JP2018187937A - Printing device and control method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that a problem, in which the number of registerable sheet information is limited, cannot be not solved in conventional registration of the sheet information, and it is difficult to search desired sheet information when thousands of types of paper information are registered.SOLUTION: A printing device has: sheet holding means provided with a detection mechanism for detecting a size of a sheet to hold; and storage means for storing sheet information including at least a sheet size as information indicating the sheet. From a plurality of sheet information stored in the storage means, first sheet information selected by a user is associated with the sheet holding means and set, and, when the sheet size indicated by the set first sheet information does not match sheet size indicated by the detection mechanism of the sheet holding means, the user is notified of non-coincidence.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a control method therefor, and a program.

  In a print-on-demand (POD) system, it is required to register the media information including the paper size in the media information, which is information of the paper (media) used for printing, and to manage the paper centrally. A user of such a system manages hundreds of types of paper using their management numbers and names. On the other hand, it is extremely troublesome for the user to input and register a plurality of items of the media information for every type of paper. For example, when registering media information of a sheet that differs only in size from other sheets, inputting and registering all the attributes of the sheet is a laborious and time-consuming operation. Further, if paper sheets that are temporarily used are registered one by one, a large amount of media information is registered, and it takes time to search for the media information, which is inconvenient.

  In general, there are many systems in which the upper limit of the number of types of paper that can be registered is set to several hundreds. However, the POD system may have more types of paper. In such an environment, not all paper types can be registered, and if the upper limit of the number of paper types that can be registered is reached, the already registered media information must be deleted.

  As a technique for eliminating the trouble of registering the paper type, Patent Document 1 provides Type 1 for registering a rough paper type and Type 3 for registering a detailed paper type. Then, based on the information on the paper types registered in Type 1 and Type 3, three types of paper type databases of Type 2 that can be registered by arbitrarily changing the attribute are provided. The user finds the base paper type from Type 1 and Type 3, creates a paper type as Type 2 by copying it, and changes the attribute value as necessary to register the paper type. As a result, it is possible to save the trouble of inputting all the attributes for each paper type.

JP 2007-301911 A

  However, the above-mentioned conventional technology cannot solve the problem that the number of paper information items that can be registered is limited, and searches for information on the base paper from Type 3 in which thousands of paper types are registered. Another trouble will occur.

  If paper information including the paper size is set in a cassette, the size of the paper actually stored in the cassette may be different from the size of the paper information set in the cassette.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.

  A feature of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of notifying a user when the sheet size of a sheet holding unit does not match the sheet size of the sheet information set in the sheet holding unit.

  A feature of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of simplifying the trouble of registering paper information.

In order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
Sheet holding means comprising a detection mechanism for detecting the size of the sheet to be held;
Storage means for storing sheet information including at least the size of the sheet as information indicating the sheet;
Setting means for setting the first sheet information selected by the user among the plurality of sheet information stored in the storage means in association with the sheet holding means;
Notification means for notifying the user that there is a mismatch when the size of the sheet indicated by the first sheet information set by the setting means and the size of the sheet indicated by the detection mechanism are mismatched; It is characterized by having.

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that a user can be notified when the size of the sheet in the sheet holding unit does not match the size of the sheet of the sheet information set in the sheet holding unit.

  In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to simplify the trouble of registering paper information.

  Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The accompanying drawings are included in the specification, constitute a part thereof, show an embodiment of the present invention, and are used to explain the principle of the present invention together with the description.
1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart for explaining processing by the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit when setting paper information assigned to the tray 1 in S201 of FIG. 2; The figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on an operation part by S204 of FIG. The figure which shows the example of a screen which displayed each paper database at the time of selecting in S208 of FIG. 2 registration to paper database or not registering. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen that displays a state in which sheet information is assigned to each tray of a cassette unit when registration or non-registration is selected in S207 of FIG. 2; The figure which shows the example of a screen explaining the aspect different from FIG. The figure which shows an example of the warning screen displayed when registering the paper information which has the exact same attribute value. The figure explaining the example which suppresses the increase in the number of paper information by registering using "RES" which shows that it inputs at the time of use. 6 is a flowchart for describing processing for creating paper information according to a submitted print job in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction peripheral device (MFP) that is an example of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and a configuration of a system including the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a controller according to Embodiment 2 and a connection between peripherals. FIG. 3 is an overview diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a top view of an operation unit of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of sheet information stored in a cassette of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a mechanism that automatically detects the size of a sheet set (accommodated) in a cassette of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of a screen when the cassette paper size setting and paper type registration and setting are performed from the user mode screen displayed on the operation unit in the MFP according to the second embodiment. 9 is a flowchart for explaining processing executed when a user sets paper in a cassette and closes the cassette or moves a guide of the cassette in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. 9 is a flowchart for explaining another process executed when a user closes the cassette by setting paper in the cassette or moves the guide of the cassette in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for confirming consistency between a paper size detected in each cassette and a paper size of paper information set in each cassette by a user in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of sheet information in the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen operated by a user when setting paper information in a paper feed cassette in the third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining processing when a mismatch occurs between the automatically detected paper size and the paper size set in the paper information in the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing when a paper size mismatch occurs when the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment detects opening / closing of a paper feed cassette door or drawer / storage of a cassette.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the present invention according to the claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution means of the present invention. .

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 100 is a printing apparatus such as a printer or a multifunction peripheral.

  The operation unit 101 is operated by a user, and includes an input unit such as a display for displaying information necessary for the user to select a function, a button for instructing function selection, printing execution, and the like. Yes. The display unit of the operation unit 101 may have a touch panel function, and the user may select a menu or input various information by touching a button displayed on the display unit. The RAM 107 is used to store various setting information such as parameters input from the operation unit 101, information related to printing such as print information for the printer unit 108, generated print data, and the like. The contents of the RAM 107 are referred to and rewritten by the CPU 104. In addition, the RAM 107 is also used as a buffer memory and a work memory that are necessary for performing image processing.

  The cassette unit 102 is a tray unit that stores paper used for printing. The cassette unit 102 has one or more paper trays, and identifies the presence / absence and amount of paper set in each paper tray, the type of paper, and the like, and the CPU 104 stores the information in the RAM 107. Store as a parameter. The information can be changed by the user via the operation unit 101.

  The interface unit 103 connects a network, a scanner, a USB memory, and the like. The CPU 104 stores information input via the interface unit 103 in the RAM 107. The image data stored in the RAM 107 is subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 106 and then output to the printer unit 108 for printing.

  The CPU 104 reads out a control program stored in the HDD 105, expands it in the RAM 107, and controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 by executing the program expanded in the RAM 107. The image processing unit 106 performs image processing so that image data for printing stored in the RAM 107 can be printed by the printing unit 108. The printer unit 108 is a printer engine that prints the image data transferred from the image processing unit 106.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining processing by the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. A program for executing this processing is installed in the HDD 105. The CPU 104 reads out this program, expands it in the RAM 107, and the CPU 104 executes the program, whereby the processing shown in this flowchart is executed.

  The processing shown in this flowchart is started when the user operates the operation unit 101 to perform processing for registering paper information for any tray (paper feed stage) of the cassette unit 102. Here, it is assumed that the cassette unit 102 has a tray named “tray 1”.

  First, in step S <b> 201, the CPU 104 confirms that paper information has been assigned to the tray 1. As a precondition in this case, it is necessary that some paper information is registered in the printing apparatus 100. The paper information may be registered by the user by operating the operation unit 101, or may be registered in the printing apparatus 100 from the beginning. The CPU 104 stores in the HDD 105 the paper information that has been confirmed to be registered in the tray 1 in S201. The registration of the paper information will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, the CPU 104 advances the process to S202, and confirms that the user has set a sheet on the tray 1 that has been confirmed that the sheet information is allocated in S201. When it is confirmed in S201 that the sheet information is assigned to the tray 1, if the sheet is already set in the tray 1, the process proceeds to S203 assuming that the process of S202 has been executed. In step S <b> 203, the CPU 104 determines whether or not (“RES”) indicating input during use is set in the attribute of the paper information confirmed in step S <b> 201. This “RES” indicates that when paper information is registered in the paper database, the value is not input, but is selected to be input when paper is actually set in the tray. The attribute of the paper information will be described later with reference to FIG. If it is determined in S203 that there is no attribute for which “RES” is set, this process ends.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 104 determines in S203 that there is an attribute for which “RES” is set, the process proceeds to S204, and the CPU 104 is for inputting a value for the attribute for which “RES” is set in S203. A screen is displayed on the operation unit 101. This screen includes a button for selecting whether or not to register in the paper database selected by the user in S207. The screen displayed in S204 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In step S205, the CPU 104 receives a value input by the user for an attribute for which “RES” is set on the screen displayed in step S204. In step S206, the CPU 140 stores the sheet information having the value input in step S205 in the area of the RAM 107 instead of the normal sheet database in the HDD 105. This sheet information is stored separately from the sheet information assigned to the tray 1 in S201. The paper information assigned to the tray 1 in S201 is deleted from the RAM 107 when the user sets the paper information for the tray 1. The temporary paper information may be held in the HDD 105, but even in that case, the temporary paper information is held in an area different from the normal paper database, and is deleted when the assignment is removed from the tray 1.

  In step S207, the CPU 104 registers the temporary paper information created in step S206 in the paper database of the HDD 105 via the screen displayed on the operation unit 101 in step S204 in the same manner as normal paper information. Wait to choose whether or not. If the CPU 104 determines in step S208 that the user has designated to register, the process advances to step S209, and the CPU 104 creates a copy of the paper information created in the RAM 107 in step S206 in the paper database on the HDD 105. At this time, the paper information registered in the paper database of the HDD 105 is not erased even if the assignment to the tray is canceled, unlike the paper information created in the RAM 107 in S206. Note that the paper information registered here is different from the paper information assigned to the tray 1 in S201, and the paper information assigned in S201 remains even when this S209 is executed. When the paper information is registered in step S209, the process proceeds to step S210. The CPU 140 switches the paper information in the tray 1 to the paper information registered in step S209, and ends this process.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 104 determines in S208 that the user has selected not to register paper information, the process proceeds to S211. In S211, the CPU 140 assigns the paper information created in S206 to the tray 1 without creating paper information in the paper database of the HDD 105, and ends this processing.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit 101 when the sheet information assigned to the tray 1 in S201 of FIG. 2 is set.

  Here, the name of the paper information is “Paper_Res”, and has attributes such as size, basis weight, surface property, characteristics, and color. The attributes that can be registered here are not limited to those shown in FIG. 3, and need not include all of the attributes shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, “RES” indicating that selection is made at the time of use is set for the size and the basis weight. In this case, it is determined in S203 of FIG. 2 that there is an attribute for which “RES” is set, and the process proceeds to S204.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit 101 in S204 of FIG.

  On this screen, it is possible to set an attribute and a name that are determined to be set to “RES” indicating that input is performed at the time of use in S203. A setting button 401 is pressed when instructing a name change. Here, paper information with the same name is not allowed to exist in the paper database. Therefore, when selecting to register in the paper database in S207, a new name that does not exist may be registered. Required. If the user does not select registration in the paper database in S207 and uses it temporarily, the name change is not essential.

  The setting buttons 402 and 403 are pressed when instructing to input specific values for the paper size and basis weight for which “RES” indicating that input is in use is set. The “temporarily use” button 404 is a button for selecting not to register in the paper database in S207. A “new registration” button 405 is a button for selecting registration in the paper database. The “new registration” button 405 may not be pressed until the name is changed by the setting button 401. Alternatively, even when the upper limit of the number of registrations in the paper database has been reached, the “new registration” button 405 may be grayed out to prevent registration. Even in this case, the “use temporarily” button 404 can be instructed.

  If the tray of the cassette unit 102 has an automatic paper size detection function, the paper size value may be automatically updated with the value detected by the paper size detection function. In this case, the setting button 402 shown in FIG. 4 is not displayed, and the size detected by the paper size detection function is displayed in the size column.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying each paper database when the user selects to register or not register in the paper database in S208 of FIG.

  This screen can be displayed on the operation unit 101 when the user operates the operation unit 101.

FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a screen example of the paper database when it is determined in S208 that registration in the paper database is selected. 5A, the name is set to “Paper” with the setting button 401 in FIG. 4, the size is set to “A4” with the setting button 402, and the basis weight is set to “100 g / m ² ” with the setting button 403. A case where new registration is instructed with the “new registration” button 405 is shown.

FIG. 5B shows a screen example of the paper database when it is selected not to register in the paper database in S207. In this example, the size is set to “A4” with the setting button 402, the basis weight is set to “100 g / m ² ” with the setting button 403, and the “temporarily used” button 404 is pressed. In FIG. 5B, since it is not registered in the paper database, the paper information 501 indicated by the name “Paper” is not registered as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen that displays a state in which the sheet information is allocated to each tray of the cassette unit 102 when “not registered” is selected in the sheet database in S207 of FIG. This screen is displayed on the operation unit 101 when the user operates the operation unit 101, and is also used as a screen for performing the operation of S201. FIG. 6 shows the case where the first tray 1 is the selected paper feed tray.

  FIG. 6A shows an example of a screen showing a state in which the sheet information is allocated to each tray when the user selects to register in the sheet database in S207. Reference numeral 602 displays an image of the image forming apparatus 100. Reference numerals 603 to 606 display paper types assigned to the respective trays. Here, the names of the trays are referred to as tray 1 to tray 4.

  In the process of S210 in FIG. 2, as shown in FIG. 5A, the paper in the tray 1 is registered by switching to the paper whose name is “Paper”. Therefore, as indicated by reference numeral 603 in FIG. 6A, the name of the paper type assigned to the first tray 1 is “Paper”. Now, by selecting this tray 1 and pressing the detail button 607, it is possible to change the type of paper assigned to the tray 1 and to confirm detailed information on the paper. An OK button 608 is a button for confirming the setting of this screen.

  FIG. 6B is an example of a screen showing a state in which the sheet information is allocated to each tray when the user selects not to register in the sheet database in S207 of FIG. In FIG. 6B, portions common to FIG. 6A are denoted by the same symbols. Here, for example, since the paper information indicated by 501 in FIG. 5A is not registered in the paper database, the paper type name “Paper_Res” assigned in S201 is displayed as it is for the paper in the tray 1 as indicated by 603. Yes. However, in S211, the paper information stored in the RAM 107 is switched using the attribute input in S206. For this reason, the information displayed when selecting the detail button 607 and displaying the detailed information of the sheet information of the tray 1 after selecting the tray 1 includes the value input in S205.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for explaining a mode different from that of FIG. 4 described above.

  In FIG. 7, a value “RES” indicating that the color and creep (deviation) correction amount are input during use is set.

  Some of these attributes are not used by the printer unit 108 and others are limited in print jobs. In the example of FIG. 7, the color attribute is not used by the printer unit 108 but is an attribute used by the user to distinguish between sheets. The adjustment of the creep (deviation) correction amount is an attribute used by the printer unit 108 only in the case of a job that uses creep correction. Even for these attributes, it is not convenient to always ask for a value input in S204 of FIG. Therefore, in FIG. 7, subsequent processing may be enabled without specifying the values of these two attributes for which “RES” is set.

  The adjustment of the creep (deviation) correction amount is a value used by the printer unit 108 when a job for creep correction is input. Accordingly, if the “temporarily use” button 404 is pressed without entering a value for the creep correction amount, the input of the creep correction amount is prompted again when a job that uses the creep correction is submitted. Here, the creep correction amount is taken as an example, but this example can also be applied to attributes used in the printer unit 108 depending on the job contents, such as curl correction, image position adjustment amount, and number of tabs of index paper.

  Note that even if paper information having the same attributes other than the name is registered in the paper information, there is a use case in which the paper information is registered from the viewpoint of management of the paper information. However, if paper information having the same attribute is increased, the convenience is deteriorated. Therefore, a warning message is displayed on the operation unit 101 when registering paper information having exactly the same attributes.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a warning screen displayed when registering paper information having exactly the same attribute value.

  In the screen of FIG. 8, a message indicating that paper information having the same attribute is registered is displayed. At this time, duplicate paper names may be displayed so that the paper information can be distinguished. An OK button 802 is a button for instructing to register paper information in the paper database without being duplicated. When the OK button 802 is pressed, the paper information is registered. A cancel button 803 is a button for canceling registration of paper information. When the cancel button 803 is pressed, registration of paper information is not performed.

  On the other hand, FIG. 9 illustrates an example in which an increase in the number of sheet information is suppressed by performing registration using “RES” indicating that input is performed during use.

  FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B respectively show examples of display of the paper database when “RES” indicating input during use is set for the paper size attribute and when it is not. FIG.

In FIG. 9A, when there is paper information that is different only in paper size and has the same attribute other than the attribute of the paper size, “RES” is set in the attribute corresponding to the paper size. Is registered as one piece of paper information. In this case, paper information of a plurality of sizes having the same paper type and a basis weight of 85 g / m ² , such as the name “Paper_Res” indicated by 902, can be handled as one piece of paper information.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 9B, paper information of five types of paper having the same attributes other than the paper size is registered without using “RES”. In this case, as indicated by reference numeral 903, paper information is required for different paper sizes. Since there is an upper limit to the number of pieces of paper information that can be registered in the paper database, it is effective to collectively register paper information as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, in order to strictly manage paper information, an operation of creating and registering paper information for each size as shown in FIG. Even in such a case, first, as shown in FIG. 9A, paper information is created by setting “RES” indicating that the paper size attribute is input when used. Then, the paper information for each size can be created as shown in FIG. 9B simply by performing the process of FIG. 2 and inputting only the size and name.

  There are the following methods for designating a sheet to be used when a print job is input to the image forming apparatus 101 via a network connected to the interface unit 103 or the like. One is a method of designating the name of the paper, and the other is a method of designating the ID assigned to the paper, or a method of designating the attribute value of the paper. When the above-described paper information having an attribute in which “RES” indicating that it is input at the time of use is specified by a name or a paper ID, it is necessary to input a value indicating the attribute.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart for describing processing for creating paper information according to the input print job in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. Note that a program for executing this processing is installed in the HDD 105, and the processing shown in this flowchart is executed by being expanded in the RAM 107 and executed under the control of the CPU 104 at the time of execution.

  This process starts when a print job is received through the interface unit 103. First, in step S1001, information on paper used in the print job specified by the paper name or paper ID in the input print job is acquired. In step S1002, the CPU 104 searches the paper database of the HDD 105 for the paper information designated by the print job. If the CPU 104 determines in step S1003 that the paper information specified in the print job is not in the paper database, the process advances to step S1014, and the CPU 104 determines that there is no corresponding paper. This process ends.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 104 determines in S1003 that the paper information corresponding to the designated paper is in the paper database, the process proceeds to S1004, and the CPU 104 checks the value set in the paper information attribute of the paper database. The process advances to step S1005, and the CPU 104 determines whether there is an attribute for which “RES” indicating input during use is set. If it is determined that there is no attribute for which “RES” is set, the process advances to step S1013 to determine the paper information searched in step S1002, and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S1005 that there is an attribute for which “RES” is set, the process proceeds to S1006 and the CPU 104 checks whether there is paper information derived from the paper information. The paper information created by derivation here is paper information created based on the paper information assigned in S201 in S206 of FIG. The sheet information created by derivation is the sheet information created by rewriting and storing the attribute for which “RES” is set in S205 with a specific sheet size or the like. Specific values are set for all the attributes of the paper information.

  In this manner, in step S1007, the CPU 104 determines whether or not there is paper information created by derivation. If it is determined that there is no paper information derived and created here, the process proceeds to S1012. In step S1012, the CPU 104 creates paper information in which the specified attribute value is assigned to the attribute in which “RES” of the specified paper information in the paper database is set, and the process advances to step S1013. In step S1013, the CPU 104 determines the sheet information as sheet information to be used in the print job, and ends the process.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 104 determines in S1007 that there is paper information created by derivation, the process proceeds to S1008, and the CPU 104 determines the attribute value of the paper information created by derivation and the attribute specified in the print job. Compare the value. If the CPU 140 determines in S1009 that the attribute value of the derived paper information matches the attribute value specified in the print job, the process proceeds to S1010. In step S1010, the CPU 104 determines the derived paper information as paper information to be used in the print job, and ends this processing.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 104 determines in S1009 that the attribute values do not match, the process proceeds to S1012. In step S1012, the CPU 104 creates paper information in which the specified attribute value is assigned to the attribute in which “RES” of the specified paper information in the paper database is set, and the process advances to step S1013. In step S1013, the CPU 104 determines the sheet information as sheet information to be used in the print job, and ends the process.

  Next, a specific example will be described with reference to FIG.

  Consider a case where the name of the input print job is “Paper_Res”, the paper size is A4, and the paper information is designated in S1001 of FIG. In this case, paper information having the name “Paper_Res” exists in the paper database. Since this paper information has an attribute in which “RES” is set, it is determined in S1006 and S1007 whether there is paper information derived from the name “Paper_Res”. If there is no derived paper information, the process proceeds from S1007 to S1012. In step S1012, the CPU 104 creates sheet information “Paper_Res” having a sheet size of A4 in the RAM 107, and in step S1013, determines the sheet information as sheet information used in the print job.

  On the other hand, the sheet information shown in FIG. 9B is sheet information created by deriving from the sheet information whose name is “Paper_Res”. In this case, the process proceeds from S1007 to S1008. In this case, since there is (Paper_A4) as the paper information with the paper size “A4”, the process proceeds from S1009 to S1010, and the CPU 104 uses the paper information “Paper_A4” as the paper information used in this print job. And decide.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the paper information is set in the state where the information (for example, “RES”) indicating that it is input at the time of use is set in the attributes such as the paper size, paper type, and basis weight of the paper information. Can be registered. In this way, a case is considered in which the paper information whose information is set in, for example, the paper size is set in a certain paper feed stage. If paper is actually set in the paper feed stage and the paper feed stage has a paper size automatic detection mechanism, the paper size detected by the automatic detection mechanism is used as the paper size of the set paper information. Can be set automatically. As a result, it is possible to reduce the user's trouble of inputting attributes such as paper size.

  In addition, when registering paper information, by using a value indicating that it is input at the time of use, paper information that is different from other paper information only in a certain attribute (for example, paper size) can be registered as one paper information. it can. As a result, the number of paper information to be registered can be reduced.

  Further, when there is paper information registered by setting information indicating that it is input at the time of use in the attribute of the paper information, the user sets a value to be actually used for the information. As a result, information indicating that it is input at the time of use can be registered as paper information that is fixed to an actual value.

  Also, if the paper information attribute value specified in the print job includes information indicating that it will be input at the time of use, print from the paper information created by deriving from the paper information specified in the print job. Search for paper information that contains attributes that match the attributes specified in the job. The found paper information can be determined as paper information to be used in the print job.

  According to the first embodiment, since the attributes of registered paper information can be input and set when using the paper of the paper information for printing, a plurality of types of paper information differing only by a small number of attributes are set to 1 Can be registered as one piece of paper information. As a result, the number of paper information to be registered can be reduced, and management of paper information can be facilitated.

  Further, by rewriting the attribute of the paper information registered with the attribute input at the time of use with the attribute input at the time of use in printing, it can be registered as new paper information. As a result, it is possible to register as new paper information simply by inputting only the attributes that are set to be input at the time of use, so that it is possible to simplify the trouble of registering paper information.

[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction peripheral (MFP) that is an example of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and a configuration of a system including the image forming apparatus.

  The controller 1101 controls the multifunction peripheral device and has a hardware configuration shown in FIG. The scanner 1102 is controlled by the controller 1101 to read a document and generate an image signal corresponding to the image of the document. The printer engine 1103 is controlled by the controller 1101 and prints an image on a sheet in accordance with image data supplied from the controller 1101. The printer engine 1103 is connected to a finisher 1104, and the finisher 1104 executes post-processing such as stapling on a plurality of sheets output from the printer engine 1103. The finisher 1104 is also controlled by the controller 1101. The network interface 1105 provides bidirectional communication through the interface to the controller 1101 and is connected to the personal computer 1107 via the network. The operation unit 1106 includes a display unit and a keyboard, displays information from the controller 1101, and transmits instructions from the user input via the operation unit 1106 to the controller 1101. Note that the display unit has a touch panel function, and accepts an operation by the user via the screen of the display unit and transmits it to the controller 1101.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the controller 101 according to the second embodiment and the connection between the peripherals. In FIG. 12, the parts common to FIG. 11 are denoted by the same symbols.

  In the controller 1101, a CPU 1201 is connected to a memory 1202, a display unit 1203, a keyboard 1204, a ROM 1210, and a disk (storage unit) 1211 constituting a memory 1202 and an operation unit 1106 via a bus 1209. Various programs and data executed by the CPU 1201 are stored in a disk 1211 (storage medium) such as a hard disk or a floppy disk, and are sequentially read out to the memory 1202 as necessary and executed under the control of the CPU 1201. The disk 1211 may be detachable from the MFP or may be built in the MFP. Further, this program may be downloaded from another MFP or server via a network and stored in the disk 1211. The memory 1202 may have both functions of a nonvolatile memory such as a DRAM and a volatile memory such as an SRAM, or the memory 1202 may be a volatile memory and the disk 1211 may be a nonvolatile memory.

  The CPU 1201 performs display by writing data in the display unit 1203, and inputs an instruction from the user when the CPU 1201 receives data from the keyboard 1204 or the display unit 1203 which is a touch panel. The input information is transferred to and stored in either the memory 1202 or the disk 1211 and used for various processes. A network interface 1105 is connected to the bus 1209. Further, a printer engine 1103, a finisher 1104, and a scanner 1102 are connected to the bus 1209.

  Image data is input from the scanner 1102 or the network interface 1105 and stored in the disk 1211 and the memory 1202 of the controller 1101. It is also possible to store image data in advance in a removable memory and load the image data by attaching the memory to the controller 1101. The image data stored in the disk 1211 can be moved or copied to the memory 1202, and various additional images (for example, the number of pages) are added to the image data on the memory depending on the contents instructed from the operation unit 1106. Can be synthesized. Note that the printer engine 1103, the finisher 1104, and the scanner 1102 may exist as individual peripheral devices on the network instead of inside the MFP, and the MFP controller 1101 may control them.

  FIG. 13 is an overview of an image forming apparatus (MFP) according to the second embodiment.

  A scanner 1102, which is an image input device, illuminates an image on paper as a document and scans the document with a CCD line sensor, thereby converting the image of the document placed on the scanner 1102 into electrical image data. From the image data thus electrically converted, the color and size of the original are determined.

  A printer engine 1103 serving as an image output device prints image data on a sheet, performs post-processing such as stapling or bookbinding on the sheet, and outputs the result. The printing operation is started and stopped according to an instruction from the CPU 1201 of the controller 1101.

  The paper feed cassette 1305 stores paper used for printing, and is configured by a single or a plurality of cassette stages. Each cassette can be pulled out, and when it is desired to change the paper stored in the cassette, it can be changed by pulling out the cassette to remove the paper, setting the paper to be changed, and returning the cassette.

  Information on sheets stored in each cassette is stored in a data structure as shown in FIG. This sheet information is stored in the memory 1202 or the disk 1211.

  FIG. 14 is a top view of the operation unit 1106 of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.

  The display unit 1203 has, for example, a touch panel sheet affixed on a liquid crystal, displays an operation screen and soft keys, and transmits position information to the CPU 1201 when the displayed keys are pressed. A start key 1402 is used for instructing the start of a document image reading operation or the like. A green and red two-color LED 1403 is provided at the center of the start key 1402, and whether or not the start key 1402 can be used is indicated by the light emission color of the LED 1403. A stop key 1404 functions to stop an operation in progress. A numeric keypad 1405 has numeric and character buttons, and is used to instruct setting of the number of copies, switching of the screen of the display unit 1203, and the like. A user mode key 1406 is pressed when device setting is performed.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a mechanism for automatically detecting the size of a sheet set (accommodated) in the cassette of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.

  This figure is a view of the cassette 1305 as viewed from above. The cassette 1305 is provided with guides 1603 and 1604 that can freely move on the rails 1601 and 1602, and the positions of these rails can be adjusted according to the size of the set paper. The sensor 1605 detects where the guides 1603 and 1604 are on the rails 1601 and 1602. The sensor 1605 can detect the size of the paper set in the cassette.

  17A to 17E are examples of screens when the paper size setting of the cassette and the paper type registration and setting are performed from the user mode screen displayed on the operation unit 1106 in the MFP according to the second embodiment. FIG.

  When a user mode key 1406 on the operation unit 1106 is pressed, a user mode screen shown in FIG. 17A is displayed. The paper size can be registered and set from this screen.

  First, a paper information registration method will be described.

When the “register paper” button 1702 is pressed on the screen of FIG. 17A, a registered paper information screen shown in FIG. 17B is displayed. In the screen of FIG. 17B, registered paper information is displayed. Here, “thin paper”, “thick paper”, and “plain paper” are registered as paper types, and their basis weights are 70 g / m ² , 110 g / m ² , and 100 g / m ² , respectively. The paper sizes are A3, A4 and “no setting”, respectively. As described above, the size set in each piece of paper information includes a size that is set and a size that is not set (“no setting”).

  When a paper information addition button 1705 is pressed here, a paper information addition screen shown in FIG. 17C is displayed. Here, paper information can be changed by pressing a button of an item to be changed from the paper information change button group 1706, and the changed paper information is registered by pressing an OK button 1707.

  Next, a paper information setting method will be described.

  When a “paper setting” button 1703 is pressed on the screen of FIG. 17A, a paper setting screen shown in FIG. 17D is displayed.

  This paper setting screen is provided with a cassette selection button group 1708 and displays the paper size of each cassette automatically detected by the sensor 1605 described with reference to FIG. When any cassette is selected from the cassette selection button group 1708 and the setting button 1709 is pressed, a paper information setting screen shown in FIG. 17E is displayed.

  A list of paper information described with reference to FIG. 17B is displayed on the paper information setting screen of FIG. Here, for example, it is assumed that the setting of paper information for the uppermost cassette (cassette 1) of the cassette 1305 is selected. When the paper information 1710 is selected on the screen shown in FIG. 17E, the paper information whose paper type is “thin paper” and whose paper size is “A4” is set in the cassette 1.

As a result, the paper information of “cassette 1” shown in FIG. 15 is changed to “thin paper”, “70 g / m ² ”, and “A3”, and “manual” is set in the detection mode column of cassette 1.

On the other hand, when the paper information 1711 for which the paper size is not set is selected, the paper size automatically detected by the sensor 1605 described with reference to FIG. 5 is set. In this case, the paper information of “cassette 1” shown in FIG. 15 is “plain paper” “100 g / m ² ” “A4” as shown in FIG. 15, and the detection mode is “automatic”.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 15, when paper information is assigned to each cassette, a print job in which the cassette selection is “automatic” and the paper size is “A3” is input. In this case, the cassette 2 containing the plain paper of the paper size “A3” is selected, and the paper is fed from the cassette 2 for printing.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining processing executed when the user sets paper in a cassette and closes the cassette 1305 or moves the cassette guides 1603 and 1603 in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. It is. Note that a program for executing this processing is installed in the disk 1211, and is expanded in the memory 1202 at the time of execution and executed under the control of the CPU 1201, whereby the processing shown in this flowchart is executed.

  First, in step S <b> 1801, the CPU 1201 sets “1” to a variable N stored in the memory 1202. In step S1802, the CPU 1201 detects the size of paper stored in the Nth paper feed stage (initially, cassette 1) of the cassette 1305 by a sensor 1605 provided in the cassette. In step S1803, the sheet information shown in FIG. 15 is referred to, and it is determined whether the detection mode column of the sheet information of the Nth cassette is “automatic”. If it is determined as “automatic”, the process advances to step S1804. In step S1802, the size of the sheet information of the corresponding cassette in FIG. 15 is updated with the size detected by the sensor 1605. In step S1805, since the cassette 1305 has four stages of cassettes, it is determined whether the processes up to the fourth stage of the cassette have been completed. If the processing up to the fourth cassette is not completed, the process proceeds to S1806, the value of the variable N is incremented by 1, and the process returns to S1802.

  On the other hand, if the sheet information detection mode column of the Nth cassette is not “automatic” in S1803, S1804 is skipped and the process proceeds to S1805.

  FIG. 19 is an image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment, and illustrates other processing executed when the user sets paper in the cassette and closes the cassette 1305 or moves the cassette guides 1603 and 1603. It is a flowchart to do. Note that a program for executing this processing is installed in the disk 1211, and is expanded in the memory 1202 at the time of execution and executed under the control of the CPU 1201, whereby the processing shown in this flowchart is executed.

  The difference between FIG. 19 and FIG. 18 is that, in FIG. 18, after the paper size is detected by the sensor in S1801, it is determined whether or not the paper information detection mode of the cassette is “automatic”. On the other hand, in FIG. 19, it is first determined whether or not the paper information detection mode of the cassette is “automatic”, and the paper size is detected by the sensor only when it is “automatic”.

  First, in step S 1901, the CPU 1201 sets “1” to the variable N stored in the memory 1202. In step S1902, the CPU 1201 refers to the sheet information illustrated in FIG. 15 and determines whether the detection mode column of the sheet information of the Nth cassette is “automatic”. If it is determined in S1902 that it is “automatic”, the process proceeds to S1903, and the size of the paper stored in the Nth paper feed stage (first cassette 1) of the cassette 1305 is detected by a sensor 1605 provided in the cassette. In step S1904, the CPU 1201 updates the size of the sheet information of the corresponding Nth cassette in FIG. 15 with the size detected by the sensor 1605 in step S1903. In step S1905, since the cassette 1305 has four cassettes, it is determined whether the processing up to the fourth cassette is completed. If the processing up to the fourth cassette is not completed, the process proceeds to S1906, the value of the variable N is incremented by 1, and the process returns to S1902. On the other hand, if the detection mode column of the sheet information of the Nth cassette is not “automatic” in S1902, the process proceeds to S1905.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, by setting the detection mode of the paper information set in the cassette to “automatic”, the size of the paper actually stored in the cassette is used to set the cassette in the cassette. The paper size of the selected paper information can be automatically updated. Here, the case where the sensor 1605 detects the size of the paper has been described. However, for example, if a sensor capable of detecting the basis weight of the paper or the characteristics of the surface of the paper is provided in the cassette, the type and basis weight of the paper information can be determined. It can be updated with the type and basis weight of the paper actually stored in the cassette.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for confirming the consistency between the paper size detected in each cassette and the paper size of the paper information set by the user in each cassette in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. It is.

  When the user mode key 1406 of the operation unit 1106 is pressed, the screen shown in FIG. 17A is displayed. When the “cassette information” button 1704 is pressed on the screen of FIG. Is displayed. The information on this screen is created based on the paper information data shown in FIG.

  The automatic detection 2001 displays the paper size detected by the sensor 1605 of each cassette. In the paper information 2002, for example, the paper size set in the paper information shown in FIG. 15 is displayed. Consistency 2003 displays the consistency between the detected paper size and the paper size set in the paper information. That is, when the paper size is set in both the automatic detection 2001 and the paper information 2002, and the paper sizes of the automatic detection 2001 and the paper information 2002 are different from each other, “mismatch” is displayed. “Match” is displayed.

  As described above, the user can easily know whether the paper size automatically detected by the cassette is used or the manually set paper size is used, and the convenience is greatly improved.

[Embodiment 3]
Next, Embodiment 3 which is a modification of Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. Note that the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the above-described second embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of sheet information (sheet information) according to the third embodiment.

  In FIG. 21, the paper information includes the paper name, basis weight, and size, but may include other information. By setting the sheet information in the sheet feeding cassette (sheet feeding unit), the image forming apparatus can specify the type of sheet held by the sheet feeding cassette.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen operated by a user when setting paper information in a paper feed cassette (sheet holding unit) in the third embodiment.

  FIG. 22A is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for selecting a sheet cassette for setting sheet information. The user selects a sheet cassette to be changed from the button group 2201 in FIG. 22A and presses the setting button 2202. As a result, a screen for setting paper information for the selected paper feed cassette is displayed, for example, as shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 22B, the user selects desired paper information from the button group 2206 and presses the OK button. Thus, for example, between the paper size automatically detected by the designated paper feed cassette and the paper size of the paper information set in the paper feed cassette via the screens of FIGS. When a mismatch occurs, the screen shown in FIG. 22C is displayed. In FIG. 22C, as indicated by 2209, it is indicated that a paper size mismatch occurs in the first-stage paper feed cassette. In the screen example of FIG. 22, the paper type and the like are displayed as characters, but may be displayed as an icon or an illustration.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart for explaining processing when a mismatch occurs between the automatically detected paper size and the paper size set in the paper information in the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment. Note that a program for executing this processing is installed in the disk 1211, and is expanded in the memory 1202 at the time of execution and executed under the control of the CPU 1201, whereby the processing shown in this flowchart is executed.

  First, in step S <b> 2301, the CPU 1201 displays a screen for selecting a paper feed location, for example, as illustrated in FIG. In step S2302, the CPU 1201 receives the designation of the sheet cassette selected by the user by selecting the sheet cassette and pressing the setting button 2202 on the screen of FIG. In step S2303, the CPU 1201 displays a paper information setting screen as shown in FIG. 22B, for example. In step S2304, the CPU 1201 acquires the paper information selected by the user on the paper information setting screen. In step S2305, the CPU 1201 determines whether the set paper information includes a paper size. For example, in the example of FIG. 22B, when the paper is plain paper, the size is “no setting”, so it is necessary to check whether or not there is a paper size. If the size is set, the process advances to step S2306, and the CPU 1201 compares the set paper size with the size of the paper loaded in the paper cassette selected in step S2302, and compares them. Determine whether or not. If the CPU 1201 determines that they do not match, the process advances to step S2307 to display a warning screen on the display unit 1203 of the operation unit 1106.

  If the CPU 1201 determines in step S2305 that the set paper information does not include the paper size, the process advances to step S2309. In step S2309, the CPU 1201 sets the paper size detected by the guides 1603 and 1604 as shown in FIG. 16 as the paper size of the paper feed cassette, and the process advances to step S2308. If it is determined in step S2306 that the set paper size matches the paper size actually loaded in the paper cassette, the process advances to step S2308.

  In step S2308, the CPU 1201 displays the screen illustrated in FIG. As a result, the user who wants to eliminate the size mismatch state performs the processing from the selection of the paper feed cassette again. If they match, the user presses a close button on the screen of FIG.

  Note that a shortcut button for transitioning to the screen of FIG. 22A may be provided on the screen of FIG. As a result, the user can solve the inconsistency between the size of the sheet actually loaded in the sheet cassette and the sheet size of the sheet information set in the sheet cassette with a simple operation.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating processing when a paper size mismatch occurs when the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment detects opening / closing of a paper feed cassette door or drawer / storage of a cassette. Note that a program for executing this processing is installed in the disk 1211, and is expanded in the memory 1202 at the time of execution and executed under the control of the CPU 1201, whereby the processing shown in this flowchart is executed.

  First, in step S2401, the CPU 1201 automatically detects the size of the paper loaded in the paper feed cassette using the paper feed cassette guides 1603 and 1604. In step S2402, the CPU 1201 matches the size of the loaded paper automatically detected in step S2401 with the paper size of the paper information set by the user via the screens of FIGS. Determine whether or not. If it is determined in step S2402 that the CPUs 1201 do not match, the process advances to step S2403, and the CPU 1201 displays a warning screen (FIG. 22C) and warns the user.

  Note that it is desirable that the paper feed cassette in which the size mismatch occurs is treated as an error so that the user cannot use it for printing. For example, a paper feed cassette in which a mismatch in size has occurred may not be used for printing by handling it in the same way as a paper feed cassette in which a paper out error has occurred. Further, the paper feed cassette in which the size mismatch occurs may be handled separately from other errors. In S2402, if the paper information set by the user does not include the paper size, the same processing as S2309 in FIG. 23 may be performed.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, when the size of the paper included in the paper information set in the paper feed cassette does not match the size of the paper loaded in the paper feed cassette, this is indicated. Can be notified to the user.

  Further, when the user sets the paper information in the paper cassette or when the guide of the paper cassette is moved, a warning screen (FIG. 22C) is displayed to the user so that the user is in a mismatched state. Can easily be noticed.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Image forming apparatus 101 ... Operation part 102 ... Cassette part 104 ... CPU 108 ... Printer part

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and control how.

In order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
A printing apparatus having printing means for printing an image on a sheet based on paper information including a combination of a plurality of types of attribute information relating to the sheet,
Sheet holding means comprising a detection mechanism for detecting the size of the sheet to be held;
Paper information relating to a plurality of sheets including first paper information relating to a sheet including information indicating the sheet size as attribute information and second paper information relating to a sheet not including information indicating the sheet size as attribute information is stored. Storage means;
From a plurality of sheet information relating to the sheet that has been stored in the storage means, setting means for the sheet information instructed to be set for the sheet holding means by the user's selection is set against the sheet holding means When,
The sheet holding unit is instructed to set the first sheet information including information indicating the sheet size as attribute information, and is specified by the first sheet information set by the setting unit. When the sheet size does not match the sheet size detected by the detection mechanism provided in the sheet holding unit, the sheet size specified by the first paper information set by the setting unit and the detection mechanism possess a notifying means and the sheet size is detected is notified to the user different from the result,
The setting unit is instructed to set the first sheet information including information indicating the sheet size as attribute information to the sheet holding unit, and the sheet size designated by the first sheet information Is matched with the sheet size detected by the detection mechanism, the sheet size specified by the first paper information is set in association with the sheet holding means,
When the sheet holding unit is instructed to set the second paper information that does not include information indicating the sheet size as attribute information, the sheet size detected by the detection mechanism corresponds to the sheet holding unit. It is characterized by being set .

Claims (9)

Sheet holding means comprising a detection mechanism for detecting the size of the sheet to be held;
Storage means for storing sheet information including at least the size of the sheet as information indicating the sheet;
Setting means for setting the first sheet information selected by the user among the plurality of sheet information stored in the storage means in association with the sheet holding means;
A notification means for notifying the user of a mismatch when the size of the sheet indicated by the first sheet information set by the setting means and the size of the sheet indicated by the detection mechanism are mismatched;
A printing apparatus comprising: A display unit for displaying an operation screen for a user to select sheet information to be set in association with the sheet holding unit from a plurality of sheet information stored in the storage unit;
In the operation screen, it is instructed to set the first sheet information in association with the sheet holding means, and the size of the sheet indicated by the detection mechanism and the size of the sheet indicated by the first sheet information are The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notifying unit notifies the user that there is a mismatch on condition that there is a mismatch.   On condition that the opening / closing of the sheet holding means is detected, and the size of the sheet indicated by the detection mechanism and the size of the sheet indicated by the first sheet information set in the sheet holding means are inconsistent. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies the user that there is a mismatch.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit displays a screen indicating mismatch. A sheet holding unit having a detection mechanism for detecting the size of the sheet to be held;
A control method for controlling a printing apparatus having a storage unit that stores sheet information including at least a sheet size as information indicating a sheet,
Of the plurality of sheet information stored in the storage unit, a setting step of setting the first sheet information selected by the user in association with the sheet holding unit,
A notification step of notifying the user of a mismatch when the size of the sheet indicated by the first sheet information set in the setting step and the size of the sheet indicated by the detection mechanism are mismatched;
A control method for a printing apparatus, comprising: A display step of displaying on the display unit an operation screen for the user to select sheet information to be set in association with the sheet holding unit from among a plurality of sheet information stored in the storage unit;
In the operation screen, it is instructed to set the first sheet information in association with the sheet holding unit, and the sheet size indicated by the detection mechanism and the sheet size indicated by the first sheet information are 6. The control method according to claim 5, wherein the notifying step notifies the user that there is a discrepancy on the condition that there is a discrepancy.   On condition that the opening / closing of the sheet holding unit is detected, and the size of the sheet indicated by the detection mechanism and the size of the sheet indicated by the first sheet information set in the sheet holding unit are inconsistent. The control method according to claim 5, wherein the notifying step notifies the user that there is a mismatch.   The control method according to claim 5, wherein the notification step displays a screen indicating that there is a mismatch.   The program for making a computer perform the control method of any one of Claim 5 thru | or 8.

Images