JP7063073B2 - Image forming device and output mode setting program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for printing on paper fed from a paper feeding means and an output mode setting program.

There are a wide variety of papers used for printing on the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus needs to perform appropriate printing on the paper prepared by the user.

For this reason, a technique has been conventionally known in which a paper type, that is, a paper type is set for each paper feed port, and printing is performed under control according to the set paper type.

Further, in Patent Document 1, when the paper fed as the double-sided printing mode is the backing paper, the technique is switched to the single-sided printing mode and the output mode is switched to the toner save mode, the aggregation mode, the low image quality mode, or the like. Is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-49584

However, in the technique of setting the paper type, that is, the paper type for each paper feed port and printing under the control according to the set paper type, it is appropriate if the paper different from the set paper type is passed. There is a problem that the print result cannot be obtained.

Further, the technique described in Patent Document 1 switches to an output mode with less problem only when there is an inconsistency between the paper type and the output mode, but the user has instructed both sides to use one side. Since the mode can be switched to the print mode, there is a problem that the operation of instructing the double-sided mode is wasted as a result.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and it is possible to print in an output mode according to the paper type, and there is an inconsistency between the paper type and the output mode set by the user. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus and an output mode setting program that can prevent the inconvenience that the user's setting operation is wasted.

The above object is achieved by the following means.
(1) A paper feeding means for feeding paper, a paper type detecting means for detecting the paper type of the paper fed from the paper feeding means, and an own device or an external device, and output for each of a plurality of paper types. An output mode information storage means for storing output mode information associated with the mode in advance, a printing means, and an output mode corresponding to the paper type of the paper detected by the paper type detecting means at the time of printing by the printing means. The control means is provided with a control means for specifying based on the output mode information stored in the output mode information storage means and causing the printing means to execute printing in the specified output mode, and the control means is in the middle of printing. When the paper type of the paper is changed, either the printing means is made to execute printing in the output mode according to the changed paper type, or printing is performed in the output mode according to the paper type of the first paper at the start of printing. An image forming apparatus, characterized in that it is determined whether or not to be executed based on the paper type of the leading paper .
(2) A paper feeding means for feeding paper, a paper type detecting means for detecting the paper type of the paper fed from the paper feeding means, and an own device or an external device, and output for each of a plurality of paper types. An output mode information storage means for storing output mode information associated with the mode in advance, a printing means, and an output mode corresponding to the paper type of the paper detected by the paper type detecting means at the time of printing by the printing means. The control means is provided with a control means for specifying based on the output mode information stored in the output mode information storage means and causing the printing means to execute printing in the specified output mode, and the control means is in the middle of printing. When the paper type of the paper is changed, either the printing means is made to execute printing in the output mode according to the changed paper type, or printing is performed in the output mode according to the paper type of the first paper at the start of printing. An image forming apparatus, characterized in that it determines whether to execute based on the changed paper type.
(3) The image forming apparatus according to item 1 or 2 above, wherein in the output mode, at least one of color, page allocation, and surface allocation is set.
(4) The control means includes the display means, and causes the printing means to perform printing in the specified output mode without displaying the setting screen for the user to set the output mode on the display means. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 3.
(5) The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above items 1 to 4, wherein the paper type detecting means detects a paper type based on at least one of paper thickness, gloss, reflectance, transmittance, and basis weight.
(6) The image forming apparatus according to item 5 above, wherein the range of at least one of the characteristics of paper thickness, gloss, reflectance, transmittance, and basis weight is set corresponding to each paper type.
(7) The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above items 1 to 6, wherein the paper type detecting means determines that the paper type is a letterhead when an image is present at the tip of the printing surface of the paper.
(8) The method according to any one of 1 to 6 above, wherein the paper type detecting means determines that the paper type is a letterhead when the paper thickness is a predetermined thickness or more and an image is present at the tip of the printing surface of the paper. Image forming device.
(9) The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 8 above, which comprises a setting means capable of setting whether or not to print in an output mode according to a paper type.
(10) The image forming apparatus according to item 9 above, wherein the setting means can be set not to output in an output mode according to the paper type when user authentication is performed.
(11) When the color mode is set by the user, the printing means gives priority to the color mode setting by the user even if the color mode is set in advance in the specified output mode. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above items 1 to 10.
(12) When the page allocation is set by the user, the control means gives priority to the page allocation setting by the user even if another page allocation setting is made in advance in the specified output mode. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above items 1 to 10, wherein the printing means is made to execute an output.
(13) When the surface allocation is set by the user, the control means gives priority to the surface allocation setting by the user even if another setting of the surface allocation is made in advance in the specified output mode. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above items 1 to 10, wherein the printing means is used to perform printing.
(14) The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 13 above, wherein the paper type and the output mode are associated with each cassette in the plurality of paper feed cassettes provided in the paper feed means.
(15) With respect to the plurality of paper cassettes provided in the paper feed means, the paper type detecting means is fed from the paper cassette after switching only when the paper cassette to which the paper is fed is switched. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above items 1 to 14, wherein the control means detects the paper type of the paper and causes printing to be executed in the output mode associated with the detected paper type.
(16) If the paper type of the paper is changed during printing, print in the output mode according to the changed paper type, or print in the output mode according to the paper type of the first paper at the start of output. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the preceding items 1 to 15, which is provided with a setting means capable of setting the image.
(17) The image formation according to any one of items 1 to 16 above, which is provided with a display means capable of displaying the contents of the output mode associated with the paper type of the previously fed paper from the selected paper feed port. Device.
(18) The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 17 above, which is provided with a display means capable of displaying the contents of the output mode associated with each paper type.
(19) When the paper type of the first paper is detected by the paper type detecting means, the output mode associated with the paper type is displayed, and a display for confirming whether or not to continue printing is displayed to the user. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the preceding items 1 to 18, which is provided with a display means for performing.
(20) For each cassette of the image processing means for processing the image of the print target data according to the output mode and the plurality of paper feed cassettes provided in the paper feed means, the paper passed at the end of the immediately preceding printing. The image processing means is provided with a paper type storage means for storing the paper type, and the image processing means is provided until the paper type of the paper fed from any of the paper cassettes is detected by the paper type detecting means at the time of printing. , The paper cassette is subjected to image processing corresponding to the paper type of the paper that was passed at the end of the printing immediately before being stored in the paper type storage means, and the detected paper type is passed at the end of the immediately preceding printing. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above items 1 to 19, wherein if the paper type is different from that of the paper, the image processing corresponding to the detected paper type is repeated.
(21) A printing engine is provided, and until the paper type of the paper fed from any of the paper cassettes is detected by the paper type detecting means at the time of printing, the printing engine uses the paper cassette for the paper type. If the operation corresponding to the paper type of the last paper passed stored in the paper type storage means is performed and the detected paper type is different from the paper type of the last paper passed, it is detected. The image forming apparatus according to item 20 above, which switches to an operation corresponding to a paper type.
(22) A paper type detection step for detecting the paper type of the paper fed from the paper feed means for feeding the paper, and an output mode are associated with each of a plurality of paper types provided in the own device or externally. The output mode information storage means stores a step of storing output mode information in advance in the output mode information storage means and an output mode corresponding to the paper type of the paper detected by the paper type detection step at the time of printing by the printing means. A control step of causing the printing means to execute printing according to the specified output mode while specifying based on the output mode information is executed by the computer of the image forming apparatus, and in the control step, the paper is printed in the middle of printing. When the paper type is changed, the printing means is made to execute printing in the output mode according to the changed paper type, or print is executed in the output mode according to the paper type of the first paper at the start of printing. An output mode setting program for causing the computer to execute a process of determining whether or not to print based on the paper type of the first paper .
(23) A paper type detection step for detecting the paper type of the paper fed from the paper feed means for feeding the paper, and an output mode are associated with each of a plurality of paper types provided in the own device or externally. The output mode information storage means stores a step of storing output mode information in advance in the output mode information storage means and an output mode corresponding to the paper type of the paper detected by the paper type detection step at the time of printing by the printing means. A control step of causing the printing means to execute printing according to the specified output mode while specifying based on the output mode information is executed by the computer of the image forming apparatus, and in the control step, the paper is printed in the middle of printing. When the paper type is changed, the printing means is made to execute printing in the output mode according to the changed paper type, or print is executed in the output mode according to the paper type of the first paper at the start of printing. An output mode setting program for causing the computer to execute a process of determining whether or not to print based on the changed paper type .

According to the present invention, the output mode information in which the output modes are associated with each of a plurality of paper types is stored in advance in the own device or the output mode information storage means provided externally. At the time of printing, the paper type of the paper fed from the paper feed means is detected by the paper type detecting means. Then, the output mode corresponding to the detected paper type is specified based on the output mode information stored in the output mode information storage means, and printing is executed by the specified output mode.

Therefore, even if the user does not set the output mode, the output mode suitable for the paper type is automatically set and printing is performed in this output mode, so that good printing can be performed. Further, since the user does not have to set the output mode, there is no inconvenience that the user's setting operation is wasted because the paper type and the output mode set by the user are inconsistent.

It is a schematic block diagram of the image forming apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electric structure of an image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the setting screen when the output mode is set in advance in association with each paper type. It is a figure which shows the inquiry screen whether or not to set an output mode according to a paper type. It is a figure which shows the output mode information stored in a fixed storage device. It is a flowchart which shows the correspondence processing of a paper type and an output mode. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the image forming apparatus at the time of printing. It is a flowchart which shows the other operation example of the image forming apparatus at the time of printing. It is a flowchart which shows the other operation example of the image forming apparatus at the time of printing. It is a flowchart which shows the other operation example of the image forming apparatus at the time of printing. It is a flowchart which shows the other operation example of the image forming apparatus at the time of printing. It is a flowchart which shows the other operation example of the image forming apparatus at the time of printing. It is a flowchart which shows the other operation example of the image forming apparatus at the time of printing. It is a flowchart which shows the other operation example of the image forming apparatus at the time of printing. It is a flowchart which shows the other operation example of the image forming apparatus at the time of printing.

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

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, a tandem color printer is used as the image forming apparatus 1.

In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 is configured by arranging a paper feeding unit 20 in the lower part of the apparatus main body 1A, an image forming unit 10 in the central part, and a paper ejection unit 60 in the upper part. The paper feed unit 20 is provided with a plurality of (two in this example) paper feed cassettes 21, and the paper S fed from the paper feed unit 20 is upwardly fed from each paper feed cassette 21 to the paper discharge unit 60. A paper transport path 22 for transport is formed.

Further, on the downstream side of each paper cassette 21, a paper type detection sensor 90 for detecting a paper type, which is a type of paper S, is provided in the vicinity of the paper transport path 22. The paper type detection sensor 90 determines the paper type of the paper S, which is fed from the paper feed unit 20 and conveyed through the paper transport path 22, based on at least one of the characteristics of paper thickness, gloss, reflectance, transmittance, and basis weight. To detect. Since the technique for detecting the paper type by the paper type detection sensor 90 is known, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The image forming unit 10 is an intermediate portion between the drive roller 16 and the driven roller 15 arranged substantially in the vertical center of the apparatus main body 1A and the driven and driven rollers 16 and 15 which are horizontally hung and travel in the direction of the arrow. The transfer belt 14 and the photoconductor units 12Y, 12M, 12C, which are image forming units of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) arranged along the traveling direction. It is equipped with 12K.

The toner images created by the photoconductor units 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K are superimposed and transferred to the transfer belt 14, and the transfer end of the transfer belt 14 with respect to the paper S conveyed through the paper transfer path 22 (FIG. Secondary transfer is performed at the middle right end), and the paper S is fed to the fixing unit 30 to fix the toner image.

Each photoconductor unit 12Y, 12M, 12C, 12K is imaged by an electrostatic copying method, and a charger arranged around them, a developer 11Y, 11M, 11C, 11K, and a photoconductor drum are used. It is equipped with 13Y, 13M, 13C, 13K and a transfer device and the like. Further, each photoconductor drum 13Y charged by a charger by each laser diode of the exposure unit 40 including a print head 41 having four laser diodes, a polygon mirror, a scanning lens and the like, and four reflection mirrors 42 and the like. , 13M, 13C, 13K are exposed, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface.

Further, as a replenishment mechanism for replenishing toner to the developers 11Y, 11M, 11C, 11K of each photoconductor unit 12Y, 12M, 12C, 12K, the toner cartridge 70Y, 70M, 70C, 70K and the sub hopper 80Y, 80M, 80C, 80K Is arranged above the photoconductor units 12Y, 12M, 12C, 12K.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 50 is an operation panel unit including a key unit and a display unit.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 100, a fixed storage device 110, an image reading device 120, an operation panel unit 50 described above, an image forming unit 10, a paper feeding unit 20, and a paper type detection sensor. A 90 is provided, and a printer controller 150, a network interface (network I / F) 160, and the like are provided, and they are connected to each other via a system bus 175.

The control unit 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, an S-RAM (Static Random Access Memory) 103, an NV-RAM (Non Volatile RAM) 104, a clock IC 105, and the like.

The CPU 101 comprehensively controls the entire image forming apparatus 1 by executing an operation program stored in the ROM 102 or the like. For example, in addition to executably controlling the copy function, printer function, scan function, etc., in this embodiment in particular, an output mode suitable for the paper type is based on the paper type detection result of the paper S by the paper type detection sensor 90 at the time of printing. (Print mode) is automatically set to control printing, etc., the details of which will be described later.

The ROM 102 stores programs and other data executed by the CPU 101.

The S-RAM 103 is a work area when the CPU 101 executes a program, and temporarily stores the program, data when the program is executed, and the like.

The NV-RAM 104 is a non-volatile memory backed up by a battery, and stores various settings related to image formation, the number of pixels of the display unit 54, data of various screens displayed on the display unit 54, and the like. ..

The clock IC 105 measures the time and functions as an internal timer to measure the processing time and the like.

The fixed storage device 110 is composed of a hard disk or the like, and stores programs, various data, and the like.

The image reading device 120 includes a scanner or the like, scans a document set on the platen glass, scans the document, and converts the scanned document into image data.

The operation panel unit 50 is used when the user gives an instruction such as a job to the image forming apparatus 1 and makes various settings, and includes a reset key 51, a start key 52, a stop key 53, a display unit 54, a touch panel 55, and the like. I have.

The reset key 51 is used to reset the setting, the start key 52 is used for a start operation such as scanning, and the stop key 53 is pressed when the operation is interrupted. Is.

The display unit 54 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device and displays a message, various operation screens, and the like. The touch panel 55 is formed on the screen of the display unit 54 and detects a user's touch operation.

The image forming unit 10 prints a copy image generated from the image data of the original read by the image reading device 120 and the print data transmitted from an external operation on the paper, and prints with the image processing unit 17. It is equipped with an engine 18 and the like.

The image processing unit 17 processes the print target data according to the set output mode. Further, the printing engine 18 refers to a hardware portion related to image formation, for example, a photoconductor unit 12Y, 12M, 12C, 12K, a developer 11Y, 11M, 11C, 11K, a photoconductor drum 13Y, 13M, 13C, 13K. , Charger, transfer device, laser diode, polygon mirror, print head 41, and motor for driving them.

The printer controller 150 generates a copy image from the print data received by the network interface 160.

The network interface (network I / F) 160 functions as a communication means for transmitting / receiving data to / from an external terminal device or the like.

As described above, the paper type detection sensor 90 detects the paper type of the paper S based on at least one of the paper thickness, gloss, reflectance, transmittance, and basis weight. In this embodiment, plain paper, thin paper, woodfree paper, thick paper, letterhead, etc. are set as the paper type, and at least the paper thickness, gloss, reflectance, transmittance, and basis weight are set according to each paper type. A range of any of the characteristics is set, and the paper type is detected by comparing the measured value with the set value. Regarding the letterhead, if the image is present at the tip of the print surface of the paper, or if the paper thickness is equal to or greater than the predetermined thickness and the image is present at the tip of the print surface of the paper, it is determined that the paper type is letterhead. It is designed to do.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 during printing will be described.

In this embodiment, the paper type of the paper S fed from the paper feed unit 20 is detected by the paper type detection sensor 90, and printing is performed in the output mode associated with the detected paper type. For this purpose, the output mode information associated with the output mode for each paper type is stored in advance as a table in, for example, the fixed storage device 110.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a setting screen when the output mode is set in advance in association with each paper type. Such settings are made, for example, by the administrator of the image forming apparatus 1.

On the setting screen shown in FIG. 3, a paper type selection button 54a, a color / monochrome selection button 54b, a page allocation selection button 54c, and a surface allocation selection button 54d are displayed.

In the example of FIG. 3, the paper type selection button 54a makes it possible to select any of plain paper, thin paper, high-quality paper, thick paper, and letterhead as the paper type. The color / monochrome selection button 54b, the page allocation selection button 54c, and the surface allocation selection button 54d are buttons for setting the output mode, and the color / monochrome selection button 54b can be used to select the color mode or the monochrome mode. The page allocation selection button 54c can be used to select 1in1 mode for printing one page on one sheet or 2in1 mode for printing two pages on one sheet. The surface allocation selection button 54d can be used for single-sided printing mode or double-sided printing. The mode can be selected. In FIG. 3, the button indicated by hatching indicates that it is selected.

After selecting the paper type, color mode / monochrome mode, 1in1 mode / 2in1 mode, single-sided printing mode / double-sided printing mode with each selection button, the administrator or the like presses the execute button (not shown) to select the selected paper type. The selected color mode / monochrome mode, 1in1 mode / 2in1 mode, and single-sided printing mode / double-sided printing mode are associated with each other, and one output mode is set for one paper type. By performing such an operation for other paper types, the output mode is associated with each paper type and set in advance. Then, the output mode information including each associated paper type and the output mode is stored in advance as a table in the fixed storage device 110 of the image forming apparatus 1. The output mode information is stored in an external storage device instead of the internal storage device of the image forming apparatus 1, and the image forming apparatus 1 may send and receive data by communicating with this external storage device.

Whether or not to set the output mode according to the detected paper type and perform printing may be set by an administrator or the like. That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 4 in the administrator mode of the image forming apparatus 1, the administrator or the like displays an inquiry screen on the display unit 54 as to whether or not to set the output mode according to the paper type, and "Yes." The setting screen of FIG. 3 may be displayed only when the button is pressed, and the output mode may be set in advance in association with each paper type. This improves the degree of freedom in managing the output mode by the administrator or the like.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing output mode information stored in the fixed storage device 110. In the example of FIG. 5, when the paper type is recycled paper, monochrome mode, 2in1 mode, and double-sided printing mode are associated as output modes, and when the paper type is backing paper, monochrome mode and 2in1 are output modes. The mode and the single-sided printing mode are associated with each other, and when the paper type is plain paper, the monochrome mode, the 1in1 mode, and the double-sided printing mode are associated with each other as the output mode. Furthermore, when the paper type is thin paper, monochrome mode, 1in1 mode, and single-sided printing mode are associated as output modes, and when the paper type is thick paper, woodfree paper, or letterhead, color is used as the output mode. A mode, a 1in1 mode, and a single-sided printing mode are associated with each other.

The output mode information stored in the fixed storage device 110 may be displayed on the display unit 54 at an arbitrary timing based on the operation of the user who prints. From this display, the user can recognize the output mode for each paper type.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process of associating a paper type with an output mode. The processing shown in this flowchart and the flowcharts after FIG. 7 is executed by operating the CPU 101 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the operation program recorded in the ROM 102 or the like.

In step S01, the setting screen as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display unit 54 based on the instruction of the administrator or the like, and then the setting is accepted in step S02. Next, in step S03, the set paper type and the output mode are associated with each other and stored in the fixed storage device 110 or the like, and then it is determined in step S04 whether or not the end of processing is instructed. If not instructed (NO in step S04), the process returns to step S01, a setting screen for associating the next paper type with the output mode is displayed, and the processes of steps S02 and S03 are performed in the same manner.

If the end of the process is instructed in step S04 (YES in step S04), the process ends.

FIG. 7 shows the image forming apparatus 1 in the case of printing by using the output mode information table in which the output mode is associated with each paper type, which is created by the flowchart of FIG. 6 and stored in the fixed storage apparatus 110. It is a flowchart which shows the operation.

In step S11, input such as a paper feed port (paper tray), paper size, and number of copies is received from the setting screen of the display unit 54, and then in step S12, paper of the specified paper size is received from the designated paper feed port. Feed. After feeding, the paper type detection sensor 90 detects the paper type of the paper.

The paper type of the paper may be detected by the paper type detection sensor 90 for each sheet of paper, or when printing a plurality of sheets, only the paper type of the first paper is detected, and the subsequent papers are detected. It may be presumed that the paper types are the same. Alternatively, by detecting the paper type of the paper first fed from each paper feed port (paper cassette) and associating the detected paper type with the paper feed port (paper cassette), each paper type is associated with each other. The paper type of the paper and the output mode may be associated with each cassette.

Next, in step S13, the output mode associated with the detected paper type is specified by referring to the output mode information table.

Next, in step S14, the specified output mode is set, and then in step S15, printing processing including image processing according to the output mode is executed. Therefore, the output mode is automatically set and printing is executed without displaying the output mode setting screen on the display unit 54 of the operation panel 50.

As described above, in this embodiment, the fixed storage device 110 of the image forming apparatus 1 or the externally provided storage device stores in advance the output mode information in which the output modes are associated with each of a plurality of paper types. .. Then, at the time of printing, the paper type of the paper to be fed from the paper feed unit 20 is detected by the paper type detection sensor 90, and the output mode corresponding to the detected paper type is the output mode information stored in the storage device. It is identified based on, and printing is performed by this identified output mode.

Therefore, even if the user does not set the output mode, the output mode suitable for the paper type is automatically set and printing is performed in this output mode, so that good printing can be performed. Further, since the user does not have to set the output mode, there is no inconvenience that the user's setting operation is wasted because the paper type and the output mode set by the user are inconsistent.

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the present invention, in which the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a user authentication function, and when user authentication is performed, it is set not to output in an output mode according to the paper type. It is a flowchart which shows the operation at the time of printing of the image forming apparatus 1 when it is done. When user authentication is performed, the setting of not outputting in the output mode according to the paper type is made by the administrator of the image forming apparatus 1 or the like.

In step S21, it is determined whether or not the user authentication is successful, and if the user authentication is successful (YES in step S21), the output mode setting screen is displayed on the display unit 54 in step S22, and then in step S23. Check if the user has finished setting the output mode. If it is not finished (NO in step S23), wait until the end. If it is completed (YES in step S23), the print process is executed in the output mode set by the user in step S24. Therefore, in this case, printing is not performed in the output mode according to the paper type.

If the user authentication is not successful in step S21 (NO in step S21), after accepting inputs such as the paper feed port (paper tray), paper size, and number of copies from the setting screen of the display unit 54 in step S25, In step S26, paper of a designated paper size is fed from the designated paper feed port. After feeding, the paper type detection sensor 90 detects the paper type of the paper.

Next, in step S27, the output mode associated with the detected paper type is specified by referring to the output mode information table. Next, in step S28, the specified output mode is set, and then in step S29, the printing process according to the output mode is executed.

When user authentication is performed in this way, since the user's reliability is high, printing is performed in the output mode set by the user, respecting the user's intention.

FIG. 9 shows still another embodiment of the present invention, in which the color / monochrome mode setting made by the user takes precedence over the color / monochrome mode setting in the output mode corresponding to the paper type. It is a flowchart which shows the operation at the time of printing of the image forming apparatus 1.

In step S31, after receiving inputs such as a paper feed port (paper tray), paper size, and number of copies from the setting screen of the display unit 54, in step S32, a screen in which only the color / monochrome mode can be set is displayed. , In step S33, it is determined whether or not the start of printing is instructed by pressing the start key 52 or the like. If printing start is not instructed (NO in step S33), the process returns to step S32. When the start of printing is instructed (YES in step S33), paper feeding and paper type detection are performed in step S34, and the output mode information table is referred to in step S35 and associated with the detected paper type. Specify the output mode.

Next, in step S36, it is checked whether or not the color / monochrome mode setting has been made by the user. When the color / monochrome mode is set by the user (YES in step S36), in step S37, the user's color / monochrome mode setting is prioritized over the color / monochrome mode setting in the output mode corresponding to the paper type. After changing the output mode setting in the state, the print process is executed in step S38.

If the color / monochrome mode has not been set by the user in step S36 (NO in step S36), the output mode specified in step S35 is set as it is in step S39, and then the print process is executed in step S38. ..

As described above, in this embodiment, the user's intention regarding the color / monochrome mode setting can be respected.

In the example of FIG. 9, the case where the color / monochrome mode setting set by the user is prioritized over the color / monochrome mode setting in the output mode for each paper type set in advance has been described. The user's settings may be prioritized for the settings for and the settings for side allocation (settings for single-sided or double-sided printing).

FIG. 10 shows still another embodiment of the present invention, and only when the paper feed port (paper feed tray) from which paper is fed is switched from the paper feed tray in the latest printing, the paper type is shown. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 when printing is executed in the output mode associated with the paper type by detecting.

In step S41, after receiving inputs such as a paper feed port (paper tray), paper size, and number of copies from the setting screen of the display unit 54, is the paper feed tray 21 switched from the latest printing in step S42? Judge whether or not.

If it has been switched (YES in step S42), paper of the specified paper size is fed from the designated paper feed port in step S43. After feeding, the paper type detection sensor 90 detects the paper type of the paper.

Next, in step S44, the output mode associated with the detected paper type is specified by referring to the output mode information table, the output mode specified in step S45 is set, and then in step S46, the output mode is set. Executes the corresponding printing process.

If the paper feed tray is not switched in step S42 (NO in step S42), the same output mode as the paper type at the time of the previous printing is set in step S47, and the printing process is executed in step S46.

As described above, in this embodiment, if the paper feed tray 21 is not switched, the same output mode as the paper type at the time of the previous printing is set, so that processing such as detection of the paper type can be omitted.

FIG. 11 shows still another embodiment of the present invention, and is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 when the paper type of the paper is changed during printing. In this embodiment, whether or not to perform printing in the output mode after changing the paper type is preset, and based on this setting, the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether or not to change the output mode. ing. The administrator or the like sets whether or not to print in the output mode after changing the paper type.

In step S51, input such as a paper feed port (paper tray), paper size, and number of copies is received from the setting screen of the display unit 54, and then in step S52, paper of the specified paper size is received from the designated paper feed port. Feed. After feeding, the paper type detection sensor 90 detects the paper type of the paper.

Next, in step S53, the output mode information table is referred to, the output mode associated with the detected paper type is specified, the specified output mode is set in step S54, and the printing process is performed in step S55. To execute.

In step S56, it is determined whether or not printing is completed, and if printing is completed (YES in step S56), the process is terminated. If printing is not completed (NO in step S56), paper feeding and paper type detection are performed in step S57, and then it is determined in step S58 whether or not the paper type of the paper has been changed. When the paper type is changed (YES in step S58), it is checked in step S59 whether or not printing is set in the output mode according to the changed paper type. If the setting is made (YES in step S59), the output mode corresponding to the changed paper type is specified and set in step S60, and then the process returns to step S55 to perform printing.

If the paper type has not been changed in step S58 (NO in step S58), the process returns to step S55 and printing is continued. Even if printing is not set in the output mode after changing the paper type in step S59 (NO in step S59), the process returns to step S55 and printing is continued. Therefore, in this case, printing is performed in the output mode corresponding to the paper type before the change.

In this way, when the paper type is changed during printing, it is determined whether or not to change the output mode according to whether or not the printing is set in the output mode after the paper type is changed.

FIG. 12 shows still another embodiment of the present invention, and is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 when the paper type of the paper is changed during printing. In this embodiment, whether or not to perform printing in the output mode after changing the paper type is determined according to the paper type of the leading paper at the start of printing. For example, if the first paper is high-quality paper and the paper type is changed to a paper type other than high-quality paper during printing, printing is continued in the output mode associated with the high-quality paper, and the first paper is recycled paper for printing. If the paper type is changed to a paper type other than the recycled paper on the way, the output mode is changed to the output mode associated with the paper type other than the recycled paper, and printing is performed. The administrator or the like sets in advance whether the paper type of the first paper at the start of printing is the paper type to be changed to the output mode after the paper type is changed or the paper type is not changed.

In step S61, input such as a paper feed port (paper tray), paper size, and number of copies is received from the setting screen of the display unit 54, and then in step S62, paper of the specified paper size is received from the designated paper feed port. Feed. After feeding, the paper type detection sensor 90 detects the paper type of the paper.

Next, in step S63, the output mode information table is referred to, the output mode associated with the detected paper type is specified, the specified output mode is set in step S64, and the printing process is performed in step S65. To execute.

In step S66, it is determined whether or not printing is completed, and if printing is completed (YES in step S66), the process is terminated. If printing is not completed (NO in step S66), paper feeding and paper type detection are performed in step S67, and then it is determined in step S68 whether or not the paper type of the paper has been changed. If the paper type is changed (YES in step S68), in step S69, it is checked whether the paper type of the first paper at the start of printing is the paper type that does not change the output mode. If the paper type of the first paper is not the paper type that does not change the output mode (NO in step S69), the output mode corresponding to the changed paper type is specified and set in step S70, and then the process returns to step S65. Print.

If the paper type has not been changed in step S68 (NO in step S68), the process returns to step S65 and printing is continued. Even if the paper type of the first paper in step S69 is a paper type that does not change the output mode (YES in step S69), the process returns to step S65 and printing is continued. Therefore, in this case, printing is performed in the output mode corresponding to the paper type before the change (the same paper type as the first paper).

In this way, when the paper type is changed during printing, it is determined whether or not to change the output mode according to whether or not the paper type of the first paper is a paper type that does not change the output mode.

FIG. 13 shows still another embodiment of the present invention, and is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 when the paper type of the paper is changed during printing. In this embodiment, whether or not to print in the output mode after changing the paper type is determined according to the changed paper type. For example, if a paper type other than high-quality paper is changed to high-quality paper in the middle of printing, the output mode is changed to the output mode associated with the high-quality paper and printing is performed. Even if it is changed to, the original output mode is maintained and printing is performed. Whether the changed paper type is the paper type for which the output mode is changed or the paper type for which the output mode is not changed is set in advance by the administrator or the like.

In step S71, input such as a paper feed port (paper tray), paper size, and number of copies is received from the setting screen of the display unit 54, and then in step S72, paper of the specified paper size is received from the designated paper feed port. Feed. After feeding, the paper type detection sensor 90 detects the paper type of the paper.

Next, in step S73, the output mode information table is referred to, the output mode associated with the detected paper type is specified, the specified output mode is set in step S74, and the printing process is performed in step S75. To execute.

In step S76, it is determined whether or not printing is completed, and if printing is completed (YES in step S76), the process is terminated. If printing is not completed (NO in step S76), paper feeding and paper type detection are performed in step S77, and then it is determined in step S78 whether or not the paper type of the paper has been changed. If the paper type is changed (YES in step S78), in step S79, it is checked whether the changed paper type is a paper type that does not change the output mode. If the paper type does not change the output mode (NO in step S79), the output mode corresponding to the changed paper type is specified and set in step S80, and then the process returns to step S75 to perform printing.

If the paper type has not been changed in step S78 (NO in step S78), the process returns to step S75 and printing is continued. Even if the changed paper type is a paper type that does not change the output mode in step S79 (YES in step S79), the process returns to step S75 and printing is continued. Therefore, in this case, printing is performed in the output mode corresponding to the paper type before the change.

In this way, when the paper type is changed during printing, it is determined whether or not to change the output mode according to whether or not the changed paper type is a paper type that does not change the output mode.

FIG. 14 shows still another embodiment of the present invention, and is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 at the time of printing. In this embodiment, when the paper type of the first paper is detected, the output mode associated with the detected paper type is displayed, and the user can select whether or not to continue printing. ..

In step S81, input such as a paper feed port (paper tray), paper size, and number of copies is received from the setting screen of the display unit 54, and then in step S82, paper of the specified paper size is received from the designated paper feed port. Is fed and the paper type of the first paper is detected.

Next, in step S83, the output mode associated with the detected paper type is specified by referring to the output mode information table, and then in step S84, the specified output mode is printed with the continuation instruction button and the print stop button. It is displayed on the display unit 54.

In step S85, it is determined whether or not the print continuation instruction by pressing the print continuation instruction button has been accepted. If accepted (YES in step S85), the specified output mode is set in step S86, and then the print process is executed in step S87.

If the print continuation instruction is not accepted in step S85, in other words, if the print stop button is pressed (NO in step S85), the process ends without printing.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the paper type of the first paper is detected, the output mode associated with the detected paper type is displayed so that the user can select whether or not to continue printing. Therefore, it is possible to respect the user's intention as to whether or not to continue printing.

FIG. 15 shows still another embodiment of the present invention, and is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 at the time of printing. In this embodiment, until the paper type of the first paper is detected, image processing in the output mode corresponding to the paper type of the paper passed at the end of the previous printing is performed for the paper cassette to which the paper is fed. At the same time as executing, the printing engine 18, which is a hardware part related to image formation, is started and operated so as to correspond to the output mode, and the paper type of the first detected paper is passed at the end of the immediately preceding printing. If the paper type is different from that of the printed paper, the image processing corresponding to the detected paper type is repeated and the operation of the printing engine 18 is switched.

In this embodiment, the fixed storage device 110 stores the paper type of the paper that was passed at the end of the immediately preceding printing for each cassette of the plurality of paper feed cassettes 21.

In step S91, inputs such as a paper feed port (paper tray), a paper size, and the number of copies are received from the setting screen of the display unit 54.

Next, in step S92, the paper type of the paper that was passed at the end of the immediately preceding printing is called from the fixed storage device 110 for the paper cassette that has fed the paper, and the output mode associated with the paper type is set. The image processing unit 17 executes image processing according to the output mode, and the print engine 18 is operated.

Next, in step S93, paper of the specified paper size is fed from the designated paper feed port, the paper type of the first paper is detected, and then the detected paper type is printed immediately before in step S94. Judge whether it is the same as the paper type of the paper that was passed at the end of.

If the paper types are the same (YES in step S94), the printing process is executed as it is in step S95. When the paper type is the same, the content of the output mode corresponding to the paper type may be displayed on the display unit 54 to notify the user. If the paper types are not the same (NO in step S94), the output mode information table is referred to in step S96, the output mode associated with the detected paper type is specified, and the specified output mode is specified in step S97. Is set, the image processing by the image processing unit 17 according to this output mode is restarted from the first paper, the operation of the print engine 18 is also switched, and then the print processing is executed in step S95.

As described above, in this embodiment, until the paper type of the first paper is detected, the output mode corresponding to the paper type of the paper passed at the end of the immediately preceding printing for the paper feed cassette 21 on which the paper is fed is supported. In addition to executing the image processing of the above, the print engine 18, which is a hardware part related to image formation, is started and operated so as to correspond to the output mode. Therefore, if the paper type of the first detected paper is the same as the paper type of the paper passed at the end of the immediately preceding printing, the image processing and the operation of the printing engine 18 are started without waiting for the paper type detection. Therefore, the printing process can be started earlier, and the printing process time can be shortened.

1 Image forming device 10 Image forming unit 17 Image processing unit 18 Printing engine 20 Paper feeding unit 21 Paper feeding cassette 22 Paper transport path 50 Operation panel section 54 Display section 60 Paper ejection section 90 Paper type detection sensor 100 Control section 101 CPU
102 ROM
110 Fixed storage device S paper

Claims (23)

Paper feeding means for feeding paper and
A paper type detecting means for detecting the paper type of the paper fed from the paper feeding means, and a paper type detecting means.
An output mode information storage means that is provided in the own device or externally and stores output mode information in which output modes are associated with each of a plurality of paper types in advance.
Printing means and
At the time of printing by the printing means, the output mode corresponding to the paper type of the paper detected by the paper type detecting means is specified based on the output mode information stored in the output mode information storage means, and the specified output is specified. A control means for causing the printing means to perform printing depending on the mode, and
Equipped with
When the paper type of the paper is changed in the middle of printing, the control means causes the printing means to execute printing in an output mode corresponding to the changed paper type, or the paper of the first paper at the start of printing. An image forming apparatus, characterized in that it is determined based on the paper type of the leading paper whether or not printing is executed in an output mode according to the type . Paper feeding means for feeding paper and
A paper type detecting means for detecting the paper type of the paper fed from the paper feeding means, and a paper type detecting means.
An output mode information storage means that is provided in the own device or externally and stores output mode information in which output modes are associated with each of a plurality of paper types in advance.
Printing means and
At the time of printing by the printing means, the output mode corresponding to the paper type of the paper detected by the paper type detecting means is specified based on the output mode information stored in the output mode information storage means, and the specified output is specified. A control means for causing the printing means to perform printing depending on the mode, and
Equipped with
When the paper type of the paper is changed in the middle of printing, the control means causes the printing means to execute printing in an output mode corresponding to the changed paper type, or the paper of the first paper at the start of printing. An image forming apparatus characterized in that it is determined based on a changed paper type whether printing is executed in an output mode according to a type. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein in the output mode, at least one of color, page allocation, and surface allocation is set. Equipped with display means
The control means according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the printing means causes the printing means to print according to the specified output mode without displaying the setting screen for setting the output mode on the display means. Image forming device. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the paper type detecting means detects a paper type based on at least one of paper thickness, gloss, reflectance, transmittance, and basis weight. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein a range of at least one of the characteristics of paper thickness, gloss, reflectance, transmittance, and basis weight is set corresponding to each paper type. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the paper type detecting means determines that the paper type is a letterhead when an image is present at the tip of the printing surface of the paper. The image forming according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the paper type detecting means determines that the paper type is a letterhead when the paper thickness is a predetermined thickness or more and an image is present at the tip of the printing surface of the paper. Device. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , further comprising a setting means capable of setting whether or not to print in an output mode according to a paper type. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the setting means can be set not to output in an output mode according to a paper type when user authentication is performed. When the color mode is set by the user, the control means outputs to the printing means with priority given to the color mode setting by the user even if the color mode is set in advance in the specified output mode. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10 . When the page allocation is set by the user, the control means gives priority to the page allocation setting by the user to the printing means even if another setting of the page allocation is made in advance in the specified output mode. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10 , wherein the output is executed. When the surface allocation is set by the user, the control means gives priority to the surface allocation setting by the user to the printing means even if another setting of the surface allocation is made in advance in the specified output mode. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10 . The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13 , wherein the paper type and the output mode are associated with each of the plurality of paper cassettes provided in the paper feeding means. For the plurality of paper cassettes provided in the paper feed means, the paper type detecting means of the paper type detecting means of the paper fed from the paper cassette after switching only when the paper cassette to which the paper is fed is switched. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14 , wherein the control means detects a paper type and executes printing in an output mode associated with the detected paper type. If the paper type of the paper is changed during printing, set whether to print in the output mode according to the changed paper type or in the output mode according to the paper type of the first paper at the start of output. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15 , further comprising a possible setting means. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16 , further comprising a display means capable of displaying the contents of the output mode associated with the paper type of the previously fed paper from the selected paper feed port. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17 , further comprising a display means capable of displaying the contents of the output mode associated with each paper type. When the paper type of the first paper is detected by the paper type detecting means, the output mode associated with the paper type is displayed, and a display for confirming whether or not to continue printing is displayed to the user. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18 , further comprising means. An image processing means that processes print target data according to the output mode,
A paper type storage means for storing the paper type of the paper passed at the end of the immediately preceding printing for each cassette of the plurality of paper cassettes provided in the paper feed means.
Equipped with
At the time of printing, the image processing means is stored in the paper type storage means for the paper cassette until the paper type of the paper fed from any of the paper cassettes is detected by the paper type detecting means. Performs image processing corresponding to the paper type of the paper passed at the end of the last printing, and detects if the detected paper type is different from the paper type of the paper passed at the end of the previous printing. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 19 , wherein the image processing corresponding to the paper type is redone. Equipped with a printing engine
At the time of printing, the printing engine stores the paper cassette in the paper type storage means until the paper type of the paper fed from any of the paper cassettes is detected by the paper type detecting means. Performs the operation corresponding to the paper type of the last paper passed, and if the detected paper type is different from the paper type of the last paper passed, switches to the operation corresponding to the detected paper type. The image forming apparatus according to claim 20 . A paper type detection step that detects the paper type of the paper that has been fed from the paper feed means that feeds the paper, and
A step of storing output mode information in the output mode information storage means in advance, which is provided in the own device or externally and has an output mode associated with each of a plurality of paper types.
When printing by the printing means, the output mode corresponding to the paper type of the paper detected by the paper type detecting step is specified based on the output mode information stored in the output mode information storage means, and the specified output mode is specified. A control step for causing the printing means to execute printing,
To the computer of the image forming apparatus
In the control step, when the paper type of the paper is changed in the middle of printing, the printing means is made to execute printing in the output mode corresponding to the changed paper type, or the paper of the first paper at the start of printing is executed. An output mode setting program for causing the computer to execute a process of determining whether to execute printing in an output mode according to a type based on the paper type of the leading paper . A paper type detection step that detects the paper type of the paper that has been fed from the paper feed means that feeds the paper, and
A step of storing output mode information in the output mode information storage means in advance, which is provided in the own device or externally and has an output mode associated with each of a plurality of paper types.
When printing by the printing means, the output mode corresponding to the paper type of the paper detected by the paper type detecting step is specified based on the output mode information stored in the output mode information storage means, and the specified output mode is specified. A control step for causing the printing means to execute printing,
To the computer of the image forming apparatus
In the control step, when the paper type of the paper is changed in the middle of printing, the printing means is made to execute printing in the output mode corresponding to the changed paper type, or the paper of the first paper at the start of printing is executed. An output mode setting program for causing the computer to execute a process of determining whether to execute printing in an output mode according to a type based on the changed paper type.

Images