JP2009292575A - Image forming device and its paper feed method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of replenishing paper without causing a problem such as a jam even during execution of a job.
In an image forming apparatus using a paper feed cassette that is provided with a transport path in which a part of paper transported from another paper feed cassette joins, a user performs paper replenishment during job execution. Then, it is determined whether or not the designated paper cassette can be replenished. When the paper supply is impossible, the job is interrupted to prompt the paper supply.
[Selection] Figure 8

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a sheet feeding method thereof, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus in which a conveyance path through which a sheet fed from another sheet feeding cassette is conveyed is provided in a part of the sheet feeding cassette. The present invention relates to a paper feeding method.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, image forming apparatuses such as printers and copiers are provided with a plurality of paper feed cassettes, and a conveyance path for carrying paper fed from another paper feed cassette is provided in a part of the paper feed cassette. There is something. In such an image forming apparatus, when an image forming operation is being performed, if a paper feeding cassette that is feeding paper or a paper feeding cassette that is located downstream of the paper feeding path from the paper feeding cassette that is feeding paper is opened, a jam occurs. Will occur. In order to prevent such a problem, there is one having a lock mechanism so as not to open the paper feed cassette (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-183579

  However, the conventional image forming apparatus including the paper feed cassette does not respond to the user's desire to replenish paper in another paper feed cassette during the execution of the image forming operation. Also, after submitting an image forming job that uses a large amount of paper, you want to replenish the paper in other paper cassettes in the image forming apparatus during the job so that the paper runs out during the job. There is a request. In other words, if paper can be replenished to another paper cassette during the image forming operation, even if there is no paper in the paper cassette in use, it can be immediately switched to another paper cassette, and the interruption time of the image forming operation can be reduced. It can be shortened.

  Also, in many image forming apparatuses, even if there is no paper in the paper feed cassette in use, if there is another paper feed cassette that contains paper of the same size, the automatic paper feed cassette switches automatically. Has a switching function. Therefore, if paper can be replenished to another paper feed cassette during the image forming operation, even if there is no paper in the paper feed cassette in use, it is not necessary to interrupt an image forming job that uses a large amount of paper.

  The present invention provides an image forming apparatus in which a part of a paper feed cassette is provided with a conveyance path through which paper fed from another paper feed cassette is conveyed, and paper supply is performed without causing a jam or the like even during an image forming operation. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a paper feeding method thereof.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that performs an image forming operation, and is a sheet feeding unit that feeds a stored sheet, and is fed from another sheet feeding unit. A plurality of paper feed units having a transport path through which the paper sheet is transported; a designation unit for designating one of the plurality of paper feed units; and the image forming operation during execution of the image forming operation In the case where another sheet feeding unit different from the sheet feeding unit in use is designated by the designation unit, the judgment unit judges whether or not the designated sheet feeding unit can be replenished with paper. When it is determined that the paper cannot be supplied, the paper supply from the paper supply unit in use is interrupted in the image forming operation being executed, and the paper supply is stopped after the paper supply to the paper supply unit specified by the specification unit is performed. And a control means for restarting paper feeding. .

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that performs an image forming operation, and is a sheet feeding unit that feeds a stored sheet, and is fed from another sheet feeding unit. A plurality of paper feed units having a transport path through which the paper sheet is transported; a designation unit for designating one of the plurality of paper feed units; and the image forming operation during execution of the image forming operation Determining means for determining whether or not the paper feeding means designated by the designation means can be replenished when another paper feeding means different from the paper feeding means in use is designated by the designation means; And a control unit that switches to another paper feeding unit that can feed paper when the judgment unit determines that the paper cannot be replenished, and returns the paper to the original paper feeding unit after the paper is replenished. To do.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper feeding method for feeding the stored paper, wherein a paper feeding path for feeding paper fed from another paper feeding means is provided. In an image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of sheet feeding units having a plurality of sheet feeding units; and a designating unit for designating one of the plurality of sheet feeding units. Whether or not the designated paper feeding means can be replenished when another paper feeding means different from the paper feeding means being used in the image forming operation is designated by the designation means during execution of the image forming operation. And when it is determined that the paper cannot be replenished in the determination step, the paper feeding from the paper feeding unit in use in the image forming operation being performed is interrupted and designated by the designation unit. After replenishing paper to the paper feeding means, the system resumes suspended paper feeding. Characterized in that it comprises a step.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet feeding method for feeding a stored sheet, wherein the sheet is fed from another sheet feeding unit. In an image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of sheet feeding units having a plurality of sheet feeding units; and a designating unit for designating one of the plurality of sheet feeding units. Whether or not the designated paper feeding means can be replenished when another paper feeding means different from the paper feeding means being used in the image forming operation is designated by the designation means during execution of the image forming operation. When the determination means determines that the paper cannot be supplied, the paper is switched to another paper supply means that can supply paper, and after the paper is supplied, the job is supplied from the original paper supply means. And a control step of returning to (1).

  According to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus in which a part of a paper feed cassette is provided with a transport path through which paper fed from another paper feed cassette is transported, there is a problem such as a jam even during an image forming operation. The paper can be supplied without causing any trouble.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic structure of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an electrophotographic printer 1 and a reader 2 that reads an image of a document. The printer 1 is roughly composed of an image forming unit, a paper feeding unit, an intermediate transfer unit, a fixing unit, an operation unit, and a control unit (not shown).

  In the image forming unit, four stations having the same configuration corresponding to yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K) are arranged in parallel. Each station includes a photosensitive drum, a roller charger, a scanner, and a developing device described below. Photosensitive drums 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d as image carriers are supported by their central axes and are rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown) in the arrow direction. Roller chargers 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d, scanners 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d, and developing devices 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d are arranged in the rotational direction facing the outer peripheral surfaces of the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d. .

  The roller chargers 12a to 12d give a uniform charge amount to the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d. The scanners 13a to 13d irradiate the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d with light beams such as laser beams, which are modulated according to the image signal, to form an electrostatic latent image thereon.

  The developing devices 14a to 14d respectively store four color developers (toners) such as yellow, cyan, magenta, and black, and visualize the electrostatic latent images on the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d. The visualized visible image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 30.

  The paper feed unit includes a paper feed cassette for storing paper (recording material) P, a roller for transporting the paper P, a sensor for detecting the passage of the paper P, a sensor for detecting the presence of the paper P, and It comprises a guide (not shown) for transporting the paper P along the transport path. Paper P is stored in the paper feed cassettes 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d.

  The pickup rollers 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d are paper feed rollers that feed the paper P one by one. A plurality of sheets P may be sent out by the pickup rollers 22a to 22d, but only one sheet is reliably separated by the roller pairs 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d. The sheet P separated by only one sheet by the roller pairs 23a to 23d is further conveyed to a registration roller (hereinafter referred to as a registration roller) pair 25 by a roller pair 24a to 24d and a roller pair 26.

  The sheets P stored in the manual feed tray 27 are separated one by one by a roller 29 and conveyed to a registration roller pair 25 by a pair 26. Further, the sheet P is conveyed to the registration roller pair 25 by the roller pair 26.

  The paper feed cassettes 21a, 21b, and 21c include conveyance paths 80a, 80b, and 80c, respectively. When paper is fed from a paper feed cassette positioned lower (downstream) than each paper feed cassette, the transport paths 80a to 80c are used as transport paths. Since the transport paths 80a to 80c are provided in the paper feed cassettes 21a to 21c, when any of the paper feed cassettes is opened to supply paper when these transport paths are used as a transport path. A jam or the like may occur. The paper feed cassette open / close sensors 83a, 83b, 83c, and 83d detect whether the paper feed cassettes 21a to 21d are opened (drawn) or closed.

  The intermediate transfer unit includes an intermediate transfer belt 30, a driving roller 32, a tension roller 33, a driven roller 34, primary transfer rollers 35a to 35d, a secondary transfer roller 36, a cleaning device 50, and a waste toner box 52. Consists of For example, PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or PVdF (polyvinylidene fluoride) is used as the material of the intermediate transfer belt 30. The intermediate transfer belt 30 is supported by a driving roller 32, a tension roller 33, and a driven roller 34.

  The driving roller 32 transmits driving to the intermediate transfer belt 30. The drive roller 32 is coated with rubber (urethane or chloroprene) having a thickness of several millimeters on the surface of the metal roller to prevent slippage with the belt. The drive roller 32 is driven to rotate by a stepping motor (not shown). The tension roller 33 applies an appropriate tension to the intermediate transfer belt 30 by urging a spring (not shown).

  Primary transfer rollers 35 a to 35 d, on which the high pressure for transferring the toner image to the intermediate transfer belt 30 is applied on the back of the intermediate transfer belt 30 at the position where each of the photosensitive drums 11 a to 11 d faces the intermediate transfer belt 30. Is arranged. A secondary transfer roller 36 is disposed so as to face the driven roller 34, and a secondary transfer region is formed by a nip with the intermediate transfer belt 30.

  The secondary transfer roller 36 is pressed against the intermediate transfer member with an appropriate pressure. A cleaning device 50 for cleaning the image forming surface of the intermediate transfer belt 30 is disposed downstream of the secondary transfer region on the intermediate transfer belt 30. The cleaning device 50 includes a cleaner blade 51 (polyurethane rubber or the like is used as a material) and a waste toner box 52 that stores waste toner.

  The fixing unit 40 includes a fixing roller 41a having a heat source such as a halogen heater inside and a pressure roller 41b (this roller may also have a heat source), and the paper P discharged from the roller pair. It consists of an internal paper discharge roller 44 that conveys.

  The sheet P conveyed to the registration roller pair 25 stops and temporarily stops the rotation of the rollers upstream of the registration roller pair 25, and the upstream rollers including the registration roller pair 25 in accordance with the image formation timing of the image forming unit. The rotational drive is resumed. Then, the sheet P is sent out from the registration roller pair 25 to the secondary transfer area. The sheet P on which the image has been transferred in the secondary transfer area and the image has been fixed by the fixing unit 40 passes through the inner discharge roller 44 and is then conveyed in the direction of the reverse rollers 72a, 72b, 72c, and is discharged face-down. It is discharged to the tray 3. A plurality of sensors are arranged in the conveyance path of the paper P in order to detect the passage of the paper P. For example, there are paper feed retry sensors 64a, 64b, 64c, 64d, a registration sensor 67, an internal paper discharge sensor 68, a face-down paper discharge sensor 69, a double-side pre-registration sensor 70, and the like.

  Paper sensors 84a, 84b, 84c, and 84d that detect the presence or absence of the paper P are arranged in the paper feed cassettes 21a to 21d that store the paper P, and the manual tray 27 detects the presence or absence of the paper P on the manual tray 27. A paper sensor 76 is disposed.

  Although not shown in FIG. 1, a control unit including a control board and a motor drive board for controlling the operation of each functional unit is provided in the image forming apparatus.

  Next, the operation when the printer 1 transports the paper P from the paper feed cassette 21a will be described.

  After a predetermined time has elapsed since an image forming operation start signal is issued from a control unit (not shown), the paper P stored in the paper feed cassette 21a is sent out one by one by the pickup roller 22a. Then, the sheet P separated by only one sheet by the roller pair 23 a is conveyed to the registration roller pair 25 via the roller pair 24 a and the roller pair 26. At that time, the driving of the registration roller pair 25 is stopped, and the leading edge of the sheet P hits the nip portion of the registration roller pair 25. Thereafter, the registration roller pair 25 starts to rotate in synchronization with the timing at which the above-described image forming unit starts image formation. The start timing of this rotational drive is set so that the paper P and the toner image transferred from the image forming unit onto the intermediate transfer belt exactly coincide with each other in the secondary transfer region.

  On the other hand, in the image forming unit, when an image forming operation start signal is issued, the toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d by the above-described process are primarily transferred by the primary transfer rollers 35a to 35d to which a high voltage is applied. The image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 30 in the region. In this case, image formation is performed with a delay in the time during which the toner image is conveyed between the stations, and the next toner image is transferred with the leading edge of the image aligned on the previous image.

  Thereafter, the same process is repeated, and the four color toner images are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 30. Thereafter, when the paper P enters the secondary transfer region and contacts the intermediate transfer belt 30, a high voltage is applied to the secondary transfer roller 36 in accordance with the passage timing of the paper P. Then, the four color toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 30 by the above-described process are transferred onto the surface of the paper P. Thereafter, the paper P is guided to the nip portions of the fixing rollers 41a and 41b. The toner image is fixed on the surface of the paper by the heat of the fixing rollers 41a and 41b and the pressure of the nip. Thereafter, the paper is discharged to the face-down paper discharge tray 3 in accordance with the switching direction of a switching flapper (not shown).

  The printer 1 operates as a digital copying machine in cooperation with the reader 2.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of each functional unit in the image forming apparatus of FIG.

  The CPU 171 is a central processing unit that performs basic control of the image forming apparatus. The CPU 171 is connected to a ROM 174 in which a control program is written, a RAM 175 as a temporary storage unit, and an input / output port (I / O) 173 via an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 173 is connected to various loads (not shown) such as a drive motor, a stepping motor, and a clutch that drive the photosensitive drum, and the various sensors described above. Detection signals transmitted from various sensors are transmitted to the CPU 171 via the input / output port 173.

  The CPU 171 sequentially performs input / output control via the input / output port 173 in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 174 to cause the image forming unit to execute an image forming operation. In addition, an operation unit 172 is connected to the CPU 171 and controls a display and key input of the operation unit 172. The operation unit 172 is arranged on the upper surface of the reader 2 and can specify selection of a paper feed unit (paper feed cassettes 21a to 21d, manual feed tray 27) in which the paper P is stored. The user instructs the CPU 171 to switch the display of the image forming operation mode and the print output mode via the keys of the operation unit 172. The CPU 171 further displays the status of the printer 1 and the operation mode set by key input.

  Further, the CPU 171 processes a reader control unit 102 that controls the reader 2, a printer control unit 105 including the image forming unit of the printer 1 described above, and an image processing unit 170 that processes an input image signal. An image memory unit 103 for storing the received image data is connected.

  FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an example of the state of the printer 1 when the paper feed cassette 21b is opened.

  As shown in the figure, when paper is supplied to the paper feed cassette, for example, when the paper feed cassette 21b is opened (drawn), the transport path 80b between the transport path 80a and the transport path 80c is removed, and the paper transport is performed. The road is severed. For this reason, when the paper feed cassette 21b is feeding paper, a jam naturally occurs. In addition, even when the paper feed cassette 21c or the paper feed cassette 21d is being fed, jamming occurs when the paper feed cassette 21b is opened.

  On the other hand, even if the paper feed cassette 21b is opened while the paper feed cassette 21a is feeding paper, the job being executed can be continued as it is. In other words, during the execution of a job, for a paper cassette positioned upstream (in the illustrated example, in the lower direction) from the paper cassette being fed, the paper cassette is opened and paper is replenished while the job continues. It is possible. However, the paper feeding cassette being fed and the paper feeding cassette downstream (upward in the illustrated example) are jammed if these paper feeding cassettes are opened during job execution. If the operation is continued, the paper cannot be supplied.

  4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating an appearance and a screen display example of the operation unit 172. FIG. 4A is an initial screen (screen in a standby state), and FIG. 4B is a screen displayed during execution of a copy job.

  In FIG. 4A, a display 61 for displaying various information and operation keys, a numeric key 62, and a start key 63 are arranged on the operation unit 172. The display 61 is configured by a touch panel display, functions as an input unit for displayed keys, and can perform various settings of the image forming apparatus. The numeric key 62 is mainly used when setting the number of copies. The start key 63 is a key that is pressed when the user performs copying. When this key is pressed, the copy operation is started.

  For example, when 50 copy jobs are input to the printer 1, the display content of the display 61 is switched to the operation screen shown in FIG. On this operation screen, “50” indicating the number of copies, “copying” indicating that the copy job is being executed, and a paper supply key 71 are displayed. The paper supply key 71 is a key used for supplying paper during execution of a job. The paper supply key 71 is displayed on the operation screen while the job is being performed, and is not displayed when the job is not being performed. Even if the paper feed cassette is opened when the job is not being executed, the above-described jam or the like does not occur, and the paper can be replenished. Therefore, the paper supply key 71 is displayed only during execution of the job.

  5A and 5B are diagrams showing an appearance and a screen display example of the operation unit 172. FIG. 5A shows a screen displayed when the paper supply key 71 is pressed, and FIG. 5B shows the supply and supply in FIG. This is a screen that is displayed when the third paper feed cassette is selected on the paper tray selection screen 81.

  When the paper supply key 71 is pressed on the operation screen shown in FIG. 4B, the display content of the display 61 is switched to the supply paper feed stage selection screen 81 shown in FIG. The replenishing paper feed stage selection screen 81 displays paper feed stage keys 811, 812, 813, and 814 and a close key 815 for closing the screen and returning to the previous screen. The paper feed stage keys 811 to 814 correspond to the first to fourth paper feed cassettes 21a to 21d, respectively. For the paper cassette that is currently feeding paper, “Feeding” is displayed on the paper feed key. In the illustrated example, this is a screen when paper is being fed from the second-stage paper cassette, and “Feeding” is displayed on the paper feed key 812. On the replenishment paper feed stage selection screen 81, the user selects a paper feed stage key corresponding to a paper feed cassette to which paper is to be supplied. The process after the selection will be described later.

  When the close key 815 is pressed, the display content of the display 61 returns to the operation screen shown in FIG. When all the jobs of the printer 1 are completed, the image forming apparatus displays the screen “Job finished” on the operation screen and returns to the initial screen shown in FIG.

  For example, when the third paper feed stage key 813 is selected on the replenishment paper feed stage selection screen 81 shown in FIG. 5A, the display content of the display 61 is the screen shown in FIG. Switch to In this case, since the paper is fed from the second-stage paper cassette, there is no problem even if paper is supplied to the third-stage paper cassette. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5B, a display 91 (for example, “please replenish”) prompting the replenishment of the paper is displayed on the replenishment paper feed stage selection screen 81. Whether or not there is no problem even if paper is replenished is determined by whether or not the paper cassette to which paper is replenished is located downstream (lower) from the paper cassette currently being fed. The

  6A and 6B are diagrams showing an appearance and a screen display example of the operation unit 172. FIG. 6A shows a case where the first paper feed stage key 811 is selected on the replenishment paper feed stage selection screen 81 in FIG. It is a screen displayed on the screen. FIG. 6B is a screen displayed when the OK key 1011 is selected on the job suspension instruction screen 101 of FIG.

  For example, when the first paper feed stage key 811 is selected on the replenishing paper feed stage selection screen 81 shown in FIG. 5A, the display content of the display 61 is the job interruption instruction screen shown in FIG. Switch to 101. When the second-stage sheet cassette 21b is currently feeding, as described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the first-stage sheet feed downstream from the second-stage sheet cassette 21b. If the paper feed cassette 21a is opened to replenish paper in the cassette 21a, a jam occurs. Therefore, it is necessary to interrupt the job. Therefore, when the paper feed cassette selected on the replenishing paper feed stage selection screen 81 is being fed or is located downstream of the paper feed cassette being fed, the job interruption instruction screen 101 is displayed on the operation unit 172. Is displayed.

  On the job interruption instruction screen 101, an OK key 1011 and a cancel key 1012 are displayed together with a display indicating that the job is interrupted, “if you want to replenish paper in the first stage, the current job will be interrupted and resumed after replenishment”. Is displayed. If the cancel key 1012 is pressed here, the screen returns to the screen of FIG. On the other hand, when the OK key 1011 is pressed, the image forming apparatus starts an operation of canceling the current job, and the display content of the display 61 is switched to the job suspension screen 111 shown in FIG.

  In the job suspension screen 111 shown in FIG. 6B, a message indicating that the job is being suspended is displayed. The job suspension screen 111 is displayed until the job suspension is completed in the printer 1. When the job suspension is completed, the display is switched to the job suspension screen 121 shown in FIG.

  On the job interruption screen 121, a display for prompting the replenishment of paper “Job has been suspended. Please replenish the first sheet” and a “Resume without replenishment” key 1211 are displayed. When the “resume without replenishment” key 1211 is pressed, the image forming apparatus resumes the job, and the display content of the display 61 returns to the replenishment paper feed stage selection screen 81 shown in FIG. If the “restart without replenishment” key 1211 is not pressed, when the opening and then the closing of the first sheet cassette 21a are detected, the image forming apparatus determines that the user has replenished the sheet, and the job To resume.

  By performing the screen display and operation described above, the user can replenish paper in a desired paper feed cassette without causing problems such as jamming.

  Next, a series of operation processes of the printer 1 for supplying paper to the paper cassette during job execution will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation process of the printer 1 for supplying paper to the paper cassette during job execution in the first embodiment. This process is started after the paper supply key 71 is pressed on the operation screen shown in FIG. 4B during the execution of the job.

  First, in step S <b> 1300, the CPU 171 displays the replenishment paper feed stage selection screen 81 on the operation unit 172. Next, the CPU 171 determines whether or not a paper feed cassette for replenishing paper is designated on the replenishment paper feed stage selection screen 81, that is, one of the paper feed stage keys 811 to 814 has been selected (step S1301). ). Next, when the CPU 171 determines that none of the paper feed stage keys 811 to 814 is designated in step S1301, the CPU 171 determines whether or not the close key 815 is pressed (step S1302). If it is determined that the close key 815 has been pressed, the process ends.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 171 determines in step S1302 that the close key 815 has not been pressed, the CPU 171 determines whether or not the job has ended (step S1315). Whether or not the job is completed is determined by the CPU 171 confirming that the final sheet of the job has passed through the face-down paper discharge sensor 69. When the CPU 171 determines that the job has ended, the CPU 171 ends this processing. On the other hand, if the CPU 171 determines in step S1315 that the job has not ended, the process returns to step S1301.

  If the CPU 171 determines that any of the paper feed stage keys 811 to 814 has been designated, the designated paper feed cassette is currently on the upper stage ( It is determined whether it is located downstream (step S1303). Here, for example, the CPU 171 stores the current paper feeding cassette in the RAM 175 or the like and compares it with the designated paper feeding cassette. At this time, a value corresponding to the position is set in advance in the paper feeding cassette, and the positional relationship is determined by comparing the value of the designated paper feeding cassette with the value of the paper feeding cassette that is currently feeding paper. .

  As a result of the determination in step S1303, the CPU 171 determines that the designated paper feeding cassette is not located at the upper stage (downstream) of the currently feeding paper feeding cassette or the feeding paper feeding cassette (that is, upstream). If it is determined that there is, the process proceeds to step S1304. In step S1304, as shown in FIG. 5B, the CPU 171 displays a display 91 for prompting paper supply on the supply paper feed stage selection screen 81, and returns to step S1301.

  If the CPU 171 determines in step 1303 that the designated paper feed cassette is positioned at the upper stage (downstream) of the paper feed cassette that is currently feeding paper or the paper feed cassette that is currently feeding paper, FIG. Is switched to the job suspension instruction screen 101 (step S1305). Next, the CPU 171 determines whether or not the cancel key 1012 has been selected on the job interruption instruction screen 101 (step S1306). If the CPU 171 determines in step S1306 that the cancel key 1012 has been selected, the CPU 171 returns to step S1301. On the other hand, if the CPU 171 determines in step S1306 that the cancel key 1012 has not been selected, the CPU 171 determines whether or not the OK key 1011 on the job suspension instruction screen 101 has been pressed (step S1307).

  If the CPU 171 determines in step S1307 that the OK key 1011 has not been pressed, the process returns to step S1306. on the other hand. If it is determined in step S1307 that the OK key 1011 has been pressed, job suspension is started and the display is switched to the job suspension screen 111 shown in FIG. 6B (step S1308).

  Next, the CPU 171 determines whether or not the job interruption has ended (step S1309). If it is determined in step S1309 that the job interruption has not ended, step S1309 is repeated until the job interruption ends. If it is determined in step S1309 that the job has been suspended, the display is switched to the job suspension screen 121 shown in FIG. 7 (step S1310), and the process proceeds to step S1311.

  In step S1311, the CPU 171 determines whether the “resume without replenishment” key 1211 on the job interruption screen 121 has been pressed. If it is determined that the “resume without replenishment” key 1211 has been pressed, the CPU 171 resumes the job (step S1304) and ends this process.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 171 determines in step S1311 that the “resume without replenishment” key 1211 has not been pressed, the CPU 171 determines whether or not the paper feed cassette designated in step S1301 has been opened (step S1312). ). The CPU 171 determines opening / closing of the paper feed cassettes 21a-21d based on the detection results by the paper feed cassette open / close sensors 83a-83d.

  Next, when the CPU 171 determines that none of the paper feed cassettes is opened, the CPU 171 returns to step S1311. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S1312 that the paper feed cassette has been opened, the CPU 171 determines whether or not the opened paper feed cassette has been closed (step S1313). Also here, the CPU 171 determines opening / closing of the paper feed cassettes 21a to 21d based on detection results by the paper feed cassette open / close sensors 83a to 83d.

  If the CPU 171 determines in step S1313 that the paper cassette is not closed, the CPU 171 returns to step S1313 and repeats until the paper cassette is closed. If the CPU 171 determines in step S1313 that the paper feed cassette has been closed, the CPU 171 proceeds to step S1314, resumes the job, and ends this process.

  According to the above-described embodiment, in the image forming apparatus using the paper feeding cassette in which a part of the paper feeding cassette that is fed from another paper feeding cassette is provided, the user can replenish paper during the job execution. When performing the above, it is determined whether or not the designated paper cassette can be replenished. When the paper supply is impossible, the job is interrupted to prompt the paper supply. As a result, paper can be replenished without causing a problem such as a jam even during execution of a job.

[Second Embodiment]
The basic structure of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, and the same parts as those in the first embodiment are described. The description is abbreviate | omitted using the same code | symbol. Only differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a screen display example displayed on the operation unit 172 of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9A shows a screen when the first paper feed stage key 811 of the replenishment paper feed stage selection screen 81 in FIG. 5A is selected, and FIG. 9B shows the screen in FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a screen displayed when an OK key is selected on the manual feed screen 141 of FIG.

  When the first paper feed stage key 811 is selected on the replenishment paper feed stage selection screen 81 shown in FIG. 5A, the display content of the display unit 61 is the manual paper feed screen 141 shown in FIG. Switch to On the manual feed screen 141, a display prompting the user to place a paper of the same size as the paper currently being fed on the manual feed tray 27, an OK key 1411, and a cancel key 1412 are displayed. When the cancel key 1412 is pressed on the manual paper feed screen 141, the display content of the display 61 returns to the replenishment paper feed stage selection screen 81 in FIG. On the other hand, if the OK key 1411 is pressed and it is determined that there is paper in the manual feed tray 27, the paper feed stage of the job currently being executed is switched from the second paper feed cassette 21b to the manual feed tray 27, and the display is made. The display content of the container 61 is switched to a paper supply screen 151 shown in FIG. If no paper is detected on the manual feed tray 27 even if the OK key 1411 is pressed, the display content of the display 61 remains the manual feed screen 141. The paper on the manual feed tray 27 is detected by the paper sensor 76. The detection result by the paper sensor 76 is notified to the CPU 171.

  On the paper replenishment screen 151, a display for prompting the user to replenish paper and a “return to original paper feed without replenishment” key 1511 are displayed. When the “return to original paper feed without replenishment” key 1511 is pressed, the paper feed stage is returned from the manual feed tray 27 to the paper feed from the original paper feed cassette 21b.

  When the sheet replenishment screen 151 is displayed on the operation unit 172, the sheet replenishment is performed when the sheet cassette open / close sensors 83a to 83d detect that any of the sheet cassettes 21a to 21d is opened. It is judged that Then, the paper feed stage is returned to the paper feed cassette supplied by the user from the manual feed tray 27, here the paper feed cassette 21b of the second stage, and the display content of the display 61 is shown in FIG. The screen switches to the paper stage change screen 161. Then, the fact that the opened paper cassette is closed is detected by the paper cassette open / close sensor, and a message indicating that the paper has been returned from the second paper cassette is displayed. Then, the screen returns to the replenishment paper feed stage selection screen 81 in FIG.

  By performing the above-described image display and operation, the user can replenish a desired paper cassette without causing a problem such as a jam and without interrupting the job.

  Next, a series of operation processes of the printer 1 for supplying paper to the paper cassette during job execution will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of the printer 1 for supplying paper to the paper cassette during job execution according to the second embodiment. This process is started after the paper supply key 71 is pressed on the operation screen shown in FIG. 4B during the execution of the job.

  First, in step S <b> 1700, the CPU 171 displays the replenishment paper feed stage selection screen 81 on the operation unit 172. Next, the CPU 171 determines whether or not a paper feed cassette for replenishing paper has been designated on the replenishing paper feed stage selection screen 81, that is, one of the paper feed stage keys 811 to 814 has been selected (step S1701). ). Next, when determining that none of the paper feed stage keys 811 to 814 is designated in step S1701, the CPU 171 determines whether or not the close key 815 is pressed (step S1702). If it is determined that the close key 815 has been pressed, the process ends.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 171 determines in step S1702 that the close key 815 has not been pressed, the CPU 171 determines whether or not the job has ended (step S1716). When the CPU 171 determines that the job has ended, the CPU 171 ends this processing. On the other hand, if the CPU 171 determines in step S1716 that the job has not ended, the process returns to step S1701.

  If the CPU 171 determines that any of the paper feed stage keys 811 to 814 has been designated, the designated paper feed cassette is currently on the upper stage ( It is determined whether it is located downstream (step S1703).

  As a result of the determination in step S 1703, the CPU 171 determines that the designated paper feed cassette is not located at the upper stage (downstream) of the current paper feed cassette or the paper feed cassette being fed (ie, upstream). If YES, the process proceeds to step S1704. In step S1704, as shown in FIG. 5B, the CPU 171 displays a display 91 for prompting paper supply on the supply paper feed stage selection screen 81, and the process returns to step S1701.

  If it is determined in step 1703 that the CPU 171 determines that the designated paper feed cassette is located at the upper stage (downstream) of the paper feed cassette that is currently feeding or the paper feed cassette that is currently feeding, FIG. The screen is switched to the manual feed screen 141 of a) (step S1705). Next, the CPU 171 determines whether or not the cancel key 1412 has been selected on the manual sheet feed screen 141 (step S1706). If the CPU 171 determines in step S1706 that the cancel key 1412 has been selected, the CPU 171 returns to step S1701. On the other hand, if the CPU 171 determines in step S1706 that the cancel key 1412 has not been selected, the CPU 171 determines whether the OK key 1411 on the manual feed screen 141 has been pressed (step S1707).

  If the CPU 171 determines in step S1707 that the OK key 1411 has not been pressed, the process returns to step S1706. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1707 that the OK key has been pressed, the CPU 171 determines whether there is paper in the manual feed tray 27 (step S1708). The CPU 171 determines whether there is a sheet on the manual feed tray 27 based on the detection result by the sheet sensor 76.

  If the CPU 171 determines in step S1708 that there is no sheet in the manual feed tray 27, the process returns to step S1706. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1708 that there is paper in the manual feed tray 27, the CPU 171 switches the job to paper feed by the manual feed tray 27 in step S1709.

  Next, the CPU 171 switches the display to the paper supply screen 151 shown in FIG. 9B in step S1710, and proceeds to step S1711. In step 1711, the CPU 171 determines whether or not the “return to original paper supply without replenishment” key 1511 is pressed on the paper replenishment screen 151. If the “return to original paper supply without replenishment” key 1511 has been pressed, the process advances to step S1714 to return the paper feed stage to the original paper feed cassette. On the other hand, if the CPU 171 determines in step S 1711 that the “return to original paper without replenishment” key 1511 has not been pressed, the CPU 171 determines whether or not the paper feed cassette designated in step 1701 has been opened. Judgment is made (step S1712). Here, similarly to step S1312 of FIG. 8 in the first embodiment, the CPU 171 determines opening / closing of the paper feed cassettes 21a-21d based on the detection results by the paper feed cassette opening / closing sensors 83a-83d.

  Next, when the CPU 171 determines that none of the paper feed cassettes is opened, the CPU 171 returns to step S1711. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1712 that the paper feed cassette has been opened, the CPU 171 determines whether or not the opened paper feed cassette has been closed (step S1713). Also here, the CPU 171 determines opening / closing of the paper feed cassettes 21a to 21d based on detection results by the paper feed cassette open / close sensors 83a to 83d.

  If the CPU 171 determines in step S1713 that the paper cassette is not closed, the CPU 171 returns to step S1713 and repeats until the paper cassette is closed. If the CPU 171 determines in step S1713 that the paper feed cassette is closed, the CPU 171 returns the paper feed tray to the original paper feed cassette (step S1714), and switches the display to the paper feed tray change screen 161 in FIG. Step S1715), the process is terminated.

  According to the above-described embodiment, in the image forming apparatus using the paper feeding cassette in which a part of the paper feeding cassette that is fed from another paper feeding cassette is provided, the user can replenish paper during the job execution. When performing the above, it is determined whether or not the designated paper cassette can be replenished. When the paper supply is impossible, the paper supply is temporarily switched to the paper feed from the manual feed tray, and the paper is returned to the original paper feed cassette after the paper supply. As a result, in an image forming apparatus in which a part of the paper feed cassette is provided with a transport path through which paper fed from another paper feed cassette is transported, problems such as jamming may occur even during the image forming operation. This makes it possible to supply paper without interrupting the job.

  The object of the present invention is achieved by executing the following processing. That is, a storage medium that records a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus is stored in the storage medium. This is the process of reading the code. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the program code and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  Moreover, the following can be used as a storage medium for supplying the program code. For example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD + RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM or the like. Alternatively, the program code may be downloaded via a network.

  Further, the present invention includes a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by executing the program code read by the computer. In addition, an OS (operating system) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on an instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. Is also included.

  Furthermore, a case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by the following processing is also included in the present invention. That is, the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Thereafter, based on the instruction of the program code, the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the printing method of the printer 1 is the electrophotographic method has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the electrophotographic method. The present invention can be applied to various printing methods such as an inkjet method, a thermal transfer method, a thermal method, an electrostatic method, and a discharge destruction method. The form of the program may be in the form of object code, program code executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to an OS (operating system), and the like.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic structure of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a functional unit in the printer of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating an example of a state of the printer 1 when a paper feed cassette is opened. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating an appearance of an operation unit and a screen display example. FIG. 2A illustrates an initial screen, and FIG. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating an appearance of an operation unit and a screen display example. FIG. 5A is a screen displayed when a paper supply key is pressed, and FIG. 5B is a supply paper feed stage selection screen of FIG. It is a screen displayed when a paper feed cassette at the stage is selected. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating an appearance of an operation unit and a screen display example. FIG. 5A is a screen displayed when a first paper feed stage key is selected on the supply paper feed stage selection screen of FIG. FIG. 6B shows a screen displayed when the OK key is selected on the job interruption instruction screen shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a screen display example displayed on an operation unit when a job is interrupted. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of a printer for paper supply to a paper feed cassette during job execution in the first embodiment. FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a screen display example displayed on an operation unit of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 5A is a first feed in a replenishing paper feed stage selection screen in FIG. FIG. 9B shows a screen displayed when the paper row key is selected. FIG. 9B shows a screen displayed when the OK key is selected on the manual feed screen shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a screen display example displayed when opening / closing is detected by a paper feed cassette opening / closing sensor. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of a printer for paper replenishment to a paper feeding cassette during execution of a job in the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d Paper feed cassette 61 Display 81 Replenishment paper feed stage selection screen 83a, 83b, 83c, 83d Paper feed cassette open / close sensor 105 Printer control part 171 CPU
172 Operation unit 173 I / O port (I / O)

Claims (7)

In an image forming apparatus that performs an image forming operation,
A plurality of paper feed means for feeding the stored paper, the paper feed means having a transport path for transporting paper fed from other paper feed means;
Designation means for designating one of the plurality of paper feeding means;
Whether or not the designated paper feeding means can be replenished when another paper feeding means different from the paper feeding means being used in the image forming operation is designated by the designation means during execution of the image forming operation. A judging means for judging
When the determination unit determines that the paper cannot be supplied, the paper supply from the paper supply unit in use in the image forming operation being performed is interrupted, and after the paper supply to the paper supply unit specified by the specification unit is performed And an image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that resumes the interrupted paper feeding. In an image forming apparatus that performs an image forming operation,
A plurality of paper feed means for feeding the stored paper, the paper feed means having a transport path for transporting paper fed from other paper feed means;
Designation means for designating one of the plurality of paper feeding means;
When another sheet feeding unit different from the sheet feeding unit being used in the image forming operation is designated by the designation unit during the execution of the image forming operation, the sheet feeding unit designated by the designation unit is supplied with paper. A judgment means for judging whether or not it is possible;
And a control unit that switches to another paper feeding unit that can feed paper when the judgment unit determines that the paper cannot be replenished, and returns the paper to the original paper feeding unit after the paper is replenished. Image forming apparatus.   When the determination unit determines that the paper can be replenished, the control unit does not interrupt the sheet feeding from the sheet feeding unit in use in the image forming operation being performed, and the feeding unit designated by the designation unit. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the user is urged to replenish the paper means.   The determination unit is a sheet feeding unit designated by the designation unit, or a sheet feeding unit located downstream of the sheet feeding unit currently feeding. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus determines that the sheet cannot be supplied.   When it is determined that the paper supply means designated by the designation means cannot be replenished, the control means is conveyed to another part of the paper feed means as another paper feed means capable of paper feed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is switched to a sheet feeding unit that does not merge the sheets. A plurality of sheet feeding units each having a conveyance path for conveying a sheet fed from another sheet feeding unit; An image forming apparatus comprising a designating unit for designating one, and a paper feeding method for an image forming apparatus that performs an image forming operation.
Whether or not the designated paper feeding means can be replenished when another paper feeding means different from the paper feeding means being used in the image forming operation is designated by the designation means during execution of the image forming operation. A judging process for judging
If it is determined in the determining step that the paper cannot be supplied, the paper supply from the paper supply unit in use in the image forming operation being executed is interrupted, and the paper supply to the paper supply unit designated by the designation unit is performed. And a control step of resuming the interrupted paper feeding later. A plurality of sheet feeding units each having a conveyance path for conveying a sheet fed from another sheet feeding unit; An image forming apparatus comprising a designating unit for designating one, and a paper feeding method for an image forming apparatus that performs an image forming operation.
Whether or not the designated paper feeding means can be replenished when another paper feeding means different from the paper feeding means being used in the image forming operation is designated by the designation means during execution of the image forming operation. A judging process for judging
And a control step of switching to another paper feeding unit capable of paper feeding and returning to the paper feeding from the original paper feeding unit after the paper replenishment when it is judged that the paper cannot be replenished in the judgment step. Paper feeding method.

Images