JP4349393B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that can provide a method for solving an error that has occurred in processing or transporting a processing medium.

  Conventionally, in a processing medium conveyance device from paper feeding to paper discharge of a printing device, if the printing request from the user cannot be satisfied completely, the printing operation is stopped and an error is detected using the display panel or the like. Had been informed. At this time, not only the cause of the error is notified, but also the user is notified of a solution for canceling the error and obtaining the desired print result at the same time (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .

JP 63-217370 (page 4, upper right column, line 11 to same page, lower left column, line 3)

  However, in the conventional invention described in the above-mentioned patent document 1, even when there are a plurality of error causes or there are a plurality of solutions, only one error solution can be presented, and the presented solution Is a troublesome solution for the user, or even if the proposed error solution is executed, a solution that causes another error will be presented, and a solution that is appropriate for the user is not necessarily presented There was a problem that could not.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus that can solve an error that has occurred with an appropriate solution.

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes: a printing unit that prints on a processing medium; a supply unit that supplies the processing medium to the printing unit; A processing unit including the processing medium discharge unit, a plurality of passing units that transport the processing medium between the processing units, and a plurality of processing paths that are combinations of the processing unit and the passing unit, Processing condition specifying means for specifying a processing condition comprising at least one of the characteristics of the processing medium, state detecting means for detecting the state of the processing section or the passing section, processing capability of the processing section, and the passing section et a device capability storage means for storing at least one related device capabilities of the conveying capacity, and a state detected by the state detecting means, and the stored device capability to the device capability storage means, in accordance with the processing conditions An error detection means for detecting the error, a solution storage means for storing a solution for each of the errors in advance, and a selection among the plurality of processing paths based on a processing condition designated by the processing condition designation means a processing path storage means for storing the processing path that is, an error detected by said error detection means present in the processing on the path stored in the processing path storage means, stored in said solution storage means And a comprehensive solution display control means for creating a comprehensive solution based on the solution and displaying on the display means, wherein the comprehensive solution display control means includes the processing route stored in the processing route storage means. For at least one, a solution for the error detected by the error detection means existing on the processing path is extracted from the solution storage means and integrated. And determine how, and wherein the displaying the overall solution to the display unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including a printing unit that prints on a processing medium, a supply unit that supplies the processing medium to the printing unit, and discharge of the processing medium printed by the printing unit. A processing unit including a processing unit, a plurality of passing units that transport the processing medium between the processing units, a plurality of processing paths that are combinations of the processing unit and the passing unit, and characteristics of the processing medium Processing condition designating means for designating at least one processing condition, state detecting means for detecting the status of the processing section or the passing section, processing capacity of the processing section, and transport capacity of the passing section error detecting and device capability storage means for storing at least one related device capabilities, the state detected by the state detecting means, and the stored device capability to the device capability storage means, an error in accordance with the processing conditions A detecting means, the solution storage means, among the plurality of processing paths, the processing conditions the processing path selected based on the processing conditions specified by the specifying means stored in advance solutions to each of the error Based on the processing path storage means for storing the error, the error detected by the error detection means existing on the processing path stored in the processing path storage means, and the solution stored in the solution storage means Comprehensive solution display control means for creating a comprehensive solution and displaying on the display means, the comprehensive solution display control means for each of the plurality of processing paths stored in the processing path storage means Of the errors detected by the error detection means existing on the processing path, a solution for at least one error is extracted from the solution storage means. An overall solution to, and wherein the displaying the overall solution to the display unit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, when the device capability is changed, the storage content of the device capability storage unit is updated. The update means to perform is further provided.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the total solution includes all the detected ones for one processing path. A complete solution comprising a combination of solutions for each of the errors, and a limited solution comprising a combination of solutions for all errors excluding some errors as unresolved errors according to a predetermined standard It is characterized by that.

Further, in the image forming apparatus of the invention according to claim 5 , in addition to the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to claim 4 , the comprehensive solution display control means sets the priority of the complete solution to the limited solution. The complete solution is displayed on the display means in preference to the limited solution.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the fourth or fifth aspect , the comprehensive solution display control means includes the unresolved solution among the limited solutions. A priority of the limited solution with a small number of errors is higher than a priority of the limited solution with a large number of unresolved errors, and the limited solution with a small number of unresolved errors is It is characterized in that it is displayed on the display means in preference to the limited solution method having a large number of unresolved errors.

In addition to the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6 , in the image forming apparatus of the invention according to claim 7 , some errors are excluded from all errors as the unresolved errors. And an error tolerance standard changing means for changing the predetermined standard.

In addition to the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 7 , in the image forming apparatus of the invention according to claim 8 , the predetermined criterion is an error that may be excluded as the unresolved error. It is characterized by being the maximum number of.

In the image forming apparatus of the invention according to claim 9 , in addition to the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 8 , the predetermined criterion is an error that may be excluded as the unresolved error. It is the kind of.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the comprehensive solution display control unit exists on the processing path for at least one of the processing paths selected based on the processing condition specified by the processing condition specifying unit. The error detection method detected by the error detection means can be extracted from the solution storage means as a total solution method, and the total solution method can be displayed on the display unit. Therefore, the user can easily recover the error with reference to the displayed comprehensive solution.

  In the image forming apparatus of the invention according to claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1, the comprehensive solution display control means is selected based on the processing condition specified by the processing condition specifying means. In the processing path, a solution for at least one of the errors detected by the error detection means is extracted from the solution storage means as a comprehensive solution, and the comprehensive solution is displayed on the display means. it can. Therefore, the user can select the optimum comprehensive solution method from among the comprehensive solution methods displayed on the display means.

In addition, in the image forming apparatus of the invention according to claim 3, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1 or 2, when the device capability is changed, the updating unit updates the storage contents of the device capability storage unit. can do.
In the image forming apparatus of the invention according to claim 4, in addition to the effect of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the comprehensive solution includes both a complete solution and a limited solution, The complete solution consists of a combination of solutions for each of the errors detected for one processing path, and the limited solution excludes some errors from all errors as unresolved errors according to a predetermined criterion. Since it consists of a combination of solutions for things, the error can be resolved according to the limited solution when it is not necessary to completely resolve the error.

In the image forming apparatus of the invention according to claim 5 , in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 4 , the comprehensive solution display control means sets the priority of the complete solution over the priority of the limited solution. The complete solution can be displayed on the display means in preference to the limited solution. Thus, the user can see the complete solution first.

Further, in the image forming apparatus of the invention according to claim 6 , in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 4 or 5 , the total solution display control means has a small number of unresolved errors among limited solutions. The priority of the limited resolution method is higher than the priority of the limited resolution method with a large number of unresolved errors, and the limited resolution method with a small number of unresolved errors is compared to the limited resolution method with a large number of unresolved errors. Can also be preferentially displayed on the display means. Therefore, the user can easily see from the limited solution method with a small number of unresolved errors.

In the image forming apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of the invention according to any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, some errors are unresolved from all errors by the error tolerance standard changing means. Predetermined criteria for exclusion as errors can be changed. Therefore, it is possible to limit the limited solution provided to the user.

In the image forming apparatus of the invention according to claim 8, in addition to the effect of the invention according to any one of claims 4 to 7, the maximum number of excluded good error if the unresolved errors, the user Can limit the limited solution provided.

In addition to the effect of the invention according to any one of claims 4 to 8 , the image forming apparatus according to the invention according to claim 9 provides the user with an error type that may be excluded as an unresolved error. Limited solution can be limited.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a processing medium transport apparatus capable of transporting a processing medium (recording medium) on which printing is performed and having a plurality of paper feed trays and paper discharge trays according to the type of the medium and a duplex printing function is provided. A laser printer, which is a type of image forming apparatus provided, will be described as an example.

  Further, as an example of a processing medium (recording medium) on which printing is performed in the printing unit, a description will be given using paper such as paper. The processing medium is not limited to paper, and various recording media capable of printing on various surfaces such as a transmission sheet, cloth, and compact disc can be used. In addition, as the characteristics of the processing medium, the width, height, thickness, material, weight, hardness, melting temperature, color, transmittance, reflectivity, smoothness, etc. of the paper, transmission sheet, cloth, compact disk, etc. Although a friction coefficient or the like can be considered, in this embodiment, as an example of the characteristics of the processing medium, a description will be given using a paper type such as a paper size and material.

  Here, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the laser printer 1, and FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an operation panel 75 provided in the laser printer 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the laser printer 1 includes a first to fourth total of four paper feed trays 11 to 14 that store sheets on which printing is performed, and a plurality of transport rollers 15 that transport sheets not shown. , A toner cartridge 16, a scanner unit 17 that emits a laser, a photosensitive drum 18 that is charged by a charger (not shown) such as a charging roller, and a transfer roller 19 that faces the photosensitive drum 18 and transfers toner onto a sheet. And a main body 1 a including a fixing device 22 including a heating roller 20 and a pressure roller 21.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 1, a cover-type double-sided printing unit 25 that can be opened and closed for printing on both sides of a sheet is provided on the right side of the main body 1a, and on the left side of the main body 1a, A stapler 35 capable of collecting printed sheets with pins or the like is provided, and a second discharge tray 31 is provided on the left side surface of the finisher device 36. A first paper discharge tray 30 is provided on the upper surface of the main body 1a. The first to fourth paper feed trays 11 to 14 are provided with sensors VS for detecting the type of paper such as the size and material of the paper and the amount of the paper, and the first to fourth of the laser printer 1. Sensors KS for detecting whether or not each sheet feeding tray is mounted are provided at the positions where the sheet feeding trays 11 to 14 are mounted.

  Further, a sensor HS for detecting whether or not a sheet has passed and whether or not a paper jam has occurred is provided in the vicinity of the transport roller 15, and the sensor HS between the sheet supply unit and the discharge unit of the duplex printing unit 25 is provided. Sensors TS that detect whether or not a sheet has passed and whether or not a paper jam has occurred are provided in the vicinity of each. Further, a sensor CS for detecting whether or not the cover-type duplex printing unit 25 is closed is provided. If the sensor CS detects that the duplex printing unit 25 is open, a conveyance path state error occurs. Further, it is possible to detect whether or not a sheet has passed through the sheet conveyance path before the first and second sheet discharge trays 30 and 31, and whether or not a sheet jam has occurred, respectively. A sensor JS for detecting the amount of paper is provided. Further, the first and second paper discharge trays 30 and 31 are each provided with a sensor MS for detecting whether or not the discharged paper is full, and as shown in FIG. 1, the left side of the main body 1a. A sensor FS that detects attachment / detachment of the finisher device 36 is provided at a mounting portion of the surface finisher device 36.

  In addition, the first to fourth paper feed trays 11 to 14 shown in FIG. 1 each store a type of paper corresponding to each tray, and the first and second paper discharge trays 30, A sheet conveyed from any one of the first to fourth sheet feeding trays 11 to 14 is discharged to 31.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, an operation panel 75 is provided on the upper surface of the main body 1a as shown in FIG. The operation panel 75 includes a substantially rectangular display unit 76 indicating the operation status of the laser printer 1. A menu button 77, a scroll button 78, a reprint button 79, a print cancel button 80, etc. are displayed on the right side of the display unit 76. A plurality of buttons are provided. The operation panel 75 is further provided with a Go button 81 that is pressed when printing is continued as it is when a later-described restriction is displayed on the display unit 76. Of these buttons, the menu button 77 allows selection of the type of paper supplied from the paper feed tray, selection of whether or not to print on both sides of the paper, and the like. Note that the menu button 77 can also set the paper material. In addition, the scroll button 78 can scroll the characters displayed on the display unit 76 in the vertical direction. In addition, various settings such as whether or not to exclude a conveyance path that includes other causes of errors, which will be described later, can be performed from the operation panel 75.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the laser printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the laser printer 1. The laser printer 1 includes an operation panel 75, a printer control board 40, and an engine board 41. The operation panel 75 is connected to the printer control board 40, and the printer control board 40 is connected to the engine board 41. The printer control board 40 stores a CPU 50 that controls the laser printer 1, a RAM 51 that temporarily stores data such as data input from the user via the operation panel 75, and a control program executed by the CPU 50. ROM 52 and an EEP-ROM 53 that stores additional programs and various tables.

  The engine board 41 includes a power source 43, a transport roller for transporting paper, a motor M (not shown) such as a motor for driving a paper feed roller and a paper discharge roller, and first to fourth paper feeds. The trays 11, 12, 13, 14, the first and second paper discharge trays 30, 31, the sensor VS that detects the paper type and the amount of paper such as the paper size and material, and the paper feed tray are mounted. Sensor KS for detecting whether or not the paper has passed, sensors HS and TS and JS for detecting whether or not a paper jam has occurred, and whether or not the cover type duplex printing unit 25 has been closed. A sensor CS for detecting the type of paper, a sensor JS for detecting the type of paper and the amount of paper, a sensor MS for detecting whether or not the paper discharged to each of the first and second paper discharge trays 30 and 31 is full, and a finisher device Detect 36 attachment / detachment A sensor FS that is connected.

  In the laser printer 1, the user operates the operation panel 75 to select from which paper feed tray the paper is transported and from which paper discharge tray, such as the size and type of the medium to be printed, When it is selected whether or not to perform double-sided printing on the paper, the paper is printed from the designated paper feed tray via the conveyance roller (scanner unit 17, photosensitive drum 18, transfer roller 19 and fixing device 22) according to the user's request. , Etc. are provided and conveyed to the portion where printing is performed on the paper, and after printing is performed, the paper is discharged from a designated paper discharge tray. At this time, the processing unit described in the claims corresponds to the printing unit, the first paper feed tray 11, the second paper feed tray 12, the third paper feed tray 13, and the fourth paper feed tray. 14, the first paper discharge tray 30 and the second paper discharge tray 31, and the passage corresponding to the claims corresponds to the double-sided printing unit 25, and corresponds to the processing path according to the claims. The processing section and the passing section, that is, the first sheet feeding tray 11, the second sheet feeding tray 12, the third sheet feeding tray 13, the fourth sheet feeding tray 14, the printing section, the first discharge tray, and the like. This is a path through which paper as a processing medium passes through the paper tray 30, the second paper discharge tray 31, and the duplex printing unit 25.

  The states of the paper feed tray, paper discharge tray, each tray, and duplex printing unit 25 are detected by the corresponding sensors VS, KS, HS, TS, CS, JS, FS, and MS, and based on the states, the printer control board 40 The CPU 50 can determine whether or not the paper can be transported in each of the transport paths that satisfy the conditions specified by the user. That is, the CPU 50 can detect all errors that occur when a user request is executed, and execute processing to be described later.

  Next, the storage area of the EEP-ROM 53 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of the storage area of the EEP-ROM 53. As shown in FIG. 4, the EEP-ROM 53 stores a size type restriction table storage area 53b for storing a paper size restriction table 100, which will be described later, and a paper type for storing a paper type restriction table 110, which will be described later. A restriction table storage area 53c, a conveyance path restriction table storage area 53d for storing a conveyance path restriction table 120 to be described later, and a user effort table for each resolution means for storing a user's effort table 130 for each resolution means to be described later. A storage area 53e, a transport path table storage area 53f for storing transport path tables 190 and 200, which will be described later, and the like are provided.

Next, the storage area of the RAM 51 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of the storage area of the RAM 51. As shown in FIG.
A specified print condition table storage area 51a for storing a user-specified print condition table 140 (to be described later), a paper feed tray status table storage area 51b for storing a paper feed tray status table 150 (to be described later), and a paper discharge tray (to be described later). A state table storage area 51c for a paper discharge tray that stores a state table 160, a cover open / close state table storage area 51d for a duplex printing unit that stores a cover open / close state table 170 described later, and a stapler 35 described later. A needle presence / absence state table storage area 51e for storing a needle presence / absence state table 180, a working area 51f for temporarily storing various data, an error table storage area 51g for storing an error table 210 described later, and the like are provided. .

  Next, the sheet size restriction table 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of a paper size restriction table 100 that stores paper size restrictions that can be used in the laser printer 1. In the paper size restriction table 100 shown in FIG. 6, the first to fourth paper feed trays 11 to 14 can be used corresponding to paper sizes such as A3, B4, legal size, A4, letter size, and B5. Whether or not the duplex printing unit 25 is usable, whether or not the first paper discharge tray 30 and the second paper discharge tray 31 are usable, and whether or not the finisher device 36 can strike the needle. Is remembered. It should be noted that a circle mark is shown when possible, and a cross mark when not.

  As shown in the paper size restriction table 100 shown in FIG. 6, the first to fourth paper feed trays 11 to 14 and the first paper discharge tray 30 correspond to A3 size paper, The second paper discharge tray 31 does not correspond, and the needle cannot be hit. Also, the B4 size, B5 size, and legal size papers correspond to the first to fourth paper feed trays 11 to 14 and the first paper discharge tray 30 as in the case of the A3 size paper. The second paper discharge tray 31 does not correspond, but the needle can be hit. In addition, all the paper feed trays 11 to 14 and the paper discharge trays 30 and 31 correspond to the A4 size paper, and the needle can be driven. All the paper feed trays 11 to 14 and the paper discharge trays 30 and 31 correspond to letter-size paper, and the needle can be hit. Note that any size of paper described above corresponds to the double-sided printing unit 25 shown in FIG. 1, and printing on both sides is possible.

  Next, the sheet type restriction table 110 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of a paper type restriction table 110 that stores restrictions on paper types that can be used in the laser printer 1. As shown in FIG. 7, in the paper type restriction table 110, whether or not the first to fourth paper feed trays 11 to 14 can be used according to the paper type such as plain paper, thick paper, and transparent sheet. It stores whether or not the duplex printing unit 25 is usable, whether or not the first discharge tray 30 and the second discharge tray 31 are usable, and whether or not the finisher device 36 can strike the needle. ing. It should be noted that a circle mark is shown when possible, and a cross mark when not.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the plain paper includes first to fourth paper feed trays 11 to 14, a duplex printing unit 25, a first paper discharge tray 30, and a second paper discharge tray 31. Corresponding, you can hit the needle. Further, the first and second paper feed trays 11 and 12, the duplex printing unit 25, and the first paper discharge tray 30 correspond to the thick paper, and the needle cannot be hit. Further, the first sheet feeding tray 11 and the first sheet discharge tray 30 correspond to the transmissive sheet, and the duplex printing unit 25 cannot be used and the needle cannot be hit.

  Next, the conveyance path restriction table 120 will be described with reference to FIG. 8 shows the first to fourth paper feed trays 11 to 14 or the double-sided printing unit 25 that are the conveyance source of the paper to the first and second paper discharge trays 30 and 31 or the double-sided printing unit 25 that is the conveyance destination. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the restrictions table 120 of the conveyance path which memorize | stored the restrictions of the conveyance path which can be conveyed to.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the transport path restriction table 120, when the transport source is the first paper feed tray 11, the transport destination is the duplex printing unit 25, the first and second paper discharge trays 30, Either 31 or the stapler 35 is possible. When the transport source is the second paper feed tray 12, the transport destination can be any of the duplex printing unit 25, the first and second paper discharge trays 30 and 31, and the stapler 35. Further, when the transport source is the third paper feed tray 13, the transport destination can be any of the first paper discharge tray 30, the second paper discharge tray 31, and the stapler 35. Further, when the transport source is the fourth paper feed tray 14, only the first paper discharge tray 30 can be transported. When the conveyance source is the duplex printing unit 25, the conveyance destination can be any of the first and second paper discharge trays 30 and 31, and the stapler 35. Further, when the transport source is the stapler 35, only the second paper discharge tray 3 can be the transport destination.

  Therefore, as can be seen from the transport path restriction table 120 shown in FIG. 8, the paper transported from the first paper feed tray 11, the second paper feed tray 12, and the third paper discharge tray 13 is the duplex printing unit. 25 and can be transported to either of the first and second paper discharge trays 30 and 31. Further, the sheet conveyed from the fourth paper feed tray 14 cannot pass through the duplex printing unit 25 and can be conveyed only to the first paper discharge tray 30. The paper transported from the duplex printing unit 25 cannot pass through itself, and can be transported to either the first or second paper discharge tray 30 or 31.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 9, the user's effort table 130 for each solution means will be described. In the user's effort table 130 for each solution means shown in FIG. 9, the effort required to execute the solution according to the cause of the error is stored together with the error number. Specifically, the number of solutions means the number of operations (man-hours) required for the user to solve the error when an error occurs in response to the user's request. When the first paper discharge tray 30 and the second paper discharge tray 31 are full, the error is solved by the user performing an operation of removing the paper on the tray. The number of solutions for solving the error at this time is one. When no sheets are stored in any of the first to fourth sheet feed trays 11 to 14, the user pulls out the sheet feed tray and replenishes the sheet and then closes the sheet feed tray. This solves the error. The number of solutions for solving the error at this time is three.

  If the paper types stored in any of the first to fourth paper feed trays 11 to 14 do not match (the sizes are the same), the user pulls out the paper feed tray, and the types of paper are different. The error is solved by performing the operation of taking out the paper and closing the paper feed tray after replenishing the matched paper. The number of solutions for solving the error at this time is four. Further, when the sizes of the sheets stored in any one of the first to fourth sheet feed trays 11 to 14 do not match (types match), the user pulls out the sheet feed tray, and the sheets of different sizes Is taken out, and the recording medium guide member or the like provided in the paper feed tray is moved so that the recording medium of the size that meets (matches) the demand should be replenished. Then, the error is solved by performing the operation of closing the paper feed tray. The number of solutions for solving the error at this time is five. Further, when the staple is broken by the stapler 35, the error is solved by performing an operation of replenishing the needle. The number of solutions for solving the error at this time is six.

  Next, the transport route table 190 stored in the transport route table storage area 53f will be described with reference to FIG. The transport path table 190 is a table that stores combinations of the paper feed trays 11 to 14, the duplex printing unit 25, the stapler 35, and the first and second paper discharge trays 30 and 31. Numbers 1 to 16 are stored.

  Next, the transport path table 200 stored in the transport path table storage area 53f will be described with reference to FIG. Unlike the transport path table 190, the transport path table 200 is the paper feed trays 11 to 14, the duplex printing unit 25, the stapler 35, and the first paper discharge when the finisher device 36 is removed (not used). This table stores combinations with the trays 30 and stores transport path numbers 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11.

  Next, the user-designated printing condition table 140 stored in the designated printing condition table storage area 51a of the RAM 51 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of the user-specified print condition table 140. The user-designated printing condition table 140 stores designated printing conditions designated by the user by operating the operation panel 75 of the laser printer 1. For example, when the designated print condition is Example 1, the paper feed tray is not designated, the paper size is B5, the paper type is plain paper, single-sided printing is desired, and the needle is not hit. No setting for the paper output tray. Also, for example, when the designated printing condition is Example 2, there is no designation of the paper feed tray, the paper size is B5, the paper type is plain paper, double-sided printing is desired, and the needle is hit. In the setting to bind the paper, there is no designation of the paper discharge tray.

  Next, the sheet tray status table 150 stored in the sheet tray status table storage area 51b of the RAM 51 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram of a sheet feed tray state table 150 that stores the state of each sheet feed tray of the laser printer 1 at that time. The state of each paper feed tray is rewritten at every predetermined interrupt timing to the CPU 50 by an input from a sensor VS that detects the type and amount of paper such as the paper size and material. In the paper feed tray status table 150 shown in FIG. 11, it is stored that the paper size of the first paper feed tray 11 is B5, the paper type is a transparent sheet, and there is currently paper. In addition, the second paper feed tray 12 stores that the paper size is A4, the paper type is plain paper, and the current paper is present. The third paper feed tray 13 stores a paper size of B5, a paper type of plain paper, and no paper currently. The fourth paper feed tray 14 stores the paper size B5, the paper type is plain paper, and the current paper is present.

  Next, the discharge tray status table 160 stored in the discharge tray status table storage area 51c of the RAM 51 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram of a discharge tray state table 160 that stores the state of each discharge tray of the laser printer 1 at that time. Note that the state of each paper discharge tray is rewritten at every predetermined interrupt timing to the CPU 50 by an input from the MS provided in each of the first and second paper discharge trays 30 and 31. The discharge tray status table 160 shown in FIG. 12 stores that the first discharge tray 30 is full and the second discharge tray 31 is empty.

  Next, the open / close state table 170 of the duplex printing unit cover stored in the open / close state table storage area 51d of the duplex printing unit of the RAM 51 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram of the cover open / close state table 170 of the double-sided printing unit that stores the open / closed state of the double-sided printing unit cover of the laser printer 1 at that time. The open / closed state of the cover of the duplex printing unit 25 is rewritten at every predetermined interrupt timing to the CPU 50 by an input from the sensor CS that detects whether or not the duplex printing unit 25 is closed. The open / close state table 170 of the duplex printing unit shown in FIG. 13 stores that the cover of the duplex printing unit 25 is closed.

  Next, the needle presence / absence state table 180 of the stapler 35 stored in the needle presence / absence state table storage area 51e of the RAM 51 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram of the staple presence / absence state table 180 of the stapler 35 that stores the presence / absence of the staples of the stapler 35 at that time of the laser printer 1. The state of the presence or absence of the needle is rewritten at every predetermined interrupt timing to the CPU 50 by an input from a sensor (not shown) that detects the presence or absence of the needle. In the needle presence / absence state table 180 shown in FIG. 14, the presence of a needle is stored.

  Next, the error table 210 stored in the error table storage area 51g of the RAM 51 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 21 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of the error table 210. As shown in FIG. 21, the error table 210 includes, among the printing conditions specified by the user, printing conditions that cannot be satisfied by the capability of the apparatus, the number of printing conditions that cannot be satisfied, errors due to the state of the apparatus, error numbers, and the like. , The total number of moves is stored.

  Next, the operation of the laser printer 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS. FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the printing process of the laser printer 1, FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the error determination process, and FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a deduplication processing subroutine.

  As shown in the flowchart of the printing process shown in FIG. 17, first, when the user operates the operation panel 75 of the laser printer 1 to input printing conditions (S1), the printing conditions are specified by the RAM 51 shown in FIG. The data is stored in the user-specified print condition table 140 in the print condition table storage area 51a (S2). For example, when the user makes a request to perform single-sided printing on B5 size plain paper without specifying the paper feed tray and paper discharge tray and not bind with the staple of the stapler (S1), the request is: It is stored as in Example 1 in the user's designated printing condition table 140 stored in the designated printing condition table storage area 51a of the RAM 51 shown in FIG. 10A (S2). In addition, the user operates the operation panel 75 of the laser printer 1 to request double-sided printing on B5-size plain paper without binding the paper feed tray and paper discharge tray, and bind with staples of the stapler. In this case (S1), the request is stored as in Example 2 in the user's designated printing condition table 140 stored in the designated printing condition table storage area 51a of the RAM 51 shown in FIG. 10B (S2). .

  Following the process of S2, the user-designated printing conditions stored in the user-designated printing condition table 140 are read (S3). Next, in response to the user's request, it is determined whether or not there is a transport path that can be printed by satisfying the user designation in the current apparatus state (S4). This determination is made for the paper size restriction table 100 shown in FIG. 6, the paper type restriction table 110 shown in FIG. 7, the transport path restriction table 120 shown in FIG. 8, and the paper feed tray shown in FIG. Refer to the state table 150, the discharge tray state table 160 shown in FIG. 12, the cover open / close state table 170 of the duplex printing unit shown in FIG. 13, and the staple presence / absence state table 180 of the stapler 35 shown in FIG. Thus, it is determined based on whether or not the constraint of each constraint table is met and each state of each state table. Therefore, when there is a transport path that does not correspond to the constraint table and can be used by the paper feed trays 11 to 14, the paper discharge trays 30 and 31, and the duplex printing unit 25, the user specification is satisfied. Is determined to be present (S4: YES), printing is performed as it is (S5), and the process is terminated. Also, if any of the constraints in each constraint table is met, or if there is only a transport path in which the paper feed trays 11 to 14, the paper discharge trays 30 and 31, and the duplex printing unit 25 are unusable, the user It is determined that there is no conveyance path that can be printed by satisfying the specification (S4: NO).

  Here, if there is no conveyance path that can be printed by satisfying the user designation in the current apparatus state (S4: NO), the process proceeds to the error determination process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 18 (S6).

  Next, error determination processing will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the error determination process. Here, when the finisher device 36 is installed and the setting of the maximum number of printing conditions that can be continued even if unsatisfiable is “1”, the setting of the printing condition that can be continued even if unsatisfiable is “print surface designation”. 10, the user setting of the designated print condition table 140 shown in FIG. 10 is Example 2 (no paper feed tray is designated, the size designation is B5, the type designation is plain paper, the print side designation is duplex, and the binding designation is A case where the sheet discharge tray is not specified in the binding will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 18, in the error determination process, one transport path is selected from the transport path table 190 shown in FIG. 15 stored in the transport path table storage area 53f (S11). First, the transport path 1 of the transport path table 190 is selected. In this conveyance path 1, paper is fed from the first paper feed tray 11 (paper feed tray “1”), the duplex printing unit 25 is used, the stapler 35 is not used, and the first paper discharge tray 30 (discharge) is used. The paper is ejected to the paper tray “1”). It is determined whether or not there is an error due to apparatus capability other than an error regarding a printing condition that is set as a printing condition that can be executed even if the selected transport path 1 cannot be satisfied (S12). In the case of the transport path 1, the stapler 35 cannot be used, and “binding specification” in the user setting example 2 cannot be executed. The print condition setting that can be continued even if unsatisfiable is “printing surface specification”, so it is determined that there is an error due to device capabilities other than the error regarding the print condition that is set as the print condition that can be executed even if unsatisfiable ( (S12: YES), the process returns to S11, and the next transport path 2 is selected from the transport path table 190 shown in FIG. 15 (S11).

  In this transport path 2, paper is fed from the first paper feed tray 11 (paper feed tray “1”), the duplex printing unit 25 is used, the stapler 35 is not used, and the second paper discharge tray 31 (discharge) is used. The paper is ejected to the paper tray “2”). It is determined whether or not there is an error due to apparatus capability other than an error regarding a printing condition that is set as a printing condition that can be executed even if the selected transport path 2 cannot be satisfied (S12). In the case of the transport path 2, the stapler 35 cannot be used, and the “binding specification” in the user setting example 2 cannot be satisfied. The print condition setting that can be continued even if unsatisfiable is “printing surface specification”, so it is determined that there is an error due to device capabilities other than the error regarding the print condition that is set as the print condition that can be executed even if unsatisfiable ( (S12: YES), the process returns to S11, and the next transport path 3 is selected from the transport path table 190 shown in FIG. 15 (S11).

  In this transport path 3, paper is fed from the second paper feed tray 12 (paper feed tray “2”), the duplex printing unit 25 is used, the stapler 35 is not used, and the first paper discharge tray 30 (discharge). The paper is ejected to the paper tray “1”). It is determined whether or not there is an error due to apparatus capability other than an error regarding a printing condition that is set as a printing condition that can be executed even if the selected transport path 3 cannot be satisfied (S12). In the case of the transport path 3, the stapler 35 cannot be used, and the “binding specification” in the user setting example 2 cannot be satisfied. The print condition setting that can be continued even if unsatisfiable is “printing surface specification”, so it is determined that there is an error due to device capabilities other than the error regarding the print condition that is set as the print condition that can be executed even if unsatisfiable ( S12: YES), the process returns to S11, and the next transport path 4 is selected from the transport path table 190 shown in FIG. 15 (S11).

  In this transport path 4, paper is fed from the second paper feed tray 12 (paper feed tray “2”), the duplex printing unit 25 is used, the stapler 35 is not used, and the second paper discharge tray 31 (discharge) is used. The paper is ejected to the paper tray “2”). It is determined whether or not there is an error due to apparatus capability other than an error regarding a printing condition that is set as a printing condition that can be executed even if the selected transport path 4 cannot be satisfied (S12). In the case of the transport path 4, the stapler 35 cannot be used, and the “binding specification” in the user setting example 2 cannot be satisfied. The print condition setting that can be continued even if unsatisfiable is “printing surface specification”, so it is determined that there is an error due to device capabilities other than the error regarding the print condition that is set as the print condition that can be executed even if unsatisfiable ( (S12: YES), returning to S11, the next transport path 5 is selected from the transport path table 190 shown in FIG. 15 (S11).

  In this transport path 5, paper is fed from the first paper feed tray 11 (paper feed tray “1”), the duplex printing unit 25 is not used, the stapler 35 is not used, and the first paper discharge tray 30 ( The paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray “1”). It is determined whether or not there is an error due to apparatus capability other than an error regarding a printing condition that is set as a printing condition that can be executed even if the selected conveyance path 5 is not satisfactory (S12). In the case of the conveyance path 5, the duplex printing unit 25 and the stapler 35 cannot be used, and “printing surface designation” and “binding designation” in the user setting example 2 cannot be satisfied. The print condition setting that can be continued even if unsatisfiable is “printing surface specification”. Therefore, “binding specification” that is an error due to the device capabilities other than the error regarding the print condition that is set as the print condition that can be executed even if unsatisfiable. (S12: YES), the process returns to S11, and the next transport path 6 is selected from the transport path table 190 shown in FIG. 15 (S11).

  In this transport path 6, paper is fed from the first paper feed tray 11 (paper feed tray "1"), the duplex printing unit 25 is not used, the stapler 35 is not used, and the second paper discharge tray 31 ( The paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray “2”). It is determined whether or not there is an error due to apparatus capability other than an error regarding a printing condition that is set as a printing condition that can be executed even if the selected transport path 6 is not satisfactory (S12). In the case of the conveyance path 6, the duplex printing unit 25 and the stapler 35 cannot be used, and “printing surface designation” and “binding designation” in the user setting example 2 cannot be satisfied. The print condition setting that can be continued even if unsatisfiable is “printing surface specification”. Therefore, “binding specification” that is an error due to the device capabilities other than the error regarding the print condition that is set as the print condition that can be executed even if unsatisfiable. (S12: YES), the process returns to S11, and the next transport path 7 is selected from the transport path table 190 shown in FIG. 15 (S11).

  In this conveyance path 7, paper is fed from the second paper feed tray 12 (paper feed tray "2"), the duplex printing unit 25 is not used, the stapler 35 is not used, and the first paper discharge tray 30 ( The paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray “1”). It is determined whether or not there is an error due to apparatus capability other than an error regarding a printing condition that is set as a printing condition that can be executed even if the selected transport path 7 cannot be satisfied (S12). In the case of the conveyance path 7, the duplex printing unit 25 and the stapler 35 cannot be used, and “printing surface designation” and “binding designation” in the user setting example 2 cannot be satisfied. The print condition setting that can be continued even if unsatisfiable is “printing surface specification”. Therefore, “binding specification” that is an error due to the device capabilities other than the error regarding the print condition that is set as the print condition that can be executed even if unsatisfiable. (S12: YES), the process returns to S11, and the next transport path 8 is selected from the transport path table 190 shown in FIG. 15 (S11).

  In this transport path 8, paper is fed from the second paper feed tray 12 (paper feed tray “2”), the duplex printing unit 25 is not used, the stapler 35 is not used, and the second paper discharge tray 31 ( The paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray “2”). It is determined whether or not there is an error due to apparatus capability other than an error regarding a printing condition that is set as a printing condition that can be executed even if the selected transport path 8 cannot be satisfied (S12). In the case of the conveyance path 8, the duplex printing unit 25 and the stapler 35 cannot be used, and “printing surface designation” and “binding designation” in the user setting example 2 cannot be satisfied. The print condition setting that can be continued even if unsatisfiable is “printing surface specification”. Therefore, “binding specification” that is an error due to the device capabilities other than the error regarding the print condition that is set as the print condition that can be executed even if unsatisfiable. (S12: YES), the process returns to S11, and the next transport path 9 is selected from the transport path table 190 shown in FIG. 15 (S11).

  In the transport path 9, paper is fed from the third paper feed tray 13 (paper feed tray “3”), the duplex printing unit 25 is not used, the stapler 35 is not used, and the first paper discharge tray 30 ( The paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray “1”). It is determined whether or not there is an error due to apparatus capability other than an error regarding a printing condition that is set as a printing condition that can be executed even if the selected transport path 9 is not satisfactory (S12). In the case of the transport path 9, the duplex printing unit 25 and the stapler 35 cannot be used, and “printing surface designation” and “binding designation” in the user setting example 2 cannot be satisfied. The print condition setting that can be continued even if unsatisfiable is “printing surface specification”. Therefore, “binding specification” that is an error due to the device capabilities other than the error regarding the print condition that is set as the print condition that can be executed even if unsatisfiable. (S12: YES), the process returns to S11, and the next transport path 10 is selected from the transport path table 190 shown in FIG. 15 (S11).

  In this transport path 10, paper is fed from the third paper feed tray 13 (paper feed tray “3”), the duplex printing unit 25 is not used, the stapler 35 is not used, and the second paper discharge tray 31 ( The paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray “2”). It is determined whether or not there is an error due to apparatus capability other than an error regarding a printing condition that is set as a printing condition that can be executed even if the selected transport path 10 cannot be satisfied (S12). In the case of the transport path 10, the duplex printing unit 25 and the stapler 35 cannot be used, and “printing surface designation” and “binding designation” in the user setting example 2 cannot be satisfied. The print condition setting that can be continued even if unsatisfiable is “printing surface specification”. Therefore, “binding specification” that is an error due to the device capabilities other than the error regarding the print condition that is set as the print condition that can be executed even if unsatisfiable. (S12: YES), the process returns to S11, and the next transport path 11 is selected from the transport path table 190 shown in FIG. 15 (S11).

  In the transport path 11, paper is fed from the fourth paper feed tray 14 (paper feed tray “4”), the duplex printing unit 25 is not used, the stapler 35 is not used, and the first paper discharge tray 30 ( The paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray “1”). It is determined whether or not there is an error due to apparatus capability other than an error regarding a printing condition that is set as a printing condition that can be executed even if the selected transport path 11 cannot be satisfied (S12). In the case of the transport path 11, the duplex printing unit 25 and the stapler 35 cannot be used, and “printing surface designation” and “binding designation” in the user setting example 2 cannot be satisfied. The print condition setting that can be continued even if unsatisfiable is “printing surface specification”. Therefore, “binding specification” that is an error due to the device capabilities other than the error regarding the print condition that is set as the print condition that can be executed even if unsatisfiable. (S12: YES), the process returns to S11, and the next transport path 12 is selected from the transport path table 190 shown in FIG. 15 (S11).

  In the transport path 12, paper is fed from the first paper feed tray 11 (paper feed tray “1”), the duplex printing unit 25 is used, the stapler 35 is also used, and the second paper discharge tray 31 (paper discharge). The paper is discharged to the tray “2”). It is determined whether or not there is an error due to apparatus capability other than an error regarding a printing condition that is set as a printing condition that can be executed even if the selected transport path 12 cannot be satisfied (S12). In the case of the transport path 12, since the duplex printing unit 25 and the stapler 35 are used, the “printing surface designation” and the “binding designation” in the user setting example 2 can be satisfied. Therefore, it is determined that there is no error due to the apparatus capability other than the error regarding the printing condition that is set as the printing condition that can be executed even if it cannot be satisfied (S12: NO). Next, it is determined whether or not the number of unsatisfiable conditions exceeds the maximum number of conditions that can be executed even if unsatisfiable (S13). In the case of the transport path 12, the number of unsatisfiable conditions is “0” and does not exceed the maximum value “1” of the number of conditions that can be executed even if unsatisfiable (S13: NO). And the printing conditions are stored in the error table storage area 51g of the RAM 51 together with the transport path (S14).

  Next, an error due to the apparatus state is determined for the transport path 12 (S15). In the case of the transport path 12, paper is fed from the first paper feed tray 11, but the first paper feed tray 11 refers to the paper feed tray status table 150 shown in FIG. B5 ", but the paper type is a transmissive sheet and cannot satisfy the" plain paper "in the user setting example 2, and the error number" 7 "(first paper feed) due to the apparatus status along with the transport path. The tray 11 type mismatch (see FIG. 9)) is stored in the error table storage area 51g of the RAM 51 (S15). Next, the number of steps for solving the error number “7” is read with reference to the number-of-users table 130 for each solving means shown in FIG. Since there is no other error due to the device status, the total number of steps for solving the error is 4. Are stored in the error table storage area 51g of the RAM 51 (S16). The total number of movements “4” and the conveyance path (conveyance path 12) corresponding to the total number of movements are stored. Next, since there are still other transport paths (S17: YES), the process returns to S11, and the next transport path 13 is selected from the transport path table 190 shown in FIG. 15 (S11).

  In this transport path 13, paper is fed from the second paper feed tray 12 (paper feed tray “2”), the duplex printing unit 25 is used, the stapler 35 is also used, and the second paper discharge tray 31 (paper discharge). The paper is discharged to the tray “2”). It is determined whether or not there is an error due to apparatus capability other than an error regarding a printing condition that is set as a printing condition that can be executed even if the selected conveyance path 13 cannot be satisfied (S12). In the case of the conveyance path 13, since the duplex printing unit 25 and the stapler 35 are used, the “printing surface designation” and the “binding designation” in the user setting example 2 can be satisfied. Therefore, it is determined that there is no error due to the apparatus capability other than the error regarding the printing condition that is set as the printing condition that can be executed even if it cannot be satisfied (S12: NO). Next, it is determined whether or not the number of unsatisfiable conditions exceeds the maximum number of conditions that can be executed even if unsatisfiable (S13). In the case of the transport path 13, the number of unsatisfiable conditions is “0” and does not exceed the maximum value “1” of the number of conditions that can be executed even if unsatisfiable (S 13: NO). And the printing conditions are stored in the error table storage area 51g of the RAM 51 together with the transport path (S14).

  Next, an error due to the apparatus state is determined for the transport path 13 (S15). In the case of the transport path 13, paper is fed from the second paper feed tray 12, but the second paper feed tray 12 refers to the paper feed tray status table 150 shown in FIG. A4 ”, which cannot satisfy“ B5 ”in the user setting example 2, and the error number“ 12 ”of the error due to the apparatus state together with the transport path (the second paper feed tray 12 size mismatch (see FIG. 9)) Is stored in the error table storage area 51g of the RAM 51 (S15). Next, the number of steps for solving the error number “12” is read with reference to the number-of-users table 130 of each solving means shown in FIG. Since there is no other error due to the device status, the total number of steps for solving the error is 5. The total number “5” and the transport path (transport path 13) corresponding to the total number are stored in the error table storage area 51g of the RAM 51 (S16). Next, since there are still other transport paths (S17: YES), the process returns to S11, and the next transport path 14 is selected from the transport path table 190 shown in FIG. 15 (S11).

  In this transport path 14, paper is fed from the first paper feed tray 11 (paper feed tray “1”), the duplex printing unit 25 is not used, the stapler 35 is used, and the second paper discharge tray 31 (discharge) is used. The paper is ejected to the paper tray “2”). It is determined whether or not there is an error due to apparatus capability other than an error regarding a printing condition that is set as a printing condition that can be executed even if the selected conveyance path 14 is not satisfactory (S12). In the case of the transport path 14, the duplex printing unit 25 is not used, and the stapler 35 is used. Therefore, “printing surface designation” in Example 2 of the user setting is not satisfied, and “binding specification” is satisfied. Here, since “print surface designation” is set as a printing condition that can be executed even if it cannot be satisfied, it is set as a printing condition that can be executed even if it cannot be satisfied. It is determined that there is no error due to the device capability other than the error regarding the printing condition (S12: NO). Next, it is determined whether or not the number of unsatisfiable conditions exceeds the maximum number of conditions that can be executed even if unsatisfiable (S13). In the case of the transport path 14, the number of unsatisfiable conditions is “1” and does not exceed the maximum value “1” of the number of conditions that can be continued even if unsatisfiable (S13: NO). And the printing conditions are stored in the error table storage area 51g of the RAM 51 together with the transport path (S14).

  Next, an error due to the apparatus state is determined for the transport path 14 (S15). In the case of the transport path 14, paper is fed from the first paper feed tray 11. The first paper feed tray 11 refers to the paper feed tray status table 150 shown in FIG. B5 ", but the paper type is a transmissive sheet and cannot satisfy the" plain paper "in the user setting example 2, and the error number" 7 "(first paper feed) due to the apparatus status along with the transport path. The tray 11 type mismatch (see FIG. 9)) is stored in the error table storage area 51g of the RAM 51 (S15). Next, the number of steps for solving the error number “7” is read with reference to the number-of-users table 130 for each solving means shown in FIG. Since there is no other error due to the device status, the total number of steps for solving the error is 4. The total number “4” and the transport path (transport path 14) corresponding to the total number are stored in the error table storage area 51g of the RAM 51 (S16). Next, since there are still other transport paths (S17: YES), the process returns to S11, and the next transport path 15 is selected from the transport path table 190 shown in FIG. 15 (S11).

  In this transport path 15, paper is fed from the second paper feed tray 12 (paper feed tray “2”), the duplex printing unit 25 is not used, the stapler 35 is used, and the second paper discharge tray 31 (discharge) is used. The paper is ejected to the paper tray “2”). It is determined whether or not there is an error due to apparatus capability other than an error regarding a printing condition that is set as a printing condition that can be executed even if the selected conveyance path 15 is not satisfactory (S12). In the case of the transport path 15, the duplex printing unit 25 is not used, and the stapler 35 is used. Therefore, “printing surface designation” in the user setting example 2 is not satisfied, and “binding specification” is satisfied. Here, since “print surface designation” is set as a printing condition that can be executed even if it cannot be satisfied, it is set as a printing condition that can be executed even if it cannot be satisfied. It is determined that there is no error due to the device capability other than the error regarding the printing condition (S12: NO). Next, it is determined whether or not the number of unsatisfiable conditions exceeds the maximum number of conditions that can be executed even if unsatisfiable (S13). In the case of the transport path 15, the number of unsatisfiable conditions is “1” and does not exceed the maximum value “1” of the number of conditions that can be executed even if unsatisfiable (S13: NO). And the printing conditions are stored in the error table storage area 51g of the RAM 51 together with the transport path (S14).

  Next, an error due to the apparatus state is determined for the transport path 15 (S15). In the case of the transport path 15, paper is fed from the second paper feed tray 12, but the second paper feed tray 12 refers to the paper feed tray status table 150 shown in FIG. A4 ”, which cannot satisfy“ B5 ”in the user setting example 2, and the error number“ 12 ”of the error due to the apparatus state together with the transport path (the second paper feed tray 12 size mismatch (see FIG. 9)) Is stored in the error table storage area 51g of the RAM 51 (S15). Next, the number of steps for solving the error number “12” is read with reference to the number-of-users table 130 of each solving means shown in FIG. Since there is no other error due to the device status, the total number of steps for solving the error is 5. The total number “5” and the transport path (transport path 15) corresponding to the total number are stored in the error table storage area 51g of the RAM 51 (S16). Next, since there are still other transport paths (S17: YES), the process returns to S11, and the next transport path 16 is selected from the transport path table 190 shown in FIG. 15 (S11).

  In this transport path 16, paper is fed from the third paper feed tray 13 (paper feed tray “3”), the duplex printing unit 25 is not used, the stapler 35 is used, and the second paper discharge tray 31 (discharge) is used. The paper is ejected to the paper tray “2”). It is determined whether or not there is an error due to apparatus capability other than an error regarding a printing condition that is set as a printing condition that can be executed even if the selected transport path 16 cannot be satisfied (S12). In the case of the transport path 16, the duplex printing unit 25 is not used, and the stapler 35 is used. Therefore, “printing surface designation” in Example 2 of the user setting is not satisfied, and “binding specification” is satisfied. Here, since “print surface designation” is set as a printing condition that can be executed even if it cannot be satisfied, it is set as a printing condition that can be executed even if it cannot be satisfied. It is determined that there is no error due to the device capability other than the error regarding the printing condition (S12: NO). Next, it is determined whether or not the number of unsatisfiable conditions exceeds the maximum number of conditions that can be executed even if unsatisfiable (S13). In the case of the transport path 16, the number of unsatisfiable conditions is “1”, and does not exceed the maximum value “1” of the number of conditions that can be continued even if unsatisfiable (S 13: NO). And the printing conditions are stored in the error table storage area 51g of the RAM 51 together with the transport path (S14).

  Next, an error due to the apparatus state is determined for the transport path 16 (S15). In the case of the transport path 16, the paper is fed from the third paper feed tray 13, but the third paper feed tray 13 refers to the paper feed tray status table 150 shown in FIG. “B5”, the paper type is “plain paper”, and satisfies “B5” and “plain paper” in the user setting example 2. However, since there is no paper, the error number “5” of the error due to the apparatus state is included along with the transport path. (No third paper feed tray 13 (see FIG. 9)) is stored in the error table storage area 51g of the RAM 51 (S15). Next, the number of steps for solving the error number “5” is read with reference to the number-of-users table 130 for each solving means shown in FIG. Since there is no other error due to the device status, the total number of steps for solving the error is 5. The total number “3” and the transport path (transport path 16) corresponding to the total number are stored in the error table storage area 51g of the RAM 51 (S16). Since there is no other transport path (S17: NO), the process proceeds to S18.

  In the process of S18, the ascending order is arranged based on the number of unsatisfiable conditions (S18). At this time, the transport routes having the same unsatisfiable condition number are further arranged in ascending order based on the total number of moves. If the total number of tasks is the same, they are arranged in ascending order of the transport path number (S18). With the above alignment, the priority of the transport path that provides the solution stored in the error table is determined. The higher the priority is, the higher the transport path is in the post-alignment error table.

  If the setting for excluding the transport path including the other error causes is made in advance (S19: YES), the duplication exclusion process is performed to exclude the transport path including the other error causes (S20). This deduplication processing (S20) will be described with reference to the flowchart of the deduplication processing subroutine shown in FIG.

  As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 19, in this de-duplication processing (S20), first, attention is focused on the transport route with the second highest priority as the Current = second transport route with the highest priority (S201). Next, it is determined whether or not the current transport route is empty (S202). If the current transport route is empty (S202: YES), the process returns to the flowchart shown in FIG. 18 and proceeds to S21. If the current transport path is not empty (S202: NO), temp = highest priority transport path (S203). Next, it is determined whether or not the priority of the transport path set as temp is higher than the priority of the current transport path (S204). If the priority of the temp transport path is higher than the priority of the current transport path (S204: YES), it is determined whether or not the error number of the temp transport path includes all the error numbers of the current transport path. (S205).

  When the error number of the current transport path includes all error numbers of the current transport path (S205: YES), the current transport path is excluded from the error table 210 shown in FIG. Thereafter, Current is set to the transport route with the next highest priority (S208), and the process returns to the determination process of S202. If the error number of the temp transport path does not include all the error numbers of the current transport path (S205: NO), temp is set to the transport path with the next highest priority (S207), and the process returns to S204. . If the priority of the temp transport path is not higher than the priority of the current transport path (S204: NO), the process proceeds to S208, and the priority of the temp transport path is higher than the priority of the current transport path. In the case, the process proceeds to S205. Thereafter, the same processing as described above is repeated.

  When excluding duplicates as described above (S19: YES), when the above-described duplicate exclusion process (S20) is completed (S20), or not excluding duplicates (S19: NO) The conveyance path is displayed on the display unit 76 together with the cause of the error and the solution (S21). When the process of S21 is completed, the process proceeds to S7 shown in FIG. 17, and when the state of the laser printer 1 is changed (S7: YES), the process returns to S4, and the conveyance path that can be printed by satisfying the user specification. If there is (S4: YES), printing is performed (S5), and the process is terminated. In the above example, when the duplication exclusion process in S20 is completed, an error table 210d shown in FIG. 25 is created.

Hereinafter, an example of the error table 210 when the above error determination process is performed and a display example on the display unit 76 will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 to 45.
(Case 1)
When the finisher device 36 is installed and the maximum number of printing conditions that can be continued even if it cannot be satisfied is set to “0”, the setting of the printing conditions that can be continued even if it cannot be satisfied is “None”. In the case where the user setting of the designated printing condition table 140 shown in FIG. 10 is Example 1, and the processing up to S17 of the error determination processing in the flowchart shown in FIG. 18 is completed, the error table 210 shown in FIG. Is created. Next, when the process of S18 of the error determination process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 18 is performed, the error table 210 shown in FIG. If the total number of tasks is the same, the error table 210b shown in FIG. 22 is created when the transport route numbers (No. at the left end) are arranged in ascending order. When the duplication exclusion process S20 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 18 is performed on the error table 210b, the transport path numbers 9, 5, and 7 are deleted, and the transport path numbers 11, 10, and 6 are deleted as shown in FIG. , 8 are created in the order of error table 210c.

  Based on the error table 210c, the display as shown in FIG. In the display example shown in FIG. 24, the display section 76 displays “Solution 1: Please remove the paper in the first paper discharge tray”, “Cause: The paper discharge tray is full”, “ “Route: Fourth paper feed tray-first paper discharge tray”, “Number of steps: 1” ”is displayed. In this case, the user can solve the error only by performing a one-step operation of removing the paper in the first paper discharge tray 30 as instructed. That is, the instruction displayed at the top is the solution that requires the least amount of work for the user.

  In addition, in the display example shown in FIG. 24, “Solution 2: Add paper to the third paper tray.”, “Cause: There is no paper in the paper tray.” , “Path: third paper feed tray−second paper discharge tray”, “number of hands: 3” ”is displayed. In this case, the user can solve the error by performing the operation 3 in which the third sheet feeding tray 13 is replenished with paper as instructed.

  In addition, in the display example shown in FIG. 24, “Solution 3: Replace the paper in the first paper feed tray with plain paper” after “Solution 2”, “Cause: The paper type of the paper feed tray is “Does not match.”, “Route: first paper feed tray−second paper discharge tray”, “number of hands: 4” ”are displayed. In this case, the user can solve the error by performing the operation of the number of steps 4 for replacing the paper in the first paper feed tray with the plain paper as instructed.

In addition, in the display example shown in FIG. 24, the solution 3 is followed by “Solution 4: Replace the paper in the paper feed tray 2 with the B5 size”, “Cause: The paper sizes in the paper feed tray match. “Path: second paper feed tray−second paper discharge tray”, “number of steps: 5” ”are displayed. In this case, the user can solve the error by performing the operation of the number 4 of replacing the paper in the second paper feed tray to the B5 size as instructed.
(Case 2)
The maximum number of printing conditions that can be continued even if the finisher device 36 is installed and the maximum number of printing conditions that can be continued is “1”. When the user setting of the designated printing condition table 140 shown in FIG. 10 is Example 2, and the processing up to S17 of the error determination processing in the flowchart shown in FIG. 18 is completed, the error shown in FIG. A table 210d is created. Next, when the process of S18 of the error determination process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 18 is performed, the unsatisfactory print condition number “0” in the error table 210d shown in FIG. Then, when the number of movements is arranged in ascending order, and those having the same number of movements are arranged in ascending order of the transport route numbers (the leftmost No.), an error table 210e shown in FIG. 26 is created. When the duplication excluding process S20 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 18 is performed on the error table 210e, the transport route numbers 14 and 15 are deleted, and the transport route numbers 12, 13, and 16 are sequentially displayed as shown in FIG. An aligned error table 210f is created.

  Based on the error table 210f, a display as shown in FIG. In the display example shown in FIG. 28, “Solution 1: Replace the paper in the first paper feed tray with plain paper”, “Cause: The paper type of the paper feed tray is “Does not match.”, “Path: first paper feed tray—duplex unit—stapler—second paper discharge tray”, “number of steps: 4” ”are displayed. In this case, the user can solve the error only by performing the operation 4 in order to replace the paper in the first paper feed tray with plain paper as instructed.

  In the display example shown in FIG. 28, “Solution 2: Replace the paper in the second paper feed tray with B5 size” after “Solution 1”, “Cause: The paper size of the paper feed tray is “Does not match.”, “Path: second paper feed tray-duplex unit-stapler-second paper discharge tray”, “number of steps: 5” ”are displayed. In this case, the user can solve the error by performing the operation of 5 in which the paper in the second paper feed tray is replaced with the B5 size as instructed.

In addition, in the display example shown in FIG. 28, “Solution 3: Add paper to the third paper feed tray” after Solution 2 and “Cause: There is no paper in the paper feed tray.” , “Restriction: Cannot perform double-sided printing.” “Path: third paper feeding tray-stapler-paper ejection tray 2”, “number of hands: 3” ”are displayed. In this case, the user can solve the error by replenishing the third paper feed tray as instructed. However, double-sided printing is not possible.
(Case 3)
The maximum number of printing conditions that can be continued even if the finisher device 36 is installed and the maximum number of printing conditions that can be continued is “2”. In the case of “binding instruction”, when the user setting of the designated printing condition table 140 shown in FIG. 10 is Example 2, when the processing up to S17 of the error determination processing in the flowchart shown in FIG. The error table 210g shown in FIG. Next, when the process of S18 of the error determination process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 18 is performed, the number of unsatisfiable printing condition numbers “0”, “1”, “2” in the error table 210g shown in FIG. Alignment is performed in ascending order of the total number of movements, and those having the same total number of movements are aligned in ascending order of the transport path number (the leftmost No.), an error table 210h shown in FIG. 30 is created. When the duplication exclusion process S20 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 18 is performed on the error table 210h, the transport path numbers 2, 14, 1, 4, 15, 3, 10, 6, 9, 5, 8, and 7 are deleted. As a result, as shown in FIG. 31, an error table 210i arranged in the order of the transport path numbers 12, 13, 16, and 11 is created.

  Based on this error table 210i, the display as shown in FIG. In the display example shown in FIG. 32, the display unit 76 displays “Solution 1: Replace the paper in the first paper feed tray with plain paper” from the top, “Cause: The paper type of the paper feed tray is “Does not match.”, “Path: first paper feed tray—duplex unit—stapler—second paper discharge tray”, “number of steps: 4” ”are displayed. In this case, the user can solve the error only by performing the operation of the number 4 of replacing the paper in the first paper feed tray with the plain paper as instructed.

  In addition, in the display example shown in FIG. 32, “Solution 2: Replace the paper in the second paper feed tray with the B5 size” after “Solution 1”, “Cause: The paper size of the paper feed tray is “Does not match.”, “Path: second paper feed tray-duplex unit-stapler-second paper discharge tray”, “number of steps: 5” ”are displayed. In this case, the user can solve the error by performing the operation of the number 5 of replacing the paper in the second paper feed tray to the B5 size as instructed.

  In addition, in the display example shown in FIG. 32, “Solution 3: Replenish the paper in the third paper feed tray” after Solution 2 and “Cause: There is no paper in the paper feed tray.” , “Restriction: Cannot perform double-sided printing.”, “Path: third paper feed tray-stapler-second paper discharge tray”, “number of hands: 3” ”are displayed. In this case, the user can solve the error by performing the operation 3 in which the sheets in the third paper feed tray are replenished as instructed. However, double-sided printing is not possible.

  In the display example shown in FIG. 32, the solution 3 is followed by “Solution 4: Remove the paper in the first paper discharge tray 1”, “Cause: The paper discharge tray is full”, “Restriction: Duplex printing cannot be performed. Binding cannot be performed.”, “Path: fourth paper feeding tray−first paper ejection tray”, “number of operations: 1” ”are displayed. In this case, the user can solve the error by performing the operation of removing four sheets from the first paper discharge tray 1 as instructed. However, double-sided printing cannot be performed and binding cannot be performed.

Here, the processing when the device capability is changed will be described with respect to the device capability changing process shown in FIG. FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a device capability change process. For example, when the finisher device 36 is removed, there is a change in the device capability (S41: YES), so the paper size restriction table 100 and the paper type restriction table 110 stored in the EEP-ROM 53. Then, the conveyance path restriction table 120 is updated, and the staple permission column is deleted (S42). Thereafter, the device capability change process is terminated. The update process of each table stored in the EEP-ROM 53 is performed according to the changed device. Hereinafter, an example in which the finisher device 36 is not attached will be described.
(Case 4)
When the finisher device 36 is not installed and the maximum number of printing conditions that can be continued even if it cannot be satisfied is set to “0”, and the setting of printing conditions that can be continued even if it cannot be satisfied is “None” When the user setting of the designated print condition table 140 shown in FIG. 10 is Example 1 and the process up to S17 of the error determination process in the flowchart shown in FIG. 18 is completed, the error table 210j shown in FIG. Created. Next, when the process of S18 of the error determination process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 18 is performed, the number of unsatisfiable printing conditions in the error table 210f shown in FIG. Then, an error table 210k shown in FIG. 34 is created. When the de-duplication processing S20 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 18 is performed on the error table 210k, the transport path numbers 9, 5, and 7 are deleted, and as shown in FIG. 210m is created.

  Based on this error table 210m, the display as shown in FIG. In the display example shown in FIG. 36, from the top, the display unit 76 displays “Solution 1: Please remove the paper in the first paper discharge tray”, “Cause: The paper discharge tray is full”, “ “Route: Fourth paper feed tray-first paper discharge tray”, “Number of steps: 1” ”is displayed. In this case, the user can solve the error only by performing a one-step operation of removing the paper in the first paper discharge tray as instructed.

  When the duplication exclusion process S20 is not performed (S19: NO in FIG. 18), the display as shown in FIG. 37 is performed on the display unit 76 based on the error table 210k shown in FIG. In the display example shown in FIG. 37, the display unit 76 displays “Solution 1: Please remove the paper in the first paper discharge tray”, “Cause: The paper discharge tray is full”, “ “Route: Fourth paper feed tray-first paper discharge tray”, “Number of steps: 1” ”is displayed. In this case, the user can solve the error only by performing a one-step operation of removing the paper in the first paper discharge tray as instructed.

  In the display example shown in FIG. 37, “Solution 2: Remove the paper in the first paper discharge tray. Replenish paper in the third paper feed tray” after Solution 1. , “Cause: The paper discharge tray is full. There is no paper in the paper supply tray.”, “Path: third paper supply tray-first paper output tray”, “number of steps: 4” ”are displayed. In this case, the user can solve the error by performing the operation of removing the paper in the first paper discharge tray and replenishing the paper in the third paper feed tray as instructed.

  In the display example shown in FIG. 37, “Solution 3: Remove the paper in the first paper discharge tray. Replace the paper in the first paper feed tray with plain paper. "," Cause: The output tray is full. The paper type of the paper feed tray does not match. "," Path: 1st paper feed tray-1st paper output tray "," Number of steps: 5 " Is displayed. In this case, according to the instruction, the user can solve the error by performing the operation of removing the paper in the first paper discharge tray and replacing the paper in the first paper feed tray with plain paper.

In addition, in the display example shown in FIG. 37, “Solution 4: Remove the paper in the first paper discharge tray. Replace the paper in the second paper tray with the B5 size. "," Cause: The paper output tray is full. The paper size of the paper feed tray does not match. "," Path: 2nd paper feed tray-1st paper output tray "," Number of tasks: 6 "" Is displayed. In this case, the user can solve the error by performing the operation of removing the paper in the first paper discharge tray and replacing the paper in the second paper feed tray with the B5 size as instructed.
(Case 5)
When the finisher device 36 is not installed and the maximum number of printing conditions that can be continued even if it cannot be satisfied is set to “0”, and the setting of printing conditions that can be continued even if it cannot be satisfied is “None” When the user setting of the designated print condition table 140 shown in FIG. 10 is Example 2, and the processing up to S17 of the error determination processing in the flowchart shown in FIG. An error table 210n having no error is created. Next, when the process of S18 of the error determination process in the flowchart shown in FIG. 18 is performed, the error table 210o without any solution means shown in FIG. 39 is obtained. When the de-duplication processing S20 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 18 is performed on the error table 210o, the error table 210p without any solution means shown in FIG. 40 is obtained.

Based on this error table 210p, the display as shown in FIG. In the display example shown in FIG. 41, ““ Solution 1: Press the cancel key ”,“ Cause: There is no solution ”is displayed on the display unit 76. In this case, there is no comprehensive solution.
(Case 6)
Next, Case 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. In this case, the case 6 is an example in which the sheet in the first discharge tray of the solving means 4 in the display example shown in FIG. When the paper in the first paper discharge tray is removed, the error status changes, and when the process up to S17 of the error determination process in the flowchart shown in FIG. 18 is completed, the error table 210q shown in FIG. Is created. Next, when the process of S18 of the error determination process in the flowchart shown in FIG. 18 is performed, the number of unsatisfiable printing conditions in the error table 210q shown in FIG. 42 is “0”, “1”, “2” in this order. When the numbers of movements are arranged in ascending order, and those having the same number of movements are arranged in ascending order of the transport path numbers (the leftmost No.), an error table 210r shown in FIG. 43 is created. When the duplication exclusion process S20 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 18 is performed on the error table 210r, the transport path numbers 1, 2, 14, 3, 4, 15, 9, 10, 5, 6, 7, and 8 are deleted. Then, as shown in FIG. 44, an error table 210s arranged in the order of the transport path numbers 12, 13, 16, and 11 is created.

  Based on the error table 210s, the display as shown in FIG. In the display example shown in FIG. 45, the display unit 76 displays “Solution 1: Replace the paper in the first paper feed tray with plain paper” from the top, “Cause: The paper type of the paper feed tray is “Does not match.”, “Path: first paper feed tray—duplex unit—stapler—second paper discharge tray”, “number of steps: 4” ”are displayed. In this case, the user can solve the error only by performing the operation of the number 4 of replacing the paper in the first paper feed tray with the plain paper as instructed.

  In addition, in the display example shown in FIG. 45, the solution 1 is followed by “Solution 2: Replace the paper in the second paper feed tray with the B5 size”, “Cause: The paper size of the paper feed tray is “Does not match.”, “Path: second paper feed tray-duplex unit-stapler-second paper discharge tray”, “number of steps: 5” ”are displayed. In this case, the user can solve the error by performing the operation of the number 5 of replacing the paper in the second paper feed tray to the B5 size as instructed.

  In addition, in the display example shown in FIG. 45, “Solution 3: Replenish the paper in the third paper feed tray” after Solution 2 and “Cause: There is no paper in the paper feed tray.” , “Restriction: Cannot perform double-sided printing.”, “Path: third paper feed tray-stapler-second paper discharge tray”, “number of hands: 3” ”are displayed. In this case, the user can solve the error by performing the operation 3 in which the sheets in the third paper feed tray are replenished as instructed. However, double-sided printing is not possible.

  In addition, in the display example shown in FIG. 45, “Solution 4: Press the Go key”, “Cause: There is no problem with the device”, “Restriction: Duplex printing cannot be performed. "Path: Fourth paper feed tray-first paper discharge tray", "Number of tasks: 0" "are displayed. In this case, the user can solve the error by performing a zero-handed operation of pressing the Go key as instructed. However, double-sided printing cannot be performed and binding cannot be performed.

  As described above, in the laser printer 1 according to the present embodiment, the user makes a predetermined request to the paper size and type, the paper feed tray, the duplex printing unit 25, the paper discharge tray, and the like via the operation panel 75. In this case, an error can be detected for each conveyance path stored on the laser printer 1 side, and the error can be stored together with the conveyance path. Furthermore, since the number of solutions for solving the error can be stored together and displayed on the display unit in order from the smallest number, the user has the least number of steps to satisfy his / her request. The best solution can be selected and implemented. Therefore, the same error is not displayed many times, and the user's hand is not troubled to solve the error.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the laser printer 1. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the operation panel 75. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the laser printer 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the storage area of the EEP-ROM. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a storage area of the RAM. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of the paper size restriction table 100. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of the paper type restriction table 110. FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram of the transport path restriction table 120. FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram of the user's effort table 130 for each solution means. FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of the user-specified print condition table 140. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram of the sheet tray status table 150. FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram of the discharge tray status table 160. FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram of the cover open / close state table 170 of the duplex printing unit. FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram of the needle presence / absence state table 180 of the stapler 35. FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram of the transport route table 190. FIG. 16 is a conceptual diagram of the transport route table 200. FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the main routine of the laser printer. FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the error determination process. FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a deduplication processing subroutine. FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the device capability update process. FIG. 21 is a conceptual diagram of the error table 210. FIG. 22 is a conceptual diagram of the error table 210b. FIG. 23 is a conceptual diagram of the error table 210c. FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an error display example of the display unit 76. FIG. 25 is a conceptual diagram of the error table 210d. FIG. 26 is a conceptual diagram of the error table 210e. FIG. 27 is a conceptual diagram of the error table 210f. FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an error display example of the display unit 76. FIG. 29 is a conceptual diagram of the error table 210g. FIG. 30 is a conceptual diagram of the error table 210h. FIG. 31 is a conceptual diagram of the error table 210i. FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating an error display example of the display unit 76. FIG. 33 is a conceptual diagram of the error table 210j. FIG. 34 is a conceptual diagram of the error table 210k. FIG. 35 is a conceptual diagram of the error table 210m. FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating an error display example of the display unit 76. FIG. 37 is a diagram showing an example of error display on the display unit 76. FIG. 38 is a conceptual diagram of the error table 210n. FIG. 39 is a conceptual diagram of the error table 210o. FIG. 40 is a conceptual diagram of the error table 210p. FIG. 41 is a diagram illustrating an error display example of the display unit 76. FIG. 42 is a conceptual diagram of the error table 210q. FIG. 43 is a conceptual diagram of the error table 210r. FIG. 44 is a conceptual diagram of the error table 210s. FIG. 45 is a diagram illustrating an error display example of the display unit 76.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Laser printer 11 1st paper feed tray 12 2nd paper feed tray 13 3rd paper feed tray 14 4th paper feed tray 15 Paper discharge roller 25 Duplex printing unit 30 1st paper discharge tray 31 2nd Paper output tray 50 CPU
51 RAM
52 ROM
53 EEP-ROM
75 Operation panel 76 Display section CS sensor FS sensor HS sensor JS sensor KS sensor TS sensor MS sensor VS sensor

Claims (9)

A processing unit including a printing unit that performs printing on a processing medium, a supply unit that supplies the processing medium to the printing unit, and a discharge unit that discharges the processing medium printed by the printing unit;
A plurality of passing sections for transporting the processing medium between the processing sections;
Processing condition designating means for designating a processing condition comprising at least one of a plurality of processing paths composed of a combination of the processing unit and the passing unit, and characteristics of the processing medium;
State detecting means for detecting the state of the processing unit or the passing unit;
A device capability storage means for storing a device capability related to at least one of the processing capability of the processing unit and the conveying capability of the passage unit;
An error detection means for detecting an error according to the state detected by the state detection means, the device capability stored in the device capability storage means, and the processing conditions ;
Solution storage means for storing a solution for each error in advance;
A processing path storage unit that stores the processing path selected based on the processing condition designated by the processing condition designation unit among the plurality of processing paths;
A comprehensive solution is created and displayed based on the error detected by the error detector present on the processing path stored in the processing path storage and the solution stored in the solution storage A comprehensive solution display control means for displaying on the means,
The total solution display control means is a method for solving an error detected by the error detection means existing on the processing path for at least one of the processing paths stored in the processing path storage means. An image forming apparatus, characterized in that it is extracted from a storage means as a comprehensive solution, and the comprehensive solution is displayed on the display means. A processing unit including a printing unit that performs printing on a processing medium, a supply unit that supplies the processing medium to the printing unit, and a discharge unit that discharges the processing medium printed by the printing unit;
A plurality of passing sections for transporting the processing medium between the processing sections;
Processing condition designating means for designating a processing condition comprising at least one of a plurality of processing paths composed of a combination of the processing unit and the passing unit, and characteristics of the processing medium;
State detecting means for detecting the state of the processing unit or the passing unit;
A device capability storage means for storing a device capability related to at least one of the processing capability of the processing unit and the conveying capability of the passage unit;
An error detection means for detecting an error according to the state detected by the state detection means, the device capability stored in the device capability storage means, and the processing conditions ;
Solution storage means for storing a solution for each error in advance;
A processing path storage unit that stores the processing path selected based on the processing condition designated by the processing condition designation unit among the plurality of processing paths;
A comprehensive solution is created and displayed based on the error detected by the error detector present on the processing path stored in the processing path storage and the solution stored in the solution storage A comprehensive solution display control means for displaying on the means,
The comprehensive solution display control means for the plurality of processing paths stored in the processing path storage means for at least one error among the errors detected by the error detection means existing on each processing path. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the solution is extracted from the solution storage means to obtain a comprehensive solution, and the comprehensive solution is displayed on the display device. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an updating unit configured to update a storage content of the device capability storage unit when the device capability is changed. The comprehensive solution includes a complete solution composed of a combination of solutions for each of the detected errors for one processing path, and excludes some errors as unresolved errors from all errors according to a predetermined criterion. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a limited solution that includes a combination of solutions for the above-described solution. The comprehensive solution display control unit sets the priority of the complete solution higher than the priority of the limited solution and causes the display unit to display the complete solution with priority over the limited solution. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 . The comprehensive solution display control means sets a priority of the limited solution with a small number of unresolved errors among the limited solutions to a priority of the limited solution with a large number of unresolved errors. by increasing the unresolved the limiting resolution small number of errors, the unresolved number of errors is often the limiting resolution in preference, characterized in that to be displayed on the display means according to claim 4 or The image forming apparatus according to 5 . The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that it comprises an error allowable standard changing means for changing the predetermined criteria for excluding part of the error as unresolved errors from all errors . Wherein the predetermined criterion, the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the the maximum number of the number of excluded good error if the unresolved errors. Wherein the predetermined criterion, the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the the type of even better error excluded as unresolved errors.

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