JP4473753B2 - Paper tray automatic selection system and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a paper feed tray automatic selection system for switching a plurality of paper feed trays to feed paper, and an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile machine equipped with the system.

  As a method of using image forming apparatuses such as printers in recent years, networking between devices has become popular, and in order to guarantee continuous operation of each device corresponding to the networking, a large amount of paper that can store a large amount of recording paper Many image forming apparatuses having a paper tray and a plurality of paper feed trays for storing different types of paper are provided. In addition, in order to more reliably guarantee continuous image forming operations by an image forming apparatus equipped with a network-capable large-volume paper feed function, the remaining amount of recording paper in the paper feed tray and the presence or absence of recording paper are detected. There are also various types provided with a function of displaying a display sheet or outputting an instruction to replenish a recording sheet to a sheet feeding tray whose stored recording sheet amount is reduced.

For example, in Patent Document 1, recording of the same size is performed from when it is detected that the remaining amount of recording paper in the paper feeding tray during paper feeding has been reduced to a predetermined lower limit number until the recording paper is completely removed. A configuration is disclosed in which loss time is eliminated by designating one or more other paper feed trays in which paper is stored and shifting to a preparation state for paper feed.
JP 2001-302003 A

  However, in such a conventional image forming apparatus, it takes time to search for and specify a paper feed tray, and when there are a plurality of paper feed trays that can be designated, preparations are made by the timing at which the paper feed tray should be switched. As a result, the image forming operation cannot be continuously performed as a result, and the work efficiency in the case of forming a large amount of images may be reduced.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and in an automatic paper feed tray selection system for switching a plurality of paper feed trays to feed paper, and in an image forming apparatus having the same, between paper feed trays It is an object to improve the continuity of the sheet feeding operation and thereby increase the efficiency of the image forming operation.

The present invention for achieving the above object, a plurality of conventional sheet feeding tray includes Rutotomoni, the normal sheet feeding feeding of many wearable image forming apparatus large capacity paper feed tray capable of stacking sheets from the tray In the automatic tray selection system, setting means for setting any one of the plurality of normal paper feed trays as a target tray for automatic selection, and the target tray set when forming an image an automatic selection paper feeding means for one of a plurality of paper feed trays automatically selected and sheet feed are set only.
If the large-volume paper feed tray is installed when performing copy printing or sort printing in the setting means, in the first part of printing, any one of the plurality of normal paper feed trays is used. A setting switching means for setting the paper tray as the target tray and setting only the large-volume feeding tray as the target tray in the second and subsequent copies is provided .
Further, the setting means may set the target tray according to the paper attribute of the paper.

In addition, when the setting unit detects that a sheet having a sheet attribute corresponding to the target tray is loaded in a paper feed tray other than the target tray, the paper feed tray is automatically set to the target tray. It is good to have a means to add.
The paper attributes may include at least one of paper size and paper type.
In these automatic paper feed tray selection systems, the automatic selection paper feeding means selects one of the target trays other than the last fed paper tray from among the target trays after the image forming operation is completed. It is preferable to wait for the start of the next image forming operation.

In addition , a target tray display means for displaying which paper feed tray is the target tray is provided, or a replenishment tray display means for displaying information about a paper feed tray out of the target trays is provided. The setting unit may exclude the paper feed tray that has run out of paper from the target tray.
An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes any one of the above-described paper feed tray automatic selection systems and image forming means for forming an image on paper fed from the target tray by the automatic selection paper feed means. is there.

  Since the paper feed tray automatic selection system according to the present invention sets a plurality of paper feed trays as target trays before the start of the paper feed operation, the paper feed tray can be smoothly switched during the paper feed operation. The continuity of the paper feeding operation can be improved. In addition, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention can improve the continuity of the image forming operation by using the above-described paper feed tray automatic selection system.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
[First embodiment]
First, the configuration of a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus provided with a paper feed tray automatic selection system according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is an overall schematic configuration diagram schematically showing a cross-sectional structure of an example of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the system of the image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is a multifunction machine 1 and has both functions of a copying machine and a printer. The multifunction device 1 is configured so that the optical scanning device 4 forms an image forming unit based on image data read by an optical reading unit 3 (scanner unit) provided in the multifunction device main body 2 or image data (described later) received from the outside. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the drum-shaped photoconductor 6 provided on the image forming unit 5, and the electrostatic latent image is developed with toner by the developing device 7 of the image forming unit 5 to form a visible image. A plurality of stages of paper feed trays 8 are provided at the lower part of the MFP main body 2, and the paper P fed from any one of them is conveyed upward through the vertical conveyance path 9 to reach the image forming unit 5. Therefore, the visible image (toner image) on the photosensitive member 6 is transferred. The sheet P on which the visible image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 10 where the visible image is fixed, and then discharged to the external discharge tray 12 by the discharge roller pair 11.

  Each paper feed tray 8 includes a paper feed roller 13 provided above, a bottom plate 14 provided at the bottom, and a remaining amount detection sensor 15 provided inside. The paper feed roller 13 rotates in contact with the top surface of the bundle of paper P accommodated in the paper feed tray 8 and feeds the paper P one by one. The bottom plate 14 is provided so that one end side thereof can be pivoted up and down from the bottom surface of the paper feed tray 8, and supports the bottom surface of the bundle of sheets P to rotate up and down. Change the contact / separation state with 13. The remaining amount detection sensor 15 detects the remaining amount of the paper P accommodated using, for example, a photo sensor or a limit switch. Further, the vertical conveyance path 9 is provided with a conveyance roller 40 for conveying the paper P fed from each paper feed tray 8, a conveyance guide and a separation pad (not shown), and the like. The image forming unit 5 is provided with a charging charger 50, a transfer charger 51, a cleaning unit 52, a registration roller 53, a transport belt device 54, and the like.

As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 3, the multi function device 1 of this embodiment includes an image forming engine 16 including a plurality of paper feed trays 8, an optical reading unit 3, an operation panel 17, and a hard disk device (abbreviated as HDD). 18, a main power supply 19 and a control unit 20, and can be connected to an external host device 21 or a network (not shown) so as to receive instructions and data for image forming work. An HDD 38 is also connected to the host device 21.
The image forming engine 16 includes the optical scanning device 4, the image forming unit 5, the paper feed tray 8, the vertical conveyance path 9, the fixing device 10, and the like shown in FIG. This is the part that actually forms the image on the paper based on the above. The operation of each paper feed tray 8 is also controlled in accordance with a control signal received from the control unit 20.

As described above with reference to FIG. 2, the optical reading unit 3 optically reads the image data of the document and outputs it as electronic data.
The operation panel 17 includes a display unit for displaying the status of the multifunction device 1 and a message. The operation panel 17 is an operation unit such as a key or a touch panel for inputting an image forming operation, a control mode, an image forming condition, a sheet attribute to be described later, and the like. is there.
The HDD 18 is a storage device that stores various data and programs such as font data and print data.
The main power supply 19 is a power supply unit that converts electric power supplied from the outside such as a commercial power supply into various kinds of electric power by rectifying / smoothing, boosting or stepping down as necessary, and supplying the various electric power to each part of the multifunction device 1.

  The control unit 20 controls the image forming engine 16 and outputs image data in accordance with the control mode set at that time and the control code received from the host machine or the network. The control unit 20 controls the host I / F 22, the CPU 23, and the program. ROM 24, RAM 25, font ROM 26, NV-RAM 27, reading unit I / F 28, panel I / F 29, engine I / F 30, HDD I / F 31, network I / F 32, and the like are provided.

Hereinafter, each part of this control part 20 is demonstrated.
The host I / F 22 is an interface that receives a control signal and data from an external host device 21 and transmits a status signal of the multifunction device to the host device 21.
The CPU 23 is a central control device that controls the overall operation of the multifunction device 1 by reading and executing a program stored in the program ROM 24.
The program ROM 24 is a read-only memory that stores a program that can be decoded and executed by the CPU 23.

The RAM 25 is a random access memory that temporarily stores data being processed such as a work area of the CPU 23, a buffer of data received from the host machine 21, and an image development area of image data.
The font ROM 26 is a read-only memory that stores various typeface data corresponding to print data.
The NV-RAM 27 is a non-volatile memory that holds various data regardless of whether the power is on or off.
The reading unit I / F 28 is an interface that transmits a control signal to the optical reading unit 3 and receives image data from the optical reading unit 3.

The panel I / F 29 is an interface that transmits a status signal to the operation panel 17 and receives an input information signal from the operation panel 17.
The engine I / F 30 is an interface that transmits control signals and image data signals to the image forming engine 16 and receives status signals from the image forming engine 16.
The HDD I / F 31 is an interface that transmits and receives various data and programs to and from the HDD 18.
The network I / F 32 is an interface that transmits and receives control signals and various data to and from the outside via a network such as a LAN or the Internet (not shown).

  In the first embodiment, the CPU 23 functions as a setting unit that sets any one of a plurality of paper feed trays 8 as a target tray for automatic selection. Further, the CPU 23 automatically selects a plurality of paper feed trays set as target trays by controlling the paper feed rollers 13 and the bottom plate 14 by sending a control signal to the image forming engine 16 when forming an image. Also, it functions as a control unit of an automatic selection paper feeding unit that feeds the paper P from any one of the paper feeding trays 8.

In this embodiment, the paper feed roller 13, the drive unit of the bottom plate 14, and the remaining amount detection sensor 15 are installed on the paper feed tray 8 for convenience, but these may be installed on the multifunction machine main body 2 side. Is possible.
As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes the plurality of paper feed trays 8 and the paper feed tray automatic selection system provided with the setting means and the automatic selection paper feed means. An image forming operation can be performed.

Next, processing relating to automatic paper feed tray selection by the image forming apparatus of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing processing related to automatic paper feed tray selection performed by the CPU 23 after an instruction to start image forming work is given to the image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
Note that the processing shown in this flowchart shows a processing procedure executed by the CPU 23 in accordance with a program stored in the program ROM 24. In this flowchart, each processing step is abbreviated as S. The same applies to the flowcharts of the following embodiments.

In the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 3, after instructed to perform an image forming operation by an operation by the operation panel 17 or a control by the host machine 21 or the like, the CPU 23 starts the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG.
First, in step 1, it is checked whether or not a paper size is designated as an attribute of the paper on which an image is formed. This is to check whether or not a designation has been received by operating the operation panel 17 or an instruction from the host machine 21 so far. If it is determined that there is a designation, the process proceeds to the next step 2, and it is checked whether or not there is a paper loaded with a designated size among the plurality of stages of paper feed trays 8. Here, the means for detecting the size of the paper stored in each paper feed tray 8 is a known technique and will not be described. However, after the user has loaded paper into the paper feed tray 8, the operation panel 17 Information may be input.

  If there is a paper feed tray loaded with paper of a specified size, the process proceeds to the next step 3 to check whether there is only one paper feed tray. If there are a plurality of sheets, the process proceeds to the next step 4 where all the corresponding paper feed trays are set as target trays by the setting means. Then, the process proceeds to step 5 where the first paper feed tray is selected from the target tray and the process proceeds to step 6. At this time, the sheet feeding operation is not yet performed. If it is determined in step 3 that there is only one paper feed tray, only that paper feed tray is selected, and steps 4 and 5 are not performed. Proceed to step 6 as it is.

  In step 6, one sheet is fed from the selected sheet feeding tray to form an image. Next, the process proceeds to step 7, and the next paper feed tray is selected from the target trays. If it is determined in step 3 that there is only one paper feed tray, the same paper feed tray is selected as it is. Next, the process proceeds to step 8 where it is checked whether all necessary image forming operations have been completed. If it is still continued, the image forming operation in steps 6 to 8 is repeated, and if it is determined that all images have been formed, this process is terminated.

If it is determined in step 1 that the paper size is not specified, or if it is determined in step 2 that the paper of the size specified in step 2 is not loaded in any paper feed tray, the work condition is This processing is immediately terminated as insufficient.
Of the processing shown in this flowchart, Steps 1 to 4 correspond to processing as setting means for setting a target tray for automatic selection, and Steps 5 to 8 correspond to processing as automatic selection paper feeding means.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment that performs the above processing, the automatic paper feed tray selection system can set a plurality of paper feed trays as target trays for automatic selection before starting the paper feed operation. The paper feed tray can be switched smoothly during work. Since the continuity of the paper feeding operation can be improved in this way, the continuity of the image forming operation can be improved and a large amount of image formation can be performed efficiently.

Further, in the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment, in the processing of Step 6 to Step 8 as the automatic selection paper feeding means, a plurality of paper feeding trays set as target trays are sequentially selected and fed one by one. Since the paper is used, the paper can be used on average between the paper feed trays set as the target tray, and the entire target tray can be used in the same manner as one mass paper feed tray. For this reason, the replenishment of the paper to the target tray may be performed for all the target trays at once, not for each paper feed tray. This also improves the continuity of the paper feeding operation and the efficiency of the image forming operation.
Furthermore, since the setting unit can set the target tray according to the paper attributes such as the paper size, there is an advantage that a high degree of selection freedom can be obtained for the user.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
The hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. The only difference from the first embodiment is the processing program by the CPU 23 and the processing program stored in the program ROM 24, and only the differences will be described. Other configurations, operations, and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  In the second embodiment, when performing the number of copies printing or the sort printing, the setting unit sets the target tray according to the paper attribute in the page configuration set by the user, and the automatic selection paper feeding unit sets the paper attribute in the page configuration. Accordingly, a plurality of paper feed trays set as target trays are selected. Here, the number-of-copies printing is to print a collective printed matter having a configuration composed of a predetermined number of pages in units of copies. In this number-of-copies printing, printing that is distributed to a plurality of sort trays and discharged is called sort printing. The page configuration means the distribution of paper attributes in units of pages, and is set and stored in advance by a user operation. Note that the paper attribute in this embodiment is a paper type due to a difference in paper material.

  A process related to automatic paper feed tray selection by the image forming apparatus of the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 4 shows processing related to automatic paper feed tray selection performed by the CPU 23 after an image forming apparatus similar to that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is instructed to perform image forming work by copy printing or sort printing. It is a flowchart to show.

  When the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is started, the CPU 23 shown in FIG. 3 first checks in step 11 whether any of the paper types specified by the user during the page configuration is in any one of the paper feed trays. . If it is determined that all the paper types specified in the page configuration are all loaded in the paper feed tray, the process proceeds to step 12 and all the paper types specified by the setting means are loaded. Is set as the target tray, and the process proceeds to step 13 to check whether or not the paper type of the page to be imaged next is different from the paper type of the previous page.

  If it is determined that the paper type is the same and there is no change, the process proceeds to step 14. At this time, if it is the first page of the number of copies printed, it is assumed that there is no change and the process proceeds to step 14 in the same manner. In step 14, an image is formed by feeding paper from a paper feed tray loaded with a paper type corresponding to the next page. Next, the process proceeds to step 15 where it is checked whether or not all necessary image forming operations have been completed. If it is still continued, the process returns to step 13, and if it is determined that all images have been formed, this process is terminated.

  If it is determined in step 13 that the paper type has been changed, the process proceeds to step 16 to select a paper feed tray on which paper of the paper type of the next page is mounted. Next, the process proceeds to step 17 to form an image by feeding the paper of the paper type corresponding to the next page by the automatic selection sheet feeding unit, and the process proceeds to step 18. In step 18, it is checked whether or not all necessary image forming operations have been completed. If the operation continues, the process proceeds to step 19 where the paper type of the page on which the image is to be formed is the original paper type. Check if it has returned to.

  If it is determined not to return to the original paper type, the image forming operation in Steps 17 to 19 is repeated. If it is determined to return to the original paper type, the paper loaded with the original paper type is loaded. After selecting the paper tray, the image forming operations in steps 17 to 19 are repeated. If it is determined in step 18 that all images have been formed, this process is terminated. Note that if it is determined that any of the paper types specified in step 11 is not loaded in the paper feed tray, it is determined that the work conditions are insufficient and this process is immediately terminated.

According to the image forming apparatus of the second embodiment that performs the above processing, the continuity of the paper feeding operation and the image forming work can be improved as in the first embodiment, and the number of copies with different sheet attributes depending on the page. Printing or sort printing can also be performed automatically, improving the convenience of the image forming apparatus. In the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, the paper attribute assigned in the page configuration is only the paper type, but it is also possible to set only the paper size or both the paper type and the paper size.
Of the processing shown in this flowchart, steps 11 and 12 correspond to processing as setting means for setting a target tray for automatic selection, and steps 13 to 20 correspond to processing as automatic selection paper feeding means.

[Third embodiment]
Next, a description will be given of a third embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
The hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. The only difference from the first embodiment is the processing program by the CPU 23 and the processing program stored in the program ROM 24, and only the differences will be described. Other configurations, operations, and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

In the third embodiment, when it is detected that a sheet having a paper attribute corresponding to the target tray is loaded in a paper feed tray other than the target tray, the setting unit automatically adds the paper feed tray to the target tray. To do.
The processing of the image forming apparatus of the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an interrupt process performed by the CPU 23 during an image forming operation according to the process shown in FIG. 1 or 4 by an image forming apparatus similar to that shown in FIGS. Note that the processing shown in this flowchart corresponds to an additional function as setting means.

  After the CPU 23 shown in FIG. 3 finishes setting the first target tray in the process shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 4, it is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 by a periodic time interruption or an interruption when some event occurs. Start processing. First, in step 21, it is checked whether there are paper feed trays other than the target tray, that is, whether a plurality of paper feed trays are all set as the target tray. If it is determined that there are paper feed trays other than the target tray, the process proceeds to step 22 to check whether or not a paper having the same paper attribute as that of the target tray is loaded on the paper feed tray other than the target tray.

This is because, as shown in FIG. 6, the same paper attribute is applied to the paper feed tray (third paper feed tray) that has been loaded with paper having a different paper attribute from the target tray (first, second, and fourth paper feed trays). A change in state is detected, for example, when the paper tray is replaced with a paper feed tray loaded with (A3, plain paper) or when a paper with the same paper attribute is loaded again into an empty paper feed tray. If a new paper feed tray loaded with paper having the same paper attribute is detected in addition to the target tray, the process proceeds to step 23 to add the paper feed tray loaded with the same paper attribute paper to the target tray. Then, the process is finished and the process returns to the original process before the interruption.
If it is determined in step 21 that there is no paper feed tray other than the target tray, or if it is determined in step 22 that loading of paper having the same paper attribute as that of the target tray is not detected in another paper feed tray. As soon as the condition is insufficient, this process is terminated.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the third embodiment that performs the above processing, it is possible to additionally replenish sheets having the same sheet attributes as the target tray even during the image forming operation, thereby further improving the continuity of the paper feeding operation and the image forming operation. Can be improved. Note that both the paper size and the paper type can be applied as the paper attribute.

[Fourth embodiment]
Next, a description will be given of a fourth embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
The hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus of the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. The only difference from the first embodiment is the processing program by the CPU 23 and the processing program stored in the program ROM 24, and only the differences will be described. Other configurations, operations, and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

In the fourth embodiment, after the completion of an image forming operation, the automatic selection paper feeding means selects a paper feeding tray other than the paper feeding tray last fed among the target trays to select the next image. Wait for formation work.
The processing of the image forming apparatus of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the CPU 23 after an image forming apparatus similar to that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 finishes the image forming operation by the process shown in FIG. 1 or 4. Note that the processing shown in this flowchart corresponds to an additional function as an automatic selection paper feeding unit.

In the image forming apparatus as shown in FIG. 3, after the CPU 23 finishes the process shown in FIG. 1 or 4, the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is started. First, in step 31, it is checked whether there is a paper feed tray having the same paper attribute in addition to the paper feed tray last fed in the image forming operation performed immediately before. If it is determined that there is a corresponding paper feed tray, the corresponding paper feed tray is selected in step 32, the process is terminated, and the process waits until the start of the next image forming operation. If it is determined in step 31 that there is no corresponding paper feed tray, this process ends with the same paper feed tray as before selected, and a standby state is entered.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the fourth embodiment that performs the above processing, in the target tray set with a plurality of paper feed trays, a paper feed tray that is different from the paper feed tray fed last in the image forming operation. Can start feeding the next image forming work, thereby avoiding the bias of the paper between the multiple paper trays in the target tray, and promoting the average use of the paper. The continuity and the continuity of the image forming operation can be further improved.

[Fifth embodiment]
Next, a description will be given of a fifth embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
The hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus of the fifth embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. The difference from the first embodiment is only that the large-volume paper feed tray can be mounted, the processing of the CPU 23, and the processing stored in the program ROM 24, and only the differences will be described. Other configurations, operations, and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

In this fifth embodiment, when a large number of paper feed trays capable of loading more paper than the normal paper feed trays described so far are installed , the first part is used when performing copy printing or sort printing. Setting switching means for setting any one of a plurality of normal paper feeding trays as a target tray in the second printing and setting only a large number of paper feeding trays as a target tray in the second and subsequent printings , It is provided in the setting means described above . The CPU 23 also functions as this setting switching means.

  The processing of the image forming apparatus of the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an interruption process performed by the CPU 23 during the image forming operation by the image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 by the process shown in FIG. The process shown in this flowchart corresponds to the function as the setting switching unit described above.

  After the CPU 23 shown in FIG. 3 completes the setting of the first target tray in the processing shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 4, the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 is performed by a periodic time interruption or an interruption when some event occurs. Start. First, in step 41, it is checked whether or not the number of copies or sort printing is performed. If it is determined that the number of copies is printed or sorted, it is checked in the next step 42 whether or not it is the second or later. If it is determined that it is the second copy or later, the process proceeds to step 43 to check whether or not a large-volume paper feed tray is installed. At this time, it may be checked whether a dedicated tray corresponding to the large-volume sheet feeding tray is installed.

If it is determined that the large-volume paper feed tray is installed, the process proceeds to step 44, where only the large-volume paper feed tray (dedicated paper feed tray) is set as the target tray, and the automatic selection paper feed means selects this target tray. Then, this process is terminated, and the process returns to the original process before the interruption. If it is determined in step 41 that the number of copies or sort printing is not performed, or if it is determined in step 42 that the first image forming operation is still in progress, or if a large amount of paper feeding trays is not installed in step 43 If it is determined, the process is immediately terminated.
According to the image forming apparatus of the fifth embodiment that performs the above-described processing, it is possible to repeatedly feed the second and subsequent copies or sort printing by feeding only the large-volume feeding tray having the highest continuity of the feeding operation. Therefore, the continuity of the image forming operation can be further improved.

[Sixth embodiment]
Next, a description will be given of a sixth embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
The hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus of the sixth embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. The difference from the first embodiment is only that the operation panel 17 can display information about each paper feed tray, the processing of the CPU 23, and the processing stored in the program ROM 24, and only the differences due thereto. Will be explained. Other configurations, operations, and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  In the sixth embodiment, target tray display means for displaying which paper feed tray is the target tray, and replenishment tray display means for displaying information about the paper feed tray out of the target trays, And the setting unit resets the paper feed tray that has run out of paper from the target tray. The CPU 23 and the operation panel 17 also function as the target tray display unit and the supplement tray display unit.

  The processing of the image forming apparatus of the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing performed by the CPU 23 after an instruction to start image forming work is given to the image forming apparatus as shown in FIGS. Note that the processing shown in this flowchart corresponds to the setting unit and the functions of the target tray display unit and the supplement tray display unit described above.

  When the CPU 23 shown in FIG. 3 starts the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. If it is determined that there is a designation, the process proceeds to the next step 52, and it is checked whether or not there is a paper having a designated paper attribute among a plurality of stages of paper feed trays. If there is a paper feed tray loaded with a paper having the designated paper attribute, the process proceeds to the next step 53 to set all the relevant paper feed trays as target trays. In step 54, the fact that all the paper feed trays set as the target trays are being fed is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 17 by characters or LED lighting. This may be displayed for every sheet feed tray, or it may be displayed which sheet feed tray is being fed.

  Next, the process proceeds to step 55, and the image forming operation is started. For convenience, as described in the next step 56, the remaining amount detection sensor 15 shown in FIG. 2 checks whether any of the paper feed trays of the target tray has run out of paper during the image forming operation. . If it is determined that none of the paper feed trays are out of paper, the process proceeds to step 57 to check whether or not all necessary image forming operations have been completed.

  If it is still continued, the process returns to step 56 to continue the image forming operation. If it is determined that all the images have been formed, this process is terminated. If it is determined in step 56 that there is a paper feed tray that has run out of paper during the image forming operation, the process proceeds to step 58 where the paper feed tray that has run out of paper and its paper attributes are displayed on the operation panel 17. The characters are displayed on the display unit and the LED is turned on, and the paper feed tray is reset so as to be excluded from the target tray, and the process returns to step 56 to repeat the image forming operation.

  Then, according to the display of the paper feed tray that has run out of paper in this step 58, the user can replenish the paper with the paper attributes required for that paper feed tray. Here, when the additional setting function of the paper feed tray according to the third embodiment described above is combined, the continuity of the paper feed operation becomes perfect. If it is determined in step 51 that the paper size is not specified, or if it is determined that the paper of the size specified in step 52 is not loaded in any paper feed tray, the working conditions are not satisfied. This process is finished as soon as it is enough.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the sixth embodiment that performs the above-described processing, even when the paper feed tray set as the target tray is sequentially switched, the user can check which paper feed by checking the display on the target tray display means. It can be easily recognized whether the tray is set as the target tray. Further, since the replenishment tray display means displays information such as the paper feed tray that has run out of paper and its paper attributes, the user can immediately perform appropriate paper replenishment.

  In addition, since the setting unit excludes the paper feed tray that has run out of paper from the target tray, the image forming operation can be continued immediately, and the continuity of the image forming operation can be further improved. In the above embodiment, the target tray and the out-of-paper feed tray are displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 17, but it is of course possible to provide a dedicated display unit in addition to the operation panel 17 for display. It is.

  Although the description of each embodiment is finished as described above, in common with each of the above-described embodiments, the specifications of each part and the configuration of hardware and software are not limited to those described above, and are consistent with the gist of the present invention. Various specifications and configurations can be changed within the range.

  The present invention can be applied to various image forming apparatuses such as monochrome and color copiers, printers, facsimile apparatuses, and multi-function machines combining these functions, and a sheet feeding apparatus having a plurality of sheet feeding trays. . Further, it is possible to smoothly switch the sheet feeding between the plurality of sheet feeding trays, and it is possible to improve the continuity of the sheet feeding operation and the efficiency of the image forming operation.

3 is a flowchart showing processing relating to automatic paper feed tray selection performed by a CPU after an instruction to start image forming work is given to the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is an overall schematic configuration diagram schematically showing a cross-sectional structure of the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a system of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing performed by a CPU after an instruction to perform image forming work by copy printing or sort printing is performed in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

It is a flowchart which shows the interruption process of CPU performed in image forming work in 3rd Example of the image forming apparatus by this invention. Similarly, in the third embodiment, it is a diagram for explaining a situation in which a paper feed tray having a paper attribute different from that of the target tray is replaced with a paper feed tray having a paper having the same paper attribute. It is a flowchart which shows the process which CPU performs after finishing image forming work in 4th Example of the image forming apparatus by this invention.

It is a flowchart which shows the interruption process of CPU performed in image forming work in 5th Example of the image forming apparatus by this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process which CPU performs after the instruction | indication which starts image forming work was made to 6th Example of the image forming apparatus by this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1: MFP (image forming apparatus), 2: MFP body, 3: Optical reading unit, 4: Optical scanning device,
5: Image forming unit, 6: Photoconductor, 7: Developing device, 8: Paper feed tray, 9: Vertical conveyance path,
10: fixing device, 11: discharge roller pair, 12: discharge tray,
13: paper feed roller (automatically selected paper feeder), 14: bottom plate (automatically selected paper feeder),
15: remaining amount detection sensor, 16: image forming engine,
17: Operation panel (target tray display means, supplement tray display means),
18: HDD, 19: Main power supply, 20: Control unit, 21: Host machine, 22: Host I / F,
23: CPU (setting means, automatic selection paper feeding means, setting switching means, target tray display means, replenishment tray display means),
24: Program ROM, 25: RAM, 26: Font ROM, 27: NV-RAM,
28: Reading unit I / F, 29: Panel I / F, 30: Engine I / F,
31: HDD I / F, 32: Network I / F

Claims (8)

Rutotomoni comprising a plurality of conventional paper tray in the paper feed tray automatic selection system of the conventional mounting an image forming apparatus large capacity paper feed tray capable of stacking a number of sheets from the sheet feeding tray,
Setting means for setting any one of the plurality of normal paper feed trays as a target tray for automatic selection;
The setting and automatic selection paper feeding means for automatically selecting and paper feeding set plurality of any of the paper feed tray to a subject tray when forming an image,
If the large-volume paper feed tray is installed when performing copy printing or sort printing on the setting unit, in the first part of printing, any one of the plurality of normal paper feed trays is used. An automatic paper feed tray selection system comprising setting switching means for setting a paper tray as the target tray and setting only the large-volume paper feed tray as the target tray in the second and subsequent copies . In the paper tray automatic selection system according to claim 1 ,
The paper feed tray automatic selection system, wherein the setting means sets the target tray according to a paper attribute of the paper. In the paper tray automatic selection system according to claim 2 ,
When the setting unit detects that a sheet having a sheet attribute corresponding to the target tray is loaded in a paper feed tray other than the target tray, the setting unit automatically adds the paper feed tray to the target tray. A system for automatically selecting a paper feed tray, characterized in that it comprises means. In the paper tray automatic selection system according to claim 2 or 3 ,
The paper feed tray automatic selection system, wherein the paper attribute includes at least one of a paper size and a paper type. In the paper feed tray automatic selection system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The automatic selection paper feeding unit selects one of the target trays other than the last fed paper tray after the image forming work is completed, and starts the next image forming work. A paper feed tray automatic selection system characterized by waiting. In the paper tray automatic selection system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
An automatic paper feed tray selection system comprising target tray display means for displaying which paper feed tray is the target tray. In the paper feed tray automatic selection system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 ,
A replenishment tray display means for displaying information about a paper tray out of paper among the target trays is provided, and the setting means includes means for excluding the paper tray out of paper from the target tray. An automatic paper feed tray selection system comprising: An automatic paper feed tray selection system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , and an image forming means for forming an image on paper fed from the target tray by the automatic selection paper feed means. An image forming apparatus.

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