Image formation device and control method thereof, program

Abstract

To display a residual quantity of a roll sheet installed in a device in number of sheets.SOLUTION: An image formation device comprises: an image formation part which forms an image on a continuous recording medium, which is roll-shaped or is folded at prescribed intervals, with number of sheets as a unit; a feeding part which feeds the recording medium installed in an installation part to the image formation part; and a display part which displays a residual quantity value representing a residual quantity of the recording medium installed in the installation part. The image formation device performs control for displaying a residual quantity value, which is calculated by subtracting the number of sheets in response to formation of the image on the recording medium, on the display part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, in an image forming device that forms images on labels stacked on a roll sheet, images are formed on the labels on the roll sheet while the roll sheet is being transported (Patent Document 1). A roll sheet is a continuous recording medium, and there is no concept of expressing the remaining amount in terms of the number of sheets, and the remaining amount of paper is only expressed in terms of length. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2000-194529 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the remaining amount of paper expressed as a length is not suitable for notifying the user of the remaining amount of labels on the installed roll sheet. For example, the user knows how many labels the job he or she is about to send will print. However, if the remaining amount of paper on the installed roll sheet is expressed as a length, it is difficult for the user to determine whether the job can be completed with the installed roll sheet, which reduces user convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes the following configuration. an image forming unit for forming images on a roll of recording medium or a continuous recording medium folded at predetermined intervals in units of sheets; a feeding section that feeds the recording medium mounted in the mounting section to the image forming section; a display unit that displays a remaining amount value that indicates a remaining amount of the recording medium mounted in the mounting unit; and a control unit that performs control to cause the display unit to display the remaining amount value obtained by subtracting the number of sheets as the image is formed on the recording medium by the image forming unit. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to display the remaining capacity of consecutive recording media loaded in an apparatus in terms of the number of sheets, thereby improving user convenience. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printing system including an image forming apparatus and a host computer according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a control unit that controls the main body of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of a home screen displayed on a touch panel of an operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of a printing screen displayed on a touch panel of an operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of a print stop screen displayed on a touch panel of an operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 1A is a diagram showing an example of a home screen according to an embodiment, and FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C are diagrams showing examples of a remaining paper menu screen. [Figure 8] 13A, 13C, and 13D are diagrams showing an example of a remaining paper amount setting screen, and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing an example of a remaining paper amount input screen. [Figure 9]1A is a diagram showing an example of a warning setting input screen, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of a history information sub-menu screen. [Figure 10A] 10 is a flowchart for explaining a setting process from a remaining paper amount setting screen by the image forming apparatus. [Figure 10B] 10 is a flowchart for explaining a setting process from a remaining paper amount setting screen by the image forming apparatus. [Figure 11] 1A is a flowchart illustrating a process for saving and updating history information, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of data in a history information table. [Figure 12] 13A is a flowchart showing the process for changing the remaining paper amount display to a percentage display, and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing an example of a home screen when the remaining paper amount display is changed to a percentage display. [Figure 13] (a) is a diagram showing an example of a home screen when a warning occurs, (b) is a diagram showing an example of a pop-up screen when a print pause occurs due to the occurrence of a warning, and (c) is a diagram showing an example of a home screen when the print pause is released. [Figure 14] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a printing operation of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 15] 6 is a flowchart for explaining a process of updating and displaying a remaining paper amount counter during a printing operation. [Figure 16] 4A is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus when paper is loaded, and FIG. 4B is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus when paper is replaced. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although the embodiments describe a number of features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any manner. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0009] First, the terms used in this embodiment are defined as follows. ·“Formation” In this specification, "formation" does not only mean the formation of meaningful information such as characters or figures. It does not matter whether it is meaningful or insignificant, and whether it is manifested so that humans can perceive it visually or not. It also broadly means the formation of images, patterns, etc. on a recording medium, or the processing of a medium. Furthermore, formation does not matter whether it is manifested so that humans can perceive it visually or not. "Recording media" The recording medium refers not only to paper used in general image forming devices, but also to a wide range of materials that can accept ink, such as cloth, plastic film, metal plates, glass, ceramics, wood, and leather. ·"ink" The term "ink" should be interpreted broadly in the same way as the definition of "formation" above, and refers to a medium containing a recording material that can be applied to a recording medium to form an image, design, pattern, etc., or to process the recording medium, or to treat the ink. It is liquid in terms of physical properties. The ink treatment mentioned above refers to, for example, solidification or insolubilization of the coloring material in the ink applied to the recording medium. ·"nozzle" Unless otherwise specified, the term "nozzle" refers to an ejection port. Inside the nozzle, there is a communicating liquid path and an element that generates energy used to eject ink.

[0010] [Embodiment 1] First, a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printing system including an image forming apparatus 100 and a host computer 104 according to the first embodiment.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 100 includes an apparatus main body 101 provided with a touch panel 102, and a feed section 103 for mounting and feeding a roll sheet wound into a roll, which is a recording medium. The image forming apparatus 100 prints image data received from a host computer 104 on a label attached to the roll sheet while conveying the roll sheet by a conveying means. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 and the host computer 104 are connected via a printer cable 105. Note that, although the first embodiment shows a configuration in which the image forming apparatus 100 and the host computer 104 are connected by the printer cable 105, they may be connected by wireless communication using Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc.

[0013] The operation unit 102 displays software keys on an LCD (liquid crystal) panel 102A (FIG. 3) and can accept information input by contact (touch operation) to a touch operation unit 102B (FIG. 3). That is, the operation unit 102 can input information by displaying software keys and detecting that the software keys have been touched. The panel size of the operation unit 102 according to the first embodiment is 480 pixels×272 pixels. The touch operation unit 102B may be of any of a resistive film type, a capacitive type, and an optical type such as infrared. Here, the touch panel module and the liquid crystal module are described as separate bodies, but they may be integrated as long as input by touch operation is possible. In this embodiment, the touch panel refers to one including both the touch panel module and the liquid crystal module. In this embodiment, "displaying on the touch panel" also includes displaying on the liquid crystal module in a structure in which the touch panel module and the liquid crystal module are provided as separate bodies.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0015] Roll sheets include roll sheets, which are mark sheets with multiple marks regularly placed in the transport direction of the sheet, which is a recording medium, roll sheets, which are continuous sheets with no marks, and label sheets, which are roll sheets that act as backing sheets and have labels laminated on them.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an image forming apparatus main body 101 and a feeding section 103. The feeding section 103 includes a roll sheet holder 10A and a pair of roll sheet conveying rollers 10B. The roll sheet M mounted in the roll sheet holder 10A is placed on the pair of roll sheet conveying rollers 10B, and is supplied to the apparatus main body 101 by the rotation of the roll sheet conveying rollers 10B. The apparatus main body 101 includes a conveying section 20 that conveys the roll sheet M, an image forming section 30 that forms an image on the label of the roll sheet, a discharge section 40 that discharges the roll sheet, and a control section 50 (see FIG. 3) that controls the image forming apparatus 100. The apparatus main body 101 also includes a sheet detection sensor 70A and a post-processing sheet detection sensor 80A.

[0017] The conveying section 20 conveys the roll sheet M fed from the feeding section 10 to the image forming section 30 and the discharge section 40 in that order. The image forming section 30 forms an image on the fed roll sheet M. The discharge section 40 cuts the roll sheet M conveyed from the image forming section 30 by the conveying section 20 and discharges it outside the machine. The control section 50 controls the operation of each section of the image forming apparatus 100, such as the feeding section 10, the conveying section 20, the image forming section 30, and the discharge section 40. The configuration of each section will be described in detail below.

[0018] The conveying section 20 has a conveying roller 20A, an endless conveying belt 20B stretched around the conveying roller 20A, and a conveying motor 20C (see FIG. 3) that drives the conveying belt 20B, and is configured to convey the rolled sheet M by the conveying belt 20B. An image forming section 30 is provided at a position facing the conveying surface of the conveying belt 20B that conveys the rolled sheet. A sheet detection sensor 70A is disposed upstream of the image forming section 30 in the sheet conveying direction. The image forming section 30 has a recording head unit 30A and an ink cartridge 30B.

[0019] The recording head unit 30A holds recording heads 30A1, 30A2, 30A3, and 30A4 of each color, each having a plurality of nozzles (6000 in the first embodiment). The recording heads 30A1, 30A2, 30A3, and 30A4 each have a heating element (not shown) built in, and ink is heated by the heating element to eject the ink from the nozzle. The ink cartridges 30B1, 30B2, 30B3, and 30B4 are disposed below the conveyor belt 20B in the device main body 101. The ink cartridges 30B1, 30B2, 30B3, and 30B4 are connected to the recording heads 30A1, 30A2, 30A3, and 30A4 of the corresponding colors by flexible tubes (not shown) or the like, and are configured to supply ink of each color. The maintenance cartridge 30C is a portion for storing ink that is ejected in excess during printing, recovery operations, and the like.

[0020] The sheet detection sensor 70A can detect the leading edge of the rolled sheet M in the transport direction and the position of a mark on the rolled sheet M. This sheet detection sensor 70A detects the leading edge of the rolled sheet M in the transport direction and the presence or absence of a mark on the rolled sheet M before image formation by the recording head unit 30A. For this reason, it is disposed at a position upstream of the recording head unit 30A in the transport direction. In the case of the first embodiment, the sheet detection sensor 70A is a reflective sensor having a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit disposed on one side of the rolled sheet M transported by the transport belt 20B, and the light irradiated from the light emitting unit toward the transport belt 20B and reflected light is received by the light receiving unit.

[0021] The discharge section 40 also has a cutter unit 40A and a cutting motor 40B (FIG. 3) that drives the cutter unit 40A. The cutter unit 40A has a cutter 40A1 that can cut the roll sheet M and a lifting mechanism (not shown) that can raise and lower the cutter 40A1 in the vertical direction, and is disposed downstream of the recording head unit 30A in the conveying direction. The cutting motor 40B can raise and lower the cutter 40A1 in the vertical direction by driving the lifting mechanism. The cutting motor 40B is driven by the control section 50 (described later) to cause the lifting mechanism to raise and lower the cutter 40A1, so that the roll sheet M can be cut at a position set by the control section 50 or between any images designated by the user.

[0022] The post-processing sheet detection sensor 80A is disposed at a position upstream of the cutter unit 40A in the transport direction and is a reflective sensor like the sheet detection sensor 70A, and is used to detect the leading edge of the roll sheet M in the transport direction and the presence or absence of a mark on the roll sheet M. The control unit 50 can determine the cutting position by the cutter unit 40A based on the result of sheet detection by the post-processing sheet detection sensor 80A.

[0023] Next, the control unit 50 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a control unit 50 that controls the apparatus body 101 of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0025] The control unit 50 includes a main controller 50A, a driver controller 50B, a ROM 50C, a RAM 50D, an image buffer memory 50E, a head driving circuit 50F, a driving circuit 50G, and a sensor circuit 50H.

[0026] The main controller 50A controls the entire image forming apparatus 100 and has a function of storing data in the ROM 50C, a function of controlling data, and a function as a setting unit that changes the operation of the main body based on the setting data. The main controller 50A is connected to the host computer 104 and can exchange signals with the host computer 104. The ROM 50C is a memory that is connected to the main controller 50A and stores control programs, and the CPU 300 operates as the main controller 50A using the RAM 50D as a working memory. The main controller 50A is also connected to the touch panel 102, and the user can access the functions of the image forming apparatus 100 using the touch operation unit 102B that can recognize that a software key displayed on the liquid crystal panel 102A has been touched and input information.

[0027] The image buffer memory 50E, which serves as a storage means for recording data, includes image buffer memories 50E1, 50E2, 50E3, and 50E4 for each color, Bk (black), C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow). The image buffer memory 50E stores image data in bitmap format for each color transmitted from the host computer 104. The head driving circuit 50F is a driving circuit for driving the heating elements (not shown) built into the recording heads 30A1, 30A2, 30A3, and 30A4 of each color. Here, the recording heads 30A1, 30A2, 30A3, and 30A4 are recording heads that eject inks of Bk (black), C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow). The control unit 50 can form an image using the recording head unit 30A using these configurations. Specifically, a driver controller 50B connected to a main controller 50A controls the driving of the recording head unit 30A via a head driving circuit 50F based on image data stored in an image buffer memory 50E, thereby recording an image.

[0028] The drive circuit 50G can drive the aforementioned conveying motor 20C and cutting motor 40B, and is controlled by the main controller 50A. The sensor circuit 50H includes a sheet detection sensor 70A and a post-processing sheet detection sensor 80A, and the main controller 50A can control the image forming operation, the cutting operation of the roll sheet M, and the like, based on a signal input from the sensor circuit 50H.

[0029] Next, the layout of the display screen displayed on the touch panel of the operation unit 102 of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0030] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a home screen 400 displayed on the touch panel of the operation unit 102 of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. This home screen 400 is an example of a screen displayed when the image forming apparatus 100 is waiting for an instruction for image formation to be received. In other words, the home screen 400 in Fig. 4 is a screen displayed when the image forming apparatus 100 is in a standby state in which image formation can be started after the image forming apparatus 100 is powered on.

[0031] The home screen (initial screen) 400 has a header section 401 that displays the status of the image forming apparatus 100, the connection line, and the setting status of special printing, and a shortcut key 402 that displays a screen in which shortcuts for executing functions of the image forming apparatus 100 are registered. It also has an information key 403 that displays help and guidance regarding the image forming apparatus 100, and a menu key 404 that displays an overall menu for setting each function of the image forming apparatus 100. It also includes a backfeed key 405 and a forward feed key 406 related to the transport of the roll sheet M, a cut key 407 that cuts the roll sheet M, and a pause key 408 that temporarily stops the printing process by the image forming apparatus 100. The home screen 400 also includes a consumables remaining amount display section 409 that displays the remaining ink amounts of the installed ink cartridges 30B1, 30B2, 30B3, and 30B4 and the maintenance cartridge 30C, and a counter display section 410 that displays the counter number related to printing.

[0032] On the home screen 400 in FIG. 4, the user can temporarily stop the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 by touching the pause key 408. That is, by touching the pause key 408 to put the image forming apparatus 100 in a paused state (so-called offline state) when no image forming job is being accepted, it is possible to prevent an operation related to image formation from being started immediately even if an image forming job is accepted. For example, by putting the image forming apparatus 100 in a paused state (offline state), it is possible to prevent an image forming operation from being started based on an image forming job transmitted from an external device while the user is touching the menu key 404 or the like to set each function. In this case, the user can touch the pause key 408 before changing the settings, and touch the pause key 408 again after completing the setting change to return the image forming apparatus 100 to an online state, thereby executing the image forming job accepted during the pause.

[0033] Since the home screen 400 in Fig. 4 is before printing has been performed, the header section 401 displays "Printing possible" indicating that printing is possible, and the counter display section 410 displays the number of printed sheets as "0", and the number of jobs indicating the number of jobs executed is also "0". When printing starts on the home screen 400, the screen transitions to the printing screen 500 in Fig. 5. Here, the number of printed sheets refers to the number of labels printed in the case of label sheets, for example.

[0034] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a printing screen 500 displayed on the touch panel of the operation unit 102 of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment 1. This printing screen 500 is an example of a screen displayed when the image forming apparatus 100 is forming an image.

[0035] In the printing screen 500, the keys related to the control of the roll sheet M displayed in the home screen 400, i.e., the backfeed key 405, the forward feed key 406, and the cut key 407, are hidden. The header section 401, the pause key 408, the consumables remaining amount display section 409, and the job print count display section 501 are displayed. In the printing screen 500, the shortcut keys 402, the information key 403, and the menu key 404 are displayed, but these keys are grayed out and cannot be operated even by touching them. In this embodiment, "hidden" includes a state in which the keys are not displayed on the screen, and a state in which the keys are displayed on the screen but cannot be touched. For example, it also includes a state in which the backfeed key 405, the feed key 406, and the cut key 407 are displayed with other display contents superimposed on them, thereby making it impossible to touch the backfeed key 405, the feed key 406, and the cut key 407.

[0036] The job print count display section 501 displays the number of sheets printed since printing began for the current job up to the present time. The counter display section 410 displays the print speed, the total number of sheets printed, and the number of jobs that have been printed. When the pause key 408 is touched, printing by the image forming apparatus 100 is temporarily stopped, and the transport of the roll sheet M and the image forming operation by the recording heads 30A1, 30A2, 30A3, and 30A4 are temporarily stopped. In this way, when the printing operation of the image forming apparatus 100 is temporarily stopped, the screen transitions to a print stop screen 600 (FIG. 6).

[0037] 6 is a diagram showing an example of a print stop screen 600 displayed on the touch panel of the operation unit 102 of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment 1. This print stop screen 600 is also an example of a screen displayed when the image forming apparatus 100 is waiting to receive an instruction for image formation.

[0038] The print stop screen 600 includes a header section 401, a shortcut key 402, an information key 403, a menu key 404, a back feed key 405, a forward feed key 406, a cut key 407, and a pause key 408. The print stop screen 600 further includes a print data delete button 601 for deleting print data, and a consumables remaining amount display section 409. In the print stop screen 600, the shortcut key 402, the information key 403, and the menu key 404 are operable, and are therefore displayed in the normal form, similar to the home screen 400. When the shortcut key 402 is touched, the screen transitions to a screen that displays registered shortcuts. When the information key 403 is touched, the screen transitions to a screen that displays help and guidance regarding the image forming apparatus 100. When the menu key 404 is touched, the screen transitions to a menu screen where each function, such as settings of the image forming apparatus 100, can be selected and executed. When the back feed key 405 is touched, the conveying motor 20C is rotated in the opposite direction to the conveying direction during printing, and the conveying belt 20B is operated to rewind the roll sheet M. This allows the user to return the roll sheet M, which is sandwiched between the pair of conveying rollers, to a position where the clamping is released, for example, when replacing the roll sheet M. When the forward feed key 406 is touched, the conveying belt 20B is operated to convey the roll sheet M in the same manner as during printing, even when printing is not in progress. This allows the user to convey the roll sheet M by an arbitrary amount, for example, when installing a roll winding device as a post-processing device downstream of the image forming apparatus 100. When the cut key 407 is touched, the roll sheet M is cut at the current conveying position of the roll sheet and discharged outside the apparatus. When the pause key 408 is touched again on the print stop screen 600, the print process by the image forming apparatus 100 is resumed.

[0039] Next, the remaining paper amount display according to the embodiment will be described. As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 repeatedly forms images of a predetermined recording unit on a rolled recording medium or a continuous recording medium folded at a predetermined interval. Here, the predetermined recording unit refers to a recording operation performed on one label, for example, when a label sheet is used as a roll sheet and printing is performed on labels stacked on a mount.

[0040] FIG. 7(a) is a diagram showing an example of a home screen 400 displayed on the LCD panel 102A, which is a display panel, when the remaining paper display is enabled. The display panel is not limited to an LCD, and may be, for example, an organic EL. The control unit 50 controls the display of the LCD panel 102A, and displays each screen described in the embodiment on the LCD panel 102A. In the home screen 400 in FIG. 7(a), a remaining paper display area 700 that displays a remaining paper value 701 is added to the home screen 400 shown in FIG. 4. The remaining paper value 701 indicates the remaining amount of the mounted recording medium (for example, the roll sheet M), and decreases according to the execution of printing. In addition, when the remaining paper display area 700 is touched by the user, the screen transitions to a remaining paper setting screen described in FIG. 8(a).

[0041] Fig. 7(b) is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen (paper remaining amount display setting menu screen) for setting the display of the paper remaining amount display. The paper remaining amount display setting menu screen 720 is one of the menu hierarchies to which the screen transitions by touching the menu key 404 on the home screen 400, and is arranged under a screen display setting menu (not shown). The header of the paper remaining amount display setting menu screen 720 includes a home key 721 for moving from the paper remaining amount display setting menu screen 720 to the home screen 400, and a back key 722 for moving from the paper remaining amount display setting menu screen 720 to the previous hierarchical level. Since the state of Fig. 7(b) is a state in which the remaining amount display is not displayed, all the settings other than the paper remaining amount display setting 723 are grayed out and cannot be set. When the paper remaining amount display setting 723 is set to “display”, the menu items from the paper remaining amount setting 740 to the warning setting 742 in the menu are ungrayed out, and the paper remaining amount can be displayed as shown in FIG. 7(a) (display of the paper remaining amount display area 700 and the paper remaining amount value 701).

[0042] FIG. 7(c) shows the paper remaining amount display setting menu screen 720 when the paper remaining amount display setting 723 is set to "display". In the paper remaining amount display setting menu screen 720 shown in FIG. 7(c), the menu shown in FIG. 7(b) is released from graying out, and the settings by the menu items of paper remaining amount setting 740, % display 741, and warning setting 742 are enabled. In addition, the warning setting pause 743 is released from graying out and can be set when the warning setting 742 is enabled. The paper remaining amount setting 740 is a menu item that transitions the screen to the paper remaining amount setting screen described in FIG. 8(a). The % display 741 is a menu item for setting whether or not to change the display unit of the paper remaining amount display area 700 to %. The warning setting 742 is a menu item for setting whether or not to display a paper remaining amount warning when the paper remaining amount value reaches a specified value. The warning setting pause 743 is a menu item for setting whether or not to enable a function for interrupting the printing operation when the warning setting 742 becomes valid.

[0043] [Paper remaining settings] The remaining paper amount setting process that is started by selecting remaining paper amount setting 740 will be described with reference to Fig. 8 to Fig. 11. Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 show screens presented to the user in relation to remaining paper amount setting. Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B are flowcharts that explain the remaining paper amount setting process using the remaining paper amount setting screen. Fig. 11 is a flowchart that explains the history information update process in the remaining paper amount setting process.

[0044] When the remaining paper amount setting 740 is instructed on the remaining paper amount display setting menu screen 720 (FIG. 7(b)), in S1000, the control unit 50 displays a remaining paper amount setting screen on the LCD panel 102A for user operation of remaining paper amount setting. FIG. 8(a) is a diagram showing an example of the remaining paper amount setting screen. The remaining paper amount setting screen 800 has a remaining paper amount input area 801 for inputting a remaining paper amount value, and a remaining warning amount input area 802 for setting a remaining amount value for issuing a warning notice. The remaining paper amount setting screen 800 also has a reset button 803 for resetting the remaining paper amount value and the warning setting value based on the past history, and a close button 804 for reflecting the values ​​input in the remaining paper amount input area 801 and the remaining warning amount input area 802. Although the warning remaining amount input area 802 is displayed in FIG. 8A, if the warning setting is set to disabled by the warning setting 742, the warning remaining amount input area 802 is grayed out.

[0045] When the remaining paper input area 801 is touched on the remaining paper setting screen 800 (YES in S1001), the process proceeds to S1002, and the control unit 50 displays the remaining paper input screen 820 of FIG. 8(b) on the LCD panel 102A. When the remaining warning input area 802 is touched on the remaining paper setting screen 800 (NO in S1001, YES in S1007), the process proceeds to S1008. In S1008, the control unit 50 displays the warning setting input screen 900 shown in FIG. 9(a) on the LCD panel 102A. When the reset button 803 is touched on the remaining paper setting screen 800 (NO in S1001 and S1007, YES in S1013), the process proceeds to S1014. In S1014, the control unit 50 displays the history information submenu screen 920 shown in Fig. 9(b) on the LCD panel 102A. Also, when the close button 804 is touched on the remaining paper amount setting screen 800 (NO in S1001, S1007, S1013, YES in S1018), the process proceeds to S1019. In S1019, the control unit 50 updates the history information (described later) with the setting value input on the remaining paper amount setting screen 800. Then, in S1020, the control unit 50 returns the screen of the LCD panel 102A to the home screen 400 of Fig. 7(a), and reflects the setting value input on the remaining paper amount setting screen 800 in the remaining paper amount value 701 displayed in the remaining paper amount display area 700.

[0046] Immediately after the remaining paper display setting 723 is enabled (set to display) for the first time, the quantity of paper of a preset default standard size (for example, 2000 sheets) is set as the initial value of the remaining paper amount, and is displayed in the remaining paper amount input area 801. In this embodiment, the default standard size is 4×5 inch label paper, which is the most commonly used size and shape of labels. The initial value is not limited to this, and may be a quantity corresponding to other sizes and shapes. In addition, such automatic setting of the initial value is not essential. In addition, when the warning setting is enabled for the first time, the remaining warning amount input area 802 is blank. Below, the process after the remaining paper amount input screen 820 is displayed in S1002, the process after the warning setting input screen 900 is displayed in S1008, and the process after the history information submenu screen 920 is displayed in S1014 will be described.

[0047] The control unit 50 displays a remaining paper amount input screen 820 (FIG. 8(b)) on the LCD panel 102A in S1002, and accepts a user operation on the remaining paper amount input screen 820 in S1003. The remaining paper amount input screen 820 has a radio button 821 for selecting a unit of remaining paper amount. The remaining paper amount input screen 820 also has a remaining paper amount input value display area 822 that displays the remaining paper amount value to be input, and a numeric keypad 823 that is an input means to the remaining paper amount input value display area 822. The remaining paper amount input screen 820 also has a cancel button 824 that cancels the input information, and an OK button 825 that reflects the input information in the remaining paper amount input area 801 of the remaining paper amount setting screen 800 (FIG. 8(a)).

[0048] The user can select the unit in which the remaining amount of paper is to be displayed by using radio button 821. For example, when using rolled label paper, the remaining amount is recognized by the number of sheets, so the user can select the number of sheets as the unit of the remaining amount of paper by operating radio button 821. On the other hand, when using continuous roll paper, which does not have the concept of the number of sheets, the remaining amount is recognized by the total length of the roll, so the user can select m or ft as the unit of the remaining amount of paper by operating radio button 821. FIG. 8(b) shows the screen when the unit is set to "sheets." However, if the unit is changed to m or ft, the unit display of the remaining amount of paper changes, and the screen shown in FIG. 8(c) appears when the unit is set to "m," and the screen shown in FIG. 8(d) appears when the unit is set to ft. Note that if the length of the image recorded on the roll paper and the interval between the recorded images (for example, the length of the label to be printed and the distance between the labels to be printed) are known, the number of images that can be printed using continuous roll paper, i.e., the number of sheets, can be known. Therefore, even with continuous roll paper, the number of sheets can be set as the unit of the remaining amount. Furthermore, when transitioning to remaining paper amount input screen 820, the remaining paper amount value that was displayed when remaining paper amount input area 801 (FIG. 8(a)) was touched is displayed in remaining paper amount input value display area 822. With all remaining paper amounts selected, the remaining paper amount value can be deleted by using the character delete key on numeric keypad 823, and a new value can be input. Also, even if a value is input with all remaining paper amounts selected, the previous value is deleted and a new value can be input.

[0049] When the control unit 50 determines that the OK button 825 has been pressed on the remaining paper amount input screen 820 (YES in S1004), the process proceeds to S1006. In S1006, the control unit 50 ends the remaining paper amount input screen 820, and reflects the remaining amount value and unit set on the remaining paper amount input screen 820 on the remaining paper amount setting screen 800 and displays it. On the other hand, when the control unit 50 determines that the cancel button 824 has been pressed in S1004 (NO in S1004, YES in S1005), the control unit 50 ends the remaining paper amount input screen 820 without reflecting the input remaining amount value and unit, and displays the remaining paper amount setting screen 800.

[0050] Meanwhile, the control unit 50 displays a warning setting input screen 900 (FIG. 9(a)) on the LCD panel 102A in S1008, and accepts a user operation on the warning setting input screen 900 in S1009. The warning setting input screen 900 allows the user to input a setting value for the warning setting of the remaining amount of paper. The warning setting input screen 900 has a warning setting input area 901 that displays the warning setting value to be input, and a numeric keypad 902 that is an input means to the warning setting input area 901. The warning setting input screen 900 also has a cancel button 903 that cancels the input information, and an OK button 904 that reflects the input information in the warning remaining amount input area 802.

[0051] The unit of input in the warning setting input area 901 on the warning setting input screen 900 is the unit set in the remaining paper amount input screen 820 in FIG. 8(b), and in this example, "sheets" is set. The warning setting input area 901 also displays the remaining warning amount value that was displayed in the remaining warning amount input area 802 in FIG. 8(a) when the remaining warning amount input area 802 was touched to transition to the previous screen. In the warning setting input area 901, the values ​​can be deleted by selecting all the values ​​and operating the character delete key on the numeric keypad 902, and a new value can be input. Alternatively, the previous values ​​can be deleted and a new value can be input by inputting a new value with all the values ​​selected.

[0052] When the control unit 50 determines that the OK button 904 has been pressed (YES in S1010), the process proceeds to S1012. In S1012, the control unit 50 ends the warning setting input screen 900, and displays the remaining paper setting screen 800 (FIG. 8(a)) reflecting the settings made on the warning setting input screen 900 in the remaining warning input area 802. When the control unit 50 determines that the cancel button 903 has been pressed (NO in S1010, YES in S1011), the control unit 50 ends the warning setting input screen 900 without reflecting the settings made on the warning setting input screen 900, and displays the remaining paper setting screen 800.

[0053] Furthermore, when the control unit 50 displays the history information submenu screen 920 (FIG. 9B) in S1014, the control unit 50 accepts user operations on the history information submenu screen 920 in the subsequent processing. The control unit 50 stores in the ROM 50C a history information table (described later with reference to FIG. 11B) that holds up to three past setting histories, which are combinations of remaining paper amount and warning settings that have been set in the past. On the history information submenu screen 920, the past setting histories held in the history information table are displayed in a history information display area 930. In the example of FIG. 9B, three setting histories 931 to 933 are displayed. When the control unit 50 determines that one of the setting histories 931 to 933 has been selected on the history information submenu screen 920 (YES in S1015), the processing proceeds to S1017. In S1017, the control unit 50 ends the display of the history information submenu screen 920, and displays the remaining paper amount setting screen 800 that reflects the remaining paper amount and warning setting value of the selected setting history in the remaining paper amount input area 801 and the remaining warning amount input area 802. On the other hand, if an area other than the history information display area 930 is touched (YES in S1016), the control unit 50 ends the history information submenu screen as it is, and returns the display to the remaining paper amount setting screen 800. In this case, the contents of the remaining paper amount input area 801 and the remaining warning amount input area 802 are not changed.

[0054] When the control unit 50 determines that the close button 804 has been pressed on the remaining paper amount setting screen 800 (YES in S1018), it performs the above-mentioned process of saving and updating the history information in S1019. FIG. 11(a) is a flowchart for explaining the process of saving and updating the history information in S1019. FIG. 11(b) is a diagram showing an example of data in the history information table. The control unit 50 checks whether a combination of the remaining paper amount, unit information, and warning setting value (hereinafter, a combination of warning settings) exists in the history information (S1100). That is, the control unit 50 checks whether the combination of warning settings held in the history information table of FIG. 11(b) matches the combination of the remaining paper amount, unit, and warning setting value set on the remaining paper amount setting screen 800. When the control unit 50 determines that a matching combination exists (YES in S1100), it does not update the history information table and ends this process. On the other hand, when it is determined that no combination exists (NO in S1100), the process proceeds to S1101. In S1101, the control unit 50 deletes the oldest history information in the history information table (in the example of FIG. 11(b), the history information before last). Then, in S1102, the control unit 50 shifts the history information in the history information table, and in S1103, saves the current setting values ​​in an area for storing the latest values. In this way, the latest warning setting combination in the history information table is updated with the current setting values.

[0055] In the history information display area 930 of the history information submenu screen 920, the remaining paper amount, unit information, and warning setting values ​​are held for all three histories. However, if the warning setting is disabled, only the remaining paper amount is set. Therefore, in such a case, a message is displayed indicating that the warning setting is disabled. Also, in this embodiment, the history information display area 930 does not list the three histories in order of most recent, but they may be displayed in order of most recent. In that case, a process is required to move the combination of warning settings determined to match in S1100 to the most recent position in the history information table.

[0056] [% display settings] Next, a process of displaying the remaining paper amount in the remaining paper amount display area 700 of the home screen 400 will be described. FIG. 12(a) is a flowchart showing a process for displaying the remaining paper amount in %. FIG. 12(b) is a display example of the home screen 400 when the remaining paper amount is displayed in % in the remaining paper amount display area 700. The % display is performed by turning on the % display 741 while the remaining paper amount display setting 723 of the remaining paper amount display setting menu screen 720 is set to "display". The calculation of the % value 1200 displayed in the remaining paper amount display area 700 is performed, for example, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12(a). First, in S1200, the control unit 50 acquires the latest remaining amount setting value from the history information (for example, the history information table in FIG. 11(b)). Then, in S1201, the control unit 50 calculates the % value using the formula "% value = remaining paper amount value 701 / latest remaining amount setting value". That is, the % value represents the ratio between the remaining amount value most recently set on the remaining paper amount setting screen 800 (latest remaining amount setting value) and the remaining amount value updated as recording is performed (remaining paper amount value 701). In S1202, the control unit 50 reflects the calculated % value in the % value 1200 of the remaining paper amount display area 700. The process of updating the remaining paper amount value 701 will be described later with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0057] [Printing operation and warning display] The following describes operations during printing by image forming apparatus 100 (including the process of updating remaining paper amount value 701) and display screens when a warning is set, with reference to FIGS.

[0058] FIG. 13(a) illustrates a warning screen 1300 when a warning occurs based on the warning setting with the remaining paper display enabled. FIG. 13(b) illustrates a pop-up screen 1320 when a warning occurs based on the warning setting with the remaining paper display enabled, and a print pause occurs. FIG. 13(c) illustrates a pause screen 1340 when a print pause occurs after a warning occurs based on the warning setting with the remaining paper display enabled, and the print pause is released. FIG. 14 is a flowchart explaining the printing operation of the image forming apparatus 100. FIG. 15 is a flowchart explaining the update and display process of the remaining amount counter (a counter indicating the remaining amount of paper displayed in the remaining paper display area 700) during the printing operation of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0059] When a print instruction is received (YES in S1400), the control unit 50 starts the print operation of the image forming apparatus 100. Specifically, the control unit 50 performs a preparation operation for printing on paper in S1401, and then starts the print operation for each page in S1402. Here, one page refers to, for example, an image to be printed on one label. When printing of one page is completed (YES in S1403), the control unit 50 updates the remaining paper counter and performs a process of displaying it on the home screen 400 (remaining paper display area 700) (S1404). The specific timing at which printing of one page is completed is when the paper passes a transport position at which it can be determined that printing of one page is completed. Note that an internal control counter for print management, such as a count display of the number of printed sheets, may be updated at this timing. However, the internal control counter for print management, such as a count display of the number of printed sheets, and the remaining paper counter may be updated at independent timings. After updating the remaining paper counter and displaying the remaining paper value, the control unit 50 determines in S1405 whether the warning setting is invalid. If it is determined that the warning setting is invalid (NO in S1405), the process proceeds to S1406. In S1406, the control unit 50 determines whether printing has ended. If it is determined that printing has not ended (NO in S1406), the process returns to S1402. On the other hand, if it is determined that printing has not ended (YES in S1406), this process ends. In this manner, the processes from S1402 onwards are repeated until the printing started in S1401 is completed.

[0060] Here, a configuration for detecting the timing when the paper passes the transport position where it can be determined that printing of one page is completed will be described. First, a configuration example for identifying the transport position of the paper will be described. The transport unit 20 of the image forming apparatus 100 manages the position of the paper by the amount of rotation detected by an encoder (not shown). For example, the transport amount of the paper can be detected based on the detection result of an encoder provided coaxially with a roller 20A (a roller on the paper feed side) that rotates a belt 20B for transporting the paper. Therefore, the transport position of the paper can be identified by detecting the transport amount of the paper by the encoder after the sheet detection sensor 70A in front of the most upstream recording head unit 30A4 of the image forming unit 30 detects the leading edge of the paper. The encoder may be provided coaxially with other rollers involved in the transport of the recording material, or may be provided coaxially with the motor.

[0061] Next, the conveying position at which it can be determined that printing of one page is completed will be described. When the conveying position of the paper specified by using the encoder as described above reaches the conveying position at which it can be determined that printing of one page is completed, it is determined that printing of one page is completed. In this embodiment, it is determined that printing of one page is completed when the rear end of the label stacked on the paper reaches a position downstream of the recording position of the most downstream recording head 30A1 and upstream of the paper discharge outlet of the discharge section 40 (for example, a position 50 mm before the paper discharge outlet). Note that in this embodiment, the completion of printing of one page is determined based on the rear end of the paper (label) being positioned at a predetermined position upstream of the paper discharge outlet, but this is not limited to this. The completion of printing of one page may be detected by conveying the paper to a position where image formation of one page is completed. Therefore, if it is certain that image formation by the most downstream recording head 30A1 is completed because the leading end of the paper (label) has left the paper discharge outlet, the determination may be made based on the leading end of the paper (label) having left the paper discharge outlet. In addition, a sensor capable of detecting, for example, the edge of a label or a sensor capable of detecting a mark on the paper may be disposed on the paper path to detect the paper transport position and determine when printing of one page is complete.

[0062] Returning to FIG. 14, if the warning setting is enabled on the remaining paper display setting menu screen 720 (YES in S1405), the process proceeds to S1407. In S1407, the control unit 50 judges whether the remaining amount counter has reached the setting value (warning remaining amount value) set in the warning remaining amount input area 802 on the remaining paper setting screen 800. If it is judged that the remaining amount counter has not reached the warning remaining amount value (NO in S1407), the process proceeds to S1406. On the other hand, if the control unit 50 judges that the remaining amount counter has reached the warning remaining amount value (YES in S1407), it issues a warning notice in S1408 to the effect that the remaining amount of paper is low, that is, to indicate that a warning has occurred. FIG. 13(a) shows an example of a display of a warning screen 1300 for issuing a warning notice.

[0063] After displaying the warning, in S1409, the control unit 50 judges whether or not the warning pause is set to be valid on the paper remaining amount display setting menu screen 720. If it is judged that the warning pause is not valid (NO in S1409), the process proceeds to S1406. On the other hand, if it is judged that the warning pause is valid (YES in S1409), the process proceeds to S1410. In S1410, the control unit 50 first displays a pop-up screen 1320 for a paper remaining amount warning pause as shown in FIG. 13(b) on the LCD panel 102A, and interrupts the printing operation. When the OK button 1321 at the bottom of the pop-up screen 1320 is touched, the control unit 50 ends the display of the pop-up screen 1320 and displays a pause screen 1340 shown in FIG. 13(c). Then, in S1411, the control unit 50 judges whether or not the pause key 408 on the pause screen 1340 is touched. Touching the pause key 408 on the pause screen 1340 displayed during the interruption of the printing operation means an instruction to cancel the pause. If the control unit 50 determines that the pause key 408 has been touched (YES in S1411), the process proceeds to S1412. In S1412, the control unit 50 cancels the pause state and resumes the interrupted printing operation. If the pause key 408 has not been touched (NO in S1411), the control unit 50 determines in S1413 whether or not the print data delete button 601 on the pause screen 1340 has been touched. If it is determined that the print data delete button 601 has not been touched (NO in S1413), the process returns to S1410. On the other hand, if it is determined that the print data delete button 601 has been touched (YES in S1413), in S1414, the control unit 50 deletes the data being printed and ends the printing operation.

[0064] Next, the remaining amount counter update and display process in S1404 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0065] If the set unit of remaining paper amount is sheets (YES in S1500), in S1501, the control unit 50 subtracts 1 from the remaining amount counter. If the unit of remaining paper amount is m (NO in S1500, YES in S1501), in S1503, the control unit 50 converts the conveying distance of one sheet into m and subtracts it from the remaining amount counter. If the unit of remaining paper amount is ft (NO in S1502), in S1504, the control unit 50 converts the conveying distance of one sheet into ft and subtracts it from the remaining amount counter. Thereafter, if the % display 741 is ON (% display is enabled) on the remaining paper amount display setting menu screen 720, the control unit 50 executes the % display conversion process described in FIG. 12 (YES in 1505, S1506). In S1507, the control unit 50 reflects the display contents on the LCD panel 102A with the contents to be displayed confirmed by the above process, and ends the process.

[0066] [Paper loading action] FIG. 16A is a flow chart for explaining the paper setting operation of the image forming apparatus 100. When the time comes to replace the paper in the image forming apparatus 100, the user sets the paper in the feeding unit 10, which also functions as a paper mounting unit, and the sensor of the feeding unit 10 detects the setting of the paper. When the setting of the paper is detected (YES in S1600), in S1601, the control unit 50 executes the paper setting operation to adjust the print start position of the leading edge of the paper. The control unit 50 waits for the paper setting operation to be completed (NO in S1602). When the paper setting operation is completed (YES in S1602), in S1603, the control unit 50 determines whether the paper remaining amount display is enabled by the paper remaining amount display setting 723. If the paper remaining amount display is disabled (NO in S1603), this process ends, and if the paper remaining amount display is enabled (YES in S1603), the process proceeds to S1604. In S1604, the control unit 50 automatically displays the remaining paper amount setting screen of Fig. 8A, which allows the user to set the remaining amount value of the loaded paper with less work.

[0067] As described above, according to the present embodiment, when using a recording paper with labels stacked on a roll sheet, for example, the user can grasp the remaining amount of recording paper in terms of the number of sheets (number of labels), improving user convenience. In normal image formation on continuous sheets, the remaining amount may be displayed in meters or percentages, but this is inconvenient for users who want to form images on labels. For example, when printing on labels, the print content sent by the user is "print x number of labels." In contrast, if the remaining amount is displayed in meters or percentages, it is difficult for the user to know whether the remaining amount is enough to print the desired number of sheets that he or she wants to print. According to the embodiment, the remaining amount is displayed in "number of sheets" rather than in "meters" or "%," so that the user who forms images on the labels can immediately determine whether the number of labels to be printed can be printed, improving user convenience. In addition, since the remaining amount display unit is selectable, it can be changed accordingly even in different printing situations where the type of recording paper or the amount of printing changes, further improving user convenience.

[0068] <Other embodiments> In the image forming apparatus 100 with the remaining paper amount display in the above-described embodiment, the remaining amount display unit has been described as sheets, m, and ft, but it is not limited to these. For example, the unit of length may be changed to suit the language of the region or the environment in which the image forming apparatus is used. Also, in the above-described embodiment, it is possible to selectively select whether or not to display the remaining paper amount, but the remaining paper amount may be always displayed.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus displays the remaining amount of paper, but when replacing a recording paper before it runs out, a configuration may be provided in which the current remaining amount is printed on the recording paper. The paper replacement operation in such an image forming apparatus will be described below with reference to FIG. 16(b).

[0070] FIG. 16B is a flow chart for explaining the paper replacement operation. When the control unit 50 of the image forming apparatus 100 detects a short press of the backfeed key 405 provided on the home screen (YES in S1620), it executes the paper replacement operation. When the paper replacement operation starts, in S1621, the control unit 50 prints the value of the remaining amount counter in an unprinted area on the recording medium. Also, for paper that is divided by the number of sheets such as labels, the control unit 50 prints the value of the remaining amount counter on the next label if there is a printed paper, or on the leading edge label if there is no printed label. After that, in S1622, the control unit 50 performs a backfeed operation and performs an operation of winding the paper around the feeding unit 10. Then, when the paper replacement backfeed operation is completed (YES in S1623), the paper replacement operation is completed.

[0071] Although the above describes a configuration in which the current remaining amount value is printed on the recording paper, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a mechanism (RFID reader / writer) for reading and writing to an RFID tag mounted on the recording paper may be provided, and the remaining amount value may be written to the RFID tag mounted on the recording paper. In this case, when the paper is set, the RFID reader / writer of the image forming apparatus 100 can read the RFID tag mounted on the set recording paper and automatically set the remaining amount value of the paper. This can eliminate the need for the user to manually input the remaining amount value in the remaining paper input area 801 of the remaining paper setting screen 800, and can further improve the convenience of the input user.

[0072] Also, in the above embodiment, the mounting unit and feeding unit 103 are integrated and provided inside the image forming apparatus 100, but this is not limiting, and the image forming apparatus may have a so-called external paper feeding configuration in which the mounting unit is provided outside the image forming apparatus. Also, in this embodiment, rolled paper has been described as an example of the recording medium set in the mounting unit, but even if the paper is changed to fanfold paper folded at predetermined intervals along perforations, a similar solution can be applied by managing the number of sheets at perforation intervals.

[0073] In the above embodiment, the remaining amount value is decremented by one for each image formed on one sheet, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the remaining amount value may be decremented for each set of multiple sheets. For example, in the case of an image forming device with a high printing speed, the remaining amount value may be decremented by five for each image formed on five sheets.

[0074] In addition, in the above embodiment, one main controller 50A (CPU 300) of the control unit 50 executes each process, but this is not limited to the above, and the processes may be shared by multiple main controllers 50A (or multiple CPUs 300).

[0075] The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the 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. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0076] The disclosure of this specification includes the following image forming apparatus, control method, and program. (Item 1) an image forming unit for forming images on a roll of recording medium or a continuous recording medium folded at predetermined intervals in units of sheets; a feeding section that feeds the recording medium mounted in the mounting section to the image forming section; a display unit that displays a remaining amount value that indicates a remaining amount of the recording medium mounted in the mounting unit; a control unit that controls the display unit to display the remaining amount value obtained by subtracting the number of sheets as an image is formed on the recording medium by the image forming unit. (Item 2) a setting unit for setting either a number or a length as a unit for expressing the remaining amount value, The image forming apparatus of item 1, characterized in that, when length is set as a unit for expressing the remaining amount value, the control unit causes the display unit to display the remaining amount value obtained by subtracting the length as an image is formed on the recording medium. (Item 3) The image forming apparatus according to item 1 or 2, characterized in that the control unit causes the display unit to display a value based on a ratio between a remaining amount value set by a user for the recording medium and a remaining amount value subtracted as an image is formed. (Item 4) The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 3, characterized in that the control unit causes the display unit to display a screen for allowing a user to set a remaining amount value of the recording medium in response to the recording medium being loaded into the loading unit. (Item 5) The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 4, characterized in that the control unit controls the image forming unit to record on the recording medium the remaining amount value subtracted as an image is formed during an operation to remove the recording medium from the mounting unit. (Item 6) The image forming apparatus described in any one of items 1 to 5, characterized in that, in an operation to remove the recording medium from the mounting section, the control unit controls the remaining amount value subtracted as an image is formed to be recorded in an RFID tag provided on the recording medium. (Item 7) 7. The image forming apparatus according to item 6, wherein when the recording medium is loaded into the loading section, the control unit reads out the remaining amount value of the recording medium from the RFID tag provided on the recording medium. (Item 8) The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 7, characterized in that the recording medium is a roll of paper with labels stacked on a continuous backing paper, and the image is an image recorded on one of the labels. (Item 9) The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 7, characterized in that the recording medium is fanfold paper folded at predetermined intervals along perforations, and the image is an image of a size corresponding to the length of the predetermined intervals.

[0077] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 100: image forming apparatus, 101: apparatus main body, 102: operation section, 103: feeding section, 20: conveying section, 30: image forming section, 40: discharge section, 50: control section

Claims

1. an image forming unit for forming images on a roll of recording medium or a continuous recording medium folded at predetermined intervals in units of sheets; a feeding section that feeds the recording medium mounted in the mounting section to the image forming section; a display unit that displays a remaining amount value that indicates a remaining amount of the recording medium mounted in the mounting unit; a control unit that controls the display unit to display the remaining amount value obtained by subtracting the number of sheets as an image is formed on the recording medium by the image forming unit.

2. a setting unit for setting either a number or a length as a unit for expressing the remaining amount value, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, when length is set as a unit for expressing the remaining amount value, the control unit causes the display unit to display the remaining amount value obtained by subtracting the length as an image is formed on the recording medium.

3. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the display unit to display a value based on a ratio between a remaining amount value set by a user for the recording medium and a remaining amount value subtracted as an image is formed.

4. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the display unit to display a screen for allowing a user to set a remaining amount value of the recording medium in response to the recording medium being loaded into the loading unit.

5. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the image forming unit to record on the recording medium the remaining amount value subtracted as an image is formed during an operation for removing the recording medium from the mounting unit.

6. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the recording medium to record the remaining amount value subtracted as an image is formed on the recording medium in an RFID tag provided on the recording medium during an operation to remove the recording medium from the mounting unit.

7. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit reads out the remaining amount value of the recording medium from the RFID tag included in the recording medium when the recording medium is loaded into the loading unit.

8. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is a roll of paper having labels stacked on a continuous backing, and the image is an image recorded on one of the labels.

9. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is fanfold paper folded at predetermined intervals along perforations, and the image has a size corresponding to the length of the predetermined intervals.

Images