JP6957674B2 - Image forming apparatus and its control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and its control how.

In recent years, the recording media used for printing have been diversified. In order to obtain a print result that satisfies a certain quality regardless of which recording medium is used for printing, the type of recording medium used for printing is detected by a sensor, and the fixing temperature is determined according to the detected type of recording medium. There is known an image forming apparatus that sets printing conditions such as the transfer speed of recording paper and print processing based on the set printing conditions (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In addition, the sensor detects the type of recording medium used for printing when executing the printing process, and the image forming apparatus knows that the type of recording medium stored in the paper feed tray is preset by the user. (See, for example, Patent Document 2). In the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 2, the type of recording medium detected by the sensor (hereinafter, referred to as “detection type”) and the type of recording medium previously set in the image forming apparatus by the user (hereinafter, “setting type”). When matches with), the print process is executed.

By the way, in the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 2, when the sensor detects the type of the recording medium, the sensor may erroneously detect the type of the recording medium. Further, when the user sets the type of the recording medium in the image forming apparatus in advance, the user may make a mistake in the type of the recording medium to be set.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-182518 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-012219

However, in the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 2, when the detection type and the setting type do not match, the printing process is not automatically executed. Therefore, when the sensor erroneously detects the type of the recording medium or when the user sets the type of the recording medium by mistake, the print process is executed unless a special instruction is given, for example, the user gives an instruction to continue the print process. There is a problem that it is not done.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and its control how it is possible to prevent that the printing process is not executed.

In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises a plurality of storage means for storing the recording medium and the recording medium stored in the storage means designated by the user among the plurality of storage means. based not require instruction to print particular attached received from the user a command for specifying a type, specifying means for specifying a type of the recording medium conveyed from the designated storage means, said It is characterized by having a setting means for setting the type of the specified recording medium as the type of the recording medium stored in the designated storage means.

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the printing process from being executed.

It is a block diagram which shows typically the structure of the image formation system which includes the MFP as the image formation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic the internal structure of the controller in FIG. It is a figure used for demonstrating the printing of the image data on the recording paper in the MFP of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the setting process executed by the CPU included in the main board in FIG. It is a figure used for explaining various screens displayed on the operation part in the setting process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the modification of the setting process of FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an image forming system 100 including an MFP 101 as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The image forming system 100 of FIG. 1 includes an MFP 101 and a PC 102 as an information processing device, and the MFP 101 and the PC 102 are connected to each other via a network, for example, a LAN 103. The MFP 101 includes an operation unit 104, a controller 105, a power supply unit 106, a printer engine 107, and a hard disk device 108, and the operation unit 104, the power supply unit 106, the printer engine 107, and the hard disk device 108 are connected to each other via the controller 105. There is. Further, the printer engine 107 is connected to the power supply unit 106, and the power supply unit 106 is connected to the AC power supply 109.

The operation unit 104 includes a hard key and an operation panel, and the user operates the hard key and the operation panel to input an instruction to the MFP 101 (acceptance of an instruction from the user). The controller 105 controls the MFP 101. DC power is supplied from the AC power supply 109 to the power supply unit 106. The power supply unit 106 converts the supplied DC power into AC power, and supplies the converted AC power to each component of the MFP 101. The printer engine 107 prints, for example, image data stored in the hard disk device 108 on the recording paper S as a recording medium. The hard disk device 108 is a non-volatile storage device, and stores various programs, various data, and the like.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the controller 105 in FIG.

The controller 105 of FIG. 2 includes a main board 201, a sub board 202, and a RAM 203. The main board 201 includes a CPU 204, a ROM 205, a non-volatile memory 206, a USB controller 207, a disk controller 208, a network controller 209, a bus controller 210, and a reset circuit 211, and includes an operation unit 104, a ROM 205, a non-volatile memory 206, and a USB controller 207. , The disk controller 208, the network controller 209, the bus controller 210, and the reset circuit 211 are connected to each other via the CPU 204. Further, a USB memory 212, a hard disk device 108, and a PC 102 are connected to the USB controller 207, the disk controller 208, and the network controller 209, respectively.

The sub board 202 includes a CPU 213, a power supply monitoring H / W 214, an image processing processor 215, a device controller 216, a bus controller 217, and a reset circuit 218, and includes a power supply monitoring H / W 214, an image processing processor 215, a device controller 216, and a bus controller. The 217s are connected to each other via the CPU 213, and the reset circuit 218 is connected to the power supply monitoring H / W 214. A printer engine 107 is connected to the device controller 216. Further, the CPU 213 is connected to the CPU 204 via the RAM 203, the bus controller 217 is connected to the bus controller 210, and the reset circuit 218 is connected to the reset circuit 211.

The RAM 203 is accessible from the CPU 204 or the CPU 213 and is the main memory of each. The CPU 204 controls each component of the operation unit 104 and the main board 201. The ROM 205 stores a program operated by the CPU 204 and the CPU 213. The non-volatile memory 206 stores information (counter information) regarding various conditions set in the MFP 101 and the number of recording sheets S used for printing. The USB controller 207 controls the USB memory 212 in which various data are stored. The disk controller 208 controls the hard disk device 108. The network controller 209 receives data from PC 102 or transmits data to PC 102. The bus controller 210 is a bus bridge of the main board 201 and the sub board 202. The reset circuit 211 initializes each component of the main board 201.

The CPU 213 controls each component of the sub board 202. The power supply monitoring H / W 214 controls the power supplied to each component of the controller 105. Further, when the CPU 213 operates normally, the power supply monitoring H / W 214 restarts each component of the main board 201 and each component of the sub board 202 via the reset circuit 211 and the reset circuit 218. Further, when the power supply monitoring H / W 214 is not supplying power to the CPU 213, the power supply monitoring H / W 214 supplies power to the components of the controller 105 by using an input to a power switch (not shown) as a trigger. The image processor 215 converts, for example, image data described in an image description language into bitmap image data. The device controller 216 controls the printer engine 107. The bus controller 217 is a bus bridge of the main board 201 and the sub board 202. The reset circuit 218 initializes each component of the subboard 202.

FIG. 3 is a diagram used to explain printing of image data on the recording paper S in the MFP 101 of FIG.

The MFP 101 of FIG. 3 includes a paper feed unit 301, 302 (storage means), a paper output tray 303, a photosensitive drum 304Y, 304M, 304C, 304K, a charging roller 305, a toner cartridge 306Y, 306M, 306C, 306K, a developing roller 307, and the like. A transfer belt 308, a transfer unit 309, a fixing roller 310, a pressure roller 311, a path 312-315, and a sensor 316 (specific means) are provided.

The paper feed units 301 and 302 supply the recording paper S inside the MFP 101. The paper feed unit 301 is a so-called manual feed tray, and the recording paper S is set in the paper feed unit 301. Further, the paper feed unit 301 includes a sensor 317, and the sensor 317 detects that the recording paper S is set in the paper feed unit 301. The paper feed unit 302 includes paper feed cassettes 302a, 302b, 302c, and the paper feed cassettes 302a, 302b, 302c store the recording paper S. Further, the paper feed cassettes 302a, 302b, 302c are provided with a sensor 318, and the sensor 318 detects the opening / closing of the paper feed cassettes 302a, 302b, 302c. Here, when the opening / closing of the paper feed cassettes 302a, 302b, 302c is detected, it is possible that the recording paper S of any of the paper feed cassettes 302a, 302b, 302c is replaced and the type of the paper feed cassette S is changed. be. The recording paper S on which the image data is printed is discharged to the output tray 303.

The laser emitting unit (not shown) is a photosensitive drum 304Y in which laser light corresponding to each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) is charged by a charging unit including a charging roller 305. , 304M, 304C, 304K. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drums 304Y, 304M, 304C, 304K, and the electrostatic latent image is generated by a developer including toner and a developing roller 307 supplied from the toner cartridges 306Y, 306M, 306C, 306K. It is developed and a toner image is generated on the photosensitive drums 304Y, 304M, 304C, 304K.

The generated toner image is transferred to the transfer belt 308, and the toner image transferred to the transfer belt 308 is transferred to the recording paper S at the transfer unit 309. The toner image transferred to the recording paper S is fixed to the recording paper S by the fixing roller 310 and the pressure roller 311. The recording paper S has a front surface and a back surface, and when the MFP 101 prints image data on the front surface of the recording paper S stored in, for example, the paper feed cassette 302a, the recording paper S is printed on paths 312, 313, and 314. The image data is printed on the surface of the recording paper S and discharged to the output tray 303.

Further, when printing image data on both sides of the recording paper S stored in the paper feed cassette 302a, the MFP 101 conveys the recording paper S using the paths 312, 313, and 314, and passes the path 314. The switchback is performed, and then the paper is conveyed using the paths 315, 313, and 314, and the image data is printed on the back surface of the recording paper S and discharged to the output tray 303. The sensor 316 detects the size, smoothness, reflected light amount, or transmitted light amount (hereinafter, referred to as “type-specific matter”) of the recording paper S. The type identification item is used to specify the type of the recording paper S. Specifically, the type-specific items of the recording paper S stored in advance in the hard disk device 108 for each type are compared with the type-specific items detected by the sensor 316 to specify the type of the recording paper S.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of setting processing executed by the CPU 204 included in the main board 201 in FIG.

In FIG. 4, first, a setting screen for setting the type of recording paper S in order to set the type of recording paper S set in the paper feed unit 301 or stored in any of the paper feed cassettes 302a, 302b, 302c. (FIG. 5 (A)) is displayed on the operation unit 104 (step S401). The user selects one of the paper feed unit 301 and the paper feed cassettes 302a, 302b, and 302c for setting the type of the recording paper S on the setting screen displayed on the operation unit 104. Here, it is assumed that "paper cassette 302b recording paper type setting" on the setting screen is selected.

Next, an input screen (FIG. 5 (B)) for inputting the type of recording paper S is displayed on the operation unit 104 (step S402), and it is determined whether or not "automatic setting" displayed on the input screen is selected. (Step S403). As a result of the determination in step S403, when "automatic setting" is not selected, any one of plain paper, thick paper, and thin paper displayed on the input screen is stored in the paper feed cassette 302b. Information set as the type of paper S and associating the set type of recording paper S with the paper feed cassette 302b (hereinafter referred to as "setting information") is stored in the non-volatile memory 206 (step S404). End the process. On the other hand, when "automatic setting" is selected, one sheet of recording paper S is conveyed from the paper feed cassette 302b to the sensor 316, the sensor 316 detects the type identification item of the recording paper S, and the detected type identification Based on the matter, the CPU 204 specifies the type of the recording paper S (step S405). A plurality of sheets of recording paper S may be conveyed in order to improve the detection accuracy.

While the sensor 316 detects the type-specific item, a notification screen (FIG. 5 (C)) for notifying the user that the sensor 316 has detected the type-specific item is displayed on the operation unit 104, and the type-specific item is displayed. Is detected, the recording paper S is discharged to the output tray 303 (ejection to the outside of the MFP 101). In the present embodiment, the type of the recording paper S is specified based on the type specifying matter of the recording paper S detected from one sheet of the recording paper S, but in order to more accurately specify the type of the recording paper S. The type of the recording paper S may be specified based on the type specifying items of the recording paper S detected from the plurality of sheets of the recording paper S.

Next, it is displayed that the type of the specified recording paper S is, for example, "thick paper", and the "thick paper" which is the type of the specified recording paper S is stored in the paper feed cassette 302b. A selection screen (FIG. 5 (D)) for selecting whether or not to set as the type of S is displayed on the operation unit 104 (step S406). On the selection screen, the YES button 501 pressed when setting the specified and displayed type of recording paper S as the type of recording paper S stored in the paper cassette 302b, and the specified type of recording paper S Is provided with a NO button 502 that is pressed when is not set as the type of the recording paper S stored in the paper feed cassette 302b.

Next, it is determined whether or not the YES button 501 is pressed (step S407). As a result of the determination in step S407, when the YES button 501 is pressed, the type of the recording paper S stored in the paper feed cassette 302b is set to "thick paper" in the setting information, and the setting information is stored in the non-volatile memory 206. Then (step S408), this process is terminated. On the other hand, when the YES button 501 is not pressed (when the NO button 502 is pressed), a confirmation screen prompting the user to set the type of the recording paper S stored in the paper feed cassette 302b to thick paper in the setting information (when the NO button 502 is pressed). FIG. 5 (E)) is displayed on the operation unit 104 (step S409), and this process is terminated. In step S408, the setting information is stored in the non-volatile memory 206 together with the date and time information indicating the date and time when the setting information is stored. It is assumed that the following setting information is stored in the non-volatile memory 206 together with the date and time information.

According to the process of FIG. 4, when the "automatic setting" displayed on the input screen is selected, the type-specific items of the recording paper S are detected, and the recording paper S is based on the detected type-specific items. Since the type is specified (step S405) and the type of the recording paper S specified in the setting information is set as the type of the recording paper S stored in the paper feed cassette 302b (step S408), the specified recording paper S is set. The type of S and the set type of recording paper S match. As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the printing process is not executed because the specified type of the recording paper S and the set type of the recording paper S do not match, thereby preventing the printing process from being executed. be able to.

Further, in the process of FIG. 4, since the recording paper S after the type is specified is discharged to the paper ejection tray 303, the recording paper S is not returned to the paper feed units 301 and 302, but is returned. It is possible to reduce the possibility that the recording paper S causes a transport failure during the process.

Further, in the process of FIG. 4, the NO button is not set when the specified type of recording paper S is not set as the type of recording paper S stored in the paper feed unit 301 or stored in the paper feed cassettes 302a, 302b, 302c. When 502 is pressed, a confirmation screen (FIG. 5 (E)) prompting the user to set the type of the recording paper S set in the paper feed unit 301 or stored in the paper feed cassettes 302a, 302b, 302c is operated. Since it is displayed in unit 104 (step S409), the user is made aware that the printing process may not be executed because the specified type of recording paper S and the set type of recording paper S do not match. be able to.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a modification of the setting process of FIG.

The setting process of FIG. 4 was started by the user operating the setting screen displayed on the operation unit 104, but the setting process of FIG. 6 is such that the recording paper S is set in the paper feed unit 301 or the paper feed cassette 302a. , 302b, 302c is started by replacing the recording paper S.

In FIG. 6, first, did the sensor 317 detect that the recording paper S was set in the paper feed unit 301, or did the sensor 318 detect that any of the paper feed cassettes 302a, 302b, 302c was closed? Whether or not it is determined (step S601). As a result of the determination in step S601, when it is not detected that the recording paper S is set in the paper feed unit 301, or it is not detected that any of the paper feed cassettes 302a, 302b, 302c is closed, this process is performed. finish. On the other hand, when it is detected that the recording paper S is set in the paper feed unit 301 or that any one of the paper feed cassettes 302a, 302b, 302c is closed, the process proceeds to step S602 described later. It is also assumed that the recording paper S of the paper feed cassette 302b has been replaced after step S602.

Next, the non-volatile memory 206 is referred to, the date and time information stored in the non-volatile memory 206 is read together with the setting information regarding the paper feed cassette 302b, and the date and time indicated by the date and time information read from the non-volatile memory 206 (hereinafter, “read”). It is determined whether or not a certain time set in advance by the user has elapsed from the date and time (referred to as "date and time") to the date and time when the sensor 318 detects the opening and closing of the paper feed cassette 302b (hereinafter referred to as "detection date and time") (hereinafter referred to as "detection date and time"). Step S602).

As a result of the determination in step S602, when a certain time has not elapsed from the reading date and time to the detection date and time, this process ends. On the other hand, when a certain time elapses from the reading date and time to the detection date and time, one sheet of recording paper S is conveyed from the paper feed cassette 302b to the sensor 316, and the sensor 316 detects the type identification item of the recording paper S and CPU204. Specifies the type of recording paper S as, for example, thick paper (step S603).

Next, the operation unit 104 indicates that the specified type of recording paper S is thick paper (step S604), the recording paper S conveyed to the sensor 316 is discharged to the paper ejection tray 303, and the recording paper S is supplied in the setting information. When the type of the recording paper S stored in the paper cassette 302b is set to "thick paper" (step S605), the setting information is stored in the non-volatile memory 206, and the setting information is stored in the non-volatile memory 206. The date and time information (hereinafter, referred to as “update date and time information”) is stored in the non-volatile memory 206 (step S606), and this process is terminated.

According to the process of FIG. 6, the type of the recording paper S is that the sensor 317 detects that the recording paper S is set in the paper feed unit 301, or the sensor 318 is one of the paper feed cassettes 302a, 302b, and 302c. It is specified depending on whether or not the opening / closing is detected (steps S601 and 603). When the paper feed cassette 302b is opened and closed, the recording paper S may be replaced and the type of the stored recording paper S may be changed. However, the type of the recording paper S is, for example, the opening and closing of the paper feed cassette 302b. Therefore, each time the type of the recording paper S may be changed, the type of the recording paper S is specified and set as the type of the recording paper S stored in the paper feed cassette 302b. As a result, the type of the recording paper S stored in the paper feed cassette 302b and the type of the set recording paper S can be reliably matched.

In the process of FIG. 6 described above, for example, after opening and closing the paper feed cassette 302b, the type of the recording paper S is specified only once. Processing may be executed. That is, the type of the recording paper S may be specified every time a certain time elapses from the update date / time information (specific repetition of the type of the recording paper S). As a result, the type of the recording paper S is periodically specified (step S603), so that the type of the specified recording paper S and the set type of the recording paper S can always be matched. If the paper cassette 302b is opened and closed when a certain time has not elapsed from the update date and time information, for example, the recording paper S that has been discharged to the output tray 303 by the user after the type has been specified. There is a high possibility that the paper cassette 302b is opened and closed in order to return the paper cassette 302b to the paper cassette 302b, that is, the type of the recording paper S of the paper cassette 302b remains the same. Therefore, in response to this, even if the paper cassette 302b is opened and closed when a certain time has not elapsed from the update date and time information, this process may not be executed. As a result, it is possible to avoid unnecessary execution of the type of recording paper S and prevent the printing process from being interrupted meaninglessly.

The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read the program. It can also be realized by the processing to be executed. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

S Recording paper 101 MFP
204 CPU
206 Non-volatile memory 301, 302 Paper feed section 302a to 302c Paper feed cassette 316 sensor

Claims (17)

Multiple storage means for storing recording media and
Based instructions that do not require printing a instruction for specifying the type of stored in the specified storage means the recording medium especially attached received from the user by a user of the plurality of storage means, A specific means for specifying the type of the recording medium conveyed from the designated storage means, and a specific means for specifying the type of the recording medium.
An image forming apparatus including a setting means for setting the type of the specified recording medium as the type of the recording medium stored in the designated storage means. Multiple storage means for storing recording media and
Based instructions that do not require printing a instruction for specifying the type of stored in the specified storage means the recording medium especially attached received from the user by a user of the plurality of storage means, A specific means for specifying the type of the recording medium conveyed from the designated storage means, and a specific means for specifying the type of the recording medium.
An image forming apparatus comprising: a setting means for setting a type of a recording medium stored in the designated storage means based on the type of the specified recording medium. Has more printing means,
The printing means is characterized in that an image is printed on the recording medium transported separately from the transport for specifying the type of the recording medium, using the type of the recording medium set by the setting means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. Printing means and
Multiple storage means for storing recording media and
A specific means for specifying the type of recording medium conveyed from the storage means designated by the user among the plurality of storage means based on receiving an instruction from the user, and a specific means.
It has a setting means for setting the type of the specified recording medium as the type of the recording medium stored in the designated storage means.
An image forming apparatus, characterized in that the printing means does not print an image on the recording medium conveyed by the specific means for specifying the type of the recording medium. Printing means and
Multiple storage means for storing recording media and
A specific means for specifying the type of recording medium conveyed from the storage means designated by the user among the plurality of storage means based on receiving an instruction from the user, and a specific means.
It has a setting means for setting the type of the recording medium stored in the designated storage means based on the type of the specified recording medium.
An image forming apparatus, characterized in that the printing means does not print an image on the recording medium conveyed by the specific means for specifying the type of the recording medium. The printing means is characterized in that an image is printed on the recording medium transported separately from the transport for specifying the type of the recording medium, using the type of the recording medium set by the setting means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 or 5. The specification means according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the specific means is of a type different from the size of the transported recording medium and is characterized in that the type of the transported recording medium is specified. Image forming device. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the recording medium conveyed for specifying the type of the recording medium is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the specific means conveys a recording medium in response to the closing of the designated storage means. The specific means according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the specific means conveys a recording medium according to a lapse of a certain time after the designated storage means is closed. Image forming device. Further having a detecting means for detecting the information of the recording medium conveyed from the designated storage means,
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the specifying means specifies the type of the recording medium based on the detected information. The specifying unit, based on the information conveyed plurality of said recording medium from said designated storing means, the Japanese Teisu Rukoto a type of the recording medium stored in the designated storage means The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11 or 12 , wherein the information includes at least one of the size, smoothness, reflected light amount, and transmitted light amount of the recording medium. A control method for an image forming apparatus having a plurality of storage means for storing a recording medium.
The user does not require printing a instruction for specifying the type of stored in the specified storage means the recording medium by instruction of said plurality of storage means, in particular based and attached received from the user , A specific step of specifying the type of the recording medium conveyed from the designated storage means, and
A control method for an image forming apparatus, which comprises a setting step of setting the type of the specified recording medium as the type of the recording medium stored in the designated storage means. A control method for an image forming apparatus having a plurality of storage means for storing a recording medium.
The user does not require printing a instruction for specifying the type of stored in the specified storage means the recording medium by instruction of said plurality of storage means, in particular based and attached received from the user , A specific step of specifying the type of the recording medium conveyed from the designated storage means, and
A control method for an image forming apparatus, which comprises a setting step of setting a type of a recording medium stored in the designated storage means based on the type of the specified recording medium. A control method for an image forming apparatus having a printing means and a plurality of storage means for storing a recording medium.
A specific step of specifying the type of recording medium conveyed from the storage means designated by the user among the plurality of storage means based on receiving an instruction from the user, and
It has a setting step of setting the type of the specified recording medium as the type of the recording medium stored in the designated storage means.
A control method for an image forming apparatus, wherein the printing means does not print an image on the recording medium conveyed to specify the type of the recording medium in the specific step. A control method for an image forming apparatus having a printing means and a plurality of storage means for storing a recording medium.
A specific step of specifying the type of recording medium conveyed from the storage means designated by the user among the plurality of storage means based on receiving an instruction from the user, and
It has a setting step of setting the type of the recording medium stored in the designated storage means based on the type of the specified recording medium.
A control method for an image forming apparatus, wherein the printing means does not print an image on the recording medium conveyed to specify the type of the recording medium in the specific step.

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