Image forming device, method for processing information concerning recording medium, and program

Abstract

To provide an image forming device that can sense and output new information about paper in a paper feed tray, a method for processing information concerning a recording medium, and a program.SOLUTION: An image forming device 1 comprises: conveying parts 71a and 71b that convey a recording medium; recording medium sensing parts 91, 92 and 100b that sense information concerning the recording medium; and a control part 100 that makes the recording medium sensing parts sense information concerning a recording medium conveyed first by the conveying parts and then sense information concerning a recording medium conveyed by the conveying parts following the recording medium conveyed first, and outputs the sensed information concerning the recording medium conveyed following the recording medium conveyed first.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a multi-function digital multifunction machine called an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral), and a method and program for processing information relating to a recording medium. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, users of image forming devices want to check what type of paper is in the paper feed tray before selecting the output paper, but it is time-consuming to go to the device and open and close the paper feed tray to check. On the other hand, by setting the paper information in the paper feed tray, it is possible to check the paper information without going to the device.

[0003] However, in an office environment where multiple users use the printer, users may randomly add different types of paper to the paper feed tray. When paper is added, the paper information in the paper feed tray becomes outdated, and the latest paper information is not notified to the user, so the user cannot grasp the latest status. In addition, the paper history of the paper feed tray is unknown, making it difficult to determine whether the paper feed tray can be used.

[0004] Meanwhile, a media detection sensor is used as a means for detecting the type of paper. Patent Document 1 discloses that a media detection sensor mounted on an image forming apparatus identifies the physical properties of the paper and also displays the type and basis weight.

[0005] Patent Document 2 also discloses an image forming device that detects the characteristics (media characteristics) of a recording material being transported to an image forming section, and interrupts the image formation process if the detected first media characteristics of the recording material being transported differ from the second media characteristics of the recording material at the time of the previous image formation stored in RAM, and if the image formation conditions according to the first media characteristics differ from the image formation conditions according to the second media characteristics, and furthermore, after the interruption, has the user input the media characteristics via an input means, and resumes the image formation operation under the image formation conditions according to the input media characteristics. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-89505 [Patent Document 2] JP 2018-106112 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, the technologies described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 make no mention of informing the user of the latest information about the paper in the paper feed tray. Therefore, when the paper feed tray is replenished, the user cannot grasp the latest paper information, and since the paper history of the tray is unknown, it is difficult to determine whether the tray can be used or not. Therefore, the technologies described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 cannot provide a solution to the problem.

[0008] This invention has been made in consideration of the above technical background, and aims to provide an image forming apparatus, a method for processing information related to a recording medium, and a program that can detect and output the latest information about paper in a paper feed tray. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The above object can be achieved by the following means: (1) a conveying unit that conveys a recording medium; a recording medium detection unit that detects information regarding the recording medium; a control unit that causes the recording medium detection unit to detect information regarding the first recording medium conveyed by the conveying unit, detects information regarding recording media conveyed by the conveying unit after the first recording medium, and outputs the detected information regarding the recording media after the first recording medium; An image forming apparatus comprising: (2) a holding section that is openable and closable relative to the image forming apparatus and holds the recording medium; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: detecting information regarding the first recording medium to be conveyed by the conveying unit during the period from when the holding unit is closed until the next opening and closing; and detecting information regarding recording media to be conveyed by the conveying unit after the first recording medium. (3) In the image forming apparatus according to paragraph 1, the information about the recording medium is a physical property value of the recording medium or a type of the recording medium determined based on the physical property value, and the physical property value is at least any one of transmittance information, reflectance information, stiffness information, thickness information, basis weight information, size information, grain direction information, color information, moisture information, smoothness information, resistance information, friction information, and pulp material, coating agent, fluorescent agent, and filler, which are components of paper. (4) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium includes an envelope made of at least one of a pulp material, a resin material, and a textile material, and / or an OHP. (5) In the image forming device described in paragraph 1 above, the first recording medium transported is at least one of the following: the recording medium that is transported first when the feed port is closed, the recording medium that is transported first when the feed port starts to have no recording medium but has one present, or the recording medium that is transported first from a feed port that has no information about the recording medium. (6) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: determining image forming conditions based on information regarding the first recording medium to be conveyed detected by the recording medium detection unit. (7) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection of information about the recording medium after the first recording medium is performed at a different time from the detection of information about the first recording medium. (8) The image forming apparatus according to the preceding paragraph 7, wherein the recording medium detection unit determines whether to detect information about recording media after the first sheet each time the recording medium is transported or every time a predetermined number of sheets are transported, depending on the transport speed. (9) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit also outputs information about the first recording medium detected by the recording medium detection unit. (10) The image forming apparatus according to any one of the preceding paragraphs 1 to 9, wherein the control unit outputs to at least one of a printer driver display unit of an information terminal connected to the apparatus, a display unit of the apparatus, or an external server connected to the apparatus. (11) The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control unit outputs a detection history of the recording medium. (12) The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control unit outputs confirmed information about a first recording medium and information about a newest recording medium subsequent to the first recording medium. (13) The image forming apparatus according to the preceding paragraph 12, which outputs uncertain information while information regarding the recording medium is not yet determined. (14) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit analyzes whether the recording medium has been replenished based on a change in a detection result by the recording medium detection unit. (15) The image forming apparatus according to the preceding paragraph 14, wherein the control unit outputs warning information according to a frequency of replenishment of the recording medium. (16) The image forming apparatus according to any one of the preceding paragraphs 1 to 9, wherein the control unit outputs notification information when a detection result by the recording medium detection unit changes. (17) The image forming apparatus according to paragraph 16, wherein the notification information is displayed as a pop-up on the display screen or as a status notification display using an indicator. (18) A holding section that is openable and closable relative to the device and holds the recording medium; a storage means for storing and updating a history of opening and closing of the holding unit and a history of detection and update of information regarding the recording medium in association with each other; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: (19) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium detection unit detects information about recording media subsequent to the first sheet a plurality of times during one job. (20) A recording medium storing device according to the present invention includes a holding section that is openable and closable relative to the recording medium, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium detection unit detects information about recording media subsequent to the first recording medium a plurality of times until the holding unit is opened. (21) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium detection unit detects information about recording media subsequent to the first recording medium for at least the second recording medium in the job and the last recording medium in the job. (22) A storage unit for storing information regarding the recording medium detected by the recording medium detection unit, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a memory unit configured to receive a request for acquiring information about a recording medium from an external server. (23) a conveying step of conveying the recording medium; a recording medium detection step of detecting information related to the recording medium; a control step of detecting information about a recording medium that is transported as a first recording medium by the transport step in the recording medium detection step, detecting information about recording media that are transported after the first recording medium by the transport step, and outputting the detected information about the recording media that are transported after the first recording medium; A method for processing information relating to a recording medium, comprising: (24) a conveying step of conveying the recording medium; a recording medium detection step of detecting information related to the recording medium; a control step of detecting information about a recording medium that is transported as a first recording medium by the transport step in the recording medium detection step, detecting information about recording media that are transported after the first recording medium by the transport step, and outputting the detected information about the recording media that are transported after the first recording medium; A program for causing a computer of an image forming apparatus to execute the above. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the image forming apparatus and the method for processing information related to recording media of the present invention, information related to the first recording medium to be transported is detected, and information related to recording media to be transported after the first recording medium is detected. Then, the information related to the detected recording media after the first recording medium is output, and the output information allows the user to know information about recording media newer than the first recording medium to be transported. As a result, even if a recording medium different from the first recording medium is added to the paper feed tray after the first recording medium is transported, the user has more opportunities to know information about the recording medium after the addition, so the user can grasp the latest paper information of the paper feed tray and easily determine whether the corresponding tray can be used.

[0011] According to the program of the present invention, a computer of an image forming device can be caused to execute a transport step of transporting a recording medium, a recording medium detection step of detecting information relating to the recording medium, and a control step of detecting, in the recording medium detection step, information relating to the first recording medium transported by the transport step, detecting information relating to recording media transported by the transport step after the first recording medium, and outputting the detected information relating to the recording media after the first recording medium. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic view of a part of a transport path of a sheet on which an image is printed in an image forming apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an optical sensor. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an ultrasonic sensor. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus. [Diagram 5] 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a control unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. [Figure 6]11 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence of a first detection mode for detecting information relating to the first recording medium to be conveyed and a second detection mode for detecting information relating to recording media subsequent to the first recording medium. FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a diagram showing another sequence example regarding the first detection mode and the second detection mode. FIG. [Figure 8] 11 is a table summarizing information about recording media that can be detected by each recording medium detection unit. [Figure 9] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display window when displaying detection results of information related to a recording medium in a first detection mode and a second detection mode. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a tray history display window that is displayed when a confirmation button displayed in a "history" item in the display window of FIG. 9 is pressed. [Figure 11] 13 is a diagram showing a warning display screen that is displayed when there are frequent changes in the type of paper held in the holding section; FIG. [Figure 12] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating an example of a pop-up display that notifies a user that the paper type has changed during a print job. [Figure 13] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a print process performed by the image forming apparatus. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing a detection result output process performed by the image forming apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic view of a part of a transport path for a recording medium (hereinafter, the recording medium is also called a sheet or paper) on which an image is printed in an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] The image forming apparatus 1 may be, but is not limited to, a copier, a printer, or an MFP, which is a multi-function digital multifunction machine.

[0016] 1, a paper feed section 60 is provided at the bottom of the image forming apparatus 1, and a first paper feed tray 60a, which is a first-stage paper feed cassette at the top, and a second paper feed tray 60b, which is a second-stage paper feed cassette at the bottom, are arranged in the paper feed section 60, and a sheet transport path 8 is formed in the vertical direction, communicating with a paper feed opening 8a of the first paper feed tray 60a and a paper feed opening 8b of the second paper feed tray 60b. A sheet fed to the sheet transport path 8 from the paper feed opening 8a of the first paper feed tray 60a or the paper feed opening 8b of the second paper feed tray 60b is transported upward along the sheet transport path 8 by transport rollers (corresponding to a sheet transport section) 71a, 71b, etc., as shown by arrow A, to a pair of skew correction rollers 72 installed at an upper position of the sheet transport path 8.

[0017] In addition, a manual feed tray (not shown) is provided on the opposite side of the sheet transport path 8 from the first paper feed tray 60a, and a sheet set in the manual feed tray is supplied to the sheet transport path 8 via the manual feed opening 8c.

[0018] The above-mentioned paper feed opening 8a of the first paper feed tray 60a, the second paper feed tray 60b, and the manual feed tray all correspond to holding sections that hold sheets, and the user can open and close the first paper feed tray 60a, the second paper feed tray 60b, and the manual feed tray relative to the image forming apparatus 1. Opening the first paper feed tray 60a and the second paper feed tray 60b means removing the first paper feed tray (paper feed cassette) 60a and the second paper feed tray (paper feed cassette) 60b from the device body for paper replacement, replenishment, etc., and opening the manual feed tray means removing the sheets from the manual feed tray to put it in an unused state.

[0019] On the other hand, closing the first paper feed tray 60a and the second paper feed tray 60b means attaching the first paper feed tray 60a and the second paper feed tray 60b to the device body, and closing the manual feed tray means setting sheets in the manual feed tray and making it ready for use.

[0020] Moreover, opening the first paper feed tray 60a, the second paper feed tray 60b, and the manual feed tray is also referred to as opening the paper feed openings 8a, 8b, and 8c, and closing the first paper feed tray 60a, the second paper feed tray 60b, and the manual feed tray is also referred to as closing the paper feed openings 8a, 8b, and 8c. The opening and closing of the first paper feed tray 60a and the second paper feed tray 60b can be detected by a sensor (not shown), and the opening and closing of the manual feed tray can be detected by the presence or absence of a sheet in the manual feed tray.

[0021] The skew correction roller 72 is a roller for correcting the skew (inclination) of the sheet transported through the sheet transport path 8.

[0022] Between the paper feed opening 8a of the upper first paper feed tray 60a and the skew correction roller 72, two media detection sensors 91, 92 are arranged on the upstream and downstream sides of the sheet transport path 8 in the transport direction. These media detection sensors 91, 92 detect the physical properties of the sheet, which is an example of information about the sheet. The upstream media detection sensor 91 is an optical sensor that detects light irradiated onto the sheet, and the downstream media detection sensor 92 is an ultrasonic sensor that detects ultrasonic waves output toward the sheet. Note that the optical sensor 91 may be arranged on the upstream side and the ultrasonic sensor 92 on the downstream side.

[0023] 2 is an explanatory diagram of the optical sensor 91. The optical sensor 91 is composed of a transmission light source 91a such as an LED, a reflection light source 91b, and a light receiving element 91c such as a photodiode, and detects the amount of transmitted light 93 emitted from the transmission light source 91a and transmitted through the sheet M conveyed on the sheet conveying path 8, and the amount of reflected light 94 emitted from the reflection light source 91b and reflected by the sheet M, as physical property values, by the light receiving element 91c. Then, based on the levels of the detected transmitted light amount and reflected light amount, a control unit 100 described later determines the type of the sheet M (basis weight, OHP, recycled paper, coated paper, etc.), thereby detecting the type of sheet (sheet type), which is another example of information about the sheet. The optical sensor 91 may be composed of a plurality of sensor groups corresponding to the colors of red, green, and blue, for example.

[0024] 3 is an explanatory diagram of the ultrasonic sensor 92. The ultrasonic sensor 92 includes a pair of ultrasonic transmitter 92a and ultrasonic receiver 92b arranged diagonally opposite each other across the sheet transport path 8 in the passing direction of the sheet M (see FIG. 1). The ultrasonic sensor 92 transmits ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transmitter 92a to the passing sheet M, and receives the ultrasonic waves that have passed through the sheet M by the ultrasonic receiver 92b. The control unit 100, which will be described later, then determines whether the sheet is a single-sheet or two-sheet paper (envelope) based on the amount of ultrasonic attenuation by the sheet M, thereby detecting the sheet type as information related to the sheet.

[0025] In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 has a user-specified mode and an automatic detection mode, and the user can select either mode. The user-specified mode is a mode in which the user specifies the sheet type. When the user-specified mode is selected, the media detection sensors 91, 92 do not detect the physical properties of the sheet or discriminate the sheet type. When the automatic detection mode is selected, the media detection sensors 91, 92 detect and discriminate the sheet type.

[0026] Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in Fig. 4, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 100, a storage device 110, an image reading device 120, an operation panel unit 50, an image forming unit 10, a paper feed unit 60, the above-mentioned optical sensor 91, an ultrasonic sensor 92, a printer controller 150, a network interface (network I / F) 160, etc., which are connected to each other via a system bus 175.

[0027] 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.

[0028] The CPU 101 performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 1 by executing operation programs stored in the ROM 102, etc. For example, in addition to controlling the execution of functions such as a copy function, a printer function, and a scan function, in this embodiment in particular, the CPU 101 executes detection of the physical properties of a sheet based on the light amount detection by the optical sensor 91 and the ultrasonic detection by the ultrasonic sensor 92, determines the sheet type based on the detection result, and during printing, automatically sets image formation conditions corresponding to the sheet type based on the determination result to execute printing. The CPU 101 also executes control processes such as storing and accumulating the physical properties of the sheet and the sheet type determination results detected by the optical sensor 91 and the ultrasonic sensor 92 in the storage device 110 and outputting them to the operation panel unit 50 or an external device.

[0029] The ROM 102 stores the programs executed by the CPU 101 and other data.

[0030] The S-RAM 103 serves as a working area when the CPU 101 executes a program, and temporarily stores the program, data when the program is executed, and the like.

[0031] The NV-RAM 104 is a non-volatile memory backed up by a battery, and stores various settings relating to image formation, the number of pixels of the display unit 54, data of various screens displayed on the display unit 54, and the like.

[0032] The clock IC 105 keeps time and also functions as an internal timer to measure processing times, etc.

[0033] The storage device 110 is composed of a hard disk or the like, and stores programs, various data, etc. In particular, in this embodiment, the storage device 110 accumulates the detection results of the sheet physical properties and the sheet type discrimination results by the optical sensor 91 and the ultrasonic sensor 92, as well as the detection history, etc.

[0034] The image reading device 120 includes a scanner and the like, and reads an original document set on a platen glass by scanning it, and converts the read original document into image data.

[0035] The operation panel unit 50 is used when the user instructs the image forming apparatus 1 to issue a job or other instructions or to make various settings, and includes a reset key 51, a start key 52, a stop key 53, a display unit 54, a touch panel 55, and the like.

[0036] The reset key 51 is used to reset settings, the start key 52 is used to start operations such as scanning, and the stop key 53 is pressed to interrupt an operation, etc.

[0037] The display unit 54 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device, and outputs and displays messages, various operation screens, etc., and the touch panel 55 is formed on the screen of the display unit 54 and detects touch operations by the user.

[0038] The image forming unit 10 prints on paper image data of an original read by the image reading device 120 or a copy image generated from print data transmitted from an external terminal device 3, etc., and is equipped with a print engine 18 consisting of hardware components for image formation such as a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer belt, a transfer roller, etc., and a fixing unit 19 that heats and presses the sheet on which the image is formed to fix the image.

[0039] The network I / F 160 functions as a communication means for transmitting and receiving data via the network 4 with external devices, such as external servers, cloud systems, printer drivers of user's information terminal devices, other image forming devices, and the like.

[0040] 5 is a block diagram for explaining the functional configuration of the control unit 100. The control unit 100 functionally includes a media detection control unit 100a, a sheet type detection control unit 100b, an image formation control unit 100c, a storage unit 100d, an external communication control unit 100e, and an edge processing unit 100f.

[0041] The media detection control unit 100a operates the media detection sensors, an optical sensor 91 and an ultrasonic sensor 92, to detect the physical properties of the sheet in the first and second detection modes described below, and the sheet type detection control unit 100b detects the sheet type based on the detection results by the optical sensor 91 and the ultrasonic sensor 92.

[0042] The image formation control unit 100c controls the image forming unit 10 under image forming conditions corresponding to each sheet type based on the sheet type detected by the sheet type detection control unit 100b, and prints an image on the sheet.

[0043] The storage unit 100d temporarily stores the detection results of the physical property values ​​of the sheet by the optical sensor 91 and the ultrasonic sensor 92, the detection results of the sheet type by the sheet type detection control unit 100b, the detection history, etc. The information stored in the storage unit 100d is transferred to the storage device 110 in FIG.

[0044] The external communication control unit 100e corresponds to the network I / F 160 in FIG. 2, and transmits and receives data to and from an external device 3 constituted by a terminal device, an external server, another image forming device, or the like.

[0045] The edge processing unit 100f has an analysis function and a learning function, and uses the information stored in the storage device 110 to analyze factors behind changes in sheet type, etc.

[0046] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described, focusing on the control by the control unit 100.

[0047] In this embodiment, the control unit 100 controls the optical sensor 91 and the ultrasonic sensor 92 to detect the physical properties of the sheet transported along the sheet transport path 8 and to detect the sheet type in the first detection mode and the second detection mode.

[0048] The first detection mode is performed on the first sheet to be conveyed. The first sheet to be conveyed may be the sheet that is conveyed first after the first and second feed trays 60a and 60b are opened (the first and second feed trays 60a and 60b are removed), sheets are replaced, replenished, or added, and the first and second feed trays 60a and 60b are closed (the first and second feed trays 60a and 60b are inserted), or in the case of a manual feed tray, it may be the sheet that is conveyed first after sheet presence / absence detection changes from absent to present, that is, after the manual feed tray is closed. Alternatively, it may be the sheet that is conveyed first from a feed port that has no sheet type information after the information on the sheet type is reset by turning the power of the image forming apparatus 1 OFF / ON or returning from sleep mode, or it may be the sheet that is conveyed first from a feed port that has no sheet type information after the media detection function is turned ON from OFF. Alternatively, it may be the sheet that is conveyed first in a print job.

[0049] Since the information about this first sheet is uncertain, in the first detection mode, the sheet is transported at a slow speed so that the detection results can be reflected in the process conditions (image formation conditions). It is also a good idea to increase the number of times the sensor reads the sheet surface in order to perform detailed detection and improve accuracy. This allows the type of sheet in the paper feed tray to be determined, and the fixing temperature and transfer current are determined based on the process conditions (image formation conditions) that match the determined sheet type, and the transport speed and other conditions are also selected to perform printing from the next sheet onwards.

[0050] On the other hand, the second detection mode is a mode in which, after the sheet type of the first sheet is determined in the first detection mode, the physical properties and sheet type of sheets other than the first sheet are detected until the first sheet feed tray 60a, the second sheet feed tray 60b, or the manual feed tray is opened. Detection in the second detection mode may be performed on all sheets other than the first sheet, or may be performed every several sheets, for example, every other sheet or every fifth sheet, or may be performed at the beginning and end of a job excluding the first sheet.

[0051] In the second detection mode, the conveying speed is set according to the sheet type determined by detection in the first detection mode. Therefore, depending on the sheet type, the conveying speed is faster than in the first detection mode, so the time from when the sheet reaches each media detection sensor 91, 92 to when it reaches the skew correction roller 72 is shorter, and therefore the detection time is also shorter than in the first detection mode.

[0052] Different sequence examples for the first detection mode and the second detection mode are shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. In Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, for example, after the first paper feed tray 60a is inserted or removed (opened or closed) as indicated by the "cassette operation" signal, four print jobs (1) to (4) each consisting of four sheets are executed as indicated by the "print job" signal.

[0053] In both Figures 6 and 7, in the first detection mode, detection is performed on the first sheet fed from the first paper feed tray 60a after the first paper feed tray 60a is inserted or removed (opened or closed), in other words, the first sheet of print job (1).

[0054] Meanwhile, in the second detection mode, detection is performed for all sheets except the first sheet in Fig. 6, and detection is performed for the last sheet of each job in Fig. 7. Also, Fig. 6 shows that a change in sheet type is detected by detecting the third sheet of print job (3) (the 11th sheet since the paper feed cassette was opened and closed), and Fig. 7 shows that a change in sheet type is detected by detecting the last sheet of print job (3). This type of detection makes it possible to detect when sheets of different types have been added to the same paper feed cassette.

[0055] In the examples of FIGS. 6 and 7, detection is also performed in the first detection mode for the first sheet of the first job (print job (4)) after detection of the change in sheet type.

[0056] The image forming apparatus 1 may be configured to be able to implement either of the second detection modes shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, and one of them may be selected depending on the performance of the image forming apparatus 1 and the type of sheet to be conveyed. For example, if the processing performance of the image forming apparatus 1 is low and the sheet conveying speed is fast, it may not be possible to detect every sheet in time, so the physical property values ​​and sheet type may be detected only for the last sheet of the job as shown in Fig. 7. Also, detection may be performed not only for the last sheet of the job, but every two or three sheets, or every other predetermined number of sheets.

[0057] In this embodiment, the information about the sheet detected by the media detection sensors 91, 92 is the physical property value or the sheet type of the sheet, and the physical property value may include at least one of the transmittance information, reflectance information, stiffness information, thickness information, basis weight information, size information, grain direction information, color information, moisture information, smoothness information, resistance information, friction information, and sheet composition information. The sheet composition information includes at least one of the pulp material, coating agent, fluorescent agent, and filler.

[0058] Table 1 shown in Fig. 8 summarizes each of these pieces of information for each detection means that acquires them. For example, the optical sensor 91 can obtain information on the sheet type, transmittance, reflectance, basis weight, coating agent, fluorescent agent, filler, color information, and pulp material determined from the optical characteristics, while the ultrasonic sensor 92 can obtain information on the paper type. In addition, the displacement sensor can measure the displacement of the sheet transport roller to obtain information on stiffness and sheet thickness, the paper regulation plate position sensors of the paper feed cassettes 90a and 90b can obtain information on paper size, the CMOS-based sensor can obtain information on the grain direction, color, smoothness, and pulp material of the paper, the electrostatic sensor can obtain information on moisture and basis weight, and the transfer current can be detected to obtain resistance.

[0059] Regarding the sheet type, by setting a threshold value for the physical property value of the detection target, such as transmittance, different physical property values ​​can be determined, and sheet types ranging from thin paper to thick paper can be detected. In addition, the sheets include those made of at least one of pulp material, resin material, and textile material, envelopes made of at least one of pulp material, resin material, and textile material, and / or overhead projectors.

[0060] The control unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 1 has a function of controlling the execution of the first detection mode and the second detection mode, and outputting the detected results. Examples of output destinations include the display unit 54 of the operation panel 50 of the image forming apparatus 1, a status display device composed of LEDs and the like, a printer driver of a user's information terminal connected to a network, a server or cloud system connected to a network, and the like.

[0061] A display window as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the display unit of each output destination, for example, the display unit 54 of the operation panel 50. Even when the output is to a printer driver of the user's information terminal, a server connected to a network, or a cloud, the same display window is displayed on each display unit. The display window may be displayed when the user operates an output button displayed on the display unit 54 of the operation panel 50. Alternatively, the display window may be displayed periodically at a predetermined timing. Information output to the printer driver, server, or cloud of the user's information terminal may be performed by a spontaneous output operation from the image forming apparatus 1, or may be in a form in which an output request from the printer driver, server, or cloud is accepted and downloaded. The server or cloud may collect information from the image forming apparatus 1 or other image forming apparatuses as an information collection service.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 9, the display window displays the following items for each tray, i.e., paper feed cassettes 60a, 60b, and manual feed tray: "Paper size," "Orientation," "User specification," "Automatic detection confirmed type," "Final paper type of JOB," "Number of continued sheets of the same paper," "History," "Number of times the last 10,000 sheets have been replenished," and "Real-time display during printing."

[0063] In FIG. 9, trays 1 to 4, an LCT (large capacity feed tray), and a manual feed tray are shown as examples of trays.

[0064] "Paper Size" and "Orientation" indicate the paper size and the paper setting direction, respectively. "User Specified" indicates whether the user specified mode or the automatic detection mode is selected. If the user specified mode is selected, the sheet type specified by the user is displayed.

[0065] "Automatically detected type" displays information about the sheet type that was detected in the first detection mode after the cassette was closed or on the first sheet of paper. If the user-specified mode is selected, automatic detection by the media detection sensors 91 and 92 is not performed, and the sheet type has not been determined, so "undetermined" is displayed in the "Automatically detected type" item.

[0066] "JOB final paper type" displays the type of the final paper for the current job that has been printed continuously, "Number of continued sheets of the same paper" displays the number of sheets that have been printed using the same paper, and "History" displays a confirmation button. Pressing this confirmation button displays the history of that tray. This will be discussed later.

[0067] "Number of times added to the past 10,000 sheets" displays the number of times it was determined that an addition occurred out of the past 10,000 sheets.

[0068] The "Real-time display during printing" displays the latest detected sheet type and the sheet type detected immediately before for the tray being printed on. In the example of Figure 9, printing is being performed on paper in tray 1, and both the latest and previous sheet types are displayed as plain paper.

[0069] FIG. 10 shows a tray history display window that is displayed when the confirmation button for, for example, tray 4 displayed in the "history" item in the display window of FIG. 9 is pressed.

[0070] This display window shows detailed history of the detection results by the media detection sensors 91, 92, etc. for the sheets held in the tray 4, and allows the user to view changes in paper type for a predetermined number of sheets in the past in the tray 4. Specifically, the sheet types change in order from oldest to newest: plain paper, thick paper 1, plain paper, thick paper 1, plain paper, and the number of prints for each sheet is shown. Also, the edge processing unit 100f of the image forming apparatus 1 analyzes what caused the change in sheet type, and the analysis results are displayed.

[0071] For example, if tray 4 is opened and closed, it is determined that the user has replaced the sheets, and a change after tray opening and closing is displayed. If the power is turned off and on and the user replaces the sheets while the power is off, a change after power on is displayed. If the sheet type has changed even though there has been no tray opening and closing or no power off and on, it is determined that the sheets were mixed, and a change due to replenishment is displayed. If there are many replenishment changes, as shown in FIG. 11, a message describing the disadvantages of frequent replenishment is output to the display unit 54 of the operation panel 50, the printer driver of the user's information terminal, a server or cloud connected to the network, etc., and a warning is displayed on each display unit. In the example of FIG. 11, it is displayed that the frequency of mixing different types of paper in tray 4 is increasing, and that in order to ensure stable print quality and finish, it is desirable to remove remaining paper before inserting paper when changing to a different paper type.

[0072] Also, an example of a pop-up display that notifies users when the sheet type has changed in the middle of a print job is shown in Fig. 12. In this example, it is displayed that the sheet type has changed on the 11th / 50th page of the print job, from plain paper to thick paper 1. The pop-up display shown in Fig. 12 is also output to the display unit 54 of the operation panel 50, a display device in the printer driver of the user's information terminal, a server or cloud connected to the network, etc., and displayed on each display unit.

[0073] Note that the display is not limited to a pop-up display, and may be a display (status notification display) that notifies the user that the sheet type has changed by flashing an indicator such as an LED. Even if the user's print job is not being executed, a display may be displayed to notify users who are waiting in line for printing, for example, that the sheet type has changed during another user's print job.

[0074] In this way, by notifying the user that the sheet type has been changed during a print job, the user can grasp the latest sheet type information and history information in the tray, and can appropriately select the tray to be used. Furthermore, when the result of automatic detection by the media detection sensors 91, 92, etc. is not desired, the user can appropriately and safely customize the settings. For example, if the latest sheet type is thick paper 1, the sheet is normally transported at a transport speed corresponding to thick paper 1, but a user who wants to output quickly may change the setting to plain paper and print. In this case, if the sheet type is not the latest as in the past and the sheet type has been changed but the wrong sheet type information before the change is output, the setting may be wasted or the plain paper setting may not be good. For example, if the latest sheet type held in the tray is plain paper but is displayed as thick paper 1, the user's change of setting to plain paper will be wasted. Conversely, if the latest sheet type in the tray is thick paper 4 but the wrong sheet type information is output as thick paper 1, setting plain paper may lead to a jam or failure. From this perspective, users can customize their devices properly and safely by being able to recognize the latest sheet type information and history information.

[0075] 13 is a flowchart for explaining the print processing performed by the image forming apparatus 1. This print processing is executed by the CPU 101 of the control unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 1 operating in accordance with an operation program stored in a storage unit such as the ROM 102.

[0076] In step S01, feeding of the first sheet is started, and in step S02, it is determined whether it is the timing to implement the first detection mode. If it is the timing to implement the first detection mode (YES in step S02), media detection is performed in the first detection mode in step S03, and then the process proceeds to step S06. If it is not the timing to implement the first detection mode (NO in step S02), it is determined in step S04 whether it is the timing to implement the second detection mode, and if it is the timing to implement the second detection mode (YES in step S04), media detection is performed in the second detection mode in step S05, and then the process proceeds to step S06. If it is not the timing to implement the second detection mode (NO in step S04), the process proceeds to step S09.

[0077] In step S06, the detection results in the first detection mode and the second detection mode are stored in the storage device 110 and updated.

[0078] Next, in step S07, it is checked whether the sheet type has changed. If the sheet type has changed (YES in step S07), in step S8, a display notifying the user that the sheet type has changed as shown in Fig. 12 is displayed on the display unit 54 of the operation panel 50, and then the process proceeds to step S09. If the display is to be displayed on an external device such as a user's information terminal, a server, or a cloud, the display data is output via the network. If the sheet type has not changed in step S07 (NO in step S07), the process also proceeds to step S09.

[0079] In step S09, it is determined whether printing is complete, and if not (NO in step S09), the process returns to step S01 to print the next page, or if printing is complete (YES in step S09), the process ends.

[0080] 14 is a flowchart showing the process of outputting the result of media detection. This process is also executed by the CPU 101 of the control unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 1 operating in accordance with an operation program stored in a storage unit such as the ROM 102.

[0081] In step S11, it is determined whether or not there is an output request. In the case of an output request for output (display) to the operation panel 50, the output request may be made by operating a predetermined operation button displayed on the display unit 54 of the operation panel 50. Alternatively, a request may be received from an external device such as a server or a cloud.

[0082] If there is no output request (NO in step S11), the process waits for an output request. If there is an output request (YES in step S11), the process acquires information on the detection results stored in storage device 110 in step S12, and then creates and outputs a tray information display window as shown in Fig. 9 in step S13. If the output is to display unit 54 of operation panel 50, the information is displayed on display unit 54.

[0083] Next, in step S14, it is determined whether the confirmation button displayed in the "History" item in the tray information display window in Fig. 9 has been pressed. If it has not been pressed (NO in step S14), the process ends. If it has been pressed (YES in step S14), in step S15, a history window for the corresponding tray as shown in Fig. 10 is output (displayed), and then in step S16, it is determined whether there are many replenishment changes. Whether there are many replenishment changes can be determined by, for example, setting a threshold value in advance and determining that there are many replenishment changes when the threshold value is exceeded.

[0084] If the amount of the additional change is large (YES in step S16), a warning is output (displayed) in step S17, and the process ends. If the amount of the additional change is not large (NO in step S16), the process ends. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1. Image forming device 3 External device 4. Network 10 Image forming section 50 Operation panel section 54 Display section 60 Paper feed section 60a 1st paper feed tray (1st paper feed cassette) 60b Second paper feed tray (first paper feed cassette) 71a, 71b Conveying rollers (sheet conveying section) 72 Deskew roller 91 Optical sensor (recording medium detection section) 91a, 91b light source 91c Light receiving detector 92 Ultrasonic sensor (recording medium detection section) 91a Ultrasonic transmitter 91b Ultrasonic receiver 100 Control section 100a Media detection control unit 100b Sheet type detection control unit (recording medium detection unit) 100c Image formation control unit 100d storage section 100e External communication control unit 100f Edge processing section 110 Storage device

Claims

1. A conveying unit that conveys the recording medium; a recording medium detection unit that detects information regarding the recording medium; a control unit that causes the recording medium detection unit to detect information about a first recording medium, detects information about a second recording medium that is transported by the transport unit after the first recording medium, and outputs the detected information about the second recording medium; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. An image forming apparatus as described in Claim 1, wherein the first recording medium is the first recording medium transported by the transport section.

3. a holding section that is openable and closable with respect to an image forming apparatus and holds the recording medium; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit detects information regarding the first recording medium and detects information regarding the second recording medium during the period between the time when the holding unit is closed and the time when the holding unit is next opened and closed.

4. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information relating to the recording medium is a physical property value of the recording medium or a type of the recording medium determined based on the physical property value, and the physical property value is at least one of transmittance information, reflectance information, stiffness information, thickness information, basis weight information, size information, grain direction information, color information, moisture information, smoothness information, resistance information, friction information, and pulp material, coating agent, fluorescent agent, and filler, which are components of paper.

5. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium includes an envelope made of at least one of a pulp material, a resin material, and a textile material, and / or an OHP.

6. An image forming device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first recording medium is at least one of the following at each paper feed port: the recording medium that is first transported when the paper feed port is closed, the recording medium that is first transported when a recording medium is present at the paper feed port from no recording medium present, or the recording medium that is first transported from a paper feed port that has no information regarding the recording medium.

7. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein image forming conditions are determined based on information about the first recording medium detected by the recording medium detection unit.

8. An image forming device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the operation time of the recording medium detection unit differs between detecting information relating to the second recording medium and detecting information relating to the first recording medium.

9. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the recording medium detection unit determines whether to detect the information regarding the second recording medium every time the second recording medium is conveyed or every time a predetermined number of sheets are conveyed, depending on a conveying speed.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit also outputs information regarding the first recording medium detected by the recording medium detection unit.

11. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit outputs to at least one of a printer driver display unit of an information terminal connected to the apparatus, a display unit of the apparatus, or an external server connected to the apparatus.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the control unit outputs a detection history of the recording medium.

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the control unit outputs the finalized information regarding the first recording medium and the information regarding the second latest recording medium.

14. 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein uncertain information is output while the information regarding the recording medium is not yet determined.

15. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit analyzes whether the recording medium has been replenished based on a change in a detection result by the recording medium detection unit.

16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the control unit outputs warning information according to the frequency of replenishment of the recording medium.

17. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit outputs notification information when a detection result by the recording medium detection unit changes.

18. 18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the notification information is displayed as a pop-up on a display screen or as a status notification display using an indicator.

19. a holding section that is openable and closable relative to the device and holds the recording medium; a storage means for storing and updating a history of opening and closing of the holding unit and a history of detection and update of information regarding the recording medium in association with each other; 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

20. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium detection unit detects the information about the second recording medium a plurality of times during one job.

21. a holding section that is openable and closable relative to the device and holds the recording medium; 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium detection unit detects the information regarding the second recording medium a plurality of times until the holding unit is opened.

22. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium detection unit detects the information relating to the second recording medium for at least a second recording medium in a job and a last recording medium in the job.

23. a storage unit for storing information regarding the recording medium detected by the recording medium detection unit, 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an external server that receives a request for the storage unit to acquire information about the recording medium.

24. a conveying step of conveying the recording medium; a recording medium detection step of detecting information related to the recording medium; a control step of detecting information about a first recording medium in the recording medium detection step, detecting information about a second recording medium that is transported in the transport step after the first recording medium, and outputting the detected information about the second recording medium; A method for processing information relating to a recording medium, comprising:

25. a conveying step of conveying the recording medium; a recording medium detection step of detecting information related to the recording medium; a control step of detecting information about a first recording medium in the recording medium detection step, detecting information about a second recording medium that is transported in the transport step after the first recording medium, and outputting the detected information about the second recording medium; A program for causing a computer of an image forming apparatus to execute the above.

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