JP7102897B2 - Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and image forming program - Google Patents

Description

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

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet-shaped recording medium such as paper includes a cassette accommodating a recording medium to be supplied to an image forming unit. As a technique related to such an image forming apparatus, when the type of paper set in the cassette and the type of paper stored in the cassette match, the type of paper is memorized, and when an instruction for image formation is received, the paper is stored. If the type of is memorized, it is judged whether or not the type of paper specified by the user and the type of memorized paper match, and if they match, an image formation instruction is given, and if they do not match, an image formation instruction is given. A configuration is disclosed in which a user is notified without giving an image formation instruction, and an image is formed when the paper type is not stored when the image formation instruction is received (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-133656

However, in the image forming apparatus having such a configuration, when the recording medium (paper) housed in the cassette, which is the medium container, is taken out and replaced with a different type, the information about the recording medium taken out from the cassette is obtained. It will not be retained. Therefore, if the recording medium taken out from the cassette is left as it is, it becomes impossible to return the paper to the original correct storage location.

Therefore, the present invention can output information about a sheet-shaped recording medium taken out from the medium container of the image forming apparatus, thereby facilitating the management of a plurality of types of recording media. , An image forming method, and an image forming program.

The present invention for achieving such an object is provided with an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet-shaped recording medium and a medium container for accommodating the recording medium, and the recording medium is provided in the image forming unit. A medium supply unit to be supplied, a storage unit for storing the type information of the recording medium set in the medium container, a detector for detecting the type information of the recording medium housed in the medium container, and the above. When the output unit for outputting type information and the medium container are opened and closed, the detector is made to detect the type information of the recording medium housed in the medium container, and the detection is performed. It is determined whether or not the type information detected in the device matches the type information stored in the storage unit, and if it is determined that the type information does not match, the type information stored in the storage unit is output. It is an image forming apparatus provided with a recording medium management unit for outputting to the unit. The present invention is also an image forming method carried out by the image forming apparatus and an image forming program executed by a computer controlling the image forming apparatus.

According to the present invention, an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and an image forming program capable of facilitating the management of a plurality of types of recording media can be obtained.

It is the schematic which shows the whole structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the image formation method which concerns on embodiment.

≪Image forming device≫
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. Further, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 shown in these figures is an apparatus capable of forming an image on various types of recording media P. The recording medium P capable of forming an image in the image forming apparatus 1 is a sheet-like material, and is made of various materials such as plain paper, thick paper, thin paper, Japanese paper, special paper, corrugated cardboard, resin film, and cloth material. , Basis weight, thickness, and size.

Such an image forming apparatus 1 includes an operation unit 101, an image reading unit 102, an image forming unit 103, a medium supply unit 104 having a medium accommodating tray 104a, a medium transport unit 105, an open / close detection unit 106, and a medium type detector 107. It includes a size detector 108 and a control unit 109. Hereinafter, the configuration of each of these members will be described.

<Operation unit 101>
The operation unit 101 is a part for inputting various settings related to image formation performed by using the image forming apparatus 1, and has a display unit 101a and an input unit 101b. The input unit 101b may be a touch panel provided integrally with the display unit 101a in addition to the input key. Various settings by the operation unit 101 will be described later in the image forming method. The display unit 101a is also one of the output units that output various types of information.

<Image reader 102>
The image reading unit 102 is provided with a platen, reads an image of a document sent to the platen or a document placed directly on the platen, and generates image data. In the present embodiment, the image data is not limited to the data generated by the image reading unit 102, and may be image data received from a personal computer or another external device connected to the image forming device 1.

<Image forming unit 103>
The image forming unit 103 is a portion that forms an image on a recording medium, and has a configuration in which an image is formed on the recording medium by, for example, an electrophotographic method. Further, the image forming unit 103 is not limited to the electrophotographic type, and may have a configuration in which an image is formed on the recording medium P by another method. The image forming unit 103 is also one of the output units that output various types of information.

<Media supply unit 104>
The medium supply unit 104 includes one or more medium storage trays 104a, and feeds the recording medium P to the image forming unit 103. Here, it is assumed that a plurality of medium storage trays 104a are provided. Each medium storage tray 104a is a medium storage container, and stores recording media P of the type and size set for each. Further, each medium storage tray 104a is provided with a pickup roller 104b for sending the stored recording media P one by one to the medium transport unit 105.

<Media transfer unit 105>
The medium transport unit 105 transports the recording medium P, which has been sent out one by one from each medium storage tray 104a, to the image forming unit 103. Such a medium transport unit 105 has a configuration in which a plurality of transport rollers 105a are provided along the transport path of the recording medium P. Further, the medium transport unit 105 discharges the recording medium P on which the image is formed in the image forming unit 103 to the discharge tray 105b.

<Open / close detection unit 106>
The open / close detection unit 106 is provided on each medium storage tray 104a and detects the open state operation of each medium storage tray 104a. As such an open / close detection unit 106, one by detecting electrical on / off is used. For example, it is attached to a lever for opening and closing the tray provided in each medium storage tray 104a, and it can be detected by electrically turning on / off that the medium storage tray 104a is opened by pulling the lever. It is a configuration. Further, the open / close detection unit 106 is not limited to the one based on electrical on / off, and may be configured by using, for example, an optical signal.

<Media type detector 107>
The medium type detector 107 is for detecting the type of the recording medium P, for example, on the transfer path of the recording medium P in the medium transfer unit 105, and preferably from all the medium storage trays 104a. It is assumed that the routes are provided on the confluent transport route. As a result, the recording media P stored in each medium storage tray 104a can be sent to the installation unit of the medium type detector 107 one by one.

The medium type detector 107 may be, for example, a normal media sensor. Such a medium type detector 107 includes, for example, two light emitting elements arranged with the recording medium P interposed therebetween and one light receiving element. In such a medium type detector 107, light is applied to the front side of the recording medium P by one of the light emitting elements, and the reflected light reflected by the recording medium P is photographed by the light receiving element. Further, the light is applied to the back side of the recording medium P by the other light emitting element, and the transmitted light transmitted through the recording medium P is measured by the light receiving element.

<Size detector 108>
The size detector 108 detects the length and width as the size of the recording medium P, and may be, for example, a position detection sensor installed in each of the medium storage trays 104a.

<Control unit 109>
The control unit 109 controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the operation of the operating unit 101 or the received signal from an external device such as a personal computer connected to the image forming apparatus 1. Such a control unit 109 includes an image formation control unit 109a, a medium type identification unit 109b, a recording medium management unit 109c, and a management information storage unit 109d as described below.

[Image formation control unit 109a]
The image forming control unit 109a is operated by the operation unit 101, or the image forming unit 103, the medium supply unit 104, and the medium conveying unit according to a received signal from an external device such as a personal computer connected to the image forming device 1. The drive of each part of 105 is controlled to form an image on the recording medium P. At this time, the image forming control unit 109a controls the driving of each part of the image forming unit 103 based on the image data from the image reading unit 102 and the external device and the information about the recording medium P from the recording medium management unit 109c. do.

[Media type identification unit 109b]
The medium type specifying unit 109b specifies the type of the recording medium P from the image pickup information and the measurement information by the medium type detector 107. The medium type specifying unit 109b has library information regarding the type of the recording medium P, and identifies the type of the recording medium P by collating the imaging information and the measurement information with the medium type detector 107 with the library information. do. The type of recording medium P specified here is the material and basis weight or thickness of the recording medium P.

[Recording medium management unit 109c]
The recording medium management unit 109c manages information regarding the recording medium P accommodated in each medium storage tray 104a of the medium supply unit 104. The recording medium management unit 109c controls the storage and output of the information related to the recording medium P as the management of the information related to the recording medium P. The management of information about the recording medium P by the recording medium management unit 109c will be described in detail in the subsequent image forming method.

[Management information storage unit 109d]
The management information storage unit 109d stores management information for managing the recording medium P. The management information for managing the recording medium P is the type information of the recording medium P set in each medium storage tray 104a and the storage location information set in each recording medium P.

The type information of the recording medium P includes the type of the recording medium P and the size of the recording medium P, and is stored in association with each medium storage tray 104a. Further, the storage location information is information about the storage location of the recording medium P set outside the image forming apparatus 1, such as a shelf number, and is stored in association with the type information of each recording medium P.

Further, as another example of the management information, the management information storage unit 109d may store the final adjustment value of the image forming apparatus 1, the adjustment history after the image forming apparatus 1 is installed, and the temperature / humidity information. Further, the time when the recording medium P is stored in the medium storage tray 104a and the time when the recording medium P is last used may be stored. Further, the history of the print job, the occurrence rate of jams in the print job, and the like may be saved. These management information are stored in the management information storage unit 109d in a state associated with the type information of each recording medium P.

The control unit 109 including each of the above components is configured by a computer. A computer is hardware used as a so-called computer. The computer includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). In addition, the computer is equipped with non-volatile storage and a network interface. The procedure performed by the image formation control unit 109a, the medium type identification unit 109b, and the recording medium management unit 109c in the control unit 109 is a program stored in the ROM or a program loaded and stored in the RAM from an external device. be. These programs are image forming programs executed by the computer controlling the image forming apparatus 1, and cause the computer to execute the steps described below.

≪Image formation method≫
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an image forming method according to the embodiment. The image forming method described with reference to this flowchart is, for example, a series of processes started when the power of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on, and in particular, the recording medium P taken out from the medium accommodating tray 104a. Includes steps to output information.

The flow of such an image forming method is realized by having the CPU constituting the control unit 109 described with reference to FIG. 2 execute the image forming program stored in the ROM or RAM to the control unit 109. Hereinafter, the image forming method implemented by the control unit 109 of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 in the order shown in the flowchart of FIG.

<Step S1>
First, in step S1 started as a trigger when the power to the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on, the recording medium management unit 109c acquires the type information of the recording medium P stored in all the medium storage trays 104a. .. The type information of the recording medium P acquired here is the type and size of the recording medium P.

At this time, the recording medium management unit 109c took out one recording medium P from all the medium storage trays 104a by driving the medium supply unit 104 and the medium transfer unit 105, and arranged the medium type detector 107. Send to the location in sequence. Then, by driving the medium type detector 107, the imaging information and the measurement information of each recording medium P are sequentially obtained. Further, the recording medium management unit 109c causes the medium type identification unit 109b to specify the types of all the recording media P based on the imaging information and the measurement information obtained by the medium type detector 107.

Further, the recording medium management unit 109c measures the size of the recording medium P in all the medium storage trays 104a by driving the size detector 108 provided in all the medium storage trays 104a.

<Step S2>
In step S2, the recording medium management unit 109c determines whether or not the type information of the recording medium P acquired in step S1 matches the type information set in each medium storage tray 104a. At this time, the recording medium management unit 109c uses the type information of the recording medium P acquired in step S1 as the type information of the recording medium P set in each medium storage tray 104a stored in the management information storage unit 109d. It collates and determines whether or not they match.

This determination is performed for each medium storage tray 104a. Then, with respect to the medium storage tray 104a determined to match (YES), the process proceeds to step S3. On the other hand, for the medium storage tray 104a determined to be inconsistent (NO), the process proceeds to step S3'.

<Step S3'>
In step S3', the recording medium management unit 109c causes the display unit 101a to display an information mismatch warning message. As a result, the display unit 101a displays a warning message for notifying that the medium storage tray 104a contains a recording medium P of a type different from the setting. In this case, the display unit 101a displays the information of all the medium storage trays 104a containing the recording medium P of a type different from the setting, and the recording stored in the medium storage tray 104a, together with the information mismatch warning message. The type information acquired for the medium P is displayed. Then, the process proceeds to step S4'.

By displaying such an information mismatch warning message, the user can know that the recording medium P in the specific medium storage tray 104a has been replaced, for example, when the power is off. Then, the medium storage tray 104a indicated in the warning message is actually replaced with the recording medium P as set, or the setting stored in the management information storage unit 109d is changed by the operation of the operation unit 101. It is possible to match the setting with the recording medium P housed in.

<Step S4'>
In step S4', the recording medium management unit 109c determines whether or not the information reacquisition instruction of the recording medium P has been given, and until it is determined that the information reacquisition instruction has been given (YES). Repeat the judgment. At this time, the recording medium management unit 109c may determine that the information reacquisition instruction has been given, for example, when the operation unit 101 performs the information reacquisition operation. As another example, when the open / close detection unit 106 provided in the warned medium storage tray 104a detects the operation of closing the medium storage tray 104a after opening, it is determined that the information reacquisition instruction has been given. You may.

The recording medium management unit 109c returns to step S1 when it is determined that the information reacquisition instruction has been given (YES). Then, when it is determined that the type information of the recording medium P reacquired in step S1 matches the type information set in each medium storage tray 104a in step S2, the process proceeds to step S3. As described above, the recording medium management unit 109c is actually accommodating the set recording medium P type information for all the media accommodating trays 104a immediately after the power to the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on. Match the type information of the recording medium P.

<Step S3>
On the other hand, in step S3, the recording medium management unit 109c determines whether or not the print job has been input by the operation unit 101, and repeats the determination until it is determined that the print job has been input (YES). Then, when it is determined that the print job has been input (YES), the process proceeds to the next step S4.

<Step S4>
In step S4, the recording medium management unit 109c determines whether or not the opening / closing operation of the medium accommodating tray 104a is detected. At this time, in the recording medium management unit 109c, the open / close detection unit 106 provided in each medium storage tray 104a detects the opening / closing of the medium storage tray 104a, or the operation unit 101 inputs an instruction to open / close the medium storage tray 104a. This judgment is made depending on whether or not it has been done.

Further, this determination is performed for each medium storage tray 104a. If there is even one medium storage tray 104a that has detected the opening / closing operation, it is determined that the opening / closing operation has been detected (YES), and the process proceeds to step S5. On the other hand, if there is no medium storage tray 104a that has detected the opening / closing operation, it is determined that the opening / closing operation has not been detected (NO), and the process proceeds to step S5'.

<Step S5>
In step S5, the recording medium management unit 109c acquires the type information of the recording medium P housed in the medium storage tray 104a in which the opening / closing operation is detected. The type information of the recording medium P acquired here is the type and size of the recording medium P, and is acquired in the same manner as in step S1 described above. After that, the process proceeds to step S6.

<Step S6>
In step S6, the recording medium management unit 109c determines whether or not the type information of the recording medium P acquired in step S5 matches the type information set for the medium storage tray 104a in which the opening / closing operation is detected. to decide. This determination is performed for each applicable medium storage tray 104a. With respect to the medium storage tray 104a determined to be inconsistent here, it can be determined that the recording medium P has been replaced. On the other hand, with respect to the medium storage tray 104a determined to match, although the opening / closing operation was detected, it can be determined that the recording medium P was not replaced or that the same type of recording medium P was additionally stored. can.

In step S6, the medium storage tray 104a determined to match (YES) proceeds to step S5'. On the other hand, for the medium storage tray 104a determined to be inconsistent (NO), the process proceeds to step S7.

<Step S7>
In step S7, the recording medium management unit 109c causes the display unit 101a to select and display whether or not to print out the setting information of the replaced medium storage tray 104a. This setting information is the type information of the recording medium P originally set for the corresponding medium storage tray 104a, and is the type information of the recording medium P taken out from the medium storage tray 104a by replacement.

In step S7, in addition to the above-mentioned selection display, a warning message in which the recording medium P of the corresponding medium storage tray 104a is replaced and the type information of the taken out recording medium P are sent to the display unit 101a. May be displayed.

<Step S8>
In step S8, the recording medium management unit 109c determines whether or not the operation unit 101 has selected the print output according to the selection display displayed on the display unit 101a. If it is determined that the selection is (YES), the process proceeds to step S9. On the other hand, if it is determined that the selection is not made (NO), the process proceeds to step S10.

<Step S9>
In step S9, the image formation control unit 109a is the type information of the recording medium P originally set for the medium storage tray 104a determined to have been replaced with the recording medium P, and is the fetched recording. Print output of the type information of the medium P is performed. At this time, the image formation control unit 109a prints out the type information by driving the image formation unit 103, the medium supply unit 104, and the medium transfer unit 105. The recording medium P used for this print output may be stored in any medium storage tray 104a.

At this time, the image formation control unit 109a may simultaneously print out the storage location information of the recording medium P stored in the management information storage unit 109d in association with the type information of the extracted recording medium P. Further, here, other management information stored in the management information storage unit 109d may be printed out at the same time. Further, the time when the opening / closing operation is performed may be printed out at the same time for the corresponding medium storage tray 104a. This information can be used as information when the extracted recording medium P is reused.

<Step S10>
Next, in step S10, the recording medium management unit 109c sets the recording medium set in the medium storage tray 104a in which it is determined that the recording medium P has been replaced among the information stored in the management information storage unit 109d. The type information of P is updated with the type information of the recording medium P actually accommodated. Then, the process proceeds to step S5'.

<Step S5'>
In step S5', the recording medium management unit 109c instructs the image formation control unit 109a to execute the print job. As a result, the image formation control unit 109a controls the drive of each unit of the image formation unit 103, the medium supply unit 104, and the medium transfer unit 105 based on the input information of the print job from the operation unit 101. At this time, the image formation control unit 109a forms an image on the recording medium P of the medium storage tray 104a containing the recording medium P of the type specified by the operation unit 101. After the print job is completed, the process proceeds to the next step S6'.

<Step S6'>
In step S6', the image formation control unit 109a determines whether or not to end the process. At this time, the image forming control unit 109a determines that the process is terminated (YES) when the process of turning off the power to the image forming apparatus 1 is performed, and terminates the process. In other cases, the process proceeds to step S3. Go back and repeat the steps that follow.

<< Effect of the embodiment >>
According to the embodiment described above, the type information of the recording medium P taken out from the medium storage tray 104a can be printed out. Therefore, it is possible to facilitate the recognition of the type information of the extracted recording medium P and to retain the type information of the extracted recording medium P. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the identity of the taken-out recording medium P from becoming unknown, which makes it possible to easily manage a plurality of types of recording media P.

Further, by executing steps S7 to S8, the user can perform the above print output as needed. Therefore, for example, when the user recognizes the type information of the recording medium P taken out from the medium storage tray 104a and immediately stores the taken out recording medium P in the correct storage location, unnecessary printing can be prevented. can.

In the above embodiment, the print output is performed as needed by performing steps S7 to S8. However, the image forming apparatus 1 and the image forming method using the image forming apparatus 1 may be configured to always carry out the print output of step S9 without carrying out steps S7 to S8. Further, the print output in step S9 may be changed to the display output.

Further, the print output performed in step S9 may be configured to be performed after step S3'.

Further, in the above embodiment, when it is determined that the job has been input in step S3, it is determined whether or not the opening / closing operation of the medium storage tray 104a is detected in step S4. However, step S3 and step S5'are not executed, and regardless of the execution of the job, the process waits until it is determined that the opening / closing operation of the medium storage tray 104a is detected (YES) in step S4, and the opening / closing operation is detected. If it is determined that the result is (YES), the steps after step S5 may be performed.

In the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with the image forming apparatus 103 and the medium supplying unit 104, but these may be independent image forming apparatus and medium supplying apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes an operation unit 101, an image reading unit 102, an image forming unit 103, a medium conveying unit 105, and a control unit 109. Further, the medium supply device includes a medium supply unit 104, a medium transfer unit 105, an open / close detection unit 106, a medium type detector 107, a size detector 108, and a control unit 109. In this case, these devices constitute an image forming system that is electrically and mechanically connected to each other, and the control unit of each device communicates necessary information with each other wirelessly or by wire.

1 ... Image forming apparatus 101 ... Operation unit 101a ... Display unit (output unit)
103 ... Image forming unit (output unit)
104 ... Media supply unit 104a ... Media storage tray (media storage)
106 ... Open / close detection unit 107 ... Media type detector (detector)
108 ... Size detector (detector)
109d ... Management information storage unit (storage unit)
109c ... Recording medium management unit P ... Recording medium

Claims (17)

An image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet-shaped recording medium,
A medium supply unit provided with a medium container for accommodating the recording medium and supplying the recording medium to the image forming unit, and a medium supply unit.
A storage unit that stores the type information of the recording medium set in the medium container for each medium container, and
An output unit for outputting the type information and
When the recording medium in the medium container is replaced, the recording medium set in the medium container in which the recording medium is replaced before the recording medium is replaced and stored in the storage unit An image forming apparatus including a recording medium management unit that outputs type information to the output unit. The recording medium management unit causes the user to be notified of the type information of the recording medium by the output unit.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The recording medium management unit prints or displays the type information of the recording medium by the output unit.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. Of claims 1 to 3, the recording medium management unit outputs the type information of the recording medium stored in the storage unit to the output unit in response to the replacement of the recording medium with the medium container. The image forming apparatus according to any one item . The recording medium management unit is any one of claims 1 to 4 that causes the output unit to output the type information of the recording medium stored in the storage unit when the medium container is opened and closed. The image forming apparatus according to the section . Further, a detector for detecting the type information of the recording medium housed in the medium container is provided.
The recording medium management unit determines whether or not the type information detected by the detector matches the type information stored in the storage unit, and if it determines that the type information does not match, the storage unit stores the information. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the type information of the recording medium stored in the unit is output to the output unit. The image according to claim 6 , wherein the recording medium management unit causes the detector to detect the type information of the recording medium housed in the medium container when the medium container is opened and closed. Forming device. The output unit is the image forming unit, and is
When the recording medium management unit determines that the type information detected by the detector does not match the type information stored in the storage unit, the recording medium management unit stores the image forming unit in the storage unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 or 7 , wherein the type information is printed. Equipped with an operation unit operated by the user
When the recording medium management unit determines that the type information detected by the detector does not match the type information stored in the storage unit, and when an instruction is given by the operation unit. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8 , wherein the type information stored in the storage unit is output to the output unit. Equipped with an operation unit operated by the user
The recording medium management unit is any one of claims 6 to 9 for causing the detector to detect the type information when the operation unit gives an instruction to open / close the medium container. The image forming apparatus according to. The recording medium management unit is provided with an open / close detection unit for detecting the opening / closing of the medium container. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 10 , wherein the detection of information is performed. When the power of the apparatus is turned on, the recording medium management unit causes the detector to detect the type information of the recording medium housed in the medium container, and the detection is detected by the detector. 6. It is determined whether or not the type information is matched with the type information stored in the storage unit, and if it is determined that the type information does not match, a warning of information mismatch is output to the output unit. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1 to 11 . A display unit is provided as the output unit.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the recording medium management unit displays a warning of the information mismatch on the display unit. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13 , wherein the type information includes the type of the recording medium. In the storage unit, as management information for managing the recording medium, storage location information of the recording medium is stored in association with the type information.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14 , wherein the recording medium management unit outputs the storage location information together with the type information to the output unit. An image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet-shaped recording medium,
A medium supply unit provided with a medium container for accommodating the recording medium and supplying the recording medium to the image forming unit, and a medium supply unit.
A storage unit that stores the type information of the recording medium set in the medium container for each medium container, and
An image forming method carried out by an image forming apparatus including an output unit for outputting the type information.
When the recording medium in the medium container is replaced, the recording medium set before the recording medium is replaced with respect to the medium container in which the recording medium is replaced and stored in the storage unit. An image forming method having a step of outputting the type information of the above from the output unit. An image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet-shaped recording medium,
A medium supply unit provided with a medium container for accommodating the recording medium and supplying the recording medium to the image forming unit, and a medium supply unit.
A storage unit that stores the type information of the recording medium set in the medium container for each medium container, and
An image forming program executed by a computer that controls an image forming apparatus including an output unit for outputting the type information.
When the recording medium in the medium container is replaced, the recording medium set before the recording medium is replaced with respect to the medium container in which the recording medium is replaced and stored in the storage unit. An image forming program that causes the computer to execute a step of outputting the type information of the above from the output unit.

Images