recording medium based on an image of the recording medium included in the image data, and compares the relative position with a predetermined positional relationship for the determined type. The image forming apparatus further includes an image forming unit for forming an image on the recording medium,
The determination means detects a direction in which the recording medium placed on the placement surface faces based on the image data,
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming means forms an image on the recording medium under image forming conditions according to a direction in which the recording medium faces when the determination means determines that the set state is normal. Further, the image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit for forming an image on the recording medium,
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the determination means determines that the type of the recording medium is an envelope or a shipping invoice and the set state is determined to be normal, the image forming means automatically sets predetermined image forming conditions for the envelope or the shipping invoice and forms an image on the recording medium. The image forming device according to claim 1, further comprising a warning means for warning before the recording medium is transported from the tray if the judgment means judges that the set state is abnormal. The image forming device according to claim 6, wherein the warning means displays a warning on a display means that displays an image. The tray has a reference sheet having a predetermined shape provided on the placement surface,
an adjustment means for automatically adjusting the focal length of a lens of the camera;
2. The image forming apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a stacking height determination means for determining a height of the recording medium in a stacking direction by comparing a first focal length of the lens while the reference sheet is included in the imaging range of the camera with a second focal length of the lens while the recording medium is included in the imaging range of the camera. The tray has a reference sheet having a predetermined shape provided on the placement surface,
an adjustment means for automatically adjusting the focal length of a lens of the camera;
2. The image forming apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a size determination means for determining the size of the recording medium by comparing the size of the image of the recording medium contained in the image data with the size of the image of the reference sheet contained in the image data while the reference sheet is included in the camera's imaging range. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising an image correction means for correcting distortion of the recording medium contained in the image data while the recording medium is included in the imaging range of the camera, based on the shape of the reference sheet contained in the image data while the reference sheet is included in the imaging range of the camera. The image forming device according to claim 1, wherein the camera is disposed above the placement surface. The image forming device according to claim 1, further comprising an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the angle at which the optical axis of the camera intersects with the placement surface. A switching means for switching an operation mode between a normal mode and a power saving mode which consumes less power than the normal mode;
A camera control unit for controlling the camera is further provided.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said camera control means turns off the power supply of said camera while said image forming apparatus is in said power saving mode or while a main power supply is off. An image forming method performed in an image forming apparatus, comprising:
The image forming apparatus includes a tray having an upwardly open mounting surface on which a recording medium to be used for image formation is placed;
a camera having an image capturing range including the placement surface,
The image forming method includes a determination step of determining whether or not a set state indicating a state in which the recording medium is placed on the tray is normal based on image data captured by the camera. An image forming program executed by a computer that controls an image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes a tray having an upwardly open mounting surface on which a recording medium to be used for image formation is placed;
a camera having an image capturing range including the placement surface,
an image forming program including a determination step of determining whether a set state indicating a state in which the recording medium is placed on the tray is normal or not, based on image data captured by the camera;

Images