Image forming apparatus, recording medium type information processing method, and storage medium

Abstract

Provided is an image forming apparatus, a recording medium type information processing method, and a program that can contribute to determination of a cause of a jam or the like. The image forming apparatus includes an accepting unit (100b) that accepts a user's setting of a type of a recording medium, a detecting unit (91, 92) that detects a type-determination parameter of the recording medium, a determining unit (100a) that determines the type of the recording medium based on a detection result, and a transmitting unit (100e) that transmits, to an external apparatus (2), at least two of information related to the accepted type, information related to the type determined by the determining unit, and information related to coincidence / discoinincidence of the accepted type and the determined type, for the recording medium for which the type has been set.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to image forming apparatuses such as copiers, printers, or multifunction digital copiers (MFPs), and methods and procedures for processing type information indicating the type of recording medium. Background Technology

[0002] As an image forming apparatus, there are known image forming apparatuses in which the user sets the type of recording medium, such as a sheet, for image formation from an operation panel or the like, and based on that setting, performs image formation on the recording medium under optimal image forming conditions.

[0003] In addition, recently, an image forming apparatus has been provided that automatically identifies the type of recording medium using optical sensors or the like.

[0004] Furthermore, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that detects the medium characteristics of the recording material being transported to the image forming unit, and if the detected first medium characteristics of the transported recording material are different from the second medium characteristics of the recording material stored in RAM during the previous image forming, and if the image forming conditions corresponding to the first medium characteristics and the image forming conditions corresponding to the second medium characteristics are different, the image forming process is interrupted, or further, after the interruption, the user inputs the medium characteristics through the input unit, and the image forming operation is restarted with the image forming conditions corresponding to the input medium characteristics.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-106112

[0006] However, the type of recording medium input by the user may not be correct. If this type does not match the type determined by the sensor-based detection, setting inappropriate image formation conditions and forcing image formation under those conditions could lead to problems such as paper jams, where the recording medium gets stuck in the transport path. If such problems occur, service personnel may respond as needed, but without knowing the specific usage method, they cannot determine the cause and propose improvement solutions. Therefore, a technology is needed to help determine the cause of these problems. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This invention was made in view of the following technical background, and its purpose is to provide an image forming apparatus, a method and program for processing information on the type of recording medium that can help determine the cause of defects such as paper jams.

[0008] The above objectives can be achieved through the following methods.

[0009] (1) An image forming apparatus, characterized in that it comprises:

[0010] The receiving unit accepts the user's setting for the type of recording medium;

[0011] The detection unit detects a parameter for determining the type of recording medium, which includes a setting of the type of recording medium received by the aforementioned receiving unit.

[0012] The discrimination unit determines the type of recording medium based on the detection results of the above detection unit;

[0013] The image forming unit forms an image on the recording medium described above; and

[0014] The transmitting unit transmits at least two of the following information to an external device for a recording medium on which the type setting has been received by the receiving unit: information related to the received type, information related to the type determined by the discrimination unit, and information related to the consistency / inconsistency between the received type and the determined type.

[0015] (2) According to the image forming apparatus described in item 1 above, the above-mentioned transmitting unit establishes a mutual association between multiple pieces of information of the transmitting object to transmit them.

[0016] (3) According to the image forming apparatus described in item 1 or 2 above, the above-mentioned transmitting unit also transmits the defect information generated by the image forming apparatus to the external device.

[0017] (4) According to the image forming apparatus described in any one of items 1 to 3 above, the transmitting unit further transmits at least one of the following: image information regarding the presence or absence of an image on the surface of the recording medium, transmittance information, reflectance information, stiffness information, thickness information, basis weight information, size information, texture direction information, color information, moisture information, smoothness information, resistance information, friction information, composition information of the recording medium, and printing information.

[0018] The composition information of the recording medium includes at least one of pulp, coating, fluorescent agent, filler, and color material, and the printing information includes at least one of the brand, environmental information, paper feed information, and image forming information of the recording medium.

[0019] (5) According to any one of the preceding items 1 to 4, the detection unit detects the type discrimination parameters of the recording medium in a first detection mode where the user has not set the type, and detects the type discrimination parameters of the recording medium in a second detection mode different from the first detection mode where the receiving unit has set the type.

[0020] (6) The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 5 above, wherein the detection unit includes an optical sensor, the optical sensor detecting transmitted light and / or reflected light from the light source onto the recording medium as parameters for class determination.

[0021] The aforementioned discrimination unit determines the type of recording medium based on the detected transmitted light and / or reflected light, and calculates at least one of the recording medium's transmittance, reflectance, and basis weight.

[0022] (7) The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 6 above, comprising:

[0023] The receiving unit receives, through analysis by the external device based on information transmitted and accumulated from the image forming apparatus by the transmitting unit, defect generation information indicating the possibility of a defect occurring; and transmits to the image forming apparatus, the defect generation information.

[0024] The notification unit will notify the user of any adverse events received through the aforementioned receiving unit.

[0025] (8) According to any one of the preceding items 1 to 7, the image forming apparatus performs a user setting on the type of recording medium on an external print instruction unit, and the receiving unit receives the setting performed on the print instruction unit via a network.

[0026] (9) According to the image forming apparatus described in item 5 above, the detection time in the second detection mode is shorter than the detection time in the first detection mode above.

[0027] (10) According to any one of the preceding items 1 to 9, the image forming unit forms an image without reflecting the discrimination result of the discrimination unit in the image forming process when the image forming unit receives a recording medium of a set type from the receiving unit.

[0028] (11) According to the image forming apparatus described in paragraph 7 above, the receiving unit receives from the external device that is analyzed to have the possibility of producing a defective situation an instruction for switching to an image forming condition corresponding to the type determined by the discrimination unit.

[0029] (12) According to the image forming apparatus described in item 5 above, the detection accuracy of the type discrimination parameter of the first detection mode is higher than the detection accuracy of the type discrimination parameter of the second detection mode.

[0030] (13) According to the image forming apparatus described in paragraph 5 above, the detection range of the parameter for determining the type of recording medium by the detection unit is different in the first detection mode and the second detection mode, and the detection time and detection accuracy of the first detection mode are equal to or higher than the detection time and detection accuracy of the second detection mode.

[0031] (14) According to the image forming apparatus described in item 13 above, the detection range of the second detection mode is wider than the detection range of the first detection mode.

[0032] (15) A method for processing information on the type of recording medium, characterized in that the image forming apparatus performs:

[0033] Accept the steps and accept the user's setting for the type of recording medium;

[0034] The detection step involves detecting, by means of a detection unit, a parameter for determining the type of the recording medium, which is the type of the recording medium that was accepted in the above-mentioned acceptance step.

[0035] The discrimination step determines the type of recording medium based on the detection results from the above detection steps;

[0036] The image forming step involves forming an image on the aforementioned recording medium; and

[0037] In the sending step, for a recording medium that has received a type setting in the above receiving step, at least two of the following information are sent to an external device: information related to the received type, information related to the type determined by the above discrimination step, and information related to the consistency / inconsistency between the received type and the determined type.

[0038] (16) A program for causing a computer of an image forming apparatus to execute:

[0039] Accept the steps and accept the user's setting for the type of recording medium;

[0040] The detection step involves detecting, by means of a detection unit, a parameter for determining the type of the recording medium, which is the type of the recording medium that was accepted in the above-mentioned acceptance step.

[0041] The discrimination step determines the type of recording medium based on the detection results from the above detection steps;

[0042] The image forming step involves forming an image on the aforementioned recording medium; and

[0043] In the sending step, for a recording medium that has received a type setting in the above receiving step, at least two of the following information are sent to an external device: information related to the received type, information related to the type determined by the above discrimination step, and information related to the consistency / inconsistency between the received type and the determined type.

[0044] According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph (1), the user sets the type of the recording medium, and on the other hand, the detection unit detects the type discrimination parameter of the recording medium containing the recording medium for which the type setting has been accepted, and determines the type of the recording medium based on the detection result.

[0045] Furthermore, for a recording medium that has received a type setting, at least two of the following information will be sent to an external device: information related to the received type, information related to the identified type, and information related to the consistency / inconsistency between the received type and the identified type.

[0046] Therefore, whenever the user's setting of the type of recording medium is received, the above-mentioned at least two pieces of information are sent to an external device, and the at least two pieces of information are accumulated and stored on the external device over time.

[0047] As a result, for example, when a paper jam or other malfunction occurs in the image forming apparatus, based on the accumulated information in an external device, it can be determined that the user's setting error is the cause, thus becoming an image forming apparatus that can help determine the cause of malfunctions in the image forming apparatus.

[0048] According to the invention described in paragraph (2) above, multiple pieces of information of the sending object are associated with each other and sent to an external device, so that the external device can associate the received information with each other and save it.

[0049] According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph (3), information about defects generated by the image forming apparatus is also sent to an external device, so that the cause of defects generated by the image forming apparatus can be analyzed and determined.

[0050] According to the invention described in paragraph (4) above, in addition to type information, at least one of the following information regarding the presence or absence of an image on the surface of the recording medium, including image information, transmittance information, reflectance information, stiffness information, thickness information, basis weight information, size information, texture direction information, color information, moisture information, smoothness information, resistance information, friction information, composition information of the recording medium, and printing information, is sent to an external device as receiving information and / or discrimination information. Furthermore, the composition information of the recording medium includes at least one of pulp, coating, fluorescent agent, filler, and color material, and the printing information includes at least one of the brand of the recording medium, environmental information, paper feed information, and image formation information.

[0051] According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph (5), a first detection mode is used to detect the type discrimination parameters based on the detection unit on a recording medium for which the user has not set the type, and a second detection mode, different from the first detection mode, is used to detect the type discrimination parameters based on the detection unit on a recording medium for which the user has set the type.

[0052] According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph (6), the type of recording medium is determined based on the transmitted light or reflected light detected by an optical sensor as a parameter for type detection, and at least one of the transmittance, reflectance, and basis weight of the recording medium is calculated.

[0053] According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph (7), the external device can send defect generation information, which indicates the possibility of a defect occurring, based on information sent and accumulated from the image forming apparatus, to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus can receive the defect generation information and notify the user, so that the user can identify the possibility of a defect occurring.

[0054] According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph (8), if the user sets the type of recording medium on the external printing instruction unit, the setting is received by the image forming apparatus via the network.

[0055] According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph (9), the second detection mode performs detection of the type discrimination parameter based on the detection unit with a shorter detection time than the first detection mode.

[0056] According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph (10), the image forming unit does not reflect the discrimination result of the discrimination unit in the image forming process for a recording medium that has received a type setting; in other words, it forms an image by reflecting the image forming process corresponding to the type received.

[0057] According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph (11), the image forming apparatus receives an instruction from an external device that is analyzed to have the potential to produce defects, for switching to image forming conditions corresponding to the type determined by the discrimination unit, thereby enabling the formation of an image on the recording medium under appropriate image forming conditions and preventing defects such as paper jams from occurring.

[0058] According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph (12), the first detection mode performs detection of the type discrimination parameter based on the detection unit with higher detection accuracy than the second detection mode.

[0059] According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph (13), the detection range of the detection unit for the parameter for class discrimination is set to be different in the first detection mode and the second detection mode, and the detection time and detection accuracy of the first detection mode are equal to or higher than the detection time and detection accuracy of the second detection mode.

[0060] According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph (14), the detection range of the second detection mode is wider than that of the first detection mode.

[0061] According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph (15), for example, when a record medium for which the user has set a type of record medium is encountered in an image forming apparatus, a problem such as a paper jam can be encountered in an external device by investigating whether the record medium has a lot of inconsistent information based on the accumulated information, thereby determining that the user's setting error is the cause, thus helping to determine the cause of the problem in the image forming apparatus.

[0062] According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph (16), the computer of the image forming apparatus is capable of performing the following processing: accepting the user's setting of the type of recording medium, causing the detection unit to detect the recording medium type discrimination parameter containing the recording medium for which the type setting has been accepted, determining the type of recording medium based on the detection result, and sending at least two of the following information to an external device: information related to the received type, information related to the determined type, and information related to the consistency / inconsistency between the received type and the determined type. Attached Figure Description

[0063] Figure 1 This is a configuration diagram of an information collection system using an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0064] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the transport path of the sheet for printing an image in an image forming apparatus.

[0065] Figure 3 This is an explanatory diagram of an optical sensor.

[0066] Figure 4This is an explanatory diagram of an ultrasonic sensor.

[0067] Figure 5 It is a block diagram representing the electrical structure of an image forming apparatus.

[0068] Figure 6 This is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the control unit of an image forming apparatus.

[0069] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an image forming apparatus when sending information about a target object to a server.

[0070] Figure 8 This is a chart representing an example of the server's analysis results.

[0071] Figure 9 These are charts representing other examples of the server's analysis results.

[0072] Figure 10 These are charts representing other examples of the server's analysis results.

[0073] Figure 11 This is an example of a screen display used to notify the user of the possibility of adverse events.

[0074] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1…Image forming apparatus, 2…Server (external device), 3…Terminal device (external printing instruction unit), 4…Network, 8…Sheet transport path, 10…Image forming unit, 50…Operation panel unit, 54…Display unit, 60…Paper supply unit, 72…Skewing correction roller, 91…Optical sensor (media detection sensor), 91a, 91b…Light source, 91c…Light receiving detection element, 92…Ultrasonic sensor (media detection sensor), 91a…Ultrasonic transmitting unit, 91b…Ultrasonic receiving unit, 100…Control unit, 100a…Media detection control unit (discrimination unit), 100b…Sheet type setting control unit (receiving unit), 100c…Image forming control unit, 100d…Storage unit, 100e…External communication control unit (transmitting unit, receiving unit). Detailed Implementation

[0075] The embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0076] Figure 1 This is a configuration diagram of an information collection system using an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention. In this information collection system, the image forming apparatus 1, the server 2, and the terminal device 3 are connected to each other in a manner that enables communication via a network 4 such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0077] While not limited to, the image forming apparatus 1 can be a copier, printer, or MFP, etc. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 has a user setting mode in which the user can set the type of recording medium (hereinafter, the recording medium is also referred to as sheet or paper) for printing the image (also referred to as sheet type or paper type), and an automatic detection mode in which the image forming apparatus automatically determines the sheet type when the user does not set the sheet type.

[0078] As described later, server 2 acquires various information from image forming apparatus 1 and stores it in data storage unit 21. Data parsing unit 22 then parses the stored data as needed and provides the parsing results to image forming apparatus 1. Server 2 is composed of a personal computer or similar device. Server 2 can also be a virtual server located in the cloud, i.e., a cloud server. Furthermore, server 2 can collect information not only from one image forming apparatus 1, but also from multiple image forming apparatuses 1.

[0079] The terminal device 3 is a personal computer, tablet computer, smartphone, etc. operated by the user. In this embodiment, it functions as an instruction unit for the user to instruct the image forming apparatus 1 on a printing task that includes settings for the type of sheet.

[0080] Figure 2 It is a diagram schematically showing a portion of the transport path of the sheet for printing images in the image forming apparatus 1.

[0081] The image forming apparatus 1 has a paper supply unit 60 at its lower part. This unit 60 has an upper first paper supply box 60a and a lower second paper supply box 60b. A sheet transport path 8 is formed vertically, communicating with the paper supply ports 8a and 8b of the first and second paper supply boxes 60a. The sheet material fed from the paper supply ports 8a and 8b of the first and second paper supply boxes 60a to the sheet transport path 8 is conveyed upwards along the sheet transport path 8 as shown by arrow A to a pair of skew correction rollers 72 positioned at the upper part of the sheet transport path 8. A manual tray (not shown) is provided on the side opposite to the first paper supply box 60a, across the sheet transport path 8. The sheet material placed on the manual tray is fed to the sheet transport path 8 via the manual paper supply port 8c. Figure 2 The reference numeral 71 shown is a conveyor roller for conveying the sheet material fed from the second paper feed cassette 60b.

[0082] The skew correction roller 72 is a roller used to correct the skew (tilt) of the sheet being conveyed on the sheet conveyor path 8.

[0083] Between the paper feed port 8a of the first paper feed box 60a in the upper section and the skew correction roller 72, two media detection sensors 91 and 92 are arranged on the upstream and downstream sides of the sheet conveying path 8 in the conveying direction. These media detection sensors 91 and 92 detect parameters for identifying the type of sheet. The media detection sensor 91 on the upstream side is an optical sensor that detects light illuminating the sheet as a parameter for type identification, and the media detection sensor 92 on the downstream side is an ultrasonic sensor that detects ultrasonic waves emitted toward the sheet as a parameter for type identification. Alternatively, the optical sensor 91 can be arranged on the upstream side and the ultrasonic sensor 92 on the downstream side.

[0084] Figure 3 This is an explanatory diagram of the optical sensor 91. The optical sensor 91 consists of a light source 91a for transmission, such as an LED, a light source 91b for reflection, and a light-receiving element 91c, such as a photodiode. The light-receiving element 91c detects the amount of transmitted light 93 emitted from the light source 91a that passes through the sheet conveying path 8, and the amount of reflected light 94 emitted from the light source 91b that is reflected off the sheet. Furthermore, the control unit 100, described later, determines the type of sheet (basis weight, OHP, recycled paper, coated paper, etc.) based on the detected levels of transmitted and reflected light. In addition, the optical sensor 91 may, for example, be composed of multiple sensor groups corresponding to each of the colors red, green, and blue.

[0085] Figure 4 This is an explanatory diagram of the ultrasonic sensor 92. The ultrasonic sensor 92 is arranged obliquely opposite to the sheet conveyor path 8 across the sheet conveying direction (see reference). Figure 2 The ultrasonic sensor 92 comprises a pair of ultrasonic transmitters 92a and ultrasonic receivers 92b. The ultrasonic sensor 92 transmits ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transmitter 92a to the passing sheet, and the ultrasonic receiver 92b receives the ultrasonic waves that have passed through the sheet. Furthermore, the control unit 100, described later, determines whether it is a piece of paper or an envelope based on the amount of ultrasonic wave attenuation caused by the sheet.

[0086] Figure 5 This is a block diagram showing the electrical structure of the image forming apparatus 1. For example... Figure 5 As shown, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 100, a storage device 110, an image reading device 120, an operation panel 50, an image forming unit 10, a paper feeding unit 60, the aforementioned optical sensor 91, an ultrasonic sensor 92, a printer controller 150, and a network interface (network I / F) 160, which are interconnected via a system bus 175.

[0087] The control unit 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, an S-RAM (Static Random Access Memory) 103, an NV-RAM (Non Volatile RAM) 104, and a clock IC 105.

[0088] The CPU 101 controls the entire image forming apparatus 1 by executing an operation program stored in the ROM 102, etc. For example, in addition to executable control of copying, printing, and scanning functions, particularly in this embodiment, in the aforementioned automatic detection mode, light intensity detection based on the optical sensor 91 and ultrasonic wave detection based on the ultrasonic sensor 92 are performed. The type of sheet is determined based on the detection results, and during printing, image forming conditions corresponding to the sheet type are automatically set based on the sheet type determination result to perform printing. Furthermore, in the user setting mode, printing task settings including sheet type settings are accepted by the user through the operation panel 50 or from the terminal device 3 via the network 4, and image forming conditions corresponding to the received sheet type are set to perform printing. In this embodiment, light intensity detection based on the optical sensor 91 and ultrasonic wave detection based on the ultrasonic sensor 92 are also performed on the sheet for which the user has set the sheet type in the user setting mode, and the sheet type is determined based on the detection results. Furthermore, the investigation process determines whether the types of sheets received are consistent with or inconsistent with the identified types of sheets, and sends the necessary information containing the results to server 2 for control processing, as will be described in detail later.

[0089] ROM102 stores the program executed by CPU101 and other data.

[0090] S-RAM103 becomes the working area when CPU101 executes programs, temporarily storing programs and data during program execution.

[0091] NV-RAM104 is a battery-backed non-volatile memory that stores various settings involved in image formation, the number of pixels of the display unit 54, and data of various screens displayed on the display unit 54.

[0092] The clock IC105 keeps track of time and functions as an internal timer for processing time measurements, etc.

[0093] The storage device 110 consists of a hard disk and the like, and stores programs, various data, etc.

[0094] The image reading device 120 includes a scanner, etc., which reads the original document placed on the pressure plate glass by scanning and converts the read original document into image data.

[0095] The operation panel 50 is used when the user gives instructions on tasks and makes various settings to the image forming apparatus 1. The operation panel includes a reset button 51, a start button 52, a stop button 53, a display unit 54, and a touch panel 55.

[0096] Use the reset button 51 to reset settings, use the start button 52 to start operations such as scanning, and press the stop button 53 when interrupting an operation.

[0097] The display unit 54 is, for example, composed of a liquid crystal display device and displays messages, various operation screens, etc., and the touch panel 55 is formed on the screen of the display unit 54 to detect the user's touch operation.

[0098] The image forming unit 10 prints a copy image on paper based on image data of the original document read by the image reading device 120 or print data sent from an external terminal device 3, etc. It includes a printing engine 18 consisting of image forming hardware components such as a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer belt, and a transfer roller, and a fixing unit 19 that heats and pressurizes the sheet on which the image has been formed to fix the image.

[0099] The Network I / F160 functions as a communication unit for sending and receiving data between the network 4 and external servers 2, terminal devices 3, etc.

[0100] Figure 6 This is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the control unit 100. Functionally, the control unit 100 includes a media detection control unit 100a, a sheet type setting control unit 100b, an image forming control unit 100c, a storage unit 100d, and an external communication control unit 100e.

[0101] In user setting mode, the sheet type setting control unit 100b receives the sheet type set by the user in the print job from the operation panel unit 50 or the terminal device 3.

[0102] The media detection control unit 100a activates the optical sensor 91 and the ultrasonic sensor 92, which serve as media detection sensors, and determines the type of sheet based on the detection results. As described above, not only in the automatic detection mode, when the sheet type is determined by the user in the user setting mode, the optical sensor 91 and the ultrasonic sensor 92 are activated to determine the sheet type based on the detection results.

[0103] In user setting mode, the image forming control unit 100c controls the image forming unit 10 to print an image on the sheet based on the sheet type set by the user and the sheet type set by the sheet type set by the sheet type set by the sheet type set by the sheet type set by the media detection control unit 100a, and in automatic detection mode, based on the sheet type determined by the media detection control unit 100a.

[0104] The storage unit 100d stores the type of sheet set by the user and the type of sheet identified by the media detection and control unit 100a.

[0105] External communication control unit 100e is equivalent to Figure 2 The network I / F160 sends information to server 2 related to the sheet type set by the user and saved in storage unit 100d in user setting mode. It also sends information to server 2 related to the sheet types automatically identified by media detection control unit 100a, including sheets for which the user has set sheet types and sheets for which no sheet type has been set.

[0106] Based on the received information, server 2 determines whether the received sheet type is consistent with or inconsistent with the identified sheet type.

[0107] Alternatively, the sheet type setting control unit 100b may determine whether the received sheet type matches or does not match the automatically determined sheet type, and the external communication control unit 100e may send the information related to the match / inconsistency, along with either the information related to the received sheet type or the information related to the automatically determined sheet type, to the server 2. Alternatively, the information related to the received sheet type, the information related to the automatically determined sheet type, and the information related to the match / inconsistency may all be sent to the server 2.

[0108] During transmission, information from different recipients is associated with each other by attaching the same ID. Thus, server 2 can store and accumulate the received information in a way that establishes associations.

[0109] Although information is sent from the image forming apparatus 1 to the server 2 via the network 4, the image forming apparatus 1 may also have a USB connection function, and the information may be sent to the server 2, which consists of a personal computer or similar device that can be connected to the image forming apparatus 1 via USB.

[0110] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be explained with a focus on the control of the control unit 100.

[0111] The user instructs the image forming apparatus 1 to perform a print job via the operation panel 50, or via the terminal device 3. In user setting mode, when instructing a print job, the user can set the type of sheet material to be used to form the image (sheet type). The print job including the sheet type setting is received by the control unit 100. When the terminal device 3 instructs a print job including the sheet type setting, the print job is sent to the image forming apparatus 1 via the network 4 and received by the control unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 1. As a scenario where the user sets the sheet type and performs printing (image forming), for example, there is a case where the user sets thick paper to plain paper in order to improve productivity.

[0112] If the control unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 1 accepts a printing task, it supplies sheet material from the first paper feed cassette 90a or the second paper feed cassette 90b to the sheet material transport path 8 and transports the supplied sheet material toward the skew correction roller 72.

[0113] During the transport of the sheet, the control unit 100 detects sheet type identification parameters using an optical sensor 91 and an ultrasonic sensor 92. Specifically, the light receiving element 91c receives transmitted and / or reflected light from the light sources 91a and 91b of the optical sensor 91 illuminating the sheet. Additionally, the ultrasonic receiving unit 92b receives ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic transmitting unit 92a of the ultrasonic sensor 92.

[0114] The control unit 100 determines the type of sheet based on the amount of light received by the light-receiving sensor 91c in the optical sensor 91 and the amount of ultrasonic waves received by the ultrasonic receiver 92b in the ultrasonic sensor 92.

[0115] For both sheets for which the user has not set a sheet type and any sheets for which a sheet type has been set, the detection of sheet type discrimination parameters by optical sensor 91 and ultrasonic sensor 92 is performed, and the sheet type discrimination is based on the detection results.

[0116] In this embodiment, the detection of the sheet type discrimination parameters by the optical sensor 91 and the ultrasonic sensor 92 is performed in a first detection mode in the automatic detection mode where the user has not set the sheet type, and in a second detection mode different from the first detection mode in the user-defined mode. In the automatic detection mode, the sheet type is discerned based on the detection results of the first detection mode, and the sheet is printed using image forming conditions corresponding to the discerned sheet type. On the other hand, in the user-defined mode, the sheet type is discerned based on the detection results of the second detection mode, but the image forming conditions are applied to the sheet type set by the user, and the sheet is printed using these image forming conditions. Therefore, printing is performed without reflecting the detection results of the optical sensor 91 and the ultrasonic sensor 92.

[0117] In the first detection mode, because the type of sheet is unknown, the sheet conveying speed is slowed down to allow for the conveying of any type of sheet. Specifically, such as... Figure 2 The detection is performed from the time the sheet reaches each medium detection sensor 91, 92 until it reaches the skew correction roller 72, so as not to reduce productivity as much as possible, and the image is formed under conditions corresponding to the automatically identified sheet type.

[0118] On the other hand, in the second detection mode, the conveying speed corresponds to the type of sheet set by the user. Therefore, depending on the type of sheet, the conveying speed is faster than in the first detection mode, so the time from when the sheet reaches each medium detection sensor 91, 92 to when it reaches the skew correction roller 72 is shorter, and thus the detection time is also shorter.

[0119] For example, if the range of stable detection results during the period from when the sheet reaches the media detection sensors 91 and 92 until it reaches the skew correction roller 72 is defined as the media detection range and set to 25mm, and the sheet conveying speed in the first detection mode is set to 150mm / s, and the sheet conveying speed in the second detection mode is set to 150mm / s to 400mm / s, then the first detection time is 25mm ÷ 150mm / s ≈ 167ms, and the minimum second detection time is 25mm ÷ 400mm / s ≈ 63ms.

[0120] Multiple samples are taken to detect parameters used for sheet type identification based on sensors 91 and 92 for each medium. This sampling is performed within the processing power and control requirements of the CPU 100a. In the second detection mode, compared to the first detection mode, the number of data samples is smaller, resulting in lower detection accuracy. Conversely, the first detection mode has higher detection accuracy than the second detection mode.

[0121] However, in the second detection mode, the sheet type identification parameters can be detected within a range different from that of the first detection mode, making the detection time and accuracy equal to or higher than those of the first detection mode. Specifically, by detecting even when the leading edge of the sheet exceeds the skew correction roller 72 during transport, the detection range (detection length) can be expanded. Consequently, the detection range of the second detection mode is wider than that of the first detection mode, and the detection time and accuracy of the second detection mode are equal to or higher than those of the first detection mode. In the second detection mode, the automatically identified sheet type is not reflected in the image forming process, so there is no impact on productivity.

[0122] In the automatic detection mode where the user has not set the sheet type, the media detection control unit 100a performs detection in the first detection mode and determines the sheet type based on the detection results. The image forming control unit 100c controls the image forming unit 10 to print an image on the sheet using image forming conditions corresponding to the determined sheet type. Additionally, the external communication control unit 100e sends information related to the determined sheet type to the server 2.

[0123] On the other hand, in the user-defined mode, the sheet type setting control unit 100b accepts the sheet type set by the user, and the image forming control unit 100c controls the image forming unit 10 with image forming conditions corresponding to the received sheet type, so that the image is printed on the sheet. Additionally, the media detection control unit 100a causes the media detection sensors 91 and 92 to perform detection in the second detection mode, and determines the sheet type based on the detection results. The external communication control unit 100e sends at least two of the following information to the server 2: information related to the determined sheet type, information related to the sheet type set by the user and received by the image forming apparatus, and information related to the consistency / inconsistency between the received sheet type and the determined sheet type.

[0124] Furthermore, the sending of information to server 2 can be done whenever a print job ends, after several jobs, or at a predetermined time; there are no restrictions on this.

[0125] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 when sending information about the target object to the server 2. This operation is performed by the CPU 101a of the control unit 100 of the image forming apparatus, based on an operation program stored in the ROM 101b, etc.

[0126] In step S01, the system investigates whether the user has set the type of sheet (whether the setting has been accepted). If no sheet type is set ("none" in step S01), the first detection mode is applied in step S02, and the automatic detection and determination of the sheet type is performed in step S03.

[0127] Next, in step S04, an image is formed under image forming conditions corresponding to the automatically detected and identified sheet type. Then, in step S05, information containing the automatically detected and identified sheet type is sent to server 2.

[0128] On the other hand, in step S01, if there is a user setting for the type of sheet (in step S01, "yes"), the second detection mode is applied in step S06, and the automatic detection and discrimination of the type of sheet is performed in step S07.

[0129] Next, in step S08, an image is formed under image forming conditions corresponding to the sheet type set by the user. Then, in step S09, information related to the automatically detected and determined sheet type, and information related to the sheet type set by the user and received by the image forming apparatus, are sent. Alternatively, information related to the consistency / inconsistency between the received sheet type and the automatically detected and determined sheet type may also be sent, or information related to consistency / inconsistency may be sent instead of either the information related to the automatically detected and determined sheet type or the information related to the received sheet type.

[0130] Table 1 shows an example of information sent from the image forming apparatus 1 to the server 2 in automatic detection mode where the user has not set the type of sheet.

[0131] Table 1

[0132] Automatic detection mode

[0133] Send date and time 2021 / 6 / 3 23:55 Detection ID ID155 Date and time of testing 2021 / 6 / 3 23:55 Equipment Information FORE010230099 Media detection sheet types Thick paper 2 Paper count during ID detection 485 Information on problems encountered when checking ID (none)

[0134] Table 1 is generated based on the information for each print job. In the table, "Send Date and Time" is the date and time when the information is sent to the server, and "Detection ID" is the identification information corresponding to the print job for which sheet type detection and identification were performed. "Detection Date and Time" is the date and time when sheet type detection and identification were performed, "Device Information" is the identification information given to the image forming apparatus 1, and "Media Detection Sheet Type" indicates the type of sheet automatically detected and identified. In this embodiment, for example, automatic sheet type detection and identification are performed only on the initial sheet of the print job. "Number of Sheets Passed at Detection ID" indicates the number of sheets printed in this job, and "Defect Information at Detection ID" indicates whether paper jams or other defects occurred during the execution of this print job; in this example, it indicates that no defects occurred.

[0135] In the user-defined mode, an example of the information sent from the image forming apparatus 1 to the server 2 without automatic detection and discrimination based on the media detection sensors 91 and 92 is shown in Table 2.

[0136] Table 2

[0137] User-defined mode (no automatic detection)

[0138] Send date and time 2021 / 6 / 3 23:55 Equipment Information FORE010112321 User sets the type of sheet. Thick paper 2 The number of sheets for each type of sheet material 23 Defect information for each type of sheet. Fusing card

[0139] In Table 2, in addition to the "Sending Date and Time" and "Device Information" from Table 1, the following information is also sent: "User-defined Sheet Type," "Number of Sheets Passed for Each Specified Sheet Type," and "Defect Information for Each Specified Sheet Type." In this example, it is shown that the user-defined thick paper 2 was used, and a fixing paper jam occurred during printing.

[0140] In the user setting mode, when automatic detection and discrimination are performed based on media detection sensors 91 and 92, the first example of the information sent from the image forming apparatus 1 to the server 2 is shown in Table 3.

[0141] Table 3

[0142]

[0143] Table 3 generates information for each print job. In addition to the information identical to Table 1, namely "Send Date and Time," "Detection ID," "Detection Date and Time," "Device Information," "Media Detection Sheet Type," "Number of Sheets Passed at Detection ID," and "Defect Information at Detection ID," it also sends "User-defined Sheet Type," indicating the sheet type set by the user. In this example, although the user sets thick paper 2 as the sheet type, the sheet type determined by media detection sensors 91 and 92 is thin paper, which is different. Furthermore, it shows a defect where a fusing paper jam occurred during the print job. Moreover, the defect is not limited to paper jams; in the case of a paper jam, it can also show a paper jam in a location other than the fusing unit 19, such as the trimmer.

[0144] In the user setting mode, when automatic detection and discrimination based on media detection sensors 91 and 92 are performed, the second example of the information sent from the image forming apparatus 1 to the server 2 is shown in Table 4.

[0145] Table 4

[0146]

[0147] In the example of Table 4, instead of "User-defined sheet type" in Table 3, information about "Relationship with User-defined sheet type" is sent. "Relationship with User-defined sheet type" is information related to whether the user-defined sheet type is consistent with or inconsistent with the sheet type determination result based on the media detection sensor (thin paper in this example), indicating inconsistency. Alternatively, both "User-defined sheet type" from Table 3 and "Relationship with User-defined sheet type" from Table 4 can be sent.

[0148] In the user setting mode, when automatic detection and discrimination based on media detection sensors 91 and 92 are performed, the third example of the information sent from the image forming apparatus 1 to the server 2 is shown in Table 5.

[0149] Table 5

[0150]

[0151] In the example in Table 4, the "Relationship with User-Set Sheet Type" directly shows the consistency / inconsistency between the user-set sheet type and the sheet type determination result based on media detection sensors 91 and 92. However, in the example in Table 5, the difference in basis weight is shown as sheet type information. In other words, if thick paper 2 is used as the baseline and thick paper 1 is set to -1 grade, plain paper + to -2 grade, plain paper to -3 grade, and thin paper to -4 grade on the lower side of the basis weight division, then if the user-set sheet type is thick paper 2, then thick paper 2 differs from the automatically detected and determined sheet type, i.e., thin paper, by -4 grades according to the basis weight division, so it is displayed as -4 grade. In addition, the "User-Set Sheet Type" in Table 3 can also be sent at the same time.

[0152] In the examples in Tables 3 to 5, the configuration involves sending a combination of "media detection sheet type" and "user-defined sheet type" to server 2, or a combination of "media detection sheet type" and "relationship with user-defined sheet type". However, as described above, a combination of "user-defined sheet type" and "relationship with user-defined sheet type" can also be sent, as long as at least two pieces of information are sent from "media detection sheet type", "user-defined sheet type", and "relationship with user-defined sheet type".

[0153] In addition, since each piece of information is associated with a detection ID, they are sent together via the detection ID. Even if they are sent separately, server 2 can still associate and process each piece of information based on the same detection ID.

[0154] Server 2 receives information sent from image forming apparatus 1, stores it in data storage unit 21, and parses it as needed by data parsing unit 22.

[0155] Figure 8 This is a graph representing the analysis results from server 2. It shows the number of sheets passed and the paper jam rate for each sheet type during a constant period, under image forming conditions corresponding to the sheet types identified based on the detection results of media detection sensors 91 and 92. The bar chart represents the number of sheets passed for each sheet type automatically detected, and the line chart represents the ratio of the number of jammed sheets to the number of sheets passed (paper jam rate). This analysis is performed based on the media detection sheet types and defect information (paper jam count) contained in the data (Table 1) sent to server 2 when the image forming apparatus 1 installed in the market operates in automatic detection mode. Figure 8 It can be seen that the frequency of paper jams is relatively low.

[0156] Next, based on the user-defined sheet types for printing, the paper count and paper jam rate for each sheet type are calculated as follows: Figure 9As shown. This analysis is also performed by server 2 based on the data (Table 2) sent to server 2 by the image forming apparatus 1, which operates based on user settings, including information on the type of sheet material and defects. Figure 9 It can be known that the frequency of paper jams is related to Figure 8 The situation is relatively more serious. In particular, the paper jam rate of thick paper is higher than that of other sheet types.

[0157] in addition, Figure 8 In automatic detection mode, the paper jam rate relative to the total number of sheets passed is 0.0070%. Figure 9 The paper jam rate in user-defined mode was 0.0186%, which is higher than that in automatic detection mode. Additionally, compared to automatic detection mode, user-defined mode had a higher throughput rate for thicker paper and a lower throughput rate for thinner paper.

[0158] Figure 10 This indicates that in user-defined mode, printing is performed based on the user-defined sheet type, and media detection sensors 91 and 92 automatically detect and determine the sheet type (in...). Figure 10 (Referring to active detection), a chart showing the number of sheets passed and the paper jam rate for each sheet type analyzed by server 2. The number of sheets passed in this case is the number of sheets passed when the automatically detected and identified sheet type does not match the user-defined sheet type, and is the paper jam rate relative to that sheet passing number. This analysis is also performed based on data (Tables 3 to 5) sent from the image forming apparatus 1, which prints based on user settings and also performs automatic sheet type detection, to server 2, including information on the media detection sheet type, the user-defined sheet type, or the relationship to the user-defined sheet type, and defect information. Figure 10 It can also be seen that the paper jam rate of thick and thin paper is higher than that of other sheet materials.

[0159] Thus, in this embodiment, in the user setting mode, at least two of the following information are sent to the server 2: information related to the sheet type set by the user and received by the image forming apparatus 1; information about the sheet type automatically detected and determined by the image forming apparatus 1; and information about the consistency / inconsistency between the sheet type set by the user and the automatically detected and determined sheet type. Therefore, the server 2 can accumulate this information. Furthermore, the accumulated information can be used to analyze which sheet type the user sets incorrectly the most and determine the cause of the defects. The analysis results can be sent to the image forming apparatus 1 periodically, at arbitrary intervals, or in real-time. The image forming apparatus 1 receives the analysis results sent from the server 2 via the external communication control unit 100e. During printing, the control unit 100 can display messages based on the analysis results on the display unit 54, urging the user to confirm the appropriate sheet type setting and preventing defects caused by setting errors.

[0160] Furthermore, when paper jams or other defects occur, the image forming apparatus 1 also sends specific defect information to the server 2. The server 2 can then accumulate data that correlates user setting errors with defects and analyze this accumulated data. For example, if the accumulated data analysis indicates that the user has set the paper to be thick, but the automatic detection and discrimination determines that the sheet type is thin paper, resulting in a high incidence of paper jams, this analysis result is sent to the image forming apparatus 1 as defect information. In reality, if printing is performed on thin paper using image forming conditions corresponding to the user-set thick paper, the paper may be heated excessively, causing curling and easily leading to paper jams in the fixing unit 19.

[0161] When the image forming apparatus 1 receives information about the defect from server 2, and the automatically detected and determined sheet type is, for example, thin paper, while the user-defined sheet type is, for example, thick paper, then... Figure 11 As shown, the display unit 54 can display the possibility of a paper jam and notify the user. The user can choose to continue printing or stop printing. If printing continues, the user can choose to print with the user's set thick paper or with the automatically detected thin paper, depending on whether the "print with automatically detected paper type" option is checked.

[0162] Furthermore, notifications to users may not be... Figure 11 The display shown is not directed to the display unit 54 of the image forming apparatus 1, but to the screen of the terminal device 3. It can also be a notification based on an email sent to a pre-registered address, or a notification based on sound.

[0163] Alternatively, server 2, which analyzes the possibility of adverse reactions, can instruct image forming apparatus 1 to switch to image forming conditions corresponding to the type of sheet automatically detected and determined. In this case, printing can proceed with the image forming conditions for the indicated sheet type without notifying the user, or the user can be notified to switch the image forming conditions and print.

[0164] Alternatively, the analysis results can be sent from the server 2 to the image forming apparatus 1 that has produced a defect, as well as to multiple image forming apparatus 1 connected to the same network 4.

[0165] The above describes one embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0166] For example, the information sent from the image forming apparatus 1 to the server 2 may include various other information besides that shown in Tables 3-5. For instance, it may include at least one of the following: image information regarding the presence or absence of an image on the sheet surface; sheet transmittance information; reflectivity information; stiffness information; thickness information; basis weight information; dimensional information; texture direction information; color information; moisture content information; smoothness information; electrical resistance information; friction information; sheet composition information; and printing information. The sheet composition information may include at least one of pulp, coating, fluorescent agent, filler, and color material, while the printing information may include at least one of the sheet brand, environmental information, paper feed information, and image forming information.

[0167] Table 6 summarizes the information acquired for each detection unit. For example, information such as paper type, transmittance, and reflectance, determined based on optical characteristics, can be obtained from optical sensor 91. Paper size information can be obtained from paper feed trays 90a and 90b, stiffness information can be obtained from the sheet conveyor motor (mechanical mechanism), sheet thickness information can be obtained by measuring the displacement of the sheet conveyor roller using a displacement sensor, and information on paper texture direction, smoothness, and color can be obtained from a CMOS sensor. "User settings" refers to information set by the user.

[0168] Table 6

[0169]

[0170] In addition, the relationship between sheet type and basis weight is shown in Table 7.

[0171] Table 7

[0172] Sheet types and basis weight

[0173] Sheet types Basis weight lower limit Base weight upper limit tissue 52 59 Ordinary paper 60 90 Plain paper + 91 105 Thick paper 1 106 120 Thick paper 1+ 121 157 Thick paper 2 158 209 Thick paper 3 210 256 Thick paper 4 257 300

[0174] By sending such information to server 2, server 2 can analyze the relationship between basis weight, fixing heat and defects based on the accumulated sheet type setting error information and defect information, and can send the analysis results to image forming apparatus 1 and notify the user.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus, characterized in that, have: The receiving unit accepts the user's setting for the type of recording medium; The detection unit detects a parameter for determining the type of recording medium, which includes a setting of the type of recording medium received by the aforementioned receiving unit. The discrimination unit determines the type of recording medium based on the detection results of the above detection unit; The image forming unit forms an image on the aforementioned recording medium; as well as The transmitting unit, for a recording medium on which the type setting has been received by the receiving unit, transmits at least two of the following information to an external device: information related to the received type, information related to the type determined by the discrimination unit, and information related to the consistency / inconsistency between the received type and the determined type. The aforementioned detection unit performs category discrimination parameters on a recording medium that has not been configured by the user in a first detection mode, and performs category discrimination parameters on a recording medium that has been configured by the aforementioned receiving unit in a second detection mode, which is different from the first detection mode.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned sending unit establishes associations between multiple pieces of information of the sending object to send them.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned sending unit also sends defect information generated by the image forming apparatus to an external device.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned transmitting unit also transmits at least one of the following information regarding the presence or absence of an image on the surface of the recording medium: image information, transmittance information, reflectance information, stiffness information, thickness information, basis weight information, size information, texture direction information, color information, moisture information, smoothness information, resistance information, friction information, composition information of the recording medium, and printing information. The composition information of the recording medium includes at least one of pulp, coating, fluorescent agent, filler, and color material, and the printing information includes at least one of the brand, environmental information, paper feed information, and image forming information of the recording medium.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned detection unit includes an optical sensor that detects transmitted and / or reflected light from the light source onto the recording medium as parameters for category determination. The aforementioned discrimination unit determines the type of recording medium based on the detected transmitted light and / or reflected light, and calculates at least one of the recording medium's transmittance, reflectance, and basis weight.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, have: The receiving unit receives defect generation information, which indicates the possibility of a defect occurring, from the external device after analyzing and transmitting information sent and accumulated from the image forming apparatus by the transmitting unit. as well as The notification unit will notify the user of any adverse events received through the aforementioned receiving unit.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The user sets the type of recording medium on an external print instruction unit, and the receiving unit receives the settings made on the print instruction unit via a network.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection time in the second detection mode is shorter than that in the first detection mode.

9. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The image forming unit forms an image without reflecting the discrimination result of the discrimination unit in the image forming process when the receiving unit receives a recording medium of a set type.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The receiving unit receives from the external device, which is analyzed to have the potential to produce adverse conditions, an instruction to switch to image formation conditions corresponding to the type determined by the discrimination unit.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection accuracy of the parameters used for type identification in the first detection mode is higher than that of the parameters used for type identification in the second detection mode.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection range of the parameters for determining the type of recording medium by the above detection unit is different in the first detection mode and the second detection mode, and the detection time and detection accuracy of the first detection mode are equal to or higher than the detection time and detection accuracy of the second detection mode.

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that, The detection range of the second detection mode is wider than that of the first detection mode.

14. A method for processing information on the type of recording medium, characterized in that, The image forming apparatus performs: Accept the steps and accept the user's setting for the type of recording medium; The detection step involves detecting, by means of a detection unit, a parameter for determining the type of the recording medium, which is the type of the recording medium that was accepted in the above-mentioned acceptance step. The discrimination step determines the type of recording medium based on the detection results from the above detection steps; The image forming step involves forming an image on the aforementioned recording medium; as well as In the transmission step, for a recording medium that has received a type setting in the above-mentioned receiving step, at least two of the following information are transmitted to an external device: information related to the received type, information related to the type determined by the above-mentioned discrimination step, and information related to the consistency / inconsistency between the received type and the determined type. In the above detection steps, the recording medium for which no user-defined category setting has been performed is tested for category discrimination parameters in the first detection mode, and the recording medium for which a category setting has been performed in the above acceptance step is tested for category discrimination parameters in the second detection mode, which is different from the first detection mode.

15. The method for processing information on the type of recording medium according to claim 14, characterized in that, In the above sending steps, multiple pieces of information about the sending object are associated with each other and then sent.

16. The method for processing information on the type of recording medium according to claim 14, characterized in that, In the above-described transmission step, information about defects generated by the image forming apparatus is also sent to an external device.

17. The method for processing information on the type of recording medium according to claim 14, characterized in that, In the above transmission steps, at least one of the following is also transmitted: image information regarding the presence or absence of an image on the surface of the recording medium, transmittance information, reflectance information, stiffness information, thickness information, basis weight information, size information, texture direction information, color information, moisture information, smoothness information, resistance information, friction information, composition information of the recording medium, and printing information. The composition information of the recording medium includes at least one of pulp, coating, fluorescent agent, filler, and color material, and the printing information includes at least one of the brand, environmental information, paper feed information, and image forming information of the recording medium.

18. The method for processing information on the type of recording medium according to claim 14, characterized in that, An optical sensor is used in the above detection steps. The optical sensor detects the transmitted light and / or reflected light from the light source onto the recording medium as parameters for category determination. In the above discrimination step, the type of recording medium is determined based on the detected transmitted light and / or reflected light, and at least one of the transmittance, reflectance and basis weight of the recording medium is calculated.

19. The method for processing information on the type of recording medium according to claim 14, characterized in that, The image forming apparatus performs: The receiving step involves receiving, from the external device, information indicating the possibility of a defect occurring, which is analyzed and sent to the image forming apparatus by the external device based on information sent and accumulated from the image forming apparatus in the sending step. as well as The notification step will generate information to notify the user of any adverse situations received in the above receiving steps.

20. The method for processing information on the type of recording medium according to claim 14, characterized in that, In the external print instruction step, the user sets the type of recording medium, and in the above-mentioned acceptance step, the above-mentioned settings made in the print instruction step are accepted via the network.

21. The method for processing information on the type of recording medium according to claim 14, characterized in that, The detection time in the second detection mode is shorter than that in the first detection mode.

22. The method for processing information on the type of recording medium according to any one of claims 14 to 21, characterized in that, In the above image forming step, for a recording medium that has been accepted for a certain type in the above receiving step, the discrimination result in the above discrimination step is not reflected in the image forming process to form an image.

23. The method for processing information on the type of recording medium according to claim 19, characterized in that, In the above receiving step, an instruction is received from the external device that is analyzed to have the potential to produce adverse conditions, for switching to image forming conditions corresponding to the type determined in the above discrimination step.

24. The method for processing information on the type of recording medium according to claim 14, characterized in that, The detection accuracy of the parameters used for type identification in the first detection mode is higher than that of the parameters used for type identification in the second detection mode.

25. The method for processing information on the type of recording medium according to claim 14, characterized in that, The detection range of the parameter for determining the type of recording medium in the above detection steps is different in the first detection mode and the second detection mode, and the detection time and detection accuracy of the first detection mode are equal to or higher than the detection time and detection accuracy of the second detection mode.

26. The method for processing information on the type of recording medium according to claim 25, characterized in that, The detection range of the second detection mode is wider than that of the first detection mode.

27. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program, characterized in that, The above procedure causes the computer of the image forming apparatus to execute: Accept the steps and accept the user's setting for the type of recording medium; The detection step involves detecting, by means of a detection unit, a parameter for determining the type of the recording medium, which is the type of the recording medium that was accepted in the above-mentioned acceptance step. The discrimination step determines the type of recording medium based on the detection results from the above detection steps; The image forming step involves forming an image on the aforementioned recording medium; as well as In the transmission step, for a recording medium that has received a type setting in the above-mentioned receiving step, at least two of the following information are transmitted to an external device: information related to the received type, information related to the type determined by the above-mentioned discrimination step, and information related to the consistency / inconsistency between the received type and the determined type. In the above detection steps, the recording medium for which no user-defined category setting has been performed is tested for category discrimination parameters in the first detection mode, and the recording medium for which a category setting has been performed in the above acceptance step is tested for category discrimination parameters in the second detection mode, which is different from the first detection mode.

28. The computer-readable storage medium storing a program according to claim 27, characterized in that, In the above sending steps, multiple pieces of information about the sending object are associated with each other and then sent.

29. The computer-readable storage medium storing a program according to claim 27, characterized in that, In the above-described transmission step, information about defects generated by the image forming apparatus is also sent to an external device.

30. The computer-readable storage medium storing a program according to claim 27, characterized in that, In the above transmission steps, at least one of the following is also transmitted: image information regarding the presence or absence of an image on the surface of the recording medium, transmittance information, reflectance information, stiffness information, thickness information, basis weight information, size information, texture direction information, color information, moisture information, smoothness information, resistance information, friction information, composition information of the recording medium, and printing information. The composition information of the recording medium includes at least one of pulp, coating, fluorescent agent, filler, and color material, and the printing information includes at least one of the brand, environmental information, paper feed information, and image forming information of the recording medium.

31. The computer-readable storage medium storing a program according to claim 27, characterized in that, An optical sensor is used in the above detection steps. The optical sensor detects the transmitted light and / or reflected light from the light source onto the recording medium as parameters for category determination. In the above discrimination step, the type of recording medium is determined based on the detected transmitted light and / or reflected light, and at least one of the transmittance, reflectance and basis weight of the recording medium is calculated.

32. The computer-readable storage medium storing a program according to claim 27, characterized in that, The computer of the image forming apparatus performs: The receiving step involves receiving, from the external device, information indicating the possibility of a defect occurring, which is analyzed and sent to the image forming apparatus by the external device based on information sent and accumulated from the image forming apparatus in the sending step. as well as The notification step will generate information to notify the user of any adverse situations received in the above receiving steps.

33. The computer-readable storage medium storing a program according to claim 27, characterized in that, In the external print instruction step, the user sets the type of recording medium, and in the above-mentioned acceptance step, the above-mentioned settings made in the print instruction step are accepted via the network.

34. The computer-readable storage medium storing a program according to claim 27, characterized in that, The detection time in the second detection mode is shorter than that in the first detection mode.

35. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program according to any one of claims 27 to 34, characterized in that, In the above image forming step, for a recording medium that has been accepted for a certain type in the above receiving step, the discrimination result in the above discrimination step is not reflected in the image forming process to form an image.

36. The computer-readable storage medium storing a program according to claim 32, characterized in that, In the above receiving step, an instruction is received from the external device that is analyzed to have the potential to produce adverse conditions, for switching to image forming conditions corresponding to the type determined in the above discrimination step.

37. The computer-readable storage medium storing a program according to claim 27, characterized in that, The detection accuracy of the parameters used for type identification in the first detection mode is higher than that of the parameters used for type identification in the second detection mode.

38. The computer-readable storage medium storing a program according to claim 27, characterized in that, The detection range of the parameter for determining the type of recording medium in the above detection steps is different in the first detection mode and the second detection mode, and the detection time and detection accuracy of the first detection mode are equal to or higher than the detection time and detection accuracy of the second detection mode.

39. The computer-readable storage medium storing a program according to claim 38, characterized in that, The detection range of the second detection mode is wider than that of the first detection mode.

Images