JP4604733B2 - Image forming system, image processing apparatus, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet such as a sheet-like recording material. The present invention relates to a system, an image processing apparatus, and an image forming apparatus.

  Image forming apparatuses that form an image according to image data on a recording sheet (hereinafter referred to as a sheet) using an electrophotographic process include a printer, a copier, a facsimile, and a multifunction machine having these functions.

  In this image forming apparatus, a toner image corresponding to image data is formed on a photosensitive drum, and the toner image is transferred to a recording sheet via an intermediate transfer member. Thereafter, in the image forming apparatus, the paper on which the toner image has been transferred is heated while being pressed, so that the toner image is melted and fixed on the paper. Thereby, an image corresponding to the image data is formed on the sheet.

  On the other hand, the image forming apparatus can form images on sheets of various sizes such as A4 and A3 sizes and B5 and B4 sizes. In addition, image forming apparatuses are required to form images not only on plain paper but also on various types of paper such as OHP film, thin paper and thick paper, fine paper, medium paper, coated paper, and art paper. In order to form the image, for example, it is necessary to appropriately set various parameters such as a parameter such as a fixing temperature according to the paper type including the paper quality.

  From this point, in the image forming apparatus, the type of paper accommodated for each paper feed tray is set. For example, the paper feed containing the type of paper based on image data or print designation is set. A tray is selected, the selected paper feed tray is designated, paper is taken out, and image formation (print processing) is performed.

  By the way, when an image forming apparatus is connected to an image processing apparatus such as a personal computer over a network and receives an image or document transmitted as a print job from the image processing apparatus, an image forming process (printing process) corresponding to the print job is performed. Execute. At this time, in the image processing apparatus, it is possible to specify a paper type as a print setting. In the image forming apparatus, a paper feed tray that stores a paper type that matches the paper type specified in the print setting. To choose.

  On the other hand, when a paper type is specified in the print settings, a mismatch may occur in which a paper type corresponding to the image forming apparatus is not accommodated. When such a paper type mismatch occurs, the printing process may be interrupted, and the intention of the user who sent the print job using the image processing apparatus also when the printing process was executed In some cases, an image is formed on a paper type that does not, or the image quality of a printed image is degraded.

  From here, the setting of the image forming apparatus and the print setting in the print job are set in advance, and when the mismatch occurs, the processing based on this setting is executed, whereby the image processing apparatus is A proposal has been made to prevent execution of a process unintended by a user who uses the system (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, this proposal makes it possible to set processing for when a mismatch occurs for each user.

  However, the setting for the paper type and the paper type mismatch is performed by displaying a predetermined menu on the image forming apparatus, and a complicated process is required to perform the setting for each print job. turn into.

  For this reason, for example, when a mismatch occurs, the printing process is interrupted, and the paper type according to the print setting is stacked on the paper in any one of the paper feed trays, and then image formation is performed. There is a case where the print processing is set to be executed by an operation on the apparatus.

  When performing this kind of operation, normally, if you forget to remove the excess paper from the paper feed tray when the printing process is completed, the paper type is different from the original setting. Will remain in the paper feed tray. That is, since the paper type setting for the paper feed tray is not changed, the uppermost several sheets have different paper types from the setting in the paper feed tray.

  For this reason, when the originally set paper type is specified, the printing process on the paper of a different paper type is executed first, and the paper type not intended by the user who requested the print job is printed. There arises a problem that the printing process is performed.

For example, when OHP paper is loaded on plain paper in a paper feed tray loaded with plain paper and printing processing is performed, if OHP paper remains, printing processing is performed using plain paper next. For this reason, when this paper feed tray is selected, printing is performed on the remaining OHP paper even though printing on plain paper is desired.
JP 2003-63109 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and sets the paper type for each paper feed tray in the image forming apparatus, and the paper type set in the print job and the paper feed tray of the image forming apparatus. To propose an image forming system, an image processing apparatus, and an image forming apparatus that make it possible to form an appropriate image on a paper type intended by a user by facilitating the setting for mismatches of different paper types. With the goal.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, the paper type of the image forming paper stored in each paper feed tray is set, and the paper type that matches the paper type specified by the print setting of the print job is stored. An image forming apparatus capable of forming an image by selecting a paper tray and controlling an image forming process based on the paper type on an image forming sheet taken out from the sheet feeding tray, and connected to the image forming apparatus. An image processing apparatus that outputs a print job including the print setting, wherein the image processing apparatus sets the paper type of the print setting and the paper set for each of the paper feed trays. Including a print setting unit that can instruct whether or not to change the paper type setting of the paper feed tray when a mismatch that causes a mismatch of types occurs, and the image forming apparatus inputs various setting instructions Input enabling operation An operation unit, wherein when a change of the paper type of the paper feed tray by the printing setting means is instructed, the paper feed tray from the input operation means for changing the paper type is designated, and the sheet feeding tray of the paper A mismatch processing means for enabling image formation based on the paper type specified in the print job on the image forming paper taken out from the paper feed tray when the type change is set. To do.

  According to the present invention, the image processing apparatus that outputs the print job to the image forming apparatus includes the print setting unit that designates the paper type, and the image forming paper accommodated in the image forming apparatus for each paper feed tray. The image forming apparatus selects a paper tray that has a paper type that matches the paper type specified in the print job, specifies the selected paper tray, and The formed sheet is taken out, and image formation is controlled based on the paper type to form an image.

  The print setting means can set the change of the paper type of the paper feed tray as a process when a mismatch occurs when the paper type specified in the print settings is not set in the paper feed tray.

  In the image forming apparatus, if a change in the paper type of the paper feed tray is set when a mismatch occurs, the paper type to be taken out from the paper feed tray selected by the input operation of the input operation unit is set in the print job. An image forming process is performed as a paper type.

  As a result, for example, an image forming sheet of a paper type designated in a print job is loaded into one of the paper feeding trays, and an image forming paper of a desired paper type is selected by selecting the corresponding paper feeding tray. Quality image formation is possible.

  Such paper types in the present invention include A4 size, A5 size, B5 size, B4 size and other paper sizes, plain paper, OHP film, thin paper and thick paper, high quality paper and medium quality paper, recycled paper, coated paper, It includes paper quality such as art paper and colored paper, and can also include shapes such as perforated paper.

The invention according to claim 2 specifies whether the print setting unit limits the change of the paper type to the corresponding print job or holds the changed paper type setting even after the print job is completed. The image forming apparatus can change the setting of the paper type of the paper feed tray when an instruction to change the setting of the paper type is given.

  According to the present invention, the print setting means can specify whether the change of the paper type is limited to the corresponding job or the setting change that keeps setting the paper type for the paper feed tray (permanent). In this case, since the setting change is designated, the changed paper type is stored and held by setting the paper type of the corresponding paper feed tray.

  This facilitates the setting of the paper type for the paper feed tray, and does not cause a mismatch when the next print job specifying the same paper type is performed, enabling smooth printing processing.

Further, in the present invention, the print setting unit may be capable of designating stop of the image forming process when the mismatch occurs, and the print setting unit provides the input provided in the image forming apparatus when the mismatch occurs. It may be possible to specify a setting equivalent to the input setting of the process via the operation unit. Further, when the mismatch processing unit is set to process when the mismatch occurs, the print setting unit The setting of the mismatch processing means may be specifiable.

On the other hand, in the image processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied, the paper type of the image forming paper stored in each paper feed tray is set, and the paper type that matches the paper type specified by the print setting of the print job is set. The paper feed tray to be accommodated is selected and connected to an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on the image forming paper taken out from the paper feed tray by controlling image forming processing based on the paper type An image processing apparatus that outputs a print job including settings,
It is possible to instruct whether or not to change the paper type setting of the paper feed tray when a mismatch occurs in which the paper type of the print setting does not match the paper type set for each paper feed tray. Any device including print setting means may be used.

Further, in the image processing apparatus applied to the present invention, whether the print setting unit limits the change of the paper type to the corresponding print job, or holds the changed paper type setting even after the print job ends . May be designated, and the print setting means may be capable of designating cancellation of the image forming process when the mismatch occurs.

Furthermore, in the image processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied, even if the print setting unit can specify a setting equivalent to the input setting of the process via the input operation unit on the image forming apparatus when the mismatch occurs. The print setting unit may be able to specify the setting of the image forming apparatus when processing for when the mismatch occurs is set in the image forming apparatus.

An image forming apparatus applied to the present invention includes a print job including a print setting in which a paper type of an image forming sheet accommodated in each paper feed tray is set and a paper type used for image formation is specified from the image processing apparatus Is input, a paper feed tray that contains a paper type that matches the paper type specified by the print settings of the print job is selected, and the paper type is added to the image forming paper taken out from the paper feed tray. An image forming apparatus capable of forming an image by controlling image forming processing based on the input operation means for enabling input operation of various setting instructions, and the print setting includes a paper type of the print setting. And the paper type set for each paper feed tray is mismatched, and when the change of paper type setting for the paper feed tray is instructed, the paper type is changed from the input operation means. The paper tray to be changed is specified. And by paper type of change of the paper feed tray is set, mismatch processing means to the image forming sheet is taken out from the paper feed tray, to allow the image formed based on the sheet type designated by the print job As long as it contains

  The image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied includes a setting unit configured to change the paper type setting of the paper feed tray when the print setting of the paper type of the paper feed tray is specified in the print setting. Can be included.

  Further, the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied may be able to stop the processing for the print job when the mismatch occurs when the stop of the image forming process is specified in the print setting. Preferably. In the print setting, when an input of a process by the input operation unit is designated, it is preferable that a process based on the designation input through the input operation unit can be performed.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the image processing apparatus can set a process when a mismatch occurs in which the paper type specified in the print job does not match the paper type of the paper feed tray, and the image processing apparatus You can change the paper type setting for the paper tray.

  Thereby, even when the print setting and the paper type that can be used in the image forming apparatus do not match, it is possible to obtain an excellent effect that the workability for performing the printing process can be improved.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a network 10 applied to the present embodiment. The network 10 includes an image forming apparatus 12 and a plurality of client terminals 14 provided as image processing apparatuses connected to the network.

  In the network 10, when the image forming apparatus 12 receives a print job transmitted from the client terminal 14, the image forming apparatus 12 forms a print network that executes print processing according to the print job. An arbitrary network protocol can be applied to the network connection between the image forming apparatus 12 and the client terminal 14.

  As the image forming apparatus 12, a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, or a multifunction machine having these functions can be applied. In the following, a printer having these basic functions will be described as an example ( Hereinafter, this is referred to as a printer 12).

  As shown in FIG. 2, a printer 12 includes a sheet feeding unit 18 loaded with a sheet-like recording material (hereinafter referred to as paper 16) used for image formation, and a print engine that forms an image on the paper 16 by an electrophotographic process. (Image forming unit) 20 and a conveyance unit 22 that conveys the paper 16 are included.

  The print engine 20 includes a developing module 26 provided with a photosensitive drum 24 and exposure means (not shown) such as ROS (Raster Optical Scanner) using a laser beam or the like. After the surface of the photosensitive drum 24 is uniformly charged, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 24 by scanning and exposing a laser beam according to image data, and then toner development is performed. Thus, a toner image (for example, a black (K) toner image) corresponding to the image data is formed.

  The print engine 20 is provided with a transfer belt 28 facing the photoconductive drum 24, and the paper 16 supplied (paper fed) from the paper supply unit 18 is sandwiched between the photoconductive drum 24 and the transfer belt 28. At this time, the print engine 20 transports the paper 16 while superimposing the toner image formed on the paper 16 and the photosensitive drum 24, thereby sending out the toner image on the photosensitive drum 24 while transferring it to the paper 16.

  In the present embodiment, for example, a single color image using black (K) toner is formed as the print engine 20, but the print engine 20 can form a color image. There may be.

  At this time, in addition to K color, Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) color development modules are used, and image data (color image data) input for printing is subjected to RIP processing. Data of each color component (raster data) of Y, M, C, and K is generated, the photosensitive drum is scanned and exposed using each raster data, and toners of each color of Y, M, C, and K are used. Y, M, C, and K toner images are formed, and these toner images are transferred while being superimposed on the intermediate transfer member, or directly transferred while being superimposed on the paper 16 to form a full color toner image. Any material can be used.

  The print engine 20 is provided with a fixing module (fixing device) 30. The fixing module 30 includes a fixing roller 32 heated to a predetermined temperature by a heater (not shown), and heats the paper 16 on which the toner image has been transferred while being pressed by the fixing roller 32.

  As a result, the toner is melted and fixed on the paper 16, and an image corresponding to the image data is formed on the paper 16. The printer 12 to which the present invention is applied is not limited to this, and any configuration that forms an image on the paper 16 by an electrophotographic process can be applied.

  On the other hand, the paper feed unit 18 is provided with a plurality of paper feed trays 34 that can accommodate a large number of sheets 16 stacked on each other. In the present embodiment, the paper feed trays 34A and 34B for accommodating the relatively small size paper 16 and the paper feed trays 34C and 34D capable of accommodating the relatively large size paper 16 are provided. In general, the paper feed tray 34 is used. Further, the number of paper feed trays 34 and the size of paper 16 that can be accommodated are not limited thereto.

  The paper feed tray 34 is provided with a take-out roller and a feed roller, and the uppermost paper 16 is taken out by the take-out roller, and the paper 16 is sent out by the feed roller.

  The conveyance unit 22 conveys the paper 16 delivered from the fixing module 30 and the paper feed conveyance path 36 that conveys the paper 16 delivered from the paper feed tray 34 between the photosensitive drum 24 and the transfer belt 28 of the print engine 20. , A paper discharge conveyance path 38 for guiding and conveying the apparatus toward the outside of the apparatus is provided.

  The paper 16 delivered from the paper feed tray 34 is transported along the paper feed transport path 36 and fed to the print engine 20. Note that a registration roller 40 is provided at a predetermined position on the front side of the photosensitive drum 24 in the paper feed conveyance path 36, and the registration roller 40 synchronizes the paper 16 with the formation of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 24. Send out at the timing. As a result, the toner image is superimposed on a certain position of the paper 16.

  The sheet 16 on which an image has been formed and sent out from the fixing module 30 is conveyed along a sheet discharge conveyance path 38, and is discharged, for example, onto a sheet discharge tray (not shown). The printer 12 may be provided with a post-processing device that performs various post-processing. At this time, the paper 16 is fed along the paper discharge transport path 38 to be sent to the post-processing device.

  The printer 12 is provided with a switching unit 42, a reversing unit 44, and a duplex conveyance path 46. The switching unit 42 switches the conveyance direction of the paper 16 sent out from the fixing module 30 and guides it to the reversing unit 44. Thus, in the printer 12, the paper 16 sent to the reversing unit 44 is returned to the paper discharge transport path 38, so that the image forming surface can be reversed and the paper 16 can be discharged. .

  The double-sided conveyance path 46 connects the reversing unit 44 and the paper feeding conveyance path 36, and the paper 16 is fed from the reversing unit 44 through the double-sided conveyance path 46 to the paper feeding conveyance path 36. Thus, it is possible to form an image again. At this time, the upper and lower surfaces of the paper 16 are reversed, so that the printer 12 can form images on both sides of the paper 16 (double-sided printing).

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the printer 12 is provided with an image processing unit 50 and a print controller 52 that controls the operation of the apparatus. The printer 12 is connected to the client terminal 14 via a network interface (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the client terminal 14 can be applied to an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, a personal computer having a general configuration equipped with a display device such as a CRT display and an LCD, a workstation, and the like.

  The client terminal 14 is provided with a printer driver (printer driver software) 62 together with an application 60 for creating a document, an image, or various page layouts including a document and an image using an input device, a display device, and the like. .

  In the client terminal 14, for example, data (image data) such as a document created by the application 60 can be transmitted to the printer 12 as a print job using the printer driver 62.

  When a print job is input, the image processing unit 50 provided in the printer 12 illustrated in FIG. 3 performs image processing based on print settings on the image data of the print job and RIP processing.

  Various devices and sensors provided in the paper feeding unit 18, the print engine 20, and the conveyance unit 22 are connected to the print controller 52. The print controller 52 performs various types based on the detection results of the various sensors. By controlling the operation of the device, the image forming process on the paper 16 based on the print settings of the print job is controlled.

  On the other hand, the printer 12 is provided with an operation panel 54 on an upper portion of a casing (not shown), for example. The operation panel 54 is capable of key input based on the display on the display together with a display for displaying various information. As such an operation panel 54, for example, a touch panel in which a display and operation keys are integrated can be used.

  The operation panel 54 is connected to the print controller 52. The printer 12 displays various UIs (user interfaces) on the operation panel 54, and various settings and setting information can be confirmed using the UIs. Further, the print controller 52 stores this UI so that various setting information using the UI can be displayed and settings can be input, and the input setting information can be stored. Various devices are controlled based on the stored setting information.

  On the other hand, in the printer 12, the paper 16 can be replenished by pulling out the paper feed tray 34 from a casing (not shown), and the paper 16 is loaded by pushing the pulled paper feed tray 34 to a predetermined position inside the apparatus. It has become a general configuration.

  The paper feed tray 34 can accommodate various sizes of paper 16 such as A4 size to A6 size, B4 size, and B5 size, and the paper feed tray 34 has a peripheral portion of the paper 16 to be accommodated. For example, a sheet guide (not shown) is provided opposite to one end side along the feeding direction when the sheet 16 is fed from the sheet feeding tray 34 and one end side along the direction orthogonal to the feeding direction.

  In the printer 12, when the paper 16 is stored in the paper feed tray 34, the paper 16 is disposed at a predetermined position, and a paper guide (not shown) is brought into contact with the peripheral edge of the paper 16.

  Further, the paper feed tray 34 is provided with a plurality of size detection protrusions that move in accordance with the movement position of the paper guide on the back surface in the loading direction when loading the printer 12. The projection pattern changes depending on the movement position, that is, the size and orientation of the paper 16.

  The paper feed unit 18 of the printer 12 is provided with a size detection sensor 56 facing the size detection protrusion of the paper feed tray 34. This sensor 56 detects the pattern of the protrusion according to the movement position of the paper guide when the paper feed tray 34 is loaded in the printer 12.

  The sensor 56 is connected to the print controller 52. The print controller 52 determines whether or not the paper feed tray 34 is loaded at an appropriate position based on the detection result of the sensor 56, and whether the paper feed tray 34 is appropriate. The size of the paper 16 stored in the paper feed tray 34 (paper size) is determined from the pattern of the plurality of protrusions detected by the sensor 56 when loaded at the position.

  The printer 12 can form images on various types of paper 16 having different paper quality such as plain paper, thick paper, thin paper, high quality paper, recycled paper, colored paper, OHP paper, as well as coated paper and non-coated paper. Yes. In other words, the printer 12 can form images on the paper 12 having various sizes and various paper qualities (hereinafter collectively referred to as paper types).

  In the printer 12, for example, the quality of the paper 16 stored in the paper feed trays 34 </ b> A to 34 </ b> D is set using a UI displayed on the operation panel 54, and the set paper quality is stored in the print controller 52. The As a result, the print controller 52 can determine the paper type for each paper feed tray 34.

  In the print controller 52, parameters are set according to the paper type of the paper 16 when the operation control of each device is performed. By selecting the parameter according to the paper type and performing device control, the paper type is selected. High-quality image formation is possible on each of the different papers 16.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the operation panel 54 provided in the printer 12. The operation panel 54 is provided with a print lamp 64A that is turned on when printing is possible, a toner replacement lamp 64B that is turned on when the toner replacement time is reached, and an error lamp 64C that is turned on when an error occurs, and an LCD 66 that displays various types of information. Yes. Note that LEDs of a predetermined color can be used as the print lamp 64A, the toner replacement lamp 64B, and the error lamp 66C.

  The operation panel 54 includes a power saving key 68 for switching to a power saving mode / print mode, an online key 70, a print cancel key 72, a menu key 74, a discharge / set key 76, and up, down, left, and right, respectively. The arrow keys 78U, 78D, 78L, and 78R corresponding to are provided.

  In the printer 12, the operation / setting menu items are displayed on the LCD 66 by operating the menu key 74. At this time, the selection items to be displayed on the LCD 66 are scrolled in order by the operation of the arrow keys 78U and 78D, the displayed item is selected by the arrow key 78L, and the submenu of the corresponding item is selected hierarchically. It is possible. The arrow key 78R is used for switching to an upper level of the item displayed on the LCD 66.

  Here, for example, when the paper tray 34A is set as “tray A” and the paper type of the paper 16 stored in the paper tray 34A is set, the menu key is operated and the menu item is displayed on the LCD 66. By operating the arrow keys 78U and 78D, the “Kikai Kanrisha Menu” is displayed, and the setting items are displayed by operating the arrow keys 78L.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, by operating the arrow key 78D in a state in which “Yoshino Okae” is displayed, “Tray No Yoshishuri” used for setting the paper type to the paper feed tray 34 is displayed. To do. Note that “Print Settings” includes “Yosh Error Error Nozzle”. With this setting item, the paper type set in the print job and the paper type loaded in the paper feed tray 34 are displayed. Settings can be made for mismatches that do not match.

  Here, by operating the arrow key 78L in a state where “tray-not-ish” is displayed, it is possible to set the paper type for each paper feed tray 34. The tray to be selected (paper feed tray) is displayed on the LCD 66, and the selected tray (display) can be switched by operating the arrow key 78U or the arrow key 78D. When setting the paper type for the paper feed tray 34A, “ While the “tray A” is displayed, the arrow key 78L is operated.

  As a result, the paper type (paper quality) set in the tray A is displayed, and the paper type is switched by operating the arrow keys 78U and 78D. Here, when setting the paper type to high-quality paper, the discharge / set key 76 is operated in a state in which “JOG” is displayed on the LCD 66. This setting process can be terminated by operating the menu key 74.

  Further, in the printer 12, “Yoshino Okae” (paper replacement) can be selected in “Print Setup”. This paper replacement can be any one of “Sinai”, “Okii size selected” (select a larger size), “Tempered size selected” (select a closer size), and “Tezashi Tray Colored” (feed from the manual feed tray). Can be set to

  Thereby, for example, the processing can be performed when the paper quality of the paper 16 is not set in the print job, or when there is only the paper 16 that matches the paper quality but does not match the size.

  On the other hand, in the printer driver 62 of the client terminal 14, in addition to the number of copies, double-sided printing / single-sided printing, and the like as print settings, paper type such as paper size and paper quality can be set.

  When the print controller 52 of the printer 12 receives a print job, it reads the print settings from this print job and selects the paper feed tray 34 containing the paper 16 of the paper type that matches the paper type included in this print setting. At the same time, various device parameters are set based on the paper type set for the selected paper feed tray 34, the paper 16 is taken out from the selected paper feed tray 34 at the time of printing, and the set parameters are set. An image forming process (printing process) based on the above is executed.

  In addition, the paper 16 of the paper type specified in the print settings of the print job may not be loaded in the paper feed tray 34. That is, a paper type mismatch may occur between the print setting of the print job and the printer 12. The printer 12 can set processing when a mismatch occurs.

  In the printer 12, the setting for the processing at this time can be performed from “Print Error” (print setting) (paper type error processing), and “Setting Change” (setting change) Display), “Circle Rotation” (confirmation screen display) and “print through” can be set.

  Here, when “SETTING CHANGE” is set, processing is interrupted when a mismatch occurs, the user is requested to select one of the paper feed trays 34, and the paper type of the selected paper feed tray 34 is selected. Is temporarily changed to the paper type of the print job.

  That is, by adding the paper 16 of the paper type set in the print job to the paper feed tray 34 selected by the user on the printer 12, the paper type setting for the paper feed tray 34 is temporarily set in the print job. Set to the paper type. Thereafter, when the restart of the process is input, the printer 12 executes a print process based on the print job.

  In addition, when “Kaku Ningen Men” is set, when a mismatch occurs, the process is interrupted and the paper type of the paper 16 loaded in the printer 12 is displayed, and any paper type from the displayed paper type is displayed. Is selected, the paper type setting in the print job is discarded, and the printing process using the paper type set in the selected paper feed tray 34 is executed.

  FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B show an example of the display at that time. As shown in FIG. 6, when a mismatch occurs, a message indicating the tray and paper type is displayed on the LCD 66. The paper type displayed in the lower row is switched at regular intervals or by the operation of the arrow keys 78U and 78D, and the paper type displayed by the operation of the arrow key 78L is selected.

  6B is displayed on the LCD 66, and the operation of the discharge / set key 76 changes the paper type setting for the corresponding paper feed tray 34 to the previously selected paper type. Printing processing using the paper 16 stored in the paper feed tray 34 is made possible. When the print cancel key 72 is operated, the print processing for the corresponding job is stopped.

  Furthermore, when “print through” is set, for example, the paper feed tray 34 is selected with priority on the paper size, and print processing using the paper 16 taken out from the selected paper feed tray 34 is executed.

  Also, in the printer 12, when a paper type mismatch occurs, the printing process is stopped, and the designated paper type is changed together with a paper type change that temporarily changes the paper type of the designated paper feed tray 34 only for the corresponding print job. The paper type setting of the paper feed tray 34 can be changed based on the print job, and any of these can be set as processing when a paper type mismatch occurs. Yes.

  On the other hand, the printer driver 62 provided in the client terminal 14 enables processing setting when a paper type mismatch occurs for each print job on the client terminal 16 side. In the printer 12, when a mismatch occurs, if the processing setting for the mismatch occurrence in the print setting of the print job is set, this setting is given priority.

  The printer driver 62 includes a UI for setting processing when a mismatch occurs in the UI used for print settings, and the user operating the client terminal 14 uses this UI to select processing when a mismatch occurs. It can be done.

  FIG. 7 shows an outline of a setting window 80 as an example of a UI used at this time. The setting window 80 is displayed on a monitor (display device) (not shown) of the client terminal 14 by selecting from a UI (not shown) used for print settings.

  In the setting window 80, radio buttons 82A and 82B are provided. When a mismatch occurs, it is possible to select whether to apply a print job setting or a printer 12 setting. By default, The radio button 82B is checked and set to apply the setting of the printer 12. However, the setting using the print job setting window 80 is applied by checking the radio button 82A. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the radio button 82A is checked.

  In the setting window 80, by checking the radio button 82A, it is possible to set processing for mismatch in the print job. At this time, first, user intervention, that is, whether the user requesting the print job intervenes. Can be selected by radio buttons 84A and 84B.

  At this time, by selecting the radio button 84B, the printer 12 is set to execute processing without user intervention. Accordingly, the printer 12 sets “print through” for the mismatch processing, changes the paper type of the print job, and executes the printing processing.

  Further, when the radio button 84A is selected, it is possible to set (process setting) so as to perform the process and operation that the user intervenes on the printer 12.

  In the processing setting at this time, the radio buttons 86A to 86D are used to change “printing by changing the paper type of only the job”, “setting the paper type in the tray”, “according to printer settings”, and “cancel printing”. Either of these can be selected.

  Here, if the radio button 86A is checked and “change the paper type of the corresponding job and print” is selected, the printer 12 displays a message prompting the user to select the paper feed tray 34. The printing process is executed assuming that the paper 16 of the paper type based on the print setting is loaded in the paper feed tray 34. When the print job is completed, the printer 12 sets the paper type of the selected paper feed tray 34 to the original paper type that was set before the execution of the print job.

  On the other hand, if the radio button 86B is checked and “set paper type of tray” is selected, the printer 12 displays a message prompting the user to select the paper feed tray 34 and the selected paper feed. The printing process is executed assuming that the tray 34 is loaded with the paper 16 of the paper type based on the print setting. In addition, the printer 12 holds the paper type setting set in the print job even after the print job is completed.

  That is, when the radio button 86A is checked, the same processing as that of the printer 12 is performed, and when the check button 86B is checked, the processing that is the same as that of the setting terminal is performed. The paper type setting of the paper feed tray 34 can be changed.

  When the radio button 86D is checked, the printer 12 stops (aborts) the printing process for the print job. When the check button 86C is checked, the printer 12 performs processing for the mismatch set in the printer 12. Executed.

  Here, as an operation of the present embodiment, an outline of processing in the printer 12 for a print job for which print setting has been performed using the printer driver 62 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. Here, description will be made mainly along processing for mismatch of paper types.

  FIG. 8 shows an outline of a processing flow for a print job transmitted from the client terminal 14. In the first step 100, it is confirmed whether or not a print job has been received.

  Here, when a print job is received, an affirmative determination is made in step 100 and the process proceeds to step 102 to read the print settings from the print job. In the next step 104, it is confirmed from the setting of the paper type whether or not there is a paper feed tray 34 containing the matching paper type. An affirmative determination is made and the routine proceeds to step 106.

  In this step 106, setting is made to take out the paper 16 from the corresponding paper feed tray 34. At the same time, in step 108, various parameters and print conditions are set based on the print settings including the paper type.

  Thereafter, in step 110, image processing and RIP processing are performed on the print job data (image data), the photosensitive drum 20 is exposed based on the data (raster data) generated by the RIP processing, and the recording paper is recorded. 12 forms an image (step 112).

  If a mismatch occurs that the paper type 16 specified in the print setting of the print job is not stored in any of the paper feed trays 34A to 34D, a negative determination is made in step 104. As a result, the printer 12 proceeds to step 114 and executes mismatch processing. In the printer 12, processing when a mismatch occurs is set in advance.

  In the client terminal 14, it is possible to set processing for mismatch when print setting is performed using the printer driver 62. In the print controller 52 of the printer 12, print job setting and processing setting for mismatch in the printer 12 are possible. The process based on is executed.

  FIG. 9 shows an outline of the mismatch processing at this time. This flowchart is executed by shifting to step 114 in FIG. 8 described above. In the first step 120, the processing setting for mismatch is read from the setting of the print job, and in the next step 122, the processing of the print job is processed as processing for the mismatch. It is confirmed whether or not the setting is used, that is, whether the setting of the print job or the setting of the printer 12 is applied as processing for mismatch.

  Here, when the radio button 82A is checked in the setting window 80, an affirmative determination is made in step 122 so that the print job setting is used.

  On the other hand, when the radio button 82B is checked in the setting window 80, a negative determination is made in step 122, the process proceeds to step 124, the setting in the printer 12 is read, and processing based on the setting in the printer 12 is performed. To be possible.

  In the printer 12, in response to the paper type mismatch process, a paper type selected by the user from among the existing paper types is printed. Load the paper 16 and execute the print process using the paper type based on the print job, and execute the print process using the paper 16 selected by the printer 12 using the existing paper type. In addition to the above, a setting change for changing the paper type setting of the paper feed tray 34 to the paper type of the print job and cancellation of the processing for the print job are set, and this setting is read.

  When processing for mismatch is set in this way, processing based on the setting is executed. Note that the printer driver 62 provided in the client terminal 14 can perform settings equivalent to the settings on the printer 12, and the following description will mainly focus on print job settings.

  When the process for mismatching is set, first, in step 126, it is confirmed whether or not user intervention in which the user operates the printer 12 in the printer 12 is set. Here, when the radio button 84B is checked and the user is set not to intervene, a negative determination is made at step 126.

  Further, when the printer 12 is set to “print through” in which print processing is executed using the paper 16 selected by the printer 12 with existing paper types, a negative determination is made in step 126.

  If a negative determination is made in step 126, the process proceeds to step 128. In this step 128, the print job is continued without any user intervention on the printer 12.

  That is, in this step 128, the paper 16 to be used is set from the paper type loaded in the printer 12 based on, for example, the paper size and the paper size replacement setting, and the paper 16 containing the set paper 16 is stored. The paper tray 34 is selected, and parameters are set based on the paper type set for the selected paper feed tray 34 so that the printing process is executed.

  On the other hand, in the printer driver 62 (setting window 80) of the client terminal 14, as a process in which the user intervenes, “printing by changing the paper type only for the corresponding print job” (temporarily changing the paper type of any paper feed tray 34) , “Set paper type in tray” (change the paper type setting of any paper feed tray) and “According to printer settings” (use paper 16 of existing paper type) Can be selected, and in addition to this, “cancel printing” can be selected.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step 126, it is confirmed in step 130 whether or not the print setting is a change of the paper type of only the corresponding print job. In step 132, the paper 16 is selected from the existing paper types ( In step 134, it is confirmed whether or not to change the paper type of the tray.

  Further, when the setting of the printer 12 is applied, a paper 16 of a required paper type is loaded in any of the paper feed trays 34 and print processing is executed with the paper type based on the print job. In step 130, it is checked whether or not “Display” is set. In step 132, it is checked whether or not “Display” is set to execute print processing with the paper type selected by the user from the existing paper types. In step 134, it is confirmed whether or not the setting of changing the paper type of the paper feed tray 34 to the paper type of the print job is set.

  If the radio button 86A is checked or the setting for the printer 12 is that the mismatch processing is set to change the paper type for only the print job, an affirmative determination is made at step 130 and the routine proceeds to step 136. To do.

  Further, when the radio button 86B is checked and set to follow the setting of the printer 12, or when the printer 12 is set to “Any change”, an affirmative determination is made at step 132 and the routine proceeds to step 140. Transition.

  Further, when the radio button 86C is checked or when various setting changes of the paper feed tray 34 are set in the printer 12 settings, a negative determination is made in steps 130 and 132, and an affirmative determination is made in step 134. Then, the process proceeds to step 142.

  If the radio button 86D is checked and set to cancel printing, for example, a negative determination is made in each of steps 130 to 134, the process proceeds to step 144 to set printing cancellation.

  In step 138, which is shifted when an affirmative determination is made in step 130, a display prompting the user to select the paper feed tray 34 is displayed on the LCD 66 of the operation panel 54, and the user who has requested the print job selects the paper feed tray 34. Thus, the paper type setting for the selected paper feed tray 34 is temporarily changed to the paper type on the print job.

  As a result, by loading the paper tray 34 selected by the user by adding a paper type corresponding to the print job, the printing process using the paper type according to the setting of the print job can be performed. To do.

  In Step 140, which is shifted when an affirmative determination is made in Step 132, the currently loaded paper type is displayed on the LCD 66 on the operation panel 54, and the user is prompted to select which paper type to use. Thus, the user can start the printing process with the selected paper type by selecting the paper type.

  On the other hand, in step 142, which is shifted when an affirmative determination is made in step 134, a display prompting selection of the paper feed tray 34 for changing the paper type setting is displayed on the LCD 66 of the operation panel 54. Thus, when the user selects the paper feed tray 34 by key operation on the operation panel 54, the paper type specified in the print job is displayed. For example, the discharge / set key 76 is operated on this display. Thus, the setting of the paper type of the selected paper feed tray 34 is changed.

  At the same time, by replacing the paper 16 of the newly set paper type with the paper feed tray 34 selected by the user, printing processing using the paper 16 loaded in the paper feed tray 34 can be performed. .

  When executing steps 138, 140, and 142, a message prompting an operation or processing on the printer 12 is displayed on a monitor (not shown) of the client PC 14 that has issued an alarm or requested a print job, and the user is informed of the mismatch. It is preferable to notify the occurrence.

  In addition, an alarm may be issued when a predetermined time has passed without any operation, and may prompt the user's operation, and when a certain amount of time has passed without any operation, For example, the next print job may be executed by spooling as a job waiting to be processed.

  Further, the print cancellation is set not only when the process proceeds to step 114 but also, for example, when the print stop key 72 is operated in a state where a predetermined display is performed on the LCD 66 in any of steps 138 to 142. You may make it do.

  When the paper type of the paper 16 used for the printing process is set in this manner, in step 116 in FIG. 8, it is confirmed whether or not the printing process is executed, and the paper type is set in step 128 in FIG. If the paper type is set in steps 138 and 140 and the start of printing is instructed, an affirmative determination is made in step 116 and the printing process is resumed.

  When the print cancel is set or when the print cancel key 72 is operated, a negative determination is made at step 116, and the process for this print job is ended (stopped).

  As described above, in the network 10, by using the printer driver 62 provided in the client terminal 14, processing is set when a paper type mismatch occurs on the client terminal 14.

  The printer driver 62 provided in the client terminal 14 can change the paper type setting of the paper feed tray 34 in accordance with the paper type mismatch, so that the user continues to use the paper 16 of the same paper type. Sometimes, a mismatch can be prevented and processing for setting the paper type in the paper feed tray 34 can be easily performed.

  That is, when the printer 12 changes the paper type of the paper feed tray 34, the paper feed tray 34 and the paper type to be set must be selected in the hierarchy, but by using the printer driver 62, the paper feed tray 34 can be selected. And the paper type to be set can be easily selected.

  In addition, this Embodiment demonstrated above does not limit the structure of this invention. For example, when a mismatch occurs, regardless of whether or not to continue the printing process, the printer 12 issues an alarm, displays that the mismatch has occurred on the LCD 66 of the operation panel 54, and executes a print job. It may be displayed on a monitor (not shown) of the requested client terminal 14.

  Thereby, for example, it is possible to clearly notify the user that an image has been formed on a paper type different from the print setting. Further, it is possible to prompt the user to perform an operation on the printer 12 for eliminating the occurrence of mismatch.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the network 10, printer 12, and client terminal 14 applied to the present embodiment, and can set a paper type for each paper feed tray and form a high-quality image according to the paper type The present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus having an arbitrary configuration, an image processing apparatus, and an arbitrarily configured network in which these are provided.

  Further, the image forming apparatus includes a manual feed tray for feeding paper, and a paper feed tray for storing recording paper used for special purposes such as a front cover, banner paper, and slip sheet. However, it may not be applied to these special purpose trays.

It is the schematic of the network applied to this Embodiment. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a printer applied as an image forming apparatus to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an operation panel provided in the printer. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a display flow of an LCD when setting a paper type with a printer. (A) And (B) is the schematic which shows an example of the display of LCD when changing a paper type. It is the schematic which shows an example of the user interface used as a print setting means. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of a printing process in a printer. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process with respect to a mismatch.

Explanation of symbols

10 network 12 printer (image forming device)
14 Client terminal (image processing device)
16 paper (image forming paper)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 18 Paper feed part 20 Print engine 34 (34A-34D) Paper feed tray 50 Image processing part 52 Print controller 54 Operation panel (input operation means)
62 Printer driver (print setting means)
80 Setting window (print setting means)

Claims (14)

The paper type of the image forming paper accommodated in each paper feed tray is set, and the paper feed tray containing the paper type that matches the paper type specified by the print setting of the print job is selected, and the paper feed tray is selected. An image forming apparatus that can control the image forming process based on the paper type to form an image on the image forming paper taken out from the printer, and a print job including the print settings connected to the image forming apparatus An image forming system comprising:
The image processing apparatus is
When mismatches paper type set in each of the paper feed tray and paper type of the print setting is a mismatch has occurred, to allow instruction whether to change the paper type setting of the paper feed tray Including print setting means,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Input operation means for enabling input operation of various setting instructions;
When the change of the paper type of the paper feed tray is instructed by the print setting unit, the input operation unit instructs the paper feed tray to change the paper type, and the change of the paper type of the paper feed tray is performed. A mismatch processing means for enabling image formation based on the paper type designated in the print job on the image forming paper taken out from the paper feed tray by being set ;
An image forming system comprising: The print setting means can specify whether the change of the paper type is limited to the corresponding print job or whether the changed paper type setting is retained even after the print job ends .
The image forming system according to claim 1, characterized in that the paper type setting change of the paper feed tray by the image forming apparatus that the setting change of the paper type is designated.   3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the print setting unit can designate cancellation of an image forming process when the mismatch occurs. 4. The print setting unit can specify a setting equivalent to an input setting for processing via the input operation unit provided in the image forming apparatus when the mismatch occurs. images forming system according to any one of.   5. The print setting unit can specify the setting of the mismatch processing unit when the mismatch processing unit is set to perform processing when the mismatch occurs. The image forming system according to any one of the above. The paper type of the image forming paper accommodated in each paper feed tray is set, and the paper feed tray containing the paper type that matches the paper type specified by the print setting of the print job is selected, and the paper feed tray An image processing apparatus that is connected to an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image by controlling an image forming process based on the paper type and outputting a print job including the print settings on an image forming sheet taken out from ,
It is possible to instruct whether or not to change the paper type setting of the paper feed tray when a mismatch occurs in which the paper type of the print setting does not match the paper type set for each paper feed tray. An image processing apparatus including a print setting unit. The print setting means can specify whether the change of the paper type is limited to the corresponding print job or whether the changed paper type setting is retained even after the print job is completed. 6. The image processing apparatus according to 6.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the print setting unit can designate cancellation of image forming processing when the mismatch occurs. 9. The print setting unit according to claim 6, wherein the print setting unit can designate a setting equivalent to an input setting of processing via the input operation unit on the image forming apparatus when the mismatch occurs. The image processing apparatus according to item 1.   10. The print setting unit can specify the setting of the image forming apparatus when processing for the occurrence of the mismatch is set in the image forming apparatus. The image processing apparatus according to any one of the above. Each paper feed tray paper type of image forming paper being accommodated in the set, when a print job including the print settings paper type is designated to use the image processing apparatus to the image forming is input, of the print job Select a paper feed tray that contains a paper type that matches the paper type specified by the print settings, and control the image forming process based on the paper type on the image forming paper that has been taken out from the paper feed tray. An image forming apparatus capable of forming
Input operation means for enabling input operation of various setting instructions;
When there is a mismatch in the print settings in which the paper type of the print settings does not match the paper type set for each of the paper feed trays, an instruction to change the paper type of the paper feed tray is issued. When the paper feed tray for changing the paper type is specified from the input operation means and the change of the paper type of the paper feed tray is set , the image forming paper taken out from the paper feed tray is Mismatch processing means that enables image formation based on the paper type specified in the print job;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   12. The setting unit according to claim 11, further comprising setting means for changing a setting of the paper type of the paper feed tray when a change of the paper type of the paper feeding tray is designated in the print setting. Image forming apparatus.   13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein, when the print setting specifies cancellation of an image forming process, the process for the corresponding print job is stopped when the mismatch occurs.   14. The processing based on the designation input through the input operation unit is performed when the input of the process by the input operation unit is designated in the print setting. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.

Images