JP6467979B2 - Image forming apparatus and sheet discharging method of image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of performing printing on a sheet based on image data and purging the sheet when a sheet jam occurs, and a sheet discharging method of the image forming apparatus.

  In the image forming apparatus, when a paper jam (hereinafter referred to as JAM) occurs in the paper being transported, the paper remaining in the apparatus is discharged to a dischargeable tray or the like before the paper jam processing ( There has been proposed an apparatus capable of discharging the paper remaining in the apparatus after the pre-purge process) or the paper jam process (purge process).

  If the JAM paper is manually removed after the occurrence of JAM, there is a possibility that the paper or a piece of the paper remains in the machine, and in this case, the recovery paper becomes JAM. This problem can be solved by installing a lot of sensors in the machine to detect the remaining paper or piece of paper, but this solution has its limitations because the cost increases as the number of sensors increases. is there. On the other hand, a method has been proposed in which a sheet for inspection is fed from a sheet feeding tray and the sheet is circulated in a conveyance path for inspection (see Patent Document 1). By this method, it can be confirmed that no sheet or piece of paper remains in the path.

JP 11-180592 A JP 2008-216446 A

However, according to the method of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to set a sheet for inspection on the paper feed tray, press the start button, feed the paper, and wait for a time until the paper is ejected after the route is circulated. In addition, paper that can be used for printing needs to be used only for confirmation of paper passing, and paper is wasted.
On the other hand, an image forming apparatus that uses in-machine residual paper for the developer remaining on the intermediate transfer member when JAM occurs has been proposed (see Patent Document 2), and the in-machine residual paper at the time of paper jam is effectively used. be able to.
However, in the apparatus of Patent Document 2, the in-machine residual paper is not used for confirming the passage of paper, and it is not possible to confirm whether the paper is secured.

  The present invention has been made against the background of the above-described phenomenon, and image formation can be performed at an early stage without wasting paper after a paper jam has occurred and the paper jam has been processed. It is an object to provide an apparatus and a paper discharge method of the image forming apparatus.

That is, the image forming apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention is
An image forming unit that prints on paper based on image data;
A transport unit for transporting the paper through a transport path;
A controller for controlling the printing and the conveyance,
When the control unit determines that the processing of the paper jam caused by the conveyance of the sheet is completed, the control unit discharges the residual paper in the apparatus to the outside of the conveyance path through a predetermined first conveyance path among the plurality of conveyance paths. Has function,
Further, based on the paper jam position, it is determined whether or not it is necessary to pass the paper through the second transport path other than the first transport path, and the paper jam position is in the second transport path and the second transport path is passed. When it is determined that paper passing is necessary, when there is an in-machine residual sheet that can pass through the second transport path, at least one of the residual paper in the apparatus after the paper jam processing is transported through the second transport path. It is characterized by discharging outside.

In another form of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the image forming apparatus of the present invention has a paper jam detection unit that detects a paper jam of the paper in the transport path.
The control unit can determine the occurrence of a paper jam and the paper jam position on the transport path in response to the detection result of the paper jam detection unit.

  In another form of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, in the present invention according to the above aspect, the control unit may be configured such that the jammed paper is in the second transport path or a part of the jammed paper is transported to the second transport path. When in the path, it is possible to discharge the in-machine residual sheet through the second transport path.

  In another form of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the first transport path in the present invention is the transport path that can discharge the sheet outside the transport path in the shortest time. .

  In another form of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in the present embodiment of the present invention, when the control unit discharges the in-machine residual paper through the second transport path, the control section can pass the second transport path, In addition, it is possible to select the in-machine residual paper that can reach the second transport path in the shortest time.

  In another form of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in the present embodiment of the present invention, the control unit determines whether the in-machine residual sheet can pass through the second transport path. In addition to the paper position, at least one of the paper type attribute and the paper state can be determined as a parameter.

  In another form of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in the above-described form of the present invention, the control unit can store the paper type attribute in association with a transportable path through the storage unit.

  In another form of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in the present invention of the above form, the control unit can pass the second transport path through the second transport path when the control section passes the second transport path. Multiple sheets of paper can be passed.

  In another form of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in the present embodiment of the present invention, the control unit may be able to make settings related to sheet passing through the second transport path.

  In another form of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in the present embodiment of the present invention, the setting includes whether or not to pass paper through the second transport path, the number of sheets to be passed through the second transport path, It may be at least one criterion for determining whether or not a sheet can be passed and whether or not the user confirms the execution.

  In another form of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in the present embodiment of the present invention, the control unit may be set in advance by machine setting information.

In another form of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, in the above-described form of the present invention, the control unit may perform paper discharge through the second conveyance path after paper jam processing based on the setting. Thus, it is possible to automatically check the sheet passing .

  In another form of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the image forming apparatus of the present invention has an operation display unit for performing operation input, and the control unit enables operation input related to the setting through the operation display unit. Can do.

  In another form of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in the present embodiment of the present invention, after the paper jam processing, the control unit passes at least one of the in-machine residual paper through the second transport path through the operation display unit. It is possible to select whether to discharge the paper or to discharge all the remaining paper in the apparatus through the first transport path.

  In another form of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, in the above-described form of the present invention, the control unit selects the first in-machine residual paper selected so as to pass through the second transport path, and the first in-machine residual. When the second in-machine residual sheet exists in the conveyance path to the paper jam position, the second in-machine residual sheet is conveyed through the first conveyance path, so that the first in-machine residual sheet is conveyed. Is confirmed to be able to pass through the second transport path, the discharge of the first in-machine residual paper through the second transport path can be started.

  In another form of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in the above-described form of the present invention, the control unit may have a pre-purge processing function for discharging the in-machine residual paper that can be discharged out of the conveyance path before the paper jam processing. .

  In another form of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, in the case of the present invention of the above aspect, when the control unit determines that there is no remaining sheet in the apparatus after the pre-purge process, Among them, the remaining paper in the apparatus that can pass through the second transport path can be left in the apparatus and pre-purged.

  In another form of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, in the above-described form of the present invention, the control unit can exclude the remaining paper in the apparatus remaining in the apparatus during the pre-purge from the target of occurrence of paper jam.

  In another form of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in the above-described form of the present invention, the controller may cause the second transport path to pass through the second transport path when discharging the residual paper in the apparatus through the second transport path. When there is no sheet that can be printed, a new sheet can be fed from the sheet feed tray, and the new sheet can be discharged through the second transport path.

  In another form of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in the case of the present invention of the above form, if there is no sheet that can pass through the second transport path in the apparatus, residual paper in the apparatus passes through the second transport path. When only paper that cannot be printed is included, it may include at least one of cases where the final paper to be purged or paper-passed is jammed.

A paper discharge method for an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is a paper discharge method for an image forming apparatus in which paper is transported through a transport path and printing is performed on the paper based on image data in an image forming unit.
A purge function for discharging the residual paper in the apparatus to the outside of the conveyance path through a predetermined first conveyance path among the plurality of conveyance paths when it is determined that the processing of the paper jam caused by the conveyance of the sheet is completed;
Based on the paper jam position, it is determined whether or not it is necessary to pass the paper through the second transport path other than the first transport path, and the paper is passed through the second transport path when the paper jam position is in the second transport path. When there is residual in-machine paper that can pass through the second transport path, at least one of the residual paper in the apparatus after the paper jam processing is out of the transport path through the second transport path. And a function of discharging.

  According to the present invention, when a paper jam occurs, it is possible to shorten the time required for the processing operation after the JAM processing and to prevent the waste of paper from occurring.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a mechanical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the control block of an image forming apparatus. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the arrangement | positioning state of the sensor in a conveyance route and a conveyance route. Similarly, it is a diagram illustrating a state where a paper jam has occurred in the transport path and the contents of the purge process. Similarly, it is a diagram illustrating a state in which a paper jam has occurred in the transport path, and the contents of pre-purge and purge processing. Similarly, it is a flowchart showing the procedure of the purge process that enables the process of passing the paper through the second transport path using the in-machine residual paper. Similarly, it is a flowchart showing a procedure of a purge process including a step of confirming with a user in a step of passing the paper through the second transport path using the in-machine residual paper. Similarly, it is a flowchart showing a procedure of automatic purge route selection. Similarly, in the conveyance path, it is a diagram for explaining the presence of the in-machine residual paper at the time of occurrence of JAM and the selection of paper for passing the paper to the second conveyance path. Similarly, it is a flowchart for explaining the procedure of carrying out automatic purge paper. Similarly, it is a flowchart explaining the procedure at the time of pre-purge. Similarly, in the conveyance path, it is a diagram for explaining the presence of in-machine residual paper at the time of occurrence of JAM, and paper selection for performing pre-purge and paper feeding to the second conveyance path. Similarly, it is a flowchart showing a procedure for purging only in the first transport path.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a central sectional view of the entire image forming apparatus and shows a mechanical configuration. The configuration will be described below.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, a large-capacity paper feed tray 170 is connected to the front side of the image forming apparatus body 10, and a post-processing device (FNS) 180 is connected to the rear side of the image forming apparatus body 10. In the image forming apparatus 1, paper can be conveyed between the apparatuses and can communicate with each other. Note that the post-processing apparatus may be built in the image forming apparatus main body 10.

In the image forming apparatus main body 10, a scanner unit 130 including a CCD 131 and a flow type automatic document feeder (ADF) 135 are provided on the upper side of the image forming apparatus main body 10, and a document is scanned through a platen glass 137 or an ADF document reading slit glass 138. Image reading is possible.
The above-described scanner unit 130, flow type automatic document feeder (ADF) 135, platen glass 137, ADF document reading slit glass 138, and the like constitute an image reading unit.

  Further, on the upper side of the image forming apparatus main body 10, an operation display unit 140 provided with a touch panel on the LCD is provided at a position where the platen glass 137 is not located, so that an operation and information display by the operator can be performed. . The operation display unit 140 constitutes an operation unit and also serves as the display unit of the present invention. In the present invention, the operation unit and the display unit can be configured separately.

A plurality of paper feed trays (1-3) 145 (three stages in the figure) are arranged on the lower side of the image forming apparatus main body 10 and further have a paper feed tray attached to the image forming apparatus main body 10. A large-capacity paper feed tray 170 is arranged.
In the image forming apparatus main body 10, a transport path 147 for transporting paper fed from one of the paper feed trays, a second paper feed roller 146, and the like are provided. In the middle, an image forming unit 151 including an LD 151A, a photoconductor 151B, a charger 151C, a developing unit 151D, a transfer unit 151E, a fixing unit 151F, and the like is provided. The large-capacity paper feed tray 170 is provided with a transport path (not shown) for transporting each fed paper and introducing it into the image forming apparatus main body 10. Further, the post-processing apparatus (FNS) 180 has a transport path for transporting paper on which an image is printed without performing post-processing or for performing post-processing and discharging paper. The other conveyance paths including the conveyance path 147, the large-capacity paper feed tray 170, and the conveyance path of the post-processing device (FNS) 180 correspond to the conveyance path of the present invention.
In each transport path, the transport unit of the present invention is configured by a transport roller, a transport motor, and the like that transport the paper.
Further, the image forming unit 151, the paper feed tray (1-3) 145, the large capacity paper feed tray 170, the transport path, the second paper feed roller 146, and the like constitute the printer unit 150 of the present invention.

  In the image forming unit 151, the charging unit 151C, the developing unit 151D, and the transfer unit 151E are arranged around the photoreceptor 151B. The charger 151C uniformly charges the surface of the photoreceptor 151B before image writing. The LD 151A forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 151B by irradiating the photoconductor 151B having a uniformly charged surface with a semiconductor laser. The developing device 151D develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor 151B by the LD 151A with a toner member. By this development processing, a toner image is formed on the photoreceptor 151B. The transfer unit 151E transfers the toner image on the photoconductor 151B from the paper feed tray (1-3) 145 or the large-capacity paper feed tray 170 to the paper transported through the transport path 147. The sheet on which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the photoreceptor 151B and conveyed to the fixing device 151F. The toner member remaining on the photoreceptor 151B is removed by a cleaning unit (not shown).

The fixing device 151F fixes the toner image transferred to the front side of the sheet by heating the conveyed sheet. In the case of single-sided printing, the sheet subjected to the fixing process is conveyed as it is through a conveyance path 147 to a post-processing device (FNS) 180 located on the side of the image forming apparatus main body 10.
A post-processing apparatus (FNS) 180 performs post-processing such as stapling, punching, center folding, and bookbinding.
On the other hand, in the case of duplex printing, the fixed paper is switched back by the reverse conveyance path 147A, and a predetermined image is transferred by the image forming unit 151 to the back side of the paper. The paper on which images are formed on both sides is conveyed to a post-processing device (FNS) 180 after fixing. The post-processing device (FNS) 180 has a plurality of paper discharge trays and corresponds to a paper discharge destination. In addition, when the post-processing device (FNS) 180 includes a stacker or the like, the stacker also corresponds to a paper discharge destination.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming apparatus main body 10, a large-capacity paper feed tray 170, and a post-processing apparatus (FNS) 180. In the present invention, the apparatus and the like constituting the image forming apparatus include The number and type are not particularly limited, and may include a plurality of post-processing devices. In addition, various post-processing devices such as a relay device and a stack device are connected. Also good. Further, the post-processing apparatus may be built in the image forming apparatus main body, or the image forming apparatus may not include the post-processing apparatus.

Next, the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described based on the block diagram of FIG.
The image forming apparatus main body 10 includes a main body control unit 100, a scanner unit 130, an operation display unit 140, and a printer unit 150, and further processes image data input from an external device 3 such as a terminal PC through the LAN 2. Alternatively, a print controller 160 that enables image data obtained by the scanner unit 130 to be transferred to the external device 3 through the LAN 2 is provided.

  The main body control unit 100 has a PCI bus 114 connected to the print controller 160, and a DRAM control IC 115 is connected to the PCI bus 114. An image memory (DRAM) 120 is connected to the DRAM control IC 115. The image memory (DRAM) 120 includes a compression memory 121 for storing compressed image data and an expansion memory 122 for temporarily storing uncompressed image data to be printed before image formation. .

Further, a hard disk (HDD) unit 123 is connected to the PCI bus 114, and the hard disk (HDD) unit 123 includes image data acquired by the scanner unit 130, an external device 3 connected to the print controller 160, and the like. The image data generated by the above can be saved.
The image data acquired by the print controller 160 and the image data stored in the hard disk (HDD) unit 123 are transmitted to the DRAM control IC 115 through the PCI bus 114 in accordance with the printing operation.

In addition, the main body control unit 100 includes a control CPU 110, and a DRAM control IC 115 is connected to the control CPU 110.
The control CPU 110 includes a ROM, and a program memory (ROM) 111 that stores programs for operating the control CPU 110 and a system memory (RAM) 112 that includes a RAM and is used as a work area. A non-volatile memory 113 composed of a flash memory or the like is connected.
The nonvolatile memory 113 stores initial setting information of the image forming apparatus main body 10, machine setting information such as paper type attribute data and process control parameters, post-processing settings, a paper jam position, a discharge route in the shortest time, and a discharge destination. Setting, pre-purge discharge, setting whether or not purge discharge is performed, setting whether or not to confirm paper passing, setting related to remaining paper passing through the second transport path, paper type attribute, paper status and transport path that can be passed Stores association data.

The control CPU 110 can read nonvolatile data in the nonvolatile memory 113 and can write desired data in the nonvolatile memory 113.
The control CPU 110 executes a predetermined operation by a program stored in a program memory (ROM) 111, and operates each part of the image forming apparatus 1 in accordance with the machine setting information, the print setting information, the output setting, the pre-purge, the purge setting, and the like. Control.
The control CPU 110 constitutes a control unit of the present invention together with a program memory (ROM) 111, a system memory (RAM) 112, a non-volatile memory 113, and the like, and executes a job execution, job cancellation, and a purge function during jam processing (second conveyance) (Including route passing), and a paper passing confirmation function can be controlled.
The control CPU 110 can perform job output settings, operation instructions, purge settings, and the like through the operation display unit 140.

The scanner unit 130 includes a CCD 131 that performs optical reading, and a scanner control unit 132 that controls the entire scanner unit 130. The scanner control unit 132 is connected to the control CPU 110 so that serial communication is possible. The CCD 131 is connected to a reading processing unit 116 that processes image data read by the CCD 131, and the reading processing unit 116 is connected to a DRAM control IC 115 so as to be controllable.
The reading processing unit 116 performs various processing such as analog signal processing, A / D (Analog to Digital) conversion processing, shading processing, and the like on the analog image signal input from the CCD 131, generates digital image data, and performs compression / compression. Output to the decompression IC 124.

In addition, an ADF control unit 136 is connected to the control CPU 110 in a controllable manner, and the ADF control unit 136 controls a flow type automatic document feeder (ADF) 135.
The scanner unit 130 reads an image of a document placed on the upper platen glass of the image forming apparatus main body 10 or a document automatically conveyed by a casting type automatic document feeder (ADF) 135.

The operation display unit 140 includes an LCD 141 having a touch panel that serves as both a display unit and an operation unit, and an operation unit control unit 142 that controls the entire operation unit. The operation unit control unit 142 can serially communicate with the control CPU 110. It is connected to the.
In the operation display unit 140, under the control of the control CPU 110, input of machine settings such as output condition settings and operation control conditions in the image forming apparatus main body 10, and paper information (size, paper type) of each paper feed tray are performed by the LCD 141. Setting input, purge setting, paper passing confirmation setting, display of setting contents, display of desired information such as a message, and the like are possible.

The DRAM control IC 115 is connected to a compression / decompression IC 124 that can compress or decompress image data. The DRAM control IC 115 controls image data compression processing and compression image data decompression processing by the compression / decompression IC 124 according to an instruction from the control CPU 110, and performs input / output control of image data to the image memory (DRAM) 120. .
The write processing unit 125 is connected to the image forming unit 151 including the LD 151A of the printer unit 150 and the like, and generates write data used for the operation of the LD 151A based on the image data.

The printer unit 150 includes the image forming unit 151, a paper feed tray (1-3) 145, a transport path 147 (including a reverse transport path 147A), a fixing device 151F, and the like.
In addition, the printer unit 150 includes a printer control unit 152 that controls the entire printer unit 150 (paper feeding, image formation, paper discharge, post-processing, etc.). The printer control unit 152 performs serial communication with the control CPU 110 described above. Connected as possible. The printer control unit 152 operates in accordance with a control command from the control CPU 110, controls the printer unit 150, and performs sheet conveyance, image formation, and the like. Further, the printer control unit 152 can instruct the compression / decompression IC 124 to decompress the compressed image data.
The printer control unit 152 is controllably connected to a post-processing control unit 181 in a post-processing device (FNS) 180. The printer control unit 152 can issue a post-processing instruction to the post-processing control unit 181 based on an instruction from the control CPU 110, and obtains status information in the post-processing device (FNS) 180 from the post-processing control unit 181. Can do.

  Further, the DRAM control IC 161 of the print controller 160 is connected to the PCI bus 114 to which the DRAM control IC 115 is connected as described above. When the image forming apparatus main body 10 is used as a network printer or a network scanner, the print controller 160 receives image data or the like from the external device 3 connected to the LAN 2 by the image forming apparatus main body 10 or the scanner unit 130. The acquired image data is transmitted to an external device 3 such as a terminal PC connected to the LAN 2.

  In the print controller 160, the DRAM control IC 161 is connected to an image memory 162 composed of DRAM or the like. In the print controller 160, a DRAM control IC 161, a controller control CPU 163 that controls the entire print controller 160, and a LAN interface 165 are connected to a common bus. The LAN interface 165 is connected to the LAN 2.

Furthermore, an IO unit 118 is connected to the control CPU 110. The IO unit 118 operates as an interface for exchanging information between each unit in the image forming apparatus 1 and the control CPU 110.
For example, it is possible to communicate with the control CPU 110 through the IO unit 118 through a sensor that detects the sheet by being arranged in the path of the image forming apparatus 1.

FIG. 3 shows the sensors s1 to s9 arranged in the transport path 147, and the detection results of the sensors s1 to s9 are received by the control CPU 110. The sensors s1 to s9 correspond to a paper jam detection unit.
Each sensor detects a paper jam in the transport path, and the control CPU 110 can grasp the presence / absence of a paper jam and a paper jam occurrence position when the paper jam occurs from the detection result of each sensor. The control CPU 110 can grasp when to reach each sensor when controlling the conveyance of the paper. For example, if the downstream sensor cannot detect the paper within a predetermined time after passing through the upstream upstream sensor, it is understood that a paper jam has occurred between the sensors.

For example, the sensor s1 can grasp the occurrence of a paper jam in the first path from the paper feed tray (1-3) 145 to the sensor s1, and the sensor s2 is a second sensor from the sensor s1 to the sensor s2. The occurrence of a paper jam along the path No. 3 can be grasped, and the sensor s3 can grasp the occurrence of a paper jam along the third path from the sensor s2 to the sensor s3.
Further, the sensor s4 can grasp the occurrence of a paper jam in the fourth path from the sensor s3 to the sensor s4, and the sensor s5 can detect the paper jam in the fifth path from the sensor s4 to the sensor s5. The generation can be grasped, and the sensor s6 can grasp the occurrence of the paper jam in the sixth path from the sensor s5 to the sensor s6.
Further, the sensor s7 can grasp the occurrence of a paper jam on the seventh path from the sensor s6 to the sensor s7, and the sensor s8 can detect the paper jam on the eighth path from the sensor s7 to the sensor s8. The generation can be grasped, and the sensor s4 can grasp the occurrence of the paper jam in the ninth path from the sensor s8 to the sensor s4.
The sensor s9 can grasp the occurrence of a paper jam on the tenth path from the sensor s5 to the sensor s9.
The arrangement position of the sensor and the arrangement interval can be set in consideration of the occurrence frequency of paper jam.

  In the above description, the sensor installed in the conveyance path 147 in the image forming apparatus main body 10 has been described. However, the sensor is similarly used in the conveyance path of other than the image forming apparatus main body 10 (for example, the post-processing apparatus (FNS) 180). It is possible to detect a paper jam by arranging. This sensor also corresponds to the paper jam detection unit of the present invention. Naturally, paper jams and purge processing other than the image forming apparatus main body 10 also fall within the scope of the present invention.

The external device 3 connected to the image forming apparatus main body 10 via the LAN 2 includes a terminal operation unit 30 that receives an operation and a terminal display unit 31 that performs display. The terminal operation unit 30 functions as an operation unit. The terminal display unit 31 can function as a display unit. These may be integrated and the operation display unit may be configured by a touch panel or the like. The external device 3 includes a terminal control unit 300 that controls the whole.
The external device 3 may have a function as an apparatus for managing the image forming apparatus 1 and controls the purge function and the sheet passing confirmation function when a paper jam occurs in the image forming apparatus 1. It may be. In this case, the terminal control unit 300 provided in the external device 3 corresponds to the control unit of the present invention, and the terminal operation unit 30 and the terminal display unit 31 constitute an operation display unit of the present invention.

Next, the basic operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.
First, a procedure for accumulating image data in the image forming apparatus main body 10 will be described. In the image forming apparatus body 10, a case where the scanner unit 130 reads an image and generates image data will be described. The scanner unit 130 optically reads an image from a document by the CCD 131. At this time, the operation of the CCD 131 is controlled by the scanner control unit 132 that receives a command from the control CPU 110. The reading of the document may be performed while automatically feeding the document by the casting type automatic document feeder (ADF) 135, or may be performed by placing the document on the platen glass 137.

  The control CPU 110 operates according to a program and issues a command to the scanner unit 130 based on an operation (reading instruction or copying instruction) by the operation display unit 140. The image read by the CCD 131 is subjected to data processing by the reading processing unit 116, and the image data subjected to the data processing is sent to the compression / decompression IC 124 via the DRAM control IC 115 and compressed by a predetermined method. The compressed data is stored in the image memory (DRAM) 120 via the DRAM control IC 115. When data is stored in the hard disk (HDD) unit 123, the data once stored in the compression memory 121 is sent to the hard disk (HDD) unit 123 via the DRAM control IC 115.

  In addition, the image data may be input to the image forming apparatus main body 10 via the LAN 2. Examples of the image data include data generated by an application program such as the external device 3. The method for generating image data is not particularly limited.

  The image data is received by the print controller 160 via the LAN 2 and the LAN interface 165, and the print data developed by the controller control CPU 163 is temporarily stored in the image memory 162 by the DRAM control IC 161. Data stored in the image memory 162 is transferred to the DRAM control IC 115 via the PCI bus 114 and temporarily stored in the decompression memory 122. The data stored in the decompression memory 122 is sent to the compression / decompression IC 124 via the DRAM control IC 115, subjected to compression processing, and stored in the compression memory 121 via the DRAM control IC 115. When data is stored in the hard disk (HDD) unit 123, the data once stored in the compression memory 121 is sent to the hard disk (HDD) unit 123 via the DRAM control IC 115.

  When the image data is stored, output settings are made before or after storing the image data. The output setting can be performed by displaying a setting screen on the operation display unit 140 and performing an operation input by an operator. Further, when the output setting item is selected in the initial setting and the setting input by the operator is not made, the output setting is made by the initial setting. Post-processing settings can be made on the setting screen.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 outputs an image, that is, when used as a copying machine or a printer, the image data stored in the compression memory 121 is sent to the compression / decompression IC 124 via the DRAM control IC 115 to decompress the data. The decompressed data is sent to the writing processing unit 125, and writing is performed by the LD 151A on the photoconductor 151B charged by the charging unit. When image data stored in the hard disk (HDD) unit 123 is used, the image data stored in the hard disk (HDD) unit 123 is temporarily stored in the compression memory 121 via the DRAM control IC 115, and the compressed memory is stored. The image data stored in 121 is sent to the compression / decompression IC 124 via the DRAM control IC 115 to decompress the data, and the decompressed data is sent to the write processing unit 125 as described above.

In the printer unit 150, each unit is controlled by the printer control unit 152 that receives a command from the control CPU 110. In the image forming unit 151, the latent image written on the photoreceptor 151B is developed as a toner image by a developing unit (not shown), and the toner image is transferred to a sheet supplied by a conveyance path 147 by a transfer unit (not shown), and the fixing device 151F. Is fixed. In the photoreceptor 151B, after the toner image is transferred onto the paper, the residual toner is removed by a cleaning unit (not shown).
In this embodiment, the description has been given on the assumption of monochrome image formation. However, the image forming apparatus main body may be provided with a photoconductor for each color (for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black). .

  The sheet on which the image has been formed is sent to the post-processing device (FNS) 180 through the transport path 147, and predetermined post-processing is performed in the post-processing device (FNS) 180 according to the post-processing setting. Further, when the post-processing is not performed, the paper is discharged as it is by the post-processing device (FNS) 180.

Next, a paper discharge method when a paper jam occurs in the transport path 147 of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4A shows a state where the conveyed paper is jammed between the sensors s5 and s6 and becomes jammed paper J, and the subsequent paper cannot be discharged and remains as residual paper R. The paper jam occurs in the reverse conveyance path 147A in which the paper is reversed in the conveyance path 147. In this embodiment, the control unit determines the occurrence of the paper jam and the position of the paper jam based on the detection results of the sensors s5 and s6. Is done. The reverse conveyance path 147A joins the conveyance path 147 in the path where the paper is not reversed between the conveyance paths.

At the time of paper jam processing, the jammed paper J is removed, and after the paper jam processing, the residual paper R is discharged from the fifth path through the tenth path by the control of the control unit. Completion of the paper jam processing is detected by, for example, the control unit detecting that the housing door for removing the paper jammed paper is closed in the image forming apparatus main body 10 or the user completing the paper jam processing through the operation display unit. Judgment can be made by operations.
In this example, the transport route from the fifth route to the tenth route corresponds to the first transport route, and the sixth route, the seventh route, the eighth route, and the ninth route are the second route. Corresponds to the transport path.

The above procedure will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. The following procedure is executed under the control of the control unit.
The procedure is started with the start of printing, and it is determined whether a paper jam (hereinafter referred to as JAM) has occurred (step s100). If no paper jam has occurred (No in step s100), the process stands by.

  If JAM has occurred (step s100, Yes), it is determined whether a sheet to be pre-purged exists in the apparatus (step s101). If there is a sheet to be pre-purged in the apparatus (step s101, Yes), pre-purge is performed (step s102) and the operation is stopped (step s103). On the other hand, if there is no sheet to be pre-purged (No in step s101), the operation is immediately stopped (step s103).

  After stopping the operation (step s103), the JAM position is displayed on the operation display unit (step s104), and then it is determined whether the JAM has been released (step s105). If the JAM has not been released (No at step s105), the display returns to the display of the JAM position at step s104, and the JAM position release determination is repeated.

If JAM has been canceled (step s105, Yes), it is determined whether a sheet to be automatically purged exists in the apparatus (step s106).
If there is a sheet to be automatically purged in the apparatus (step s106, Yes), the shortest path that can be automatically purged is selected (step s107). Residual paper is discharged based on the selected automatic purge path (step s108). The shortest path that can be automatically purged here corresponds to the first transport path.

Next, it is determined whether or not confirmation paper is to be executed (step s109). In step s106, if there is no sheet to be automatically purged in the apparatus (No in step s106), it is determined whether or not the confirmation passing is performed similarly (step s109).
When the confirmation passing is not performed (step s109, No), the operation is stopped.

  When the confirmation passing is performed (step s109, Yes), the new paper is fed from the paper feed tray, and the new paper is passed through the transport path where the JAM has occurred, here the second transport path. (Step s110), and then the operation is stopped. Whether or not the second transport path can be safely passed can be determined by confirmation passing.

  As described above, when the jammed paper J is removed, the residual paper R is discharged by the purge function. However, if the paper piece PP of the jammed paper J remains in the machine, the paper piece PP is removed by the sensor. Since it cannot be detected, the control unit erroneously recognizes that all the remaining paper in the apparatus has been discharged and determines that the auto purge is completed. As shown in FIG. 4B, when the main output is started upon completion of the auto purge, the recovery paper RE collides with the paper piece PP of the jammed paper J, and a new paper jam occurs. In FIG. 4B, only one jammed paper is shown, but the succeeding paper may further become a residual paper.

  In FIG. 4C, the remaining paper R is not discharged through the first conveyance path, but is discharged so as to pass through the paper jam position through the reverse conveyance path 147A, which is the second conveyance path. Therefore, the safety of the route can be confirmed, and even when a piece of paper remains, it can be grasped immediately. In addition, when carrying out the conveyance path through the 2nd conveyance path, it is good also as what passes a part or all of the 1st conveyance path.

Next, a paper discharge method in the case where a paper that can be pre-purged remains when a paper jam occurs in the transport path of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5A shows a state in which the conveyed paper is jammed between the sensors s6 and s8 and becomes jammed paper J, and the subsequent paper remains in the fifth path and becomes residual paper R. . The paper jam occurs in the reverse conveyance path 147A for reversing the paper in the conveyance path 147. In this embodiment, the control unit that receives the detection results of the sensors s6, s7, and s8 causes the occurrence of the paper jam and The paper jam position is determined.
In this example, the transport route from the fifth route to the tenth route corresponds to the first transport route, and the sixth route, the seventh route, the eighth route, and the ninth route are the second transport route. It corresponds to.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the remaining paper R can be pre-purged or purged directly through the first transport path before the paper jam processing.
During the paper jam processing, the jammed paper J is removed, and after the paper jam processing, the recovery paper RE is conveyed. As shown in FIG. 5B, when the piece PP of jammed paper J remains in the apparatus on the reverse conveyance path 147A, it is erroneously recognized as described above. As shown in FIG. 5B, when the main output is started upon completion of the auto purge, the recovery paper RE collides with the paper piece PP of the jammed paper J, and a new paper jam occurs. In addition, there is a possibility that residual paper may be generated as in the case of FIG.

  FIG. 5C shows that the residual paper R is discharged so as to pass through the paper jam position through the reverse conveyance path 147A, which is the second conveyance path, after the paper jam process without being discharged by pre-purge in the first conveyance path. It is possible to confirm the safety of the route without wasting paper before this output. Even if a piece of paper remains, it is possible to quickly grasp the paper jam and deal with it without further generating useless residual paper.

Next, the procedure of the paper discharge method at the time of paper jam will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. The following procedure is executed under the control of the control unit.
The procedure is started with the start of printing, and it is determined whether a paper jam (hereinafter referred to as JAM) has occurred (step s1). If no paper jam has occurred (step s1, No), the process stands by.

  If JAM has occurred (step s1, Yes), it is determined whether a sheet to be pre-purged exists in the apparatus (step s2). If there is a sheet to be pre-purged in the machine (step s2, Yes), pre-purge is performed (step s3) and the operation is stopped (step s4). On the other hand, if there is no sheet to be pre-purged (No in step s2), the operation is immediately stopped (step s4).

After the operation is stopped (step s4), the JAM position is displayed on the operation display unit (step s5), and then it is determined whether the JAM has been released (step s6). If the JAM has not been released (No at step s6), the display returns to the display of the JAM position at step s5, and the JAM position release determination is repeated.
If JAM has been cancelled (step s6, Yes), it is determined whether a sheet to be automatically purged exists in the apparatus (step s7). If there is a sheet to be automatically purged (Yes in step s7), it is determined whether it is necessary to intentionally pass the sheet through the second conveyance path that is not the first conveyance path that is the shortest path (step s8). ).
If it is determined that it is necessary to pass the sheet through the second transport path (step s8, Yes), an automatic purge path for passing the JAM point is selected (step s9).

Whether it is necessary to pass through the second transport path can be determined whether or not the jammed paper is present in the second transport path or whether a part of the jammed paper is present in the second transport path. . Even if all or part of the jammed paper is present in the second transport path, it is not necessary to dare to pass through the second transport path if at least one of the remaining sheets is in a position passing through the second transport path. Can be determined.
If it is not necessary to dare to pass through the second transport path (No at Step s8), the shortest path that can be automatically purged (the transport path that can be discharged in the shortest time) is selected (Step s10). In this case, one sheet of residual paper always passes through the JAM point.

After steps s9 and s10, the remaining paper is discharged based on the selected automatic purge path (step s11), the procedure is terminated, and the operation is stopped.
On the other hand, if there is no remaining paper to be automatically purged in the machine at step s7 (step s7, No), it is determined whether or not confirmation paper is to be executed (step s12). Whether there is no paper in the machine is determined by the control unit based on machine setting information, user settings, user instructions from the operation display unit, and the like.
When the confirmation passing is not performed (step s12, No), the procedure is ended, and when the confirmation passing is performed (step s12, Yes), a new sheet is fed from the paper feed tray, and the confirmation passage is performed using the new sheet. Paper is executed (step s13), and then the procedure is terminated.
Although the above procedure includes a step of performing a pre-purge, the paper discharge may be performed by a procedure in which the pre-purge is not performed. The following procedure is the same.

Next, a procedure that is performed based on the setting as to whether or not to pass paper in the second transport path will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. The following procedure is executed under the control of the control unit.
Along with the start of printing, the procedure is started to determine whether or not JAM has occurred (step s20). If no paper jam has occurred (step s20, No), the process stands by.
If JAM has occurred (step s20, Yes), it is determined whether there is a sheet to be pre-purged in the apparatus (step s21). If there is a sheet to be pre-purged in the machine (step s21, Yes), pre-purge is performed (step s22), and the operation is stopped (step s23). On the other hand, if there is no sheet to be pre-purged (No in step s21), the operation is immediately stopped (step s23).

After the operation is stopped (step s23), the JAM position is displayed on the operation display unit (step s24), and it is determined whether the JAM has been released (step s25). If the JAM has not been released (No at step s25), the display returns to the display of the JAM position at step s24, and the determination of releasing the JAM position is repeated.
If JAM has been released (step s25, Yes), it is determined whether automatic purge is possible (step s26). Whether automatic purging is possible can be determined by checking whether paper remains in the apparatus.

If automatic purging is possible (step s26, Yes), it is determined whether it is necessary to pass the sheet through the second transport path that is not the first transport path, which is the shortest path (step s27).
If it is not necessary to pass through the second transport path (No at Step s27), the shortest path that can be automatically purged is selected (Step s32). If the sheet always passes through the second transport path, it is determined that it is not necessary to pass through the second transport path.
If it is necessary to intentionally pass the sheet through the second transport path (step s27, Yes), it is determined whether the setting is to confirm with the user whether or not the automatic purge of the present invention is to be performed (step s28). When the setting is not to confirm with the user (No at Step s28), an automatic purge route for passing the JAM point is selected (Step s31).

In the case of setting to confirm with the user (step s28, Yes), the user selects an automatic purge method from the operation display unit (step s29).
Options for the automatic purging method include, for example, selecting whether at least one of the remaining sheets is discharged through the second conveyance path or whether all of the remaining sheets are discharged through the shortest path that can be automatically purged, or passing through the second conveyance path. For example, selection of the number of papers to be printed and selection of whether to pass all of the papers. However, the content of selection is not particularly limited in the present invention.

As a result of the selection, the user determines whether the automatic purge of the present invention has been selected (step s30). If the user has selected automatic purge according to the present invention (step s30, Yes), the process proceeds to step s31 to select an automatic purge route for passing the JAM point. If the user has not selected the automatic purge of the present invention (step s30, No), the process proceeds to step s32 to select the shortest path that can be automatically purged.
After step s31 or s32, the remaining paper is discharged based on the selected automatic purge path (step s33), and the procedure is terminated.
If it is determined in step s26 that automatic purging is not possible (No in step s26), a new sheet is fed from the sheet feed tray, a confirmation sheet is passed using the new sheet (step s34), and the procedure ends.

Next, the procedure of automatic purge route selection will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
With the start of the route selection, the most downstream paper is selected from the remaining paper (step s40). The most downstream sheet corresponds to the in-machine residual sheet that reaches the second transport path in the shortest time.
Next, it is determined whether the selected sheet can pass the JAM path (corresponding to the second transport path). Whether paper can be passed can be determined based on paper type attributes such as paper size, paper type, basis weight, paper state (for example, post-processing content, curl state), and the like. Note that which element is used for the determination can be determined by a predetermined setting, or the operation display unit may be inquired about the determination element. Note that if the paper type attribute and the conveyance path through which paper can be passed are associated with each other and stored in a storage unit such as a nonvolatile memory, it is possible to quickly determine whether the paper can be passed.

If it is determined that the sheet cannot be passed (No in step s41), the shortest path that does not pass through the JAM point is set (step s42), and one upstream sheet is selected (step s43). Next, the process returns to step s41, and the same procedure is repeated for the selected paper.
If it is determined in step s41 that the selected paper can pass through the JAM path (step s41, Yes), a purge path (second transport path) that passes through the JAM point is determined (step s44). The selected paper is paper that can pass through the second transport path and corresponds to paper that reaches the second transport path in the shortest time.

  It is determined whether or not it is set to confirm with the user or try to pass the second conveyance path for the upstream sheet (step s45). If the setting is confirmed by the user (step s45, Yes), the user selects the handling of the upstream paper (whether or not the second conveyance path is passed) from the operation display unit (step s46). For example, a setting is made as to whether there is only one sheet, a plurality of sheets, or all sheets. The setting content may be any one.

If the setting is not confirmed by the user (step s45, No), or after step s46, it is determined whether the sheet upstream of the selected sheet attempts to pass through the second transport path (step s47).
When the setting is made so that the upstream sheet passes through the second conveyance path (step s47, Yes), it is determined whether there is an upstream sheet (step s48). If there is no upstream paper (step s48, No), the automatic purge route selection is terminated.

If there is an upstream sheet (step s48, Yes), the upstream sheet is selected (step s49), and it is determined whether each parameter can pass through the JAM path (step s50). The determination can be made based on the same criteria as in step s41.
If the upstream paper can pass through the JAM path (step s50, Yes), a purge path through which the JAM point passes is set (step s52). If the upstream paper cannot pass through the JAM route (step s50, No), the shortest route that does not pass through the JAM point is set (step s51).
After steps s51 and 52, the process returns to step s48, and the same procedure is repeated for the upstream sheet.

If it is determined in step s47 that the upstream sheet does not attempt to pass through the second transport path (step s47, No), it is determined whether there is an upstream sheet (step s53).
If there is upstream paper (step s53), the paper upstream one is selected (step s54), the shortest path that does not pass through the JAM point is set (step s55), and the process returns to step s53 to determine whether there is upstream paper. repeat.
If there is no upstream paper at step s53 (step s53, No), the automatic purge route selection is terminated.

Next, a specific example of automatic purge route selection will be described with reference to the route diagram shown in FIG. The path is the transport path 147 shown in FIG.
1. The most downstream paper R1 is selected from the papers R1, R2, and R3, which are the remaining paper upstream from the removed JAM paper J.
2. Considering the paper parameters, it is assumed that the paper R1 is a paper parameter such as thick paper or long paper that cannot pass through the JAM point.
3. The paper R1 sets the shortest path that does not pass through the JAM point.
4). One upstream sheet R2 is selected as the sheet passing through the second transport path.
5. Considering the paper parameters, it is assumed that the paper R2 is a paper parameter that can pass through the JAM point.
6). The purge path (second transport path) through which the paper R2 passes the JAM point is set (here, the reverse transport path 147A).
7). It is assumed that the upstream paper is set to be confirmed with the user.
8). It is assumed that the user has set “try to pass through the second transport path” from the operation unit.
9. One upstream sheet R3 is selected.
10. Considering the paper parameters, it is assumed that the paper R3 is a paper parameter such as thick paper or long paper that cannot pass through the JAM point.
11. The paper R3 sets the shortest path that does not pass through the JAM point.
Since there is no upstream paper, the automatic purge route selection is terminated.

Next, the procedure of automatic purge paper discharge will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. The following procedure is executed under the control of the control unit.
With the start of automatic purge paper discharge, the most downstream paper is selected from the remaining paper (step s60). It is determined whether the selected paper is discharged through a purge route passing through the JAM point (step s61).
If the selected sheet is not discharged through the purge route that passes through the JAM point (No in step s61), discharge starts along the shortest route that does not pass through the JAM point (step s62).

  When the selected sheet is discharged through the purge path passing through the JAM point (step s61, Yes), it is determined whether there is another sheet before the JAM point on the purge path (step s63). If there is another sheet (step s63, No), the process waits until the sheet runs out. Other sheets can be removed by user removal or discharge through the first transport path. If there is no other sheet (step s63, Yes), the sheet is discharged along the purge path passing through the JAM point (step s64).

After step s62 or s64, it is determined whether there is upstream paper (step s65). If there is an upstream sheet (step s65, Yes), the upstream sheet is selected (step s66), and the process returns to step s61 to repeat the determination.
If there is no upstream paper (step s65, No), it is determined whether or not all the sheets have been unloaded outside the apparatus (step s67).
If all the sheets have been unloaded outside the apparatus (step s67, Yes), the automatic purge sheet unloading is completed.

Next, the procedure for performing the pre-purge will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. The following procedure is executed under the control of the control unit.
Along with the start of the pre-purge, it is determined whether or not the automatic purge through the JAM point with the remaining paper that cannot be pre-purge is possible (step s70).
If automatic purging through the JAM point with residual paper that cannot be pre-purged is possible (step s70, Yes), a pre-purge route is determined (step s81), pre-purge paper conveyance is performed (step s82), and pre-purge execution is terminated. .

If the remaining paper that cannot be pre-purged cannot be automatically purged through the JAM point (No in step s70), the most downstream paper is selected from the remaining paper (step s71). Next, it is determined according to the parameter whether it can pass through the JAM route. In the determination, as described above, paper type attributes such as paper size, paper material, basis weight, and parameters such as paper state are considered.
If it is not possible to pass the JAM path (No at step s72), it is determined whether there is an upstream sheet (step s73). If there is an upstream sheet (step s73, Yes), an upstream sheet is selected (step s74). Returning to step s72, it is determined whether the JAM route can be passed. If there is no upstream paper in step s73 (step s73, No), the pre-purge route is determined (step s81), the pre-purge paper is carried (step s82), and the pre-purge execution is terminated.

If it is determined in step s72 that the paper can pass through the JAM path (step s72), the selected paper is set to be treated as a residual paper without being pre-purged (step s75).
Next, it is determined whether there is an upstream sheet (step s76). If there is an upstream sheet (step s76, Yes), the upstream sheet is selected (step s77), and the selected sheet is not pre-purged and remains. The paper is set to be handled (step s78), and the process returns to step s76 to repeat the determination of whether there is upstream paper.

If it is determined in step s76 that there is no upstream paper (step s76, No), the paper determined to be treated as residual paper is set to be excluded from JAM (step s79), and even if residual paper remains. It is determined whether there is a sheet that can be pre-purged (step s80). Even if the remaining paper remains, if there is no paper that can be pre-purged (No in step s80), the pre-purge operation is terminated.
If there is a sheet that can be pre-purged even if the remaining sheet remains (step s80, Yes), the pre-purge path is determined (step s81), the pre-purge sheet is conveyed (step s82), and the pre-purge operation is terminated.

Next, a specific example of the pre-purge operation will be described with reference to a route diagram shown in FIG. The path is the transport path 147 shown in FIG.
1. Before the JAM paper J is removed, the residual papers R1, R2, R3, R4 can be pre-purged. However, automatic purging through the JAM point with residual paper that cannot be pre-purged is impossible (because the paper does not exist).
3. The most downstream paper R1 is selected.
4). The sheet R1 cannot pass through the JAM point from the sheet position.
5. 5. Since the upstream paper exists, select the paper R2. Considering the paper parameters, it is assumed that the paper R2 is a paper parameter such as thick paper or long paper that cannot pass through the JAM point.
7). Since upstream paper exists, paper R3 is selected.
8). Considering the paper parameters, it is assumed that the paper R3 is a paper parameter that can pass through the JAM point.
9. The paper R3 is set to be handled as a residual paper without performing the pre-purge.
10. Since upstream paper exists, paper R4 is selected.
11. The paper R4 is set to be handled as a residual paper without performing the pre-purge.
12 The papers R3 and R4 handled as residual paper are set so as not to be subject to JAM. (If it is handled as JAM paper, it cannot be automatically purged through the JAM point)
8). 8. Even if the paper R3 and R4 are handled as residual paper, the paper R1 and R2 can be pre-purged. A pre-purge path is determined for the papers R1 and R2.
10. A pre-purge is performed on the sheets R1 and R2.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on the said embodiment, an appropriate change is possible unless it deviates from the range of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 10 Image forming apparatus main body 110 Control CPU
145 Paper feed tray (1-3)
147 Conveyance path 147A Reverse conveyance path 151 Image forming unit 170 Large-capacity paper feed tray 180 Post-processing device (FNS)
s1 to s9 Sensor J Jam paper R, R1, R2, R3, R4 Residual paper

Claims (21)

An image forming unit that prints on paper based on image data;
A transport unit for transporting the paper through a transport path;
A controller for controlling the printing and the conveyance,
When the control unit determines that the processing of the paper jam caused by the conveyance of the sheet is completed, the control unit discharges the residual paper in the apparatus to the outside of the conveyance path through a predetermined first conveyance path among the plurality of conveyance paths. Has function,
Further, based on the paper jam position, it is determined whether or not it is necessary to pass the paper through the second transport path other than the first transport path, and the paper jam position is in the second transport path and the second transport path is passed. When it is determined that paper passing is necessary, when there is an in-machine residual sheet that can pass through the second transport path, at least one of the residual paper in the apparatus after the paper jam processing is transported through the second transport path. An image forming apparatus which discharges outside. A paper jam detector for detecting a paper jam in the transport path;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit receives a detection result of the paper jam detection unit and determines a paper jam occurrence and a paper jam position on a conveyance path.   When the jammed paper is in the second transport path, or when a part of the jammed paper is in the second transport path, the controller discharges the residual paper in the apparatus through the second transport path. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first conveyance path is a conveyance path that can discharge the sheet outside the conveyance path in the shortest time.   The controller selects the remaining in-machine sheet that can pass through the second transport path and can reach the second transport path in the shortest time when discharging the remaining in-machine sheet through the second transport path. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.   The control unit determines whether the in-machine residual paper can pass through the second transport path by using at least one of a paper type attribute and a paper state as a parameter in addition to a paper position where the paper remains. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the determination is made.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit stores a paper type attribute and a conveyance path through which the sheet can pass in the storage unit in association with each other. Wherein the control unit, and in the second sheet passing through the conveyance path, one of the claims 1-4, characterized in that passed a plurality of said machine residual paper can be passed through the second transport path The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is capable of setting a sheet passing through the second transport path. 10.   The settings include whether or not to pass paper through the second transport path, the number of sheets to be passed through the second transport path, a criterion for determining whether or not paper can be passed, and whether or not to confirm the execution to the user. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the number is at least one.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the setting is performed in advance by the machine setting information in the control unit. 10. The control unit according to claim 9, wherein when the paper can be discharged through the second conveyance path after the paper jam processing, the control unit automatically performs the paper passing confirmation based on the setting. 12. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 11 above. It has an operation display unit for performing operation input,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control unit enables an operation input related to the setting through the operation display unit.   After the paper jam processing, the control unit discharges at least one of the in-machine residual paper through the second transport path through the operation display unit or passes all of the in-machine residual paper through the first transport path. 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein whether or not to discharge the sheet can be selected.   The controller includes a first in-machine residual sheet selected to pass through the second transport path, and a second in-machine residual sheet on the transport path to the first in-machine residual sheet and a paper jam position. And when the second in-machine residual sheet is conveyed through the first conveyance path, the first in-machine residual sheet is confirmed to be able to pass through the second conveyance path. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein discharging of the first in-machine residual sheet through the second transport path is started.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit has a pre-purge processing function for discharging in-machine residual paper that can be discharged out of the conveyance path before paper jam processing.   When it is determined that there is no remaining paper in the machine when the pre-purge process is performed, the control unit stores in-machine residual paper that can pass through the second transport path among the residual paper in the machine that can be pre-purged. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the pre-purge is left.   18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the control unit excludes in-machine residual sheets remaining in the apparatus during pre-purge from an object of occurrence of paper jam.   When discharging the residual paper in the machine through the second transport path, the control unit supplies new paper from the paper feed tray when there is no sheet in the machine that can pass through the second transport path. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus discharges paper and discharges the new paper through the second transport path.   Assuming that there is no sheet that can pass through the second transport path in the machine, and the only remaining paper in the machine is a sheet that cannot pass through the second transport path, the last one to be purged or confirmed to pass 20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising at least one of the case where the paper is jammed. A paper discharge method of an image forming apparatus that transports paper through a transport path and prints on the paper based on image data in an image forming unit,
A purge function for discharging the residual paper in the apparatus to the outside of the conveyance path through a predetermined first conveyance path among the plurality of conveyance paths when it is determined that the processing of the paper jam caused by the conveyance of the sheet is completed;
Based on the paper jam position, it is determined whether or not it is necessary to pass the paper through the second transport path other than the first transport path, and the paper is passed through the second transport path when the paper jam position is in the second transport path. When there is residual in-machine paper that can pass through the second transport path, at least one of the residual paper in the apparatus after the paper jam processing is out of the transport path through the second transport path. And a paper discharge method for the image forming apparatus.

Images