Image forming system and sheet feed source determining method

Abstract

To provide an image forming system that can reduce power consumption during printing, and a sheet feed source determining method.SOLUTION: An image forming device 10 is provided with: an image forming part 14 that forms an image on a sheet using ink; a plurality of sheet conveying parts 15A that supplies the sheet to the image forming part 14; a drying part 16 that dries the sheet having the image formed thereon by the image forming part 14; a determining part 41 that when a printing job is executed, determines whether the sheet conveying parts 15A respectively satisfy a sheet feeding condition for the printing job; and a deciding part 42 that when the plurality of sheet conveying parts 15A has been determined to satisfy the sheet feeding condition, decides a sheet-feed source for the printing job, on the basis of kinds of the sheets supplied by the sheet conveying parts 15A satisfying the sheet feeding condition.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system and a paper feed source determination method executed in the image forming system. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known an image forming apparatus that includes a plurality of paper feed units. Also, when a print job is executed, an image forming apparatus that determines a paper feed source for the print job from the plurality of paper feed units according to a determination procedure corresponding to a paper feed mode previously set by a user is known as a related art (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-160666 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the image forming apparatus according to the related art, when there are multiple candidates for the paper feed source of the print job, it is not possible to determine the paper feed source so as to reduce power consumption during printing.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system and a paper feed source determination method that are capable of reducing power consumption during printing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An image forming system according to one aspect of the present invention includes an image forming unit, a plurality of paper feeding units, a drying unit, a judgment processing unit, and a decision processing unit. The image forming unit forms an image on a sheet using ink. The plurality of paper feeding units supply the sheet to the image forming unit. The drying unit dries the sheet on which the image has been formed by the image forming unit. The judgment processing unit judges whether each of the paper feeding units satisfies a paper feeding condition of the print job when a print job is executed in which an image is formed on the sheet using the image forming unit. When there are a plurality of paper feeding units judged by the judgment processing unit to satisfy the paper feeding condition, the decision processing unit determines a paper feed source for the print job based on the type of sheet supplied by each of the paper feeding units that satisfies the paper feeding condition.

[0007] A paper feed source determination method according to another aspect of the present invention is executed in an image forming system including an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet using ink, a plurality of paper feed units that supply the sheet to the image forming unit, and a drying unit that dries the sheet on which the image has been formed by the image forming unit, and includes a determination step and a decision step. In the determination step, when a print job is executed in which an image is formed on the sheet using the image forming unit, it is determined whether each of the paper feed units satisfies a paper feed condition of the print job. In the decision step, when there are a plurality of paper feed units that are determined to satisfy the paper feed condition by the determination step, a paper feed source for the print job is determined based on the type of sheets supplied by each of the paper feed units that satisfy the paper feed condition. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce power consumption during printing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus included in an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of an information processing apparatus included in the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a printing condition setting process executed in the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a paper feed source determination process executed in the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiment is an example of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0011] [Image forming system 100] First, with reference to FIG. 1, a configuration of an image forming system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0012] The image forming system 100 executes a print job for printing data to be printed.

[0013] 1, an image forming system 100 includes an image forming apparatus 10 and an information processing apparatus 20. In the image forming system 100, the image forming apparatus 10 and the information processing apparatus 20 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a communication network 30. For example, the communication network 30 is the Internet or a LAN (local area network).

[0014] [Image forming apparatus 10] Next, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0015] The image forming apparatus 10 is a multifunction machine having multiple functions such as a scanning function for reading an image of an original document, a printing function for forming an image on a sheet based on image data, a fax function, a copy function, etc. The image forming apparatus 10 may be a printer, a fax machine, a copy machine, etc.

[0016] 2, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a control unit 11, an ADF (automatic document feeder) 12, an image reading unit 13, an image forming unit 14, a sheet conveying unit 15, a drying unit 16, an operation display unit 17, a communication unit 18, and a storage unit 19. The image forming apparatus 10 is another example of the image forming system of the present invention.

[0017] The control unit 11 performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 11 includes a CPU 11A, a ROM 11B, and a RAM 11C. The CPU 11A is a processor that executes various arithmetic processes. The ROM 11B is a non-volatile storage device in which information such as a control program for causing the CPU 11A to execute various processes is stored in advance. The RAM 11C is a volatile or non-volatile storage device used as a temporary storage memory (work area) for various processes executed by the CPU 11A. The CPU 11A executes various control programs stored in advance in the ROM 11B. This performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0018] The ADF 12 transports an original document whose image is to be read by the image reading unit 13. The ADF 12 includes an original document setting unit, a plurality of transport rollers, an original document holder, and a paper discharge unit.

[0019] The image reading unit 13 realizes the scanning function and includes a document table, a light source, a plurality of mirrors, an optical lens, and a CCD.

[0020] The image forming unit 14 realizes the print function. Specifically, the image forming unit 14 forms an image on a sheet transported by the sheet transport unit 15 by an inkjet method. That is, the image forming unit 14 forms an image on the sheet using ink. The image forming unit 14 includes four line heads that eject C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) inks onto the sheet. The image forming apparatus 10 executes the print job using the image forming unit 14.

[0021] Sheet conveying section 15 conveys a sheet along a conveying path that passes through an image forming position by image forming section 14. As shown in Fig. 2, sheet conveying section 15 includes a plurality of paper feed sections 15A (15A1, 15A2, ...). The number of paper feed sections 15A provided in sheet conveying section 15 may be two or more.

[0022] Each of the paper feed sections 15A supplies a sheet to the image forming section 14. Each of the paper feed sections 15A includes a sheet storage section and a paper feed unit. The sheet storage section stores a plurality of sheets. The sheet storage section is also referred to as a paper feed cassette or the like. The paper feed unit sequentially transports the plurality of sheets stored in the sheet storage section toward the image forming position. The paper feed unit includes a pickup roller, a paper feed roller, and a retard roller.

[0023] Each of the paper feed units 15A is associated with a sheet size and a sheet type of the feed sheets to be supplied to the image forming unit 14. The sheet size and the sheet type associated with each of the paper feed units 15A are arbitrarily set in response to a user's operation on the operation display unit 17.

[0024] The drying section 16 dries the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming section 14. The drying section 16 is provided downstream of the image forming position on the conveying path in the conveying direction of the sheet by the sheet conveying section 15. For example, the drying section 16 includes a heater and a fan. The heater heats the surrounding air in response to power supply from a power source (not shown). The fan generates an air flow that passes through the heater and heads toward the sheet after the image is formed in response to power supply from the power source. Note that the drying section 16 does not necessarily have to include the heater. Also, the drying section 16 does not necessarily have to include the fan. In this case, the heater may be provided facing the image forming surface of the sheet, or may heat a conveying belt that conveys the sheet.

[0025] In image forming apparatus 10, the output of drying unit 16 is adjusted according to the sheet type of the sheet so that an ink image formed on the sheet can be dried regardless of the sheet type of the sheet used for printing. For example, in image forming apparatus 10, the power supply to the heater corresponding to each of the sheet types is determined in advance. Furthermore, when executing the print job, control unit 11 supplies to the heater the power supply corresponding to the sheet type of paper feed unit 15A determined as the paper feed source for the print job.

[0026] Operation display unit 17 is a user interface of image forming apparatus 10. Operation display unit 17 includes a first display unit and a first operation unit. The first display unit displays various information in response to control instructions from control unit 11. For example, the first display unit is a liquid crystal display. The first operation unit inputs various information to control unit 11 in response to user operations. For example, the first operation unit is a touch panel.

[0027] The communication unit 18 is a communication interface that executes wired or wireless data communication via a communication network 30 with an external communication device such as the information processing device 20.

[0028] The storage unit 19 is a non-volatile storage device. For example, the storage unit 19 is a flash memory. The storage unit 19 may be a solid-state drive (SSD) or a hard disk drive (HDD).

[0029] [Information processing device 20] Next, the configuration of the information processing device 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0030] The information processing device 20 is a personal computer, a smartphone, a notebook computer, a tablet terminal, or the like.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing device 20 includes a control unit 21, an operation display unit 22, a communication unit 23, and a storage unit 24.

[0032] The control unit 21 comprehensively controls the information processing device 20. As shown in Fig. 3, the control unit 21 includes a CPU 21A, a ROM 21B, and a RAM 21C. The CPU 21A, the ROM 21B, and the RAM 21C have the same functions as the CPU 11A, the ROM 11B, and the RAM 11C of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0033] The operation display unit 22 is a user interface of the information processing device 20. The operation display unit 22 includes a second display unit and a second operation unit. The second display unit displays various information in response to a control instruction from the control unit 21. For example, the second display unit is a liquid crystal display. The second operation unit inputs various information to the control unit 21 in response to a user's operation. For example, the second operation unit is a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel.

[0034] The communication unit 23 is a communication interface that executes wired or wireless data communication via a communication network 30 with an external communication device such as the image forming apparatus 10 .

[0035] The storage unit 24 is a non-volatile storage device similar to the storage unit 19 of the image forming apparatus 10 .

[0036] The storage unit 24 stores a printer driver compatible with the image forming apparatus 10. The printer driver is software used to control the image forming apparatus 10.

[0037] Furthermore, an application program is stored in the storage unit 24. For example, the application program may be a word processor capable of creating and editing document data, which is one type of the data to be printed. The application program may also be a web browser capable of browsing web pages, which are one type of the data to be printed.

[0038] Meanwhile, a related technology is known in which an image forming device determines the paper feed source for the print job from a plurality of paper feed units 15A in accordance with a determination procedure corresponding to a sheet feed mode previously set by a user when the print job is executed.

[0039] However, in the image forming apparatus according to the related art, when there are multiple candidates for the paper feed source of the print job, it is not possible to determine the paper feed source so as to reduce power consumption during printing.

[0040] In contrast, in the image forming system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to reduce power consumption during printing, as will be described below.

[0041] Specifically, the control unit 21 includes a setting processing unit 31 shown in Fig. 3. The CPU 21A of the control unit 21 functions as the setting processing unit 31 by executing the printer driver.

[0042] 2. For example, a paper feed source determination program for causing the control unit 11 to function as the determination processing unit 41 and the determination processing unit 42 is stored in advance in the ROM 11B or the storage unit 19. The CPU 11A of the control unit 11 functions as the determination processing unit 41 and the determination processing unit 42 by executing the paper feed source determination program. Note that some or all of the processing units included in the control unit 11 may be configured with electronic circuits. The paper feed source determination program may also be a program for causing a plurality of processors to function as each processing unit included in the control unit 11.

[0043] The setting processing unit 31 sets the execution conditions of the print job.

[0044] For example, when the setting processing unit 31 receives a user operation to print the data to be printed displayed on the operation display unit 22 during execution of the application program, the setting processing unit 31 causes a print setting screen to be displayed on the operation display unit 22. The print setting screen receives a setting operation to set the execution conditions. The print setting screen also receives an execution instruction operation to instruct execution of the print job.

[0045] For example, the execution conditions include the number of copies to be printed, whether or not to use the double-sided printing function, whether or not to use the aggregate printing function, the number of copies to be printed when using the aggregate printing function, the magnification ratio, the sheet type of the sheet used for printing, the print density, and the print color (color, monochrome, etc.).

[0046] The execution conditions also include whether or not to use the automatic paper feed source determination function, and the paper feed mode when the automatic paper feed source determination function is used.

[0047] Here, the automatic paper feed source determination function is a function for automatically determining, when there are multiple paper feed units 15A that satisfy the paper feed conditions of the print job, one of the multiple paper feed units 15A that satisfy the paper feed conditions as the paper feed source of the print job. The paper feed conditions include the sheet size of sheets that can be used for printing, which is specified based on the image size of the data to be printed and the magnification ratio set by the setting operation, and the sheet type set by the setting operation.

[0048] For example, the print setting screen accepts a first setting operation for switching between enabling and disabling the automatic paper feed source determination function. Also, when the automatic paper feed source determination function is set to enabled, the print setting screen accepts a second setting operation for setting one of a plurality of modes including an eco mode and a productivity mode as the paper feed mode. Also, when the automatic paper feed source determination function is set to disabled, the print setting screen accepts a third setting operation for designating one of a plurality of paper feed units 15A as the paper feed source.

[0049] Here, the eco mode is a mode in which a paper feed source is determined so as to minimize power consumption due to paper feeding, and the productivity mode is a mode in which a paper feed source is determined so as to minimize the possibility of a sheet running out.

[0050] The setting processing unit 31 sets the execution condition in response to the setting operation. For example, the setting processing unit 31 sets the paper feed mode to one of a plurality of modes including the eco mode and the productivity priority mode in response to the second setting operation. The second setting operation is an example of a user's operation of the present invention. The eco mode is an example of a first mode of the present invention. The productivity priority mode is an example of a second mode of the present invention. The plurality of modes may include a mode different from the eco mode and the productivity priority mode.

[0051] When the execution instruction operation is accepted on the print setting screen, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 generates the print job including the execution conditions set by the setting operation, and transmits the generated print job to the image forming device 10.

[0052] When the print job for forming an image on a sheet using the image forming unit 14 is executed, the determination processing unit 41 determines whether or not each of the paper feed units 15A satisfies the paper feed condition of the print job.

[0053] For example, when the judgment processing unit 41 receives the print job transmitted from the information processing device 20, it judges whether each paper feeding unit 15A satisfies the paper feeding conditions of the print job based on the execution conditions included in the print job.

[0054] For example, the judgment processing unit 41 judges that the paper feed unit 15A satisfies the paper feed conditions when the sheet size associated with the paper feed unit 15A matches the sheet size of a printable sheet based on the image size and magnification ratio of the data to be printed, and the sheet type associated with the paper feed unit 15A matches the sheet type included in the execution conditions.

[0055] When there are multiple paper feed units 15A that have been determined by the judgment processing unit 41 to satisfy the paper feed conditions, the determination processing unit 42 determines the paper feed source for the print job based on the type of the supplied sheet (the sheet type) of each paper feed unit 15A that satisfies the paper feed conditions.

[0056] Specifically, the determination processing unit 42 determines the paper feed source for the print job based on the sheet type of the supplied sheets of each paper feed unit 15A that satisfies the paper feed conditions, and the paper feed distance to the image forming unit 14 of each paper feed unit 15A that satisfies the paper feed conditions.

[0057] When the paper feed mode is the eco mode, the determination processing unit 42 determines the paper feed source for the print job based on the sheet type of the sheets fed from each paper feed unit 15A that satisfies the paper feed condition. When the paper feed mode is the productivity priority mode, the determination processing unit 42 determines the paper feed source for the print job based on the remaining amount of sheets in each paper feed unit 15A that satisfies the paper feed condition.

[0058] For example, when the paper feed mode is the eco mode, the determination processing unit 42 extracts the paper feed unit 15A with the smallest power supply to the heater corresponding to the sheet type from among the multiple paper feed units 15A that satisfy the paper feed condition. Then, when there is only one paper feed unit 15A extracted, the determination processing unit 42 determines the extracted paper feed unit 15A as the paper feed source for the print job. Also, when there are multiple paper feed units 15A extracted, the determination processing unit 42 determines the paper feed unit 15A with the shortest paper feed distance from among the multiple extracted paper feed units 15A as the paper feed source for the print job. The paper feed distance of each paper feed unit 15A may be stored in advance in the ROM 11B of the control unit 11 or the memory unit 19. In addition, when there are multiple paper feed units 15A with the shortest paper feed distance, the determination processing unit 42 may determine the paper feed unit 15A with the largest remaining amount of sheets among the multiple paper feed units 15A with the shortest paper feed distance as the paper feed source for the print job.

[0059] Furthermore, when the paper feed mode is the productivity priority mode, the determination processing unit 42 extracts the paper feed unit 15A with the largest remaining sheet amount from among the multiple paper feed units 15A that satisfy the paper feed condition. The remaining sheet amount in each paper feed unit 15A may be detected using a sheet remaining amount sensor (not shown) provided in each paper feed unit 15A. Then, when there is only one extracted paper feed unit 15A, the determination processing unit 42 determines the extracted paper feed unit 15A as the paper feed source for the print job. Furthermore, when there are multiple extracted paper feed units 15A, the determination processing unit 42 determines the paper feed unit 15A with the shortest paper feed distance from among the extracted multiple paper feed units 15A as the paper feed source for the print job. In addition, when there are multiple paper feeding units 15A with the shortest paper feeding distance, the determination processing unit 42 may determine, among the multiple paper feeding units 15A with the shortest paper feeding distance, the paper feeding unit 15A with the smallest power supply to the heater corresponding to the sheet type as the paper feeding source for the print job.

[0060] In addition, when the paper feed mode is the eco mode, the determination processing unit 42 may determine the paper feed source of the print job not based on the paper feed distance to the image forming unit 14 of each paper feed unit 15A that satisfies the paper feed condition. In addition, when the paper feed source automatic determination function is enabled on the print setting screen, the second setting operation may not be accepted. In this case, when the paper feed source automatic determination function is enabled, the determination processing unit 42 may always determine the paper feed source of the print job in the eco mode or the productivity priority mode. In addition, when the paper feed mode is the eco mode, the determination processing unit 42 may determine, as the paper feed source of the print job, the paper feed unit 15A that has the smallest total of the power supplied to the heater corresponding to the sheet type and the power consumption in the sheet conveying unit 15 corresponding to the paper feed distance, among the multiple paper feed units 15A that satisfy the paper feed condition, as the paper feed source of the print job.

[0061] [Print condition setting process] 4, an example of the procedure of the printing condition setting process executed by the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 in the image forming system 100 will be described below. Here, steps S11, S12, etc. indicate the numbers of the processing procedures (steps) executed by the control unit 21. For example, the printing condition setting process is executed when a user operation to print the data to be printed displayed on the operation display unit 22 is accepted while the application program is being executed.

[0062] <Step S11> First, in step S11, the control unit 21 causes the operation display unit 22 to display the print setting screen.

[0063] <Step S12> In step S12, the control unit 21 determines whether or not the setting operation has been accepted.

[0064] Here, if the control unit 21 determines that the setting operation has been accepted (Yes side of S12), the control unit 21 shifts the process to step S13. If the setting operation has not been accepted (No side of S12), the control unit 21 shifts the process to step S14.

[0065] <Step S13> In step S13, the control unit 21 sets the execution condition in accordance with the accepted setting operation. Here, the processing from step S11 to step S13 is executed by the setting processing unit 31 of the control unit 21.

[0066] <Step S14> In step S14, the control unit 21 determines whether or not the execution instruction operation has been accepted.

[0067] Here, when the control unit 21 determines that the execution instruction operation has been accepted (Yes side of S14), the control unit 21 shifts the process to step S15. On the other hand, when the execution instruction operation has not been accepted (No side of S14), the control unit 21 shifts the process to step S12.

[0068] <Step S15> In step S15, the control unit 21 generates the print job including the execution conditions set by the setting operation, and transmits the generated print job to the image forming apparatus 10.

[0069] When the execution instruction operation is accepted without the setting operation being accepted, the control unit 21 sets the execution conditions with predetermined initial setting contents. For example, in the image forming system 100, when the execution instruction operation is accepted without the first setting operation being accepted, the automatic paper feed source determination function is enabled and the paper feed mode is set to the eco mode.

[0070] [Paper source determination process] 5, a paper feed source determination method of the present invention will be described along with an example of the procedure of the paper feed source determination process executed by the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 in the image forming system 100. For example, the paper feed source determination process is executed when the print job transmitted from the information processing apparatus 20 is received.

[0071] <Step S21> First, in step S21, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the paper feed source of the print job is unspecified (the third setting operation has not been performed).

[0072] Here, if the control unit 11 determines that the paper feed source of the print job is not specified (Yes side of S21), the control unit 21 shifts the process to step S22. If the paper feed source of the print job is not specified (No side of S21), the control unit 21 shifts the process to step S51.

[0073] <Step S22> In step S22, the control unit 11 executes a determination process to determine whether each of the paper feed units 15A satisfies the paper feed condition of the print job based on the execution condition included in the print job. Here, the process of step S22 is an example of a determination step of the present invention, and is executed by the determination processing unit 41 of the control unit 11.

[0074] Specifically, the control unit 11 determines that the paper feed unit 15A satisfies the paper feed conditions when the sheet size associated with the paper feed unit 15A matches the sheet size of a printable sheet based on the image size and magnification ratio of the data to be printed, and the sheet type associated with the paper feed unit 15A matches the sheet type included in the execution conditions.

[0075] <Step S23> In step S23, the control unit 11 determines whether or not there are multiple paper feed units 15A that satisfy the paper feed condition.

[0076] Here, if the control unit 11 determines that there are multiple paper feed units 15A that satisfy the paper feed condition (Yes side of S23), the control unit 11 shifts the process to step S24. On the other hand, if there are not multiple paper feed units 15A that satisfy the paper feed condition (No side of S23), the control unit 21 shifts the process to step S41.

[0077] <Step S24> In step S24, the control section 11 determines whether or not the paper feed mode is set to the eco mode.

[0078] Here, when the control unit 11 determines that the paper feed mode is set to the eco mode (Yes side of S24), it shifts the process to step S25. On the other hand, when the paper feed mode is not set to the eco mode (if it is set to the productivity priority mode) (No side of S24), the control unit 21 shifts the process to step S31.

[0079] <Step S25> In step S25, the control unit 11 executes a first determination process to determine the paper feed source for the print job based on the sheet type of the supplied sheets of each paper feed unit 15A that satisfies the paper feed conditions, and the paper feed distance to the image forming unit 14 of each paper feed unit 15A that satisfies the paper feed conditions.

[0080] Specifically, the control unit 11 extracts the paper feed unit 15A with the smallest power supply to the heater corresponding to the sheet type from among the multiple paper feed units 15A that satisfy the paper feed condition. If there is only one paper feed unit 15A extracted, the control unit 11 determines that paper feed unit 15A as the paper feed source for the print job. If there are multiple paper feed units 15A extracted, the control unit 11 determines the paper feed unit 15A with the shortest paper feed distance from among the multiple extracted paper feed units 15A as the paper feed source for the print job.

[0081] <Step S31> In step S31, the control unit 11 executes a second determination process to determine a paper feed source for the print job based on the remaining amount of sheets in each paper feed unit 15A that satisfies the paper feed condition. Here, the processes of steps S25 and S31 are an example of a determination step of the present invention, and are executed by the determination processing unit 42 of the control unit 11.

[0082] Specifically, the control unit 11 extracts the paper feed unit 15A with the largest remaining amount of sheets from among the multiple paper feed units 15A that satisfy the paper feed condition. If there is only one paper feed unit 15A extracted, the control unit 11 determines that paper feed unit 15A as the paper feed source for the print job. If there are multiple paper feed units 15A extracted, the control unit 11 determines the paper feed unit 15A with the shortest paper feed distance from among the multiple extracted paper feed units 15A as the paper feed source for the print job.

[0083] In addition, if the sheet shortage occurs during the execution of the print job, the paper feed source may be automatically switched to the paper feed unit 15A with the second largest amount of remaining sheets among the multiple paper feed units 15A that satisfy the paper feed conditions, or the print job may be interrupted to notify the user that the sheets are out.

[0084] <Step S41> In step S41, the control unit 11 determines one of the paper feed units 15A that satisfies the paper feed conditions as the paper feed source for the print job.

[0085] When there is no paper feed unit 15A that satisfies the paper feed condition, the control unit 11 notifies the information processing device 20 of that effect and cancels the print job.

[0086] <Step S51> In step S51, control unit 11 determines paper feed unit 15A designated by the third setting operation as the paper feed source for the print job.

[0087] In this way, in the image forming system 100, when there are multiple paper feed units 15A that satisfy the paper feed conditions, the paper feed source for the print job is determined based on the type of the sheet fed by each of the paper feed units 15A that satisfy the paper feed conditions. This makes it possible to determine, as the paper feed source for the print job, the paper feed unit 15A that consumes the least amount of power in the drying unit 16 among the multiple paper feed units 15A that satisfy the paper feed conditions. Therefore, it is possible to reduce power consumption during printing compared to the conventional configuration.

[0088] Furthermore, in the image forming system 100, when the multiple paper feed units 15A that satisfy the paper feed condition include multiple paper feed units 15A that consume the least amount of power in the drying unit 16, the paper feed unit 15A that has the shortest paper feed distance to the image forming unit 14 is determined as the paper feed source for the print job, among the multiple paper feed units 15A that consume the least amount of power in the drying unit 16. This makes it possible to determine the paper feed unit 15A that consumes the least amount of power in the sheet conveying unit 15 as the paper feed source for the print job, among the multiple paper feed units 15A that consume the least amount of power in the drying unit 16. This makes it possible to further reduce power consumption during printing.

[0089] Furthermore, in the image forming system 100, the paper feed mode is set to either the eco mode or the productivity mode in response to a user's operation, which makes it possible to reflect the user's intention in the automatic determination of the paper feed source for the print job.

[0090] The judgment processing unit 41 and the decision processing unit 42 may be provided in the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20.

[0091] Moreover, the setting processing unit 31 may be provided in the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the setting processing unit 31 of the control unit 11 may cause the operation display unit 17 to display the print setting screen when the copy function is used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 10 Image forming device 11 Control section 14 Image forming section 15 Sheet transport section 15A Paper feed section 16 Drying section 20 Information processing device 21 Control section 31 Setting processing section 41 Judgment processing unit 42 Decision Processing Unit 100 Image forming system

Claims

1. an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet using ink; a plurality of paper feed units that supply the sheets to the image forming unit; a drying section that dries the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming section; a determination processing unit that determines whether each of the paper feed units satisfies a paper feed condition of a print job in which an image is formed on the sheet by using the image forming unit; a determination processing unit that, when there are a plurality of the paper feed units that are determined by the determination processing unit to satisfy the paper feed condition, determines a paper feed source for the print job based on a type of sheet fed by each of the paper feed units that satisfy the paper feed condition; An image forming system comprising:

2. the determination processing unit determines a paper feed source for the print job based on a type of the feed sheet of each of the paper feed units that satisfies the paper feed condition and a paper feed distance to the image forming unit of each of the paper feed units that satisfies the paper feed condition. The image forming system according to claim 1 .

3. a setting processing unit that sets a sheet feed mode to one of a plurality of modes including a first mode and a second mode in response to a user operation; When the paper feed mode is the first mode, the determination processing unit determines a paper feed source for the print job based on the type of the sheets fed from each of the paper feed units that satisfies the paper feed condition, and when the paper feed mode is the second mode, determines a paper feed source for the print job based on the remaining amount of sheets in each of the paper feed units that satisfies the paper feed condition.

3. The image forming system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. 1. A paper feed source determination method executed in an image forming system including an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet using ink, a plurality of paper feed units that supply the sheets to the image forming unit, and a drying unit that dries the sheets on which the images have been formed by the image forming unit, comprising: a determination step of determining whether or not each of the paper feed units satisfies a paper feed condition of a print job in which an image is formed on the sheet by using the image forming unit; a determination step of determining a paper feed source for the print job based on a type of sheet fed by each of the paper feed units that satisfy the paper feed condition when there are a plurality of the paper feed units that are determined to satisfy the paper feed condition by the determination step; A paper feed source determination method including:

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