Image forming device, image forming device control method and program

Abstract

To enable a user to grasp that an identified paper kind is a paper kind that is not supported.SOLUTION: An image forming device, which has a paper feed part, comprises: identifying means that performs control so that paper placed on the paper feed part is conveyed to a conveyance path, and identifies a paper kind of the paper by detecting characteristics of the conveyed paper on the conveyance path; determining means that determines whether or not the identified paper kind is a paper king that is supported by the image forming device; and display means that when it is determined that the identified paper kind is not the paper kind supported by the image forming device, displays a fact that the identified paper kind is the paper kind that is not supported by the image forming device, without performing printing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus, a control method for an image forming apparatus, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Some image forming apparatuses are equipped with a paper type detection sensor (media sensor) on a paper transport path of the image forming apparatus that measures characteristics of the paper, such as the surface properties and basis weight of the paper. The image forming apparatus measures the paper fed in a print job with the media sensor, and identifies the paper type from a paper type database (media library) pre-stored in the image forming apparatus based on the measured characteristics of the paper. The image forming apparatus then uses print control parameters for that paper type in image formation control, thereby obtaining a high-quality output.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses that if a feature amount measured by a media sensor is outside a predetermined range for each print mode, printing is stopped and an error screen is displayed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-87579 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, because the specified range of the feature value changes depending on the print mode, the user can know that the paper type is not suitable for the print mode, but cannot know that the paper cannot be used for image formation or transport. Furthermore, because printing can be continued, there is a problem that printing is resumed without changing the paper, which may damage the transport mechanism or image formation mechanism.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to enable a user to know that the identified paper type is an unsupported paper type. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus having a paper feeding section, and is equipped with: an identification means for controlling the transport of paper placed on the paper feeding section to a transport path, and identifying the paper type of the paper by detecting the characteristics of the paper on the transport path to which the paper has been transported; a determination means for determining whether the identified paper type is a paper type supported by the image forming apparatus; and a display means for, if it is determined that the identified paper type is not a paper type supported by the image forming apparatus, displaying a message indicating that the identified paper type is a paper type not supported by the image forming apparatus without printing. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the user can know that the identified paper type is an unsupported paper type. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration controlled by a CPU. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the configuration of a media sensor. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a paper jam warning screen. [Diagram 5] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating an example of a warning screen for unsupported paper. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a paper type setting screen. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart of a paper type determination and printing operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment. In addition, in the following embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0011] <Description of Image Forming Apparatus> Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus 201 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a main configuration controlled by a CPU 10 of the image forming apparatus 201 according to this embodiment. First, the basic configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus 201 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.

[0012] In the image forming apparatus 201 of FIG. 2, the CPU 10 is connected to the instruction / display unit 13, the media sensor 14, the cassette feed unit 230, the manual feed unit 235, the blower fan 15, the image forming apparatus 201B, the HDD 11, and the RAM 12.

[0013] The CPU 10 is a control unit that controls the entire image forming apparatus 201. The HDD 11 stores a control program according to the present embodiment, initial values ​​of various setting values, etc. The CPU 10 executes the control program according to the present embodiment read from the HDD 11, thereby implementing the image formation procedure and the procedures of each flowchart, which will be described later.

[0014] The RAM 12 stores various information under the control of the CPU 10. As will be described in detail later, the RAM 12 stores print control parameters for each paper type in a first storage area. It is preferable that the RAM 12 be a rewritable memory that does not require a storage holding operation.

[0015] As will be further described later, when the user changes the print control parameters corresponding to the referenced paper type, the CPU 10 additionally stores the changed print control parameters in the first memory area as user-defined print control parameters corresponding to the paper type.

[0016] The instruction / display unit 13 includes a panel, buttons, etc. capable of displaying an operation screen, and when an instruction such as starting a print operation is input, the instruction information is sent to the CPU 10. Note that the instruction information such as starting a print operation may be input by a user operating the instruction / display unit 13, or may be input from an external device such as a personal computer, tablet terminal, or smartphone connected via a network (not shown).

[0017] When instruction information to start a print operation is input, the CPU 10 drives and controls a paper feed and transport motor (not shown) in accordance with the instruction information to feed and transport paper. The CPU 10 also sets print control parameters for the image forming unit 201B to control image formation (printing) by the image forming unit 201B. The image forming unit 201B prints on paper based on the print control parameters set by the CPU 10.

[0018] In Fig. 1, 201 is an image forming apparatus, 201A is an image forming apparatus main body, and 201B is an image forming section that forms an image on a sheet (paper). 202 is an image reading apparatus that is installed substantially horizontally above the image forming apparatus main body 201A. Between this image reading apparatus 202 and the image forming apparatus main body 201A, a discharge space V for discharging sheets is formed.

[0019] Reference numeral 230 denotes a cassette paper feed unit that feeds sheets S from a paper feed cassette 1 that is a sheet storage means for storing sheets S. The cassette paper feed unit 230 includes a pickup roller 2 that is a sheet feeding means, and a separation unit that includes a feed roller 3 and a retard roller 4 for separating the sheets S sent out from the pickup roller 2.

[0020] Also, reference numeral 235 denotes a manual feed section that feeds sheets S from a manual feed tray 5 that is a means for holding sheets S. Similarly to the cassette feed section 230, the manual feed section 235 includes a sheet feeding means and a separation section.

[0021] Image forming unit 201B, which is an image forming means, is of a four-drum full-color type and includes a laser scanner 210 and four process cartridges 211 that form toner images of four colors, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Each process cartridge 211 includes a photosensitive drum 212K, a charger 213K, which is a charging means, and a developer 214K, which is a developing means.

[0022] The image forming unit 201B also includes a secondary transfer unit 201D and a fixing unit 201E, which are disposed above the process cartridge 211. Reference numeral 215K denotes a toner cartridge for supplying toner to the developing unit 214K.

[0023] The secondary transfer unit 201D includes a transfer belt 216 wound around a drive roller 216a and a tension roller 216b. A primary transfer roller 219K is provided on the inner side of the transfer belt 216, and contacts the transfer belt 216 at a position opposite the photosensitive drum 212K.

[0024] Here, the transfer belt 216 is rotated in the direction of the arrow by a drive roller 216a driven by a drive unit (not shown). A secondary transfer roller 217 that transfers the color image formed on the transfer belt 216 onto the sheet S is provided at a position facing the drive roller 216a of the secondary transfer unit 201D.

[0025] Furthermore, a fixing section 201E is disposed above the secondary transfer roller 217, and a first discharge roller pair 225a, a second discharge roller pair 225b, and a double-sided reversing section 201F are disposed at the upper left of the fixing section 201E. The double-sided reversing section 201F is provided with a reversible roller pair 222 and a re-conveying path R for conveying the sheet S, on one side of which an image has been formed, again to the image forming section 201B.

[0026] An instruction / display unit 13 for receiving operations from a user is provided on the upper portion of the image forming apparatus 201.

[0027] <Operation of the image forming device> Next, the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 201 will be described. First, when the image forming apparatus 201 receives image data of an original to be printed, the image information is subjected to image processing, converted into an electric signal, and transmitted to the laser scanner 210 of the image forming section 201B. In the image forming section 201B, the surface of the photoconductor drum 212K, the surface of which is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity and potential by the charger 213K, is sequentially exposed to a laser. As a result, electrostatic latent images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are sequentially formed on the photoconductor drum 212K of each process cartridge 211, respectively.

[0028] Thereafter, the electrostatic latent images are developed and visualized with toner of each color, and the toner images of each color on each photoconductor drum 212K are transferred in sequence onto the transfer belt 216 in a superimposed manner by a primary transfer bias applied to the primary transfer roller 219K. As a result, a toner image is formed on the transfer belt 216.

[0029] In parallel with this toner image forming operation, the sheets S are transported one by one by the cassette paper feed unit 230 to the pair of registration rollers 240, and skew is corrected by the pair of registration rollers 240. After the skew is corrected, the sheets S are transported to the secondary transfer unit 201D by the pair of registration rollers 240, and the toner images are transferred all at once onto the sheets S by the secondary transfer bias applied to the secondary transfer roller 217 at the secondary transfer unit 201D.

[0030] Next, the sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred is transported to the fixing section 201E, where the toner of each color melts and mixes with heat and pressure in the roller nip section formed by the pressure roller 220a and the heating roller 220b, and is fixed onto the sheet S as a color image.

[0031] After this, the sheet S with the image fixed is discharged into the discharge space V by a first discharge roller pair 225a and a second discharge roller pair 225b provided downstream of the fixing section 201E, and is stacked on a stacking section 223 protruding from the bottom surface of the discharge space V.

[0032] When images are formed on both sides of the sheet S, after the images are fixed, the sheet S is transported to a re-transport path R by a pair of reversing rollers 222 and transported again to the image forming section 201B.

[0033] The media sensor 14 is provided on the paper transport path of the manual paper feed unit 235, and is a paper type detection sensor that detects the type of paper (paper type) fed through the paper transport path. The paper type refers to the type of paper. The media sensor 14 detects the surface properties and thickness of the paper being transported, and the CPU 10 determines the paper type from the detection results. In this embodiment, the detection of the surface properties and thickness of the paper by the media sensor 14 and the determination of the paper type by the CPU 10 from the detection results is expressed as detecting or determining the paper type by the media sensor 14. Details will be described later.

[0034] <Media sensor description> 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the media sensor 14. An LED 481 as a light emitting element and a photodiode 480 as a light receiving element are arranged inside the media sensor 14. The amount of reflected light of the light emitted by the LED 481 can be detected by the photodiode 480. The media sensor 14 also has a guide section 483 into which the paper sheet M enters.

[0035] The CPU 10 receives the output signal of the photodiode 480 as the output value of the media sensor 14. The CPU 10 can determine the type of paper being fed according to the difference in the received value due to the surface properties and thickness of each paper. The CPU 10 then optimally controls the image formation speed and the target temperature of the fixing unit 201E according to the paper type detected by the media sensor 14.

[0036] As described above, in this embodiment, CPU 10 uses media sensor 14 to determine the paper type, eliminating the need for the user to consciously set the paper type. For this reason, image forming apparatus 201 in this embodiment is provided with a mode (hereinafter referred to as automatic media setting mode) in which the paper type is determined by media sensor 14 and print control parameters and the like are automatically set according to the paper type. On the other hand, image forming apparatus 201 in this embodiment is also provided with a mode (hereinafter referred to as manual media setting mode) in which the user manually sets the paper type to be used, as in the past.

[0037] The user can preset either the automatic media setting mode or the manual media setting mode for each paper feed unit by operating the instruction / display unit 13. It is assumed that the default mode is set to the automatic media setting mode. Also, a setting value indicating whether the setting mode is the automatic media setting mode or the manual media setting mode is stored in the HDD 11.

[0038] The above-described configuration of the media sensor 14 is an example, and the media sensor 14 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the media sensor 14 may be configured by combining an ultrasonic sensor such as a piezoelectric element in addition to a light emitting element and a light receiving element, or may have another configuration.

[0039] <Explanation of the paper jam warning screen> 4 is a diagram showing an example of a paper jam screen 401 on the instruction / display unit 13 when a paper jam occurs after paper is fed from the manual feed tray 5. The paper jam screen 401 displays a predetermined message to encourage the user to clear the paper jam.

[0040] <Explanation of the warning screen for unsupported paper> 5 is a diagram showing an example of a non-supported paper warning screen 501 on the instruction / display unit 13 when the paper type cannot be identified by the media sensor 14 or when the paper type can be identified but is not suitable for image formation. The non-supported paper warning screen 501 displays a predetermined message to encourage the user to reload paper and manually set the paper type. The "Resume Print" button 502 is a button for resuming printing, and is initially displayed with a cross-hatching and cannot be pressed, but after paper is reloaded in the manual feed tray 5 and the paper type is set, the cross-hatching is removed and the button can be pressed. Of course, instead of the cross-hatching, the button may be hidden.

[0041] <Explanation of the paper setting screen for paper placed in manual feed tray 5> Fig. 6(a) is a diagram showing an example of a paper setting screen displayed on the instruction / display unit 13 when paper is placed on the manual feed tray 5. On the paper setting screen in Fig. 6(a), the settings of the paper size and paper type for the manual feed tray 5 can be changed. The user can specify the paper type for the manual feed tray 5 by pressing a "change paper type" button 601. The currently set paper type is displayed in an area 602.

[0042] Fig. 6(b) is a diagram showing an example of a screen to which the screen transitions after pressing the "Change paper type" button 601 in Fig. 6(a). The "Auto detect when printing" button 610 is a setting for detecting paper fed from the manual feed tray 5 with the media sensor 14 and executing an operation to identify the paper type of the manual feed tray 5.

[0043] When the user presses the "Select from List" button 611, the CPU 10 displays a paper type list screen (not shown) so that any paper type can be selected. The paper type list displays a list of paper types that exist in a paper type database that is pre-stored on the HDD 11.

[0044] 6(b), by pressing the "Auto detect when printing" button 610 or by selecting a paper type from the paper type list and then pressing the OK button 612, the screen returns to that of FIG. 6(a). By pressing the OK button 603 on the screen of FIG. 6(a), the setting information of the paper placed on the manual feed tray 5 is stored on the HDD 11.

[0045] <Determination of paper type and printing operation> Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a control method for image forming apparatus 201. Each step of the flowchart in Fig. 7 is performed by CPU 10 executing a control program read from HDD 11 and loaded in RAM 12. This flowchart starts when paper is placed in manual feed tray 5, the paper settings described in Fig. 6(a) and (b) are completed, and a print job is input.

[0046] In this case, the print job is a copy job in which the user operates the instruction / display unit 13 to select the manual feed tray 5 for which "automatic detection when printing" is set using the "automatic detection when printing" button 610. Alternatively, a PDL print job may be executed in which the manual feed tray 5 for which "automatic detection when printing" is set using a printer driver on an information processing device such as a personal computer connected via a network is selected. In addition, this is a print job in which the manual feed tray 5 for which "automatic detection when printing" is set in the print job settings, and the paper type of the print job is set to "automatic" or "automatic selection" without explicitly specifying the paper type. In this case, the CPU 10 detects the paper type using the media sensor 14 and performs an operation to identify the paper type.

[0047] In step S701, CPU 10 feeds paper from manual feed tray 5 to the transport path, detects the characteristics of the paper on the transport path of manual feed tray 5 with media sensor 14, identifies the paper type of the paper, and proceeds to step S702.

[0048] In step S702, CPU 10 determines whether or not the paper type was identified in step S701 and whether or not the paper type identified in step S701 is a paper type supported by image forming apparatus 201. A paper type supported by image forming apparatus 201 is, for example, a paper type on which image forming apparatus 201 can form an image. A paper type on which image forming apparatus 201 cannot form an image is, for example, a paper type whose paper thickness is outside the range supported by image forming apparatus 201.

[0049] If the paper type can be identified in step S701 and it is determined that the identified paper type is a paper type supported by the image forming apparatus 201, the process proceeds to step S703. On the other hand, if the paper type cannot be identified in step S701, or if the paper type can be identified in step S701 and the identified paper type is a paper type not supported by the image forming apparatus 201, the process proceeds to step S704.

[0050] In step S703, CPU 10 performs printer control according to the paper type identified in step S701, and executes printing on the paper fed from manual feed tray 5. For example, CPU 10 optimally controls the image formation speed and the target temperature of fixing unit 201E according to the paper type detected by media sensor 14.

[0051] In step S704, CPU 10 functions as an interruption unit, displays paper jam screen 401 of Fig. 4 on instruction / display unit 13, and controls to interrupt the print process. Since passing unsupported paper may cause a malfunction, image forming apparatus 201 controls to cause a paper jam at the position of media sensor 14 and interrupt the print process. After that, the process proceeds to step S705.

[0052] In step S705, the CPU 10 waits until it detects that the user has cleared the paper jam, and when it detects that the paper jam has been cleared, the process proceeds to step S706.

[0053] In step S706, CPU 10 controls to display unsupported paper warning screen 501 of Fig. 5 on instruction / display unit 13. Unsupported paper warning screen 501 displays that paper that is not supported by image forming apparatus 201 or cannot be detected has been loaded in manual feed tray 5. This allows the user to understand the cause of the paper jam. After that, the process proceeds to step S707.

[0054] In step S707, the user reloads paper into manual feed tray 5. After that, the process proceeds to step S708.

[0055] In step S708, the CPU 10 waits until the user presses the "resume printing" button 502 in FIG. 5, and when it detects that the "resume printing" button 502 in FIG. 5 has been pressed, the CPU 10 returns the process to step S701.

[0056] Note that, before pressing the "Resume Print" button 502 in step S708, the user may press the "Select from List" button 611 on the screen in Fig. 6(b) to select the paper type. In that case, in step S708, the CPU 10 does not proceed to step S701, but performs printer control according to the selected paper type, and executes printing on paper fed from the manual feed tray 5.

[0057] Further, in step S702, CPU 10 determines whether the paper type is capable of image formation, but may also determine whether the paper in manual feed tray 5 can be transported to the paper discharge tray (discharge space V). When the paper in manual feed tray 5 can be transported to the paper discharge tray and the paper type is not capable of image formation, CPU 10 controls to discharge the paper in manual feed tray 5 without forming an image, and to display unsupported paper warning screen 501 of FIG. 5 on instruction / display unit 13. On the other hand, when the paper in manual feed tray 5 is not capable of being transported to the paper discharge tray, CPU 10 advances the process to step S704. In step S706, CPU 10 controls to display screen 501 indicating that the detected paper type is a paper type that cannot be used for image formation or a paper type that cannot be transported.

[0058] As described above, in step S701, CPU 10 controls the conveyance of the paper placed on manual feed tray 5 to the conveyance path, and identifies the paper type of the paper by detecting the characteristics of the paper on the conveyance path to which the paper has been conveyed.

[0059] In step S702, the CPU 10 functions as a determination unit and determines whether or not the paper type identified in step S701 is a supported paper type. If it is determined that the identified paper type is a supported paper type, the process proceeds to step 703. If it is determined that the identified paper type is not a supported paper type, the process proceeds to step 704.

[0060] In step S703, CPU 10 functions as a printing unit, and controls printing on paper fed from manual feed tray 5 in accordance with the paper type identified in step S701.

[0061] In step S704, the CPU 10 performs control so as to interrupt the printing process when the paper conveyed in step S701 is jammed on the conveying path, and also performs control so as to display a message indicating that a paper jam has occurred.

[0062] In step S705, the CPU 10 detects that the paper jam has been cleared, and then advances the process to step S706.

[0063] In step S706, the CPU 10 performs control so as not to print, but to display a message indicating that the paper type specified in step S701 is an unsupported paper type.

[0064] When the paper jam is cleared in step S705 and paper is reset in manual feed tray 5 in step S707, the processes from step S701 onwards are repeated for the paper reset in manual feed tray 5.

[0065] In step S702, the supported paper types are, for example, paper types on which an image can be formed. Also, the supported paper types may be paper types that can be transported from the manual feed tray 5 to the discharge space V.

[0066] If the CPU 10 determines that the paper type identified in step S701 is a paper type that can be transported from the manual feed tray 5 to the discharge space V and is a paper type on which an image can be formed, the CPU 10 controls printing on the paper fed from the manual feed tray 5 in accordance with the paper type identified in step S701.

[0067] Furthermore, when CPU 10 determines that the paper type specified in step S701 is a paper type that can be transported from manual feed tray 5 to discharge space V, but is not a paper type on which an image can be formed, it functions as a paper discharge section and controls the paper fed from manual feed tray 5 to be discharged without printing. Note that CPU 10 may control to display a message indicating that the paper type is not a paper type on which an image can be formed, after controlling the paper to be discharged without printing.

[0068] If the paper type cannot be identified in step S701, the process proceeds from step S702 to step S704. In this case, in step S706, the CPU 10 performs control so as to not print and to display a message indicating that the paper type cannot be identified.

[0069] As described above, according to this embodiment, the CPU 10 displays in step S706 that the detected paper type is a paper type that cannot be transported or a paper type on which an image cannot be formed, regardless of the print mode. This allows the user to understand that paper that cannot be transported or paper on which an image cannot be formed has been loaded. Furthermore, the CPU 10 prevents the print process from continuing if the detected paper type is a paper type that cannot be transported, making it possible to prevent damage to the transport mechanism or image forming mechanism.

[0070] (Other embodiments) The present disclosure can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) for implementing one or more functions.

[0071] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative of specific examples of implementing the present disclosure, and the technical scope of the present disclosure should not be interpreted as being limited by these embodiments. In other words, the present disclosure can be implemented in various forms without departing from its technical concept or main features.

[0072] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration, method, and program. (Configuration 1) An image forming apparatus having a paper feed unit, a control unit for controlling the conveyance of the paper placed on the paper feed unit to a conveyance path, and for detecting characteristics of the paper on the conveyance path to identify the paper type of the paper; a determination unit that determines whether the specified paper type is a paper type supported by the image forming apparatus; a display means for displaying a message indicating that the specified paper type is not supported by the image forming device without printing when it is determined that the specified paper type is not supported by the image forming device; An image forming apparatus comprising: (Configuration 2) The image forming apparatus according to configuration 1, further comprising a printing means for printing on paper fed from the paper feed unit under control according to the identified paper type when it is determined that the identified paper type is a paper type supported by the image forming apparatus. (Configuration 3) The image forming device according to configuration 1 or 2, further comprising an interruption means for interrupting the printing process when a paper jam occurs on the transport path along which the paper is transported if it is determined that the identified paper type is not a paper type supported by the image forming device. (Configuration 4) The image forming apparatus according to configuration 3, characterized in that, when it is determined that the identified paper type is not a paper type supported by the image forming apparatus, the display means displays a message indicating that a paper jam has occurred on the transport path along which the paper has been transported. (Configuration 5) The image forming apparatus according to configuration 3 or 4, wherein the display means, after detecting that the paper jam has been cleared, displays a message indicating that the identified paper type is a paper type not supported by the image forming apparatus. (Configuration 6) The image forming device according to any one of configurations 3 to 5, characterized in that when the paper jam is cleared and paper is reset in the paper feed section, the identification means identifies the paper, the determination means determines the paper, the display means displays the paper, and the interruption means interrupts the paper, for the paper reset in the paper feed section. (Configuration 7) 7. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the paper types supported by the image forming apparatus are paper types on which the image forming apparatus can form an image. (Configuration 8) 7. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the paper types supported by the image forming apparatus are paper types that can be transported from the paper feed unit to a discharge space. (Configuration 9) The image forming apparatus according to configuration 8, further comprising a printing means for printing on the paper fed from the paper feeding unit under control according to the identified paper type when it is determined that the identified paper type is a paper type that can be transported from the paper feeding unit to the discharge space and is a paper type on which an image can be formed. (Configuration 10) The image forming apparatus according to configuration 9, further comprising a paper discharge means for discharging the paper fed from the paper feed unit without printing it when it is determined that the identified paper type is a paper type that can be transported from the paper feed unit to the discharge space and is not a paper type on which an image can be formed. (Configuration 11) 11. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 10, wherein the display means displays a message indicating that the paper type is not a paper type on which an image can be formed, after controlling the paper to be discharged without printing. (Configuration 12) The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, characterized in that, when the identification means cannot identify the paper type, the display means does not print and displays a message indicating that the paper type cannot be identified. (Configuration 13) An image forming apparatus having a paper feed unit, a control unit for controlling the conveyance of the paper placed on the paper feed unit to a conveyance path, and for detecting characteristics of the paper on the conveyance path to identify the paper type of the paper; a display means for displaying a message indicating that the paper type cannot be identified without printing if the identification means cannot identify the paper type; An image forming apparatus comprising: (Configuration 14) 14. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 13, further comprising an interruption means for interrupting the printing process when the paper type is jammed on the transport path to which the paper has been transported, if the identification means cannot identify the paper type. (Configuration 15) The image forming apparatus according to configuration 14, wherein the display means displays a message indicating that a paper jam has occurred on the transport path along which the paper has been transported when the identification means is unable to identify the type of paper. (Configuration 16) 16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the display means displays a message indicating that the paper type cannot be identified after detecting that the paper jam has been cleared. (Configuration 17) The image forming device according to any one of configurations 14 to 16, characterized in that when the paper jam is cleared and paper is reset in the paper feed section, the identification means identifies the paper, the display means displays the paper, and the interruption means interrupts the paper that has been reset in the paper feed section. (Method 1) A method for controlling an image forming apparatus having a paper feed unit, comprising: a control step of controlling the paper placed on the paper feed unit to be conveyed to a conveyance path, and detecting characteristics of the paper on the conveyance path to identify the paper type of the paper; a determination step of determining whether the specified paper type is a paper type supported by the image forming apparatus; a display step of not printing and displaying a message indicating that the specified paper type is a paper type not supported by the image forming device when it is determined that the specified paper type is not a paper type supported by the image forming device; 11. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus comprising: (Method 2) A method for controlling an image forming apparatus having a paper feed unit, comprising: a control step of controlling the paper placed on the paper feed unit to be conveyed to a conveyance path, and detecting characteristics of the paper on the conveyance path to identify the paper type of the paper; a display step of not printing and displaying a message indicating that the paper type cannot be identified if the paper type cannot be identified in the identification step; 11. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus comprising: (Program 1) A program for causing a computer to function as the image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 17. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 10 CPU, 11 HDD, 12 RAM, 14 media sensor, 201 image forming apparatus, 201B image forming unit

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus having a paper feed unit, a control unit for controlling the conveyance of the paper placed on the paper feed unit to a conveyance path, and for detecting characteristics of the paper on the conveyance path to identify the paper type of the paper; a determination unit that determines whether the specified paper type is a paper type supported by the image forming apparatus; a display means for displaying a message indicating that the specified paper type is not supported by the image forming device without printing when it is determined that the specified paper type is not supported by the image forming device; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a printing means for, when it is determined that the specified paper type is a paper type supported by the image forming apparatus, printing on the paper fed from the paper feed unit using control according to the specified paper type.

3. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an interruption means for interrupting the printing process when a paper jam occurs on the transport path along which the paper has been transported if it is determined that the specified paper type is not a paper type supported by the image forming apparatus.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, when it is determined that the specified paper type is not a paper type supported by the image forming apparatus, the display means displays a message indicating that a paper jam has occurred on the transport path along which the paper has been transported.

5. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the display unit displays a message indicating that the identified paper type is a paper type not supported by the image forming apparatus after detecting that the paper jam has been cleared.

6. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the paper jam is cleared and paper is reset in the paper feed section, the identifying means identifies the paper, the determining means determines the paper, the display means displays the paper, and the interrupting means interrupts the paper that has been reset in the paper feed section.

7. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the paper types supported by the image forming apparatus are paper types on which the image forming apparatus can form images.

8. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the paper types supported by the image forming apparatus are paper types that can be transported from the paper feed unit to a discharge space.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a printing means for printing on the paper fed from the paper feeding section using control according to the identified paper type when it is determined that the identified paper type is a paper type that can be transported from the paper feeding section to the discharge space and is a paper type on which an image can be formed.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a paper discharge means for discharging the paper fed from the paper feed section without printing it when it is determined that the identified paper type is a paper type that can be transported from the paper feed section to the discharge space and is not a paper type on which an image can be formed.

11. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the display unit displays a message indicating that the paper type is not a paper type on which an image can be formed, after the control is performed so that the paper is discharged without printing.

12. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the specifying means cannot specify the paper type, the display means does not print and displays a message indicating that the paper type cannot be specified.

13. An image forming apparatus having a paper feed unit, a control unit for controlling the conveyance of the paper placed on the paper feed unit to a conveyance path, and for detecting characteristics of the paper on the conveyance path to identify the paper type of the paper; a display means for displaying a message indicating that the paper type cannot be identified without printing if the identification means cannot identify the paper type; An image forming apparatus comprising:

14. 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising an interruption unit that interrupts the printing process when the identification unit is unable to identify the type of paper and a paper jam occurs on the transport path along which the paper has been transported.

15. 15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the display unit displays a message indicating that a paper jam has occurred on the transport path along which the paper has been transported, when the identification unit is unable to identify the type of paper.

16. 15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the display unit displays a message indicating that the paper type cannot be specified after detecting that the paper jam has been cleared.

17. 15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein when the paper jam is cleared and paper is reset in the paper feed section, the identifying means identifies the paper, the display means displays the message, and the interrupting means interrupts the paper that has been reset in the paper feed section.

18. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus having a paper feed unit, comprising: a control step of controlling the paper placed on the paper feed unit to be conveyed to a conveyance path, and detecting characteristics of the paper on the conveyance path to identify the paper type of the paper; a determination step of determining whether the specified paper type is a paper type supported by the image forming apparatus; a display step of not printing and displaying a message indicating that the specified paper type is a paper type not supported by the image forming device when it is determined that the specified paper type is not a paper type supported by the image forming device; 11. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus comprising:

19. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus having a paper feed unit, comprising: a control step of controlling the paper placed on the paper feed unit to be conveyed to a conveyance path, and detecting characteristics of the paper on the conveyance path to identify the paper type of the paper; a display step of not printing and displaying a message indicating that the paper type cannot be identified if the paper type cannot be identified in the identification step; 11. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus comprising:

20. A program for causing a computer to function as the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

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