JP5790071B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for partitioning a sheet-like medium on which an image is formed by a separate medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an image forming apparatus that discharges a separate medium for partitioning a sheet-like medium between sheet-like media on which images are formed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-26338 A

However, according to the prior art, saving of separate media has not been considered.
The present specification discloses a technique that can save the separate medium while preventing the sheet-like medium to be partitioned by the separate medium from being mixed.

An image forming apparatus disclosed in this specification stores a sheet-shaped medium storage unit that stores a sheet-shaped medium on which an image is formed, and a separate medium for partitioning the sheet-shaped medium after the image is formed. A separation medium container, a discharge condition determination unit that determines whether or not a discharge condition for discharging the separate medium is satisfied, and the sheet condition medium is transported, and the discharge condition determination unit satisfies the discharge condition. A conveying unit that conveys the separate medium every time it is determined that the image is formed, an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet-like medium conveyed by the conveying unit, and the sheet-like medium conveyed by the conveying unit A loading unit on which the separate medium is loaded, and an error detection unit that detects occurrence of an error caused by the separate medium, and Feeding portion, when the occurrence of the error by the error detection unit after the formation of an image on the sheet medium conveyed immediately before the separation medium is completed is detected, after the error is eliminated, The next sheet-like medium is conveyed without conveying the separate medium, and the error detection unit generates the error before the image formation on the sheet-shaped medium conveyed immediately before the separate medium is completed. When the error is detected, after the error is eliminated, the separate medium is transported and then the next sheet-like medium is transported.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus, the error may be a paper jam of the separate medium, or the separate medium is out.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus may be arranged in the stacking unit when the error detection unit detects the occurrence of the error after completing the image formation on the sheet-like medium conveyed immediately before the separate medium. You may provide the error alerting | reporting part which alert | reports the message which instruct | indicates a user to remove the said sheet-like medium currently loaded.

An image forming apparatus disclosed in this specification is an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet-like medium, and has a sheet-like medium containing portion that contains a sheet-like medium on which an image is formed, and an image is formed A separate medium containing unit for containing a separate medium for partitioning the subsequent sheet-like medium, a discharge condition determining unit for judging whether or not a discharge condition for discharging the separate medium is satisfied, and conveying the sheet-like medium And an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet-like medium transported by the transport unit, and a transport unit that transports the separate medium every time the discharge condition determination unit determines that the discharge condition is satisfied. A stacking unit on which the sheet-like medium transported by the transport unit and the separate medium are stacked, and a transport unit immediately before the separate medium. After completion of the image formation on the sheet-like medium, the error detection unit that detects the occurrence of an error in the image forming apparatus and the separation medium is started before the separation medium is started to be conveyed. An error notification unit that notifies a user that the error has occurred when the error detection unit detects the occurrence of the error before, and the transport unit detects the occurrence of the error After the error is eliminated, the next sheet-like medium is conveyed without conveying the separate medium.

  In the image forming apparatus, the error may be the separation medium running out, the sheet-like medium running out, or the consumable used by the image forming unit to form an image on the sheet-like medium.

  In the image forming apparatus, the error notification unit may further notify a message instructing a user to remove the sheet-like medium stacked on the stacking unit.

  The image forming apparatus includes an input unit that inputs print data associated with user information, the image forming unit forms an image on the sheet-like medium based on the print data, and the conveyance The section conveys the separate medium before an image is formed on the sheet-like medium based on the print data, and the error notification section forms an image on the sheet-like medium immediately before the print data. User information associated with the print data may be further notified.

  The present invention can be realized in various forms such as an image forming method, an image forming program, and a recording medium on which the image forming program is recorded.

  When an error caused by the separation medium occurs after the image formation on the sheet-like medium conveyed immediately before the separation medium is completed, the user who came to the image forming apparatus to perform the error elimination work, By removing the sheet-like media stacked on the stacking unit, or by removing any sheet-like media that have been formed, but are still being transported, without having to transport the separate media The sheet-like medium to be partitioned by the separate medium can be prevented from being mixed.

  Therefore, if an error caused by the separation medium occurs after the image formation on the sheet-like medium conveyed immediately before the separation medium is completed, the separation medium is not conveyed after the error is resolved. The separation medium can be saved while preventing the sheet-like medium to be partitioned by the separation medium from being mixed.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of an image forming apparatus. The schematic diagram for demonstrating conveyance of a separate paper. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of separation paper conveyance control. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of separation paper conveyance control according to the second embodiment. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of error control processing after starting separation paper conveyance.

<Embodiment 1>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
(1) Image Forming Apparatus FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. In the following description, the right side in FIG.

The image forming apparatus 1 includes a main body casing 10, a printing paper storage unit 21, a separate paper storage unit 22, a transport unit 30, and an image forming unit 40.
The printing paper storage unit 21 (an example of a sheet-like medium storage unit) includes a printing paper tray 24 on which a printing paper 23 (an example of a sheet-like medium) on which an image is formed is stacked. The printing paper tray 24 is biased upward by a spring 27, and the printing paper 23 stacked on the top of the printing paper tray 24 is in pressure contact with the pickup roller 31.

  The separate paper storage unit 22 (an example of a separate medium storage unit) includes a separate paper tray 26 on which a separate paper 25 (an example of a separate medium) for partitioning the print paper 23 after the image is formed is loaded. Yes. The separate paper tray 26 is also biased upward by the spring 28, and the separate paper 25 loaded on the top of the separate paper tray 26 is in pressure contact with the pickup roller 32.

The conveyance unit 30 includes a pickup roller 31, a pickup roller 32, a belt unit 33, various rollers (not shown), and a stepping motor (not shown) that rotationally drives these rollers. The belt unit 33 includes a driving roller 34, a driven roller 35, and a belt 36 wound around these rollers.
The transport unit 30 transports the print paper 23 stored in the print paper storage unit 21 along the transport path T, and satisfies the discharge conditions described below for the separate paper 25 stored in the separate paper storage unit 22. Each time it is transported along the transport path T.

  Here, the transport unit 30 according to the first embodiment starts transporting the next print sheet 23 without waiting for completion of image formation on the previously transported print sheet 23. Similarly, the conveyance unit 30 starts conveying the separation paper 25 without waiting for the printing on the printing paper 23 conveyed before the separation paper 25 to be completed.

The image forming unit 40 includes a scanner unit 41, a process unit 42, a transfer roller 43, and a fixing unit 44, and forms an image on the printing paper 23 conveyed by the conveyance unit 30 by an electrophotographic method. In the following description, forming an image is referred to as printing.
The scanner unit 41 includes a laser light emitting unit that emits laser light L, a polygon mirror that polarizes the laser light L emitted from the laser light emitting unit, and a motor that rotationally drives the polygon mirror, and exposes the surface of the photoreceptor 104. To do.

  The process unit 42 includes, for example, four developing cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K) corresponding to four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), and each developing unit. A photoconductor 104 corresponding to the cartridge 100 and a scorotron charger 105 corresponding to each photoconductor 104 are provided. Each developing cartridge 100 includes a toner storage chamber 101 that stores toner of each color as a developer, a supply roller 102, a developing roller 103, and the like.

The transfer roller 43 is provided at a position facing each photoconductor 104 across the belt 36.
The fixing unit 44 includes a heating roller 44A that generates heat when an electric current is supplied, and a driven roller 44B that rotates following the heating roller 44A.

The photosensitive member 104 is uniformly positively charged by the charger 105 and is then exposed by the laser light L emitted from the scanner unit 41 to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface. The electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 104 is visualized by toner supplied from the developing roller 103.
While the printing paper 23 conveyed by the belt 36 passes through each transfer position between the photoconductor 104 and the transfer roller 43, a toner image carried on the surface of each photoconductor 104 is applied to the transfer roller 43. Are sequentially transferred onto the printing paper 23 by the negative transfer bias.

  The toner image transferred onto the printing paper 23 is heat-fixed on the printing paper 23 by the fixing unit 44, and the printing paper 23 on which the toner image is heat-fixed is a paper discharge tray 50 (stacking) provided on the upper surface of the main body casing 10. An example of a part) is discharged on.

(2) Electrical Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 1.
The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 60, a storage unit 61, an operation unit 62, a display unit 63, a transport unit 30, an image forming unit 40, a network interface 64, a jam sensor 65, a printing paper sensor 66, a separate paper sensor 67, and the like. I have.

  The control unit 60 (an ejection condition determination unit, an example of the conveyance unit 30) includes a CPU 60A, a ROM 60B, and a RAM 60C. The CPU 60A controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 while storing the processing result in the RAM 60C according to the program read from the ROM 60B or the storage unit 61. Various programs for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 are recorded in the ROM 60B.

The storage unit 61 includes, for example, an NVRAM and a flash ROM 60B. Various programs for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 are recorded in the storage unit 61.
The operation unit 62 includes a plurality of buttons, and various input operations such as an instruction to start printing can be performed by the user.

The display unit 63 (an example of an error notification unit) includes a liquid crystal display, a lamp, and the like, and can display various setting screens, operation states, and the like.
The network interface 64 (an example of an input unit) is connected to a terminal device or the like via a communication line, and receives a print job from the terminal device or the like.
The print job is data including print data for each page, user information of a user who has transmitted the print job, print conditions, and the like.

A plurality of jam sensors 65 (an example of an error detection unit) are arranged along the transport path T. For example, a photoelectric sensor can be used as the jam sensor 65.
The jam sensor 65 detects the presence or absence of paper such as the print paper 23 and the separate paper 25 on the transport path T. For example, when there is no paper, the jam sensor 65 does not generate a detection signal. When there is paper, the jam sensor 65 generates a detection signal. By receiving this detection signal from the jam sensor 65, the CPU 60A detects a paper jam on the transport path T, so-called jamming, and specifies the jammed paper.

For example, when the paper passes normally, a detection signal is generated for a certain period from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the paper, but when the paper is jammed, a detection signal for the certain period or longer is generated. . Therefore, when a detection signal is generated for a certain period or longer, the CPU 60A can determine that a jam has occurred.
Further, the CPU 60A determines that a jam has occurred if no paper is detected by the downstream jam sensor 65 even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the paper was detected by the upstream jam sensor 65 of the transport path T. Also good.

Further, the CPU 60A can determine from the detection signal of the jam sensor 65 whether the jammed paper is the printing paper 23 or the separate paper 25. Specifically, the CPU 60A determines at which position on the transport path T the jam has occurred from the position of the jam sensor 65 to which the detection signal has been sent, and what is based on the position and the number of sheets in the apparatus. It is determined whether the second sheet fed is jammed.
Further, the CPU 60A stores, for each sheet being transported, whether each sheet is fed from the print sheet tray 21 or the separate sheet tray 22, and information on the position where the jam has occurred and the fed tray, Based on this, it can be determined whether the jammed paper is the printing paper 23 or the separate paper 25.

The printing paper sensor 66 is a sensor that detects the presence or absence of the printing paper 23 in the printing paper storage unit 21. As the printing paper sensor 66, a photoelectric sensor or a switch that is mechanically turned on by the weight of the printing paper 23 when the printing paper 23 is in the printing paper tray 24 can be used.
The separate paper sensor 67 is a sensor that detects the presence or absence of the separate paper 25 in the separate paper storage unit 22.

(3) Consumables Consumables are those that are replaceably attached to the image forming apparatus 1 and are prohibited from printing when the remaining amount falls below a predetermined amount, or the cumulative usage amount exceeds a predetermined amount. Means that printing is prohibited. Specifically, the consumables are, for example, toner, photoconductor 104, developing roller 103, and belt 36.
The remaining amount of toner may be detected using, for example, a sensor that detects the remaining amount of toner. Further, the cumulative usage amount of toner may be calculated from the number of dots formed using toner, or the cumulative usage amount may be estimated from the number of printed sheets printed using toner.
For example, the cumulative number of rotations of the photoconductor 104 may be calculated from the number of pulses of a pulse signal output to a stepping motor that rotationally drives the photoconductor 104, or the number of rotations may be counted using an encoder. The same applies to the developing roller 103 and the belt 36.

(4) Separate Paper FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the conveyance of the separate paper 25 according to the first embodiment. The separate paper 25 is used for partitioning the printing paper 23 on which an image has been formed in a predetermined unit, and specifically, is a colored paper, a tabbed paper, or the like.

The unit for partitioning the printing paper 23 can be set as appropriate. For example, it can be divided by the number of printed sheets, the number of copies, the unit of print job, the unit of user, the unit of user group, the unit of time, and the like.
When the printing paper 23 is partitioned by a predetermined unit by the separate paper 25, there are two major methods for conveying the separate paper 25. One is a method of conveying after the last printing paper 23 of a predetermined unit is sent out to the conveying path T, and the other is a method of conveying before the first printing paper 23 of a predetermined unit is sent out to the conveying path T. It is a method to do.

In the first embodiment, an example will be described in which the print paper 23 is divided in units of print jobs, and the separation paper 25 is conveyed after the last print paper 23 of one print job is sent to the conveyance path T. “After the last print sheet 23 of one print job has been sent out to the transport path T” is an example of “a discharge condition for discharging a separate medium”.

(5) Separation Paper Transport Control FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of separation paper transport control. When the last print sheet 23 of one print job is sent to the transport path T, the CPU 60A determines that the discharge condition is satisfied and starts this processing.

Here, in FIG. 4, the conveyance of the printing paper 23 is omitted for easy understanding. Since the transport of the separate paper 25 is started without waiting for the printing on the print paper 23 transported before the separate paper 25 to be completed, the separate paper 25 is sent to the transport path T in the flowchart shown in FIG. Later, errors due to the printing paper 23 conveyed before the separating paper 25 may also occur.
In the first embodiment, an example of an error caused by the separate paper 25 is a separate paper jam (an example of a paper jam of a separate medium).

In S <b> 101, the CPU 60 </ b> A controls the stepping motor of the transport unit 30 to start transporting the separate paper 25.
In S102, the CPU 60A determines whether an error has occurred.
The error mentioned here is that the separate paper 25 is not in the separate paper storage unit 22, the separate paper jam occurs when the separate paper 25 is jammed, or the print paper 23 conveyed before the separate paper 25 is jammed. This includes printing paper jams, consumables running out of consumables before printing on the printing paper 23 conveyed before the separating paper 25 is completed.
If no error has occurred, the CPU 60A proceeds to S103, and if any of the errors described above has occurred, the CPU 60A proceeds to S104.

In S <b> 103, the CPU 60 </ b> A determines whether or not the separation paper 25 has been conveyed, in other words, whether or not the separation paper 25 has been discharged from the conveyance path T and stacked on the discharge tray 50. Specifically, it is determined that the conveyance is completed when the jam sensor 65 provided in the vicinity of the paper discharge tray 50 detects the passage of the separate paper 25. If the conveyance is completed, the CPU 64A ends the conveyance control of the separate paper 25. If not completed, the CPU 64A returns to S102 and repeats the process.
S104 is processing when it is determined in S102 that an error has occurred. In S104, the CPU 60A determines whether or not the error that has occurred is a separate paper jam. If the error is not a separate paper jam, in other words, if it is a separate paper out, a print paper jam, or a consumable, the process proceeds to S105. . On the other hand, if it is a separate paper jam, the CPU 60A proceeds to S106.

In S105, the CPU 60A executes normal error processing [1]. Details of the normal error processing [1] will be described later. When the normal error process [1] is completed, the CPU 60A returns to S102.
In S106, the CPU 60A displays on the display unit 63 an error message indicating that a separate paper jam has occurred. The error message may be notified to the user by voice, or may be displayed on the screen of the terminal device that has transmitted the print job being executed. The same applies to messages to be described later.

In S <b> 107, the CPU 60 </ b> A displays a message on the display unit 63 that instructs to remove all the paper remaining in the image forming apparatus 1.
In S <b> 108, the CPU 60 </ b> A determines whether or not there is an unprinted print sheet 23 that has not been printed yet among the print sheets 23 transported before the separate sheet 25.
As described above, the CPU 60A starts transporting the separate paper 25 without waiting for the printing on the print paper 23 transported before the separate paper 25 to be completed. Therefore, when a separate paper jam occurs, the transport path T There may be an unprinted printing paper 23 above.
If there is no unprinted printing paper 23, the CPU 60A proceeds to S109, and if present, proceeds to S110.

In S <b> 109, the CPU 60 </ b> A displays a message instructing to remove the printing paper 23 stacked on the paper discharge tray 50.
After displaying the message, the CPU 60A ends the process without re-transporting the separate paper 25. In other words, when “NO” is determined in S108, in other words, when the occurrence of the separation paper jam is detected after the printing on the printing paper 23 conveyed immediately before the separation paper 25 is completed, the separation paper jam is detected. After the cancellation, the CPU 60A ends the process without transporting a new separate sheet 25.
Accordingly, if “NO” is determined in S108, the next printing paper 23 is conveyed without the separation paper 25 being conveyed. The next printing paper 23 refers to the printing paper 23 on which printing is performed by the next printing job.

S110 is a process performed when it is determined in S108 that there is an unprinted print sheet 23. In S110, the CPU 60A determines whether or not the separate paper jam has been resolved.
Specifically, the CPU 60A determines whether all the printing paper 23 and the separation paper 25 on the transport path T have been removed based on the detection signal of the jam sensor 65. If the detection signals are not transmitted from all the jam sensors 65, the CPU 60A determines that all the separation paper 25 has been removed and the separation paper jam has been resolved, and proceeds to S111. If the separate paper jam has not been resolved, the CPU 60A repeats the process of S110 until the separate paper jam is resolved.

  In S <b> 111, the CPU 60 </ b> A controls the transport unit 30 to transport a new separate sheet 25 that replaces the removed separate sheet 25. Although omitted in the flowchart, it is assumed that the separation paper 25 is conveyed after a new printing paper 23 replacing the removed printing paper 23 is conveyed. When the new separate paper 25 is conveyed, the CPU 60A returns to S102.

(6) Normal error handling [1]
The normal error processing [1] is error processing when a printing paper jam, separation paper runs out, or consumables run out.

  When a printing paper jam occurs, the CPU 60A displays a message on the display unit 63 instructing to remove all the paper in the image forming apparatus 1. As a result, all the sheets on the transport path T including the separate sheet 25 being transported are removed by the user. When all the sheets are removed, the CPU 60A conveys a new print sheet 23 in order to reprint the image printed on the removed print sheet 23.

In this case, after the error is resolved, the image is reprinted on the printing paper 23, and the reprinted printing paper 23 is stacked on the paper discharge tray 50. For this reason, even if the user removes the print paper 23 from the paper discharge tray 50 when the error is resolved, the user does not transport the separate paper 25 stored in the separate paper storage unit 22. Thereafter, the print paper 23 of another print job to be printed is mixed.
For this reason, when a printing paper jam occurs, the CPU 60 </ b> A renews a new separation paper 25 stored in the separation paper storage unit 22 after the error is resolved and the printing paper 23 for reprinting is conveyed. Transport.

When the separation paper runs out, the conveyance of the printing paper 23 on the conveyance path T is resumed after the error is resolved. For this reason, even if the user removes the printing paper 23 from the paper discharge tray 50 when the error is resolved, the printing paper that has been resumed unless the separation paper 25 accommodated in the separation paper accommodation unit 22 is conveyed. 23 and the print paper 23 of another print job to be printed thereafter are mixed.
For this reason, when the separation sheet runs out, the control unit 60 conveys the separation sheet 25 stored in the separation sheet storage unit 22 after the error is resolved.

  When the consumables run out, the printing paper 23 and the separation paper 25 stop on the conveyance path T, and when the error is resolved, the printing paper 23 and the separation paper 25 stopped on the conveyance path T are conveyed. Resumed.

(7) Effects of the embodiment When a separation paper jam occurs after the printing on the printing paper 23 conveyed immediately before the separation paper 25 is completed, the user forms an image forming apparatus in order to perform the separation paper jam removal operation. Come to 1. At this time, the user knows that the cause of the error is a separate paper jam.
When the cause of the error is a separate paper jam, the user can recognize that the print paper 23 conveyed immediately before the separate paper 25 is the last print paper 23 of one print job.
For this reason, if the user is informed beforehand that a separate paper jam will not be re-conveyed thereafter, the user can form the print paper 23 loaded on the paper discharge tray 50 or form an image. If there is a print sheet 23 that has been completed but is still being conveyed, it is also removed.
According to the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, when the separation paper jam occurs after the image formation on the printing paper 23 conveyed immediately before the separation paper 25 is completed (in the case of “NO” in S108). After the separation paper jam is eliminated, the next printing paper 23 is conveyed without conveying the separation paper 25.
As a result, the separate paper 25 can be saved while preventing the print paper 23 printed based on different print jobs from being mixed.

  Further, according to the image forming apparatus 1, the error caused by the separate paper 25 is a separate paper jam. When a separate paper jam occurs, the user who has arrived at the image forming apparatus 1 to perform the separation paper jam removal operation removes the print paper 23 stacked on the paper discharge tray 50 or the printing is completed. However, if there is still the printing paper 23 in the middle of conveyance, it is removed so that the printing paper 23 to be partitioned by the separation paper 25 is not mixed even if the separation paper 25 is not conveyed. Can do.

  Further, according to the image forming apparatus 1, even when a separate paper jam is detected, printing on the print paper 23 conveyed before the separate paper 25 that caused the separate paper jam is not completed. In this case, since the separation paper 25 is conveyed after the separation paper jam is resolved, the printing paper 23 that has not been printed is printed and loaded on the paper discharge tray 50, and then the printing paper 23 is printed. And the print paper 23 of the next print job can be prevented from being mixed.

Further, according to the image forming apparatus 1, when the occurrence of the separation paper jam is detected after the printing on the printing paper 23 conveyed immediately before the separation paper 25 is completed, the printing stacked on the paper discharge tray 50 is performed. Since the user is instructed to remove the paper 23, it is possible to more reliably reduce the mixing of the printing paper 23 to be partitioned by the separate paper 25.

<Embodiment 2>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the second embodiment, it is assumed that the print paper 23 is divided in units of users, and when a print job of a new user different from the user of the print job is executed after the print job executed immediately before is normally completed, the first printing is performed. An example in which the separate paper 25 is transported before the paper 23 is transported will be described. “When a new user print job is executed and before the first print sheet 23 is conveyed” is an example of “a discharge condition for discharging a separate medium”.

By the way, when the separate paper 25 is transported before the first printing paper 23 is transported, an error may be detected before the transport of the separate paper 25 is started.
Specifically, the errors that can be detected before the separation paper 25 is transported are, for example, the separation paper, the printing paper, the consumables, and the like.

  For example, if the previous user's print job ended normally, but the separation paper 25 conveyed before the print job was the last separation paper 25, the separation paper is cut before starting the separation paper 25 conveyance. It can be detected. The separation paper breakage is an error caused by the separation paper 25 and an error that can be detected before the conveyance of the separation paper 25 is started.

Further, when the print job of the previous user has been completed normally, but the print paper 23 has run out due to the printing, it is possible to detect that the print paper has run out before the transport of the separate paper 25 is started.
The same applies to out-of-consumables. If the previous user's print job ended normally, but the remaining amount of consumables has reached a predetermined amount due to the printing, the consumables will run out before the transport of the separate paper 25 is started. Can be detected.

  When these errors are detected, the user comes to the image forming apparatus 1 to eliminate the errors. Therefore, when these errors are detected before the separation paper 25 is started to be transported, the CPU 60A according to the second embodiment does not transport the separation paper 25 after the error is resolved in order to save the separation paper 25. .

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of separation paper conveyance control according to the second embodiment. This process is started when execution of the print job is started.
Here, in FIG. 5, the conveyance of the printing paper 23 is omitted for easy understanding. Since the conveyance of the printing paper 23 is started without waiting for the conveyance of the separation paper 25 conveyed before the printing paper 23 to be completed, printing is performed before the conveyance of the separation paper 25 is completed in the flowchart shown in FIG. Errors due to the paper 23 can also occur.

  Further, in the second embodiment, as an error caused by the separate paper 25, a separate paper jam and a separate paper break will be described as an example. In the second embodiment, the jam sensor 65 and the separate paper sensor 67 are examples of the error detection unit.

In S201, the CPU 60A determines whether or not the user who transmitted the print job instructed to execute is the same as the user who transmitted the print job executed immediately before. If not, the process proceeds to S202. If there is, the separation paper conveyance control is terminated.
In S202, the CPU 60A determines whether or not there is a separate paper 25 in the separate paper storage unit 22, and if there is a separate paper 25, the process proceeds to S203, and if there is no separate paper 25, the process proceeds to S206.

In S203, the CPU 60A determines whether there are various consumables. If all the consumables are present, the process proceeds to S204, and if any one of the consumables is not present, the process proceeds to S206.
In S204, the CPU 60A determines whether or not there is the printing paper 23 in the printing paper storage unit 21, and if there is, proceeds to S205, otherwise proceeds to S206.

In S <b> 205, the CPU 60 </ b> A controls the transport unit 30 to start transporting the separate paper 25.
In S <b> 206, the CPU 60 </ b> A displays an error message on the display unit 63 informing the user of the error that has occurred.

In S <b> 207, the CPU 60 </ b> A displays a message for instructing to remove the printing paper 23 stacked on the paper discharge tray 50 on the display unit 63.
In S208, the CPU 60A receives the user information of the user who transmitted the print job executed immediately before (an example of “user information associated with print data in which an image is formed on a sheet-like medium immediately before print data”). It is displayed on the display unit 63.

In S209, the CPU 60A determines whether or not the error has been canceled, and ends the process when the error is resolved.
As described above, when the error is resolved, the CPU 60A ends the process instead of proceeding to S205. For this reason, when the above-described error occurs before the transport of the separate paper 25 is started, the transport of the separate paper 25 is not started.
In S210, the CPU 60A executes “error control processing after starting separation paper conveyance”.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of error control processing after starting the separation paper conveyance. Here, substantially the same processes as those shown in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  In S301, the CPU 60A executes normal error processing [2]. Since the normal error processing [2] is substantially the same as the normal error processing [1] except that the transport order of the separate paper 25 and the printing paper 23 is reversed, detailed description is omitted. To do.

According to the image forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment described above, the user is informed in advance that the separate paper 25 is not conveyed when an error occurs before the separation paper 25 is conveyed. When the user arrives at the image forming apparatus 1 in order to eliminate the error, the printing paper 23 loaded on the paper discharge tray 50 is removed by the user.
Accordingly, even if the separate paper 25 is not transported, the separate paper 25 can be saved while preventing the print paper 23 to be partitioned by the separate paper 25 from being mixed.

  Further, according to the image forming apparatus 1, the error that occurs before the separation paper 25 is transported is out of separation paper, printing paper, or consumables. When the separation paper, the printing paper, the consumables, etc. occur, the user who has come to the image forming apparatus 1 to perform the error elimination work removes the printing paper 23 loaded on the paper discharge tray 50. Even if the separate paper 25 is not transported, the print paper 23 to be partitioned by the separate paper 25 can be prevented from being mixed.

  Furthermore, according to the image forming apparatus 1, if the occurrence of the above-described error is detected before the conveyance of the separate paper 25 is started, the user is instructed to remove the print paper 23 stacked on the paper discharge tray 50. Further, the mixing of the printing paper 23 to be partitioned by the separate paper 25 can be more reliably reduced.

  Further, according to the image forming apparatus 1, the user information of the user who transmitted the print job executed immediately before is displayed, so that the user who transmitted the print job generates an error before the separation paper 25 starts to be conveyed. In this case, it is possible to know to which user the printing paper 23 loaded on the paper discharge tray 50 should be delivered.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  (1) In the first embodiment, the case where the separation paper 25 starts to be conveyed without waiting for the printing on the printing paper 23 conveyed just before the separation paper 25 is described as an example. The conveyance of the separation paper 25 may be started after the conveyance of the printing paper 23 is completed. In this case, when the separation paper 25 is transported, the separation of the separation paper 25 is detected. Therefore, since the transport of the printing paper 23 is completed, the separation paper 25 may not be transported after the separation paper is eliminated. .

  (2) In the above embodiment, when the printing on the printing paper 23 conveyed before the separation paper 25 that caused the separation paper jam is not completed, the separation medium is conveyed after the separation paper jam is resolved. However, even in this case, the separate paper 25 may not be conveyed. In this case, the printing paper 23 that has been printed can be sorted without transporting the separate paper 25. Note that the printing paper 23 that has not been printed is printed again and stacked on the paper discharge tray 50, and then the user himself / herself sorts the printing paper 23 visually.

  (3) In the above embodiment, when a separate paper jam occurs, a message for instructing the user to remove the print paper 23 loaded on the arrangement tray is displayed. However, this message may not be displayed. This is because when a separate paper jam occurs, the user knows that this is a break between the previous print job and the next print job. In this case, if the user is informed beforehand that the separation paper 25 is not conveyed when the separation paper jam occurs, the printing paper 23 loaded on the paper discharge tray 50 is removed by the user, so that the separation paper is separated. It is possible to prevent the printing paper 23 to be partitioned by 25 from being mixed.

  (4) In the above embodiment, the case where the jam sensor 65 and the separate paper sensor 67 are separately provided has been described as an example, but the presence or absence of the separate paper 25 may be detected by the jam sensor 65. Specifically, if the separation paper 25 is not detected within a predetermined time by the first jam sensor 65 after the conveyance of the separation paper 25 is started, it may be determined that the separation paper has run out. In this case, in the second embodiment, the separation paper breakage is detected after the conveyance of the separation paper 25 is started.

  (5) In the above embodiment, the case where the printing paper 23 and the separation paper 25 share a part of the same conveyance path T has been described as an example. However, the printing paper 23 and the separation paper 25 are along different conveyance paths. May be conveyed.

(6) In the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus that prints an image on the printing paper 23 by the electrophotographic method has been described as an example. However, the image forming apparatus may print an image by the ink jet method.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 21 ... Printing paper tray, 22 ... Separate paper tray, 23 ... Printing paper, 24 ... Separate paper, 30 ... Conveying part, 40 ... Image Forming unit, 44... Fixing unit, 50... Discharge tray, 60... Control unit, 63 .. display unit, 100.・ Developing roller, 104 ... photosensitive member, T ... conveying path

Claims (7)

A sheet-like medium accommodating portion for accommodating a sheet-like medium on which an image is formed;
A separate medium storage unit for storing a separate medium for partitioning the sheet-like medium after the image is formed;
A discharge condition determination unit that determines whether a discharge condition for discharging the separate medium is satisfied;
A transport unit that transports the sheet medium and transports the separate medium every time the discharge condition determination unit determines that the discharge condition is satisfied;
An image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet-like medium conveyed by the conveying unit;
A stacking unit on which the sheet-like medium conveyed by the conveying unit and the separate medium are stacked;
An error detection unit for detecting occurrence of an error caused by the separate medium;
With
The transport unit is
When the occurrence of the error is detected by the error detection unit after the formation of an image on the sheet-like medium transported immediately before the separate medium is completed, the separation medium is removed after the error is eliminated. Transport the next sheet-like medium without transporting,
If the occurrence of the error is detected by the error detection unit before the formation of the image on the sheet-like medium conveyed immediately before the separate medium is completed, the separate medium is removed after the error is eliminated. Transport the next sheet-like medium after transporting
An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the error is a paper jam of the separate medium or the separate medium is out. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 2 , wherein
The sheet-like medium stacked on the stacking unit when the error detection unit detects the occurrence of the error after the formation of an image on the sheet-like medium conveyed immediately before the separate medium is completed. An image forming apparatus comprising an error notification unit that notifies a user of a message to remove the image. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet-like medium,
A sheet-like medium accommodating portion for accommodating a sheet-like medium on which an image is formed;
A separate medium storage unit for storing a separate medium for partitioning the sheet-like medium after the image is formed;
A discharge condition determination unit that determines whether a discharge condition for discharging the separate medium is satisfied;
A transport unit that transports the sheet medium and transports the separate medium every time the discharge condition determination unit determines that the discharge condition is satisfied;
An image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet-like medium conveyed by the conveying unit;
A stacking unit on which the sheet-like medium conveyed by the conveying unit and the separate medium are stacked;
An error detection unit that detects the occurrence of an error in the image forming apparatus after the formation of an image on the sheet-like medium conveyed immediately before the separate medium is completed and before the conveyance of the separate medium is started;
An error notifying unit for notifying the user that the error has occurred when the error detecting unit detects the occurrence of the error before starting the transport of the separate medium;
With
When the occurrence of the error is detected, the transport unit transports the next sheet-shaped medium without transporting the separate medium after the error is resolved. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 ,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the error is out of the separate medium, the sheet-like medium, or the consumable used by the image forming unit to form an image on the sheet-like medium. An image forming apparatus according to claim 4 or claim 5,
The error notification unit further notifies a message instructing a user to remove the sheet-like medium stacked on the stacking unit. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6,
An input unit for inputting print data associated with user information;
The image forming unit forms an image on the sheet-like medium based on the print data,
The transport unit transports the separate medium before an image is formed on the sheet-like medium based on the print data,
The error notification unit further notifies user information associated with the print data in which an image is formed on the sheet-like medium immediately before the print data.

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