JP5618443B2 - Image forming apparatus and image forming program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of printing an image on a recording medium set manually.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an image forming apparatus capable of printing an image on a recording medium set by manual feeding, a paper feeding port for storing paper as a recording medium, a manual feeding port for manually setting paper, and paper feeding 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a printer apparatus that includes a printing device that prints an image on a sheet supplied from one of a port and a manual sheet feeding port (see Patent Document 1). The printer device described in Patent Literature 1 generates an image to be printed on paper based on the print data by receiving the orientation of the paper set in the manual paper feed slot together with the print data from a PC (Personal Computer). Then, the orientation of the image is determined based on the orientation of the paper received from the PC. Therefore, the printer device described in Patent Document 1 can be set in the manual paper feed port even when the paper is set in the manual paper feed port in different directions, such as A4 size paper. The occurrence of printing failure due to the difference between the orientation of the printed paper and the orientation of the generated image can be suppressed.

  Conventionally, as an image forming apparatus capable of printing an image on a recording medium set manually, a paper cassette that stores paper as a recording medium, a rear paper feeding unit in which paper is set manually, and a rear A printer including a PE detector that detects whether or not a sheet is set in a sheet feeding unit, and a print processing unit that prints an image on a sheet supplied from either a sheet cassette or a rear sheet feeding unit. It is known (see Patent Document 2). In the printer described in Patent Document 2, when the PE detector detects that the paper is set in the rear paper feeding unit, the paper is forcibly supplied from the rear paper feeding unit to the print processing unit. User convenience is high.

JP 2000-190591 A JP 2007-331125 A

  However, in the printer device described in Patent Document 1, when the paper described in Patent Document 2 is applied and the paper is set in the manual paper feed port in order to improve the convenience for the user. Even if the paper is changed to be forcibly supplied from the manual feed slot to the printing device, the orientation of the paper set in the manual feed slot must be changed every time print data is sent from the PC to the printer. Since it must be specified from the PC, there is a problem that the effect of improving the convenience for the user is small.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus that can suppress the occurrence of a printing failure due to the orientation of a recording medium and can improve the convenience of the user.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention detects a medium storage unit that stores a recording medium, a medium manual insertion unit in which the recording medium is manually set, and whether the recording medium is set in the medium manual insertion unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: a manual feed detection unit; and a print device that prints an image on the recording medium supplied from any of the medium storage unit and the medium manual feed unit, and receives print data Means, image generating means for generating the image based on the print data received by the print data receiving means, and the printing device so as to print the image generated by the image generating means on the recording medium A print control means for controlling the recording medium, and an instruction for the orientation of the recording medium when the medium is supplied from the medium manual feed unit to the printing device. Medium orientation setting means for setting the orientation of the recording medium, and the medium orientation setting means gives an instruction of the orientation of the recording medium at a time unrelated to the time when the print data receiving means accepts the print data. It is possible to accept and set this orientation, and the print control means, when the manual feed detection unit detects that the recording medium is set in the medium manual feed unit, A manual forcing operation that is an operation for forcibly supplying the printing device from the medium manual feeding unit, and the image generation unit is configured to execute the manual forcing operation by the print control unit when the medium orientation setting unit The direction of the image is determined based on the set direction of the recording medium.

  With this configuration, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when performing the manual feed operation, the image generating unit determines the image orientation based on the orientation of the recording medium set by the medium orientation setting unit. The occurrence of a printing failure due to the orientation of the image can be suppressed. Further, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the medium orientation setting unit can receive an instruction for the orientation of the recording medium and set this direction at a time unrelated to the time when the print data receiving unit receives the print data. The operation performed by the user from when the recording medium is set in the medium manual feeding section until the manual feed forcing operation is executed by the print control unit can be reduced as compared with the related art. That is, the image forming apparatus of the present invention can improve the convenience of the user when performing the manual feed forced operation.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention further includes manual attribute setting means for accepting an instruction of the attribute of the recording medium to the medium manual feeding unit and setting the attribute, and the print control means performs the manual forcing operation. When executing, printing may be continued even when the attribute of the recording medium included in the print data does not match the attribute of the recording medium set by the manual feed attribute setting unit. .

  With this configuration, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when performing the manual feed forcing operation, the attribute of the recording medium included in the print data does not match the attribute of the recording medium set by the manual feed attribute setting unit. Even in such a case, since the printing is continued, the user is not requested to perform an action such as changing to a recording medium having an appropriate attribute. That is, the image forming apparatus of the present invention can improve the convenience for the user when performing the manual feed forcible operation.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention further includes a medium attribute detecting unit that detects an attribute of the recording medium supplied to the printing device, and the print control unit performs the manual feed forcing operation. Printing may be continued even when the attribute of the recording medium detected by the medium attribute detection unit does not match the attribute of the recording medium in the control of the printing device by the print control unit.

  With this configuration, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when performing the manual feed operation, the attribute of the recording medium detected by the medium attribute detection unit does not match the attribute of the recording medium in the control of the printing device by the print control unit. Even so, since the printing is continued, the user is not requested to perform an action such as changing to a recording medium having an appropriate attribute. That is, the image forming apparatus of the present invention can improve the convenience for the user when performing the manual feed forcible operation.

  The attribute of the recording medium of the image forming apparatus of the present invention may include the size of the recording medium.

  The size of the recording medium has a great influence on the printing result. Accordingly, when the attribute of the recording medium included in the print data does not match the attribute of the recording medium set by the manual feed attribute setting unit, it is usually better to stop printing. Similarly, when the size of the recording medium detected by the medium attribute detection unit does not match the size of the recording medium in the control of the printing device by the print control unit, it is usually better to stop printing. However, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the manual feed forcing operation is executed, the attribute of the recording medium included in the print data does not match the attribute of the recording medium set by the manual feed attribute setting unit. However, since printing is continued, it is possible to improve the convenience of the user when performing the manual feed forced operation. Similarly, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when performing the manual feed forced operation, the size of the recording medium detected by the medium attribute detection unit does not match the size of the recording medium in the control of the printing device by the print control unit. Even in such a case, since the printing is continued, it is possible to improve the convenience of the user when performing the manual feed forcible operation.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes manual feed priority setting means that receives a manual feed priority instruction that prioritizes the medium manual feed unit from the medium storage unit and sets the manual feed priority. When the manual detection unit detects that the recording medium is set in the medium manual feed unit, and the manual feed priority setting reception unit sets the manual feed priority, Manual forcing operation may be executed.

  With this configuration, the image forming apparatus of the present invention can allow the user to select whether or not to perform the manual feed forcing operation when a recording medium is set in the manual medium feed unit.

  The image forming program of the present invention detects a medium storage unit for storing a recording medium, a medium manual insertion unit in which the recording medium is manually set, and whether the recording medium is set in the medium manual insertion unit. An image forming program that is executed by an image forming apparatus that includes a manual feed detection unit, and a printing device that prints an image on the recording medium supplied from any of the medium storage unit and the medium manual feed unit, A print data receiving step for receiving print data, an image generating step for generating the image based on the print data received by the print data receiving step, and the image generated by the image generating step on the recording medium. A printing control step for controlling the printing device to print, and the medium manual feed unit. A medium direction setting step for receiving an instruction for the direction of the recording medium when the recording medium is supplied to the printing device and setting the direction; and the medium direction setting step includes the print data receiving step. It is possible to accept an instruction for the orientation of the recording medium at a time unrelated to the timing for accepting the print data and set the orientation. In the print control step, the recording medium is set in the medium manual feed section. If the manual detection unit detects that the recording medium is detected, the manual generation operation is a step of forcibly supplying the recording medium from the medium manual supply unit to the printing device, and the image generation step When the manual feed forced operation is executed by the print control step, the medium orientation setting step is performed. Characterized in that it is a step of determining an orientation of the image based on the orientation of the recording medium that is set by the flop.

  With this configuration, when the image forming apparatus that executes the image forming program of the present invention performs the manual feed forced operation, the image generation step determines the image orientation based on the orientation of the recording medium set by the medium orientation setting step. Therefore, the occurrence of printing failure due to the orientation of the recording medium can be suppressed. In the image forming apparatus that executes the image forming program of the present invention, the medium orientation setting step accepts an instruction for the orientation of the recording medium and sets the orientation at a time unrelated to the time when the print data accepting step accepts the print data. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of operations performed by the user from when the recording medium is set in the medium manual feeding section until when the manual forcing operation is performed by the print control step. In other words, the image forming apparatus that executes the image forming program of the present invention can improve the convenience for the user.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention can suppress the occurrence of printing failure due to the orientation of the recording medium, and can improve the convenience for the user.

1 is a block diagram of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the MFP shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the MFP shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows an example of the content of the supplier attribute setting shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the content of the supply direction setting shown in FIG. It is a block diagram of PC shown in FIG. 3 is a flowchart of printer printing of the MFP shown in FIG. 1. 8 is a flowchart of a printer printing supply source determination process shown in FIG. 7. It is a flowchart of the automatic supply source process 1 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of the automatic supply source process 2 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of the fixed supply source process 1 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of the fixed supply source process 2 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of the MP tray fixing process shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of the image generation process shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of the image formation process shown in FIG.

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

  First, the configuration of the network system according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a network system 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the network system 10 includes an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) 20 that is an image forming apparatus, and a PC (Personal Computer) 80 that is an apparatus external to the MFP 20. The MFP 20 and the PC 80 are communicably connected to each other via a network 11 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the MFP 20. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the MFP 20.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the MFP 20 includes an operation unit 21 that is an input device such as buttons for inputting various operations by the user, and a display such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays various information. A display unit 22 as a device, a plurality of paper feed cassettes 23 as medium storage units for storing a recording medium 20a such as paper, and an MP (Multi Purpose) tray as a medium manual insertion unit on which the recording medium 20a is manually set 24, a plurality of cassette medium sensors 25 for detecting whether or not the recording medium 20a is set in each of the plurality of paper feed cassettes 23, and whether or not the recording medium 20a is set in the MP tray 24. A manual feed medium sensor 26 as a manual feed detection unit, a paper feed cassette 23, and A printer 27 that is a printing device that prints an image on a recording medium 20a supplied from any one of the P trays 24, and an attribute sensor 28 as a medium attribute detection unit that detects an attribute of the recording medium 20a supplied to the printer 27; A fax machine that performs fax communication via a communication line such as a public telephone line, a paper discharge tray 29 that is a discharge destination of the recording medium 20a on which an image is printed by the printer 27, a scanner 30 that is a reading device that reads an image from a document. A fax communication unit 31 that is a device, a network communication unit 32 that is a network communication device that performs communication via the network 11, and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) that stores various data. ), An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) storage unit 40 is a storage device such as, and a control unit 50 which controls the entire MFP 20.

  Here, the attributes of the recording medium 20a include the types of the recording medium 20a such as plain paper, high-quality paper, thin paper, thick paper, recycled paper, OHP (Overhead Projector) sheet, A3 size, A4 size, A5 size, and B4 size. , B5 size, B6 size and the like of the recording medium 20a.

  The storage unit 40 stores an image forming program 41. The image forming program 41 may be installed in the MFP 20 at the manufacturing stage of the MFP 20, may be additionally installed in the MFP 20 from a storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, an SD memory card, or the network 11. It may be additionally installed in the MFP 20 from above.

  The storage unit 40 stores an MP tray priority print setting 42 which is a setting related to giving priority to the MP tray 24 over the paper feed cassette 23. The value of the MP tray priority print setting 42 is the default setting “setting 1” and the case where the manual feed medium sensor 26 detects that the recording medium 20a is set on the MP tray 24. “Setting 2”, which is a setting for giving priority to the MP tray 24 over the paper feed cassette 23 when the supply source of the medium 20 a is not designated as the paper feed cassette 23, and the recording medium 20 a is set in the MP tray 24. Is set to give priority to the MP tray 24 over the paper feed cassette 23 when the manual feed medium sensor 26 is detected.

  The storage unit 40 includes a default supply source setting 43 that is a default supply source setting of the recording medium 20 a among the plurality of paper feed cassettes 23 and the MP tray 24, and attributes of the recording medium 20 a with respect to the paper feed cassette 23 and the MP tray 24. The supplier attribute setting 44 is stored. Hereinafter, the supply source set by the default supply source setting 43 is referred to as “default supply source”.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the contents of the supplier attribute setting 44.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the supply source attribute setting 44 is information in which the paper feed cassette 23 and the MP tray 24 are associated with the type and size of the recording medium 20a. 4, “cassette 1”, “cassette 2”, “cassette 3”,... Represent each of the plurality of paper feed cassettes 23.

  Hereinafter, the attribute of the recording medium 20a set in the supplier attribute setting 44 is referred to as “setting attribute”, the type of the recording medium 20a among the setting attributes is referred to as “setting type”, and the recording medium 20a among the setting attributes. The size is called “set size”. Further, the attribute of the recording medium 20a included in the print data is referred to as “designated attribute”, the type of the recording medium 20a among the designated attributes is referred to as “designated type”, and the size of the recording medium 20a among the designated attributes is represented by “ Say “specified size”. The attribute of the recording medium 20a detected by the attribute sensor 28 is referred to as “detected attribute”, the type of the recording medium 20a among the detected attributes is referred to as “detected type”, and the size of the recording medium 20a among the detected attributes is “ “Detected size”. Further, the attribute of the recording medium 20a in the control of the printer 27 by the print control means 52 described later is referred to as “control attribute”, the type of the recording medium 20a among the control attributes is referred to as “control type”, and the recording medium among the control attributes. The size of 20a is referred to as “control size”.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the storage unit 40 stores a supply direction setting 45 that is a setting of the direction of the recording medium 20 a when supplied to the printer 27.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the contents of the supply direction setting 45.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the supply direction setting 45 is information in which the paper feed cassette 23 and the MP tray 24 are associated with the direction of the recording medium 20 a when supplied to the printer 27. In the direction of the recording medium 20a, the recording medium 20a is supplied to the printer 27 in the extending direction of the short side of the recording medium 20a, and the recording medium 20a is connected to the printer in the extending direction of the long side of the recording medium 20a. 27 is supplied in the “vertical direction”. In the supply direction setting 45 shown in FIG. 5, “cassette 1”, “cassette 2”, “cassette 3”,... Represent each of the plurality of paper feed cassettes 23.

  Hereinafter, the orientation of the recording medium set in the supply orientation setting 45 is referred to as “set orientation”.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the storage unit 40 stores an operation switching setting 46 that is a setting for switching an operation when the supply source of the recording medium 20 a is determined. The value of the operation switching setting 46 is “automatic” in which the supply source is automatically determined by the MFP 20 and “fixed” in which the supply source designated in the print data (hereinafter referred to as “designated supply source”) is adopted. Any of them.

  The storage unit 40 stores an attribute inspection setting 47 that is a setting for executing an inspection (hereinafter referred to as “attribute inspection”) as to whether or not the designated attribute matches the setting attribute of the designated supplier. The value of the attribute check setting 47 is either “ON” in which the attribute check is executed or “OFF” in which the attribute check is not executed.

  The control unit 50 includes, for example, 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 executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 40.

  The control unit 50 executes the image forming program 41 stored in the storage unit 40 to print an image based on the print data on the recording medium 20a. The print control means 52 for controlling the printer 27, the MP tray priority print setting means 53 for accepting an instruction to change the MP tray priority print setting 42 and changing the MP tray priority print setting 42, the paper feed cassette 23 and the MP tray 24 An attribute setting unit 54 that receives an instruction of the attribute of the recording medium 20a to set the attribute, an orientation setting unit 55 that receives an instruction of the direction of the recording medium 20a when supplied to the printer 27, and sets the direction, and , Functioning as print data receiving means 56 for receiving print data.

  The MP tray priority print setting means 53 changes the manual feed priority instruction that gives priority to the MP tray 24 over the paper feed cassette 23, that is, changes the MP tray priority print setting 42 to “setting 2” or “setting 3”. Can be received and set, and constitutes the manual feed priority setting means of the present invention.

  The attribute setting unit 54 is a unit that can receive an instruction of the attribute of the recording medium 20a with respect to the MP tray 24 and set the attribute, and constitutes a manual feed attribute setting unit of the present invention.

  The orientation setting means 55 is a means capable of receiving an instruction of the orientation of the recording medium 20a when supplied from the MP tray 24 to the printer 27 and setting the orientation, and the medium orientation setting means of the present invention. It is composed.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the PC 80.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the PC 80 includes an operation unit 81 that is an input device such as a mouse and a keyboard for inputting various operations by a user, and a display unit 82 that is a display device such as an LCD that displays various information. A network communication unit 83 that is a network communication device that performs communication via the network 11, a storage unit 84 that is a storage device such as an HDD that stores various data, and a control unit 85 that controls the entire PC 80. I have.

  The storage unit 84 stores a printer driver 84 a for controlling the MFP 20. The printer driver 84a may be installed in the PC 80 at the manufacturing stage of the PC 80, or may be additionally installed in the PC 80 from a storage medium such as a USB memory, a CD (Compact Disc), and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc). Alternatively, it may be additionally installed on the PC 80 from the network 11.

  The control unit 85 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores programs and various data in advance, and a RAM that is used as a work area of the CPU. The CPU executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 84.

  Next, the operation of the network system 10 will be described.

<Change MP tray priority print setting 42>
An operation of the MFP 20 when the MP tray priority print setting 42 is changed will be described.

  When a user inputs an instruction to display a screen for changing the MP tray priority print setting 42 via the operation unit 21 of the MFP 20, the MP tray priority print setting unit 53 of the control unit 50 of the MFP 20 displays the screen on the MFP 20. Is displayed on the display unit 22. The user sets the value of the MP tray priority print setting 42 to any one of the above-mentioned “setting 1”, “setting 2”, and “setting 3” by using a GUI (Graphical User Interface) displayed on the screen. Can be instructed to change.

  When the user inputs an instruction to change the MP tray priority print setting 42 via the operation unit 21, the MP tray priority print setting unit 53 receives the instruction input via the operation unit 21 and follows the received instruction. The MP tray priority print setting 42 on the storage unit 40 is changed.

  In the above, the change of the MP tray priority print setting 42 via the operation unit 21 and the display unit 22 of the MFP 20 has been described. The MP tray priority print setting 42 is similar to the change via the operation unit 21 and the display unit 22 of the MFP 20 by introducing a program for changing the MP tray priority print setting 42 into the PC 80. It can be changed via the network 11 via 81 and the display unit 82.

<Change of supplier attribute setting 44>
An operation of the MFP 20 when the supply source attribute setting 44 is changed will be described.

  When a user inputs an instruction to display a screen for setting the supplier attribute setting 44 via the operation unit 21 of the MFP 20, the attribute setting unit 54 of the control unit 50 of the MFP 20 displays the screen on the display unit 22 of the MFP 20. To display. The user can instruct to set the attributes of the recording medium 20a for the paper feed cassette 23 and the MP tray 24 by using the GUI displayed on the screen.

  When the user inputs an instruction for setting the attribute of the recording medium 20 a for the paper cassette 23 and the MP tray 24 via the operation unit 21, the attribute setting unit 54 receives the instruction input via the operation unit 21. Then, the supply source attribute setting 44 on the storage unit 40 is set according to the received instruction.

  In the above, the change of the supply source attribute setting 44 via the operation unit 21 and the display unit 22 of the MFP 20 has been described. The supply source attribute setting 44 is similar to the change via the operation unit 21 and the display unit 22 of the MFP 20 by introducing a program for changing the supply source attribute setting 44 to the PC 80, and the operation unit 81 of the PC 80 and It can be changed via the network 11 via the display unit 82.

<Change of supply direction setting 45>
An operation of the MFP 20 when the supply direction setting 45 is changed will be described.

  When a user inputs an instruction to display a screen for setting the supply direction setting 45 via the operation unit 21 of the MFP 20, the direction setting unit 55 of the control unit 50 of the MFP 20 displays the screen on the display unit 22 of the MFP 20. indicate. The user can instruct to set the orientation of the recording medium 20a when supplied to the printer 27 by the GUI displayed on the screen.

  When the user inputs an instruction for setting the orientation of the recording medium 20 a when supplied to the printer 27 via the operation unit 21, the orientation setting unit 55 receives the instruction input via the operation unit 21, The supply direction setting 45 on the storage unit 40 is set according to the received instruction.

  In the above, the change of the supply direction setting 45 via the operation unit 21 and the display unit 22 of the MFP 20 has been described. The supply direction setting 45 is similar to the change via the operation unit 21 and the display unit 22 of the MFP 20 by introducing a program for changing the supply direction setting 45 into the PC 80, and the operation unit 81 and the display unit of the PC 80. It can be changed via the network 11 via 82.

<Change of operation switching setting 46>
An operation of the MFP 20 when the operation switching setting 46 is changed will be described.

  When a user inputs an instruction to display a screen for changing the operation switching setting 46 via the operation unit 21 of the MFP 20, the control unit 50 of the MFP 20 displays the screen on the display unit 22 of the MFP 20. The user can instruct to change the value of the operation switching setting 46 to any one of the above-mentioned “automatic” and “fixed” by the GUI displayed on the screen.

  When the user inputs an instruction to change the operation switching setting 46 via the operation unit 21, the control unit 50 receives the instruction input via the operation unit 21, and on the storage unit 40 according to the received instruction. The operation switching setting 46 is changed.

  In the above, the change of the operation switching setting 46 via the operation unit 21 and the display unit 22 of the MFP 20 has been described. The operation switching setting 46 is similar to the change via the operation unit 21 and the display unit 22 of the MFP 20 by introducing a program for changing the operation switching setting 46 into the PC 80. It can be changed via the network 11 via 82.

<Change of attribute inspection setting 47>
An operation of the MFP 20 when the attribute inspection setting 47 is changed will be described.

  When a user inputs an instruction to display a screen for changing the attribute inspection setting 47 via the operation unit 21 of the MFP 20, the control unit 50 of the MFP 20 displays the screen on the display unit 22 of the MFP 20. The user can instruct to change the value of the attribute inspection setting 47 to any one of the above-mentioned “on” and “off” by the GUI displayed on the screen.

  When the user inputs an instruction to change the attribute inspection setting 47 through the operation unit 21, the control unit 50 receives the instruction input through the operation unit 21, and follows the received instruction on the storage unit 40. The attribute inspection setting 47 is changed.

  In the above, the change of the attribute inspection setting 47 via the operation unit 21 and the display unit 22 of the MFP 20 has been described. The attribute inspection setting 47 is implemented by introducing a program for changing the attribute inspection setting 47 to the PC 80, and similarly to the change via the operation unit 21 and the display unit 22 of the MFP 20, the operation unit 81 and the display unit of the PC 80 are displayed. It can be changed via the network 11 via 82.

<Printer printing>
Printer printing, which is a printing operation of the MFP 20 based on print data received by the MFP 20 from an external device such as the PC 80 via the network communication unit 32, will be described.

  When transmitting print data from the PC 80 to the MFP 20 via a program such as the printer driver 84a, the user can instruct the MFP 20 from the PC 80 to issue a print instruction based on the print data.

  When the control unit 50 of the MFP 20 receives the print data and a print instruction based on the print data by the print data reception unit 56 via the network communication unit 32, the control unit 50 executes the process shown in FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of printer printing of the MFP 20.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the print control means 52 of the control unit 50 executes the printer printing supply source determination process shown in FIG. 8, which is a supply source determination process for determining the supply source of the recording medium 20a (S101).

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of printer printing supply source determination processing.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the print controller 52 confirms the value of the MP tray priority print setting 42 (S121).

  If the print control unit 52 determines in S121 that the value of the MP tray priority print setting 42 is “setting 1”, it checks the designated supply source (S122).

  If the print control unit 52 determines in S122 that there is no designated supply source or determines in S122 that the designated supply source is “automatic”, it executes automatic supply source processing 1 shown in FIG. 9 (S123).

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the automatic supply source process 1.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the print control unit 52 targets the default supply source (S141).

  Next, the print control unit 52 confirms the designated type (S142).

  If it is determined in S142 that there is a designated type other than “automatic”, the print control unit 52 determines whether or not the setting type and the setting size of the target supply source match the designated type and the designated size (S143).

  If the print control unit 52 determines in S143 that the setting type and the setting size of the target supply source do not match the specified type and the specified size, the print control unit 52 determines whether or not all the supply sources are targeted (S144).

  If the print control unit 52 determines in S144 that there is a supply source that is not yet targeted, the print control unit 52 targets the next supply source in accordance with a predetermined order (S145), and returns to the process of S143 again.

  If the print control unit 52 determines in S142 that there is no specified type or determines in S142 that there is a “automatic” specified type, the print control unit 52 determines whether the set size of the target supply source matches the specified size. (S146).

  If the print control unit 52 determines in S146 that the set size of the target supply source does not match the specified size, the print control unit 52 determines whether or not all the supply sources are targeted (S147).

  If the print control unit 52 determines in S147 that there is a supply source that is not yet targeted, the print control unit 52 targets the next supply source according to a predetermined order (S148), and returns to the process of S146 again.

  If the print control unit 52 determines in S144 or S147 that all the supply sources have been targeted, the print control unit 52 displays an error display on the display unit 22 indicating that the attribute of the recording medium 20a is incompatible (S149). When this error display is performed, the user can cause the MFP 20 to continue printing by executing a predetermined operation on the MFP 20. However, in the present embodiment, description of the processing after S149 is omitted. In any case, the print control unit 52 stops printing until a predetermined operation is executed by the user.

  If the print control unit 52 determines in S143 that the setting type and setting size of the target supply source match the specified type and the specified size, or if it determines in S146 that the setting size of the target supply source matches the specified size, Is determined as the supply source of the recording medium 20a (S150).

  Next, the print control unit 52 determines whether the recording medium 20 a is set in the determined supply source (hereinafter referred to as “determined supply source”) based on the output of the cassette medium sensor 25 or the manual medium sensor 26. (S151).

  If the print control unit 52 determines in S151 that the recording medium 20a is not set in the determined supply source, the print control unit 52 displays an error display on the display unit 22 indicating that the recording medium 20a is not set in the determined supply source (S152). . Next, the print control unit 52 executes the process of S151 again. That is, the printing control unit 52 stops printing until the recording medium 20a is set in the determined supply source.

  If the print control unit 52 determines in S151 that the recording medium 20a is set in the determined supply source, the print control unit 52 ends the automatic supply source process 1 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the print controller 52 has a designated supply source other than “automatic”, that is, if any of the plurality of paper feed cassettes 23 and MP trays 24 is designated in the print data, in S122. If determined, the designated type is confirmed (S124).

  If the print control unit 52 determines in S124 that there is a designated type other than “automatic”, it checks the operation switching setting 46 (S125).

  If the print control unit 52 determines in S124 that the “automatic” designation type is present or determines in S125 that the value of the operation switching setting 46 is “automatic”, it executes the automatic supply source process 2 shown in FIG. (S126).

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the automatic supply source process 2.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the print control unit 52 targets the designated supply source (S161).

  Since the processes of S162 to S172 in the automatic supply source process 2 shown in FIG. 10 are the same as the processes of S142 to S152 of the automatic supply source process 1 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the print control unit 52 determines in S124 that there is no designated type, or determines in S125 that the value of the operation switching setting 46 is “fixed”, it confirms the attribute inspection setting 47 ( S127).

  If the print control unit 52 determines in S127 that the value of the attribute inspection setting 47 is “ON”, it executes the fixed supply source process 1 shown in FIG. 11 (S128).

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the fixed supply source process 1.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the print control unit 52 confirms the designated type (S181).

  If it is determined in S181 that there is a designated type, the print control unit 52 determines whether or not the setting type and the setting size of the designated supply source match the designated type and the designated size (S182).

  When the print control unit 52 determines in S181 that there is no specified type, it determines whether or not the set size of the specified supply source matches the specified size (S183).

  When the print control unit 52 determines in S182 that the setting type and setting size of the designated supply source do not match the specified type and size, or the printing control unit 52 determines in S183 that the setting size of the specified supply source does not match the specified size, the recording An error display indicating that the attribute mismatch of the medium 20a has occurred is performed on the display unit 22 (S184). When this error display is performed, the user can cause the MFP 20 to continue printing by executing a predetermined operation on the MFP 20. However, in the present embodiment, description of the processing after S184 is omitted. In any case, the print control unit 52 stops printing until a predetermined operation is executed by the user.

  When the print control unit 52 determines in S182 that the setting type and setting size of the specified supply source match the specified type and specified size, or if it determines in S183 that the setting size of the specified supply source matches the specified size, the designated supply source Is determined as the supply source of the recording medium 20a (S185).

  Next, the print controller 52 determines whether or not the recording medium 20a is set in the determined supply source based on the output of the cassette medium sensor 25 or the manual medium sensor 26 (S186).

  If the print control unit 52 determines in S186 that the recording medium 20a is not set in the determined supply source, the print control unit 52 displays an error display on the display unit 22 indicating that the recording medium 20a is not set in the determined supply source (S187). . Next, the print control unit 52 executes the process of S186 again. That is, the print control unit 52 stops printing until the recording medium 20a is set in the determined supply source.

  If the print control unit 52 determines in S186 that the recording medium 20a is set as the determined supply source, the print control unit 52 ends the fixed supply source process 1 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the print control unit 52 determines in S127 that the value of the attribute inspection setting 47 is “OFF”, it executes the fixed supply source process 2 shown in FIG. 12 (S129).

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the fixed supply source process 2.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the print control unit 52 determines whether or not the recording medium 20a is set in the designated supply source based on the output of the cassette medium sensor 25 or the manual feed medium sensor 26 (S201).

  If the print control unit 52 determines in S201 that the recording medium 20a is not set in the designated supply source, the print control unit 52 performs an error display on the display unit 22 indicating that the recording medium 20a is not set in the designated supply source (S202). . Next, the print control unit 52 executes the process of S201 again. That is, the print control unit 52 stops printing until the recording medium 20a is set in the designated supply source.

  When the print control unit 52 determines in S201 that the recording medium 20a is set in the designated supply source, the print control unit 52 determines the designated supply source as the supply source of the recording medium 20a (S203), and the fixed supply source process shown in FIG. 2 is finished.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the print control unit 52 determines in S121 that the value of the MP tray priority print setting 42 is “setting 2”, it is determined that the recording medium 20a is set on the MP tray 24. It is determined whether it is detected by the sensor 26 (S130).

  If the print control unit 52 determines in S130 that the manual feed medium sensor 26 has detected that the recording medium 20a is set on the MP tray 24, it checks the designated supply source (S131).

  If the print control means 52 determines in S121 that the value of the MP tray priority print setting 42 is “setting 3”, whether or not the manual feed medium sensor 26 detects that the recording medium 20a is set on the MP tray 24 is detected. It is determined whether or not (S132).

  The print control unit 52 determines in S130 or S132 that the recording medium 20a is not set on the MP tray 24 by the manual feed medium sensor 26, or designates supply other than “automatic” and “MP tray”. If it is determined in S131 that there is an original, that is, any of the plurality of paper feed cassettes 23 is designated in the print data, the process of S122 is executed.

  The print controller 52 determines in S131 that there is no designated supply source, or determines in S131 that there is a designated supply source of “automatic” or “MP tray”, or the recording medium 20a is set on the MP tray 24. If it is determined in step S132 that the manual feed medium sensor 26 detects that the MP tray 26 is detected, the MP tray fixing process shown in FIG. 13 is executed (S133).

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the MP tray fixing process.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the print control unit 52 determines the MP tray 24 as the supply source of the recording medium 20a (S221), and ends the MP tray fixing process shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the print control means 52 ends the printer printing supply source determination process shown in FIG. 8 after the process of S123, S126, S128, S129, or S133.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the printer printing supply source determination process in S101 is completed, the image generation unit 51 of the control unit 50 executes the image generation process shown in FIG. 14 for generating an image based on the print data ( S102).

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the image generation process.

  As illustrated in FIG. 14, the image generation unit 51 acquires the setting direction of the determined supply source (S241).

  Next, the image generation means 51 determines whether or not there is a designated size (S242).

  If it is determined in S242 that the specified size exists, the image generating unit 51 generates an image based on the print data in the specified size and in the setting direction acquired in S241 (S243).

  If the image generation means 51 determines in S242 that there is no designated size, it acquires the set size of the determined supply source (S244).

  Next, the image generating unit 51 generates an image based on the print data in the size acquired in S244 and in the setting direction acquired in S241 (S245).

  The image generation means 51 ends the image generation processing shown in FIG. 14 after S243 or S245.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the image generation process of S102 is completed, the print control unit 52 of the control unit 50 executes the image formation process shown in FIG. 15 for forming the image generated in S102 on the recording medium 20a ( S103).

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the image forming process.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the print control unit 52 determines whether the determined supply source is the MP tray 24 (S261).

  When determining in S261 that the determined supply source is the MP tray 24, the print control unit 52 determines whether the determined supply source is determined by the fixed supply source process 2 or the MP tray fixing process (S262).

  If it is determined in S262 that the determined supply source is determined by the fixed supply source process 2 or the MP tray fixing process, the print control unit 52 determines whether there is a designated type (S263).

  If the print control unit 52 determines that there is a designated type in S263, the print control unit 52 starts control of the printer 27 with the designated type and the size of the image generated in the image generation processing (hereinafter referred to as “drawing size”) ( S264).

  If the print control unit 52 determines in S263 that there is no designated type, the print control unit 52 starts control of the printer 27 with the set type of the determined supply source and the drawing size (S265).

  The print controller 52 determines in S261 that the determined supply source is not the MP tray 24 or determines in S262 that the determined supply source is determined by a process other than the fixed supply source process 2 and the MP tray fixing process. Control of the printer 27 is started with the original setting type and setting size (S266).

  After S264, S265, or S266, the print control unit 52 transports the recording medium 20a from the determined supply source by the printer 27 (S267).

  Next, the print control unit 52 determines whether or not the determined supply source is determined by the MP tray fixing process (S268).

  When the print control unit 52 determines in S268 that the determined supply source is determined by a process other than the MP tray fixing process, the print control unit 52 detects the type of the recording medium 20a detected by the attribute sensor 28, that is, the detected type and the attribute sensor 28. The size of the recorded recording medium 20a, that is, the detected size is acquired (S269).

  Next, the print control unit 52 sets the type of the recording medium 20a in the control of the printer 27 in which the detection type and the detection size are set in S264, S265, or S266, that is, the control type and the setting in S264, S265, or S266. It is determined whether or not the size of the recording medium 20a in the control of the printer 27, that is, the control size is satisfied (S270).

  If the print control means 52 determines that it does not conform in S270, it displays an error display on the display unit 22 indicating that the attribute of the recording medium 20a is incompatible (S271). When this error display is performed, the user can cause the MFP 20 to continue printing by executing a predetermined operation on the MFP 20. However, in the present embodiment, description of the processing after S271 is omitted. In any case, the print control unit 52 stops printing until a predetermined operation is executed by the user.

  When the print control unit 52 determines in S268 that the determined supply source has been determined by the MP tray fixing process or in S270, the print control unit 52 forms the image generated in the image generation process on the recording medium 20a being conveyed. (S272).

  Note that if the print data includes an image of a plurality of pages, the print control unit 52 repeats S267 to S272 for each page.

  Next, the print control unit 52 ends the image forming process shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the image forming process of S103 is completed, the print control unit 52 ends the process shown in FIG.

<Copy printing>
Copy printing that is a printing operation of the MFP 20 based on print data generated according to an image read from an original by the scanner 30 will be described.

  Copy printing is the same as printer printing described above, except for the supply source determination process.

  In the copy printing supply source determination process, only one of the automatic supply source process 1, the fixed supply source process 1, and the MP tray fixing process is executed. Specifically, in the copy printing supply source determination process, the value of the MP tray priority print setting 42 is “setting 2” or “setting 3”, and the recording medium 20 a is set on the MP tray 24. The MP tray fixing process is executed when it is detected by the manual feed medium sensor 26. Further, when the value of the MP tray priority print setting 42 is “setting 1”, or when the manual medium sensor 26 does not detect that the recording medium 20a is set on the MP tray 24, the recording medium 20a. When the selected supplier is “automatic”, the automatic supplier process 1 is executed, and at other times, the fixed supplier process 1 is executed.

<FAX printing>
The FAX printing that is the printing operation of the MFP 20 based on the print data generated according to the FAX data received by the MFP 20 from the external facsimile apparatus via the fax communication unit 31 will be described.

  The FAX printing is the same as the printer printing described above except for the supply source determination process.

  In the FAX printing supply source determination process, only the automatic supply source process 1 is executed.

  As described above, when executing the manual feed forcing operation that is an operation for forcibly supplying the recording medium 20a from the MP tray 24 to the printer 27, that is, the MP tray fixing process, the MFP 20 performs the image based on the setting direction. Is determined (S243 and S245), it is possible to suppress the occurrence of printing failure due to the orientation of the recording medium 20a. Further, in the MFP 20, the orientation setting unit 55 can accept the direction of the recording medium 20a and set this orientation at a time unrelated to the time when the print data accepting unit 56 accepts the print data. The operation performed by the user from when the recording medium 20a is set to 24 to when the MP tray fixing process is executed by the print control means 52 (S133) can be reduced as compared with the conventional case. That is, the MFP 20 can improve the convenience for the user when executing the MP tray fixing process.

  Further, when executing the MP tray fixing process, the MFP 20 determines the orientation of the image based on the setting orientation before supplying the recording medium 20a to the printer 27. Therefore, the generated image is recorded on the recording medium 20a to the printer 27. There is no need to rotate after feeding. Therefore, the MFP 20 may not include a bitmap image rotation circuit.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13, when executing the MP tray fixing process, the MFP 20 does not display an error (S149, S169, or S184) even when the designated attribute does not match the setting attribute. Since the printing is continued, the user is not requested to perform an action such as a change to the recording medium 20a having an appropriate attribute. That is, the MFP 20 can improve the convenience for the user when executing the MP tray fixing process.

  Further, when executing the MP tray fixing process (YES in S268), the MFP 20 continues printing without displaying an error (S271) even when the detection attribute does not match the control attribute. The user is not requested to perform an action such as changing to the recording medium 20a having the appropriate attribute. That is, the MFP 20 can improve the convenience for the user when executing the MP tray fixing process.

  The size of the recording medium 20a has a great influence on the printing result. Therefore, when the specified size does not match the set size, it is usually better to stop printing. Similarly, when the detected size does not match the control size, it is usually better to stop printing. However, when executing the MP tray fixing process, the MFP 20 continues printing even when the designated size does not match the set size. Therefore, the convenience of the user when executing the MP tray fixing process is improved. can do. Similarly, when executing the MP tray fixing process, the MFP 20 continues printing even when the detected size does not match the control size, so that the convenience of the user when executing the MP tray fixing process is improved. Can be improved.

  In addition, the MFP 20 detects that the recording medium 20 a is set on the MP tray 24 by the manual feed medium sensor 26 (YES in S 130 or YES in S 132), and the MP tray 24 from the paper feed cassette 23. Is set in the MP tray priority print setting 42 ("Setting 2" or "Setting 3" in S121), the MP tray fixing process is executed (S133). Therefore, the MFP 20 can cause the user to select whether or not to execute the MP tray fixing process when the recording medium 20 a is set on the MP tray 24 by the MP tray priority print setting 42.

  The network system 10 includes the PC 80 as a device external to the MFP 20, but may include a device other than the PC as a device external to the MFP 20.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention is an MFP in the present embodiment, but may be an image forming apparatus other than the MFP, such as a printer dedicated machine, a fax dedicated machine, and a copy dedicated machine.

20 MFP (image forming apparatus)
20a Recording medium 23 Paper feed cassette (medium storage part)
24 MP tray (medium manual feed section)
26 Manual feed medium sensor (manual feed detection unit)
27 Printer (printing device)
28 Attribute sensor (medium attribute detector)
41 Image formation program 51 Image generation means 52 Print control means 53 MP tray priority print setting means (manual feed priority setting means)
54 attribute setting means (manual feed attribute setting means)
55 Orientation setting means (medium orientation setting means)
56 Print data receiving means

Claims (5)

A medium storage unit for storing a recording medium; a medium manual insertion unit for manually setting the recording medium; a manual feed detection unit for detecting whether the recording medium is set in the medium manual insertion unit; and the medium storage An image forming apparatus comprising: a printing device that prints an image on the recording medium supplied from any one of the printing unit and the medium manual feeding unit;
Print data reception means for receiving print data, image generation means for generating the image based on the print data received by the print data reception means, and the image generated by the image generation means on the recording medium Print control means for controlling the printing device to perform printing, and medium orientation setting means for receiving an instruction of the orientation of the recording medium when being supplied from the medium manual feed unit to the printing device and setting the orientation. Has
The medium orientation setting means can receive an instruction for the orientation of the recording medium and set this orientation at a time unrelated to the time when the print data acceptance means accepts the print data.
The print control unit forcibly supplies the recording medium from the medium manual feed unit to the printing device when the manual feed detection unit detects that the recording medium is set in the medium manual feed unit. Execute the manual forcing operation that is the operation,
The image generation means, when the manual feed forcing operation is executed by the print control means, when the print data includes the size of the recording medium as at least one of the attributes of the recording medium. Determining the size of the image based on the size of the recording medium included in the data;
The image generation means determines the orientation of the image based on the orientation of the recording medium set by the medium orientation setting means when the manual feed forcing operation is executed by the print control means. Image forming apparatus. A manual attribute setting unit configured to accept an instruction of the attribute of the recording medium with respect to the medium manual feed unit and set the attribute;
When the print control means executes the manual feed forced operation, the attribute of the recording medium included in the print data does not match the attribute of the recording medium set by the manual feed attribute setting means. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein printing is continued even if there is. A medium attribute detecting unit for detecting an attribute of the recording medium supplied to the printing device;
When the print control unit performs the manual feed operation, the attribute of the recording medium detected by the medium attribute detection unit does not match the attribute of the recording medium in the control of the printing device by the print control unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein printing is continued even at times.   Comprising manual feed priority setting means for accepting a manual feed priority instruction to prioritize the medium manual feed unit from the medium storage unit and setting the manual feed priority;
  The print control means is a case where the manual feed detecting section detects that the recording medium is set in the medium manual feed section, and the manual feed priority is set by the manual feed priority setting receiving means. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the manual forcing operation is executed.   A medium storage unit for storing a recording medium; a medium manual insertion unit for manually setting the recording medium; a manual feed detection unit for detecting whether the recording medium is set in the medium manual insertion unit; and the medium storage An image forming program executed by an image forming apparatus comprising: a printing device that prints an image on the recording medium supplied from any one of the printing unit and the medium manual feeding unit;
  A print data receiving step for receiving print data, an image generating step for generating the image based on the print data received by the print data receiving step, and the image generated by the image generating step on the recording medium. A printing control step for controlling the printing device to perform printing, and a medium orientation setting step for receiving an instruction for the orientation of the recording medium when the medium is supplied from the medium manual feed unit to the printing device and setting the orientation. Causing the image forming apparatus to execute,
  The medium orientation setting step can receive an instruction for the orientation of the recording medium at a time unrelated to the time when the print data acceptance step accepts the print data, and can set this orientation.
  The printing control step forcibly supplies the recording medium from the medium manual feeding unit to the printing device when the manual feeding detecting unit detects that the recording medium is set in the medium manual feeding unit. This is a step for performing manual feed forcing operation,
  In the image generation step, when the manual feed forced operation is executed by the print control step, the print data includes the size of the recording medium as at least one of the attributes of the recording medium. Determining the size of the image based on the size of the recording medium included in the data;
  The image generation step is a step of determining the orientation of the image based on the orientation of the recording medium set by the medium orientation setting step when the manual feed forcing operation is executed by the print control step. An image forming program.

Images