JPH1010816A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To continuously form an image on plural recording media without interruption by supplying the recording medium from a second paper supply stage in which the identical-sized recording media are housed when the recording media housed in a first paper supply stage are used up. SOLUTION: When one tray is selected, a recording paper is supplied and an original image is copied, for example, it is decided by a CPU 28 based on information from a paper detection sensor 14a whether the recording paper exists or not in the tray supplying the paper at this time. When the recording paper is used up, it is decided by the CPU 28 whether the recording paper whose size is identical to that in the previously selected tray is housed in the other tray or not. Besides, one of the trays set in the selection of an ATC function is selected from the trays in which the identical-sized recording papers are housed is selected. Then, the recording paper is supplied from the selected tray and a copying action is continuously executed. Besides, it is displayed on a display unit 23 in the midst of the copying action by the CPU 28 that the recording papers housed in the tray are used up.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium such as recording paper is widely used. The image forming apparatus
Usually, a plurality of paper feed stages (hereinafter, referred to as trays) each accommodating a plurality of recording media are provided so that images can be continuously formed on a plurality of recording media. In forming an image on a recording medium using the image forming apparatus, one tray containing recording paper of a required size is selected from a plurality of trays by a user operation or automatic operation, The recording medium is fed from the selected tray, and an image is formed on the fed recording medium.

[0003] Some image forming apparatuses have a function called an ATC function. The ATC function means that when an image is continuously formed on a plurality of recording media, when the recording medium that has been supplied this time runs out of the tray containing the recording medium, the recording medium is supplied this time. This means a function of automatically and continuously feeding a recording medium from another tray containing a recording medium having the same size as the recording medium in which the recording medium is stored. Furthermore, even if the trays are of the same size, only trays that store plain paper are AT, so that a tray that stores special paper such as colored paper or thick paper different from plain paper is not selected.
When forming an image, for example, by providing a function for selecting a tray to be a target of the C function, a predetermined tray is set to ATC.
There is also known an image forming apparatus which can set in advance whether or not to be included in a tray option of a function.

[0004]

By the way, when a plurality of recording media of the same size are stored in a plurality of trays selected as the targets of the ATC function, images are continuously recorded on the plurality of recording media. During the formation, all the recording media in the plurality of trays may be used up. In this case, when all of the plurality of recording media of the same size have been used up, it is displayed that there is no recording media, and the recording media is replenished in accordance with this display to resume image formation. For this reason, continuous image formation is interrupted, and image formation takes time.

In view of the above circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of continuously forming an image on a plurality of recording media without interrupting image formation.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first image forming apparatus including a plurality of paper feed stages each accommodating a plurality of recording media. When the recording medium is exhausted in the first paper feed stage in which the recording medium is stored, the second paper feed stage in which the recording medium of the same size as the currently fed recording medium is stored is removed. In the image forming apparatus that feeds a recording medium, (1) a notifying unit that prompts a user to supply a recording medium to the first paper feeding stage; and (2) a recording medium that runs out of the first paper feeding stage. A first control unit that controls the notification unit so that the notification unit operates.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a second image forming apparatus including a plurality of paper feed stages each accommodating a plurality of recording media, and a recording medium currently fed. When the recording medium is exhausted in the first sheet feeding tray in which the recording medium is stored, the recording medium is supplied from the second sheet feeding tray in which the recording medium of the same size as the currently fed recording medium is stored. (3) notification means for prompting the replenishment of the recording medium to the second paper feed stage; and (4) the first and second paper feeders are larger than the number of papers to be fed this time. A second control means for controlling the notifying means so that the notifying means operates when the number of recording media accommodated in the paper tray is small.

[0008] Here, the second control means is provided with the second control means.
It is preferable to add the number of recording media accommodated in all the paper feed stages that can be the paper feed stage.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Here, as an example of the image forming apparatus, a copying machine having a five-stage tray will be described.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a copying machine having five trays, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a paper detection sensor and a CPU incorporated in the copying machine shown in FIG.

The copying machine 10 includes a sorter (discharge shelf) 12 for discharging the recording paper on which an image is formed, and five-stage trays 14, 16, 18, each containing a plurality of recording papers.
20 and 22 are provided. Further, the copying machine 10 includes a paper detection sensor 14a, 16a, 18a, such as a photo sensor for reading the reflected light of the recording paper for detecting the presence or absence of the recording paper stored in each of the trays 14, 16, 18, 20, 22. 20
a, 22a and each tray 14, 16, 18, 20, 22
Paper feed clutches 14b, 16b and 18 for selectively driving the paper feed rollers of the respective trays to feed the recording paper.
b, 20b and 22b. Further, the copier 10
Is provided with a tray paper size memory 24 for storing the size of the recording paper accommodated in each of the trays 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22.

The copying machine 10 includes trays 14, 16,
An ATC setting memory 26 for storing a tray selected as an object of the ATC function among the 18, 20, and 22 is provided. Tray paper size memory 24 and AT
The information stored in the C setting memory 26 is input to a CPU (which is an example of the first control means and the second control means according to the present invention) 28, and this CPU 28
Paper feed clutches 14b, 16b, 18b, 20
b, 22b are controlled.

The copying machine 10 includes trays 14, 16,
A display 23 (which is an example of a display means according to the present invention) for displaying that there is no recording paper at 18, 20, 22 is provided. Operates according to. Further, the copier 10
Is provided with an alarm (which is an example of alarm means according to the present invention) for urging the trays 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 to replenish the recording medium.
, The operation is performed according to the flow of FIG. 4 described later.

Referring to FIG. 3, the flow of the operation of the display by the CPU 28 will be described.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation of the display.

In performing copying, first, an original is set on the copying machine 10, a copy mode such as a magnification and the number of copies is selected, and a copy key is pressed. When the copy key is pressed, the copying machine 10 reads the copy size derived from the copy mode, and the trays containing the recording paper (paper) of the corresponding size are placed in the trays 14 and 1.
6, 18, 20, and 22, the recording paper is fed from the selected tray (here, for example, tray 14), and the image of the document is copied (S10). Next, based on information from the paper detection sensor 14a, the CPU 2
In S8, it is determined whether or not there is a recording sheet in the tray 14 currently fed (S12). If there is a recording sheet in the tray 14, it is determined whether or not the set number of copies have been completed (S14). If the set number of copies has been completed, the copy is terminated. On the other hand, if the set number of copies has not been completed, the process returns to S10, where the copying is performed again.

In S12, if it is determined that the recording sheet has run out of the tray 14 currently fed, the tray 1 is set to one of the trays 16, 18, 20, and 22.
It is determined whether or not a recording sheet of the same size as that of the recording sheet accommodated in No. 4 is accommodated (S16). If it is determined in S16 that one of the trays 16, 18, 20, and 22 contains recording paper of the same size as that of the recording paper stored in the tray 14, furthermore, Then, it is determined whether or not there is a tray included in the options of the ATC function among the trays storing the recording sheets of the same size (S18).

If there is a tray included in the options of the ATC function, one of the trays is selected (S2).
0), paper is fed from the selected tray and copying is continued.
If there is no tray included in the options of the ATC function, a message is displayed to replenish the tray 14 with paper in order to restart copying (S22). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the paper has been replenished (S23). If the paper has been replenished, the display for prompting the replenishment of the paper is stopped. S20
While copying is continuing with the tray selected in
4 indicates that the recording paper has run out, and prompts the user to replenish the recording paper in the tray 14 (S24). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the paper has been replenished (S25). If the paper has been replenished, the display for prompting the replenishment of the paper is stopped. Thus, an image can be continuously formed on a plurality of recording media without interrupting image formation. As a result, it is possible to efficiently perform image formation without requiring time other than the time required for image formation.

Referring to FIG. 4, a flow in which CPU 28 activates the alarm will be described.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation of the alarm.

When the number of copies is set, this flow starts, and the selected tray (here, for example, tray 14
It is known whether the set number of copies is greater than the number of remaining sheets of recording paper, based on the weight of the accommodated sheets. CP based on the information from the paper detection sensor 14a
The determination is made in U28 (S30). If the number of recording sheets remaining in the tray 14 is larger, the process stands by, for example, until the copy key is pressed (S32). On the other hand, when the set number of copies is larger, a tray containing recording paper of the same size as that of the recording paper remaining in the tray 14 exists in the trays 16, 18, 20, and 22. It is determined whether or not to perform (S34). If no such tray exists, an alarm is issued to replenish the tray 14 with recording paper (S36). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the paper has been replenished (S37). If the paper has been replenished, the alarm for prompting the replenishment of the paper is stopped. As a result, in the copying machine 10, the number of recording sheets remaining in the tray 14 becomes
Since you can see that it is less than the set number of copies,
By replenishing the tray 14 with recording paper, copying for the set number of copies can be performed continuously without interruption.

When a tray containing recording paper of the same size as that of the recording paper remaining in the tray 14 is present in any of the trays 16, 18, 20, and 22, the recording paper of the same size is further provided. It is determined whether or not there is a tray included in the options of the ATC function among the trays storing the paper (S38). If no tray is included in the ATC function options, the tray 14
A warning is issued to replenish the recording paper (S36). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the paper has been supplied (S37).
If there is paper replenishment, the alarm urging the user to replenish the paper is stopped. On the other hand, when there is a tray included in the options of the ATC function, the paper detection sensors 14a, 16a, 18
a, 20a, 22a and the total number of recording sheets remaining in the selected tray and having the same size as the recording sheets in the tray 14, based on the information from the tray sheet size memory 24. It is determined whether the set number of copies is larger (S40). If the total number is larger, for example, the process waits until the copy key is pressed (S
42). If the total number is smaller, an alarm is issued to replenish the tray 14 or another tray with recording paper of the same size as the tray 14 (S44). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the paper has been replenished (S45). If the paper has been replenished, the alarm urging the replenishment of the paper is stopped. As a result, the copier 10 knows that the number of recording papers of the same size as the recording paper of the tray 14 is smaller than the set number of copies, so that the recording on the tray or the tray 14 included in the ATC function options is performed. By replenishing the paper, it is possible to determine whether or not the set number of copies can be made before pressing the copy key and starting. Therefore, even if the user moves away from the copying machine 10 after the start, the record is not lost and the setting is completed. The copying can be performed continuously without interrupting the copying for the number of copies. As a result, it is possible to efficiently perform image formation without requiring time other than the time required for image formation.

[0024]

As described above, according to the first image forming apparatus of the present invention, when there is no recording medium in the first paper feed stage, the first control is performed even during the image forming operation. Since the notifying means is operated by the means, the user can supply the recording medium to the first paper feed stage, and images can be continuously formed on a plurality of recording media without interrupting image formation. As a result, it is possible to efficiently perform image formation without requiring time other than the time required for image formation.

According to the second image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the number of recording media stored in the first and second paper feed trays is smaller than the number of papers currently fed, The notification means is operated by the second control means, so that the user can replenish the recording medium to the first or second paper feed stage, and continuously print on a plurality of recording media without interrupting image formation. To form an image. As a result, it is possible to efficiently perform image formation without requiring time other than the time required for image formation.

Here, if the second control means is to add the number of recording media accommodated in all the paper feed stages that can be the second paper feed stage, the current paper is fed. Even if the number of sheets fed further increases, it is determined by the added number of sheets,
More accurate control is possible, and an image can be continuously formed on a plurality of recording media without interrupting image formation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a copying machine according to an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a paper detection sensor and a CP incorporated in the copying machine shown in FIG.
It is a block diagram which shows U.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow in which the display operates.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow in which an alarm device operates.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 Copier 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 Tray 14a, 16a, 18a, 20a, 22a Paper detection sensor 14b, 16b, 18b, 20b, 22b Paper feed clutch 24 Tray paper size memory 26 ATC setting memory 28 CPU

Claims (3)

[Claims] An image forming apparatus includes: a plurality of paper feed stages each accommodating a plurality of recording media; and a first paper feed stage accommodating a currently fed recording medium when the recording medium runs out. An image forming apparatus that feeds a recording medium from a second paper feed stage in which a recording medium of the same size as the currently fed recording medium is stored; Notification means for prompting replenishment; and first control means for controlling the notification means so that the notification means is activated when the first paper feed stage runs out of recording medium. Image forming apparatus. 2. A printer according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of paper feed stages each accommodating a plurality of recording media, wherein the first paper feed stage accommodating the currently fed recording medium runs out of recording media. An image forming apparatus that feeds a recording medium from a second paper feed stage in which a recording medium of the same size as the currently fed recording medium is stored; Notification means for prompting replenishment, and the notification means is activated when the number of recording media stored in the first and second paper feed trays is smaller than the number of paper sheets currently fed. And a second control means for controlling the notification means as described above. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said second control means adds the number of recording media accommodated in all of the paper feed stages that can be said second paper feed stage. 3. The image forming apparatus according to 2.