JP6292473B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile, a printer, a copying machine, and a complex machine thereof capable of forming an image on sheet materials of various sizes and types.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an image forming apparatus including a main body tray and a manual feed tray as a sheet material stacking unit capable of feeding stacked sheet materials (paper sheets) to an image forming unit. Generally, there is a strong tendency to use the main body tray when feeding standard size plain paper and to use the manual feed tray when feeding paper of a special paper size / type and thickness. In the main body tray and the manual feed tray, if the paper size is A or B series (A6 to A3, B5, B4, etc.), the size is automatically detected by the paper size detection means installed in the tray. There are many things. On the other hand, a special paper size cannot be handled by automatic size detection, so the paper size must be set manually. For special paper types and paper thicknesses (plain paper, medium-thick mouth, thick paper, etc.), the user must manually set the default value (plain paper) to any value. There are many cases that must be done.

  If paper feeding is started without noticing the paper size setting, a jam occurs due to a difference between the set size and the job size, or an image is cut off in the middle. Also, if paper feeding is started without changing the paper type and paper thickness settings, a transfer / fixing failure may occur.

  Therefore, when the paper set detection means detects that the paper is set in the bypass tray, the paper setting for setting the paper type such as paper size, paper type, and paper thickness is displayed on the operation panel of the main unit from the default screen. An image forming apparatus that automatically switches to a screen has been introduced. Accordingly, the user can be guided to input the type of paper, and forgetting to input information for determining the type of paper set on the manual feed tray can be suppressed.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an example in which an instruction for manual printing to an image forming apparatus is issued from an input device connected to the image forming apparatus via a computer or the like in which a function such as a printer driver is incorporated. . Even if the user issues an instruction for manual printing from the input device before setting paper in the manual feed tray, a message prompting the user to set the paper is displayed on the monitor display connected to the computer without displaying a paper out error. When the paper set detection means installed in the printer detects a paper, printing is started. This eliminates the need for the user to return to the front of the monitor display and give an instruction to start printing after setting paper in the manual feed tray.

  However, in the above-described image forming apparatus that displays the paper setting screen by detecting the paper by the paper setting detecting unit, the paper setting screen is displayed every time the paper is set in the manual feed tray, and the user inputs information for determining the paper. There was a need. Therefore, there is a problem that a user who resets the same type of paper in the manual feed tray as the previous time needs to input the same information every time the paper is reset in the manual feed tray, which is troublesome and troublesome.

  Also in the embodiment disclosed in Patent Document 1, the user needs to input information for discriminating paper every time a manual printing instruction is issued or paper is set on the manual feed tray. Therefore, it is considered that the user who resets the same type of paper as the previous time in the manual tray needs to input the same information every time the manual printing instruction is issued or the paper is reset in the manual tray. It is troublesome and troublesome.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. The purpose is to distinguish between the case of resetting the same type of sheet material as the previous time on the sheet material stacking unit and the case of setting a different type of sheet material from the previous time, and appropriately guiding the sheet material information input. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing the above.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the invention of claim 1 includes a sheet material stacking unit on which sheet materials are stacked, a sheet material set detection unit that detects that a sheet material is set in the sheet material stacking unit, and a sheet Image forming means for forming an image on the material, display operation means having a display section for displaying contents operated by the user and an operation section for accepting an operation from the user, and a sheet input by the user operating the display operation means An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming condition setting unit configured to set an image forming condition of the image forming unit based on material size information and / or type information; and an ON state in which the sheet material set detecting unit detects a sheet material then a measuring means for measuring the switching time until the oN state from after switching to the OFF state is not detected the sheet material from the sheet material set After detecting means becomes the next ON state from the OFF state, to the display operation unit, when the switching time exceeds a predetermined time so as to input the size information and / or information about the type of the sheet material Screen display control means for displaying a guidance screen for guiding a user and controlling not to display the guidance screen when the switching time is equal to or shorter than a predetermined time is provided.

  The present invention distinguishes between the case of resetting the same type of sheet material as the previous time in the sheet material stacking unit and the case of setting a different type of sheet material from the previous time, and appropriately guiding the information input of the sheet material There is an excellent effect of being able to.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a copying machine according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a partial configuration diagram illustrating an enlarged part of an image forming unit in the copier. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view showing a part of a tandem part composed of four process units in the image forming part. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an image reading unit of the copier. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a manual feed tray of the copier. The schematic diagram shown about the arrangement position of the some detection sensor provided in the manual feed tray. The control block diagram which shows the main control systems in this embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state when a sheet (A3 vertical size) detected by a manual sheet length sensor is set on a manual feed tray. The perspective view when an extension tray is pulled out from a manual feed tray, and an extension tray is in use condition. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of a display operation unit of the image forming system. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the default screen of the display part of the display operation part. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation of a control unit that pops up a paper setting screen. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the paper setting screen of the display part of the display operation part. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation of a control unit that pops up a paper setting screen.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic copying machine 500 as an image forming apparatus will be described. First, a basic configuration of the copier 500 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a copying machine 500. The copying machine 500 includes an image forming unit 1 as an image forming unit, a paper feeding device 40 that feeds paper P as a sheet material, an image reading unit 50, and a manual feed tray 60 as a sheet material placing unit. I have. The image reading unit 50 includes a scanner 150 fixed on the image forming unit 1 and an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as “ADF”) 51 supported by the scanner 150.

  The paper feed device 40 has two paper feed cassettes 42 arranged in multiple stages in the paper bank 41, and a pickup roller 43 that feeds the paper P from the paper feed cassette 42. In addition, a separation feeding unit 45 that separates the fed paper P and feeds it to the paper feed path 44 is provided. Further, a plurality of conveyance roller pairs 46 and the like for conveying the paper P to the main body side paper feed path 37 as the conveyance path of the image forming unit 1 are also provided. The paper P in the paper feed cassette 42 is fed into the main body side paper feed path 37 in the image forming unit 1 and sent to the registration roller pair 33.

  Further, the sheet P as the sheet material set on the manual feed tray 60 is sent to the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction by the pickup roller 61, and only one sheet is separated by the separation feeding unit 62. The separated paper P is fed into the main body side paper feed path 37 in the image forming unit 1 and sent to the registration roller pair 33. The configurations and operations of the pickup roller 61 and the separation / feeding means 62 are the same as those of the pickup roller 43 and the separation / feeding means 45 of the sheet feeding device 40.

  The image forming unit 1 includes an optical writing device 2 as a latent image forming unit and four process units 3K, Y, and M that form black, yellow, magenta, and cyan (K, Y, M, and C) toner images. , C, a transfer unit 24 and a paper transport unit 28. Further, a registration roller pair 33, a fixing device 34, a switchback device 36, a main body side paper feed path 37, and the like are provided. Then, a light source such as a laser diode or LED (not shown) disposed in the optical writing device 2 is driven to irradiate the four drum-shaped photosensitive members 4K, Y, M, and C with the laser light L. . By this irradiation, electrostatic latent images are formed on the surfaces of the photoreceptors 4K, Y, M, and C, and the latent images are developed into toner images via a predetermined development process.

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial configuration diagram illustrating a part of the internal configuration of the image forming unit 1. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view showing a part of a tandem part composed of four process units 3K, Y, M, and C. The four process units 3K, Y, M, and C have substantially the same configuration except that the colors of the toners to be used are different. Therefore, the subscripts K, Y, M, and C attached to the respective reference numerals in FIG. Is omitted.

  The process units 3K, Y, M, and C support the photoconductor 4 and various devices disposed around it as a single unit on a common support, and image forming of the copying machine 500 main body. It can be attached to and detached from the part 1. One process unit 3 includes a charging device 5, a developing device 6, a drum cleaning device 15, a charge removal lamp 22, and the like around the photoconductor 4. The copying machine 500 has a so-called tandem type configuration in which four process units 3K, Y, M, and C are arranged so as to face an intermediate transfer belt 25 described later along the endless movement direction. Yes.

  As the photoreceptor 4, a drum-shaped member is used in which a photosensitive layer is formed by applying a photosensitive organic photosensitive material to a base tube made of aluminum or the like. However, an endless belt may be used.

  The developing device 6 develops the latent image using a two-component developer containing a magnetic carrier and a nonmagnetic toner (not shown). The developing device 6 photosensitively receives toner in the two-component developer carried on the developing sleeve 12 and an agitating portion 7 that conveys the two-component developer contained in the developing device 6 while stirring and supplies the developer to the developing sleeve 12. And a developing unit 11 for transferring to the body 4.

  The stirring unit 7 is provided at a position lower than the developing unit 11, and includes two conveying screws 8 arranged in parallel to each other, a partition plate provided between the two conveying screws 8, and the developing case 9. A toner density sensor 10 provided on the bottom surface is provided.

  The developing unit 11 includes a developing sleeve 12 that faces the photosensitive member 4 through the opening of the developing case 9, a magnet roller 13 that is non-rotatably provided inside the developing sleeve 12, a doctor blade 14 that approaches the developing sleeve 12, and the like. ing. The developing sleeve 12 has a non-magnetic rotatable cylindrical shape. The magnet roller 13 has a plurality of magnetic poles that are sequentially arranged from the position facing the doctor blade 14 toward the rotation direction of the developing sleeve 12. Each of these magnetic poles applies a magnetic force to the two-component developer on the developing sleeve 12 at a predetermined position in the rotational direction. As a result, the two-component developer sent from the stirring unit 7 is attracted and carried on the surface of the developing sleeve 12 and a magnetic brush is formed on the surface of the developing sleeve 12 along the lines of magnetic force.

  The magnetic brush is regulated to an appropriate layer thickness when passing through the position facing the doctor blade 14 as the developing sleeve 12 rotates, and then conveyed to the developing region facing the photoconductor 4. Then, the toner is transferred onto the electrostatic latent image by the potential difference between the developing bias applied to the developing sleeve 12 and the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 4, thereby contributing to development. Further, the two-component developer that forms a magnetic brush and is carried by the developing sleeve 12 and passes through the developing region returns to the developing portion 11 again as the developing sleeve 12 rotates. Thereafter, the magnetic roller 13 is separated from the sleeve surface due to the influence of a repulsive magnetic field formed between the magnetic poles of the magnet roller 13, and then returned to the stirring unit 7. An appropriate amount of toner is supplied to the two-component developer in the stirring unit 7 based on the detection result of the toner density sensor 10. As the developing device 6, a device using a one-component developer not containing a magnetic carrier may be adopted instead of a device using a two-component developer.

  As the drum cleaning device 15, a system in which the cleaning blade 16 made of an elastic body is pressed against the photoconductor 4 is used, but another system may be used. For the purpose of enhancing the cleaning property, this example employs a system having a contact conductive fur brush 17 whose outer peripheral surface is in contact with the photoreceptor 4 so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow in the figure. The fur brush 17 also serves to apply the lubricant to the surface of the photosensitive member 4 while scraping the lubricant from a solid lubricant (not shown) into a fine powder. A metal electric field roller 18 for applying a bias to the fur brush 17 is rotatably provided in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and the tip of the scraper 19 is pressed against it. The toner attached to the fur brush 17 is transferred to the electric field roller 18 to which a bias is applied while rotating in contact with the fur brush 17 in the counter direction. Then, after being scraped from the electric field roller 18 by the scraper 19, it falls onto the recovery screw 20. The collection screw 20 conveys the collected toner toward the end of the drum cleaning device 15 in the direction orthogonal to the drawing surface, and delivers it to the external recycling conveyance device 21. The recycle conveyance device 21 sends the collected toner that has been delivered to the developing device 6 for recycling.

  The neutralization lamp 22 neutralizes the surface of the photoreceptor 4 by light irradiation. The surface of the photoreceptor 4 that has been neutralized is uniformly charged by the charging device 5 and then subjected to optical writing processing by the optical writing device 2. In the copying machine 500, the charging device 5 is a device in which a charging roller to which a charging bias is applied is rotated while being in contact with the photoconductor 4, but a scorotron that performs a charging process on the photoconductor 4 in a non-contact manner. A charger or the like may be used.

  In FIG. 2 described above, K, Y, M, and C toner images are formed on the photoreceptors 4K, Y, M, and C of the four process units 3K, Y, M, and C by the processes described above. Is done.

  A transfer unit 24 is disposed below the four process units 3K, Y, M, and C. The transfer unit 24 moves the intermediate transfer belt 25 stretched by a plurality of rollers endlessly in the clockwise direction in the drawing while contacting the photoreceptors 4K, Y, M, and C. As a result, primary transfer nips for K, Y, M, and C in which the photoreceptors 4K, Y, M, and C contact the intermediate transfer belt 25 are formed. In the vicinity of the primary transfer nips for K, Y, M, and C, the intermediate transfer belt 25 is moved to the photoreceptors 4K, Y, M, and C by primary transfer rollers 26K, Y, M, and C disposed inside the belt loop. It is pushing toward. A primary transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer rollers 26K, Y, M, and C by a power source (not shown). As a result, a primary transfer electric field for electrostatically moving the toner images on the photoconductors 4K, Y, M, and C toward the intermediate transfer belt 25 is formed in the primary transfer nips for K, Y, M, and C. Yes. In the drawing, toner images are sequentially transferred from the primary transfer nips to the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 25 that sequentially passes through the primary transfer nips for K, Y, M, and C along with the endless movement in the clockwise direction. Overlaid and primary transferred. By this primary transfer of superposition, a four-color superposed toner image (hereinafter referred to as “four-color toner image”) is formed on the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 25.

  Below the transfer unit 24 in the figure, a paper transport unit 28 is provided between the drive roller 30 and the secondary transfer roller 31 to endlessly move the endless paper transport belt 29. The intermediate transfer belt 25 and the paper transport belt 29 are sandwiched between the secondary transfer roller 31 and the lower stretching roller 27 of the transfer unit 24. As a result, a secondary transfer nip is formed in which the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 25 and the front surface of the paper transport belt 29 abut. A secondary transfer bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller 31 by a power source (not shown). On the other hand, the lower stretching roller 27 of the transfer unit 24 is grounded. Thereby, a secondary transfer electric field is formed in the secondary transfer nip.

  A registration roller pair 33 is disposed on the right side of the secondary transfer nip in the drawing. A registration roller sensor (not shown) is disposed near the entrance of the registration nip of the registration roller pair 33. The sheet P conveyed from the sheet feeding device 40 or the manual feed tray 60 toward the registration roller pair 33 is temporarily stopped after a predetermined time when the leading edge of the sheet P is detected by a registration roller sensor (not shown). The tip is brought into contact with the resist nip of the roller pair 33. As a result, the posture of the paper P is corrected, and preparations for synchronizing with image formation are completed.

  When the leading edge of the paper P hits the registration nip, the registration roller pair 33 resumes roller rotation driving at a timing at which the paper P can be synchronized with the four-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 25 to transfer the paper P to the secondary transfer. Send to nip. In the secondary transfer nip, the four-color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 25 are collectively transferred to the paper P due to the influence of the secondary transfer electric field and the nip pressure, and become a full color image combined with the white color of the paper P. The paper P that has passed through the secondary transfer nip is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 25 and is conveyed to the fixing device 34 along with its endless movement while being held on the front surface of the paper conveyance belt 29.

  On the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 25 that has passed through the secondary transfer nip, untransferred toner that has not been transferred to the paper P at the secondary transfer nip adheres. The transfer residual toner is scraped and removed by the belt cleaning device 32 in which the cleaning member contacts the intermediate transfer belt 25.

  The sheet P conveyed to the fixing device 34 is fixed to a full color image by pressure or heating in the fixing device 34, and then sent from the fixing device 34 to the paper discharge roller pair 35, and then discharged outside the apparatus. The paper is discharged to a paper tray 501.

  In FIG. 1 described above, a switchback device 36 that is a paper reversing device is disposed below the paper transport unit 28 and the fixing device 34. As a result, when performing duplex printing, the conveyance path of the paper P that has undergone image fixing processing on one side is switched to the switchback device 36 side by the switching claw, where the paper P is reversed and is again transferred to the secondary transfer nip. Enter. Then, the second transfer process and the fixing process of the image are performed on the other side of the sheet P, and the sheet is discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 501.

  The image reading unit 50 including the scanner 150 fixed on the image forming unit 1 and the ADF 51 fixed on the image forming unit 1 includes two fixed reading units and a moving reading unit 152 described later. The movable reading unit 152 is disposed directly below the second contact glass 155 fixed to the upper wall of the casing of the scanner 150 so as to come into contact with the document MS, and shows an optical system including a light source, a reflection mirror, and the like. It can be moved in the left-right direction. Then, in the process of moving the optical system from the left side to the right side in the figure, after the light emitted from the light source is reflected by the lower surface of the document MS placed on the second contact glass 155, a plurality of reflecting mirrors are Then, the light is received by the image reading sensor 153 fixed to the scanner 150.

  On the other hand, the image reading unit 50 includes, as fixed reading units, a first fixed reading unit 151 disposed in the scanner 150 and a second fixed reading unit 95 described later disposed in the ADF 51. . A first fixed reading unit 151 including a light source, a reflection mirror, an image reading sensor such as a CCD, and the like is disposed directly below a first contact glass 154 fixed to the upper wall of the casing of the scanner 150 so as to contact the document MS. ing. Then, when the document MS conveyed by the ADF 51 passes over the first contact glass 154, image reading is performed via a plurality of reflecting mirrors while sequentially reflecting the light emitted from the light source on the first surface of the document MS. The sensor 153 receives light. Accordingly, the first surface of the document MS is scanned without moving the optical system including the light source and the reflection mirror.

  The ADF 51 disposed on the scanner 150 includes a document placing table 53 for placing the document MS before reading on the main body cover 52 and a document transporting unit 54 for transporting the document MS as a sheet material. doing. The ADF 51 also holds a second fixed reading unit 95 that scans the second surface of the document MS after passing through the first fixed reading unit 151, a document stacking table 55 for stacking the document MS after reading, and the like. ing.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the image reading unit 50. As shown in FIG. 4, it is supported by a hinge 159 fixed to the scanner 150 so as to be swingable in the vertical direction. Then, by swinging, it moves like an open / close door, and the first contact glass 154 and the second contact glass 155 on the upper surface of the scanner 150 are exposed in the opened state. In the case of a single-bound document such as a book in which one corner of a document bundle is bound, the documents cannot be separated one by one, and therefore cannot be transported by the ADF 51. Therefore, in the case of a single-sided original, the ADF 51 is opened as shown in FIG. close up. Then, the image of the page is read by the moving reading unit 152 shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, in the case of a document bundle in which a plurality of documents MS are simply stacked, the first fixed reading unit 151 in the scanner 150 and the second fixed reading unit in the ADF 51 are automatically conveyed one by one by the ADF 51. 95 can be read sequentially. In this case, after setting a bundle of documents on the document table 53, the copy start button 158 on the operation panel 108 is pressed. Then, the ADF 51 sends the document MS of the bundle of documents placed on the document placement table 53 in order from the top into the document conveyance unit 54 and conveys the document MS toward the document stacking table 55 while inverting it. In the course of this conveyance, immediately after the original MS is reversed, it passes through the first fixed reading unit 151 of the scanner 150. At this time, the image on the first surface of the document MS is read by the first fixed reading unit 151 of the scanner 150. Further, the second surface of the document MS is read by the second fixed reading unit 95.

  Next, the configuration of the manual feed tray 60 in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the manual feed tray 60 in the present embodiment. The manual feed tray 60 in the present embodiment can be stored in the copier 500 by being rotated in the direction of arrow A in FIG. When the manual feed tray 60 is in the retracted state, the manual feed tray 60 does not protrude greatly from the outer wall surface of the copying machine 500, so that the user around the copying machine 500 does not get in the way. On the other hand, when the user sets the paper P in the manual feed tray 60 and prints it, the manual feed tray 60 in the stored state is centered around the rotation axis B indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 5 in the direction opposite to the arrow A in FIG. By turning it, a use state as shown in FIG. 5 is obtained. Then, the paper P to be used is placed on the placement surface 60a of the manual feed tray 60 in use, and the paper P is set on the placement surface 60a so that the front end of the paper P is positioned at a predetermined position. .

  The manual feed tray 60 of the present embodiment has two sides as sheet width direction regulating members that regulate the positions of both ends in the width direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the sheet P placed on the placement surface 60a. Fences 63A and 63B are provided. The two side fences 63A and 63B are configured to be slidable in conjunction with each other along a slide groove 66 extending in the sheet width direction. Specifically, the two side fences 63A and 63B move in the opposite direction by the same distance in synchronization with each other with respect to a predetermined reference position in the paper width direction that is set at approximately the center of the placement surface 60a in the paper width direction. It is configured as follows. Accordingly, after the paper P to be used is placed on the placement surface 60a, the side fences 63A and 63B are moved so that the two side fences 63A and 63B are in contact with both ends of the paper P in the width direction. As a result, the center position in the width direction of the paper P having any size in the width direction can be positioned at a predetermined reference position in the paper width direction.

  Further, the manual feed tray 60 of the present embodiment has a sheet length as a sheet length detection unit that detects the length in the conveyance direction (hereinafter referred to as “sheet length”) of the sheet P placed on the placement surface 60a. A sensor 64 is provided. The paper length sensor 64 is composed of a mechanical switch that can be pushed down only by placing about one sheet of paper. Specifically, a protrusion that protrudes on the placement surface 60a in the vicinity of the upstream end portion in the sheet conveying direction on the placement surface 60a of the manual feed tray 60, and the protrusion is pushed down below the placement surface. It is comprised from the press detection part which detects whether it was carried out. Accordingly, the paper length sensor 64 can detect whether or not the lower surface of the paper P is in contact with or close to the upstream end portion in the sheet conveyance direction on the placement surface 60 a of the manual feed tray 60. Accordingly, the following can be determined from the detection result of the paper length sensor 64. That is, it is a determination as to whether the paper length of the paper P set on the manual feed tray 60 is shorter or longer than the position of the protruding portion of the paper length sensor 64.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement positions of a plurality of detection sensors provided on the manual feed tray 60. As shown in FIG. 6, the manual feed tray 60 includes a paper set sensor 67 and a paper width sensor 69 in addition to the paper length sensor 64 described above. A sheet set sensor 67 as a sheet material set detection unit is provided in the vicinity of a joint portion between the manual feed tray 60 and the copying machine 500. When the paper P is set on the manual feed tray 60, a detection signal is sent to the control unit 70. (See FIG. 7). The paper width sensor 69 is provided integrally with the side fences 63A and 63B, and outputs the set position of the side fences 63A and 63B to the control unit 70 as the horizontal width of the paper P. As the paper width sensor 69, the paper set sensor 67, and the paper length sensor 64, widely known ones can be used.

  FIG. 7 is a control block diagram showing a main control system in the present embodiment. The detection result of the paper width sensor 69 that detects the position of the two side fences 63A and 63B in the paper width direction and the detection result of the paper length sensor 64 are sent to the control unit 70. Then, from these detection results, the control unit 70 determines which of the plurality of predetermined standard sizes the size (paper length, paper width) of the paper P set in the manual feed tray 60 is. Functions as an estimation means for estimating. That is, the control unit 70 detects the paper width of the paper P from the detection result of the paper width sensor 69. Further, it is determined from the detection result of the paper length sensor 64 whether the paper length of the paper P is shorter or longer than the protruding portion position of the paper length sensor 64. From these, the size of the paper P is estimated.

  For example, when the protruding position of the paper length sensor 64 is set to a position where the trailing edge of the paper does not reach when an A4 landscape paper is set on the manual feed tray 60, as shown in FIG. When the horizontally sized paper P1 is set, the paper length sensor 64 does not detect this. When the manual paper length sensor 64 does not detect, it can be narrowed down that the set paper is one of the A4 horizontal size and the B5 horizontal size. Then, it can be estimated from the paper width detected by the paper width sensor 69 whether the set paper is A4 horizontal size or B5 horizontal size. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 8, it can be appropriately estimated that this is an A4 landscape paper.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, when the A3 vertical size paper P2 is set, the protruding portion of the paper length sensor 64 is pushed down by the paper P, and the paper length sensor 64 detects this. When the paper length sensor 64 detects the paper, the set paper can be narrowed down to any one of A3 vertical size, A4 vertical size, and B5 vertical size. Then, it can be estimated from the paper width detected by the paper width sensor 69 whether the set paper is A3 vertical size, A4 vertical size, or B5 vertical size. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 9, it can be appropriately estimated that this is A3 portrait size paper.

  The storage means 71 shown in FIG. 7 stores paper size information and paper type information (including paper thickness information) set on the manual feed tray 60. For example, in the case of a manual job that forms an image by feeding paper set on the manual feed tray 60, the control unit 70 obtains paper size information and paper type information of the paper set on the manual feed tray 60 from the storage unit 71. read out. The controller 70 detects jamming, adjusts the writing start position, and the like based on the read paper size information. Also, for example, the secondary transfer bias and the fixing temperature are controlled based on the read paper type information.

  FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an example of the display operation unit of the copying machine 500. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a default screen on the display unit of the display operation unit. The copying machine 500 includes an operation panel 108 on the upper surface as display operation means that can be operated by a user. The operation panel 108 includes, for example, a display unit 109 including a liquid crystal display (LCD) as a display unit and a key operation unit (for example, a numeric keypad) 110 as an operation unit as shown in FIG. The display unit 109 displays, for example, a default screen as shown in FIG. 11, has a touch panel function, and can detect the contact position of the user along with various displays. That is, the display unit 109 of this example also has a function as an operation unit.

  In the manual feed tray 60, non-standard size paper such as A series paper and B series paper is often set. In addition, special paper types such as thick paper, OHP paper, and glossy paper are often set in the manual feed tray 60. When an irregular size paper or a special paper type is set in the manual feed tray 60, the user operates the operation panel 108 to input the paper size information and paper type information set in the manual feed tray 60. The control unit 70 stores the input paper size information and paper type information in the storage unit 71.

  When a non-standard size paper or a special paper type is set in the manual feed tray 60, the user may forget to input the paper size information and paper type information. For example, when an irregular size paper having a length (paper transport direction) longer than the A3 vertical size shown in FIG. 9 is set on the manual feed tray 60, the user forgets to input the paper size information. At this time, based on the paper length sensor 64 and the paper width sensor 69, the apparatus determines that A3 vertical size paper is set in the manual feed tray 60. Therefore, jam detection is performed in the manual feed job based on the A3 vertical size information. As a result, even when the trailing edge of the A3 vertical size paper comes out, the paper detection sensor (not shown) provided in the paper conveyance path continues to detect the paper, and in fact, no jam has occurred. Nevertheless, it is falsely detected that a jam has occurred.

  For example, when thick paper is set on the manual feed tray 60 and the user forgets to input paper type information, image formation is performed in the manual feed job under the image forming conditions of plain paper. As a result, a secondary transfer failure or a fixing failure occurs.

  Therefore, in the control unit 70, the detection result by the paper set sensor 67 (hereinafter, the case where the paper set sensor 67 detects that the paper is set on the manual feed tray 60 is set to the ON state, and the case where it is not detected is referred to as the OFF state). Refer to When the paper set sensor 67 detects the ON state, the control unit 70 pops up a paper setting screen for guiding the user to input paper size information and paper type information on the display unit 109, and Suppress forgetting to enter. Note that the pop-up means that the screen is displayed on the forefront of the display unit 109 (lower screen cannot be operated) and the screen is active (user operation is possible).

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the processing operation of the control unit that pops up the paper setting screen. As shown in FIG. 12, the control unit 70 determines whether the paper set sensor 67 is in an OFF state in which it is not detected that the paper P is set on the manual feed tray 60 (S1). If the paper set sensor 67 detects that paper is set on the manual feed tray 60 (NO in S1), it waits for the next action (S2). On the other hand, if the paper set sensor 67 is in the OFF state in which it is not detected that the paper P is set on the manual feed tray 60 (YES in S1), it waits for the paper set sensor 67 to detect the ON state (S3). When the detection of the paper set sensor 67 switches from the OFF state to the ON state (YES in S3), a paper setting screen pops up on the display unit 109 (S4). Thus, when the paper P is set on the manual feed tray 60, a paper setting screen is popped on the display unit 109, and the user can be guided to input the size information and paper type information of the paper P.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a paper setting screen. The paper setting screen G shown in FIG. 13 has a paper size input screen G1 and a paper type input screen G2. On the paper size input screen, a standard size paper estimated from the paper width sensor 69 and the paper length sensor 64 can be selected. If the paper set on the manual feed tray 60 is a standard size paper, one of the selectable standard size papers is selected. On the other hand, when the paper set in the manual feed tray 60 is an irregular size, the irregular size is input on the irregular size setting display section on the right side of the standard size setting display section. Specifically, when setting the paper length, after selecting the portion displayed as horizontal, the size is input with the numeric keypad. On the other hand, when setting the paper width, after selecting a portion displayed as vertical, the size is input using the numeric keypad. The paper type input can be set by selecting one of a plurality of paper types displayed on the paper type input screen G2. Paper size information and paper type information input by the user are overwritten in the storage means 71. The paper setting screen G may be closed without a transition to the next display and movement from the foreground without user operation, or may be closed after a certain period of time.

  By the way, there is a user who resets the paper P of the same paper size and paper type every time, instead of setting the paper P of paper size and paper type different from the previous time on the manual feed tray 60. In such a user, every time the paper P is set in the manual feed tray 60, the user must operate the paper setting screen G displayed on the display unit 109 to re-input the same information every time. There will be a malfunction.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the paper setting screen G is displayed on the display unit 109 only when it is estimated that the paper P having a paper size and paper type different from the previous time is set in the manual feed tray 60. Then, when it is estimated that the paper P having the same paper size and paper type as the previous time is re-set in the manual feed tray 60, the paper setting screen G is not displayed on the display unit 109.

  When the paper P of the same paper size / paper type as the previous time is reset in the manual feed tray 60 and when the paper P of the paper size / paper type different from the previous time is set, the paper P that has been set is removed. There is a difference (long or short) in the time from when the new paper P is set to the next. For example, when there is no paper P in the manual feed tray 60, or when the paper set sensor 67 runs out of paper P even if there is paper P in the manual feed tray 60, the same type of paper P is used without taking time. Will be reset. Therefore, after the paper set sensor 67 detects the ON state, it detects the OFF state, and then measures the time until the ON state is detected again by the timer 72 which is a time measuring means. The control unit 70 that also functions as a screen display control unit determines whether the paper P set on the manual feed tray 60 is the same as or different from the previous time based on the measurement result by the timer 72, and displays a paper setting screen on the display unit 109. Decide whether to pop up G.

  This will be specifically described below. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the processing operation of the control unit that pops up the paper setting screen. As shown in FIG. 14, the control unit 70 determines whether the detection result of the paper set sensor 67 switches from an ON state where the paper P is set on the manual feed tray 60 to an OFF state where the paper P is not set. (S10). When the detection result of the paper set sensor 67 is switched from the ON state to the OFF state (YES in S10), the timer 72 starts measuring the switching time T (S11). When the detection result of the paper set sensor 67 is switched from the OFF state to the ON state (YES in S12), the timer 72 ends the measurement of the switching time T (S13). The switching time T is the time taken from the time when the detection result of the paper set sensor 67 is switched from the ON state to the OFF state until the time when the detection result is switched again to the ON state, and is estimated as the time taken to set the paper P. If the paper set sensor 67 does not detect switching between the ON state and the OFF state (NO in S10, NO in S12), it waits until the next action (S14, S15).

  Next, when the switching time T is within the predetermined time (YES in S16), the control unit 70 determines that the paper of the same size and paper type as the previous time has been reset, and displays a paper setting screen on the display unit 109. G is not popped up (S17). On the other hand, when the switching time T exceeds the predetermined time (NO in S16), the control unit 70 determines that a paper of a different size and paper type from the previous time is set, and displays the paper setting screen G on the display unit 109. Pops up (S18). Here, the predetermined time can be uniformly set to N seconds by the manufacturer for each model, for example, 5 seconds.

  In recent years, as an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral (MFP), an apparatus that reads an ID card as an option and has a user authentication function is generally distributed, and a print job can be managed for each user. By using this function, the predetermined time may be set for each user. Furthermore, it is possible to measure and record the operation time of each operation when using the apparatus for each user by an operation measuring means such as a timer, and set the predetermined time to an appropriate value according to the length of the operation time recorded and recorded. You may be able to do it.

  In this way, even when the paper setting screen G is popped up on the display unit 109 when the paper detection by the paper set sensor 67 is triggered, by measuring the switching time T by the timer 72, It is possible to determine whether the paper is re-set or a paper type different from the previous time. Therefore, it is possible to guide the input of the paper setting only when the paper of a different type from the previous time is set, and when the paper of the same type as the previous time is set again, it is not necessary to ask the user to input the paper setting again. It is possible to appropriately guide the user to set the paper.

What has been described above is merely an example, and the present invention has a specific effect for each of the following modes.
(Aspect A)
A sheet material stacking unit such as a manual feed tray 60 on which a sheet material such as paper P is stacked, a sheet material set detecting unit such as a paper set sensor 67 for detecting that a sheet material is set in the sheet material stacking unit, Display operations such as an operation panel 108 and a display unit 109 having an image forming unit such as the image forming unit 1 that forms an image on a sheet material, a display unit that displays contents operated by the user, and an operation unit that receives operations from the user. And image forming condition setting means such as a control unit 70 for setting image forming conditions of the image forming means based on size information and / or type information of the sheet material input by the user operating the display operating means. In the image forming apparatus, the sheet material set detection unit changes from an ON state where the sheet material is detected to an OFF state where the sheet material is not detected. With respect to the measuring means such as a timer 72 for measuring the switching time until the next ON state after switching, and the display operation means, the size of the sheet material when the switching time exceeds a predetermined time A control unit that displays a guidance screen such as a paper setting screen G that guides the user to input information and / or type information, and that does not display the guidance screen when the switching time is a predetermined time or less. 70 and other screen display control means.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, when the switching time measured by the time measuring means exceeds a predetermined time, the screen display control means sets a different type of sheet material in the sheet material stacking unit. The guidance screen is displayed on the display operation means. On the other hand, if the switching time measured by the time measuring means is within a predetermined time, the screen display control means determines that the same type of sheet material as the previous time has been reset in the sheet material stacking unit, and displays it in the display operation means. Do not display the guidance screen. This guides the user to input paper settings only when different paper is set, and does not require the user to re-enter paper settings when re-setting the same type of paper. It is possible to avoid feeling.
(Aspect B)
In the image forming apparatus of (Aspect A), the screen display control unit can variably set the predetermined time to an arbitrary value.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, the screen display means can change the predetermined time to an arbitrary value for each apparatus or for each user, and thus more appropriately guides the input of sheet material information. It is possible.
(Aspect C)
The image forming apparatus according to (Aspect B) includes an operation measurement unit that measures a time required for a user operation, and the image display control unit sets the predetermined time to an arbitrary value based on a measurement result of the operation measurement unit. Set.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, the screen display means can set the predetermined time to an arbitrary value in accordance with the user's characteristics, and therefore more appropriately guide the input of the sheet material information. be able to.

1: Image forming unit 60: Manual feed tray 61: Pickup roller 62: Separating and feeding means 63A, 63B: Side fence 64: Paper length sensor 67: Paper set sensor 69: Paper width sensor 70: Control unit 71: Storage means 72: Timer 108: Operation panel 109: Display unit

JP 2001-138607 A

Claims (3)

A sheet material stacking unit on which the sheet material is stacked, a sheet material set detection unit that detects that a sheet material is set in the sheet material stacking unit, an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet material, and a user operation Display operation means having a display section for displaying the content to be performed and an operation section for receiving an operation from the user, and the image based on the size information and / or type information of the sheet material input by the user operating the display operation means An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming condition setting unit that sets an image forming condition of the forming unit;
A measuring means for measuring a switching time from when the sheet material set detecting means switches from an ON state in which the sheet material is detected to an OFF state in which the sheet material is not detected until the next ON state;
After the sheet material set detecting means is changed from the OFF state to the next ON state, when the switching time exceeds a predetermined time, the sheet material size information and / or type information is displayed. An image forming apparatus comprising: a display screen for guiding a user to perform an input; and a screen display control unit configured to perform control so that the guide screen is not displayed when the switching time is a predetermined time or less. . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the screen display control means can variably set the predetermined time to an arbitrary value. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.
Comprising an operation measuring means for measuring the time required for the user's operation;
The image display apparatus, wherein the screen display control unit sets the predetermined time to an arbitrary value based on a measurement result of the operation measurement unit.