JP5286293B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that can perform forced continuation (forced continuation) of job execution.

  Conventionally, when the paper size specified by the user in the job and the paper size detected by the apparatus itself for the paper to be printed in response to the job are different, a forced continuation instruction is issued from the user. There is known an image forming apparatus that executes forced continuation when an instruction for acceptance and forced continuation is received from a user (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-76920 A

  However, in the conventional image forming apparatus, the paper size that the image forming apparatus is subject to forced continuation may differ from the actual paper size of the paper for which forced continuation is performed, and these paper sizes are different. However, there is a problem that problems such as jams and misprints occur during forced continuation.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus that can suppress the occurrence of problems during forced continuation.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a size detection unit that detects a paper size of a paper, a job execution unit that executes a job for printing on the paper, and a forced continuation of execution of the job by the job execution unit. Instruction receiving means for receiving a forced continuation instruction, which is a forced continuation instruction, from the user, wherein the instruction receiving means includes a designated size that is a paper size designated by the user in the job, and the job execution An image forming apparatus that accepts the forced continuation instruction when a unit is different from a detected size that is a sheet size detected by the size detecting unit with respect to the sheet scheduled to be printed according to the job, Size accepting means for accepting, from the user, a forced size, which is a paper size that is a target of the forced execution operation by the job execution means. The size accepting unit accepts the forced size when the instruction accepting unit accepts the forced continuation instruction, and the job execution unit responds to the forced size accepted by the size accepting unit. The forced continuation is executed by operation.

  With this configuration, the image forming apparatus of the present invention performs forced continuation with an operation according to the forced size received from the user, so that the occurrence of problems during forced continuation can be suppressed compared to the conventional case.

  In addition, the designated size and the detected size of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention are set for each of the detected sizes so that the paper size detected by the size detecting unit is the same as the detected size for the paper of the specified size. The size accepting unit accepts the forced size only when the designated size and the detected size are classified into the same group, and the job execution unit accepts the designated size and When the detection sizes are classified into the different groups, it is preferable to execute the forced continuation by an operation according to the detection size.

  When the designated size and the detected size are classified into the same group, it is unclear which of the designated size and the detected size is likely to be the actual paper size. On the other hand, when the designated size and the detected size are classified into different groups, the detected size is more likely to be the actual paper size between the specified size and the detected size. The image forming apparatus according to the present invention accepts a forced size from the user only when the designated size and the detected size are classified into the same group, so that the forced continuation is performed in comparison with the configuration in which the forced size is always received from the user. The user's operation for can be facilitated.

  In addition, it is preferable that the size receiving unit of the image forming apparatus of the present invention receives the forced size from the designated size and the detected size.

  With this configuration, the image forming apparatus of the present invention allows the user to select the forced size from among the designated size and the detected size, so that the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is compared with a configuration that allows the user to select the forced size from among a number of paper sizes. , The user's operation for forced continuation can be facilitated.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention can suppress the occurrence of troubles during forced continuation.

1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the image forming system illustrated in FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart of an operation when printing is performed by the main controller shown in FIG. 2. 3 is a flowchart of an operation at the time of execution of printing by the engine controller shown in FIG. 2. It is an error screen displayed on the monitor shown in FIG. 1, and is a diagram showing an error screen indicating acceptance of forced size. It is a figure which shows the error screen displayed on a monitor instead of the error screen shown in FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an operation at the time of execution of printing by the main controller in the image forming system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart of an operation at the time of execution of printing by an engine controller in an image forming system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a table stored in a ROM of an engine controller in an image forming system according to a second embodiment of the present invention, showing a relationship between a specified size, a detected size, and a group. It is an error screen displayed on a monitor in an image forming system concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention, and is a figure showing a normal error screen.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
First, the configuration of the image forming system according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming system 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 10 includes a multifunction machine 20 as an image forming apparatus of the present invention that performs printing on a sheet 91, and a post-processing device 40 connected to the multifunction machine 20. The post-processing device 40 performs processing for punching filing on the paper 91 after printing by the multifunction device 20 (punching processing), and binding the bundle of the paper 91 after printing by the multifunction device 20 with staples (binding needles). This is a device that performs post-processing of the sheet 91 after printing by the multifunction machine 20, such as processing to perform (staple processing).

  The multifunction machine 20 reads a plurality of paper feed trays 21 on which paper 91 is placed, a main body tray 22 that is a paper discharge tray from which the paper 91 is discharged, a printer unit 23 that performs printing on the paper 91, and a document. A scanner unit 24 which is a reading device for generating image data, an operation unit 25a on the operation panel 25 to which various operations are input by a user, and a monitor 25b on the operation panel 25 for displaying various information. I have. The printer unit 23 includes a transfer unit 23a that transfers a toner image onto a sheet 91 conveyed from the paper feed tray 21, a fixing unit 23b that fixes the toner image transferred onto the sheet by the transfer unit 23a to the sheet 91 by heat, A conveyance unit (not shown) that conveys the sheet 91 is provided.

  The paper feed tray 21 includes a slidable regulating member (not shown) that regulates the placement position of the paper 91 in the longitudinal direction of the paper 91 and the width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.

  The printer unit 23 includes a print data job received from an external device (not shown) via a network I / F (interface) unit 33 described later, and a facsimile communication unit described later from an external facsimile device (not shown). 34 is a printing device that prints various jobs such as a FAX job received via 34 and a job of image data generated by the scanner unit 24.

  The operation unit 25a includes input devices such as buttons forming a touch panel together with the monitor 25b and buttons on the operation panel.

  The monitor 25b is composed of a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display).

  The post-processing device 40 includes a main tray 41 and a sub-tray 42 that are paper discharge trays from which the paper 91 is discharged, and a post-processing unit 43 that performs post-processing of the paper 91 after printing. The post-processing unit 43 includes a punching unit 43a that performs a punching process on the sheet 91 conveyed from the multifunction machine 20, an intermediate tray 43b that temporarily places a bundle of sheets 91 conveyed from the multifunction machine 20, A stapler 43c that performs a stapling process on a bundle of sheets 91 placed on the intermediate tray 43b, a conveyance unit (not shown) that conveys the sheets 91, and the like are provided.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the image forming system 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the multifunction device 20 includes a main controller 31 for controlling the entire multifunction device 20, an engine controller 32 for controlling the printer unit 23, the scanner unit 24, and the post-processing device 40, and a host computer. A network I / F unit 33 for communicating with an external device (not shown) via a LAN (Local Area Network), and a communication line such as an external facsimile device (not shown) such as a public telephone line. A facsimile communication unit 34 for performing facsimile communication, and a paper size sensor 35 for detecting the length in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the paper 91 placed on the paper feed tray 21.

  The main controller 31 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and various data in advance, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) used as a work area of the CPU. ing. The CPU is an arithmetic processing unit that operates the main controller 31 by executing a program stored in the ROM. The RAM temporarily stores programs and various data when the programs are executed by the CPU.

  The engine controller 32 includes a CPU, a ROM that stores programs and various data in advance, and a RAM that is used as a work area for the CPU. The CPU is an arithmetic processing unit that operates the engine controller 32 by executing a program stored in the ROM. The RAM temporarily stores programs and various data when the programs are executed by the CPU.

  For example, the network I / F unit 33 transmits image data generated by the scanner unit 24 to an external device via a LAN, or print data to be printed by the printer unit 23 via an external LAN. Or receive from the device.

  For example, the facsimile communication unit 34 transmits the image data generated by the scanner unit 24 to an external facsimile apparatus via a communication line, or the image data to be printed by the printer unit 23 via the communication line. Receive faxes from an external facsimile machine.

  The paper size sensor 35 detects the length of the paper 91 in the longitudinal direction and the width direction using a variable resistance whose resistance changes in accordance with the slide position of the above-described regulating member in the paper feed tray 21. The engine controller 32 selects a sheet of the sheet 91 based on the length in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the sheet 91 detected by the sheet size sensor 35 from a plurality of sheet sizes stored in the ROM of the engine controller 32. The size is to be judged. That is, the engine controller 32 and the paper size sensor 35 are adapted to detect the paper size of the paper 91 and constitute the size detecting means of the present invention.

  The post-processing device 40 includes a post-processing controller 51 for controlling the entire post-processing device 40. The post-processing controller 51 includes a CPU, a ROM that stores programs and various data in advance, and a RAM that is used as a work area for the CPU. The CPU is an arithmetic processing unit that operates the post-processing controller 51 by executing a program stored in the ROM. The RAM temporarily stores programs and various data when the programs are executed by the CPU.

  Next, the operation of the image forming system 10 will be described.

  The user designates the paper size of the paper 91 on which the image data generated by the scanner unit 24 is printed, the type of post-processing of the paper 91 after printing, and the like, and instructs the multifunction device 20 to copy it using the operation unit 25a. Can be given. When the user gives a copy instruction to the multifunction machine 20, the main controller 31 of the multifunction machine 20 instructs the engine controller 32 to read the document in accordance with the instruction from the user. When the main controller 31 instructs the reading of the document, the engine controller 32 causes the scanner unit 24 to read the document and generate image data. Image data generated by the scanner unit 24 is stored in the RAM of the main controller 31 as a job. In addition to the image data, the job also includes information such as a designated size that is designated by the user as the paper size of the paper 91 on which the image data is printed, and the type of post-processing of the paper 91 after printing. included. Then, when the job is stored in the RAM, the main controller 31 executes the process shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the operation of the main controller 31 when executing printing.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the main controller 31 requests the engine controller 32 to execute a job (S101). The engine controller 32 executes the processing shown in FIG. 4 when a job execution is requested from the main controller 31 in S101.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the operation when the engine controller 32 executes printing.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the engine controller 32 determines the designated size included in the job and the detected size that is the paper size detected by the paper size sensor 35 for the paper 91 scheduled to be printed according to the job. It is determined whether or not they are different (S151).

  If the engine controller 32 determines in S151 that the specified size is the same as the detected size, the engine controller 32 executes the job with an operation corresponding to the specified size (S152). That is, the engine controller 32 operates the printer unit 23 and the post-processing unit 43 on the assumption that the actual paper size of the paper 91 on which the image data included in the job is printed is the specified size.

  First, the engine controller 32 causes the printer unit 23 to execute printing. If there is no post-processing type included in the job, the engine controller 32 causes the printer unit 23 to discharge the printed sheet 91 to the main body tray 22, and the job includes some type of post-processing. If it is, the printed paper 91 is conveyed to the post-processing device 40 by the printer unit 23. As described above, the printer unit 23 and the engine controller 32 execute a job for printing on the sheet 91, and constitute a job execution unit of the present invention.

  When punching processing is included in the type of post-processing included in the job, the post-processing controller 51 is instructed from the engine controller 32 to the post-processing controller 51, so that the post-processing controller 51 has been conveyed from the multifunction device 20. The punching unit 43a is caused to execute a punching process on the paper 91. If the post-processing type included in the job includes stapling processing, the engine controller 32 instructs the post-processing controller 51 to perform stapling processing. Therefore, the post-processing controller 51 is conveyed from the multifunction device 20. The received sheet 91 is placed on the intermediate tray 43b, and the stapler 43c is caused to execute a stapling process on the bundle of sheets 91 placed on the intermediate tray 43b. Then, the post-processing controller 51 causes the post-processing unit 43 to discharge the bundle of sheets 91 on which the stapling process has been performed, and discharges the paper 91 on which the stapling process has not been performed to the sub-tray 42 by the post-processing unit 43. . When the post-processing controller 51 discharges the sheet 91 to the main tray 41 or the sub-tray 42, the post-processing controller 51 notifies the engine controller 32 of completion of the post-processing.

  The engine controller 32 causes the printer unit 23 to discharge the printed sheet 91 to the main body tray 22 or when the post-processing controller 51 notifies the completion of the post-processing to the main controller 31. Notification is made (S153), and the process shown in FIG. 4 is terminated.

  If the engine controller 32 determines in S151 that the specified size is different from the detected size, the engine controller 32 notifies the main controller 31 of a size error indicating that the specified size is different from the detected size (S154). At this time, the engine controller 32 notifies the main controller 31 of the designated size and the detected size along with the size error.

  Next, the engine controller 32 determines whether or not the designated size and the detected size are the same (S155). Here, when the user sets the paper 91 having the same paper size as the designated size in the paper feed tray 21, the engine controller 32 determines in S155 that the designated size and the detected size are the same, and the job is continued. The controller 31 is notified (S156), and the process returns to S151 again.

  As shown in FIG. 3, after the process of S101, the main controller 31 determines whether or not the execution of the job requested in S101 is completed (S102). Here, as described above, if the job execution is completed, the completion of job execution is notified from the engine controller 32 to the main controller 31 in S153. Accordingly, the main controller 31 can determine that the job execution is completed by notifying the completion of the job execution from the engine controller 32.

  If the main controller 31 determines in S102 that the execution of the job requested in S101 is completed, the main controller 31 ends the processing shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the main controller 31 determines in S102 that the execution of the job requested in S101 has not been completed, it determines whether or not a size error has occurred (S103). Here, as described above, when the specified size included in the job is different from the detected size, a size error is notified from the engine controller 32 to the main controller 31 in S154. Therefore, the main controller 31 can determine that a size error has occurred by notifying the size error from the engine controller 32.

  When the main controller 31 does not determine in S103 that a size error has occurred, the main controller 31 returns to the process of S102 again.

  On the other hand, when the main controller 31 determines in S103 that a size error has occurred, the main controller 31 monitors an error screen indicating acceptance of the forced size, which is the paper size that is the operation target of forced continuation by the printer unit 23 and the post-processing unit 43 25b is displayed (S104).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an error screen indicating acceptance of the forced size. The error screen shown in FIG. 5 includes a “forced continuation” button 61 that the user presses when instructing the multifunction device 20 to perform forced continuation, and a radio button 61 a arranged to the right of the “forced continuation” button 61. 61b and a “cancel” button 62 to be pressed when the user gives up the job execution. The radio button 61a is a button for selecting a detection size as a forced size. The radio button 61b is a button for selecting a designated size as a forced size.

  The user cannot press the “forced continuation” button 61 without selecting either the radio button 61a or the radio button 61b, and has pressed the “forced continuation” button 61 among the radio buttons 61a and 61b. It is possible to instruct the MFP 20 to forcibly continue the paper size corresponding to the one that has been selected as the forced size. Further, the user can instruct the multifunction device 20 to cancel by pressing a “cancel” button 62. As described above, the main controller 31 receives a forced continuation instruction from the user (S104) when the specified size and the detected size are different (YES in S103), and constitutes the instruction receiving means of the present invention. ing. Further, the main controller 31 is configured to receive a forced size from the user when receiving a forced continuation instruction (S104), and constitutes a size receiving means of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 3, after displaying the error screen on the monitor 25b in S104, the main controller 31 determines whether or not there is any instruction from the error screen via the operation unit 25a from the user (S105).

  If the main controller 31 determines in S105 that there has been no instruction from the user via the operation unit 25a, it determines whether or not the job requested in S101 has continued (S106). Here, as described above, when the job continues, the engine controller 32 notifies the main controller 31 of the continuation of the job in S156. Therefore, the main controller 31 can determine that the job has been continued by notifying the engine controller 32 that the job has been continued.

  If the main controller 31 determines in S106 that the job requested in S101 has not continued, the process returns to S105.

  On the other hand, when the main controller 31 determines in S106 that the job requested in S101 has continued, the main controller 31 closes the error screen displayed on the monitor 25b (S107), and returns to the processing of S102 again. The main controller 31 executes the determination in the processing in S102 after returning from the processing in S107 and the determination in the processing in S103 in response to a new notification from the engine controller 32.

  When the main controller 31 determines in S105 that there is any instruction from the user via the operation unit 25a, the main controller 31 closes the error screen being displayed on the monitor 25b (S108), and the error screen is displayed by the user via the operation unit 25a. The engine controller 32 is notified of the instruction received from (S109). The forced continuation instruction includes a forced size received from the user.

  Then, the main controller 31 determines whether or not the instruction received from the error screen is a cancel instruction (S110).

  If the main controller 31 determines in S110 that the instruction received from the error screen is a cancel instruction, the process shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the main controller 31 determines in S110 that the instruction received from the error screen is not a cancel instruction, the process returns to S102 again. In addition, the main controller 31 performs the determination in the process of S102 and the process of S103 after returning from the process of S110 according to the notification of the engine controller 32 newly performed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the engine controller 32 determines in S155 that the specified size is different from the detected size, the engine controller 32 determines whether an instruction is notified from the main controller 31 (S157). Here, as described above, if there is any instruction from the user via the operation unit 25a, the instruction received from the error screen by the user via the operation unit 25a is notified from the main controller 31 to the engine controller 32 in S109. Is done. Therefore, the engine controller 32 can determine that the instruction is notified from the main controller 31 when the instruction is notified from the main controller 31.

  If the engine controller 32 determines in S157 that the instruction has not been notified from the main controller 31, the process returns to S155.

  On the other hand, when the engine controller 32 determines in S157 that the instruction is notified from the main controller 31, the engine controller 32 determines the type of instruction notified from the main controller 31 in S109 (S158).

  If the engine controller 32 determines in S158 that a cancel instruction has been notified from the main controller 31, the process shown in FIG.

  If the engine controller 32 determines in S158 that a forced continuation instruction has been sent from the main controller 31, the engine controller 32 executes the job in an operation according to the forced size included in the forced continuation instruction (S159). That is, the engine controller 32 operates the printer unit 23 and the post-processing unit 43 on the assumption that the actual paper size of the paper 91 on which the image data included in the job is printed is the forced size. Then, as described above, when the job execution is completed, the engine controller 32 notifies the main controller 31 of the completion of the job execution (S153).

  As described above, the multifunction device 20 performs forced continuation with an operation according to the forced size received from the user, so that it is possible to suppress the occurrence of problems during the forced continuation.

  In the post-processing device 40, the end positions in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the bundle of sheets 91 are aligned on the intermediate tray 43b for stapling. Therefore, in the post-processing device 40, if the forced continuation is not executed with the correct paper size, the paper 91 is folded when the post-processing unit 43 aligns the end positions in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the bundle of papers 91. Jam is likely to occur. However, since the multifunction machine 20 performs forced continuation with an operation according to the forced size received from the user, it is possible to effectively suppress the occurrence of a problem in the post-processing device 40 during the forced continuation.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the MFP 20 allows the user to select a forced size from among the designated size and the detected size, so that it is compared with a configuration in which the user selects the forced size from a number of paper sizes. Thus, the user's operation for forced continuation can be facilitated.

  Of course, the multi-function device 20 may display the error screen shown in FIG. 6 instead of the error screen shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an error screen displayed on the monitor 25b instead of the error screen shown in FIG. In the error screen shown in FIG. 6, radio buttons for all paper sizes supported by the multifunction device 20 are displayed. The multi-function device 20 can allow the user to select a forced size from among a number of paper sizes shown in FIG.

(Second Embodiment)
Since the configuration of the image forming system according to the present embodiment is the same as the configuration of the image forming system 10 according to the first embodiment, the configuration is the same as the configuration of the image forming system 10 according to the first embodiment. Reference numerals are assigned and detailed description is omitted.

  The operation of the image forming system according to the present embodiment will be described below in which the main controller 31 executes the processes of S201 and S202 described below, and the engine controller 32 replaces the process of S154 (see FIG. 4). Since the operation is the same as that of the image forming system 10 according to the first embodiment except that the processes of S251 to S257 are executed, the same processing as that of the image forming system 10 according to the first embodiment is performed. The processing is denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the image forming system 10 according to the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the operation at the time of execution of printing by the main controller 31 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the operation at the time of execution of printing by the engine controller 32 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the engine controller 32 determines in S151 that the designated size and the detected size are different, the engine controller 32 determines whether or not the designated size and the detected size are classified into the same group (S251). Here, the designated size and the detected size are classified into groups for each detected size so that the paper size detected by the engine controller 32 and the paper size sensor 35 is the same as the detected size for the paper 91 of the specified size. . FIG. 9 is a table stored in the ROM of the engine controller 32 and showing a relationship between the designated size, the detected size, and the group. The table shown in FIG. 9 indicates which size of the designated size is classified into the same group as which size of the detection size. The paper sizes in the columns adjacent to the left and right indicate that they are classified into the same group. For example, according to the table shown in FIG. 9, the A4 size and Letter size of the designated size are classified into the same group as the A4 size of the detection size. On the other hand, the A3 size of the designated size is classified into a group different from the A4 size of the detection size.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the engine controller 32 determines in S251 that the designated size and the detected size are classified into the same group, a size error indicating that the designated size and the detected size are different, and the forced size Is notified to the main controller 31 (S252).

  On the other hand, if the engine controller 32 determines in S251 that the designated size and the detected size are classified into different groups, the engine controller 32 notifies the main controller 31 of a size error indicating that the designated size and the detected size are different (S253). .

  As shown in FIG. 7, the main controller 31 determines whether or not a size error has occurred (S103), as in the first embodiment. Here, as described above, when the specified size included in the job is different from the detected size, a size error is notified from the engine controller 32 to the main controller 31 in S252 or S253. Therefore, the main controller 31 can determine that a size error has occurred by notifying the size error from the engine controller 32.

  When the main controller 31 determines in S103 that a size error has occurred, the main controller 31 determines whether or not the engine controller 32 has accepted the forced size (S201). Here, as described above, when the engine controller 32 receives the forced size, the engine controller 32 notifies the main controller 31 that the forced size is received in S252. Therefore, the main controller 31 can determine that the engine controller 32 has received the forced size by notifying the engine controller 32 that the forced size has been received.

  When the main controller 31 determines in S201 that the engine controller 32 has accepted the forced size, the printer unit 23 and the post-processing unit 43 use the paper size that is the target of the forced continuation operation, as in the first embodiment. An error screen indicating acceptance of a certain forced size is displayed on the monitor 25b (S104).

  On the other hand, if the main controller 31 determines in S201 that the engine controller 32 has not accepted the forced size, it displays a normal error screen on the monitor 25b (S202).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a normal error screen. Unlike the error screens shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the error screen shown in FIG. 10 does not accept the forced size from the user. The error screen shown in FIG. 10 includes a “forced continuation” button 61 that is pressed when the user instructs the MFP 20 to forcibly continue, and a “cancel” that is pressed when the user gives up the job execution. ”Button 62.

  The user can instruct the MFP 20 to forcibly continue by pressing a “forced continuation” button 61. Further, the user can instruct the multifunction device 20 to cancel by pressing a “cancel” button 62.

  As shown in FIG. 7, after displaying the error screen on the monitor 25b in S104 or S202, the main controller 31 gives some instructions from the error screen via the operation unit 25a from the user, as in the first embodiment. It is determined whether or not there is (S105).

  As shown in FIG. 8, after the process of S252, the engine controller 32 determines whether or not the designated size and the detected size are the same as in the first embodiment (S155).

  On the other hand, after the process of S253, the engine controller 32 determines whether or not the specified size and the detected size are the same (S254). Here, when the user sets the paper 91 having the same paper size as the designated size in the paper feed tray 21, the engine controller 32 determines in S254 that the designated size and the detected size are the same, and the job is continued. The controller 31 is notified (S156), and the process returns to S151 again.

  If the engine controller 32 determines in S254 that the specified size is different from the detected size, the engine controller 32 determines whether an instruction is notified from the main controller 31 (S255). Here, as described above, if there is any instruction from the user via the operation unit 25a, the instruction received from the error screen by the user via the operation unit 25a is notified from the main controller 31 to the engine controller 32 in S109. Is done. Therefore, the engine controller 32 can determine that the instruction is notified from the main controller 31 when the instruction is notified from the main controller 31.

  If the engine controller 32 determines in S255 that the instruction has not been notified from the main controller 31, the process returns to S254 again.

  On the other hand, when the engine controller 32 determines in S255 that the instruction is notified from the main controller 31, the engine controller 32 determines the type of instruction notified from the main controller 31 in S109 (S256).

  If the engine controller 32 determines in S256 that a cancel instruction has been notified from the main controller 31, the process shown in FIG.

  If the engine controller 32 determines in S256 that a forced continuation instruction has been notified from the main controller 31, the engine controller 32 executes the job with an operation according to the detected size (S257). That is, the engine controller 32 operates the printer unit 23 and the post-processing unit 43 on the assumption that the actual paper size of the paper 91 on which the image data included in the job is printed is the detected size. Then, as described above, when the job execution is completed, the engine controller 32 notifies the main controller 31 of the completion of the job execution (S153).

  As described above, the main controller 31 according to the present embodiment accepts the forced size (S104) only when the designated size and the detected size are classified into the same group (YES in S251), and the engine When the designated size and the detected size are classified into different groups (NO in S251), the controller 32 performs forced continuation with an operation according to the detected size (S257).

  When the designated size and the detected size are classified into the same group, it is unclear which of the designated size and the detected size is likely to be the actual paper size. On the other hand, when the designated size and the detected size are classified into different groups, the detected size is more likely to be the actual paper size between the specified size and the detected size. Since the MFP 20 according to the present embodiment accepts the forced size from the user only when the designated size and the detected size are classified into the same group, it is compared with a configuration in which the forced size is always received from the user. Thus, the user operation for forced continuation can be facilitated.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, a copy job has been described. However, any other job may be used as long as it is a job for executing printing. For example, it may be a print data job received from an external device (not shown) via the network I / F unit 33. In this case, the main controller 31 passes through the network I / F unit 33. An error screen may be displayed on the monitor of the external device, and various instructions such as a forced continuation instruction input from the operation unit of the external device may be received via the network I / F unit 33.

  Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention has been described with respect to the multifunction peripheral in each of the above-described embodiments, but may be an image forming apparatus other than the multifunction peripheral such as a copier or a printer.

20 MFP (image forming device)
23 Printer section (job execution means)
31 Main controller (instruction receiving means, size receiving means)
32 Engine controller (size detection means, job execution means)
35 Paper size sensor (size detection means)
91 paper

Claims (2)

Size detection means for detecting the paper size of the paper, job execution means for executing a job for printing on the paper, and forced continuation that is a forced continuation instruction that is a forced continuation of the job execution by the job execution means Instruction receiving means for receiving instructions from the user,
The instruction accepting unit is configured such that the size detection unit is configured for a specified size that is a sheet size specified by the user in the job and the sheet that the job execution unit is to execute printing according to the job. An image forming apparatus that accepts the forced continuation instruction when a detected paper size is different from a detected paper size,
The job execution means includes size acceptance means for accepting from the user a forced size, which is a paper size that is the target of the forced continuation operation;
The size receiving means receives the forced size when the forced continuation instruction is received by the instruction receiving means,
The job execution unit executes the forced continuation by an operation according to the forced size received by the size receiving unit ,
The designated size and the detected size are classified into groups for each detected size so that the paper size detected by the size detecting unit for the paper of the specified size is the same as the detected size,
The size accepting unit accepts the forced size only when the designated size and the detected size are classified into the same group,
The image forming apparatus , wherein the job execution unit executes the forced continuation by an operation according to the detected size when the designated size and the detected size are classified into the different groups .   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the size receiving unit receives the forced size from the designated size and the detected size.

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