JP2010100375A - Image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve work efficiency by reducing a burden of a user by enabling a usable paper feeding tray to be set for each job, in an image forming system having an automatic tray switching function or an automatic paper selecting function. <P>SOLUTION: In this image forming system 1, an operation display control part 503 sets first tray setting information with every job for indicating a paper feeding tray switchable in automatic tray switching processing or automatic paper selecting processing and priority of switching to the switchable paper feeding tray or priority of a selectable paper feeding tray, and a control part 101 executes the automatic tray switching processing or the automatic paper selecting processing in response to the first tray setting information set by the operation display control part 503 when executing image forming processing by an image forming part 600. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system having an automatic tray switching function or an automatic paper selection function.

  In recent years, in an image forming work site, an image forming apparatus including a plurality of paper feed trays performs image forming processing using various types of paper having different paper types and basis weights. In particular, in POD (Print On Demand), the paper to be used is often different for each job.

  When different paper is used for each job, it is necessary to replenish paper used in the job to the paper feed tray before starting execution of each job. However, if the image forming process is temporarily stopped and the paper is replenished every time the job is completed, the work efficiency is significantly reduced. For this reason, the user takes measures such as replenishing paper used in the next job to a paper feed tray that is not in use during execution of the previous job, thereby preventing a reduction in work efficiency.

By the way, conventionally, an ATS (automatic tray switching) function, that is, a function of automatically switching the paper feed tray when a paper out occurs during the image forming process, or an APS (automatic paper selection) function, that is, an original size. There is known an image forming apparatus having a function of automatically selecting a sheet in accordance with (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
The ATS function automatically switches to a paper tray that stores paper of the same size as the paper tray that has run out of paper, even if there is no paper in the paper tray in use. Therefore, the image forming process is not stopped, and the work efficiency is excellent. Similarly, the APS function automatically switches to a paper feed tray that stores paper of the same size, and an appropriate paper is selected.

  In recent years, as the ATS function and APS function, not only the paper size but also the paper type, weighing, and color are added to the tray switching conditions. The paper size, paper type, basis weight, color, etc. Control is also performed to switch to a tray that accommodates paper that matches all the conditions such as.

  However, even if all the conditions such as paper size, paper type, basis weight, and color match, the manufacturer, the degree of roughness, the degree of gloss, and the presence or absence of a logo may differ. Not always. Therefore, even if the paper size, paper type, basis weight, and color are all the same, it may be different from the paper used for the job. Automatic tray switching processing using the ATS function or automatic processing using the APS function When the paper selection process is executed, a paper that is not intended by the user is used, which may cause a printing error.

  In POD, for example, a paper with a basis weight of 72 g and a paper with a basis weight of 91 g may be used separately for each job. However, on the machine side, there is a case where a basis weight setting is widened and a paper having a basis weight of 72 g and a paper having a basis weight of 91 g are both handled as paper having the same basis weight of a basis weight of 72 to 91 g. For example, even if the user wants to use a paper with a weight of 72 g, the machine side treats 72 g and the weight 91 g as the same basis weight, and the ATS function or the APS function uses a 91 g paper that is not intended by the user. There was a fear.

Therefore, in recent years, as an ATS function, an image forming apparatus is known in which usable paper feed trays and priorities for using these paper feed trays can be set on the machine side. When out of paper occurs, tray switching by the ATS function can be performed according to the priority order from the set usable trays. Therefore, if a paper feed tray in which desired paper is stored is set in advance as a usable paper feed tray, paper that is not intended by the user is used and printing errors do not occur.
Similarly, even with the APS function, it is possible to set the available paper feed trays and priorities, and the paper feed tray that can use the paper feed tray that stores desired paper is usable. If it is set as, it is possible to prevent the use of paper that is not intended by the user.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-240078

  However, since the above-described usable trays and priorities are machine settings that are uniformly applied to each job regardless of the job, if the tray to be used and the priorities differ for each job, one Every time the job is finished, an operation for changing the setting must be performed, which is complicated. Further, since the image forming process is temporarily stopped while the setting is being changed, there is a problem that work efficiency is very poor.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to reduce the burden on the user and improve the work efficiency by making it possible to set usable paper feed trays for each job in an image forming system having an automatic tray switching function or an automatic paper selection function. Is to improve.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention described in claim 1 includes a plurality of paper feed trays for feeding paper and a paper feed tray used during execution of an image forming process by the image forming unit. In an image forming system comprising: a control unit that performs an automatic tray switching process that automatically switches a paper feed tray when paper runs out
A setting unit that sets, for each job, tray setting information indicating a paper feed tray that can be switched in the automatic tray switching process and a priority order of switching to the switchable paper feed tray;
The control unit executes the automatic tray switching process according to the tray setting information for each job set by the setting unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to the first aspect, a paper feed tray that can be switched in the automatic tray switching process, and a priority order of switching to the switchable paper feed tray. A machine setting unit for setting the second tray setting information shown as a machine setting value;
The control unit executes the automatic tray switching process according to the second tray setting information set by the machine setting unit when the tray setting information is not set by the setting unit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming system comprising: a plurality of paper feed trays for feeding paper; and a control unit that performs automatic paper selection processing for automatically selecting paper according to a document size. In
A setting unit that sets, for each job, tray setting information indicating a paper feed tray that can be selected in the automatic paper selection process and a priority order of the paper feed tray that can be selected;
The control unit executes the automatic paper selection process according to the tray setting information for each job set by the setting unit.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to the third aspect of the present invention, a second paper tray that is selectable in the automatic paper selection process and a priority order of the selectable paper feed tray is shown. A machine setting unit that sets tray setting information as a machine setting value is provided.
The control unit executes the automatic paper selection process according to the second tray setting information set by the machine setting unit when the tray setting information is not set by the setting unit.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the setting unit registers the tray setting information together with a name, and sets the tray setting information. Information including the name of the registered tray setting information is displayed in a list on a display unit, and tray setting information selected by the user from the list display is set.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to the fifth aspect, the setting unit can register one or a plurality of the tray setting information for each user.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, among all the paper feed trays, the paper feed tray set by the setting unit and the other paper feed trays Is displayed on the display unit so as to be identifiable.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, even when the paper feed tray to be used is different for each job, it is not necessary to reset the switchable paper feed tray and the priority order for each job. Thus, the burden on the user can be reduced and the work efficiency can be improved.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the effect of the first aspect of the invention can of course be obtained. For a job for which no tray setting information is set, automatic tray switching processing is performed according to the second tray setting information. Is executed, which is convenient for the user.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, even when the paper feed tray to be used is different for each job, there is no need to reset the switchable paper feed tray and the priority order for each job. Thus, the burden on the user can be reduced and the work efficiency can be improved.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the effect of the third aspect of the invention can of course be obtained, and for a job for which no tray setting information is set, automatic paper selection processing is performed according to the second tray setting information. As a result, it is easy to use for the user.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, it is a matter of course that the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 4 can be obtained, and the user registered in advance when setting the tray setting information. Since the setting can be made from the tray setting information, the setting of the tray setting information can be facilitated.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, the effect of the invention described in claim 5 can be obtained. Of course, when setting the tray setting information, the user can select the tray setting information registered in advance. Therefore, the tray setting information to be set can be selected, and the setting of the tray setting information can be further facilitated.

  According to the invention described in claim 7, it is needless to say that the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 6 can be obtained. This makes it easy to visually grasp the appropriate paper feed tray, making it easy to use.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming system 1 of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 1 according to this embodiment includes a main body unit 10, and a large capacity tray unit 20 and a post-processing unit 30 that are optionally connected thereto.

  The main body unit 10 includes three paper feed trays FT1 to FT3 for storing printing paper, a scanner unit 200, an automatic document feeder (ADF) 300, an operation display unit 500, and an image forming unit 600. Prepare. That is, the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment is a so-called digital multi-function peripheral having a scanner function, a copy function, and a printer function.

  The large-capacity tray unit 20 includes, for example, five paper feed trays FT4 to FT8 that store paper for printing, and feeds paper to the main body unit 10.

  The post-processing unit 30 is a so-called finisher that performs various types of post-processing on the paper transported from the main body unit 10. For example, the sort unit that performs the sorting process on the paper transported from the main body unit 10 and the punch unit that performs the punching process. A folding unit that performs folding processing, a cutting unit that performs cutting processing, and the like. On the left side of the post-processing unit 30, there are provided paper discharge trays ET1 and ET2 for discharging the conveyed paper, and the conveyed paper is discharged.

In the image forming process, for example, a document placed on the document tray T1 of the ADF unit 300 is conveyed to a contact glass that is a reading position of the scanner unit 200, and an image of the document is read by the optical system of the scanner unit 200. Here, the image includes not only image data such as graphics and photographs but also text data such as characters and symbols.
An image (analog image signal) read by the scanner unit 200 is output to a state management unit 100, which will be described later, A / D converted by the state management unit 100, and subjected to various types of image processing. Is output. In the image forming unit 600, an image based on the digital image data is formed on a sheet fed from any of the sheet feeding trays FT1 to FT8 provided in the main body unit 10 or the large capacity tray unit 20.
The paper on which the image has been formed is transported to the post-processing unit 30 by the transport unit 610 in the image forming unit 600, subjected to predetermined post-processing by the post-processing mechanism of the post-processing unit 30, and then the paper discharge trays ET1, ET2. The paper is discharged to either of these.
Note that the forms of the paper feed trays FT1 to FT8 and the paper discharge trays ET1 and ET2 are not limited to those illustrated in FIG. 1, and for example, the number may be more or less than that illustrated.

  In addition, the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment has an automatic tray switching function (ATS function) that automatically switches the paper feeding tray when the paper runs out during the execution of the image forming process, and the document size. An automatic paper selection function (APS function) for automatically selecting paper is provided. Then, during execution of image forming processing by the image forming unit 600, automatic tray switching processing or automatic paper selection processing is executed according to first tray setting information described later.

In the automatic tray switching function, if there is no paper in the paper feed tray FT being used during execution of the image forming process by the image forming unit 600 according to a certain job, the automatic tray switching function relates to the job set by the operation display control unit 503. Tray switching processing is executed in accordance with the first tray setting information, whereby the tray is switched to one sheet feeding tray FT set as the sheet feeding tray FT that can be switched in the first tray setting information.
On the other hand, in the automatic paper selection function, when the image forming unit 600 executes an image forming process corresponding to a certain job, the paper selecting process is executed according to the first tray setting information regarding the job set by the operation display control unit 503. Thus, the paper in one paper feed tray FT set as the switchable paper feed tray FT in the first tray setting information is selected, and the tray is switched.
In the present embodiment, first, a case where an automatic tray switching process is performed will be described.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming system 1.
The main body 10 includes a state management unit 100, a scanner unit 200, an ADF unit 300, a printer controller 400, paper feed trays FT1 to FT3, an operation display unit 500, and an image forming unit 600. Is done.

  The state management unit 100 includes, for example, a control unit 101, a program memory (ROM: Read Only Memory) 102, a system memory (RAM: Random Access Memory) 103, a nonvolatile memory 104, a read processing unit 105, a write processing unit 106, a DRAM ( Dynamic Random Access Memory) control IC 107, compression / decompression IC 108, and image memory 109.

  The control unit 101 is configured by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like, and reads various processing programs such as a system program, an image formation processing program, and a post-processing processing program stored in the ROM 102, expands them in the RAM 103, and expands them. The operation of each part of the image forming system 1 is centrally controlled according to the program.

  Specifically, the control unit 101 stores, in the nonvolatile memory 104, job setting information input by an operation on the operation display unit 500 and job setting information transmitted from an external device connected to the main body unit 10. To do. In the job setting information, as will be described later, used tray information indicating the paper feed tray FT that can be switched in the automatic tray switching process, and priority of switching to the switchable paper feed tray FT in the used tray information are shown. First tray setting information including priority order information is included.

  Then, when executing the image forming process based on the first tray setting information, the control unit 101 sets, in the order of the priority order set in the paper feeding tray set as the paper feeding tray FT that can be switched in the first tray setting information. Switch trays. That is, the control unit 101 first feeds paper from the paper feed tray FT having the first switching priority in the first tray setting information. If there is no sheet in the first priority tray in use during the image forming process, the switching priority in the first tray setting information is the second priority tray FT. Perform tray switching processing. In addition, when there is no sheet in the second priority paper feed tray FT in use, the tray switching process is performed on the third paper feed tray FT in the first tray setting information. As described above, the control unit 101 sets the priority set to the paper feed tray set as the paper feed tray FT that can be switched in the first tray setting information every time the paper feed tray FT being used is out of paper. Tray switching processing is executed in order of rank.

Further, when the setting information of the job to be executed does not include the first tray setting information, the control unit 101 sets the second tray setting information as the second tray setting information set by the machine setting unit described later. The automatic tray switching process is executed according to The second tray setting information is information indicating the paper feed tray FT that can be switched in the automatic tray switching process and the priority of switching to the switchable paper feed tray FT. The second tray setting information is not information set for each job as part of the job setting information like the first tray setting information, but is set in the non-volatile memory 104 of the main body unit 10 and the first tray setting information is set. This is machine setting data that is uniformly applied to each job for which setting information is not set.
Then, in the execution of the image forming process based on the second tray setting information, the control unit 101 sets the sheet feeding trays set as the sheet feeding trays FT that can be switched in the second tray setting information in the order of the set priorities. Switch trays.

  Here, a job refers to a series of operations related to image formation. For example, when copying a plurality of documents, a series of operations related to copying a plurality of documents is one job. In addition, when a plurality of copies are performed, a series of operations related to a plurality of copies is one job.

  The ROM 102 is configured by, for example, a nonvolatile memory such as a semiconductor, and stores a system program corresponding to the image forming system 1 and various processing programs such as an image forming processing program and a post-processing program executable on the system program. . These programs are stored in the form of computer readable program codes, and the control unit 101 sequentially executes operations according to the program codes.

  The RAM 103 forms a work area for temporarily storing various programs executed by the control unit 101 and data related to these programs, and stores setting information and the like of the job being executed.

The nonvolatile memory 104 stores various setting data related to the image forming system 1.
Specifically, the nonvolatile memory 104 stores job setting information regarding a reserved job and second tray setting information set as a machine setting value.

The reading processing unit 105 performs various processing such as analog signal processing, A / D conversion processing, and shading processing on the analog image signal input from the scanner unit 200, generates digital image data, and outputs the digital image data to the DRAM control IC 107. .
The writing processing unit 106 generates a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal based on the image data input from the compression / decompression IC 108 and outputs the generated signal to the image forming unit 600.

The DRAM control IC 107 controls the compression / decompression processing of the compression / decompression IC 108 based on the control from the control unit 101 and performs input / output control of image data in the image memory 109.
Specifically, digital image data input from the reading processing unit 105 or image data input from the printer controller 400 is compressed by the compression / decompression IC 108, and the compressed image data is stored in the compression memory 109 a of the image memory 109. Write and store temporarily. In addition, the image data stored in the image memory 109 is decompressed by the compression / decompression IC 108 and output to the write processing unit 106. At this time, if a control signal indicating that the composition processing is to be performed is output from the control unit 101, the DRAM control IC 107 decompresses the image data by the compression / decompression IC 108, and then the unique image data in the nonvolatile memory 104. Are overwritten and output to the writing processing unit 106.
Further, the DRAM control IC 107 outputs the control data input from the printer controller 400 to the control unit 101.

The compression / decompression IC 108 performs image data compression processing and decompression processing under the control of the DRAM control IC 107.
The image memory 109 includes, for example, a compression memory 109a and a page memory 109b configured by DRAM. For example, the compression memory 109 a temporarily stores the job file compressed by the compression / decompression IC 108 in accordance with a control signal input from the DRAM control IC 107. For example, the page memory 109b temporarily stores an uncompressed job file to be printed before printing.

  The scanner unit 200 includes, for example, an image sensor such as a CCD 201 and a scanner control unit 202. The scanner control unit 202 drives and controls each unit of the scanner unit 200 based on a control signal from the control unit 101. Specifically, exposure scanning of the document surface placed on the contact glass is executed, and the reflected light is imaged by the CCD 201 to read the image. Then, the imaged optical signal is photoelectrically converted to generate an analog image signal, which is output to the reading processing unit 105.

  The ADF unit 300 includes an ADF control unit 301 that controls the ADF unit 300 based on a control signal from the control unit 101. One document placed on the document tray T <b> 1 is placed on the contact glass of the scanner unit 200. Automatic feeding one by one.

The printer controller 400 includes a controller control unit 401, a DRAM control IC 402, an image memory 403, a LANIF 404, and the like. When the image forming system 1 is used as a network printer, an image forming system is connected from an external device connected to the network. Management and control of the job input to 1 is performed.
Here, the external device includes a setting unit for setting the first tray setting information for each job. The first tray setting information set in the setting unit is the main unit 10 as a part of the job setting information. To the printer controller 400. When the printer controller 400 receives job setting information including first tray setting information from an external device, the printer controller 400 transmits the data to the state management unit 100. The job setting information transmitted from the printer controller 400 to the state management unit 100 is stored in the nonvolatile memory 104.

  The controller control unit 401 comprehensively controls the operation of each unit of the printer controller 400. The controller control unit 401 converts print data input from the external device via the LANIF 404 into image data in a data format that can be printed by the image forming system 1 in a predetermined page description language, and is input from the external device. It is output to the DRAM control IC 402 together with job setting information.

  The DRAM control IC 402 outputs job setting information and print data received by the LANIF 404 to the controller control unit 401, and in accordance with instructions from the controller control unit 401, job setting information and images input from the controller control unit 401. Control to temporarily store data in the image memory 403 is performed. The DRAM control IC 402 is connected to the DRAM control IC 107 of the control unit 101 via a PCI (Peripheral Components Interconnect) bus, and reads job setting information and image data from the image memory 403 in accordance with instructions from the controller control unit 401. To the DRAM control IC 107.

  The image memory 403 is composed of, for example, a DRAM, and temporarily stores input data.

  The LANIF 404 is configured by, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card) or the like, and performs data transmission / reception such as job setting information, print data, and FAX image data with an external device connected to the communication network N. The job setting information, print data, and image data received from the external device are output to the DRAM control IC 402.

  The operation display unit 500 includes a display unit 501, a touch panel 502 provided integrally with the display unit 501, an operation display control unit 503, and other operation key groups (not shown).

The display unit 501 is configured by, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays various setting screens, image status displays, operation statuses of functions, and the like on the screen in accordance with display control signals from the operation display control unit 503. Do.
In addition, a pressure-sensitive (resistive film pressure type) touch panel 502 in which transparent electrodes are arranged in a grid pattern is configured on the screen of the display unit 501, and the XY coordinates of a power point operated by a finger or a touch pen are expressed as voltage values. The detected position signal is output to the operation display control unit 503 as an operation signal.

  The operation display control unit 503 performs display control in the display unit 501 based on a control signal from the control unit 101, and displays various setting screens, various processing results, and the like on the display unit 501. Further, the operation display control unit 503 outputs an operation signal input from the touch panel 502 or the operation key group on the display unit 501 to the control unit 101.

  Specifically, the operation display control unit 503 performs control for setting first tray setting information as tray setting information as a setting unit.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an operation button B1 for requesting display of the tray setting screen is displayed on the job reservation screen displayed on the display unit 501 at the time of job reservation. When B1 is operated and a tray setting screen display request is made, the operation display control unit 503 outputs an operation signal based on this operation to the control unit 101, and the control unit 101 that has received this operation signal receives the operation signal shown in FIG. Are displayed on the display unit 501.

  On the left side of the tray setting screen, as shown in FIG. 4, each of the paper feed trays FT1 to FT8 is a paper feed tray FT that can be switched in the job, or a paper feed tray FT that cannot be switched. Buttons B2 to B9 for setting whether to do are displayed. The user operates these buttons B2 to B9 on the touch panel 502 to turn them on or off, thereby turning the paper feed tray FT turned on as a paper feed tray FT that can be switched by the job. On the other hand, the paper feed tray FT set to the off state can be set as a paper feed tray FT that cannot be switched by the job.

Each of the paper feed trays FT1 to FT8 is configured to store paper of a size, paper type, basis weight, and color preset by the user, and the size of the paper stored in each of the paper feeds FT1 to FT8. Etc. are displayed on the job reservation screen of FIG.
For example, “A4, plain paper, 50-61 g, white” paper is stored in the paper feed tray FT1. The paper feed tray FT2 contains “A4, plain paper, 50-61 g, white” paper. A sheet of “A3 / quality paper / 72-91 g” is stored in the paper feed tray FT3. The paper feed tray FT4 contains “A3 / quality paper / 72-91 g” paper. The paper feed tray FT5 contains “A4, plain paper, 50-61 g, white” paper. The paper feed tray FT6 accommodates “A4 / coated paper / 62-71g / white” paper. The paper feed tray FT7 contains “A4, plain paper, 50-61 g, white” paper. Further, “A4, plain paper, 50-61 g, white” is accommodated in the paper feed tray FT8.
It should be noted that information related to the paper stored in each paper feed tray FT may be displayed on the tray setting screen of FIG. Further, the paper stored in the paper feed trays FT1 to FT8 is not limited to the paper exemplified above, and, for example, an amorphous paper may be stored.

  For example, when the user uses the paper feed trays FT1, FT2, and FT5 in the job, as shown in FIG. 4, the button B2 corresponding to the paper feed tray FT1, the button B3 corresponding to the paper feed tray FT2, and the paper feed The button B6 corresponding to the tray FT5 is turned on. Then, in the job, three paper feed trays FT1, FT2, and FT5 are set as switchable paper feed trays FT.

In addition, when a paper feed tray FT that can be switched by the job is selected on the left side of the tray setting screen illustrated in FIG. 4, switching priority of each switchable paper feed tray FT is displayed on the right side of the screen of the same screen. You can set the ranking.
On the right side of the tray setting screen of FIG. 4, buttons B10 to B12 indicating the paper feed trays FT1, FT2, and FT5 set as the switchable paper feed tray FT are arranged in order of priority and displayed. Has been. Then, in a state where one of these buttons B10 to B12 displayed on the right side of the tray setting screen in FIG. 4 is selected, the button B13 for raising the priority order or the button B14 for lowering the priority order is operated. Then, the priority order of the currently selected paper feed tray FT is replaced with the priority order of the paper feed tray FT positioned above or below, and a desired priority order can be set.

  For example, when the user wants to use three paper feed trays FT1, FT2, and FT5 set as the switchable paper feed tray FT in the order of the paper feed tray FT1, the paper feed tray FT5, and the paper feed tray FT2, FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the paper feed trays FT1, FT2, and FT5 are arranged in the order of the paper feed tray FT1, the paper feed tray FT5, and the paper feed tray FT2. Then, in the job, the paper feed tray FT1 is set as the first priority feed tray, the paper feed tray FT5 is set as the second priority feed tray, and the paper feed tray FT2 is set as the third priority feed tray. The Rukoto.

  The switchable paper feed tray FT set in the tray setting screen of FIG. 4 and the priority order of switching to the switchable paper feed tray FT include the mode, the user name, the file as the first tray setting information. Along with other information such as the name, post-processing mode, and paper discharge tray ET, it is included in the setting information of the job, is output to the control unit 101 via the operation display control unit 503, and is stored in the nonvolatile memory 104.

Here, the data structure of the first tray setting information set on the tray setting screen will be described with reference to FIG.
The first tray setting information is information including used tray information indicating the switchable paper feed tray FT set on the tray setting screen and priority information indicating the priority of switching to the switchable paper feed tray FT. It is. The first tray setting information is set for each job and is included in the setting information for each job. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, each of the reserved jobs 1 to 10 has first tray setting information as a part of job setting information.

The used tray information is information indicating whether each of all the paper feed trays FT1 to FT8 provided in the image forming system 1 is a non-switchable paper feed tray FT or a switchable paper feed tray FT. As shown in FIG. 5, “0” indicating that the paper feed tray FT is a non-switchable paper feed tray corresponding to each of the paper feed trays FT1 to FT8, or the paper feed “1” is added to indicate that the paper tray FT is a switchable paper feed tray FT.
For example, when the three paper feed trays FT1, FT2, and FT5 are set as switchable paper feed trays FT in the tray setting screen of FIG. 4, the used tray information indicates “for the paper feed trays FT1, FT2, and FT5”. “1” is added, and “0” is added to the other paper feed trays FT3, FT4, FT6, FT7, and FT8.

The priority order information is information indicating which of the paper feed trays FT1 to FT8 is set for each priority order, and as shown in FIG. Corresponding to each of No. 8, “0” indicating that there is no corresponding sheet feeding tray, “1” indicating sheet feeding tray FT1, “2” indicating sheet feeding tray FT2, and “2” indicating sheet feeding tray FT3. "3", "4" indicating the paper feed tray FT4, "5" indicating the paper feed tray FT5, "6" indicating the paper feed tray FT6, "7" indicating the paper feed tray FT7, "" indicating the paper feed tray FT8 " 8 ”is attached.
For example, among the three paper feed trays FT1, FT2, and FT5 set as switchable paper feeds in the tray setting screen of FIG. 4, the priority of switching the paper feed tray FT1 is No. 1, and the paper feed tray FT2 When the switching priority is set to No. 3 and the switching priority of the paper feed tray FT5 is set to No. 2, in the priority order information, “1” indicating the paper feed tray FT1 is attached to the priority No. 1, “5” indicating the paper feed tray FT5 is assigned to the priority order 2, and “2” indicating the paper feed tray FT2 is assigned to the priority order 3, and each of the priority orders of the fourth and subsequent priority order. Thus, “0” indicating that there is no corresponding paper feed tray is added.

  As described above, the first tray setting information is set for each job, and stored in the nonvolatile memory 104 as job setting information. When executing the image forming process corresponding to the job, the control unit 101 reads the setting information of the job from the nonvolatile memory 104, and executes the image forming process by the image forming unit 600 based on the read job setting information.

Further, the operation display control unit 503 performs control for setting the second tray setting information as a machine setting unit. The second tray setting information set by the control of the operation display control unit 503 is output to the control unit 101 via the operation display control unit 503 and stored in the nonvolatile memory 104.
The second tray setting information is set on a setting screen (not shown), and similarly to the first tray setting information, the used tray information indicating the switchable paper feed tray FT and the switching priority of the switchable paper feed tray FT. And priority order information indicating.
The second tray setting information is set as machine setting data in the nonvolatile memory 104 of the main body unit 10, and the first tray setting information is included in the job in which the first tray setting information is not set, that is, the job setting information. Uniformly applied to unassigned jobs.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned first tray setting information can be registered for each user, and can be registered with a name.
Specifically, a “Register” button B15 for registering the first tray setting information set on the tray setting screen for each user is provided at the bottom of the tray setting screen illustrated in FIG. When the “registration” button B15 is operated on the touch panel 502, the operation display control unit 503 outputs an operation signal based on this operation to the control unit 101. A registration screen illustrated in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display unit 501.

  The registration screen of FIG. 6 displays a list of registered user names, and further includes a “new registration” button B16 for registering a new user. When the user associated with the first tray setting information is unregistered, the user operates the “new registration” button B16. Then, the operation display control unit 503 displays a new user registration screen for registering a new user on the display unit 501 as shown in FIG. In the new user registration screen of FIG. 7, a user name input field C1 and a password input field C2 are provided, and password management of the first tray setting information can be performed by attaching a password to the user name. Yes.

When the user selects a user name from the list of registered user names displayed on the registration screen of FIG. 6 and operates the “file selection” button B17 provided at the bottom of the screen, the operation display control unit 503 is operated. Displays the file saving screen illustrated in FIG. 8 on the display unit 501.
In the file saving screen of FIG. 8, the registered file names of the first tray setting information are displayed in a list, and the user selects the file name by selecting the file name and operating the “Save File” button B18. The first tray setting information can be overwritten and registered with the specified file name.
In addition, when registering the first tray setting information with a new file name, the user operates a “new registration” button B19 on the file saving screen of FIG. Then, the operation display control unit 503 displays a file name input screen illustrated in FIG. 9 on the display unit 501. The user inputs a file name in the file name input field C3 on the file name input screen of FIG. 9 and operates the “OK” button B20 at the bottom of the screen, and returns to the file storage screen of FIG. By operating the button B18, the first tray setting information can be registered with the newly created file name.

Also, when reading the tray setting information registered for each user with a name, the user operates a “registration read” button B21 displayed at the bottom of the tray setting screen in FIG. Then, the operation display control unit 503 displays a file selection screen illustrated in FIG. 10 on the display unit 501. A list of registered user names is displayed on the file selection screen shown in FIG. 10. When the user selects a user name on the file selection screen, the operation display control unit 503 displays as shown in FIG. The file names of the first tray setting information registered in association with the selected user name are displayed in a list on the right side of the file name selection screen.
Further, when a password is added to the user name, when the user name is selected, the operation display control unit 503 displays a password input screen (not shown) on the display unit 501 and requests input of the password. When the user inputs a password on the password input screen, authentication is performed with the input password. When the input password matches the password attached to the user name, the operation display control unit 503 performs authentication. The file names of the first tray setting information registered in association with the user name are displayed on the file selection screen as a list.

  The user selects the file name of the first tray setting information to be read from these file names displayed in a list on the file name screen in FIG. 11, and operates the “read” button B22 displayed at the bottom of the screen. . Then, the first tray setting information registered with the selected file name is read from the nonvolatile memory 104 and set as the first tray setting information of the job. The set first tray setting information is included in the setting information of the job, and tray switching processing based on the first tray setting information is executed when the job is executed.

  In addition, the operation display control unit 503 functions as a display control unit, among the all paper feed trays, the paper feed tray FT set as the paper feed tray FT that can be switched by setting the first tray setting information, and the others. Are displayed on the display unit 501 in an identifiable manner.

  Specifically, at the time of job reservation, the operation display control unit 503 displays a job reservation screen illustrated in FIG. 12 on the display unit 501. In this job reservation screen, as shown in FIG. 12, the operation display control unit 503 uses the paper feed trays FT1, FT2, and FT5 set as switchable paper feed trays FT among all the paper feed trays as the job. Is displayed in a color different from the display color of the other paper feed trays FT3, FT4, FT6, FT7, FT8 (for example, a color darker than the display color of the paper feed trays FT3, FT4, FT6, FT7, FT8). .

  When the user operates the “machine state” button B23 displayed at the upper right of the job reservation screen in FIG. 12 during execution of the job, the operation display control unit 503 displays the machine state screen illustrated in FIG. Displayed on the part 501. In this machine status screen, the operation display control unit 503, as shown in FIG. 13, sets the paper feed trays FT1, FT2, and FT5 set as the switchable paper feed tray FT to other feeds that cannot be switched in the job. The display color is different from the display color of the paper trays FT3, FT4, FT6, FT7, and FT8 (for example, a color darker than the display color of the paper feed trays FT3, FT4, FT6, FT7, and FT8).

  14, when the user selects a job and operates the “details” button B24 on the right side of the screen on the job list screen showing the reserved jobs illustrated in FIG. 14, the operation display control unit 503 displays the job list screen illustrated in FIG. As described above, a setting confirmation screen for confirming the detailed information of the selected reserved job is displayed on the display unit 501. On this setting confirmation screen, as shown in FIG. 15, the operation display control unit 503 switches the paper feed trays FT1, FT2, and FT5 set as the switchable paper feed tray FT to other feeds that cannot be switched in the job. The display color is different from the display color of the paper trays FT3, FT4, FT6, FT7, and FT8 (for example, a color darker than the display color of the paper feed trays FT3, FT4, FT6, FT7, and FT8).

  As a result, the user can feed the paper that is the target of the tray switching process in each job, such as the job reservation screen, the setting confirmation screen, and the machine status screen that are displayed during job execution. The trays FT1, FT2, and FT5 can be easily grasped at a glance.

  The image forming unit 600 includes a conveyance unit 610, an LD (Laser Diode) unit 620, and a printer control unit 630, and forms an image on a sheet based on image data input from the writing processing unit 106.

The transport unit 610 includes, for example, various rollers including a paper feed roller 611, a registration roller 612, and a paper discharge roller 613 for transporting paper according to a transport path in the LD unit 620, a transport path switching plate 614, and a reversing unit 615. Etc. The transport unit 610 feeds paper from the paper feed tray FT corresponding to the first tray setting information or the second tray setting information based on the control from the printer control unit 630, and transports the fed paper. Transport along the route.
A plurality of sensors (not shown) are provided on the conveyance path of the LD unit 620. These sensors generate a detection signal when the paper passes and output it to the printer control unit 630.

The LD unit 620 includes an LD 621, a photosensitive drum 622, a charging unit 623, a developing unit 624, a transfer unit 625, a fixing unit 626, and the like.
The LD unit 620 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 622 of the LD unit 620 with the charging unit 623 based on an instruction from the printer control unit 630, and the photoconductor with the LD 621 based on the PWM signal input from the writing processing unit 106. An electrostatic latent image is formed by irradiating the surface of the drum 622 with laser light. The developing unit 624 attaches toner to a region including the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 622, and the transfer unit 625 transfers the toner to a sheet to form an image. Then, after the transferred image is fixed by the fixing unit 626, the paper on which the image has been formed is conveyed to the post-processing unit 30 by the paper discharge roller 613.

The printer control unit 630 receives a control signal from the control unit 101 and controls the operation of each unit of the LD unit 620. Further, the printer control unit 630 counts the number of fed sheets based on a detection signal from a sensor provided on the conveyance path, and outputs the counted number of sheets to the control unit 101.
Further, the printer control unit 630 counts the number of fed sheets by counting sensor signals output from sensors (not shown) provided near the sheet feeding roller 611 during execution of each job. And output to the control unit 101.

  Here, the flow of the paper feed control process executed by the control unit 101 together with the image forming process by the image forming unit 600 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S101, the control unit 101 determines whether or not it is a paper feed start timing, and if it is determined that it is a paper feed start timing (step S101; Yes), the paper feed selected in step S102. Paper is fed from the tray FT.
Next, in step S103, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the sheet in the image forming process is the last sheet of the job, and determines that the sheet is the last sheet of the job (step S103; Yes). End the process. On the other hand, when the control unit 101 determines in step S103 that it is not the last sheet of the job (step S103; No), the control unit 101 proceeds to step S104.
Next, in step S104, the control unit 101 determines whether or not there is no paper in the paper feed tray FT in use, and determines that there is no paper in the paper feed tray in use (step S104; No), it returns to step S101. On the other hand, when the control unit 101 determines in step S104 that there is no sheet in the paper feed tray FT being used (step S104; Yes), the control unit 101 proceeds to step S105.
Next, in step S105, the control unit 101 executes an automatic tray switching process to be described later.
Next, in step S106, the control unit 101 determines whether or not there is a switchable paper feed tray FT. If the control unit 101 determines that there is a switchable paper feed tray FT (step S106: No), the control unit 101 returns to step S101. . On the other hand, when the control unit determines in step S106 that there is no switchable paper feed tray FT (step S106; Yes), the process is terminated.

  Next, automatic tray switching processing executed by the control unit 101 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S201, the control unit 101 determines whether or not n (switching priority) is a default, that is, whether or not a numerical value is set for n, and n is a default. If it judges (step S201; Yes), it will be set as n = 1 in the following step S202. On the other hand, when the control unit 101 determines in step S201 that n is not the default (step S201; No), n = n + 1 is set in subsequent step S203.
Next, in step S204, the control unit 101 determines whether there is no paper feed tray FT corresponding to priority n, and determines that there is no paper tray corresponding to priority n (step S204; Yes), this process ends. On the other hand, if the control unit 101 determines in step S204 that there is a paper feed tray corresponding to priority n (step S204; No), the control unit 101 proceeds to step S205.
Next, in step S205, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the paper size of the paper feed tray FT being used is the same as the paper size stored in the paper feed tray having the priority order n. If it is determined that the paper size of the paper feed tray FT is the same as the paper size accommodated in the paper feed tray with priority n (step S205; Yes), the process proceeds to step S206. On the other hand, when the control unit determines in step S205 that the paper size of the paper feed tray FT being used is not the same as the paper size stored in the paper feed tray having the priority n (step S205; No), The process proceeds to S207.
Next, in step S <b> 206, the control unit 101 sets the priority-numbered n-th feed tray FT as the feed tray to be used, and ends this processing.
Next, the control unit 101 sets n = n + 1 in step S207, returns to step S204, and repeats the above processing.

For example, when setting the first tray setting information, the user sets the paper feed trays FT1, FT2, and FT5 as switchable paper feed trays FT, and further feeds the paper feed tray FT having the first switching priority. When the tray FT1, the paper feed tray FT with the second switching priority is set as the paper feed tray FT5, and the paper feed tray FT with the third switching priority is set as the paper feed tray FT2, the control unit 101 executes the image forming process. In this case, first, paper is fed from the paper feed tray FT1 having the first switching priority. If there is no sheet in the paper feed tray FT1 being used during the image forming process, the tray switching process is performed on the paper feed tray FT5 having the second priority for switching, and the paper is fed from the paper feed tray FT5. Feed paper. When there is no more paper in the paper feed tray FT5 that is being used again, the tray switching process is performed for the paper feed tray FT2 with the switching priority of No. 3, and paper is fed from the paper feed tray FT2. Furthermore, when there is no more paper in the paper feed tray FT2 being used, the paper feed control and the image forming process are stopped because the paper feed is impossible.
As a result, only the paper in the paper feed trays FT1, FT2, and FT5 set as the paper feed tray FT that can be switched by the user by the job is used, and the paper not intended by the user is used. Can be prevented. In addition, since tray switching is performed in the order of switching priority set by the user, it is possible to preferentially use a sheet to be used.

That is, for example, even when the sizes, types, basis weights, and colors of the sheets stored in the sheet feeding trays FT1, FT2, FT5, FT7, and FT8 all match, these sheets are the same sheet. However, the papers in the paper feed trays FT1, FT2, and FT5 may be different papers such as the papers of the manufacturer A, and the papers in the paper feed trays FT7 and FT8 may be the papers of the manufacturer B.
In the image forming system 1 of the present embodiment, a user who desires to use manufacturer A's paper feeds a paper tray that contains “A4, plain paper, 50-61g, white” paper as the first tray setting information. Among FT1, FT2, FT5, FT7, and FT8, in particular, by setting the paper feed trays FT1, FT2, and FT5 as switchable paper feed trays FT, even if the other paper feed trays FT7 and FT8 have sizes and paper types.・ Even if paper “A4, plain paper, 50-61g, white” having the same weighing, color, etc. is stored, tray switching is performed for the paper feeding trays FT other than the paper feeding trays FT1, FT2, and FT5. Accordingly, it is possible to use only the paper of manufacturer A stored in the paper feed trays FT1, FT2, and FT5.

Next, a case where automatic paper selection processing is performed in the image forming system 1 of the present embodiment will be described.
When the automatic paper selection process is executed in the image forming system 1 of the present embodiment, only the process shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 is different from the case where the automatic tray switching process is executed. Therefore, in the following, only a process different from the case where the automatic tray switching process is executed will be described.

  First, the flow of automatic paper selection processing executed by the control unit 101 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S301, the control unit 101 determines whether or not n (switching priority) is a default, that is, whether or not a numerical value is set for n, and n is a default. If it judges (step S301; Yes), it will be set as n = 1 in the following step S302. On the other hand, when the control unit 101 determines in step S301 that n is not the default (step S301; No), n = n + 1 is set in subsequent step S303.
Next, in step S304, the control unit 101 calculates an appropriate job paper size from the document size and the magnification.
Next, in step S305, the control unit 101 determines whether there is no paper feed tray FT corresponding to priority n, and determines that there is no paper tray corresponding to priority n (step S305; Yes), this process ends. On the other hand, when the control unit 101 determines in step S305 that there is a paper feed tray corresponding to the priority order n (step S305; No), the control unit 101 proceeds to step S306.
Next, in step S306, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the paper size of the job calculated in step S304 is the same as the paper size accommodated in the priority n-th paper feed tray. Is determined to be the same as the paper size accommodated in the paper tray of priority number n (step S306; Yes), the process proceeds to step S307. On the other hand, when the control unit determines in step S306 that the paper size of the job is not the same as the paper size stored in the paper feed tray having the priority order n (step S306; No), the control unit proceeds to step S308.
Next, in step S307, the control unit 101 sets the paper feed tray FT with priority n as the paper feed tray to be used, and ends this process.
Next, the control unit 101 sets n = n + 1 in step S308, returns to step S305, and repeats the above processing.

For example, in the first tray setting information, the paper feed trays FT7 and FT8 are switchable paper feed trays FT. Further, the paper feed tray FT having the first switching priority is the paper feed tray FT8, and the switching priority is 2. When the number paper feed tray FT is the paper feed tray FT7, the control unit 101 first feeds paper from the paper feed tray FT8 having the first switching priority when executing the image forming process. During execution of the image forming process, for example, when there is no paper in the paper feed tray FT8 that is in use, the tray switching process is performed on the paper feed tray FT7 with the second priority for switching, and the paper feed tray FT7. Feed paper from. Further, when there is no paper in the paper feed tray FT7 being used, paper feed control and image forming processing are stopped because paper feed is impossible.
As a result, only the paper in the paper feed trays FT7 and FT8 set as the paper feed tray FT that can be switched by the user by the job is used, thereby preventing the use of paper not intended by the user. can do. In addition, since tray switching is performed in the order of switching priority set by the user, it is possible to preferentially use a sheet to be used.

  That is, as described above, for example, even if the size, paper type, basis weight, and color of the sheets stored in each of the paper feed trays FT1, FT2, FT5, FT7, and FT8 all match, the paper feed tray FT1. , FT2 and FT5 may be manufacturer A paper, and paper in the paper feed trays FT7 and FT8 may be manufacturer B paper. In such a case, a user who desires to use the paper of manufacturer B, as the first tray setting information, feed trays FT1, FT2, which contain “A4 / plain paper / 50-61g / white” paper, Among FT5, FT7, and FT8, in particular, by setting the paper feed trays FT7 and FT8 as switchable paper feed trays FT, even if the other paper feed trays FT1, FT2, and FT5 have sizes, paper types, weighings, and colors Even if papers “A4, plain paper, 50-61 g, white” that all match are stored, tray switching is not performed for the paper feed trays FT7 and FT8 other than the paper feed trays FT7 and FT8. It becomes possible to use only the paper of manufacturer B accommodated in FT8.

As described above, according to the image forming system 1 of the present embodiment, the operation display control unit 503 can switch the paper feed tray FT in the automatic tray switching process or the automatic paper selection process, and the switchable paper feed tray. First tray setting information indicating the priority order of switching to FT or the priority order of selectable paper feed trays is set for each job, and the operation display control is performed while the image forming unit 600 is executing the image forming process. According to the first tray setting information set by the unit 503, automatic tray switching processing or automatic paper selection processing is executed.
Therefore, even if the paper feed tray to be used is different for each job, there is no need to reset the switchable paper feed tray FT and the switching priority order for each job, which burdens the user. It can reduce and work efficiency can be improved.

In addition, the operation display control unit 503 can select a paper feed tray FT that can be switched in the automatic tray switching process or a paper feed tray that can be selected in the automatic paper selection process, and a priority order of switching to the switchable paper feed tray FT, or When the second tray setting information indicating the priority order of the selectable paper feed trays is set and the first tray setting information is not set, the second tray setting information set by the operation display control unit 503 is used. Then, automatic tray switching processing or automatic paper selection processing is executed.
Therefore, for a job in which the first tray setting information is not set, the automatic tray switching process or the automatic paper selection process is executed according to the second tray setting information, which is convenient for the user.

In addition, the first tray setting information is registered together with the name by the operation display control unit 503, and information including the name of the registered first tray setting information is displayed on the display unit 501 as a list when the first tray setting information is set. Then, the first tray setting information selected by the user from the list display is set.
Therefore, when setting the first tray setting information, the user can set the tray setting information registered in advance, and the setting of the tray setting information can be facilitated.

  In addition, since one or a plurality of first tray setting information can be registered for each user by the operation display control unit 503, when setting the first tray setting information, the user can register a plurality of first trays registered in advance. Since the first tray setting information to be set can be selected from the setting information, it is possible to further facilitate the setting of the tray setting information.

  Also, the operation display control unit 503 displays, in the display unit 501, the paper feed tray FT set as the switchable paper feed tray FTFT and the other paper feed trays FT among the all paper feed trays so that they can be identified. Therefore, the usable paper feed tray FT and the unusable paper feed tray FT can be easily grasped visually for each job, which is easy to use.

  The scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various improvements and design changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, the case where the setting unit for setting the tray setting information is provided in both the main body unit 10 and the external device has been described. However, the setting unit may be provided only in the main body unit.
In the above-described embodiment, in the automatic tray switching process, the first tray setting information is described as feeding from the first feeding tray FT having the first switching priority in the first tray setting information. In addition to the switchable paper feed tray FT set by the user, the first paper feed tray can be set separately by the user, and the first paper feed tray set by the user runs out of paper. In this case, the switchable paper feed tray FT set by the first tray setting information may be used for the first time.
In the above embodiment, when the paper size of the paper feed tray FT being used is the same as the paper size of the switchable paper feed tray FT in the first tray setting information during the tray switching process, the paper feed is performed. Although the tray switching to the tray FT is performed, in addition to the paper size, the paper type, basis weight, color, and the like may be added to the tray switching condition. In the above embodiment, in the paper selection process, when the paper size of the job calculated based on the document size and the magnification and the paper size of the switchable paper feed tray FT in the first tray setting information are the same, The paper is selected for the paper in the paper feed tray FT. However, in addition to the paper size, other conditions such as paper type, basis weight, and color may be added to the paper selection conditions.
In the above-described embodiment, the image forming system having both the automatic tray switching function and the automatic paper selection function has been described. However, the image forming system is any one of the automatic tray switching function and the automatic paper selection function. It is sufficient if one of the functions is provided.

1 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming system according to an exemplary embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming system. It is an example of a job reservation screen. It is an example of a tray setting screen. It is a figure which illustrates the data structure of the 1st tray setting information set for every job. It is an example of a registration screen. It is an example of a new user registration screen. It is an example of a file save screen. It is an example of a file name input screen. It is an example of a file selection screen. It is an example of a file selection screen. It is an example of the job reservation screen regarding the job in which the first tray setting information is set. It is an example of a machine state screen. It is an example of a job list screen. It is an example of a setting confirmation screen. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of paper feed control processing. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of an automatic tray switching process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of an automatic paper selection process.

Explanation of symbols

1 image forming system 101 control unit 501 display unit 503 operation display control unit (setting unit, machine setting unit, display control unit)
FT1-FT8 Paper tray

Claims (7)

Automatic switching between paper feed trays when paper runs out of paper feed trays for feeding paper and the paper feed tray used during image formation by the image forming unit An image forming system comprising: a control unit that performs tray switching processing;
A setting unit that sets, for each job, tray setting information indicating a paper feed tray that can be switched in the automatic tray switching process and a priority order of switching to the switchable paper feed tray;
The image forming system, wherein the control unit executes the automatic tray switching process according to the tray setting information for each job set by the setting unit. A machine setting unit that sets second tray setting information indicating a paper feed tray that can be switched in the automatic tray switching process and a priority order of switching to the switchable paper feed tray as a machine setting value;
The said control part performs the said automatic tray switching process according to said 2nd tray setting information set by the said machine setting part, when the said tray setting information is not set by the said setting part. Item 4. The image forming system according to Item 1. In an image forming system comprising a plurality of paper feed trays for feeding paper and a control unit that performs automatic paper selection processing for automatically selecting paper according to the document size,
A setting unit that sets, for each job, tray setting information indicating a paper feed tray that can be selected in the automatic paper selection process and a priority order of the paper feed tray that can be selected;
The image forming system, wherein the control unit executes the automatic paper selection process according to the tray setting information for each job set by the setting unit. A machine setting unit that sets second tray setting information indicating a paper feed tray that can be selected in the automatic paper selection process and a priority order of the selectable paper feed tray as a machine setting value;
The said control part performs the said automatic paper selection process according to said 2nd tray setting information set by the said machine setting part, when the said tray setting information is not set by the said setting part. Item 4. The image forming system according to Item 3.   The setting unit registers the tray setting information together with a name, and when setting the tray setting information, displays a list of information including the name of the registered tray setting information on the display unit, and from the list display The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein tray setting information selected by a user is set.   The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein the setting unit is capable of registering one or a plurality of the tray setting information for each user.   7. A display control unit for displaying a sheet feeding tray set by the setting unit and other sheet feeding trays among all sheet feeding trays so as to be distinguishable on a display unit. The image forming system according to any one of the above.

Images