JP3999161B2 - Image forming apparatus, priority change program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a plurality of cassettes that store transfer paper, and in particular, priorities regarding the use of a paper feed cassette to be used or a paper feed unit in which the paper feed cassette is mounted are assigned to information relating to the operating status of each cassette. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which the operating rate is improved by making it variable according to (frequency of occurrence of trouble, number of times of use, transfer paper conveyance time, etc.).
[0002]
[Prior art]
  First, a process for manually selecting a used paper feeding unit of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 4, symbols S20, S21,... Indicate step numbers.
  Step S20: Any one of a display operation unit such as a liquid crystal touch panel installed on the upper surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus by a user, a terminal connected to the image forming apparatus via a printer controller, or an external terminal existing on the network Is used to check whether or not a print processing start operation has been performed. If so, the process proceeds to step S21. If not, the process waits for the process of step S20.
  Step S21: It is confirmed whether or not the user has selected a paper feeding unit to be used from among the paper feeding units of the image forming apparatus from any one of the display operation unit, the terminal, and the external terminal. If it is selected, the process proceeds to step S22. If it is not selected, the process proceeds to step S24.
  Step S22: The size and direction of the transfer paper stored in the paper feed unit selected in Step S21 is the size and direction corresponding to the printing conditions set from any of the display operation unit, the terminal, and the external terminal. Check if it matches the direction. If they match, the process ends. If they do not match, the process proceeds to step S23.
  Step S23: In step S22, the transfer paper that matches the size and direction corresponding to the printing conditions set from any of the display operation unit, the terminal, and the external terminal is not set in the corresponding paper feeding unit. Therefore, a message prompting replenishment of the transfer paper is displayed on the display operation unit. When the transfer paper is replenished, the process returns to step S21.
  Step S24: When the user does not select the paper feed unit to be used from the paper feed units of the image forming apparatus, the paper feed unit in which the transfer paper corresponding to the output image size is stored is automatically selected.
  When a user manually selects a paper feed unit as described above, the paper feed unit is selected with the user's consideration. For example, a paper feed unit with many failures is actively used. Although the usage efficiency of the image forming apparatus is improved, it is not possible to save the user from having to select the paper feed unit one by one.
  Therefore, in recent years, image forming apparatuses such as copiers, printers, and fax machines that have a plurality of paper feed cassettes for storing transfer paper and can automatically select a paper feed unit have become widespread.. ExampleFor example, as in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-260260, transfer paper that matches the output image size is automatically selected from a plurality of paper feed cassettes (hereinafter referred to as cassettes) included in the image forming apparatus in accordance with information such as the size of the original and the scaling ratio for the original. Automatic paper selection function (hereinafter referred to as APS function). Further, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, by providing a 90-degree rotation function that automatically rotates image data by 90 degrees, for example, the direction of the document placed on the contact glass and the transfer stored in the cassette There has also been proposed an image forming apparatus that can perform printing in accordance with the direction of transfer paper by automatically correcting the direction of image data even when the direction of the paper is different. Further, in the image forming apparatus including a plurality of cassettes storing transfer sheets of the same size corresponding to uses such as using transfer sheets having different thicknesses or using a copied back sheet, the APS function is used. In addition to the 90-degree rotation function, for example, a cassette for paper feeding is selected in consideration of setting information related to the image forming apparatus such as the priority order of used cassettes stored in the image forming apparatus.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
        JP-A-8-202208
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  However, when the printing conditions are the same, even if the cassette or paper feed unit to be used is selected from the above-mentioned various information, the selected cassette or paper feed unit is selected as long as the stored transfer paper size and direction are not changed. Is always the same. The same applies to an image forming apparatus provided with a plurality of paper feed units capable of mounting a plurality of cassettes storing transfer sheets of the same size. In other words, in the conventional image forming apparatus, since the priority order regarding the use of the used cassette or paper feeding unit is determined only by the size and direction of the transfer paper, the cassette having a high priority regarding use or the mechanism for taking out the transfer paper from the cassette. Since the use frequency of the paper feed unit provided with is high, the more frequently used cassette or paper feed unit is used more frequently and the deterioration is faster than other cassettes. As a result, there is a high possibility of causing damage to the cassette and the paper feeding unit, and there is a problem that the period during which the image forming apparatus operates normally is shortened.
  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to make the cassette damage rate low by changing the priority of use for a plurality of cassettes or paper feed units of the image forming apparatus. This is to achieve a longer life of the entire image forming apparatus.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a paper storage means for storing transfer paper fed to the image forming section, a storage section selection means for selecting the paper storage means, and a priority order for the paper storage means. In the image forming apparatus comprising the order storage means for storing, the sheet storage meanspluralBased on operational status informationThe priority corresponding to each of the operation status information is acquired, and the acquired Based on the total priorityThe image forming apparatus comprises a priority order changing means for changing the priority order stored in the order storage means. Here, the paper storage means means either or both of a cassette and a paper feed unit for mounting the cassette.
  Therefore, the paper storage meanspluralEach time the operating status information changes, the priority order of the paper storage means is changed. Therefore, the frequency of use of the specific paper storage means varies, and damage and failure in the specific cassette and its paper feed unit are avoided, and image formation is performed. The lifetime of the entire device is extended.
[0006]
  Where abovepluralSpecific examples of operating status information include the frequency of malfunctions occurring in the paper storage means, the frequency of use of the paper storage means, and the transfer of the transfer paper to the image forming unit.BetweenCan be mentioned. The usage priority order of the sheet storage means is changed based on the multifaceted information as described above.
[0007]
  In addition, when the value of the operation status information stored in the rank storage unit exceeds a predetermined value, an information display unit that displays predetermined information regarding the image forming process can be provided. As information displayed by the information display means, information including one or more of a change instruction for the orientation of the original paper and a change instruction for the front and back of the transfer paper can be considered as an example.
[0008]
  According to the present invention, a sheet storing means for storing transfer sheets fed to the image forming unit, a sheet selecting means for selecting the sheet storing means, and a rank storing means for storing priorities for the sheet storing means. A program for controlling an image forming apparatus comprising:pluralBased on operational status informationThe priority corresponding to each of the operating status information is acquired, and based on the total value of the acquired priorityIt is also possible to configure as a priority change program that achieves the function of changing the priority stored in the rank storage means. It is also within the scope of the present invention that the priority change program calculates the priority order for the sheet storage means in the image forming apparatus. Of course, the sheet storage means here means a cassette or a sheet feeding unit for mounting either or both of the cassettes.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
   Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the present invention can be understood. The following embodiment is an example embodying the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an image forming apparatus X according to an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as an embodiment), and FIG. 2 is an image data and control signal in the image forming apparatus X according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for automatically selecting a cassette included in the image forming apparatus X according to the above embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a sheet feeding unit in the image forming apparatus according to the conventional example. FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure for manually selecting the information, and FIG. 5 shows information relating to the paper storage unit of the image forming apparatus X according to the above embodiment, that is, each cassette or paper feed unit, or both (A, B, C, D) It is the chart which showed. The document size in the embodiment will be described as A4 (horizontal).
[0010]
  First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus X according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
  The image forming apparatus X is a multifunction machine having a copying function and a printer function. The image forming apparatus X includes a sheet feeding unit for mounting a plurality of cassettes 31 (31A, 31B, 31C, 31D) below, a duplex unit 32 disposed above the sheet feeding unit, and an image forming unit 33 and a fixing above the sheet feeding unit 32. A device 3 is provided. Further, a scanner 35 for reading an image and an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 36 are attached to the upper part. Further, a display operation unit 4 such as a liquid crystal touch panel is disposed on the upper surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus X, and the user can select an image quality mode and a plurality of cassettes 31A, 31B, 31C by operating the display operation unit 4. , 31D to be used and various operations such as an image reading start operation are performed. The image forming unit 33 is provided with an image forming unit 44 in which a charging device 41, a developing device 42, and a cleaning device 43 are disposed around the photosensitive drum 40. A transfer device 45 is arranged. The photosensitive drum 40 has a photosensitive layer formed on the surface of an aluminum cylinder having a diameter of 84 mm, for example, and is driven to rotate clockwise in FIG. The charging device 41 charges the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 40 to several hundred volts by corona discharge. On the downstream side of the charging device 41 on the surface of the photosensitive drum 40 in the rotation direction, an exposure device 50 including an LED array head and a Selfoc lens is exposed to form an electrostatic latent image. Image data used for controlling the light emission output of the exposure apparatus 50 is input from the image processing unit 30.
  That is, the original image light guided by the mirror from the scanner 35 is incident on a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) 37, where it is A / D converted to digital image data (original Image data) is input to the image processing unit 30. Further, the document image data is subjected to predetermined image processing in the image processing unit 30, and the image data after image processing is input to the exposure device control unit 60, and the image processing unit 60 performs image processing after the image processing. The exposure apparatus 50 is controlled so that exposure according to the data is performed.
[0011]
  In the developing device 42, the developing roller rotates so that the magnetic brush formed on the surface of the developing roller comes into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 40, and a charged toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image. The toner image is conveyed in the transfer device 45 in a state where the transfer paper conveyed from any of the cassettes 31 is sandwiched between the photosensitive drum 40 and the transfer belt 46 moving at the same speed as the peripheral speed. While being charged, the toner image is transferred onto the transfer paper.
  Further, a cleaning device 43 is disposed on the downstream side of the transfer device 45, and toner and other deposits remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 40 are removed. The transfer device 45 of the image forming apparatus X employs a transfer belt, but it can be replaced with a transfer roller.
  The transfer paper onto which the toner image has been transferred by the transfer device 45 is conveyed to the fixing device 3 provided on the downstream side in the conveying direction, and is moved between the fixing roller 1 of the fixing device 3 and the pressure roller 2 facing this. As described above, the toner on the transfer paper is melted and fixed by the heat of the fixing roller 1 having a heater therein. The pressure roller 2 is for pressing the transfer paper against the fixing roller 1 to ensure toner fixing.
  The transfer paper on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 3 is sent to the transfer paper processing device Y side.
[0012]
  Next, main structural functions and flow of image data and control signals in the image forming apparatus X according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The functional configuration of the image forming apparatus X is roughly divided into an image reading unit 70, a control unit 71, a display operation unit 4, an image forming unit 33, and a finisher unit 78. The image reading unit 70 performs a process of reading an image (image) drawn or printed on a document. For example, the scanner 35 and the ADF 36 configured to irradiate the document with a laser or the like, and the captured image signal is electrically converted. It consists of a CCD 37 that converts it into a signal. The control unit 71 that performs control processing in the image forming apparatus X includes an image memory 72 that temporarily stores image data, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 73 that performs arithmetic processing, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The control unit 71 and each processing unit are connected by an I / F (interface) 75. The image forming unit 33 that forms an image according to the acquired image data has a built-in exposure device 50, and is connected to a finisher unit 78 that discharges the transfer paper by an I / F (interface) 77. The display operation unit 4 for the user to input printing conditions and the like includes an input unit such as a numeric keypad, a liquid crystal display unit, and an LED display unit.
[0013]
  The outline of the image forming process performed by the control unit 71 for each processing unit is as follows.
  The image data read by the scanner 35 is digitized by the CCD 37 and held in the image memory 72. Further, the image data is stored in the internal storage device 76 of the image forming apparatus X and the image data is read from the internal storage device 76 according to the processing. The image data held in the image memory 72 is transmitted to the exposure device 50 and used for image formation. The image forming apparatus X receives image data from the terminal 81 or the external terminal 82 existing on the network via the printer controller 80. Various setting processes for the image forming apparatus X are performed via a NIC (network interface card) 79.
[0014]
  Subsequently, the total priority of the cassettes 31A, 31B, 31C, 31D included in the image forming apparatus X implemented by the control unit 71 or the sheet feeding unit thereof is calculated, and the cassette or the sheet feeding unit is determined based on the total priority. A processing procedure for automatic selection will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3 and the data table of FIG. In FIG. 3, reference numerals S1, S2,... Indicate step (processing procedure) numbers, respectively. Such processing is executed by a program stored in advance in the internal storage device 76. Therefore, it can be said that the following processes of S1, S2,... Are a series of functions executed by this program. However, here, attention is paid to the priority of the paper feed unit as an example of the paper storage means.
  As a premise, the operation status information of the paper feed unit in which the cassettes 31A, 31B, 31C, and 31D are installed (in this case, as an example of the operation status information, the productivity, the storage paper size of the installed cassette, the JAM occurrence rate, the number of uses) It is assumed that priorities corresponding to 4 factors are stored as shown in the table of FIG. However, in FIG. 5, the data is tabulated for easy understanding, but actually, it is possible to take a data structure of an arbitrary array.
  Step S1: The control unit 71 first confirms whether or not the user has performed an operation for starting the printing process using any one of the display operation unit 4, the terminal 81, and the terminal 82. If so, the process proceeds to step S2, and if not, the procedure of step S1 is repeated to wait for the user's operation.
  Step S2: First, the priority based on the productivity as one of the operation status information is acquired for the paper feeding units of the cassettes 31A, 31B, 31C, and 31D of the image forming apparatus X. Here, the priority based on productivity is set as a factor, for example, the transfer sheet conveyance time for each sheet feeding unit caused by the difference in distance from each sheet feeding unit mounted with each cassette to the registration roller. The shorter the distance from the paper feed unit to the registration roller, the faster the printing process can be performed, so that the productivity is judged to be high. Such priority based on productivity is a fixed value that does not depend on the number of times of image forming processing or the like, and is therefore stored in the internal storage device 76 in advance as a predetermined value for each sheet feeding unit. The unit 71 reads the predetermined priority for each sheet feeding unit. The priority for each paper feed unit based on the productivity set in this way is stored in the semiconductor memory 74 by the control unit 71.
  In general, it is said that the closer to the image forming unit, the higher the productivity because the transfer paper conveyance time from the paper feeding operation to the printing to the completion of discharging becomes shorter. That is, since the priority is higher in the upper sheet feed unit, the priority order of each sheet feed unit is determined as A> B> C> D in this embodiment. Here, the priority values were calculated as A = 10, B = 9, C = 8, and D = 7 as shown in FIG. That is, the priority here means the weight (or point) set for each sheet feeding unit, and is set in advance. A is the priority of the paper feed unit to which the cassette 31A is installed, B is the priority of the paper feed unit to which the cassette 31B is installed, C is the priority of the paper feed unit to which the cassette 31C is installed, and D is the cassette The priority of the paper feed unit to which 31D is attached is used.
  As described above, the paper storage unit in which the cassette 31A for storing transfer paper is mounted, the paper supply unit in which 31B is installed, the paper supply unit in which 31C is installed, and the paper supply unit in which 31D is installed are the paper storage means in the present invention. The semiconductor memory 74 for storing the priorities is the rank storage means in the present invention.
  Step S3: Here, the priority (point) based on the combination of the size and direction of the transfer paper to be used is acquired. For example, when the paper feed sizes and directions of the cassettes 31A to 31D installed in the paper feed units are as shown in FIG. 5, when the horizontal paper feed is designated with the A4 size, the cassettes 31A and 31D. Since both are A4 landscape paper feed cassettes, the priority of the paper feed unit in which each cassette is mounted is set to 100. Since the cassette 31B is for A3 horizontal transfer paper, it cannot be used for A4 paper feeding, so the priority of the paper feeding unit is set to zero. Further, since the cassette 31C stores A4 vertical transfer paper, even if the A4 horizontal document is read, if the 90-degree rotation function is used, A4 horizontal feeding should be supported. However, since this is more time-consuming than the cassettes 31A and 31D that directly feed A4 landscape paper, the priority of the paper feed unit is set to 80.
  Since the priority corresponding to such a paper feed size and its direction is fixed when the cassette to be mounted is determined, it can be stored in advance according to the cassette to be mounted. Of course, the priorities as described above are set in advance corresponding to the size and direction of the paper to be fed.
  The paper feed size and the direction thereof are the transfer paper size determined as a result of the operation of the APS function of the image forming apparatus X on the original, or the display operation unit 4 or the terminal 81 (or terminal 82). From the printing conditions entered by the user. Thus, the acquired priority is stored in the semiconductor memory 74.
  Step S4: The JAM occurrence rate of each paper feed unit is calculated by the CPU 73 every time JAM occurs in each paper feed unit, and the new JAM occurrence rate is stored in the internal storage device 76. Such a JAM occurrence rate is an example of the operation status information of the sheet feeding unit. The JAM occurrence rate is an example of operation status information that changes from moment to moment (every time JAM occurs). When a paper feed unit having a high JAM generation rate is used, the operation rate of the image forming apparatus naturally decreases. Therefore, when the JAM occurrence rate increases to some extent, it is desirable to change the priority regarding the use of the paper feed unit and to use the paper feed unit with a low JAM occurrence rate with priority. Therefore, in this step, each time a process start operation is performed (S1), a value is calculated and acquired so that the paper feed unit having the lower JAM occurrence rate has a higher priority rate, and is stored in the semiconductor memory 74. At this time, as an example, the numerical value of the paper feeding unit having the highest JAM occurrence rate is set to zero.
  In this embodiment, since the JAM occurrence rate in each sheet feeding unit has a value as shown in FIG. 5, the priority order of the sheet feeding unit is determined as C> D> B> A, and the priority value is set as follows. A = 0, B = 10, C = 30, and D = 20, respectively. The relationship between the JAM occurrence rate and the numerical value of the point indicating the priority is set in advance in another table or the like, and when the JAM occurrence rate is detected, the point corresponding to the JAM occurrence rate is read.
  Step S5: Since the paper feed unit has a mechanical configuration, the number of times it is used is a life parameter. In other words, the number of times the sheet feeding unit is used is an example of operation status information of the sheet feeding unit. Therefore, here, the number of uses of each sheet feed unit is detected, and the priority corresponding to the number of uses of each sheet feed unit is acquired.
  The relationship between the number of uses and the priority is predetermined and stored. Regarding the number of times each sheet feeding unit is used, the CPU 73 stores the number of times in the internal storage device 76 each time each sheet feeding unit is used. Since it is considered that the paper feed unit having a smaller number of uses has a longer life, a numerical value that increases the priority is stored. At this time, the numerical value of the paper feeding unit that is used most frequently is set to zero.
  Here, when the number of uses of each sheet feeding unit is the number of times data shown in FIG. The priority corresponding to the number of uses is read as described above. As a result, the priority values are calculated as A = 20, B = 0, C = 30, and D = 10, respectively.
  In the present embodiment, in steps S2 to S5, priorities according to various operating conditions (productivity, transfer paper size and direction, occurrence frequency of defects (JAM occurrence rate as an example), and number of uses). However, since what is actually needed is a priority based on the comprehensive judgment obtained from the overall operation status, the overall priority obtained from the points based on the above four types of operation status information Is obtained in the next step S6. In this case, as the overall priority, the total value of the points obtained in steps S2 to S5 is set as the overall priority.
  Step S6: The overall priority is determined based on the sum of the priority values calculated in Step S2 to Step S5 held in the semiconductor memory 74, and the priority stored in the semiconductor memory 87 is determined. Change to rank. At this time, if the total priority value does not reach a certain value (in this embodiment, the value is 80), the priority is excluded. In this embodiment, since the total of the priorities (number of points) for A4 size paper feeding in the horizontal direction is A = 129, B = 18, C = 147, and D = 136, the overall priority is C> It is determined that D> A> B. In addition, the paper feed unit in which the cassette 31B is mounted is excluded from use because the total priority value is less than 80.
  Step S7: The paper feed unit (in this case, the paper feed unit equipped with the cassette 31C) having the highest overall priority in the above processing is confirmed.
  Step S8: Next, the control unit 71 performs the result of the operation of the APS function of the image forming apparatus X on the document in the cassette mounted on the first-priority paper feeding unit confirmed in Step S7, and Whether or not a transfer sheet that matches the size and direction determined from the printing conditions input by the user from the display operation unit 4 or the terminal 81 (or terminal 82) is stored, and such a cassette has the first priority. It is confirmed whether it is installed in the upper paper feed unit. If it is determined that the predetermined cassette is stored in the paper feeder of the first priority, the process proceeds to step S12, and if it is determined that the size or direction of the transfer paper is different even if there is no cassette, Proceed to step S9.
  Step S9: It is determined whether or not the determination in step S8 has been made for the paper feed unit of the image forming apparatus X. If not, the process proceeds to step S10, and if so, the process proceeds to step S11.
  Step S10: The process proceeds to the confirmation of the paper feed unit that is one priority lower than that of the paper feed unit determined in step S9, and the process returns to step S8.
  Step S11: Since there is no paper feed unit in which the cassette storing the relevant transfer paper is installed in the process of Step S9, replenishment of the transfer paper satisfying the printing condition which is the target in Step S8 or A message prompting the user to attach the cassette is displayed on the liquid crystal or LED display of the display / operation unit 4. When the transfer paper is replenished, the process returns to step S8.
  Step S12: Select a paper feed unit that satisfies the condition in S8, and the process ends.
  In the series of processing from step S1 to step S12, the priority value and the priority order may be stored in the internal storage device 76 although not shown. The semiconductor memory 74 or the internal storage device 76 does not have to store the sheet feeding unit usage priority as an initial value.
  Further, when the JAM occurrence rate is acquired from the internal storage device 76 in step S4, if the JAM occurrence rate is equal to or greater than a certain value, a message prompting the change of the state of the document or transfer paper is displayed on the display. You may display on the operation part 4. FIG. The means for displaying the message prompting the change as described above is the information display means in the present invention.
  In the above embodiment, the priority of the paper feed unit, which is the cassette mounting unit, is determined. However, it is natural that the priority of the cassette itself may be determined. The priority of the combination may be determined separately by combining the degree and the priority of the cassette.
  The processing in steps S1 to S12 has been described as processing in the control unit 71 of the image forming apparatus, but such processing is performed by executing a program stored in the internal storage device 76 in the image forming apparatus. Needless to say, this is achieved. In addition, such a program itself can be produced or copied independently, and further, such a program can be stored on a medium and sold for each medium, or downloaded on the network for free or free of charge. It is also possible.
[0015]
【The invention's effect】
  As described above, according to the present invention, when an original having the same size and direction is repeatedly printed in an image forming apparatus provided with a plurality of paper supply units storing transfer paper of the same size, the image forming unit By not specifying the paper feed unit that feeds the paper, the operation rate of each paper feed unit is equalized. As a result, the damage rates of the respective paper feeding units are distributed, so that the life of the image forming apparatus itself can be extended.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an image forming apparatus X according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows image data and control signals in the image forming apparatus X according to the embodiment.
Functional block diagram showing the flow
FIG. 3 automatically selects a sheet feeding unit included in the image forming apparatus X according to the embodiment.
Flow chart showing processing
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing for manually selecting a paper feeding unit in a conventional image forming apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a chart showing information about each paper feeding unit (A, B, C, D) of the image forming apparatus X according to the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... Fixing roller
2 ... Pressure roller
3. Fixing device
4 ... Display operation section
30. Image processing unit
31 ... Cassette 31 (A, B, C, D)
32 ... Double-sided unit
33. Image forming unit
35 ... Scanner
36. Automatic document feeder (ADF)
37 ... CCD
40. Photosensitive drum
41 ... Charging device
42. Developing device
43 ... Cleaning device
44 ... Image making unit
45. Transfer device
46. Transfer belt
50. Exposure apparatus
60. Exposure apparatus control means
70: Image reading unit
71 ... Control unit
72. Image memory
73 ... CPU
74: Semiconductor memory
75, 77 ... I / F (interface part)
76. Internal storage device
78 ... Finisher
79 ... NIC (network interface card)
80 ... Printer controller
81, 82 ... terminal

Claims (6)

Paper storage means for storing transfer paper fed to the image forming unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a storage unit selection unit that selects the sheet storage unit; and a rank storage unit that stores a priority order for the sheet storage unit.
The priority corresponding to each of the operating status information is acquired based on a plurality of operating status information of the sheet storage means , and the priority stored in the ranking storage means is acquired based on the total value of the acquired priorities. An image forming apparatus comprising priority changing means for changing. It said plurality of operating condition information, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is intended to include the frequency of defects occurred in the paper storage means, the frequency of use of the paper storage means, the transfer paper transport time to the image forming section. 3. The information display device according to claim 1, further comprising information display means for displaying predetermined information relating to image forming processing when the value of the operation status information stored in the rank storage means exceeds a predetermined value. The image forming apparatus described. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the information displayed by the information display means is one or more of a change instruction for the orientation of the original paper and a change instruction for the front and back of the transfer paper. . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet storage unit is one or both of a sheet feeding cassette and a sheet feeding unit in which the sheet feeding cassette is mounted. Image forming apparatus comprising sheet storage means for storing transfer paper fed to the image forming section, sheet selection means for selecting the sheet storage means, and rank storage means for storing priority for the sheet storage means A program for controlling the apparatus, which acquires a priority corresponding to each of the operation status information based on a plurality of operation status information of the sheet storage means , and stores the rank based on the total value of the acquired priority A priority change program for realizing a function of changing the priority stored in the means.

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