JPH04131871A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve operability by feeding a recording medium for inside binding which is the same size as the recording medium for cover and with a great remaining quantity after feeding the recording medium for cover to the image forming means with recording medium feeding means when a mode including the front cover is indicated. CONSTITUTION:When the cover forming mode indicated by a mode indication means 28a is the mode including the front cover, the recording medium for inside binding which is the same size as the recording medium for the cover and with the great remaining quantity is fed after the recording medium for the cover selected by a cover selection means 10b to the image forming means 110 to 120 by recording medium feeding means 131b to 131e, 132b to 132e, 133b to 133e, and 134b to 134e. Thus, even when an original size is not clear, for example, in pressure plate copying, etc., the attaching of the back cover can be assured and carried out efficiently, and the operability can be improved.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and particularly an image forming apparatus that sequentially forms a series of images on special paper such as a front cover and a back cover, and plain paper for saddle stitching. The present invention relates to a forming device.

[Conventional technology]

Conventional image forming devices, such as copying machines, have multiple types of recording paper of different sizes for transferring and recording images, and these can be selectively fed according to the original size and copying magnification. It has become. However, recently, in addition to differences in the size of recording paper, there is also a means to store special paper for use as a cover, and when necessary, special paper can be selectively fed in the same way as recording paper (plain paper). A device for recording on special paper has been provided (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 1-232364, etc.). In such devices, a mote called a cover moto usually feeds special paper only for the first original or both the first original and the last original, and supplies plain paper for other originals. .

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As in the device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-232364, the size of the document is detected by feeding the document with an automatic document feeder or the like. Image formation can be controlled by comparing the size of plain paper and the size of special paper based on the size of the document.

However, for devices that do not have an automatic document feeder, or even if they do have an automatic document feeder, it is impossible to detect the document size when performing pressure plate copying, making it difficult to determine the size of special paper and plain paper. There's a problem.

An object of the present invention is to improve operability when the original size is unknown, such as during pressure plate copying.

[Means to solve the problem]

The first invention of the present application is an image forming means (110, 120
) A plurality of recording medium supply means (131b-131e, 132b-) for selectively supplying a cover recording medium and a saddle stitching recording medium to the image forming means (110, 120).
+32e, 1331+-+33e, +34b-134
e): Mode instruction means (2) for specifying the cover formation mode.
8a): And recording medium supply means (131b131e, +32b-132e,
+33b-H3e, 134b-+34e) to supply the cover recording medium and saddle stitching recording medium to the image forming means (110120).
An image forming apparatus comprising; normal size detection means (131b, +31e) for detecting the size of the recording medium for saddle stitching; and normal remaining amount detection means (131b, +31e) for detecting the remaining amount of the recording medium for saddle stitching; 131b,
+31c) ; and recording medium supply means (131b-
Hle.

132b-132e, +33b-133e, +34
b-134e) includes a plurality of rows of recording media for saddle stitching of the same size, the paper feed control means (400) determines that the cover formation mode specified by the mode instruction means (28a) is a mode including a front cover. , the recording medium supply means (131
b-131e, H2b-132e133b-133e
134b-134e) and the image forming means (110, 12
After supplying the recording medium for the cover selected by the cover selection means (10b) to the recording medium 0>, a recording medium for saddle stitching which is the same size as the recording medium for the cover and has a large amount of remaining capacity is supplied.

The second invention of the present application is an image forming means (110, 120
) A plurality of recording medium supply means (131b-131e, 132b-) for selectively supplying a cover recording medium and a saddle stitching recording medium to the image forming means (110, 120).
132e, 133b-133e, 134b-134e
): Mode instruction means (28) for specifying the cover formation mode
a); and recording medium supply means (Hlb-131e, +32b-132e,
133b-133e, 134b-IHe), the cover recording medium and the saddle stitching recording medium are transferred to the image forming means (
110°120)
An image forming apparatus comprising: a recording medium supplying means (131b-131e, +32b-
+32e, +33b-133e, 134b-134
If e) includes a recording medium for a multi-column cover, the first
cover selection means (10b) for selecting one cover; cover size detection means (H1+1) for detecting the size of the recording medium for the cover;
131e): Normal size detection means (131b, 13]c) that detects the size of the recording medium for saddle stitching; and normal remaining amount detection means (HLb, 131e) that detects the remaining amount of the recording medium for saddle stitching. ; recording medium supply means (131b-131e, 132b-132e, +3
3b-+33e, +34b to 134e) include a plurality of rows of recording media for saddle stitching of the same size, the paper feed control means (400) sets the cover forming mode specified by the mode instruction means (28a). If the mode includes the front cover, the recording medium supply means (131b-131e, 132b
-132e, 133b-133e, 134b-13
After supplying the cover recording medium selected by the cover selection means (10b) to the image forming means (110, 120) in step 4e), saddle stitching is performed that is the same size as the cover recording medium and has a large amount of remaining capacity. supply recording media for

Note that symbols in parentheses indicate corresponding elements in the embodiments shown in the drawings and described later.

[Effect]

According to the first invention of the present application, the mode indicating means (28a
), the paper feed control means (400) controls the recording medium supply means (131bi31e, 132, 132e, 13).
3b-133e.

+34b-134e) and the image forming means (110, 120
), after supplying a recording medium for the cover, a recording medium for saddle stitching that is the same size as the recording medium for the cover and has a large amount of remaining capacity is supplied with priority, so that the original size is unknown, for example. The cover can be attached reliably and efficiently during pressure plate copying, etc., and operability is improved.

According to the second invention of the present application, the mode indicating means (28a
), the paper feed control means (400) controls the recording medium supply means (131b-131e, 132t+ to 132e,
133b-133e.

134b-134e) and image forming means (110, 120).
), after supplying the cover recording medium selected by the operator from among the plurality of cover recording media by the cover selection means (job), the cover recording medium is the same size as the cover recording medium and has the remaining amount. Since a large number of recording media for saddle stitching are supplied preferentially, a cover can be attached reliably and efficiently when the document size is unknown, such as when copying on a pressure plate, and operability is improved.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

〔Example〕

A copying machine embodying the present invention as an example is shown in FIG. Automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF)
200. It is comprised of an auxiliary paper feed unit 600 and a sorter 30 ( ) installed on the transfer paper ejection side of the copying machine body +00 shown in FIG.

First, referring to Fig. 2, the copying machine body +00 has an optical system +
10. Imaging system 120. It consists of a paper feed system 130, a paper refeed system 140, and the like.

The optical system +10 includes a contact glass III and an exposure lamp 112 arranged below it. First mirror 113a
, second mirror ++3b, third mirror +13c, fourth mirror 113d, fifth mirror 11'3e, sixth mirror +13
f, a condensing lens 114, a dustproof glass 115, etc., and the image forming system 120 includes a photosensitive drum 121 and a charger 122.f arranged around the photosensitive drum 121. eraser 12
3. Developing device 124. Pre-transfer charger 1261 Separation charger 1279 Separation claw 128. Pre-cleaning charger (hereinafter referred to as PCC) 129 and cleaner 1
2A, a transport heald 12B arranged downstream of the photosensitive drum 121, a fixing device +2c, and the like.

The paper feed system +30 includes a manual paper feed table +31a, paper feed power centers 131b and 131c, and the like. Further, when the auxiliary paper feed unit 600 is combined as in the copying machine of the embodiment, it is condensed. In other words, paper feed system +30
1 manual paper feed table 131a, paper feed case N31b,
Among the recording paper trays 131d and 131e provided in the auxiliary paper feeding unit 600, one recording paper held by the tray selected by the operator is extracted. In addition, recording paper trays 13]d, 131e and paper feed cassettes 131b, Hlc (however, manual paper feed table 131
a is shared with the paper feed cassette 131b), calls = + o 132 b , +32 c , +32
d, +32 e, paper feed: +0133b, H3 (:
, 133d, 133e, and reverse co o 134 b
, 134c, 134d, +34e, and registration rollers 135. Guide mylar 136. Equipped with various guides and intermediate rollers.

The paper refeed system +40 is operated by the switching claw 141. Approaching/separating roller 142° Reversing guide 143 Reversing roller 144. Gate claw 14
5° intermediate tray 146. Two-way tip! 47. Vapa stop spit 1tS, call roll 149. Paper feed roller 14A,
It consists of a reversing roller 14B, a paper discharge roller 14C, and the like.

The copying operation will be briefly explained below.

When a document is set on the contact glass III and a start instruction is given, the paper feed clutch is turned on and the call roller of the paper feed table selected at that time feeds the recording paper to the paper feed roller. Since the paper feed rollers rotate in the opposite direction, double feeding is prevented and only the topmost sheet of recording paper reaches registration roller 1.
Sent towards 35th.

During this time, the optical system +10 scans the original on the contact glass III, and the light reflected from the original illuminated by the exposure lamp 112 is reflected by the first mirror 113a, the second mirror +! 3b.

Third mirror 113c, condensing lens 114. 4th mirror 1
13d, fifth mirror 113e, sixth mirror ++3f
The light is guided to the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive drum +21 via the dustproof glass +15.

The photosensitive drum 121 is rotating clockwise in the drawing.
The photosensitive surface is uniformly charged by a charger 122 as it receives the light reflected from the original by the optical system 110, and a latent image area is formed by neutralization by an eraser 123. Therefore, when this latent image area is irradiated with light reflected from the original, photoelectric grooves are generated depending on the intensity of the light, and an electrostatic latent image is formed.

This electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing device +24, and becomes a toner image with toner attached thereto according to the density of the document. This toner image is transferred to the recording paper fed out from the registration roller 135, but in order to facilitate the transfer, PTL
125, electricity is removed before transfer.

The recording paper fed out by the registration roller 135 is brought into close contact with the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive drum 121 by a guide mylar 136, and the toner image is transferred directly above the transfer charger 126. Immediately after this, the recording paper is separated from the photosensitive surface by a separation charger 127, but if the separation is insufficient at this time, it is forcibly separated by a separation claw 128.

After the recording paper is separated, residual toner is removed from the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive drum +21 by 12 cleaners, and the recording paper is sent to the fixing device 12C by a conveyor belt 128.

The fixing device 12c includes a fixing roller 12Ca and a pressure roller 12Cb, and heats the recording paper onto which the toner image has been transferred while applying pressure (approximately 185° C.) to fix the toner image.

The recording paper on which the toner image has been fixed is delivered to a paper refeed system 140. The paper refeeding system 140 guides the recording paper to the paper ejection roller 14C by the action of the switching claw 141 when copying the first side in duplex mode, but guides the recording paper to the reversing guide 143 when copying the first side in duplex mode. lead.

After that, when the trailing edge of the recording paper passes through the switching pawl 141, the switching pawl 141 is switched, the contact/separation roller 142 is brought into contact, and the recording paper is sent to the reversing roller 144, and the reversing roller 114 sends it to the gate pawl 145. .

There are four gate claws 145, and when the gate claws corresponding to the size of the recording paper are opened, the recording paper is ejected to the intermediate tray 146. The recording sheets that have fallen onto the intermediate tray 146 are brought together by a leading end shifting roller 147 until they come into contact with a vapor stopper 148, and their leading ends are aligned and stocked.

When copying the second side of the recording paper stocked in the intermediate tray 146 is started in the duplex mode, the uppermost one of the recording papers is transferred to the registration rollers 1351 . [rutLru.

Note that when detecting the toner concentration of the developing device 124,
Prior to forming a toner image of the original, the contact glass I
A toner image of a standard pattern is formed ahead of the developing device 124, and its density is read by a P7 sensor PSN provided downstream of the developing device 124.

Further, the ADF 200 is provided in the upper part of the copying machine main body 100 so as to be openable and closable, and has a feeding roller 151. A belt 152, a discharge roller 153, and the like feed and discharge the document placed on the document table +60. That is,
The original table before the start of optical scanning of the copying machine main body 100! 6
The uppermost one of the originals placed on 0 is extracted and set on the contact glass Ill of the copying machine main body 100, and after optical scanning is completed, the original is ejected onto the upper paper ejection table.

Next, an outline of the mechanism of the sorter 300 will be explained with reference to FIG. An entrance guide plate 313 is provided as an entrance for receiving the transfer paper discharged to the outside of the copying machine main body 100, followed by upper and lower conveyor belts 314, 312, a switching claw 316, and a switching guide for conveying the transfer paper upward. Board 315.
317 are provided. Further, the upper path by the switching claw 316 is provided with a pair of paper ejection rollers 318° 319 and a paper ejection tray 323, and the lower path by the switching claw 316 is provided with a plurality of paper sheets (books It continues to the copy longitudinal conveyor 321, 322 along the insertion side of the bin (20 sheets in the embodiment).

The vertical feed conveyors 321 and 322 are equipped with discharge rollers and deflection claws corresponding to each bin, and can feed the transfer paper to any bin. Note that the drive motor 311 is for driving each roller within the sorter 300.

Next, the operation of the sorter 300 will be explained. First, the transfer paper discharged from the copying machine is inserted through the entrance guide plate 313, is held between the pair of conveyor belts 312 and 314, and is conveyed to the upper part.

If we are currently in the normal paper ejection mode (a mode in which paper is ejected to the paper ejection tray 323), the switching claw 316 is lowered, and the transfer paper is moved along the switching guide plate 3]7 to the paper ejection roller pair 31.
8.319, the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 323. Note that a discharge sensor 341 is provided to detect that the transfer paper has been discharged.

Also, now, sort mode (mode to sort into pages)
In the stack mode (a mode in which pages are sorted by page), the switching claw 136 is raised and the paper is conveyed downward along the switching guide plate 316. Vertical feed carrier 32
1. The transfer paper is conveyed to any bin that matches the mode (sort or stack) by the action of the 322 discharge roller and deflection claw. In addition, in order to detect that the transfer paper is ejected, the LED 342 and the phototransistor 3
A transmission-type optical detection sensor based on 43 is installed in the upper bin (first
Transmissive optical detection sensors using an LED 344 and a phototransistor 345 are provided on the lower bins (11th hin to 20th hin), respectively. .

In the sort mode, the deflection claw on the first hinge of the vertical feed conveyor 321 is activated to eject the paper onto the first hinge 324, and for the second copy of the first page, the deflection claw on the second bin is activated. In the second bin (the bin immediately below the first bin), also the first page of the second page.
The first sheet is discharged into the first bin, and the second sheet is discharged into the second bin. In this way, in the sort mode, pages are outputted in one bin, 1, 2, 3, . . . .

When in stack mode, all copies of the first page are
The deflection claw of the vertical feed conveyor 321 is operated so as to discharge the copy of the second page into the second bin. In this manner, in the stack mode, identical page copies are ejected into one bin and are sorted page by page.

Further, this copying machine has a function of performing stapling processing on the sorted copies using a post-processing unit 332. The bundle of recording paper that has been transferred is carried by a chuck unit 331 to a stapling unit 332 in an arbitrary bin, subjected to restable processing by 332, and returned to its original position after the processing has been performed. Note that the selection of each bin to be stapled is performed by the stapling processing unit 33.
2. This is done by moving the chuck unit 331 up and down.

By the way, the paper feed cassettes 131b, 131 of this embodiment
C, recording paper tray 131d, and Hle are equipped with sensors for detecting the recording paper size.

FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the paper feed force center 131b, and will be described. A vapor guide 502 is provided in the paper feed cassette 131b so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction of the recording paper 500 along a guide rod 501 (the direction may be perpendicular to the longitudinal direction).
03 is installed. Size detection sensors 504 and 505 are respectively disposed on the bottom surface of the paper feed force center 131b facing the filler 503, and the size of the recording paper is detected by detecting the position of the filler 503. Further, a vapor sensor 506 is disposed in the vapor guide 502 to detect the remaining amount of recording paper 500 in the paper feed cassette 13Ib.
The remaining amount of 0 is detected in stages.

Note that the paper feed cassette H1c and the recording paper tray 131
d and +31e have a similar configuration, and can detect the size and remaining amount of recording paper.

FIG. 5 shows an operation and display board 150 provided in this copying machine.
Shows the appearance. Each key on the operation and display pod 150 will be explained below. Reference numeral 1 is a start key for instructing to start copying, 2 is a numeric keypad for inputting the number of copies, etc., 3 is a clear/stop key for instructing to clear the number of sets and stop copying, and 4 is a number of copy sets. 5 is a copy number display that displays the number of copies, 6 is an original number display that displays the number of original sheets, and 7 is paper that displays the copy paper size set in each cassette or tray. Size display, 8 is a paper remaining amount display that displays the remaining amount of copy paper set in each cassette or tray, 9 is a mode (automatic) that automatically selects the most suitable copy paper based on document size information, etc. 10a is a paper selection key for selecting copy paper; 10b is a special paper selection key for feeding special paper for a specified copy; a cover paper selection key for selecting paper; 11 a paper size selection indicator for displaying which copy paper size is selected; 1;
2 is a please wait indicator that shows that the copier is preparing, 13 is a copy ready indicator that shows that the copier is ready, 14 is a sort key to display the sort mode, and 15 is a A sort mode indicator 16 indicates that the sort mode is set; a stack key 17 indicates the stack mode; a stack mode indicator 18 indicates the stack mode is set; and 18 indicates a staple binding mode. A start key 19 for instructing is a staple mode indicator that indicates that the staple binding mode is set, 20 is a DF key for instructing ADF mode, and 21 is an ADF key.
DF momo to display that the mode is set
Display unit 22 is a single-sided/duplex mode key for instructing to make one double-sided copy from two single-sided originals; 23 is a single-sided/duplex mode indicator 24 for indicating that the single-sided/duplex mode is set; is the duplex/single-sided mode key 25 that instructs to make two single-sided copies from one double-sided original.
26 is a duplex duplex mode indicator to indicate that duplex single-sided mode is selected, 26 is a duplex duplex mode key for instructing to make one duplex copy from one duplex original, and 27 is duplex duplex mode. 28a is a cover mode key that instructs to feed special paper for a specified copy;
8b is a cover ejection key 2 for instructing ejection of special paper.
8c is a final original key 29 for indicating that the original is the final original during pressure plate copying (not using the ADF), and 8c is for displaying that the front cover mode for feeding special paper for the first original is set. 30. Front cover mode indicator; 292 is a front and back cover mode indicator that indicates that the front and back cover mode for feeding special paper is set for the first document and the last document; 302 is a paper jam indicator that warns that copy paper remains in the sorter bin of the sorter 300; 302 is a jam indicator that warns of a jam in the sorter; 303 is a warning of a jam in the copying machine body, etc. Jam indicator 31 is a paper replenishment indicator that warns that the selected copy paper is out.

32 is a staple supply indicator that warns that there are no staples; 33 is a staple impossible indicator that warns that stapling cannot be performed; 34a is a staple limit indicator that warns of staple limits; This is a cover warning indicator that warns you that plain paper that corresponds to the special paper loaded is not set.

The components described above are controlled by an electrical control system shown in FIG. This electrical control system includes a main control section 400
The storage unit 410. Optical control section 420°AC control section 430. Operation control unit 440. It consists of an ADF control section 450, a sorter control section 460, and the like.

The main control unit 400 monitors various sensors 401 provided in each part of the main body 100 and controls loads 402 such as solenoids and motes in each part.

The optical control unit 420 controls a lens motor that drives the lens 114 and a scanner motor that performs optical scanning.
The AC control unit 430 controls the exposure lamp +12 and the fixing device 12c.
AC loads such as the heater, main motor, developing motor, transport motor, and paper feed motor are controlled.

The operation control unit 440 performs key operation reading and display control on the operation and display board 150.

The ADF control section 450 controls the ADF 200, and the sorter control section 460 controls the sorter 300.

FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b show the control operation of the main control section 400. When the power of the copying machine is turned on as shown in FIG. ). Next, enter the number of sheets to set from the numeric keypad 2 using cent number input processing (2), select front cover, front and back cover, or no cover using cover mode input processing (3), and use cover paper selection key manually Select the paper (special paper) (4) and perform the cover motto check process (5). Then, it is checked whether copying is disabled by cover mode check processing (6), and if copying is possible, it waits for start key 1 to be pressed (
7). When the start key 1 is pressed, the original sheet number counter is incremented, and the copy sheet number counter and the discharged sheet number counter are cleared (8 to 9).

See Figure 1b. Next, the presence or absence of the cover mode flag (front cover mode or front/back cover mode) set in step 3 is checked (10), and if there is no cover mode flag, normal copying processing is performed. That is, feeding plain paper (14), copying operation (15), and discharging operation (16).
) until the number of cents equals the number of copies17
~18), if the set number matches the copy number, 1a
Return to step 2 shown in the figure. Note that the copying operation implements the copying process described with reference to FIG.

If there is a cover mode flag in step 10, the first (1
(11) If it is the first document, feed the special paper in the 5th PFC stage set by manual processing using the cover paper selection key in step 4 as the cover, and eject the paper. After that (12-13), plain paper of the same size as the special paper is fed from the PFC stage 14), the first original is copied, and the paper is discharged (15-16). This operation is repeated until the number of set sheets and the number of copies match (17-18). If both match, the process returns to step 2.

Next, even if you are in cover mode, if it is not the first document,
Normal copy processing is performed (14-18).

The processing in each subroutine shown in FIG. 1a will be explained below.

FIG. 1c shows the contents of the seven-node number input process (2).

Here, when the numeric keypad 2 is pressed on the operation and display board 150 (201), the pressed numeric keypad data is stored in the storage unit 410 (RAM) (202). Furthermore, the cent number display 4 is lit in accordance with the RAM data that has been sent, and the process returns (203).

FIG. 1d shows the contents of the cover mote input process (3). When the cover mode key 28a is pressed on the operation and display board 150 (301), the current mode is checked and if it is not the cover mode, that is, if there is no front cover mode flag and front and back cover mode flag (302,
305), the table cover mode is set (table cover mode flag is set) (307). Similarly, if the front cover mode is already in the front cover mode (the front cover mode flag is present in step 302), the front cover mode flag is reset (303).
, front and back cover mode (front and back cover mode flag -tr
Soto) (304). In addition, if the front and back cover mode is already in the front and back cover mode (the front and back cover mode flag is present in step 305), the front and back cover mode flag is reset (306
).

FIG. 1e shows the contents of the cover paper selection key manual processing (4). First, check the presence or absence of the cover mode flag (4
01). There is a cover mode flag, and when the cover paper selection key 10b is pressed on the operation & display board 150 (
402), the paper feed stage counter 5PFC is incremented (403). If the value of 5PFC is the maximum number of paper feed stages (in this example, 4°131b, +31c, 131d,
13] e), return 5PFC to the first stage (404, 405). Then, if the selected paper feed tray is special paper, it is used as the paper feed tray, and if it is plain paper, the next paper feed tray is checked (406, 407). In addition,
In this embodiment, trays 131d and 131e are allocated for storing special paper, and cassettes 131b and 13]
c is assigned to store plain paper. Also, cassette 1
The plain papers in 31b and 131c are of the same size. Therefore, in manual processing using the cover paper selection key, if the cover mode flag is present, the trays 131d and 131e
The special paper will be selected from among the two.

FIG. 1f shows the contents of the cover mode check process (5). Here, the presence or absence of the cover mode flag is checked (501), and if it is the cover mode, step 4 (
It is checked whether there is plain paper of the same size as the special paper in the paper feed tray selected by the paper feed tray counter 5PFC in FIG. 1e (502>).

And if you have plain paper of the same size, you can use it as an operation and display board! Set the cover warning indicator 34b on 50 to cool off the heat 503
), the copy prohibition flag is reset (504). If there is no plain paper of the same size, the cover warning display 34b is lit (“No corresponding paper”) (505), and the copy impossible flag is set (505).
506).

The presence or absence of the copy disable flag set/reset in steps 504 and 506 is checked in step 6 (FIG. 1a), so that if the cover mode is selected, the special paper in the 5th PFC stage selected by the cover paper selection key 10b Only if there is plain paper of the same size as
It becomes possible to perform copying. At this time, as shown in Figure 1b, when the special paper serving as the front cover corresponding to the first document is fed and ejected, the same size plain paper is automatically loaded into the paper feed tray of the same size plain paper. The operation is easy because the paper is fed by switching to .

Further, if there is plain paper of the same size as the special paper at step 502, after step 504, it is checked whether there is any other plain paper of the same size (507). If there is no other plain paper of the same size, the number of columns of the selected plain paper will be added to the PFC (50g), but if there is other plain paper of the same size, the number of columns of the same size of plain paper with the largest amount remaining. Set in PFC. Here, as mentioned above, the same size of plain paper is stored in the cassettes 131b and ]31C, so the remaining amount of plain paper in the cassette 131b and the remaining amount of plain paper in the cassette 131c are compared (50
9) The one with the most remaining amount is given priority and set in the PFC (510, 511). In this embodiment, the comparison is made based on the signal of the vapor sensor 506 that detects the remaining amount of plain paper in stages as shown in FIG. - With this, when in cover mode, if there are multiple cassettes containing plain paper of the same size, all cassettes will be used almost equally, so 1. For example, if you are copying, you may suddenly run out of paper and stop copying. There is less to put away.

Note that the remaining amount of plain paper may be detected by setting the number of sheets of plain paper to be stored in the cassette in advance and subtracting the number of sheets used for copying from the number of sheets.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the first invention of the present application, the mode indicating means (281
), the paper feed control means (400) controls the recording medium supply means (131b-131e, 132b-+32e, 1).
33b-+33e.

134b-134e) and image forming means (110, 120).
), after supplying a recording medium for the cover, a recording medium for saddle stitching that is the same size as the recording medium for the cover and has a large amount of remaining capacity is supplied with priority, so that the original size is unknown, for example. The cover can be attached reliably and efficiently during pressure plate copying, etc., and operability is improved.

According to the second invention of the present application, the mode indicating means (28i
), the paper feed control means (400) controls the recording medium supply means (131b-13]e, +32b-+32e, 1.
33b-+33e.

134b-H4e) and image forming means (110, 120)
After supplying a cover recording medium selected by an operator from among a plurality of cover recording media by a cover selection means (job), a cover recording medium of the same size as the cover recording medium is supplied;
Moreover, since the recording medium for saddle stitching with a large amount of remaining capacity is fed preferentially, the cover can be attached reliably and efficiently when the document size is unknown, for example, during pressure plate copying, and operability is improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, and 1f are flowcharts showing the operation of the main control section 400 shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a main body 100 of a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention and an automatic document feeder (ADF) mounted on the top thereof. FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a sorter 300 installed on the transfer paper ejection side of the copying machine main body +00 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the paper feed force upper gutter 131b, which is equipped in the copying machine main body +00 shown in FIG. 2 and has a recording paper size detection means and a recording paper remaining amount detection means. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the appearance of the operation and display board +50 provided on the top surface of the copying machine main body 100 shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the electrical control system of the copying machine shown in FIG. 2. 10b° force bar paper selection key (cover selection key) 28a cover mode key (mode instruction means) 100, copying machine body 110: optical system 120: image forming system (110,
120: image forming means) 130, paper feeding system 131a: manual paper feeding table 131b, +31
c Paper feeding power cent 131d, 131e: Recording paper tray
132b-132e: Calling roller 133b-133e
: Paper feed roller 134b-+34e: Reverse roller (131b-131e, +32b-+32e, 13
3b-+33e, +34b-134e Recording medium supply means) (131b, +31c: Normal size detection means, normal remaining amount detection means) (131d, +31c Cover size detection means) 140 Paper refeed system 150 Operation & display board 200 Automatic document Feeding device 300゛Soter 40
0 main control section (paper feed control means)

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) Image forming means; a plurality of recording medium supply means for selectively supplying a cover recording medium and a saddle stitching recording medium to the image forming means; a mode instruction means for specifying a cover forming mode; and , a paper feed control means for supplying a cover recording medium and a saddle stitching recording medium from a recording medium supplying means to an image forming means in accordance with the cover forming mode; an image forming apparatus comprising: recording for saddle stitching; normal size detection means for detecting the size of the medium; and normal remaining amount detection means for detecting the remaining amount of the recording medium for saddle stitching; In the case where a recording medium is included, the paper feed control means causes the recording medium supplying means to supply the recording medium for the cover to the image forming means when the cover formation mode specified by the mode instruction means is a mode including a front cover. An image forming apparatus characterized in that, after supplying a recording medium for a cover sheet, a recording medium for saddle stitching that is the same size as the recording medium for the cover sheet and that has a large amount of remaining capacity is supplied. (2) Image forming means; a plurality of recording medium supply means for selectively supplying a cover recording medium and a saddle stitching recording medium to the image forming means; a mode instruction means for specifying a cover forming mode; and , a paper feed control means for supplying a cover recording medium and a saddle stitching recording medium from a recording medium supplying means to an image forming means in accordance with the cover forming mode; the recording medium supplying means; Cover selection means for selecting one of the cover recording media when the file includes multiple stages of cover recording media;Cover size detection means for detecting the size of the cover recording medium;Detecting the size of the saddle stitching recording medium normal size detection means; and normal remaining amount detection means for detecting the remaining amount of the recording medium for saddle stitching; when the recording medium supply means includes a plurality of stages of recording media for saddle stitching of the same size; If the cover formation mode designated by the mode instruction means is a mode including a front cover, the paper feed control means causes the image forming means in the recording medium supply means to select the cover for the cover selected by the cover selection means. An image forming apparatus characterized in that, after supplying a recording medium, a recording medium for saddle stitching that is the same size as the recording medium for the cover and has a large amount of remaining space is supplied.