JP4512373B2 - Image forming apparatus, image forming system, computer program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention includes an image forming apparatus that feeds paper from another paper feed tray in which paper of the same size is set, when the paper runs out in a paper feed tray used during a print job, and the image forming apparatus. The present invention relates to an image forming system, a computer program for executing the paper feeding, and a recording medium on which the computer program is recorded.

  Provided as a printer as an image forming apparatus that prints using specified paper when executing printing according to the paper size and paper type specified in the job information of the print job sent together with the print data from the host computer etc. Has been. On the other hand, multi-function printers or high-speed printers that also have copy and facsimile functions are equipped with multi-stage paper feed trays, so that the same size paper can be set in multiple paper feed trays to handle a large amount of printing. The ones made available are also provided. Some printers count the required amount of paper based on the amount of data to be printed and notify the user of the shortage if the number of sheets set in the paper feed tray is insufficient. Is provided.

On the other hand, in the case of a printer equipped with a multi-stage paper feed tray, when there is a shortage of paper, it automatically switches to another paper feed tray loaded with the same size paper. (Limitless paper feeding) "is disclosed in, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2, which enables" limitless printing "without interrupting printing due to running out of paper. Discloses that a paper supply tray to be originally used can be replenished without stopping a print job through temporary change or return of the paper supply tray.
JP-A-9-81344 JP 2001-199577 A JP 2000-168977 A

  However, in a printer equipped with a conventional multi-stage paper feed tray, when there is no paper in the current paper feed tray, it automatically switches to the paper tray of the same paper size. It is not clear that the paper is set sufficiently, and even if the paper is switched to a new paper feed tray, the paper may run out immediately.

  The present invention has been made in view of the situation of the prior art as described above, and its purpose is to indicate the timing of replenishing paper in the paper feed tray when performing limitless printing, and minimize the possibility of running out of paper. It is to limit it to the limit.

To achieve the above object, the first means comprises a plurality of paper feed trays, manages paper information such as the size of paper set in each paper feed tray, and selects a paper feed tray based on the paper information. In the printer including the control unit that feeds paper from the selected paper feed tray, the control unit displays in advance a paper feed tray that is sequentially switched when the selected paper feed tray runs out of paper. In addition, when the sheet feeding tray is switched, the number of sheets printed using the immediately preceding sheet feeding tray is displayed as a subscript on the display of the corresponding sheet feeding tray of the display unit .

  The second means is that in the first means, the control means identifies a paper supply tray that can supply paper without affecting printing in progress with respect to the sequentially switched tray, and paper supply is possible. This is displayed on the display unit.

  According to a third means, in the first or second means, the control means temporarily transfers the currently used paper feed tray to the paper feed tray displayed on the display unit according to an instruction from the operation unit. It is characterized by switching to.

  The fourth means further comprises an external storage means for storing print information in the first to third means, and the control means is a virtual tray provided in the external storage device for the currently selected paper feed tray. It is characterized by temporarily switching to the virtual tray for virtual printing.

According to a fifth means , in the fourth means, if the control means cannot print all even with the switched paper feed tray, virtual printing is automatically performed on the virtual paper in the virtual tray provided in the external storage device. In this case, the paper is discharged to a virtual paper discharge tray.

Sixth means, in the fourth or fifth means, said control means is characterized in the number of the virtual printed is the sheet that is displayed on the display unit.

The image forming system according to the seventh means is characterized by comprising the image forming apparatuses of the first to sixth means and a host device for transmitting a print job command.

A computer program according to an eighth means includes a first procedure for determining whether or not limitless printing is performed after starting data processing, and a paper feed tray size at the start of printing when the determination is limitless printing. A second procedure for determining whether there is a tray of the same size as the first, and a third procedure for switching from the paper feed tray at the start of printing and displaying it on the display unit in the order of scheduled switching when there is a tray of the same size When the paper feed tray is switched , the computer is caused to execute a fourth procedure in which the number of sheets printed using the immediately preceding paper feed tray is displayed as a subscript on the display of the corresponding paper feed tray of the display unit. And

According to a ninth means, in the eighth means, after the third procedure is executed, the computer further executes a fifth procedure for displaying that the trays to be switched other than the current paper feed tray can be replenished . It is characterized by that.

The tenth means is characterized in that, in the ninth means, after the fifth procedure is executed, the computer further executes a sixth procedure for determining whether or not to temporarily switch the current paper feed tray. To do.

First first means, a computer program according to the means of the first 0 is read by the computer, characterized in that it is recorded in the executable recording medium.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when the current paper feed tray runs out of paper, the paper feed trays that are sequentially switched are displayed in advance on the panel, so that the timing for replenishing the corresponding tray can be understood. Supply can be performed accurately. As a result, when limitless printing is performed, the possibility of running out of paper can be minimized.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a printer (image forming) system according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a paper feed tray owned by the printer according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 3 illustrates an operation of the printer system. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the display unit of the operation panel.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer system basically includes a host machine 1 such as a host computer and a printer 2 that receives print data from the host machine 1 and prints it. The host machine 1 is connected to a hard disk device (hereinafter referred to as HDD) 3 for storing print condition settings, print data, and the like.

  The printer 2 includes a controller 4 that is a control mechanism for converting the print data from the host machine 1 into video data and printing according to the control mode and the control code from the host machine 1 set at that time, and the status of the printer 2. An operation panel 5 having a switch unit for changing the display, mode, printing conditions, etc., a display unit for performing display as described later, and print data that could not be printed when paper is insufficient, together with its page data, etc. Electrostatic imaging is performed on the HDD 6 as an external storage device serving as a virtual paper feed tray and a virtual paper discharge tray to be stored, and a photoconductor as an image carrier based on a video signal and control information from the controller 4, It comprises a printer engine 7 that feeds paper from a paper feed unit composed of a plurality of paper feed cassettes to form an image, and a main power supply 8. There. Since a known printer engine 7 is used, detailed illustration and description of its structure is omitted.

  The controller 4 is a generic term for a control mechanism that converts the print data from the host machine 1 into video data and outputs it to the printer engine in accordance with the control mode and the control code from the host machine 1 set at that time. RAM 12, NV-RAM 13, program ROM 14, font ROM 15, host interface (hereinafter referred to as I / F) 16, panel I / F 17, engine I / F 18, disk I / F 19, and network I / F 20 are at least the elements. It is comprised by the module containing as.

  The CPU 11 is a control processor that can be configured by a general-purpose CPU that controls the entire controller 4. The CPU 11 performs data processing according to the program contents of the program ROM 14, and also manages accumulated data and data flow, and accumulated jobs. The RAM 12 is used as a work area for the CPU 11, a data reception buffer from the host machine 1, and an image development area after processing. The NV-RAM 13 is a non-volatile memory that can hold data regardless of whether the power is on or off. The program ROM 14 is a memory holding a program, and the font ROM 15 is a memory holding several types of fonts used at the time of printing.

  The host I / F 16 is for transferring data between the host machine 1 and the printer 2, and the panel I / F 17 performs display on the operation panel 5 and key operation reception processing. The engine I / F 18 transmits / receives a control signal to the controller 4 and the printer engine 7 and a status signal from the engine 7 to the controller 4, and an image data actually developed by the controller 4 is printed out by the printer engine 7. / F. The disk I / F 19 is used to exchange print data with the HDD 6, and the network I / F 20 is an I / F for LAN or Internet connection.

  The printer 2 in the first embodiment is provided with first to fourth paper feed trays 21 to 24 as shown in FIG. It is assumed that A4 paper is set in the first to third paper feed trays 21, 22, and 23, and B5 paper is set in the fourth paper feed tray 24. It is assumed that the first to third paper feed trays 21, 22, and 23 are the first, second, and third paper feed trays in the priority order. Each of the paper feed trays 21 to 24 is provided with a size detection element for detecting the size of the set paper and a paper detection element for detecting the presence or absence of the paper, as in the conventional paper feed tray. Information on the size of sheets set in the trays 21 to 24 and the presence / absence of sheets is sent to the CPU 11.

  In the configuration as described above, when the flow limitless printing is set by operating a button (not shown) for setting flow limitless printing on the operation panel 5, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. The print data from 1 is received and data processing for printing is started (step S101). Next, it is checked whether or not limitless printing is performed (step S102), and in the case of limitless printing, it is checked whether or not there is a tray of the same size paper as the start of printing (step S103). Here, when the paper size is A4, the A4 size paper feed trays are the first to third paper feed trays 21 to 23, and the paper feed trays exist. Then, the fact that the paper feed tray to be switched becomes the second and third paper feed trays 22 and 23 is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 5 (step S104), and the process ends. If it is not limitless printing in step S102, the process also ends if there is no paper feed tray of the same size in step S103.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, “limitless printing is in progress” is displayed on the display unit 51 of the operation panel 5, and the paper feed tray for starting the paper feed to be switched is shown in red. Is displayed in blue, and “Tray 1” representing the first paper feed tray 21 used for the paper feed start character is indicated by a red line, and when the paper in the first tray 21 is finished, “Tray 2” and “Tray 3” are displayed in blue lines to indicate that the paper in the second paper feed tray 22 and the third paper feed tray 23 is fed. In this way, the presence of the paper feed tray to be switched can be displayed during printing, and the paper feed tray to be switched is displayed on the panel. Effective as print information.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the second embodiment of the printer system, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the display panel during the operation of the second embodiment. The configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, only the control process is different as shown in FIG. 5, and the display on the display unit 51 is also different as shown in FIG.

  That is, in this embodiment, the display unit 51 displays whether or not sheets can be replenished for the paper feed trays that are sequentially used by switching in the above-described embodiment. In this embodiment, the CPU 11 receives print data from the host machine 1, starts data processing for printing (step S201), and checks whether or not limitless printing is performed (step S202). In the case of limitless printing, it is checked whether or not there is a tray of the same size as that at the start of printing (step S203), and if there is a paper tray of the same size, the paper feed tray 21 that starts feeding. Then, it is displayed on the display unit 51 of the operation panel 5 that the switching target paper feed tray becomes the second and third paper feed trays 22 and 23 (step S204), and other than the current paper feed tray 21 in the display of the display unit 51. The switching target paper feed trays 22 and 23 identify that the paper can be replenished (step S205), and the process ends. If it is not limitless printing in step S202, the process is also terminated when there is no paper feed tray of the same size in step S203. This makes it possible for the user to easily identify a paper tray that is scheduled to be switched in the future and that is not currently being fed, and erroneously empty a paper tray that is being fed. Unnecessary jams can be prevented in advance, and at the same time, it is possible to provide a timing for safely supplying paper before switching in the future.

  Other parts that are not particularly described are configured in the same manner as the first embodiment and function in the same manner.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the third embodiment of the printer system. The configuration of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, and only the control processing is different as shown in FIG. In the third embodiment, paper can be replenished to the currently selected paper feed tray even after printing has started once, and in the case of a mass batch printing system, the paper is just before leaving the printer. The paper feed tray can be easily switched by panel operation on the spot where you want to replenish the paper.

  That is, the CPU 11 receives print data from the host machine 1, starts data processing for printing (step S301), checks whether or not limitless printing is performed (step S302), and prints in the case of limitless printing. It is checked whether or not there is a tray of the same size paper as the start (step S303). When there is a paper feed tray of the same size, the display unit of the operation panel 5 indicates that the paper feed tray 21 that starts paper feed and the switching target paper feed trays are the second and third paper feed trays 22 and 23. 51 (step S304), and in the display of the display unit 51, the switching target paper feed trays 22 and 23 other than the current paper feed tray 21 identify and display that paper can be supplied (step S305). Next, it is checked whether or not the current paper feed tray is temporarily switched (step S306). When the current paper feed tray is temporarily switched, the paper feed tray to be switched is designated according to the instruction from the operation panel 5 (step S307), the paper feed tray is switched (step S308), and the process is terminated. If it is not limitless printing in step S302, if there is no paper feed tray of the same size in S303, or if the current paper feed tray is not temporarily switched in S306, the process also ends. As described above, in the second embodiment, it is possible to easily make a temporary case where it is inevitably desired to replenish a currently fed tray.

  Other parts that are not particularly described are configured in the same manner as the first embodiment and function in the same manner.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the fourth embodiment of the printer system. The configuration of the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, and only the control process is different as shown in FIG. In the third embodiment, in order to continue the current printing process even when the tray is switched, a virtual paper feed tray that does not run out of paper is prepared in principle, and apparently printing is not interrupted. ing.

  Similar to the third embodiment, the CPU 11 receives print data from the host machine 1, starts data processing for printing (step S401), checks whether or not limitless printing is performed (step S402), and performs limitless. In the case of printing, it is checked whether or not there is a tray of the same size as that at the start of printing (step S403). When there is a paper feed tray of the same size, the display unit of the operation panel 5 indicates that the paper feed tray 21 that starts paper feed and the switching target paper feed trays are the second and third paper feed trays 22 and 23. 51 (step S404), and in the display of the display unit 51, the switching target paper feed trays 22 and 23 other than the current paper feed tray 21 are identified and displayed that paper can be supplied (step S405). Next, it is checked whether or not the current paper feed tray is temporarily switched (step S406). When the current paper feed tray is temporarily switched, it is checked whether or not the virtual paper feed tray is selected (step S407). When the virtual paper feed tray is selected, the switch target tray for performing printing to the virtual paper discharge destination is selected. Designate (step S408). That is, the area of the HDD 6 is designated as the virtual paper feed tray, and the area to which the paper is discharged is set.

  If the current paper feed tray is not temporarily switched in step S406, it is checked whether all sheets in the target paper feed tray for limitless printing are capable of printing print data (step S409). In step S408, the virtual paper feed tray is temporarily stored in the HDD 6, and if it is sufficient, the control of the paper feed tray is finished. If the virtual paper feed tray is not selected in step S407, the virtual paper feed tray is switched to the target paper feed tray for limitless printing (step S410).

  In this way, even if printing is performed by switching the limitless paper feed to all target trays, even when there are many print pages and “no paper”, the virtual machine can be switched to the virtual tray to open the host machine 1, Since the page creation process is continued, the release on the host machine 1 side can be expedited even in the case of printing exceeding the number of mounted sheets in the mass batch printing.

  Other parts that are not particularly described are configured in the same manner as the first embodiment and function in the same manner.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the fifth embodiment of the printer system. In the fifth embodiment, when the paper feed tray is switched as information to be provided to the user during limitless printing or as print information in mass batch printing, the number of prints in the immediately preceding paper feed tray is displayed on the panel. In this way, print progress information is provided. That is, during limitless printing, the number of sheets printed from each paper feed tray is displayed on the display unit 51 of the operation panel 5. This operation is performed after checking whether or not limitless printing is performed in steps S102, S202, and S302. Here, step S102 in FIG. 3 will be described as an example. It is checked whether or not limitless printing is performed (step S102). In the case of limitless printing, the CPU 11 counts the number of printed sheets at the start of printing (step S501). Next, it is checked whether or not there is no paper in the current paper feed tray (step S502). If there is no paper, the paper feed tray is switched according to the paper feed tray in the order of switching (step S503), and the display unit 51 "Number of prints" is displayed as a subscript on the display portion of the paper feed tray used immediately before the display. Thus, by displaying the number of actually printed sheets from the limitless paper feed tray displayed on the panel, it is possible to provide printing progress information for mass batch printing or the like.

  Other parts that are not particularly described are configured in the same manner as the first embodiment and function in the same manner.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the sixth embodiment of the printer system. The printing performed in the virtual paper feed tray and paper discharge tray in the fourth embodiment is held by the printer 2, and it is not clear how many sheets are necessary for printing. Therefore, in the sixth embodiment, a procedure for displaying the number of sheets necessary for the print data in the virtual paper feed tray and the virtual paper discharge tray is added to the fourth embodiment. That is, in step S409 in FIG. 8, when it is checked whether or not all the sheets in the target paper feed tray for limitless printing have a printable number of print data, the total number of target paper feed trays is smaller than the number of prints. In this case, the CPU 11 counts the number of pages (the number of virtual paper pages to be virtually printed) at the same time as the printing to the virtual paper discharge tray is started (step S601). It is checked whether printing has been completed (step S603). If all printing is completed, this procedure is terminated, and if printing is not completed, the process returns to step S602 again. As a result, the CPU 11 can obtain information on the number of prints to be completed, and can display the number of prints on the display unit 51. For the virtual print page in the third embodiment, it is possible to clearly indicate the required number of sheets until the end of printing, and to provide a guide for replenishing sheets.

1 is a functional block diagram of a printer system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a paper feed tray owned by a printer according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the printer system. It is a figure which shows the display part of an operation panel. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the second embodiment of the printer system. 6 is a diagram showing a display panel during operation of Example 1. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a third embodiment of the printer system. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a fourth embodiment of the printer system. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a fifth embodiment of the printer system. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of 6th Example of this printer system.

Explanation of symbols

1 Host machine 2 Printer 4 Controller 5 Operation panel 6 HDD
7 Printer Engine 11 CPU
12 RAM
13 NV-RAM
14 Program ROM
15 Font ROM
51 Display section

Claims (11)

A plurality of paper feed trays are provided, paper information such as the size of paper set in each paper feed tray is managed, a paper feed tray is selected based on the paper information, and paper is fed from the selected paper feed tray. In an image forming apparatus provided with a control means,
The control means displays in advance on the display section a paper feed tray to be sequentially switched when there is no paper in the selected paper feed tray, and uses the immediately preceding paper feed tray when the paper feed tray is switched. An image forming apparatus , wherein the number of printed sheets is displayed as a subscript on the display of the corresponding paper feed tray of the display unit.   The control means identifies a paper feed tray that can replenish paper without affecting printing in progress with respect to the paper feed trays that are sequentially switched, and displays on the display unit that paper can be replenished. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   3. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit temporarily switches the currently used paper feed tray to the paper feed tray displayed on the display unit according to an instruction from an operation unit. The image forming apparatus described.   External storage means for storing print information is further provided, and the control means temporarily switches the currently selected paper feed tray to the virtual tray for virtual printing on virtual paper in a virtual tray provided in the external storage device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The control unit automatically performs virtual printing on the external storage device when all printing is not possible even with the switched paper feed tray, and discharges the virtual printed virtual paper to the virtual paper discharge tray. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 .   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit causes the display unit to display the number of virtual sheets that have been virtually printed.   7. An image forming system comprising: the image forming apparatus according to claim 1; and a host apparatus that transmits a print job command.   A first procedure for determining whether or not limitless printing after starting data processing;
  A second procedure for determining whether there is a tray of the same size as the paper feed tray size at the start of printing when the determination is limitless printing;
  When there is a tray of the same size, a third procedure of switching from the paper feed tray at the start of printing and displaying it on the display unit in the order of switching;
  A fourth procedure for displaying the number of sheets printed using the immediately preceding paper feed tray as a subscript on the display of the paper feed tray of the display unit when the paper feed tray is switched;
A computer program for causing a computer to execute.   9. The computer program according to claim 8, further comprising: causing the computer to further execute a fifth procedure for displaying that the trays to be switched other than the current paper feed tray can be replenished after executing the third procedure. .   10. The computer program according to claim 9, further comprising causing the computer to execute a sixth procedure for determining whether or not to temporarily switch the current paper feed tray after executing the fifth procedure.   A recording medium, wherein the computer program according to claim 10 is read by a computer and recorded so as to be executable.

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