Image formation device, control method of the same, and program

Abstract

To provide a technique for improving convenience when a user performs printing on paper.SOLUTION: An image formation device comprises: an image formation part 201B for printing on paper; a paper feeding part 235 for feeding paper via a paper conveyance path to the image formation part 201B; a paper type detection sensor 260 provided on the paper conveyance path and detecting a paper type; and a CPU 280 setting printing on the paper, and detecting that first paper fed by the paper feeding part 235 runs out. When detecting that first paper fed by the paper feeding part 235 runs out, the CPU 280 sets the type of second paper detected by the paper type detection sensor 260 for printing on the second paper fed by the paper feeding part 235 after the detection.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus, a control method thereof, 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 in order to measure characteristics of the paper, such as the surface properties and basis weight of the paper, and detect the type of the paper. In such image forming apparatuses, for example, the type of paper (paper type) is identified from a paper type database (media library) stored in advance based on the characteristics of the paper fed in a print job. Then, in such image forming apparatuses, high-quality printed matter can be obtained by using print control parameters for the identified paper type in image formation control.

[0003] Furthermore, in order to accommodate a wide variety of paper types, Patent Document 1 describes a technology that allows a user to change pre-stored print control parameters corresponding to paper types as desired, and adds and stores the changed print control parameters as user-defined print control parameters. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-26815 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When a sheet of paper that is being printed using print control parameters corresponding to the type of paper detected by a paper type detection sensor runs out of the paper feeder, if the print control parameters are to be passed on to the next sheet of paper that is fed, the user must be aware of the type of paper being fed. In this case, there is a problem that the convenience of the user when printing on paper is reduced.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of such problems, and has an object to provide a technique that realizes improved convenience when a user prints on paper. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The image forming apparatus of the present disclosure comprises an image forming means for printing on paper, a paper feeding means for feeding the paper to the image forming means via a paper transport path, a paper type detection means provided on the paper transport path for detecting the type of the paper, a setting means for making settings related to the printing on the paper, and a detection means for detecting when a first paper sheet being fed by the paper feeding means has run out, and when the detection means detects that the first paper sheet has run out, the setting means sets the type of the second paper sheet detected by the paper type detection means for the printing on a second paper sheet fed by the paper feeding means after the detection. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the convenience for the user when printing on paper. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control system of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a schematic configuration of the paper type detection sensor shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 illustrates the first embodiment of the present disclosure and shows an example of a setting screen for paper placed in the manual paper feed tray. [Diagram 5] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure in a control method for an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6]FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when no paper is present in a manual feed tray that is set to a setting other than “automatic detection when printing” shown in FIG. 4(b) in the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when no paper is present in the manual feed tray that is set to “automatic detection when printing” shown in FIG. 4(b) in the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure in a control method for an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a warning display screen displayed on the display unit according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, a mode (embodiment) for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is an example, and the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment described below.

[0011] (First embodiment) First, the first embodiment will be described.

[0012] <General Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus> FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 200 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] The image forming apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 1 includes an image forming apparatus main body 201A, an image reading device 202, and a display unit 250. The image forming apparatus 200 includes an image forming apparatus main body 201A, an image reading device 202, and a display unit 250.

[0014] The image forming apparatus main body 201A includes an image forming section 201B that forms an image on a sheet S transported via a sheet transport path H. The image forming apparatus main body 201A also includes a cassette paper feed section 230 that feeds a sheet S from a paper feed cassette 1 that is a paper storage means for storing the sheet S. The cassette paper feed section 230 includes a pickup roller 2 that is a paper feed means, and a separation section that includes a feed roller 3 and a retard roller 4 for separating the sheet S sent out from the pickup roller 2. The image forming apparatus main body 201A also includes a manual paper feed section 235 that is a paper feed means that feeds the sheet S from a manual paper feed tray 5 that stacks and holds the sheets S to the image forming section 201B via the paper transport path H. Similar to the cassette paper feed section 230, the manual paper feed section 235 includes a pickup roller 502 that is a paper feed means, and a feed roller 503 and a retard roller 504 that are separation sections. The image forming apparatus main body 201A also includes a blower fan which is a blowing means for blowing air to the sheets S loaded on the manual paper feed tray 5, and a blowing nozzle 272 included in this blower fan is shown in Fig. 1. The image forming apparatus main body 201A also includes a detection sensor provided on the paper transport path H, and includes a paper type detection sensor (media sensor) 260 for measuring the characteristic amount of the paper S and detecting the type (paper type) of the paper, and a paper detection sensor 505 for detecting the paper S.

[0015] The image forming section 201B, which is an image forming means for printing on the paper S, is configured as a four-drum full-color system. Specifically, the image forming section 201B includes a laser scanner 210 and four process cartridges 211 for forming toner images of four colors, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K). Here, each process cartridge 211 includes a photosensitive drum 212K, a charger 213K as a charging means, and a developer 214K as a developing means. In addition, the image forming section 201B includes a secondary transfer section 201D and a fixing section 201E disposed above the process cartridges 211. The toner cartridge 215K is a toner cartridge for supplying toner to the developer 214K.

[0016] The secondary transfer section 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 inside of the transfer belt 216, which contacts the transfer belt 216 at a position facing the photosensitive drum 212K. The transfer belt 216 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 by a drive roller 216a driven by a drive unit (not shown). A secondary transfer roller 217 that transfers a color image formed on the transfer belt 216 to a sheet S is provided at a position facing the drive roller 216a of the secondary transfer section 201D. 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 pair of reversible reversing rollers 222 and a paper re-transport path R for transporting the paper S with an image formed on one side thereof again to the image forming section 201B.

[0017] The image reading device 202 is an image reading device that is installed substantially horizontally above the image forming apparatus main body 201A. A discharge space V for discharging paper is formed between the image reading device 202 and the image forming apparatus main body 201A.

[0018] Display unit 250 is provided on the upper portion of image forming apparatus 200, and is an operationally inputtable display unit that accepts operational input from a user.

[0019] <Operation of the image forming device> Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 200 will be described. First, when the image forming apparatus 200 receives image information of an original to be printed, the image forming apparatus 200 processes the image information, converts it into an electric signal, and transmits it to the laser scanner 210 of the image forming unit 201B. In the image forming unit 201B, the surface of the photosensitive 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 photosensitive drum of each process cartridge 211, respectively.

[0020] Thereafter, the image forming apparatus 200 develops the electrostatic latent image with toner of each color to make it visible, and transfers the toner images of each color on each photosensitive drum to the transfer belt 216 in a sequentially overlapping 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. In parallel with the formation of the toner image, the paper S is conveyed one by one by the cassette paper feed unit 230 through the paper conveyance path H to the pair of registration rollers 240, where skew is corrected. After the skew is corrected, the paper S is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit 201D by the pair of registration rollers 240, where the toner images are transferred all at once onto the paper S by a secondary transfer bias applied to the secondary transfer roller 217. Next, the paper S onto which the toner image has been transferred is transported to the fixing section 201E, where the toners of each color melt and mix under heat and pressure in a roller nip section formed by the pressure roller 220a and the heating roller 220b, and are fixed as a color image on the paper S. Thereafter, the paper S onto which the image has been fixed is discharged to 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. When images are formed on both sides of the paper S, after the images are fixed, the paper S is transported to the paper re-transport path R by the reversing roller pair 222, and is transported again to the image forming section 201B.

[0021] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control system of the image forming apparatus 200 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. In Fig. 2, the same components as those shown in Fig. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, image forming apparatus 200 includes an image forming unit 201B, a cassette paper feed unit 230, a manual paper feed unit 235, a display unit 250, a paper type detection sensor 260, a blower fan 270, a CPU 280, a HDD 281, and a RAM 282 as a control system.

[0023] The CPU 280 controls the entire image forming apparatus 200. The HDD (hard disk drive) 281 stores the control program according to the present embodiment and the initial values ​​of various setting values. The CPU 280 executes the control program according to the present embodiment read from the HDD 281 to realize the procedure of the image forming process and the processing procedure of each flowchart, which will be described later. The RAM 282 stores various information under the control of the CPU 280. For example, the RAM 282 stores print control parameters for each type of paper S in a first storage area. It is preferable that the RAM 282 is a rewritable memory that does not require a storage and retention operation. Furthermore, when the user changes the print control parameters corresponding to the type of paper S referred to, the CPU 280 additionally stores the changed print control parameters in the above-mentioned first storage area as user-defined print control parameters corresponding to the type of paper S.

[0024] The display unit 250 includes a panel, buttons, etc. capable of displaying an operation screen, and when an instruction such as a print operation start is input, the display unit 250 sends the instruction information to the CPU 280. The instruction information such as a print operation start may be input by a user operating the display unit 250, or may be input from an external device such as a personal computer, a tablet terminal device, or a smartphone connected via a network (not shown). When the instruction information to start the print operation is input, the CPU 280 drives and controls a paper feed and transport motor (not shown) according to the instruction information to feed and transport the paper S. The CPU 280 also sets print control parameters for the image forming unit 201B, thereby controlling image formation (printing) by the image forming unit 201B. The image forming unit 201B prints on the paper S based on the print control parameters set by the CPU 280.

[0025] The paper type detection sensor 260 is provided on the paper transport path H, and is a paper type detection means for measuring the characteristic amounts of the paper S fed through the paper transport path H to detect the type (paper type) of the paper S. The paper type means the type of the paper S. For example, the paper type detection sensor 260 detects the characteristic amounts such as the surface property and thickness of the transported paper S, and the CPU 280 determines the type (paper type) of the paper S from the detection result. In this embodiment, the detection of the type (paper type) of the paper S by the paper type detection sensor 260 is defined as the detection of the characteristic amounts such as the surface property and thickness of the paper S by the paper type detection sensor 260, and the determination of the type (paper type) of the paper S by the CPU 280 from the detection result.

[0026] The blower fan 270 is a blowing unit that blows air toward a specific type of paper S loaded on the manual paper feed tray 5 shown in Fig. 1. The blower fan 270 includes a fan motor 271 and a blowing nozzle 272 shown in Fig. 1.

[0027] <Overview of the paper type detection sensor and paper type detection process> Next, a schematic configuration of the paper type detection sensor 260 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and a paper type detection process performed by the paper type detection sensor 260 will be described.

[0028] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a schematic configuration of the paper type detection sensor 260 shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. In Fig. 3, the same components as those shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0029] The paper type detection sensor 260 includes an LED 261 as a light emitting element, a photodiode 262 as a light receiving element, and a guide section 263 for guiding the paper S. Specifically, the paper type detection sensor 260 is capable of detecting the amount of reflected light emitted by the LED 261 using the photodiode 262. The CPU 280 receives the detection signal of the photodiode 262 of the paper type detection sensor 260 as an output value of the paper type detection sensor 260. The CPU 280 can determine the type of the paper S being fed according to differences in the received values ​​due to the characteristics of each paper S, such as the surface properties and thickness. The CPU 280 then optimally controls the image formation speed and the target temperature of the fixing unit according to the type of paper S determined here.

[0030] As described above, in this embodiment, the CPU 280 uses the output value of the paper type detection sensor 260 to determine the type of paper S, so that the user does not need to consciously set the type of paper S. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 200 according to this embodiment, a mode (hereinafter referred to as "automatic media setting mode") is provided in which the type of paper S is detected by the paper type detection sensor 260 and print control parameters and the like are automatically set according to the detected type of paper S. On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus 200 according to this embodiment, a mode (hereinafter referred to as "manual media setting mode") in which the user manually sets the type of paper S to be used as in the conventional case is also provided. By operating the display unit 250, the user can set in advance either the automatic media setting mode or the manual media setting mode for each cassette paper feed unit 230. Note 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 RAM 282 shown in FIG. 2. 3 is an example, and the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. The paper type detection sensor 260 may be configured to combine, for example, a light emitting element such as an LED 261, a light receiving element such as a photodiode 262, and an ultrasonic sensor such as a piezoelectric element, or may be a sensor having other configurations.

[0031] <Overview of manual feed unit and paper feed process> Next, a schematic configuration of the manual feed unit 235 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and a paper feed process by the manual feed unit 235 will be described.

[0032] The manual paper feed section 235 includes a manual paper feed tray 5, a pickup roller 502, a feed roller 503, and a retard roller 504. Furthermore, the manual paper feed section 235 includes a blower fan 270 which is a blowing unit.

[0033] For example, when the start button is pressed, the manual feed section 235 starts feeding the sheet S. At this time, if the type of the sheet S is, for example, a specific type of coated paper, the blower fan 270 blows air onto the sheet S. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the top sheet S, in which the adhesive force between the sheets has been reduced, is sent to a separation section consisting of a feed roller 503 and a retard roller 504 by the rotation of the pickup roller 502. Note that, if the type of the sheet S is, for example, plain paper, the blower fan 270 does not blow air onto the sheet S. The leading edge of the sheet S separated into one sheet by the separation section described above is detected by the sheet detection sensor 505, and the type (sheet type) is detected by the sheet type detection sensor 260. After that, the sheet S is sent to the registration roller pair 240 via the sheet transport path H by the transport roller pair 506.

[0034] The operation of manual paper feed section 235 thereafter is the same as that of cassette paper feed section 230 described above. A toner image is transferred onto sheet S at the secondary transfer section 201D at the appropriate timing. Then, the toner image is fixed onto sheet S at fixing section 201E, and sheet S is discharged to stack section 223 by first discharge roller pair 225a. When forming images on both sides of sheet S, sheet S is reversed at double-sided reversal section 201F and conveyed again to registration roller pair 240 via paper re-conveyance path R. Then, similar to the first side, sheet S with images formed on both sides is discharged to stack section 223, and a series of image formation operations is completed.

[0035] <Settings for paper placed in the manual feed tray> 4 illustrates the first embodiment of the present disclosure and shows examples of setting screens 410 and 420 for paper S placed on manual paper feed tray 5. The setting screens 410 and 420 shown in FIG. 4 are displayed on display unit 250 under the control of CPU 280.

[0036] Specifically, Fig. 4(a) shows a setting screen 410 that is displayed on the display unit 250 when paper S is placed on the manual paper feed tray 5. The setting screen 410 shown in Fig. 4(a) has a "Change paper size" button 411, a "Change paper type" button 412, a display area 413 for the currently set paper type, and an OK button 414. The setting screen 410 shown in Fig. 4(a) allows the setting of the paper size and the setting of the paper type to be changed, and the paper type can be specified by pressing the "Change paper type" button 412.

[0037] When the "Change Paper Type" button 412 is pressed on the setting screen 410 shown in FIG. 4(a), the screen transitions to a setting screen 420 shown in FIG. 4(b). The setting screen 420 shown in FIG. 4(b) has an "Automatically detect when printing" button 421, a "Select from list" button 422, a cancel button 423, and an OK button 424. The "Automatically detect when printing" button 421 is a setting button for executing an operation to detect the type of the paper S fed from the manual paper feed tray 5 by the paper type detection sensor 260. When the "Select from list" button 422 is pressed, the CPU 280 displays a paper type list screen (not shown) on the display unit 250, and any paper type can be selected. At this time, the paper type list displayed on the display unit 250 displays a list of paper types (paper types) that exist in a paper type database stored in advance in, for example, the HDD 281. On the setting screen 420 shown in Fig. 4(b), when the "Auto detect when printing" button 421 is pressed, or after the type of paper S is selected from the paper type list screen (not shown), the OK button 424 is pressed, the display returns to the setting screen 410 shown in Fig. 4(a). Then, when the OK button 414 is pressed on the setting screen 410 shown in Fig. 4(a), the CPU 280 stores in the HDD 281 the setting information for the paper S placed on the manual paper feed tray 5.

[0038] <Processing procedure for image formation in a print job> Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure in a control method for image forming apparatus 200 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure in an image forming process for a print job in image forming apparatus 200 according to the first embodiment. The flowchart shown in Fig. 5 includes control steps for a case where there is no paper S in manual paper feed tray 5. Moreover, each step of the flowchart shown in Fig. 5 is performed by CPU 280 executing a control program read from HDD 281 and loaded into RAM 282.

[0039] The flowchart shown in FIG. 5 starts when a print job is input after the paper S is placed on the manual paper feed tray 5 and the paper setting described in FIG. 4 is completed. The print job here is, for example, a copy job in which the user operates the display unit 250 to select the paper feed location set by pressing the "Automatic detection at print" button 421 shown in FIG. 4(b). Alternatively, the print job here may be a PDL print job in which the paper feed location set to "Automatic detection at print" is selected by a printer driver on an information processing terminal device such as a personal computer connected via a network. Also, consider a print job in which the paper feed location set to "Automatic detection at print" 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 paper type detection sensor (media sensor) 260 measures the characteristic amount of the paper S to detect the type of the paper S.

[0040] When the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 starts, the CPU 280 issues a paper feed command for the paper feed operation of paper S on the manual paper feed tray 5 in step S501.

[0041] Next, in step S502, CPU 280 determines whether or not there is paper S on manual feed tray 5. Specifically, CPU 280 detects whether or not there is paper S on manual feed tray 5, and if it detects that there is no paper S on manual feed tray 5, it determines that there is no paper S on manual feed tray 5. Here, CPU 280 performing the process of detecting whether or not there is paper S on manual feed tray 5 (including detecting that there is no paper S) constitutes a detection means. In the following description, paper S that CPU 280 detects as having disappeared from manual feed tray 5 will be referred to as "first paper" as necessary.

[0042] If it is determined in step S502 that there is no paper S on the manual feed tray 5 (S502 / No), the process proceeds to step S503. In step S503, the CPU 280 determines whether or not new paper S has been placed on the manual feed tray 5. If it is determined that new paper S has not been placed on the manual feed tray 5 (S503 / No), the process waits in step S503 until new paper S is placed on the manual feed tray 5.

[0043] Also, if the result of the determination in step S503 is that a new sheet S has been placed on the manual feed tray 5 (S503 / Yes), the process proceeds to step S504. Here, in the following description, the sheet S determined in step S503 to have been newly placed on the manual feed tray 5 will be referred to as a "second sheet" as necessary.

[0044] In step S504, the CPU 280 determines whether the paper type of the paper S (first paper) determined to be not on the manual paper feed tray 5 in step S502 has been specified by the paper type detection sensor 260 or not.

[0045] As a result of the determination in step S504, if the paper type of the first sheet has been identified by the paper type detection sensor 260 (S504 / Yes), the process proceeds to step S505.

[0046] Here, an example of the display screen will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when paper runs out in the manual feed tray 5 in which a setting other than "automatic detection during printing" shown in FIG. 4(b) is set in the first embodiment of the present disclosure. A display screen 610 shown in FIG. 6(a) displays information 611 indicating that the target paper feed unit is the manual feed unit 235 (manual feed tray 5), a paper type display area 612, a stop button 613, an OK button 614, and the like. The display screen 610 shown in FIG. 6(a) is a screen displayed on the display unit 250 when the manual feed unit 235 (manual feed tray 5) runs out of paper S. In the display screen 610 shown in FIG. 6(a), "plain paper" is set in the paper type display area 612. After the display screen 610 shown in FIG. 6(a) is displayed on the display unit 250, when paper S is replenished in the manual feed unit 235 (manual feed tray 5), a display screen 620 shown in FIG. 6(b) is displayed on the display unit 250. A paper type display area 621, an OK button 622, etc. are displayed on a display screen 620 shown in Fig. 6(b). In the case of Fig. 6, when the manual paper feed unit 235 (manual paper feed tray 5) runs out of paper S, the paper type display area 612 and the paper type display area 621 show "plain paper."

[0047] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when the manual feed tray 5, which is set to "automatic detection when printing" shown in FIG. 4B, runs out of paper in the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The display screen 710 shown in FIG. 7A displays information 711 indicating that the target paper feed unit is the manual feed unit 235 (manual feed tray 5), a paper type display area 712, a stop button 713, an OK button 714, and the like. The display screen 710 shown in FIG. 7A is a screen displayed on the display unit 250 when the manual feed unit 235 (manual feed tray 5) runs out of paper S. In the display screen 710 shown in FIG. 7A, "automatic detection when printing" is set in the paper type display area 712. After the display screen 710 shown in FIG. 7A is displayed on the display unit 250, when paper S is replenished in the manual feed unit 235 (manual feed tray 5), a display screen 720 shown in FIG. 7B is displayed on the display unit 250. A paper type display area 721, an OK button 722, etc. are displayed on a display screen 720 shown in Fig. 7(b). In the case of Fig. 7, when the manual paper feed unit 235 (manual paper feed tray 5) runs out of paper S, as shown in the paper type display area 712 and the paper type display area 721, the paper type is not a specified paper type but is "automatically detected at the time of printing."

[0048] Here, we return to the explanation of FIG. In step S505, the CPU 280 sets the paper type information for the second paper to "automatic detection at the time of printing" instead of the paper type identified by the paper type detection sensor 260 for the first paper.

[0049] When the process of step S505 is completed, or when it is determined in step S504 that the paper type of the first sheet has not been specified by the paper type detection sensor 260 (S504 / No), the process returns to step S501.

[0050] Also, as a result of the determination in step S502, if paper S is present on manual paper feed tray 5 (S502 / Yes), the process proceeds to step S506. In step S506, CPU 280 starts feeding paper S on manual paper feed tray 5. Here, if the process in the flowchart of FIG. 5 has gone through steps S502-S505 and moved to steps S501-S506, feeding of the second paper described above is started in this step.

[0051] Next, in step S507, CPU 280 determines whether or not the paper type of sheet S that started to be fed in step S506 has been identified by paper type detection sensor 260. Here, if the process moves to steps S501 to S507 after steps S502 to S505 in the process of the flowchart in Fig. 5, in this step it is determined whether or not the paper type of the above-mentioned second sheet has been identified by paper type detection sensor 260.

[0052] As a result of the determination in step S507, if the paper type of the paper S that started to be fed in step S506 has not been specified by the paper type detection sensor 260 (S507 / No), the process proceeds to step S508. In step S508, the CPU 280 uses the paper type detection sensor 260 to detect the type of paper for the paper S that started to be fed in step S506. Then, for printing of the paper S that started to be fed in step S506, the CPU 280 sets the type of paper detected in this step using the paper type detection sensor 260. The CPU 280 that sets the settings related to printing of this paper S, specifically, the type of paper S detected using the paper type detection sensor 260, constitutes a setting means. Here, if the process proceeds to steps S501 to S508 after the processes of steps S502 to S505 in the process of the flowchart in FIG. 5, in this step, the paper type of the second paper described above is detected using the paper type detection sensor 260. In this case, in this step, the type of the second paper detected by the paper type detection sensor 260 is set.

[0053] When the process of step S508 is completed, or when it is determined in step S507 that the paper type of the paper S that started to be fed in step S506 has been identified by the paper type detection sensor 260 (S507 / Yes), the process proceeds to step S509. In step S509, the CPU 280 performs an image forming process on the paper S based on the type of paper S detected and set in step S508, and prints on the paper S.

[0054] Next, in step S510, CPU 280 determines whether all pages of the print job have been printed. If the result of this determination is that printing has not yet been completed for all pages of the print job (S510 / No), the process returns to step S501 and performs the processes from step S501 onwards for the pages of the print job that have not yet been printed.

[0055] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S510 that printing has been completed for all pages of the print job (S510 / Yes), the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 ends.

[0056] In the image forming apparatus 200 according to the first embodiment described above, the CPU 280 detects that the first sheet being fed by the manual feed unit 235, which is the sheet feeding means, has run out (S502 / No in FIG. 5). Then, when the CPU 280 detects that the first sheet has run out, it sets the type of the second sheet detected by the sheet type detection sensor 260 for printing the second sheet fed by the manual feed unit 235 after the detection (S505, 508 in FIG. 5). That is, for printing the second sheet, it sets the type of the second sheet detected by the sheet type detection sensor 260, instead of the sheet type information set for the first sheet of paper that has run out of paper to be fed. According to this configuration, when a user prints on any paper, the user does not need to know the type of paper and does not need to take the time to determine the type of paper. This makes it possible to improve the convenience of the user when printing on paper.

[0057] Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the following description of the second embodiment, matters common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and only matters different from the first embodiment will be described.

[0058] The schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment is similar to the schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 200 according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1. Moreover, the control system of the image forming apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment is similar to the configuration example of the control system of the image forming apparatus 200 according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2.

[0059] <Processing procedure for image formation in a print job> Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure in a control method for image forming apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure in an image forming process for a print job in image forming apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment. The flowchart shown in Fig. 8 includes a control step when there is no paper S in manual paper feed tray 5, and a warning display step when the paper type is different before and after the supply of paper S in manual paper feed tray 5. Moreover, each step of the flowchart shown in Fig. 8 is performed by CPU 280 executing a control program read from HDD 281 and loaded in RAM 282.

[0060] The flowchart shown in FIG. 8 starts from the point where a print job is input after the paper S is placed on the manual paper feed tray 5 and the paper setting described in FIG. 4 is completed. The print job here is, for example, a copy job in which the user operates the display unit 250 to select the paper feed location set by pressing the "Automatic detection at print" button 421 shown in FIG. 4(b). Alternatively, the print job here may be a PDL print job in which the paper feed location set to "Automatic detection at print" is selected by a printer driver on an information processing terminal device such as a personal computer connected via a network. Also, consider a print job in which a paper feed location set to "Automatic detection at print" 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 paper type detection sensor (media sensor) 260 measures the characteristic amount of the paper S to detect the type of the paper S.

[0061] When the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 starts, the CPU 280 issues a paper feed command for the paper feed operation of paper S on the manual paper feed tray 5 in step S801.

[0062] Next, in step S802, CPU 280 determines whether or not there is paper S on manual feed tray 5. Specifically, CPU 280 detects whether or not there is paper S on manual feed tray 5, and if it detects that there is no paper S on manual feed tray 5, it determines that there is no paper S on manual feed tray 5. Here, CPU 280 performing the process of detecting whether or not there is paper S on manual feed tray 5 (including detecting that there is no paper S) constitutes a detection means. In the following description, paper S that CPU 280 detects as having disappeared from manual feed tray 5 will be referred to as "first paper" as necessary.

[0063] If it is determined in step S802 that there is no paper S on the manual feed tray 5 (S802 / No), the process proceeds to step S803. In step S803, the CPU 280 determines whether or not new paper S has been placed on the manual feed tray 5. If it is determined that new paper S has not been placed on the manual feed tray 5 (S803 / No), the process waits in step S803 until new paper S is placed on the manual feed tray 5.

[0064] Also, if the result of the determination in step S803 is that a new sheet S has been placed on the manual feed tray 5 (S803 / Yes), the process proceeds to step S804. Here, in the following description, the sheet S determined in step S803 to have been newly placed on the manual feed tray 5 will be referred to as a "second sheet" as necessary.

[0065] In step S804, the CPU 280 determines whether the paper type of the paper S (first paper) determined in step S802 not to be on the manual paper feed tray 5 has been specified by the paper type detection sensor 260 or not.

[0066] As a result of the determination in step S804, if the paper type of the first sheet has been identified by the paper type detection sensor 260 (S804 / Yes), the process proceeds to step S805. In step S805, the CPU 280 stores paper type information indicating the type of the first sheet identified by the paper type detection sensor 260 in the RAM 282 as paper type information when no paper is present. Note that this paper type information when no paper is present and stored in the RAM 282 is information that is stored only while a print job is being executed, and is erased after the print job is completed.

[0067] Next, in step S806, CPU 280 sets the paper type information for the second paper to "automatic detection at the time of printing" instead of the paper type identified by paper type detection sensor 260 for the first paper.

[0068] When the process of step S806 is completed, or when it is determined in step S804 that the paper type of the first sheet has not yet been specified by the paper type detection sensor 260 (S804 / No), the process returns to step S801.

[0069] Also, as a result of the determination in step S802, if paper S is present on manual paper feed tray 5 (S802 / Yes), the process proceeds to step S807. In step S807, CPU 280 starts feeding paper S on manual paper feed tray 5. Here, if the process in the flowchart of FIG. 8 has gone through steps S802-S806 and moved to steps S801-S808, feeding of the second paper described above is started in this step.

[0070] Next, in step S808, CPU 280 determines whether or not the paper type of sheet S that started to be fed in step S807 has been identified by paper type detection sensor 260. Here, if the process moves to steps S801 to S808 after steps S802 to S806 in the process of the flowchart in Fig. 8, in this step it is determined whether or not the paper type of the above-mentioned second sheet has been identified by paper type detection sensor 260.

[0071] As a result of the determination in step S808, if the paper type of the paper S that started to be fed in step S807 has not been specified by the paper type detection sensor 260 (S808 / No), the process proceeds to step S809. In step S809, the CPU 280 uses the paper type detection sensor 260 to detect the type of paper for the paper S that started to be fed in step S807. Then, for printing of the paper S that started to be fed in step S807, the CPU 280 sets the type of paper detected by the paper type detection sensor 260 in this step. The CPU 280 that sets the settings related to printing of this paper S, specifically, the type of paper S detected by the paper type detection sensor 260, constitutes a setting means. Here, if the process proceeds to steps S801 to S809 after the processes of steps S802 to S806 in the process of the flowchart in FIG. 8, in this step, the paper type of the second paper described above is detected by the paper type detection sensor 260. In this case, in this step, the type of the second paper detected by the paper type detection sensor 260 is set.

[0072] When the process of step S809 is completed, or when it is determined in step S808 that the paper type of the paper S that started to be fed in step S807 has been identified by the paper type detection sensor 260 (S808 / Yes), the process proceeds to step S810. In step S810, the CPU 280 determines whether there is paper type information for when no paper is present that was stored in the RAM 282 in step S805.

[0073] As a result of the determination in step S810, if there is paper type information when no paper is present that was stored in RAM 282 in step S805 (S810 / Yes), the process proceeds to step S811. In step S811, CPU 280 determines whether the second paper type detected in step S809 is the same as the first paper type based on the paper type information when no paper is present that was stored in RAM 282 in step S805.

[0074] If it is determined in step S811 that the type of the second paper detected in step S809 is not the same as the type of the first paper based on the paper type information when paper was absent that was stored in RAM 282 in step S805 (S811 / No), the process proceeds to step S812. In step S812, CPU 280 causes display unit 250, which is a display means, to display a warning indicating that the type of the second paper after replenishment is not the same as the type of the first paper before replenishment.

[0075] 9 illustrates a second embodiment of the present disclosure and is a diagram showing an example of a warning display screen 900 displayed on the display unit 250. The warning display screen 900 uses a screen that is displayed when copy printing is performed, and is provided with a stop button 901, a close button 902, and a warning display area 903. Specifically, the warning display area 903 in FIG. 9 displays a warning message stating "Paper type is different from before replenishment" as information indicating that the type of the second paper after replenishment is not the same as the type of the first paper before replenishment.

[0076] Here, we return to the explanation of FIG. When the process of step S812 is completed, the process proceeds to step S813. Also, when it is determined in step S811 that the second paper type detected in S809 is the same as the first paper type based on the paper type information when no paper is present and stored in RAM 282 in S805 (S811 / Yes), the process proceeds to step S813. Also, when it is determined in step S810 that there is no paper type information when no paper is present and stored in RAM 282 in step S805 (S810 / No), the process proceeds to step S813.

[0077] In step S813, the CPU 280 performs image formation processing on the paper S based on the type of the paper S detected and set in step S809, and performs printing on the paper S.

[0078] Next, in step S814, CPU 280 determines whether all pages of the print job have been printed. If the result of this determination is that printing has not yet been completed for all pages of the print job (S814 / No), the process returns to step S801 and performs the processes from step S801 onwards for the pages of the print job that have not yet been printed.

[0079] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S814 that printing has been completed for all pages of the print job (S814 / Yes), the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 ends.

[0080] In the image forming apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment described above, when the paper type detection sensor 260 detects the type of the second paper (S809 in FIG. 8), if the type of the second paper is different from the type of the first paper, the display unit 250 displays a warning (S812 in FIG. 8). According to this configuration, when a user prints on any paper, the user does not need to know the type of paper and does not need to take the time to determine the type of paper. This makes it possible to improve the convenience of the user when printing on paper.

[0081] (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) that implements one or more functions. This program and a computer-readable storage medium having the program stored thereon are included in the present disclosure.

[0082] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely illustrative examples of the implementation of the present disclosure, and the technical scope of the present disclosure should not be interpreted as being limited by these. In other words, the present disclosure can be implemented in various forms without departing from its technical concept or main features.

[0083] Embodiments of the present disclosure include the following configurations, methods, and programs. [Configuration 1] an image forming means for printing on paper; a paper feed means for feeding the paper to the image forming means via a paper transport path; a paper type detection means provided on the paper transport path for detecting the type of the paper; A setting unit for setting the printing on the paper; a detection means for detecting that the first sheet being fed by the sheet feeding means has run out; having When the detection means detects that the first paper has run out, the setting means sets the type of the second paper detected by the paper type detection means for the printing on the second paper fed by the paper feeding means after the detection. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: [Configuration 2] The device further includes a display unit that displays a warning when the type of the second paper detected by the paper type detection unit is different from the type of the first paper detected by the paper type detection unit. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, [Configuration 3] When the detection means does not detect that the first paper has run out, the setting means sets the type of the first paper detected by the paper type detection means for the printing of the first paper. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second components are arranged in a same plane. [Configuration 4] The paper type detection means detects the type of the paper by using a characteristic amount of the paper. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction. [Method 1] A method for controlling an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit for printing on paper, a paper feed unit for feeding the paper to the image forming unit via a paper transport path, and a paper type detection unit provided on the paper transport path for detecting a type of the paper, comprising: a setting step for setting the printing on the paper; a detection step of detecting that the first sheet being fed by the sheet feeding means has run out; having In the setting step, when it is detected in the detecting step that the first paper has run out, the type of the second paper detected by the paper type detection means is set for the printing on the second paper fed by the paper feeding means after the detection. 2 is a control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 . [Program 1] A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the control method for an image forming apparatus according to the first method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 200: image forming apparatus, 201A: image forming apparatus main body, 201B: image forming section, 202: image reading device, 230: cassette paper feed section, 235: manual paper feed section, 250: display section, 260: paper type detection sensor, 270: blower fan, 271: fan motor, 272: blowing nozzle, 280: CPU, 281: HDD, 282: RAM, S: paper

Claims

1. an image forming means for printing on paper; a paper feed means for feeding the paper to the image forming means via a paper transport path; a paper type detection means provided on the paper transport path for detecting the type of the paper; A setting unit for setting the printing on the paper; a detection means for detecting that the first sheet being fed by the sheet feeding means has run out; having When the detection means detects that the first paper has run out, the setting means sets the type of the second paper detected by the paper type detection means for the printing on the second paper fed by the paper feeding means after the detection.

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. The device further includes a display unit that displays a warning when the second paper type detected by the paper type detection unit is different from the first paper type detected by the paper type detection unit when the second paper type detected by the paper type detection unit is different from the first paper type detected by the paper type detection unit.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

3. When the detection means does not detect that the first paper has run out, the setting means sets the type of the first paper detected by the paper type detection means for the printing of the first paper.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

4. The paper type detection means detects the type of the paper by using a characteristic amount of the paper.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

5. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit for printing on paper, a paper feed unit for feeding the paper to the image forming unit via a paper transport path, and a paper type detection unit provided on the paper transport path for detecting a type of the paper, comprising: a setting step for setting the printing on the paper; a detection step of detecting that the first sheet being fed by the sheet feeding means has run out; having In the setting step, when it is detected in the detecting step that the first paper has run out, the type of the second paper detected by the paper type detection means is set for the printing on the second paper fed by the paper feeding means after the detection. 2 is a control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

6. A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 5.

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