JP3459780B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of simultaneously accepting a plurality of copy jobs or print jobs.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Due to recent advances in network technology,
Some printers and copiers having a printer function are more compatible with networks and are capable of processing a plurality of print jobs from a plurality of clients on the network.

Some of the copiers and printers are equipped with an image storage device such as a hard disk, that is, an image server, so that a plurality of print jobs can be simultaneously received and sequentially processed. Among them, there is proposed an image forming apparatus that has an operation screen for each of a plurality of types and can set a print mode on the operation screen even when another print job is operating.

Further, conventionally, in the paper feed stage of the copying machine and the printer, it is possible to feed a non-standard size paper called a hand tray, and by setting the paper, the paper is set on the manual feed tray from the operation screen. There is a paper feed tray of the type that sets the paper size.

[0005]

However, since the copying machine and the printer are provided with a manual feed tray and have an image storage device, a plurality of jobs can be accepted at the same time, and a setting screen for each job type is also provided. Causes a problem.

For example, in the conventional copying machines and printers that cannot simultaneously accept a plurality of jobs, the once set paper size in the manual feed tray is not changed until the job ends. However, if settings for multiple jobs are possible from each setting screen, the paper size of the bypass tray set on a certain setting screen can be changed from the setting screens of other types of jobs even if that job is being executed. The settings can be changed easily. Then, in the job being executed, a different size is output from the middle of the output bundle, which causes a problem that the ejected sheets are misaligned.

In consideration of the above points, the present invention allows a user to input a size from the setting screen while a job requiring a paper feed from a paper feed tray such as a manual feed tray is being executed. It is prohibited to change the size setting, and the paper size is changed carelessly during the job.
It is intended to prevent the occurrence of inconsistency as a print document.

[0008]

In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, an image forming apparatus capable of setting a second job while a first job is being executed on a display panel provided in the apparatus main body. in a plurality of storage means including a first storing means capable of storing a recording sheet of any size, the display
Size setting means for manually setting the size of the recording sheets accommodated in said first accommodating means in panel, the
When setting the second job during execution of the first job,
When the first job is a job that uses the first storage means, a control that prohibits the size setting means from changing the size of the recording sheet of the first storage means in the setting of the second job And means.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an example of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.
Reference numeral 80 is an automatic document feeder (ADF). In FIG. 1, 101 is a platen glass serving as a document placing table.
A scanner 02 includes a document illumination lamp 103, a scanning mirror 104, and the like. The scanner is reciprocally scanned in a predetermined direction by a motor (not shown), and the reflected light of the original is transmitted through the lens 108 through the scanning mirrors 104 to 106 and the CCD.
An image is formed on the sensor 109. Reference numeral 120 denotes an exposure control unit including a laser, a polygon scanner, and the like. The laser light 12 is converted into an electric signal by the image sensor unit 109 and modulated based on an image signal subjected to a predetermined image processing described later.
9 is irradiated onto the photoconductor drum 110. Photoconductor drum 11
Around 0, a primary charger 112, a developing device 121, a transfer charger 118, a cleaning device 116, and a pre-exposure lamp 114 are installed. In the image forming unit 126,
The photoconductor drum 110 is rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure by a motor (not shown), is charged to a desired potential by the primary charger 112, and then is irradiated with the laser beam 129 from the exposure controller 120. An electrostatic latent image is formed. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 110 is developed by the developing device 121 and visualized as a toner image.

On the other hand, the transfer paper fed from the upper cassette 131 or the lower cassette 132 by the pickup rollers 133 and 134 is sent to the main body by the paper feed rollers 135 and 136, and is fed to the transfer belt by the registration rollers 137. The visualized toner image is transferred to the transfer charger 1.
It is transferred to the transfer paper by 18. After the transfer, the cleaner device 116 cleans the residual toner from the photosensitive drum, and the pre-exposure lamp 114 erases the residual charge.
The transfer paper after the transfer is separated from the transfer belt 130, the toner image is recharged by the pre-fixing chargers 139 and 140, and the toner image is sent to the fixing device 141 and fixed by pressing and heating.
It is discharged to the outside of the main body 100 by the discharge roller 142.

The main body 100 is equipped with a deck 150 capable of accommodating, for example, 4000 sheets of transfer paper. The lifter 151 of the deck 150 rises according to the amount of transfer paper so that the transfer paper always contacts the paper feed roller 152. Further, a manual feed tray 153 capable of accommodating 100 sheets of transfer paper of any size is provided. Further, in FIG. 1, reference numeral 154 is a paper ejection flapper, which switches the path between the double-sided recording side or the multiple recording side and the paper ejection side. Paper ejection roller 1
The transfer paper sent from 42 is the paper discharge flapper 15
Switching to the double-sided recording side or the multiplex recording side is made possible by 4. Further, reference numeral 158 is a lower conveyance path, and the paper discharge rollers 14
The transfer sheet sent from the sheet 2 is turned over and guided to the re-feed tray 156 via the reversing path 155. Also, 15
Reference numeral 7 denotes a multiple flapper that switches between double-sided recording and multiple recording paths. By tilting this to the left, the transfer paper is directly guided to the lower transport path 158 without passing through the reverse path 155.
Reference numeral 159 denotes the transfer paper through the path 160 to the photosensitive drum 12
6 is a paper feed roller for feeding paper. 161 is arranged in the vicinity of the paper discharge flapper 154, and the paper discharge flapper 154 is provided.
Is a discharge roller that discharges the transfer paper switched to the discharge side to the outside of the machine. During double-sided recording (double-sided copying) or multiplex recording (multiplex copying), the paper discharge flapper 154 is raised and the copied transfer paper is stored in the re-feed tray 156 via the transport paths 155 and 158. At this time, the multiple flapper 157 is tilted to the right during double-sided recording, and the multiple flapper 157 is tilted toward the left during multiple recording. The transfer sheets stored in the re-feed tray 156 are guided from the bottom one by one to the registration rollers 137 of the main body via the path 160 by the sheet feed roller 159. When the transfer sheet is reversed and discharged from the main body, the discharge flapper 154 is raised upward, the flapper 157 is tilted to the right, the copied transfer sheet is conveyed to the conveying path 155 side, and the rear end of the transfer sheet is moved to the first position. After passing the first feed roller 162, the reversing roller 163 conveys the transfer paper to the second feed roller side, and the discharge roller 161 reverses the transfer paper and discharges it to the outside of the machine.

Reference numeral 190 denotes a paper discharge processing device for aligning and binding the transfer paper discharged from the image forming apparatus 100. In the operation unit 172, which will be described later, when the post-processing of the discharged bundle such as sorting and stapling is not set, the sheet is discharged to the discharge tray 191 without passing through the conveyance path 194 and the processing tray 193. . When the sheet discharge bundle post-processing operation is set, the transfer sheets discharged one by one through the conveyance path 195 are stacked and arranged on the processing tray 193. When the discharge of part of the image formation is completed, the bundle of transfer sheets is stapled and discharged as a bundle to the discharge tray 191 or 192. When the paper ejection bundle post-processing operation is set, basically, the paper ejection tray 192
On the other hand, a bundle is discharged, but control is performed to switch to the discharge tray 191 depending on conditions such as a full state. Output tray 19
Motors 1, 192 are controlled to move up and down by a motor (not shown),
Before the start of the image forming operation, the tray to be loaded is moved to the processing tray position.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram in the image forming apparatus 100. Reference numeral 171 denotes a CPU that performs basic control of the image forming apparatus 100, and a ROM 17 in which a control program is written.
4, a work RAM 175 for processing and an input / output port 173 are connected by an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 173 is connected to various loads (not shown) such as a motor and a clutch of the image forming apparatus 100, and an input (not shown) such as a sensor for detecting the position of the paper.

The CPU 171 controls input / output sequentially through the input / output port 173 according to the contents of the ROM 174, and executes the image forming operation. Further, the CPU 171 has an operation unit 172.
Are connected to control the display unit and the input keys of the operation unit 172. The operator operates the input keys to instruct the CPU 171 to switch the image forming operation mode and the display, and
Reference numeral 171 displays the state of the image forming apparatus 100 and the operation mode setting by key input. The CPU 171 is connected to the image processing unit 170 that processes a signal converted into an electric signal by the image sensor unit 109 and the image memory unit 3 that stores the processed image.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, the image processing unit 17
Details of 0 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the image processing unit. The original image formed on the CCD sensor 109 via the lens 108 is input as the data of the brightness of Black and is converted into an analog electric signal by the CCD sensor 109. The converted image information is input to an analog signal processing unit (not shown), and after the sample and hold and dark level correction are performed, analog / digital conversion (A / D conversion) is performed by the A / D conversion unit 301. ), And the digitized signal is subjected to shading correction (variation in the sensor for reading the original, and correction of the light distribution characteristic of the original illumination lamp). Then, it is sent to the log conversion unit 302. The log conversion unit 302 stores a look-up table (LUT) for converting the input brightness data into the density data, and outputs the table value corresponding to the input data to convert the brightness data into the density data. Convert to data. Then, the scaling processing unit 303 scales the image to a desired magnification and inputs the image to the γ correction unit 304. When the density data is output, the γ correction unit 304 performs conversion by the LUT in consideration of the characteristics of the printer and adjusts the output according to the density value set by the operation unit. Then, the density data is sent to the binarization unit 305. The binarizing unit 305 binarizes the multivalued density data, and the density value becomes “0” or “255”. The 8-bit image data is binarized and converted into 1-bit image data of "0" or "1", and the amount of image data stored in the memory becomes small.

However, when an image is binarized, the number of gradations of the image changes from 256 gradations to 2 gradations. Therefore, when image data with many halftones such as a photographic image is binarized, the image generally deteriorates. Remarkable. Therefore, it is necessary to perform pseudo halftone expression using binary data. Here, the error diffusion method is used as a method for performing pseudo halftone expression with binary data. In this method, if the density of a certain image is larger than a certain threshold value, the density data is "255", and if it is less than a certain threshold value, the density data is "0".
After the binarization, the difference between the actual density data and the binarized data is distributed as an error signal to surrounding pixels. The distribution of the error is performed by multiplying the weighting coefficient on the matrix prepared in advance with the error generated by the binarization and adding it to the surrounding pixels. As a result, the average value of the densities of the entire image is saved, and the halftone can be represented in a pseudo binary manner.

The binarized image data is sent to the image memory unit 3 and stored as an image. The image data from the computer input from the external I / F processing unit 4 is
Since it is processed as binary image data by the external I / F processing unit, it is sent to the image memory unit 3 as it is. The image memory unit 3 has a high-speed page memory and a large-capacity memory (hard disk) capable of accumulating a plurality of page image data. The plurality of image data stored in the hard disk are output in the order according to the edit mode designated by the operation unit of the image forming apparatus 100. For example, in the case of sorting, the images of the document bundle read using the ADF 180 are sequentially output. The image data of the document once stored is read from the hard disk, and this is repeated a plurality of times for output. This allows it to play the same role as a sorter with multiple bins.

The image data output from the image memory unit 3 is sent to the smoothing unit 306 in the printer unit 2. The smoothing unit 306 interpolates the data so that the line ends of the binarized image are smoothed, and the exposure control unit 120
Output image data to. The exposure control unit 120 forms the image data on the transfer paper by the above-mentioned processing.

Next, details of the image memory unit 3 will be described with reference to FIG. In the image memory unit, a binary memory image is written from the external I / F processing unit 4 and the image processing unit 170 via the memory controller unit 402 to the page memory unit 401 composed of a memory such as DRAM, and is written to the printer unit 2. Image reading and image input / output access to the hard disk 404, which is a large-capacity storage device. The memory controller unit 402 generates a DRAM refresh signal for the page memory 401,
It also arbitrates access to the page memory 401 from the image I / F processing unit 4, the image processing unit 170, and the hard disk 404. Further, according to the instruction of the CPU 171, the page memory unit 4
The write address to 01, the read address from the page memory unit 401, and the read direction are controlled. As a result, the CPU 171 controls a function of arranging and laying out a plurality of original images in the page memory unit 401 and outputting to the printer unit, a function of cutting out and outputting only a part of the image, and an image rotating function.

The configuration of the external I / F processing unit 4 will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the external I / F processing unit 4 fetches the binary image data of the reader unit into the external I / F processing unit via the image memory unit 3, and also the external I / F processing unit via the image memory unit 3. The binary image data from / F is output to the printer unit 2 to form an image. The external I / F processing unit 4 includes a core unit 506, a facsimile unit 501, a hard disk 502 for storing communication image data of the facsimile unit, a computer interface unit 503 connected to the external computer 11, a formatter unit 504, and an image memory unit 505. Have Facsimile section 501 is connected to a public line via a modem (not shown), and receives facsimile communication data from the public line and transmits facsimile communication data to the public line. The facsimile unit 501 saves a fax image on the hard disk 502 for processing, such as performing fax transmission at a designated time or transmitting image data when the other party inquires for a designated password. This allows
After the image is once transferred from the reader unit 1 to the facsimile unit 501 and the facsimile hard disk 502 via the image memory unit 3, fax transmission is performed without using the reader unit 1 and the image memory unit 3 for the facsimile function. It can be carried out.

The computer interface unit 503 is an interface unit for performing data communication with an external computer, and is a local area network (hereinafter,
LAN), serial I / F, SCSI I / F, and Centro I / F for printer data input. Via this I / F, the status of the printer unit and the reader unit is notified to the external computer, and the image read by the reader unit 1 is transferred to the external computer according to the instruction of the computer. Also, it receives print image data from an external computer. Since the print data notified from the external computer via the computer interface unit 503 is described by a dedicated printer code, the formatter unit 504 rasterizes the code by the printer unit 2 via the image memory unit 3. Convert to image data.

The formatter unit 504 expands raster image data in the image memory unit 505. The image memory unit is thus used by the formatter unit 504 as a memory for expanding raster image data, or when the image of the reader unit is sent to an external computer via the computer interface unit 503 (image scanner function). It is also used when the image data sent from the image memory unit 3 is once expanded in the image memory unit, converted into the format of the data to be sent to the external computer, and the data is sent from the computer interface unit 503.

The core unit 506 includes a facsimile unit 501, a computer interface unit 503, a formatter unit 504,
It controls and manages data transfer between the image memory unit 505 and the image memory unit 3. As a result, even if the external I / F processing unit 4 has a plurality of image output units or even if there is only one image transfer path to the image memory unit 3, under the control of the core unit 506,
Image output is performed with exclusive control and priority control.

Next, the operation unit for setting the copy operation mode of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 6, a power lamp 621 indicates that the power is on. The power switch 613 turns on and off the 621 in accordance with the ON / OFF switching of the power source. Numeral 622 is a ten-key pad, which is used for setting the number of image formations and inputting numerical values for mode setting. Also,
It is used to enter the telephone number on the fax setting screen. Reference numeral 623 denotes a clear key, which is used to clear the setting input by the ten keys. 616 is a reset key,
It is for returning the set number of image forming sheets, the operation mode, the mode such as the selected paper feed stage, to the default values. A start key 614 starts the image forming operation by pressing the start key 614. In the center of the start key 614, there are red and green LEDs (not shown) indicating whether or not the start is possible.
Red LED lights up, green L when start is possible
ED lights up. A stop key 615 is used to stop the copying operation. Reference numeral 617 denotes a guide key. When this key is pressed and then another key is pressed,
A description of the function that can be set by the key is displayed on the display panel. To cancel the guide display, the guide key 617 is pressed again. A user setting key 618 allows the user to change the settings of the image forming apparatus by pressing this key. The settings that can be changed by the user are, for example, the time until the settings are automatically cleared, the setting of the default value of the mode when the reset key is pressed, and the like. Reference numeral 619 denotes an interrupt key. When this key is pressed during the image forming operation, the image forming operation is stopped and the copy without using the automatic document feeder 180 can be performed. Reference numeral 620 is a display panel composed of a liquid crystal or the like, and the display content changes depending on the setting mode in order to facilitate detailed mode setting. The surface of the display panel is a touch sensor. The example of FIG. 6 shows an example of the setting screen of the copy operation mode. In FIG. 6, keys 624 to 631 are displayed on the display panel 620, and by touching the display positions of these keys, it is determined whether or not the key is pressed, and the mode is set. Reference numeral 627 denotes a paper feed stage selection key. When this key is pressed, the cassette 13
The display panel 62 displays a display for setting which one of 1, 1, 132, the deck 150, and the manual feed tray 153 is used to feed paper.
Go to 0.

The paper feed stage setting screen will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 7A shows the screen after pressing the paper selection key 627. FIG. 7B shows a screen during job execution. Since changing the paper feed stage with the paper selection key 627 is prohibited during job execution, the paper selection key 627 is shaded and cannot be pressed. It has become.

In FIG. 7A, there is no paper in the manual feed tray 153, and the paper size of the manual feed tray 153 is indefinite.

FIG. 7C is a screen for setting the paper size of the manual feed tray 153. This screen is displayed at the timing when a sheet detection sensor (not shown) provided in the sheet feeding port of the manual feed tray 153 detects that the paper is set in the manual feed tray 153. On this screen, the operator presses the size key of the paper set on the manual feed tray 153 to set the size.

FIG. 7D is a view showing a state in which the paper size is set to A4 and the manual feed tray paper setting screen is closed in FIG. 7C.

In FIG. 6, reference numerals 628 to 631 are keys for setting the copy magnification of the copy operation. 626 is an application mode setting key. When this key is pressed, a screen for setting the application function mode such as multiple operation, reduction layout mode, cover / interleaf mode, etc. is displayed on the display panel (not shown). It enables the setting of. A double-sided operation setting key 624 is, for example, a “single-both mode” for outputting both sides from a single-sided original, a “double-both mode” for outputting both sides from a double-sided original, and two-sided output for two-sided originals. Three types of double-sided modes, "double-sided mode", are set.
A sort key 625 is pressed to set the operation mode of the paper discharge processing device 190 and the output paper sorting mode using the image memory.

In addition to the normal display of the keys on the display panel, when the keys cannot be operated, the key display line is set to a dotted line (shaded) to indicate that the key cannot be operated. It has become. Further, in the example of FIG. 6, the contents set for the copy operation and the current operation state are displayed above the display panel 620. In addition, the display panel 62
At the upper left of the screen of 0, there is a display indicating which screen of each function mode the display screen will be described later, and in the example of FIG. 6, the setting screen of copy A is shown. In the example of FIG.
Although it is shown in letters, it may be a symbol indicating each. or,
Below the display panel 620, the operating states of other functional modes, which will be described later, are displayed within a range that can be displayed in one line. Figure 6
In the example of, the output operation of the copy B to the printer unit is being performed.

Application mode key 62 in display panel 620
There is a key that can be changed by the user next to 6, and it is possible to register up to two function keys that can be set on the application mode setting screen. By displaying the application mode setting key in the position shown in the figure, the registered mode can be set more easily.

In FIG. 6, reference numerals 601 to 612 are keys for switching the display of the operation unit for setting the functions of the copying operation and the system operation using the image forming apparatus 100.
It is an LED display. Reference numerals 601, 604, 607 and 610 are keys for switching respective functions. This key is composed of semi-transparent key buttons, and there is an indicator lamp (not shown) such as an LED inside the key. When a function is selected by pressing these keys, the lamp inside the key lights up. This lamp inside each key is controlled so that only the lamp of the selected function is turned on, and the lamp inside the keys of other functions is controlled to be turned off.

To the right of each key is a green LED (60
3, 606, 609, 612) is arranged and this LED
Shows the operating status of each function by LED lighting control. For example, the LED 606 of the copy B is controlled to be turned off while the copy B is in the standby state, and is controlled to blink when the copy B is in the output operation as in the example of FIG. Further, when the image of copy B is stored in the hard disk 304 of the image memory and the printing operation of copy B is not yet performed, the lighting control is performed. Similarly, for example, a fax LED
In step 609, blinking control is performed during communication operation, printing operation, and reading operation, and lighting control is performed when the facsimile hard disk 402 has a fax image.

To the left of each key is a red LED (602, 6
05, 608, 611) are arranged, and this LED indicates that an abnormal situation of each function has occurred by LED lighting control. For example, the LED 605 of copy B is controlled to blink when copy B is out of paper or when an abnormality such as JAM occurs. At this time, by pressing the copy B function key 604 and switching the display of the operation unit to copy B, the status of copy B is displayed on the display panel, and the details of the abnormal status can be confirmed. These function switching keys can be pressed at any time regardless of the operating status of each function, and the operation unit can be switched. When the copy A function and the copy B function can be switched as in the present embodiment, the keys other than the keys in the display panel such as the stop key, the start key and the reset key described above are the function switching keys 601 and 60.
The function selected by 4 is operated. For example, in the example of FIG. 6, even if the stop key is pressed while the copy A operation screen is displayed, the copy operation cannot be stopped with respect to the output operation of copy B. Copy B
Copy B function key 604
After pressing, the stop key 615 is pressed to stop the output of copy B. The data set by the user setting key 618 is stored in each of copy A and copy B, and the setting operation can be performed independently on each screen.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the paper feed control according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In this flowchart, steps
It is assumed that the display of the display panel 620 in 1001 is started from the point where the setting screen of the print job (hereinafter referred to as job A) is switched by the function switching keys 601 to 604.

In step 1002, it is determined whether job A is being executed. When it is determined in step 1002 that job A is being executed, each key is displayed in a shaded manner in step 1003 in order to prohibit the setting change. If it is determined in step 1002 that job A is not being executed, the process proceeds to step 1004 and subsequent steps. In step 1004, it is determined whether the paper selection key 627 has been pressed. Paper selection key 627 in step 1004
If it is determined that is not pressed, the process proceeds to step 1014 and subsequent steps described below. If it is determined in step 1004 that the paper selection key 627 has been pressed, step 100
5, the paper selection screen shown in FIG. 7A is displayed on the display panel 620.
Display on top.

In step 1006, the current display panel 62 is displayed.
0 Determine whether Job B, which is different from Job A corresponding to the setting screen displayed above, is being executed. Step 100
If it is determined in step 6 that job B is not being executed, the processes in step 1010 and subsequent steps, which will be described later, are performed. If it is determined in step 1006 that job B is being executed, step 100
In step 7, it is determined whether job B is feeding from the manual feed tray 153. If it is determined in step 1007 that the job B is being fed from the manual feed tray 153, the process of step 1009 described below is performed. If it is determined in step 1007 that the job B is not fed from the manual feed tray 153, in step 1008 the job B is set to the manual feed tray 1
It is determined whether or not the job uses 53 (for example, when the cover sheet is set in the manual feed tray 153 in the cover mode). In step 1008, job B is the bypass tray 153
If it is determined that the job uses
In 09, the manual feed tray key 701 in the paper selection screen is shaded to prohibit setting changes. Other paper feed units can be selected.

At step 1008, job B is the bypass tray 1
If it is determined that the job does not use 53, all the sheet feeding units can be selected, and therefore, in step 1010, the manual feed tray key 701 is set to a state in which the setting can be changed without being shaded. Bypass tray key 701 in step 1010
When the setting is changeable, it is determined in step 1011 whether the manual feed tray key 701 has been pressed. If it is determined in step 1011 that the manual feed tray key 701 has been pressed, in step 1012 (c) of FIG.
The screen shown in is displayed, and the size of the paper stored in the manual feed tray 153 is set to the size instructed by the user. If it is determined in step 1011 that the manual feed tray key 701 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step 1013. In step 1013, it is determined whether the paper selection screen has been closed. That is, it is determined whether or not the close key in FIG. 7 (a) has been pressed. If it is determined in step 1013 that the paper selection screen is closed, the process proceeds to step 1014.
If it is determined in step 1013 that the paper selection screen has not been closed, the processing from step 1006 onward is performed again. In step 1014, it is determined whether the copy key 614 has been pressed. In step 1014, copy key 614
If it is determined that has been pressed, in step 1015, a trigger for starting the copy operation is triggered, and the image forming process in the set print mode is executed. Step 10
If it is determined in 14 that the copy key 614 has not been pressed, the processing from step 1004 onward is performed again.

Further, in job B, a cover mode is set from the operation unit to copy a document corresponding to the cover in the document stack to be copied onto a recording paper different from the recording paper used for copying other documents. In addition, when the paper feed tray of the recording paper for the cover copy is set to the manual feed section, the manual feed key 701 is shaded on the setting screen of job A, and the sheet size change is prohibited. .

If the size of the sheet stored in the selected paper feed unit is the same as the set size of the sheet in the manual paper feed unit, the paper is manually fed when there are no more sheets currently being fed. Even if the automatic paper source switching mode is selected in job B to continue feeding from the paper part, job A
Then, the manual feed key is shaded and changing the sheet size is prohibited.

The above is the flow of control for setting the paper feed stage in this embodiment. By performing this control, it is possible to avoid changing the size setting of the bypass tray when another job is feeding paper from the bypass tray or is planning to feed it on the setting screen of one job. It is possible to prevent the size inconsistency in the discharge bundle of other jobs being executed.

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention, a recording sheet of an arbitrary size can be fed, and a job using the first storing means for manually setting the sheet size is being performed while other jobs are being executed. It is possible to prevent the sheet size of the first storage unit from being changed from the job setting screen, and prevent inconsistency as a print document. Also, while using the manual feed section for the first job,
Prohibit manual paper feed section selection on the setting screen of other jobs
This allows you to change the sheet size setting of the manual feed section.
Prohibiting may cause inconsistency as a print document
You can prevent it from happening.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram showing a configuration of a reader unit of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing configurations of an image processing unit and a printer unit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image memory unit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a system configuration.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation unit of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a manual sheet feeding stage setting screen of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a control flowchart of a copy operation related to paper feed control.

[Explanation of symbols]

153 Manual Feed Unit 171 CPU 172 Operation unit 630 Paper selection key 701 Manual feed key

Front page continuation (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 21/00 370-540 G03G 21/14 G03G 15/00 510-534 H04N 1/00-1/00 108

Claims (14)

(57) [Claims] 1. A first display on a display panel provided on the main body of the apparatus .
In the image forming apparatus capable of setting the second job during execution of the second job, a plurality of storage units including a first storage unit capable of storing a recording sheet of an arbitrary size and the first storage unit on the display panel . Size setting means for manually setting the size of the recording sheets stored in the first storage means, and setting the second job during execution of the first job
When the first job is a job that uses the first storage means, the size setting means sets the recording sheet of the first storage means in the setting of the second job. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that prohibits a size change. 2. A setting screen switching means for switching between an operation screen for setting the image forming mode of the first job and an operation screen for setting the image forming mode of the second job. The image forming apparatus described. 3. When the first job is a job that does not use the first storage means, the control means records the first storage means by the size setting means in setting the second job. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the size of the sheet can be changed. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the job using the first storage means is a job including a cover mode for copying a cover document on a specific recording sheet. . 5. A job using the first storage means is an automatic operation for continuing feeding from another storage means storing the same size recording sheets when the recording sheets in the storage means being fed run out. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the job is a job including a paper feed switching mode. 6. A plurality of accommodating means including a first accommodating means capable of accommodating a recording sheet of an arbitrary size, and an apparatus main body.
The size setting means for manually setting the size of the recording sheets stored in the first storing means is provided on the digit display panel, and the second size is set while the first job is being executed on the display panel .
In the method of controlling the image forming apparatus capable of setting the job, the execution step for executing the first job, and the setting screen for the image forming mode of the second job are displayed.
Display steps to be displayed on the panel and when setting the second job during execution of the first job
When the first job is a job that uses the first storage means, the size setting means sets the recording sheet of the first storage means in the setting of the second job. And a control step of prohibiting a change in size, the control method of the image forming apparatus. 7. When the first job is a job that does not use the first storage means, the control step records the first storage means by the size setting means in setting the second job. Change the size of the sheet
The control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control method is enabled . 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the job using the first storage means is a job including a cover mode for copying a cover document on a specific recording sheet. Control method. 9. A job using the first storage means is an automatic job for continuing feeding from another storage means that stores recording sheets of the same size when there are no more recording sheets in the storage means being fed. 7. The image forming apparatus control method according to claim 6 , wherein the job is a job including a paper feed switching mode. 10. An image forming apparatus capable of setting a second job while a first job is being executed on a display panel provided in a main body of the apparatus, and a manual sheet feeding section capable of storing a recording sheet of an arbitrary size. a plurality of storage means including a selecting means for selecting one of the storage means of said plurality of storage means in the display panel, the setting of the second job during execution of the first job When doing
, If the first job is a job using the manual paper feed unit, the image forming apparatus characterized by and a control means for inhibiting selection of the manual sheet feeder according to the selection means. 11. The control means is provided for the manual paper feeding section.
When prohibiting selection, the above-mentioned manual feed on the display panel
If the display of the selection section of the paper source differs from that of the selection sections of other paper sources.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein
Place 12. The control means controls the manual paper feed section.
The display is shaded.
The image forming apparatus according to item 0. 13. The manual feed unit for the first job.
If the job does not use
In the setting of the job of No. 2, the above-mentioned difference by the selecting means
2. The sheet feeding unit can be selected.
The image forming apparatus according to item 0. 14. An apparatus main body having a plurality of storing means including a manual sheet feeding section capable of storing recording sheets of any size.
While the first job is being executed, the second
In the method of controlling the image forming apparatus capable of setting the job, the executing step of executing the first job , the selecting step of selecting one storing means from the plurality of storing means, and the first job Of the second job during execution
When setting, if the first job is a job that uses the manual paper feed unit, the setting of the second job
And a control step of prohibiting the selection of the manual sheet feeding section.