JP6024096B2 - Image forming apparatus and image forming method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method.

  2. Description of the Related Art As an image forming apparatus that forms an image on continuous paper such as roll paper, an apparatus including an automatic conveyance path, a manual conveyance path, and a common conveyance path is known. The automatic conveyance path is a conveyance path that conveys roll paper stored in a medium storage unit provided in the image forming apparatus. The manual feed path is a transport path that transports roll paper stored in a manual feed section provided outside the image forming apparatus. The common conveyance path is a conveyance path for conveying the roll paper supplied from the automatic conveyance path and the manual conveyance path to the image forming unit.

  For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151858 discloses that when print data is input, paper is not detected on the common conveyance path and a manual feed instruction is given, the paper is conveyed on the manual conveyance path. . Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses that when print data is input, if a sheet is not detected on the common conveyance path and a manual feed instruction is not given, the sheet is conveyed on the automatic conveyance path. .

  Also, in such an image forming apparatus, a technique for reducing the transport time at the start of printing by stopping the end of the roll paper at the standby position upstream of the image forming unit on the common transport path in the transport direction has been studied. ing.

  As described above, it is possible to shorten the transport time at the start of printing by stopping the end of the roll paper at the standby position upstream of the image forming unit on the common transport path in the transport direction. When forming images on continuous paper such as roll paper that has been transported from the differential transport path, what type of continuous paper should be set and where the user can secure the transport path for the manual transport path It was difficult to present.

  The present invention secures a conveyance path of the recording medium from the manual feed container to the image forming unit when the supply of the recording medium from the manual feed container is instructed, and transfers the recording medium to the manual feed container. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method for presenting information for prompting accommodation.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a first conveying unit, a second conveying unit, a third conveying unit, a receiving unit, an image forming unit, a detecting unit, and a conveying unit. A control means, a presentation means, and an execution means are provided. The first transport unit transports the first recording medium from the medium storage unit along the first transport path. The second transport unit transports the second recording medium from the manual feed container along the second transport path. The third transport means is configured to move the first transport path along a third transport path provided downstream from the first transport path and the second transport path in the transport direction of the first recording medium and the second recording medium. The recording medium or the second recording medium is conveyed. The receiving means includes storage unit designation information indicating the medium storage unit or the manual storage unit, type information indicating the type of the second recording medium stored in the manual storage unit, and image data to be printed. Accept print data. The image forming unit forms an image of the image data on the first recording medium or the second recording medium conveyed along the third conveyance path. The detection unit detects whether or not the first recording medium is located at a predetermined first standby position on the third conveyance path, upstream of the image forming unit in the conveyance direction. The transport control unit is configured to detect the first recording medium when the storage unit designation information indicates the manual-feed storage unit and the detection unit detects that the first recording medium is positioned at the first standby position. The third transport unit and the first transport unit are controlled so that one recording medium is retracted to a predetermined second standby position on the first transport path. The presenting means inputs an input screen for inputting type information indicating the type of the second recording medium to be accommodated in the manual feed accommodating unit, and the second recording medium according to the type information to the manual error accommodating unit. and information indicating that the houses, presents a. The execution means, when the input of the type information to the input screen and the storage of the second recording medium in the manual feed storage unit are completed, form the image of the image data on the second recording medium. The image forming unit is caused to execute.

The image forming method of the present invention is an image forming method executed by an image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus transports a first recording medium from a medium accommodating portion along a first transport path. Means, a second transport means for transporting the second recording medium from the manual feed section along the second transport path, and the first recording medium and the second recording from the first transport path and the second transport path. And third conveying means for conveying the first recording medium or the second recording medium along a third conveying path provided on the downstream side in the medium conveying direction. In addition, the image forming method includes: storage unit designation information indicating the medium storage unit or the manual storage unit; type information indicating a type of the second recording medium stored in the manual storage unit; and an image to be printed Receiving print data including data, forming an image of the image data on the first recording medium or the second recording medium conveyed on the third conveyance path, and on the third conveyance path Detecting whether or not the first recording medium is positioned at a predetermined first standby position upstream of the image forming unit in the transport direction, and the storage unit designation information is the manual error. The first recording medium is set in advance on the first transport path when the first detection means indicates that the first recording medium is located at the standby position by the first detection means. Second standby position In the step of controlling the third conveyor means and said first conveying means to retract, an input screen for inputting the type information indicating the type of the second recording medium accommodated in the manual receiving unit, and presenting a information indicating that accommodates the second recording medium in accordance with the type information to the manual accommodating portion, the to enter the manual accommodating portion of the type information with respect to the input screen A step of forming an image of the image data on the second recording medium when the accommodation of the second recording medium is completed .

  According to the present invention, when the supply of the recording medium from the manual feed container is instructed, the conveyance path of the recording medium from the manual feed container to the image forming unit is secured and the recording to the manual feed container is performed. There is an effect that it is possible to present information that prompts accommodation of the medium.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the printer engine. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the controller. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the image forming process.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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

  The image forming system according to the present embodiment includes a host PC (Personal Computer) 20 and an image forming apparatus 10. The host PC 20 and the image forming apparatus 10 are connected via a communication line such as a network.

  The host PC 20 is a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The host PC 20 generates print data and outputs it to the image forming apparatus 10.

  The print data includes image data to be printed, type information indicating the type of continuous paper forming an image of the image data, and storage unit designation information. The continuous paper is a recording medium that is continuous in the transport direction. Examples of the continuous paper include roll paper that is rolled up and accommodated, and continuous paper that is accommodated while being folded at predetermined intervals. In this embodiment, the case of using continuous paper, which is a recording medium continuous in the transport direction, is described, but a non-continuous recording medium may be used in the transport direction.

  The storage unit designation information is information indicating a storage unit that stores continuous paper. Specifically, the storage unit designation information indicates a medium storage unit or a manual storage unit described later. The details of these accommodating portions will be described later. The type information is information that can identify the continuous paper to be image formed, such as the paper width and other sizes of the continuous paper to be image formed, the paper type, and the paper thickness.

  The host PC 20 generates print data according to the user's specification by a known print program installed in advance in the host PC 20. In the host PC 20, the storage unit designation information, the image data to be printed, and the type information are, for example, stored in the display unit (not shown) of the host PC 20 with the storage unit designation information, the image data to be printed, and the type information. Displays an input screen for instructions. Then, when an operation unit such as a keyboard (not shown) of the host PC 20 is instructed by the user, accommodation unit designation information, image data, and type information are input to the host PC 20. The host PC 20 generates print data by a known print data generation program based on the input information.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes an external memory 42, an operation panel 44, a controller 30, and a printer engine 40.

  The external memory 42 is a device that stores various data. Examples of the external memory 42 include an SD (Secure Digital) memory card, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, and an HDD (Hard disk drive).

  The operation panel 44 displays various types of information such as information (details will be described later) that prompt the user to store the second continuous paper in the manual sheet storage unit, and receives various operation inputs from the user. Examples of the operation panel 44 include a configuration including a display unit that displays various information, an operation unit, and the like, and a touch panel that receives display and operation inputs. Examples of the display unit include known display devices such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). Examples of the operation unit include voice recognition using a microphone, buttons, and a keyboard.

  The controller 30 controls each part of the main body of the image forming apparatus 10. The controller 30 analyzes the image data included in the print data received from the host PC 20, converts it into a format that can be processed by the printer engine 40, and outputs it to the printer engine 40. In addition, the controller 30 controls the conveyance of the continuous paper for image formation (details will be described later).

  The controller 30 includes a network I / F 31, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 33, an external device I / F 35, a panel I / F 37, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 32, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 34, and an NV (Non Volatile) −. A RAM 36 and an engine I / F 38 are provided. Note that these modules constituting the controller 30 are connected via a bus.

  The network I / F 31 is an interface for transmitting and receiving various signals and various data between the host PC 20 and the controller 30. Specifically, the network I / F 31 receives print data from the host PC 20. The external device I / F 35 is an interface for exchanging data and signals between the external memory 42 and the controller 30. The panel I / F 37 is an interface for exchanging data and signals between the operation panel 44 and the controller 30.

  The CPU 32 controls each module of the controller 30. The ROM 33 stores a print program for executing an image forming process, which will be described later, various programs, and various data. The RAM 34 temporarily stores various data. The NV-RAM 36 is a non-volatile RAM for storing data to be retained even when the power is turned off. The engine I / F 38 controls the printer engine 40 based on the control of the CPU 32.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the printer engine 40.

  The printer engine 40 forms an image on continuous paper based on the image data received from the controller 30.

  The printer engine 40 includes a medium storage unit 60 and a manual feed storage unit 58. The medium storage unit 60 stores continuous paper in a fixed state in the printer engine 40. The manual feed container 58 is a container that stores continuous paper supplied from the outside of the printer engine 40.

  In the following, the continuous paper stored in the medium storage unit 60 will be described as the first continuous paper 64. In the following, the continuous paper stored in the manual paper supply unit 58 will be described as the second continuous paper 62. The first continuous paper 64 and the second continuous paper 62 are accommodated in each of the medium accommodation portion 60 and the manual feed accommodation portion 58 in a state of being wound in a roll shape or being bent at predetermined intervals. The In the present embodiment, the first continuous paper 64 and the second continuous paper 62 are stored in a roll shape, and the medium storage unit 60 and the manual feed storage unit 58 are circles that function as central axes of the rotation centers of these continuous papers. The case where it is configured as a columnar support member is shown in FIG. However, the medium storage unit 60 and the manual paper supply unit 58 may have any configuration as long as they can store the first continuous paper 64 and the second continuous paper 62 and supply the continuous paper to each conveyance path described later. The configuration is not limited to a cylindrical shape. For example, as the medium storage unit 60 and the manual feed unit 58, a housing that holds the first continuous paper 64 and the second continuous paper 62 inside, or the first continuous paper 64 and the second continuous paper 62 on the main body. The plate-shaped member to mount may be sufficient.

  The printer engine 40 may be configured to include a plurality of medium accommodating units 60. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, a configuration including a medium storage unit 60A and a medium storage unit 60B may be used. In the present specification, when the medium storage unit 60A and the medium storage unit 60B are described generically, they are referred to as the medium storage unit 60.

  The printer engine 40 includes a plurality of conveyance paths. Specifically, the printer engine 40 includes a first transport path 52, a second transport path 50, and a third transport path 54. The first transport path 52 is a transport path for transporting the first continuous paper 64 stored in the medium storage unit 60. The second transport path 50 is a transport path for transporting the second continuous paper 62 accommodated in the manual paper feed portion 58.

  The third transport path 54 is a transport path capable of transporting both the first continuous paper 64 and the second continuous paper 62. The third transport path 54 is transported from the second transport path 50 and the first transport path 52 in the transport direction of the continuous paper (the first continuous paper 64 and the second continuous paper 62) (the arrow A direction and the arrow B direction in FIG. 2). (Refer to) Downstream side. In other words, the first continuous paper 64 that has been transported from the medium storage unit 60 via the first transport path 52 and the second transport path 50 are transported to the third transport path 54 via the second transport path 50. Both of the second continuous sheets 62 are supplied.

  The first transport path 52 is provided with first transport sections 68 </ b> E to 68 </ b> L that transport the first continuous paper 64 supplied from the medium storage section 60 along the first transport path 52. The first transport units 68 </ b> E to 68 </ b> L are provided along the first transport path 52, and transport the first continuous paper 64 along the first transport path 52 under the control of the controller 30.

  The first transport path 52 is provided with sensors 70F to 70L for detecting the first continuous paper 64 for each region obtained by dividing the first transport path 52 into a plurality of regions. In the present embodiment, the sensor 70L detects whether or not the first continuous paper 64 is present in the region closest to the third transport path 54 on the first transport path 52. The sensor 70J and the sensor 70K are provided upstream of the area in the transport direction of the first continuous paper 64, and detect whether or not the first continuous paper 64 is positioned at the paper feed standby position E. Sensors 70F to 70I are provided on the upstream side in the transport direction from the paper feed standby position E, and detect whether or not the first continuous paper 64 is located at the paper feed start position D.

  The second transport path 50 is provided with a second transport section 68 </ b> A that transports the second continuous paper 62 supplied from the manual paper feed section 58 along the second transport path 50. The second transport unit 68 </ b> A is provided along the second transport path 50, and transports the second continuous paper 62 along the second transport path 50 under the control of the controller 30.

  In addition, a sensor 70 </ b> A for detecting whether or not the second continuous paper 62 is accommodated in the manual feed accommodation portion 58 is provided in the manual feed accommodation portion 58.

  In the third transport path 54, third transport sections 68B to 68D that transport the second continuous paper 62 or the first continuous paper 64 along the third transport path 54 are provided. The third transport units 68 </ b> B to 68 </ b> D are provided along the third transport path 54, and transport the first continuous paper 64 or the second continuous paper 62 along the third transport path 54 under the control of the controller 30. .

  The third transport path 54 is provided with an image forming unit 66 that forms an image on the first continuous paper 64 or the second continuous paper 62. The image forming unit 66 may have a known configuration that forms an image on the first continuous paper 64 or the second continuous paper 62. Examples of the image forming unit 66 include an ink jet recording apparatus and an electrophotographic recording apparatus. The image forming unit 66 receives image data from the controller 30 and forms an image of the received image data on the second continuous paper 62 or the first continuous paper 64.

  A sensor 70C and a sensor 70B are provided on the upstream side of the transport direction (see the arrow C direction in FIG. 2) of the second continuous paper 62 and the first continuous paper 64 from the image forming unit 66 in the third transport path 54. It has been. The sensors 70C and 70B are configured to determine whether the second continuous paper 62 or the first continuous paper 64 is positioned at the standby position F upstream of the image forming unit 66 in the third transport path 54 in the transport direction (arrow C direction). To detect. A sensor 70 </ b> D is provided at a position where the image forming unit 66 is provided in the third conveyance path 54. The sensor 70 </ b> D detects whether the first continuous paper 64 or the second continuous paper 62 is located at a position where an image is formed by the image forming unit 66.

  A cutting unit 76 for cutting the first continuous paper 64 or the second continuous paper 62 is provided downstream of the image forming unit 66 in the third transport path 54 in the transport direction (arrow C direction). An example of the cutting unit 76 is a cutter.

  In addition, a sensor 70E is provided in the third transport path 54 on the downstream side in the transport direction (arrow C direction) from the cutting unit 76. The sensor 70E detects whether the first continuous paper 64 or the second continuous paper 62 is positioned on the downstream side.

  A cover 72 supported by a support portion 74 is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction (arrow C direction) from the third transport path 54.

  The printer engine 40 is provided with an image reading unit 56. The image reading unit 56 has a known scanner function, reads an image formed on a recording medium mounted on a mounting table (not shown), and outputs image data of the read image to the controller 30.

  In the printer engine 40 configured as described above, the first continuous paper 64 stored in the medium storage unit 60 is transported along the first transport path 52 by the first transport units 68E to 68L. Then, the first continuous paper 64 is transported along the third transport path 54 by the third transport units 68B to 68D, is image-formed by the image forming unit 66, and is then cut by the cutting unit 76. Is discharged.

  Further, in the printer engine 40, the second continuous paper 62 accommodated in the manual feed accommodating portion 58 is conveyed along the second conveyance path 50 by the second conveyance portion 68A. Then, the second continuous paper 62 is transported along the third transport path 54 by the third transport units 68B to 68D, and after the image is formed by the image forming unit 66, the second continuous paper 62 is cut by the cutting unit 76. Is discharged.

  In the printer engine 40, after the image forming process of the image data by the image forming unit 66, the first continuous paper 64 is put on standby so that the leading end portion in the transport direction of the first continuous paper 64 is positioned at the standby position F. For this reason, the image forming apparatus 10 can reduce the image forming time.

  Here, the image forming time can be shortened by waiting the first continuous paper 64 at the standby position F. However, in the case of forming an image on the second continuous paper 62 of the manual feed portion 58, Since the continuous paper for image formation is different, the transport path for the second continuous paper 62 is not secured, and an error message may be displayed on the operation panel 44.

  Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the controller 30 executes a specific image forming process described later.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the controller 30 in the image forming apparatus 10. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the controller 30 includes an analysis unit 80, a determination unit 82, a detection unit 84, a conveyance control unit 86, a display control unit 88, and a print control unit 89.

  The analysis unit 80 analyzes the print data received from the host PC 20. The determination unit 82 reads the storage unit designation information included in the print data, and determines whether the storage unit designation information is information indicating a manual feed storage unit or information indicating a medium storage unit. The detection unit 84 receives detection signals from the sensors 70A to 70L provided in the printer engine 40 and identification signals of the sensors 70A to 70L. The detection unit 84 detects the positions of the second continuous paper 62 and the first continuous paper 64 by receiving identification signals and detection signals from the sensors 70 </ b> A to 70 </ b> L. Note that the sensors 70 </ b> A to 70 </ b> L are collectively referred to as the sensor 70.

  The conveyance control unit 86 controls each of the second conveyance unit 68A, the third conveyance units 68B to 68D, and the first conveyance units 68E to 68L provided in the printer engine 40. Accordingly, the conveyance control unit 86 controls the conveyance of the second continuous paper 62 and the first continuous paper 64. The display control unit 88 displays various information on the operation panel 44. The print control unit 89 controls the image forming unit 66 to form an image according to the image data.

  Next, an image forming process executed by the controller 30 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of image forming processing executed by the controller 30.

  First, the analysis unit 80 determines whether print data has been received from the host PC 20 (step S100). If an affirmative determination is made in step S100 (step S100: Yes), the analysis unit 80 analyzes the received print data (step S102).

  Next, the determination unit 82 reads the storage unit designation information included in the print data analyzed by the analysis unit 80 (step S104), and determines whether or not the storage unit designation information is information indicating a manual storage unit. (Step S106).

  When an affirmative determination is made in step S106 (step S106: Yes), the detection unit 84 determines whether or not the leading end position in the transport direction of the first continuous paper 64 is located at the standby position F (step S108). The detection unit 84 receives a detection signal and identification information of each sensor 70 from each sensor 70, and receives a detection signal indicating detection of the first continuous paper 64 from any of the sensors 70 provided in the first transport path 52. What is necessary is just to affirmatively determine in step S108, when the detection signal which shows a detection is received from the sensor 70B and sensor 70C which were provided in the 3rd conveyance path | route 54. FIG.

  If the detection unit 84 makes a negative determination in step S108 (step S108: No), the process proceeds to step S114 described later. On the other hand, when the detection unit 84 makes a positive determination in step S108 (step S108: Yes), the process proceeds to step S110.

  Next, the conveyance control unit 86 outputs a reverse conveyance instruction signal to the paper feed standby position E to the third conveyance unit 68B and the first conveyance units 68E to 68L (step S110).

  The third transport unit 68B and the first transport units 68E to 68L that have received the reverse transport instruction signal up to the paper feed standby position E are the first in the transport direction of the continuous paper (the arrow C direction and the arrow A direction in FIG. 2). The first continuous paper 64 is transported in the direction opposite to the transport direction when the continuous paper 64 is transported. For this reason, the first continuous paper 64 is transported backward so that the first continuous paper 64 positioned at the standby position F is positioned in the first transport path 52 upstream of the third transport path 54 in the transport direction. The

  And the detection part 84 repeats negative determination until it judges that the reverse conveyance of the 1st continuous paper 64 was completed (step S112: No), and if it judges that the reverse conveyance was completed (step S112: Yes), conveyance control will be carried out. The unit 86 outputs a conveyance stop signal to the third conveyance unit 68B and the first conveyance units 68E to 68L.

  In the detection unit 84, the detection signal received from the sensor 70C, the sensor 70B, and the sensor 70L is a signal indicating non-detection of the continuous paper (first continuous paper 64), and the detection signal received from the sensor 70J or the sensor 70K. Is a signal indicating the detection of continuous paper (first continuous paper 64), an affirmative determination may be made in step S112.

  Next, the display control unit 88 displays an input screen for inputting the type information of the second continuous paper 62 and a storage instruction image for prompting the second continuous paper 62 to be stored in the manual feed storage unit 58 on the operation panel 44. It is displayed (step S114). The input screen for inputting the type information of the second continuous paper 62 is an input screen in which an input field for the type information of the second continuous paper 62 is provided. It is a screen in which type information can be input. The input screen information of this input screen may be stored in advance in the NV-RAM 36 of the controller 30, for example. Further, the data of the storage instruction image that prompts the second continuous paper 62 to be stored in the manual paper supply portion 58 may be stored in advance in the NV-RAM 36 of the controller 30, for example.

  Note that the accommodation instruction image indicating the instruction for accommodation of the second continuous paper 62 in the manual feed accommodation unit 58 may be an image including a message for prompting the accommodation instruction of the second continuous paper 62 in the manual feed accommodation unit 58.

  Next, the display control unit 88 repeats negative determination until the type information is input (until the input is completed) according to the operation instruction of the operation panel 44 by the user (step S116: No). If an affirmative determination is made in step S116 (step S116: Yes), the process proceeds to step S118.

  Next, a negative determination is repeated until the detection unit 84 determines that the second continuous paper 62 has been stored in the manual paper supply unit 58 (step S118: No). Then, when it is determined that the second continuous paper 62 is already stored in the manual-feed storing unit 58 (step S118: Yes), the process proceeds to step S120. Note that the detection unit 84 may perform the determination in step S118 by determining whether a detection signal indicating the detection of the second continuous paper 62 is received from the sensor 70A.

  Next, the transport control unit 86 outputs a transport instruction signal indicating a transport instruction of the second continuous paper 62 from the manual paper storage unit 58 to the standby position F to the second transport unit 68A and the third transport unit 68B (step S1). S120). When the transport instruction is received, the second transport unit 68 </ b> A transports the second continuous paper 62 stored in the manual sheet storage unit 58 along the second transport path 50. The third transport unit 68 </ b> B transports the second continuous paper 62 that has been transported through the second transport path 50 and reaches the third transport path 54 along the third transport path 54.

  Next, the print control unit 89 executes an image forming process by outputting a print instruction to the printer engine 40 (step S122). Specifically, the print control unit 89 outputs an image formation instruction for the image data included in the print data received in step S100 to the image forming unit 66, and outputs a conveyance instruction signal to the third conveyance units 68B to 68D. . As a result, the image forming unit 66 forms an image on the second continuous paper 62 or the first continuous paper 64 that is transported along the third transport path 54.

  Note that the process of step S122 is continuously performed until the image formation of the image data received in step S100 is completed.

  When the image forming process in step S122 ends, the conveyance control unit 86 outputs a conveyance instruction signal indicating an instruction to convey the first continuous paper 64 from the medium storage unit 60A or the medium storage unit 60B to the standby position F (step S124). ), This routine is terminated. Specifically, the conveyance control unit 86 sends the conveyance instruction signal to the third conveyance unit 68B, the first conveyance units 68E, 68F, 68G, and 68H, or the third conveyance unit 68B, the first conveyance units 68E, 68L. , 68K, 68J, and 68I.

  The third transport unit 68B, the first transport unit 68E, 68F, 68G, and 68H that received the transport instruction signal, or the third transport unit 68B, the first transport unit 68E, 68L, 68K, 68J, and 68I, The first continuous paper 64 stored in the medium storage unit 60A or the medium storage unit 60B is transported to the standby position F.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S100 (step S100: No), the process proceeds to step S126, and it is determined whether storage unit designation information indicating a manual storage unit is received from the operation panel 44 (step S126). . If a positive determination is made in step S126, the process proceeds to step S108. Note that the image data used in the image forming process performed in step S122 after an affirmative determination in step S126 may be image data read by the image reading unit 56, or image data included in the print data received last time. There may be.

  If a negative determination is made in step S126 (step S126: No) and a negative determination is made in step S106 (step S106: No), the process proceeds to step S128. In step S128, similarly to step S124, the transport control unit 86 outputs a transport instruction signal indicating a transport instruction of the first continuous paper 64 from the medium storage unit 60A or the medium storage unit 60B to the standby position F (step S128). S128). Then, the process proceeds to step S122.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, when the storage unit designation information included in the print data indicates a manual storage unit, or when the storage unit specification information indicating the manual storage unit is received. In this case, the first continuous paper 64 positioned at the standby position F is transported backward to the first transport path 52 upstream of the third transport path 54 in the transport direction. In this case, in the image forming apparatus 10, an image that prompts the second continuous paper 62 to be stored in the manual paper supply portion 58 is displayed on the operation panel 44.

  For this reason, in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, when the manual feed accommodating portion 58 is instructed, the conveyance path of the second continuous paper 62 to the image forming portion 66 is secured, and the manual feed accommodating portion. The information prompting the storage of the second continuous paper 62 can be presented to 58.

  The image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment has a hardware configuration using a normal computer.

  A program for executing the image forming process executed by the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment is a file in an installable format or an executable format, and is a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, DVD. (Digital Versatile Disk) or the like recorded on a computer-readable recording medium.

  Also, a program for executing the image forming process executed by the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment is stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. It may be configured. Further, a program for executing each of the image forming processes executed by the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  In addition, a program for executing each of the image forming processes executed by the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment may be configured to be provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  Note that the controller 30 of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes functional units (analyzing unit 80, determining unit 82, detecting unit 84, transport control unit 86, display control unit 88, and the like) for executing the above-described image forming process. And a print control unit 89). As actual hardware, the CPU (processor) reads out and executes a program for executing image forming processing from the storage medium, and executes the above functions. Are loaded on the main storage device and generated on the main storage device.

  In addition, although several embodiment of this invention was described above, these embodiment is shown as an example and is not intending limiting the range of invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which information for prompting the second continuous paper 62 to be stored in the manual-feed accommodating portion 58 is displayed on the operation panel 44, but an output device such as a speaker is provided on the image forming apparatus 10. The information may be output by voice.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 44 Operation panel 50 2nd conveyance path 52 1st conveyance path 54 3rd conveyance path 58 Manual paper feed part 60 Medium accommodation part 62 2nd continuous paper 64 1st continuous paper 66 Image formation part 68A 2nd conveyance part 68B, 68C, 68D Third transport unit 68E, 68F, 68G, 68H, 68I, 68J, 68K, 68L First transport unit 70 Sensor 80 Analysis unit 82 Discrimination unit 84 Detection unit 86 Transport control unit 88 Display control unit 89 Print control Part

JP 2007-185800 A

Claims (4)

First conveying means for conveying the first recording medium from the medium accommodating portion along the first conveying path;
A second transport means for transporting the second recording medium from the manual feed container along the second transport path;
The first recording medium or the second recording medium is provided along the third conveyance path provided downstream of the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path in the conveyance direction of the first recording medium and the second recording medium. Third conveying means for conveying the recording medium;
Print data including storage unit designation information indicating the medium storage unit or the manual feed storage unit, type information indicating the type of the second recording medium stored in the manual feed storage unit, and image data to be printed is received. Receiving means;
Image forming means for forming an image of the image data on the first recording medium or the second recording medium transported along the third transport path;
Detecting means for detecting whether or not the first recording medium is located at a predetermined first standby position on the third conveying path upstream of the image forming means in the conveying direction;
When the storage unit designation information indicates the manual-feed storage unit and the detection unit detects that the first recording medium is positioned at the first standby position, the first recording medium is A transport control means for controlling the third transport means and the first transport means so as to move backward to a predetermined second standby position on the first transport path;
An input screen for inputting type information indicating the type of the second recording medium to be accommodated in the manual feed accommodating portion, and accommodating the second recording medium according to the type information in the manual feed accommodating portion. Presenting means for presenting information, and
When the input of the type information to the input screen and the storage of the second recording medium in the manual storage unit are completed, the image forming unit forms an image of the image data on the second recording medium. Execution means to be executed;
An image forming apparatus.   The transport control unit controls the first transport unit and the third transport unit so that the first recording medium is positioned at the first standby position after the image formation of the image data by the image forming unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first recording medium and the second recording medium is continuous paper. An image forming method executed by an image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes:
First conveying means for conveying the first recording medium from the medium accommodating portion along the first conveying path;
A second transport means for transporting the second recording medium from the manual feed container along the second transport path;
The first recording medium or the second recording medium is provided along the third conveyance path provided downstream of the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path in the conveyance direction of the first recording medium and the second recording medium. Third conveying means for conveying the recording medium;
With
Print data including storage unit designation information indicating the medium storage unit or the manual feed storage unit, type information indicating the type of the second recording medium stored in the manual feed storage unit, and image data to be printed is received. Steps,
Forming an image of the image data on the first recording medium or the second recording medium transported along the third transport path by an image forming unit ;
Detecting by the detecting means whether or not the first recording medium is located at a predetermined first standby position upstream of the image forming means on the third conveying path in the conveying direction; ,
When the storage unit designation information indicates the manual-feed storage unit and the detection unit detects that the first recording medium is positioned at the first standby position, the first recording medium is Controlling the third transport means and the first transport means to retract to a predetermined second standby position on the first transport path;
An input screen for inputting type information indicating the type of the second recording medium to be accommodated in the manual feed accommodating portion, and accommodating the second recording medium according to the type information in the manual feed accommodating portion. Presenting information, and
When the input of the type information to the input screen and the storage of the second recording medium in the manual storage unit are completed, the step of executing the formation of the image of the image data on the second recording medium;
An image forming method comprising:

Images