JP2010222097A - Recording medium supplying device and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently supply a recording medium according to the kind of the recording medium by reducing operations by a worker. <P>SOLUTION: When execution of an automatic sheet selection function is indicated, a CPU 86 decides whether setting of a standard tray can be changed to supply the recording medium designated by a job from the standard tray when the CPU 86 decides that the recording medium designated by the job can not be supplied from both of the standard tray and a manual feeding tray 16. When the CPU 86 decides that the changing of the setting of the standard tray is available, the CPU 86 controls a UI device 14 to display a screen for urging the setting change of the standard tray so that the standard tray supplies the recording medium. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording medium supply apparatus and an image forming apparatus.

  In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-260688, when a paper feeding unit other than the manual paper feeding unit is used, when it is detected that the paper in the paper feeding unit being used has run out, the paper feeding unit to be used is the manual paper feeding unit. An image forming apparatus is disclosed in which, when it is detected that a sheet has been replenished to a previously used sheet feeding unit, the sheet feeding unit automatically returns to the sheet feeding unit to continue printing. Further, in Patent Document 2, when the manual paper feeding unit state detection unit detects the paper width to be manually fed, the paper size candidate for manual paper feeding can be recognized, and any of the recognized paper size candidates is displayed on the operation panel. A copying apparatus capable of recognizing the size of a recording medium fed from a multi-manual tray when selected by a key is disclosed. Further, in Patent Document 3, the paper detection unit detects that there is no paper of the same size as that of the paper to be printed in the automatic paper feeding unit, and the paper size determination unit detects the size of the paper to be manually printed and the size of the manually fed paper. A printing apparatus is disclosed in which, when it is determined that the sizes match, the print instructing unit automatically instructs to print on the manually fed paper.

JP-A-6-64767 JP-A-6-148990 JP 2006-256142 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium supply device and an image forming apparatus that can reduce operations by an operator and can efficiently supply a recording medium according to the type of the recording medium.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 1 includes a first supply means for supplying a recording medium, and a second supply means for supplying the recording medium, the first supply means having a different configuration. Supply means, storage means for storing information of recording media that can be supplied by each of the first supply means and the second supply means, and a recording medium in which at least one of size and attribute is specified is supplied At least one of the first supply unit and the second supply unit can supply an instruction acquisition unit that acquires instruction information indicating an instruction and a recording medium corresponding to the instruction information acquired by the instruction acquisition unit. When the determination means for determining whether or not there is a determination result by the determination means that neither the first supply means nor the second supply means can be supplied, the information stored in the storage means Base And an information output unit that outputs information that prompts the user to change the setting so that either the first supply unit or the second supply unit supplies with priority. It is.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the information output that prompts the user to change the setting so that one of the first supply unit and the second supply unit preferentially supplies a recording medium. An instruction receiving means for receiving an instruction to change the setting so that the other of the first supply means or the second supply means supplies when the means outputs, and the instruction received by the instruction receiving means. The recording medium supply apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that controls the other of the first supply unit and the second supply unit to supply.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first supply means for supplying a recording medium, a second supply means for supplying a recording medium, the first supply means having a configuration different from the first supply means, and the first supply means. Storage means for storing information on recording media that can be supplied by each of the supply means and the second supply means, and instruction information indicating an instruction to supply a recording medium having at least one of a size and an attribute acquired Instruction acquisition means for determining, and determination means for determining whether or not the first supply means and the second supply means can each supply a recording medium corresponding to the instruction information acquired by the instruction acquisition means; When the determination result by the determination means indicates that both the first supply means and the second supply means can supply, the first supply means or the first supply means or based on the information stored in the storage means The second And control means for controlling so as to supply to emphasize either feeding means is a recording medium supplying device having a.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first supply means for supplying a recording medium, and a second supply capable of continuously supplying a number of recording media equal to or less than a quantity that can be continuously supplied by the first supply means. Supply means, storage means for storing information on the recording medium that can be supplied by each of the first supply means and the second supply means, and a recording medium in which at least one of size and attribute and quantity is specified are supplied Whether the first supply means and the second supply means can supply instruction acquisition means for acquiring instruction information indicating an instruction to perform, and a recording medium corresponding to the instruction information acquired by the instruction acquisition means, respectively. The determination means for determining whether or not the determination result by the determination means cannot be supplied by either the first supply means or the second supply means, and a predetermined setting is changed to change the first 1 The instruction acquisition means indicates instruction information indicating an instruction to supply a recording medium that can be supplied by both the supply means and the second supply means and exceeds the quantity that the second supply means can continuously supply. When acquired, the first supply unit preferentially supplies the recording medium corresponding to the instruction information acquired by the instruction acquisition unit over the second supply unit based on the information stored in the storage unit. An information output unit that outputs information that prompts the user to change the setting.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the information output means outputs information prompting the first supply means to change the setting so that the recording medium is supplied with priority, the instruction information includes An instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction to change the setting so that the second supply unit supplies the corresponding recording medium, and a recording medium corresponding to the instruction information based on the instruction received by the instruction receiving unit. The recording medium supply apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a control unit configured to control the second supply unit to supply.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the information output unit, the instruction acquisition unit acquires instruction information indicating an instruction to supply a recording medium having a quantity that can be continuously supplied by the second supply unit. In addition, based on the information stored in the storage unit, the second supply unit supplies the recording medium corresponding to the instruction information acquired by the instruction acquisition unit with priority over the first supply unit. When the information output means outputs information prompting to change the setting, and the information output means outputs information prompting the second supply means to change the setting so that the recording medium is preferentially supplied. Based on the instruction receiving means for receiving an instruction to change the setting so that the first supply means supplies the recording medium corresponding to the instruction information acquired by the instruction acquiring means, and the instruction received by the instruction receiving means. The finger And a control means for the recording medium on which acquisition means corresponds to the acquired instruction information said first supply means for controlling so as to supply a recording medium supply apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first supply means for supplying a recording medium, a second supply means for supplying a recording medium, the second supply means having a configuration different from the first supply means, and the first supply means. Storage means for storing information on recording media that can be supplied by each of the supply means and the second supply means, and instruction information indicating an instruction to supply a recording medium having at least one of a size and an attribute acquired Instruction acquisition means, a determination means for determining whether or not a recording medium corresponding to the instruction information acquired by the instruction acquisition means can be supplied, and a record corresponding to the instruction information acquired by the instruction acquisition means Whether the first supply means or the second supply means can supply the medium, or the recording medium corresponding to the instruction information acquired by the instruction acquisition means is the first supply means as well as Either serial second supply means is whether it is possible supplied a recording medium supplying device having a condition accepting means for accepting an input for setting a determination condition of said judging means.

  In the present invention according to claim 8, the condition accepting unit can supply the recording medium corresponding to the instruction information acquired by the instruction acquiring unit by either the first supply unit or the second supply unit. When an input for setting whether or not there is a determination condition of the determination unit is accepted, and the determination result by the determination unit is determined that neither the first supply unit nor the second supply unit can be supplied, Based on the information stored in the storage means, an information output for outputting information for urging to change the setting so that either the first supply means or the second supply means supplies with priority The recording medium supply device according to claim 7, further comprising means.

  The present invention according to claim 9 is characterized in that the second supply means is capable of continuously supplying a number of recording media equal to or less than a quantity that the first supply means can continuously supply, and the condition receiving means includes: An input for setting whether or not each of the first supply unit and the second supply unit can be supplied as a determination condition of the determination unit is accepted, and a determination result by the determination unit is the first supply unit. And the second supply means cannot be supplied, and the first supply means and the second supply means can be supplied by changing a predetermined setting, and the first supply means can be supplied. When the instruction acquisition means acquires instruction information indicating an instruction to supply recording media exceeding the quantity that can be continuously supplied by two supply means, the instruction acquisition means is based on information stored in the storage means Get Information output means for outputting information for urging to change the setting so that the first supply means supplies the recording medium corresponding to the designated information in preference to the second supply means. A recording medium supply apparatus according to claim 7.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, an image forming unit, a first supply unit that supplies a recording medium to the image forming unit, and a configuration different from the first supply unit are provided, and the recording medium is supplied. A second supply means; a storage means for storing information of a recording medium that can be supplied by each of the first supply means and the second supply means; and a recording medium in which at least one of a size and an attribute is designated At least one of the first supply means and the second supply means, the instruction acquisition means for acquiring instruction information indicating an instruction to supply the recording medium, and the recording medium corresponding to the instruction information acquired by the instruction acquisition means; A determination unit that determines whether or not supply is possible, and the first supply when the determination result by the determination unit indicates that neither the first supply unit nor the second supply unit can be supplied. Means And information output means for outputting information for prompting to make configuration changes to supply preferentially either one of said second feeding means, an image forming apparatus having a.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the operation by the operator can be reduced and the recording medium can be efficiently supplied according to the type of the recording medium, compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. .

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the present invention, when the information output by the information output means is different from the operator's intention, the recording medium is selected according to the operator's intention. Can be supplied.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the operation by the operator and efficiently supply the recording medium according to the type of the recording medium as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. .

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the operation by the operator can be reduced and the recording medium can be efficiently supplied according to the type of the recording medium as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. .

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the present invention according to the fourth aspect, when the information output by the information output means is different from the intention of the operator, the recording medium is selected according to the intention of the operator. Can be supplied.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the present invention according to the fourth aspect, when the information output by the information output means is different from the operator's intention, the recording medium is selected according to the operator's intention. Can be supplied.

  According to the present invention of claim 7, the operator can set whether to distinguish between the first supply means and the second supply means, as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. it can.

  According to the present invention according to claim 8, in addition to the effect of the present invention according to claim 7, the operation by the operator is reduced and the type of the recording medium is reduced as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. Accordingly, the recording medium can be supplied efficiently.

  According to the present invention of claim 9, in addition to the effect of the present invention of claim 7, compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided, the operation by the operator is reduced, and the type of the recording medium is reduced. Accordingly, the recording medium can be supplied efficiently.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the operation by the operator and efficiently supply the recording medium according to the type of the recording medium as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. .

1 is a side view illustrating an outline of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a periphery of a control unit of the image forming apparatus. It is a graph which shows the information regarding the recording medium supply apparatus which a memory | storage part memorize | stores. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process (S10) executed by a CPU in a first example of an automatic paper selection function. It is an example of a screen displayed by the UI device so as to prompt the user to change the setting of the standard tray or the manual feed tray. 10 is a flowchart showing processing (S20) executed by a CPU in a modification of the first example of the automatic paper selection function. 10 is a flowchart showing a process (S30) executed by a CPU in a second example of an automatic paper selection function. 6 is a chart showing an operation example of the image forming apparatus when the first example or the second example of the automatic paper selection function is executed.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an outline of an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming apparatus main body 12, and a user interface (UI) device 14 and an image reading apparatus 15 for reading an image such as a scanner are provided above the image forming apparatus main body 12. . The UI device 14 includes a display unit that displays various control information, instruction information, and the like, and an input unit such as a touch panel that accepts input of instruction information, and receives and acquires instruction information input by an operator. . That is, the worker can operate the image forming apparatus 10 via the UI device 14. A manual feed tray 16 is provided on the front side of the image forming apparatus main body 12, and a paper discharge tray 18 is provided on the back side of the image forming apparatus main body 12 for discharging a recording medium such as paper on which an image is formed. Yes.

  The manual feed tray 16 supports a recording medium supplied by an operator from the outside of the image forming apparatus main body 12 and supplies the supported recording medium toward the inside of the image forming apparatus main body 12. In other words, the manual feed tray 16 has fewer restrictions on the size and attributes of recording media that can be supplied than a standard tray described later, and can supply a plurality of types of recording media with a high degree of freedom in accordance with predetermined settings. It has been made possible. Further, another manual feed tray 17 may be provided below the manual feed tray 16.

In the image forming apparatus main body 12, a first paper feed unit (first standard tray) 20, a second paper feed unit (second standard tray) 22, and a third paper feed unit (third The standard tray) 24 and the fourth paper supply unit (fourth standard tray) 26 are accommodated. The first paper feed unit 20, the second paper feed unit 22, the third paper feed unit 24, and the fourth paper feed unit 26 are, for example, a plurality of types of recordings of A3 size or less according to a predetermined setting. The medium can be supplied.
Hereinafter, the first paper feed unit 20, the second paper feed unit 22, the third paper feed unit 24, and the fourth paper feed unit 26 may be simply abbreviated as “standard tray”.

  The manual feed tray 16, the first paper feed unit 20, the second paper feed unit 22, the third paper feed unit 24, the fourth paper feed unit 26, and the like supply a recording medium to an image forming unit 92 described later. A recording medium supply device 28 is configured, each of which includes a feeding roll 30 for feeding the recording medium at the upper part on the front end side, and a feeding roll 32 for feeding the recording medium fed by the feeding roll 30 toward the image forming unit 92. And a roll 34 for preventing the recording medium not in contact with the supply roll 32 from being conveyed.

  The conveyance path 36 is a recording medium path from the recording medium supply device 28 provided with a plurality of conveyance rolls 37 to the paper discharge tray 18, and a secondary, which will be described later, is disposed upstream of the fixing device 38 in the conveyance path 36. A transfer position is disposed, and a resist roll 39 is disposed upstream of the secondary transfer position.

  Accordingly, the recording medium supplied from the recording medium supply device 28 is guided to the conveyance path 36, temporarily stopped by the resist roll 39, and the developer image is secondarily transferred at the secondary transfer position at the timing, and the secondary transfer is performed. The transferred developer image is fixed by the fixing device 38 and discharged to the paper discharge tray 18 by the discharge roll 40.

  The recording medium is returned to the reverse path 44 in the case of duplex printing. That is, the front side of the discharge roll 40 in the conveyance path 36 is divided into two forks, a switching device 46 is provided at the divided part, and a reversing roll 48 that is made reversible is provided. A reversing path 44 returning to 39 is formed.

  Therefore, in the case of duplex printing, the switching device 46 is switched to the side where the reversing path 44 is opened, the recording medium is guided to the reversing path 44, and the reversing roll 48 is reversed when the front end of the recording medium is applied. The roll 48 is reversed, returned to the registration roll 39 by a plurality of conveyance rolls 50 and the like, and again discharged to the discharge tray 18 by the discharge roll 40 through the secondary transfer position and the fixing device 38.

  The image forming apparatus main body 12 has, for example, four image forming modules 52a to 52d in the upper part, and these image forming modules 52a to 52d are yellow, yellow, magenta and cyan contained in a developer box (not shown). (Cyan) and black (Black) developers are received. Further, the image forming modules 52a to 52d include image bearing members 54a to 54d, chargers 56a to 56d, optical writing devices (ROS) 58a to 58d, developing devices 60a to 60d, primary transfer rolls 62a to 62d, and the like. Cleaning devices 64a to 64d are housed respectively. The chargers 56a to 56d uniformly charge the photoreceptors 54a to 54d. The optical writing devices 58a to 58d are arranged above the image forming modules 52a to 52d, and form a latent image on the photosensitive members 54a to 54d by emitting scanning light toward the charged photosensitive members 54a to 54d, respectively. . The developing devices 60a to 60d develop the latent images formed on the photoconductors 54a to 54d, which are visualized by four color developers of yellow, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively. Make a drug image.

  An intermediate transfer belt 66 runs between the photoreceptors 54a to 54d and the primary transfer rolls 62a to 62d. When the primary transfer rolls 62a to 62d are pressed against the photoconductors 54a to 54d via the intermediate transfer belt 66, the developer images held by the photoconductors 54a to 54d are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 66 in an overlapping manner. That is, a color developer image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 66. The cleaning devices 64a to 64d are, for example, cleaning blades, and scrape off the developer remaining on the photoreceptors 54a to 54d after the developer image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 66.

  The intermediate transfer belt 66 includes a conveying roll 68 for the intermediate transfer belt 66, a drive roll 70 for driving the intermediate transfer belt 66, a tension roll 72 for applying a predetermined tension to the intermediate transfer belt 66, and an intermediate transfer belt 66. An auxiliary roll 76 that assists the cleaning device 74 that scrapes off the developer remaining on the transfer belt 66 and a secondary transfer backup roll 78 are provided. A secondary transfer roll 80 is in pressure contact with the secondary transfer backup roll 78 via the intermediate transfer belt 66 at the secondary transfer position, and the recording medium conveyed from the recording medium supply device 28 contacts the recording medium on the intermediate transfer belt 66. The developer image is transferred. A fixing device 38 is disposed downstream of the secondary transfer roll 80. The fixing device 38 conveys the color developer image while fixing it on the recording medium. Further, a sensor 82 for detecting a developer image on the intermediate transfer belt 66 is provided in the vicinity of the intermediate transfer belt 66.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus main body 12, a control unit 84 that controls each unit constituting the image forming apparatus 10 is provided.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the periphery of the control unit 84 of the image forming apparatus 10.
The control unit 84 includes, for example, a CPU 86, and is connected to a storage unit 88, a communication device 90, an image forming unit 92, and the like in addition to the UI device 14 and the image reading device 15 described above. The storage unit 88 includes, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a memory, and the like, and stores information related to the recording medium supply device 28 (status of the recording medium supply device 28 and the like) (details using FIG. 3). Description). The communication device 90 transmits / receives a signal to / from the network 94 based on the control of the CPU 86, for example. The image forming unit 92 includes the above-described image forming modules 52a to 52d, the intermediate transfer belt 66, the secondary transfer roll 80, and the like.

FIG. 3 is a chart showing information related to the recording medium supply device 28 stored in the storage unit 88.
As shown in FIG. 3, the storage unit 88 includes, for example, a first paper feeding unit (first standard tray) 20, a second paper feeding unit (second standard tray) 22, and a third paper feeding unit ( (3rd standard tray) 24 and 4th paper feed unit (4th standard tray) 26, the specific size of the recording medium currently accommodated, the availability of the supply of A3 size recording medium, and the special size ( For example, whether or not a 12 × 18 inch recording medium can be supplied, the specific size of the recording medium currently supported by the manual feed tray 16, whether or not an A3 size recording medium can be supplied, and a special size (for example, 12 × 18) Inch), information indicating whether or not a recording medium can be supplied is stored.

  For example, the storage unit 88 stores, as a setting, that the first paper supply unit 20 accommodates a B4 size recording medium in a horizontally long state so as to be supplied. In the first paper feeding unit 20, the control unit 84 stores recording medium information related to the size (size) of the recording medium that can be supplied to the image forming unit 92 according to the currently stored recording medium. The setting is made so as to obtain from 88. The first paper feeding unit 20 is set by a sensor provided in the first paper feeding unit 20 and set by the control unit 84 according to the detection result of the size of the recording medium detected by the sensor. Alternatively, the operator may be set via the UI device 14. The control unit 84 controls each unit constituting the image forming apparatus 10 according to the setting for the recording medium supply device 28 (including the first paper feeding unit 20) stored in the storage unit 88, and performs recording according to the setting. Control is performed so that the medium is supplied from the recording medium supply device 28 to the image forming unit 92 to form an image on the recording medium.

  For example, when the sensor provided in the first paper feeding unit 20 detects an A3 size recording medium, the storage unit 88 sends A3 to the image forming unit 92 from the first paper feeding unit 20. Information indicating that a recording medium of a size can be supplied may be stored as a setting. That is, according to the detection result of the sensor that detects the size of the recording medium, or the recording medium that can be supplied by the first paper feeding unit 20 by the operator through the UI device 14, The setting for one sheet feeding unit 20 can be changed.

Further, the storage unit 88 stores information indicating that the first paper feeding unit 20 cannot supply a special (larger than A3 size) recording medium such as a 12 × 18 inch recording medium. Yes.
Note that the recording medium information relating to the recording medium that can be supplied to the image forming unit 92 may include not only the size (size) of the recording medium described above but also the attributes of the recording medium, for example. If at least one of these is different, the information indicates that the recording medium is of a different type.

Similarly, the storage unit 88 stores the B4 size recording medium in a horizontally long state so as to be able to be supplied in the second sheet feeding unit 22, and the third sheet feeding unit 24 and the fourth sheet feeding unit. 26 stores as a setting that the A4 size recording medium is accommodated so that it can be supplied in the portrait state, and that the manual feed tray 16 supports the B5 size recording medium so that it can be supplied in the portrait state. ing.
In addition, the storage unit 88 is provided, for example, when a sensor provided in each of the second paper feed unit 22, the third paper feed unit 24, and the fourth paper feed unit 26 detects an A3 size recording medium. Is information indicating that an A3-size recording medium can be supplied from the second paper feed unit 22, the third paper feed unit 24, and the fourth paper feed unit 26 to the image forming unit 92, respectively. Remember as settings. In other words, the detection result of the sensor for detecting the size of the recording medium, or when the operator inputs via the UI device 14, the second paper feeding unit 22, the third paper feeding unit 24, and the fourth paper feeding unit. The settings for the second paper feed unit 22, the third paper feed unit 24, and the fourth paper feed unit 26 can be changed in accordance with the recording medium that can be supplied by each paper unit 26.
The storage unit 88 also supplies a special recording medium such as a 12 × 18 inch recording medium to the second paper feeding unit 22, the third paper feeding unit 24, and the fourth paper feeding unit 26. Information indicating that it cannot be performed, and information indicating that the manual feed tray 16 can supply a special recording medium such as an A3 size recording medium and a 12 × 18 inch recording medium are stored.

  When the image forming apparatus 10 receives a print instruction (job) via, for example, the network 94, the first sheet feeding unit 20 and the second sheet feeding unit according to the recording medium information stored in the storage unit 88. 22, the third paper feed unit 24, the fourth paper feed unit 26, and the manual feed tray 16 determine whether it is desirable to supply a recording medium to form an image, and the determination result via the UI device 14 And an automatic paper selection function for supplying a recording medium according to the determination result is provided. That is, the print instruction includes information specifying the size and attributes of the recording medium on which the image is to be formed, along with the image data to be printed, and the automatic paper selection function can supply the recording medium specified by the job. This is a function for selecting an appropriate paper feeding unit, and is a processing function performed by the CPU 86 executing a program in response to an instruction operation input by the operator via the UI device 14.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 10 forms an image on a recording medium in accordance with an image read by the image reading apparatus 15 or a print instruction input via the network 94 or the like. The print instruction includes information for specifying the size and attributes of the recording medium, for example. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus 10 supplies the recording medium whose size and attribute are specified by the print instruction from the recording medium supply device 28 to the image forming unit 92, and the image forming unit 92 forms an image on the supplied recording medium. .

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the process (S10) executed by the CPU 86 in the first example of the automatic paper selection function.
In the first example of the automatic paper selection function, the first paper feeding unit 20, the second paper feeding unit 22, the third paper feeding unit 24, and the fourth paper feeding unit 26 are regarded as standard trays, and manual feeding is performed. It is distinguished from the tray 16.

  When execution of the first example of the automatic paper selection function is instructed via the UI device 14, as shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 86 sets the recording medium designated by the job as the standard in step 100 (S100). It is determined whether or not supply from the tray is possible. If it is determined that the supply is possible, the process proceeds to S102. If it is determined that the supply is not possible, the process proceeds to S104.

In step 102 (S102), the CPU 86 controls to supply the recording medium from a standard tray capable of supplying the recording medium designated by the job.
If there are a plurality of standard trays that can supply the designated recording medium, the CPU 86 selects one of the standard trays according to a predetermined priority order.

  In step 104 (S104), the CPU 86 determines whether or not the recording medium designated by the job can be supplied from the manual feed tray 16, and proceeds to the processing of S106 if it is determined that it is not possible. If it is determined, the process proceeds to S108.

  In step 106 (S106), the CPU 86 controls to supply the recording medium designated by the job from the manual feed tray 16.

  In step 108 (S108), the CPU 86 changes the setting of the standard tray so that the recording medium designated by the job can be supplied from the standard tray based on the recording medium information stored in the storage unit 88 (see FIG. 3). If it is determined that it is possible, the process proceeds to S110. If it is determined that it is not possible, the process proceeds to S112.

In step 110 (S110), the CPU 86 displays a screen (described later with reference to FIG. 5) for prompting the user to change the setting of the standard tray so that the standard tray can be set to supply the recording medium designated by the job. The device 14 is controlled to display.
In the process of S108, if the CPU 86 determines that the setting can be changed so that the recording medium can be supplied from a plurality of standard trays, the CPU 86 in accordance with a predetermined priority order in the process of S110. The UI device 14 is controlled to display a screen prompting to change the standard tray setting.

  In step 112 (S112), the CPU 86 displays a screen (described later with reference to FIG. 5) that prompts the setting change of the manual feed tray 16 so that the manual feed tray 16 can be set to supply the recording medium designated by the job. The UI device 14 is controlled to display.

FIG. 5 is a screen example displayed by the UI device 14 so as to prompt the user to change the setting of the standard tray or the manual feed tray 16.
When the UI device 14 prompts the operator to change the setting of the standard tray or the manual feed tray 16 according to, for example, the first example of the automatic paper selection function illustrated in FIG. 4, the UI device 14 displays the guidance screen 100 illustrated in FIG. 5. .
The guidance screen 100 includes an accommodation state display unit 102 and an instruction display unit 104. The accommodation state display unit 102 is, for example, the size of the recording medium currently accommodated in the first paper supply unit 20, the second paper supply unit 22, the third paper supply unit 24, and the fourth paper supply unit 26. And the size and attribute of the recording medium currently supported by the manual feed tray 16 are displayed, and the first paper feeding unit 20, the second paper feeding unit 22, the third paper feeding unit 24, and the fourth paper are displayed. When the recording medium accommodated in the paper feeding unit 26 and the recording medium supported by the manual feed tray 16 are changed, it also functions as an instruction input receiving unit that accepts an instruction input instructing to change the setting of each size and attribute. Also good.

  For example, a sensor that detects the size and attributes of the recording medium in each of the first paper feed unit 20, the second paper feed unit 22, the third paper feed unit 24, the fourth paper feed unit 26, and the manual feed tray 16. Is provided, the accommodation state display unit 102 performs display according to the detection result of the sensor. The accommodation state display unit 102 is provided so that the CPU 86 performs a setting change for changing the determination condition in the automatic paper selection function when an operator inputs an instruction to change the setting via the accommodation state display unit 102. May be.

  For example, when the above-described processing of S110 or S112 is performed, the instruction display unit 104 displays the recording medium having the size (and attribute) designated by the job as the first paper feeding unit 20 and the second paper feeding unit 22. A display prompting the user to change the setting according to the processing result of S110 or S112 is set so that one of the third paper feeding unit 24, the fourth paper feeding unit 26, and the manual feed tray 16 can be supplied. Do.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process (S20) executed by the CPU 86 in the modification of the first example of the automatic paper selection function.
In the modification of the first example of the automatic paper selection function, substantially the same processing as that executed by the CPU 86 in the first example of the automatic paper selection function shown in FIG. It is.

As shown in FIG. 6, in step 200 (S200), the CPU 86 receives information indicating the maximum number of recording media (manual tray capacity) that can be supplied by the manual tray 16 from the storage unit 88, for example, and is designated by the job. It is determined whether or not the total number of recording medium outputs is equal to or less than the manual feed tray capacity. If it is determined that the total print medium capacity is equal to or less than the manual feed tray capacity, the process proceeds to S112. Proceed to processing.
That is, in the process of S20, when the total number of output of the recording medium designated by the job is equal to or less than the capacity of the manual feed tray 16, the setting is changed so that the manual feed tray 16 can supply the print medium with priority over the standard tray. It is urged to be done.

Next, a second example of the automatic paper selection function will be described.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the process (S30) executed by the CPU 86 in the second example of the automatic paper selection function.
Note that, in the modified example of the second example of the automatic paper selection function, the same reference numerals are assigned to substantially the same processes as those executed by the CPU 86 in the first example of the automatic paper selection function shown in FIG. It is.

As shown in FIG. 7, in step 300 (S300), the CPU 86 determines whether or not the recording medium designated by the job can be supplied from the recording medium supply device 28 (either the standard tray or the manual feed tray 16). If it is determined that supply is possible, the process proceeds to S302. If it is determined that supply is not possible, the process proceeds to S112.
That is, in the process of S300, the CPU 86 determines whether the recording medium can be supplied from either one without distinguishing between the standard tray and the manual feed tray 16.

In step 302 (S302), the CPU 86 controls so that either the standard tray or the manual feed tray 16 determined to be capable of supplying the recording medium by the process of S300 supplies the recording medium, and starts supplying the recording medium. .
In the process of S300, if the CPU 86 determines that the recording medium can be supplied from the plurality of standard trays or the manual feed tray 16, the recording medium is transferred from the standard tray or the manual feed tray 16 according to a predetermined priority order. The supply has been started.

FIG. 8 is a chart showing an operation example of the image forming apparatus 10 when the first example or the second example of the automatic paper selection function is executed.
In FIG. 8, the operation example in which there is a distinction between the manual feed tray 16 and the standard tray is an operation example in which the first example of the automatic paper selection function is executed, and the distinction between the manual feed tray 16 and the standard tray is made. The operation example in which there is no operation is an operation example in which the second example of the automatic paper selection function is executed.
As shown in Operation Example 1, when the first example of the automatic paper selection function is executed and the size of the recording medium designated by the job is A3, the CPU 86 displays the recording medium supply device 28 shown in FIG. The control is performed so that the UI device 14 displays a screen that prompts the user to change the standard tray paper size.
When the CPU 86 determines that the recording medium can be supplied from a plurality of standard trays, the CPU 86 performs control to display a screen that prompts the user to change the standard tray settings according to a predetermined priority order. .

As shown in the operation example 2, when the second example of the automatic paper selection function is executed and the size of the recording medium designated by the job is A3, the CPU 86 displays the recording medium supply device 28 shown in FIG. The control is performed so that the UI device 14 displays a screen for prompting the user to change the paper size of the standard tray or the manual feed tray 16.
If the CPU 86 determines that the recording medium can be supplied from a plurality of standard trays or the manual feed tray 16, the CPU 86 prompts the user to change the setting of the standard tray or the manual feed tray 16 according to a predetermined priority order. Control to display.

  As shown in the operation example 3, when the first example of the automatic paper selection function is executed and the size of the recording medium designated by the job is 12 × 18 inches, the CPU 86 displays the recording medium shown in FIG. A determination is made according to the information related to the supply device 28, and control is performed so that the UI device 14 displays a screen for prompting the user to change the paper size of the manual feed tray 16.

  As shown in the operation example 4, when the second example of the automatic paper selection function is executed and the size of the recording medium designated by the job is 12 × 18 inches, the CPU 86 displays the recording medium shown in FIG. A determination is made according to the information related to the supply device 28, and control is performed so that the UI device 14 displays a screen for prompting the user to change the paper size of the manual feed tray 16.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the standard tray and the manual feed tray 16 have different configurations has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A unit or a sheet feeding unit having a different number of recording media can be a sheet feeding unit having a different configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 12 Image forming apparatus main body 14 UI apparatus 15 Image reading apparatus 16 Manual feed tray 18 Paper discharge tray 20 1st paper feed unit 22 2nd paper feed unit 24 3rd paper feed unit 26 4th paper feed Unit 28 Recording medium supply device 36 Conveying path 38 Fixing devices 52a to 52d Image forming module 84 Control unit 86 CPU
88 storage unit 92 image forming unit 100 guide screen 102 accommodation state display unit 104 instruction display unit

Claims (10)

First supply means for supplying a recording medium;
A second supply unit having a configuration different from the first supply unit, for supplying a recording medium;
Storage means for storing information on a recording medium that can be supplied by each of the first supply means and the second supply means;
Instruction acquisition means for acquiring instruction information indicating an instruction to supply a recording medium in which at least one of a size and an attribute is specified;
A determination unit that determines whether at least one of the first supply unit and the second supply unit can supply a recording medium corresponding to the instruction information acquired by the instruction acquisition unit;
When it is determined that neither the first supply unit nor the second supply unit can supply the determination result by the determination unit, based on the information stored in the storage unit, the first supply unit or the Information output means for outputting information prompting to change the setting so that either one of the second supply means supplies with priority;
A recording medium supply apparatus comprising: When the information output means outputs information that prompts the user to change the setting so that either the first supply means or the second supply means preferentially supplies the recording medium, An instruction receiving means for accepting an instruction to change the setting so that the other of the first supply means or the second supply means supplies;
Control means for controlling the other of the first supply means or the second supply means to supply based on the instruction received by the instruction receiving means;
The recording medium supply device according to claim 1, comprising: First supply means for supplying a recording medium;
A second supply unit having a configuration different from the first supply unit, for supplying a recording medium;
Storage means for storing information on a recording medium that can be supplied by each of the first supply means and the second supply means;
Instruction acquisition means for acquiring instruction information indicating an instruction to supply a recording medium in which at least one of a size and an attribute is specified;
Determining means for determining whether or not each of the first supply means and the second supply means can supply a recording medium corresponding to the instruction information acquired by the instruction acquisition means;
Based on the information stored in the storage unit, when the determination result by the determination unit is that both the first supply unit and the second supply unit can supply, the first supply unit or the second supply unit Control means for controlling to supply one of the second supply means preferentially;
A recording medium supply apparatus comprising: First supply means for supplying a recording medium;
A second supply means capable of continuously supplying a number of recording media equal to or less than a quantity that can be continuously supplied by the first supply means;
Storage means for storing information on a recording medium that can be supplied by each of the first supply means and the second supply means;
Instruction acquisition means for acquiring instruction information indicating an instruction to supply a recording medium in which at least one of a size and an attribute and a quantity is specified;
Determining means for determining whether or not each of the first supply means and the second supply means can supply a recording medium corresponding to the instruction information acquired by the instruction acquisition means;
The determination result by the determination means is that neither the first supply means nor the second supply means can be supplied, and the first supply means and the second supply are changed by changing a predetermined setting. When the instruction acquisition unit acquires instruction information indicating an instruction to supply recording media that can be supplied by any of the supply units and exceeds the quantity that the second supply unit can continuously supply, the storage is performed. Based on the information stored by the means, the setting is changed so that the first supply means supplies the recording medium corresponding to the instruction information acquired by the instruction acquisition means with priority over the second supply means. Information output means for outputting information prompting to perform; and
A recording medium supply apparatus comprising: When the information output means outputs information prompting the setting change so that the first supply means preferentially supplies the recording medium, the recording medium corresponding to the instruction information is set to the second information medium. An instruction receiving means for accepting an instruction to change the setting to be supplied by the supplying means;
Control means for controlling the second supply means to supply a recording medium corresponding to the instruction information based on the instruction received by the instruction receiving means;
The recording medium supply device according to claim 4, comprising: The information output means includes
Based on the information stored in the storage means when the instruction acquisition means acquires instruction information indicating an instruction to supply recording media whose quantity can be continuously supplied by the second supply means. Outputting information urging to change the setting so that the second supply unit supplies the recording medium corresponding to the instruction information acquired by the acquisition unit with priority over the first supply unit;
A record corresponding to the instruction information acquired by the instruction acquisition unit when the information output unit outputs information that prompts the second supply unit to change the setting so that the recording medium is supplied with priority. An instruction receiving means for receiving an instruction to change a setting so that the first supply means supplies a medium;
Control means for controlling the first supply means to supply a recording medium corresponding to the instruction information acquired by the instruction acquisition means based on the instruction received by the instruction receiving means;
The recording medium supply device according to claim 4, comprising: First supply means for supplying a recording medium;
A second supply unit having a configuration different from the first supply unit, for supplying a recording medium;
Storage means for storing information on a recording medium that can be supplied by each of the first supply means and the second supply means;
Instruction acquisition means for acquiring instruction information indicating an instruction to supply a recording medium in which at least one of a size and an attribute is specified;
Determining means for determining whether or not a recording medium corresponding to the instruction information acquired by the instruction acquiring means can be supplied;
Whether the first supply unit or the second supply unit can supply the recording medium corresponding to the instruction information acquired by the instruction acquisition unit, or acquired by the instruction acquisition unit Condition receiving means for accepting an input for setting as a determination condition of the determination means whether or not each of the first supply means and the second supply means can supply the recording medium corresponding to the instruction information. When,
A recording medium supply apparatus comprising: Whether the condition accepting unit can supply the recording medium corresponding to the instruction information acquired by the instruction acquiring unit by either the first supply unit or the second supply unit. Based on the information stored in the storage means when the determination result by the determination means is determined to be unable to supply either the first supply means or the second supply means. An information output means for outputting information prompting to change the setting so that either the first supply means or the second supply means supplies with priority.
The recording medium supply device according to claim 7, further comprising: The second supply means includes
The first supply means can continuously supply recording media of a quantity that can be continuously supplied,
The condition accepting unit accepts an input for setting as a determination condition of the determining unit whether or not each of the first supplying unit and the second supplying unit can supply, and the determination result by the determining unit is Neither the first supply means nor the second supply means can be supplied, and both the first supply means and the second supply means can be supplied by changing a predetermined setting. And when the instruction acquisition unit acquires instruction information indicating an instruction to supply recording media exceeding the quantity that can be continuously supplied by the second supply unit, based on information stored in the storage unit Information prompting the first supply unit to supply the recording medium corresponding to the instruction information acquired by the instruction acquisition unit with priority over the second supply unit. The information output means for outputting,
The recording medium supply device according to claim 7, further comprising: Image forming means;
First supply means for supplying a recording medium to the image forming means;
A second supply unit having a configuration different from the first supply unit, for supplying a recording medium;
Storage means for storing information on a recording medium that can be supplied by each of the first supply means and the second supply means;
Instruction acquisition means for acquiring instruction information indicating an instruction to supply a recording medium in which at least one of a size and an attribute is specified;
A determination unit that determines whether at least one of the first supply unit and the second supply unit can supply a recording medium corresponding to the instruction information acquired by the instruction acquisition unit;
When it is determined that neither the first supply unit nor the second supply unit can supply the determination result by the determination unit, either the first supply unit or the second supply unit has priority. Information output means for outputting information prompting to change the setting so as to be supplied,
An image forming apparatus.

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