JP4493477B2 - Image forming apparatus, replenishment sheet display method thereof, and program for causing computer to execute the method - Google Patents

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for determining the type of replenished paper and displaying the appropriateness, a replenished paper display method, and a program for causing a computer to execute the method, and particularly effective for a printer, a copier, a fax machine, etc. It is.

  In recent years, printers, copiers, fax machines, and the like use a touch panel type liquid crystal panel as a display unit from the viewpoint of improving operability. And various information is displayed on this display part and the improvement of a user's operativity is aimed at. For example, the error part and error processing content are displayed on the display unit, or the processing content and a selection button are displayed to allow the user to select a process.

  In the image forming apparatus as described above, a paper out of the paper feed tray occurs. At this time, information is provided to the display unit to the user, and the user's paper replenishment process is smoothly advanced. Is disclosed.

In the invention of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-228867, when a paper out occurs, printing paper information such as the type and size of the paper is displayed.
In the invention of Patent Document 2, when a sheet runs out, the method for supplying the sheet is displayed on the operation display means.
In the invention of Patent Document 3, a paper out error is notified to a job for which it is determined that the required number calculating means has run out of paper, and the required number of sheets is instructed to the user.
JP 2003-263297 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-274697 JP 2003-330644 A

  However, each of the techniques merely presents information for instructing the user to perform a paper replenishment process. The user does not always replenish the same type of paper that has been used immediately before the paper runs out, and nothing is disclosed about how to deal with it. Further, depending on the processing contents of the image forming apparatus, even if the supplemented paper type is different, it may be printed as it is.

  In view of such a situation, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of notifying the user of the need when the user supplies another sheet different from the printed sheet due to running out of sheets, and the replenishment thereof. A paper display method and a program for causing a computer to execute the method are provided.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a display unit for notifying a user of a message, an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, a sheet supply unit that supplies a sheet, and the presence / absence of a sheet in the sheet supply unit A paper discriminating unit for discriminating the type of the paper, and after the paper discriminating unit discriminates that there is no paper, the paper supply unit replenishes the paper, and the paper discriminating unit determines that there is no paper. When the type of pre-replenishment paper existing in the supply unit is different, a message to that effect is displayed on the display unit, and the group printing is in progress, and the type of pre-replenishment paper and the post-replenishment paper are different Only the message is displayed .

The image forming apparatus of the present invention displays the message only when the overtaking printing by the next job is not set and the type of the pre-replenishment paper and the post-replenishment paper is different. To do.

The display method of the present invention includes a display means for notifying a user of a message, an image forming means for forming an image on paper, a paper supply means for supplying paper, the presence / absence of paper in the paper supply means, In the display method of replenishing paper of an image forming apparatus comprising a paper discriminating unit for discriminating a type, a paper after replenishing replenished to a paper feeding unit after the paper discriminating unit discriminates that there is no paper, and the paper discriminating unit A paper type determination step for determining whether or not the type of pre-replenishment paper existing in the paper supply means before the determination that no paper is present, and whether or not group printing is being performed after the paper type determination step. If the group printing judgment step of judging, the type of paper different, comprising: a display step of displaying a message to that effect on the display means, and the display scan In-up, that in the case in the group printed by the determination result of the group printing judgment step, and wherein the paper type determination step of the determination result only when the paper type is different, with a displaying said message It is characterized by.

  In addition, the display method further includes an overtaking print determination step for determining whether or not it is overtaking printing after the paper type determination step. In the display step, according to a determination result of the overtaking print determination step, The message is displayed only when it is not overtaking printing and the paper type is different depending on the determination result of the paper type determination step.

  The program of the present invention is for causing a computer to execute the display method.

  According to the present invention, when the paper runs out during printing and the user replenishes a paper of a different type from the paper being printed, the same paper type is obtained from the beginning to the end of the printed matter by notifying the user. To. For example, B5, A4, plain paper, recycled paper, etc. are not mixed.

  In addition, when the printed materials are not the same document, there is no particular influence even if the paper type changes, so that the convenience for the user can be improved without displaying a confirmation message.

  Further, in the case of group printing, since the paper types must not be different, it is possible to unify the same type of paper by displaying a message that the types of replenishment paper are different.

  Also, in case of overtaking printing, which is another job and prints with priority on different types of paper, there is no problem even if the replenished paper is another type of paper, and no message is displayed, so the processing is interrupted. The overtaking printing process can be executed first.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a multifunction peripheral including a color image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 forms multicolor and single color images on a predetermined sheet (recording material) according to image data transmitted from the outside. As shown in FIG. 2, photosensitive drum 3, charger 5, cleaner unit 4, transfer conveyance belt unit 8, fixing unit 12, image forming unit 108 including paper conveyance path S, paper feed tray 10, document discharge tray (sheet) Loading section) 15 and the like.

  The image data handled in the image forming apparatus 100 corresponds to a color image using each color of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). Accordingly, the exposure unit 1 (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d), the developing device 2 (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d), the photosensitive drum 3 (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d), the cleaner unit 4 (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) and four chargers 5 (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) are provided so as to form four types of latent images corresponding to the respective colors, a being black (K) and b being respectively Four image stations (image forming means) are configured with cyan (C), c set to magenta (M), and d set to yellow (Y).

  The photosensitive drum 3 is disposed (attached) at substantially the center of the image forming apparatus.

  The charger 5 is a charging means for charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 to a predetermined potential. Although a charger-type charger is shown in FIG. 1, a contact-type roller-type or brush-type charger is shown. A charger can be used. The exposure unit 1 has a function of forming an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data on the surface thereof by exposing the charged photosensitive drum 3 according to the input image data. As the exposure unit 1, for example, an EL or LED writing head in which light emitting elements are arranged in an array, or a laser scanning unit (LSU) including a laser irradiation unit and a reflection mirror is used. The developing unit 2 visualizes the electrostatic latent images formed on the respective photosensitive drums 3 with (K, C, M, Y) toner. The cleaner unit 4 removes and collects toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 after development and image transfer.

  The transfer conveyance belt unit 8 disposed below the photosensitive drum 3 includes a transfer belt 7, a transfer belt drive roller 71, a transfer belt tension roller 72, a transfer belt driven roller 73, a transfer belt support roller 74, and a transfer roller 6 ( 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) and a transfer belt cleaning unit 9.

  The transfer belt drive roller 71, the transfer belt tension roller 72, the transfer roller 6, the transfer belt driven roller 73, and the transfer belt support roller 74 stretch the transfer belt 7 and rotate the transfer belt 7 in the direction of arrow B. is there.

  The transfer roller 6 is rotatably supported by a frame (not shown) inside the transfer belt unit, and transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 3 onto a sheet conveyed by being attracted onto the transfer belt 7. It is.

  The transfer belt 7 is provided so as to be in contact with each photosensitive drum 3. Each color toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 3 is sequentially superimposed on the sheet and transferred, thereby forming a color toner image (multicolor toner image). This transfer belt is formed endlessly using a film having a thickness of about 100 μm.

  Transfer of the toner image from the photosensitive drum 3 to the sheet is performed by the transfer roller 6 that is in contact with the back side of the transfer belt 7. A high voltage (a high voltage having a polarity (+) opposite to the toner charging polarity (−)) is applied to the transfer roller 6 in order to transfer the toner image. The transfer roller is based on a metal (for example, stainless steel) shaft having a diameter of 8 to 10 mm, and its surface is covered with a conductive elastic material. Thereby, a high voltage can be uniformly applied to the sheet. In the present embodiment, the transfer roller 6 is used as the transfer electrode, but a brush or the like can be used in addition thereto.

  Further, since the toner adhering to the transfer belt 7 due to contact with the photosensitive drum 3 causes the back surface of the sheet to become dirty, the toner is set to be removed and collected by the transfer belt cleaning unit 9. The transfer belt cleaning unit 9 includes a cleaning blade that contacts the transfer belt 7, and the transfer belt 7 is supported by a transfer belt support roller 74 from the back side at a position where the cleaning blade contacts. The means for removing the toner adhering to the transfer belt 7 in the transfer belt cleaning unit 9 is not limited to the cleaning blade, and any means having the same function may be used.

  The sheet feeding tray 10 is a tray for storing sheets used for image formation, and is provided below the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus 100. In addition, the paper discharge tray 15 provided on the upper portion of the image forming apparatus 100 mounts printed sheets face down (in the case of single-sided printing, the image-recorded surface is laminated downward). It is a tray for. A sorter unit (paper discharge unit) 101 attached to a side portion of the image forming apparatus 100 faces up an image-formed sheet (in the case of single-sided printing, the images are stacked with the surface on which the image is recorded facing up). This is a paper discharge unit having a plurality of paper discharge bins (paper discharge units) for placement in the printer.

  In FIG. 1, the sheet discharge tray 15 is configured to be discharged face-down and the sorter unit 101 is discharged to face-up. However, the present invention is not limited to this. By providing a mechanism for reversing the sheet in the conveyance path until the sheet is discharged to the discharge unit, both the discharge tray 15 and the sorter unit 101 can discharge the sheet face-down or face-up. It is possible.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with an S-shaped sheet conveyance path S for sending the sheets in the sheet feeding tray 10 to the document discharge tray 15 via the transfer conveyance unit 8 and the fixing unit 12. Yes. Further, in the vicinity of the paper conveyance path S from the paper feed tray 10 to the document discharge tray 15 and the sorter unit 101, a pickup roller 16, a registration roller 14, a fixing unit 12, a conveyance direction switching gate 34, and conveyance for conveying a sheet. A roller 25 and the like are arranged.

  The conveyance rollers 25 are small rollers for promoting and assisting conveyance of the sheet, and a plurality of conveyance rollers 25 are provided along the sheet conveyance path S. The pickup roller 16 is a drawing roller that is provided at the end of the paper feed tray 10 and supplies sheets from the paper feed tray 10 to the paper transport path S one by one. The conveyance direction switching gate 34 is rotatably provided on the side cover 35, and separates the sheet from the middle of the sheet conveyance path S by changing the state shown by the solid line to the state shown by the broken line, and puts the sheet on the sorter unit 101. It can be discharged. In the state indicated by the solid line, the sheet passes through the conveyance unit S ′ (part of the sheet conveyance path S) formed between the fixing unit 12, the side cover 35, and the conveyance switching gate 34, and the upper document discharge tray. 15 is discharged.

  The registration roller 14 temporarily holds the sheet conveyed through the sheet conveyance path S, and rotates the photosensitive drum 3 so that the toner image on the photosensitive drum 3 can be satisfactorily transferred onto the sheet. The sheet has a function to convey the sheet with good timing.

  That is, the registration roller 14 conveys the sheet so that the front end of the toner image on each photosensitive drum 3 is aligned with the front end of the image forming range on the sheet based on a detection signal output from a pre-registration detection switch (not shown). Is set to

  The fixing unit 12 includes a heat roller 31, a pressure roller 32, and the like, and the heat roller 31 and the pressure roller 32 rotate with a sheet interposed therebetween.

  The heat roller 31 is set so as to reach a predetermined fixing temperature by a temperature control unit (not shown) based on a temperature detection value from a temperature detector (not shown). Has a function of fusing, mixing, and pressing the multi-color toner image transferred to the sheet and thermally fixing the sheet.

  The sheet on which the multicolor toner image has been fixed is transported to the reverse paper discharge path of the paper transport path S by the plurality of transport rollers 25 and discharged in a reversed state (with the multicolor toner image facing downward). The paper is discharged onto the paper tray 15.

  An automatic document feeder (not shown) is provided on a document table made of transparent glass on the upper surface of the image reading unit 105. The automatic document feeder is a device that automatically feeds a plurality of documents set on a document setting tray one by one onto a document table.

  The image reading unit 105 scans and reads an image of a document placed on a document table, and includes a first scanning unit, a second scanning unit, an optical lens, and a CCD line sensor that is a photoelectric conversion element. Have. The first scanning unit includes an exposure lamp unit that exposes the document surface, a first mirror that reflects a reflected light image from the document in a predetermined direction, and the like. The second scanning unit includes a second mirror and a third mirror that guide reflected light from the document reflected from the first mirror to a CCD line sensor that is a photoelectric conversion element. The optical lens focuses reflected light from the original on the CCD line sensor.

An external view of the display unit 110 and the operation unit 111 is shown in FIG.
The display unit 110 is composed of a touch panel type liquid crystal panel, and input is possible by the user pressing a key formed and displayed on the display unit. Around the display unit 110, an operation unit 111 on which a user performs key input is arranged. The operation unit 111 includes function selection keys 114, 10 keys 115, an interrupt key 116, a clear key 117, a full release key 118, and a start key 119 for selecting a fax, printer, and copy function. The operation keys on both sides in the display unit 110 in the figure are keys relating to copying displayed on the liquid crystal panel, and input is possible when the user touches this part. Accordingly, the operation keys in the display section are variously changed depending on the processing contents, and the figure is only an example.

The print controller 106 controls each unit related to printing. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the pudding controller.
The print controller 106 includes a CPU 120, a ROM 123, a RAM 124, a LAN IF 125, and an image processing unit 126. The CPU 120 controls the image forming apparatus 100, and has a determination unit 121 that determines the display content from the content of image data to be printed and the detection result of the paper discrimination sensor 112 as its processing function. The ROM 123 stores a processing program for the CPU 120.

  The LAN IF 125 of the print controller 106 receives print JOB data (image data) from the host computer 130 by wire or wireless such as a network. The print job data is temporarily stored in the RAM 124 as job data. Paper type information (for example, paper size and paper type) is written in the header portion of the JOB data. The CPU 120 analyzes the paper type information, causes the image processing unit 126 to convert the image data into a format that allows the image forming apparatus 100 to form an image, and sends the converted image data to the image data input unit. Predetermined image processing is performed on the image data by the rearrangement control unit and the paper discharge bin control unit (paper discharge unit control unit) in the image processing unit 103, and then temporarily stored in the storage device in the image processing unit 103. The image stored in the storage device is read in response to the output instruction and transferred to the optical writing device (exposure unit 1 of the image forming unit 108) provided in the image forming device.

  The control unit 107 controls each unit of the image forming apparatus 100 and performs control other than the processing of the print controller 106.

Next, a process of the print controller 106 when the image processing apparatus 100 runs out of paper will be described.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the case where the sheet runs out.

  First, the CPU 120 retrieves print JOB data to be processed from the RAM 124, analyzes the paper type information written in the header portion, and starts the printing process (step S1). The paper type information at this time is shown in FIG. The printing order is ID No. The process proceeds in order from 1. The paper discrimination sensor 112 detects the occurrence of paper out (step S2). As shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 120 displays a message that the paper is out on the display unit 110, and simultaneously displays paper type information (size, paper type) before replenishment (step S3).

  Here, the user replenishes the paper feed tray 10 with paper, and the paper discrimination sensor 112 discriminates this. The determination unit 121 of the CPU 120 compares the paper type that was printed immediately before the paper runs out with the supplemented paper type, and determines whether the same is supplemented (step S4). If it is not the same type of paper, the CPU 120 displays on the display unit 110 that the paper type replenished is different from the paper just before replenishment as shown in FIG. 6 (step S5), and may continue printing as it is. Is displayed on the display unit 110 to confirm with the user (step S6). If the user is Yes, printing is continued (step S7), and if it is No, printing is interrupted (step S8).

  In step S4, if the paper is the same type as that immediately before the paper runs out, printing is continued without displaying anything (step S7).

  In this way, when the paper runs out during printing and the user replenishes a paper of a different type from the paper being printed, the user is notified of this, thereby confirming whether or not printing is performed with the same paper type. Can do. In most cases, the user uses the same type of paper as that immediately before the paper runs out, so that the same paper type can be used from the beginning to the end without making a mistake. In some cases, the user may want to print on different paper, and this can be accommodated.

Next, a case where the same job and group printing are processed will be described.
The same job means that one job data is being processed. Group printing is different from job data (for example, word processing data and spreadsheet data), but printing is a case where continuous printing is performed on the same paper type as one group.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when processing the same job and group printing. As shown in FIG. 9, the paper type information in this printing is the ID No. 1 and 2, both of which are printed on plain paper of A4 size.

  Steps S11 to S14 and Steps S17 to S20 are the same as Steps S1 to S4 and Steps S5 to S8, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  If the paper replenished in the paper feed tray 10 is not the same type of paper as that immediately before the paper runs out in step 14, the CPU 120 checks in step S15 whether the same job is being processed. If the same job printing is shown in FIG. This is a case where 1 is being printed. If they are the same job, naturally the same paper size is necessary, and the confirmation display shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is performed to allow the user to determine whether to continue or stop printing.

  If it is not the same job in step S15, it is confirmed whether or not group printing is performed. For example, ID No. If the paper runs out at the time of completion of ID 1, ID No. If 2 is group printing, the same type of paper as that before replenishment is required, so the process proceeds to step 17 and a confirmation message is displayed. If it is not group printing, printing is continued.

  In this way, if the printed matter is not the same job, there is no particular effect even if the paper type changes, so the printing process is performed without displaying a confirmation message, so the convenience is improved without bothering the user. Can do.

  Also, in the case of group printing, the paper type must not be different, so by displaying a message that the type of replenishment paper is different, the user is notified that the paper type is different and the same type It is possible to unify with the same type of paper.

Next, a case where overtaking printing is processed will be described.
Passing printing means that when processing of one job data is interrupted, it is set so that the job is overtaken and other job data is processed preferentially, and printing processing is performed according to the setting. For example, when processing is interrupted due to running out of paper during processing of A4 paper size job data, B5 paper size job data set in the image forming apparatus is preferentially processed.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when overtaking printing is processed.
Since steps S21 to S24 and steps S26 to S29 are the same as steps S1 to S4 and steps S5 to S8, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In step 24, if the paper supplemented to the paper feed tray 10 is not the same type of paper as that immediately before the paper runs out, in step S25, the CPU 120 confirms whether it is overtaking printing (step 25). If it is overtaking printing, printing is continued (step S28). If it is not overtaking printing, it is printing of the same job, and naturally the same paper size is required, and the confirmation display shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is performed to make the user determine whether printing is continued or interrupted (steps S26 to S29). .

  In this way, in the case of overtaking printing in which another job is printed with priority given to another type of paper, there is no problem even if the replenished paper is another type of paper, and no message is displayed, so the processing is interrupted. Therefore, the overtaking printing process can be executed first, and the process can be speeded up.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine including a color image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. It is an external view of a display part and an operation part. It is a block diagram which shows one Example of a pudding controller. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence when a paper out occurs. It is explanatory drawing which shows paper type information. It is an external view of a display unit that displays a paper out message. FIG. 6 is an external view of a display unit that displays a message indicating that the paper types are different. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when processing the same job and group printing. It is explanatory drawing which shows the paper type information including group printing. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in the case of processing overtaking printing.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Exposure unit 2 Developer 3 Photoconductor drum 4 Cleaner unit 5 Charger 6 Transfer roller 7 Transfer belt 8 Transfer conveyance belt unit 9 Transfer belt cleaning unit 10 Paper feed tray 12 Fixing part 14 Registration roller 15 Document delivery tray 16 Pickup roller 25 transport roller 31 heat roller 32 pressure roller 34 gate 35 side cover 71 transfer belt drive roller 72 transfer belt tension roller 73 transfer belt driven roller 74 transfer belt support roller 100 color image forming apparatus 101 sorter unit 103 image processing unit 105 image reading Unit 106 print controller 107 control unit 108 image forming unit 110 display unit 111 operation unit 112 paper discrimination sensor 114 function selection key 115 10 key 116 interrupt key 117 clear key 118 all solutions Key 119 start key 121 determining means 126 image processing unit 130 host computer

Claims (5)

Display means for notifying the user of a message;
Image forming means for forming an image on paper;
Paper supply means for supplying paper;
Paper discriminating means for discriminating the presence and type of paper in the paper supply means,
The type of replenished paper that has been replenished to the paper supply means after the paper discrimination means has determined that there is no paper is different from the type of pre-replenishment paper that existed in the paper supply means before the paper discrimination means has determined that there is no paper. In this case, a message to that effect is displayed on the display means , and the message is displayed only when the group printing is in progress and the types of the pre-replenishment paper and the replenishment paper are different. Image forming apparatus. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the message is displayed only when the overtaking printing by the next job is not set and the types of the pre-replenishment paper and the post-replenishment paper are different. . Display means for notifying a message to the user, image forming means for forming an image on paper, paper supply means for supplying paper, and paper determination means for determining the presence or absence of paper and the type of paper in the paper supply means In a method for displaying replenishment paper of an image forming apparatus comprising:
The type of replenished paper that has been replenished to the paper supply means after the paper discrimination means has determined that there is no paper is different from the type of pre-replenishment paper that existed in the paper supply means before the paper discrimination means has determined that there is no paper. A paper type determination step for determining whether or not,
A group print determination step for determining whether or not group printing is being performed after the paper type determination step;
A display step of displaying a message to that effect on the display means when the paper types are different ,
In the display step, the message is displayed only when the group printing is being performed based on the determination result of the group print determination step and the paper type is different depending on the determination result of the paper type determination step . A display method characterized by that. Furthermore, after the paper type determination step, an overtaking print determination step for determining whether or not it is an overtaking print,
In the display step, the message is displayed only when the result of the overtaking printing determination step is not overtaking printing by the next job and the paper type is different depending on the determination result of the paper type determination step. The display method according to claim 3 . A program for causing a computer to execute the display method according to claim 3 or 4 .

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