Image formation device and its control method, and program

Abstract

To provide a technique for suppressing power consumption due to unnecessary air blowing when it is necessary to blow air to a sheet before feeding.SOLUTION: An image formation device comprises: an image formation part 201B for performing printing on a sheet; a sheet feeding part 235 for feeding sheets from a sheet feeding tray for loading the sheets via a sheet conveyance path to the image formation part 201B; a blower fan 270 for blowing air to the sheet loaded on the sheet feeding tray; and a paper type detection sensor 260 which is provided on the sheet conveyance path for detecting the type of the sheet. When the type of a first sheet detected by the paper type detection sensor 260 is the one on which air needs to be blown, the blower fan 270 does not perform air blowing to a second sheet to be fed following the first sheet until the first sheet is fed to the image formation part 201B at least after the type of the first sheet is detected by the paper type detection sensor 260, and, after printing is performed on the first sheet by the image formation part 201B, performs air blowing to the second sheet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

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] Also, an image forming apparatus has been proposed that is equipped with an air blowing mechanism that prevents double feeding by blowing air from a blower fan onto a stack of paper before it is fed (air blowing), separating the sheets that have been attracted to each other. Patent Document 1 describes a technique that always performs air blowing on the stack of paper before it is fed before detecting the paper type, and then continues air blowing if the detected paper type is coated paper, which has a high possibility of double feeding, and stops air blowing if the paper type is not coated paper. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-32632 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the technology of Patent Document 1, if the detected paper type of the first paper is one that is likely to cause double feeding, air blowing is performed on the second paper that is fed after the first paper after the paper type of the first paper is detected. In this case, air blowing is performed on the second paper before the second paper is ready to be fed, which poses the problem of power consumption due to unnecessary air blowing.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of such problems, and aims to provide a technology that can reduce power consumption caused by blowing unnecessary air when it is necessary to blow air onto paper before it is fed. [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 from a paper feeding tray on which the paper is loaded to the image forming means via a paper transport path, a blowing means for blowing air to the paper loaded in the paper feeding tray, and a paper type detection means provided in the paper transport path for detecting the type of the paper, wherein when the type of a first paper detected by the paper type detection means is one that requires the air to be blown, the blowing means does not blow the air to a second paper that is fed after the first paper, at least from after the type of the first paper is detected by the paper type detection means until the first paper is fed to the image forming means, and blows the air to the second paper after the printing is performed on the first paper by the image forming means. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, when it is necessary to blow air onto paper before it is fed, it is possible to reduce power consumption due to unnecessary blowing of air. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1]FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a control system of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [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] 3 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a manual paper feed unit shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 illustrates the embodiment of the present disclosure and shows an example of a setting screen for paper placed in the manual paper feed tray. [Figure 6] 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure in a control method for an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams showing the execution timing of air handling in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and the execution timing of air handling in an image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1. 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] <General Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control system of an image forming apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, 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 ROM 281, and a RAM 282 as a control system.

[0013] The CPU 280 controls the entire image forming apparatus 200. The ROM 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 ROM 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 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 referenced paper type, 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 paper type.

[0014] 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 paper. The CPU 280 also sets print control parameters for the image forming unit 201B to control image formation (printing) by the image forming unit 201B. The image forming unit 201B is an image forming unit for printing on paper based on the print control parameters set by the CPU 280.

[0015] The cassette paper feed unit 230 is a paper feed unit that feeds paper from a paper feed cassette that holds paper to the image forming unit 201B via a paper transport path. The manual paper feed unit 235 is a paper feed unit that feeds paper from a manual paper feed tray that holds paper to the image forming unit 201B via a paper transport path.

[0016] The paper type detection sensor 260 is provided on the paper transport path and detects the type (paper type) of paper by measuring the characteristic amount of the paper fed through the paper transport path. Note that the paper type means the type of paper.

[0017] The blower fan 270 is a blowing unit that blows air to the sheets stacked on the manual feed tray of the manual feed unit 235 under the control of the CPU 280. The blower fan 270 includes a fan motor 271 and a blowing nozzle 272.

[0018] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In Fig. 2, components similar to those shown in Fig. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0019] The image forming apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 2 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.

[0020] 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. 2. 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 to detect the type of the paper, and a paper detection sensor 505 for detecting the paper S.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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. 2 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 the paper 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] <Operation of 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.

[0026] 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 a re-transport path R by the reversing roller pair 222, and is transported again to the image forming section 201B.

[0027] The paper type detection sensor 260 is a paper type detection means that is provided on the paper transport path H and measures the characteristics of the paper S fed via the paper transport path H to detect the type (paper type) of the paper S. For example, the paper type detection sensor 260 detects characteristics 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. Note that in this embodiment, detecting the type (paper type) of the paper S by the paper type detection sensor 260 is defined as detecting the characteristics such as the surface property and thickness of the paper S by the paper type detection sensor 260, and determining the type (paper type) of the paper S by the CPU 280 from the detection result.

[0028] <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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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 can detect 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 the difference in the received value due to the characteristic amount such as the surface property and thickness of each paper S. Then, the CPU 280 optimally controls the image formation speed and the target temperature of the fixing unit according to the type of paper S determined here.

[0031] 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 of 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 feeding 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. 1. 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.

[0032] <Overview of manual feed unit and paper feed process> Next, a schematic configuration of the manual paper feed unit 235 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and a paper feed process performed by the paper feed unit 235 will be described.

[0033] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the manual paper feed unit 235 shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. In Fig. 4, 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.

[0034] The manual paper feed unit 235 includes a manual paper feed tray 5, a pickup roller 502, a feed roller 503, a retard roller 504, side end regulating plates 18a and 18b, side end regulating plate racks 141a and 141b, and a pinion gear 53. Furthermore, the manual paper feed unit 235 includes fan motors 271a and 271b and blowing nozzles 272a and 272b that configure a blower fan 270, which is a blowing means, and support shafts 51a and 51b that support the blower fan 270.

[0035] The side edge regulating plates 18a and 18b are for regulating the position of the paper S in a direction perpendicular to the arrow Y indicating the conveyance direction (paper width direction). The side edge regulating plates 18a and 18b are respectively fitted with fan motors 271a and 271b. The fan motor 271a moves together with the side edge regulating plate 18a, and the fan motor 271b moves together with the side edge regulating plate 18b. The fan motors 271a and 271b can blow air onto the paper S via the blowing nozzles 272a and 272b. The air from the fan motors 271a and 271b is blown toward the end of the paper S along the flow lines A1 and A2 via the blowing nozzles 272a and 272b, respectively, so that the paper S above the paper stack floats, and the adhesion between the papers in the paper stack is reduced.

[0036] For example, when the start button is pressed, paper feeding is started. For example, when the type of paper S is coated paper, fan motors 271a and 271b are operated to blow air onto the end of the paper S in the paper width direction through blowing nozzles 272a and 272b. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the topmost paper S in a state in which the adhesive force between the papers has been reduced is sent to a separation section consisting of feed rollers 503 and retard rollers 504 by the rotation of pickup roller 502. The leading edge of the separated paper S is detected by paper detection sensor 505, and the type (paper type) of the paper is detected by paper type detection sensor 260. After that, the paper S is sent to registration roller pair 240 via paper transport path H by transport roller pair 506.

[0037] 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.

[0038] In the manual feed unit 235 shown in FIG. 4, the side end regulating plate rack 141a and the side end regulating plate rack 141b are connected to each other via a pinion gear 53 rotatably supported on the manual feed tray 5. In FIG. 4, the distance between the meshing pitch line 142a between the side end regulating plate rack 141a and the pinion gear 53 and the center line 52a of the support shaft 51a is illustrated as the rack-support shaft distance L1a. Also, in FIG. 4, the distance between the shaft holder 155a and the shaft holder 156a on the support shaft 51a is illustrated as the shaft holding interval distance L2a. Similarly, in FIG. 4, the distance between the meshing pitch line 142b between the side end regulating plate rack 141b and the pinion gear 53 and the center line 52b of the support shaft 51b is illustrated as the rack-support shaft distance L1b. In addition, in FIG. 4, the distance between the shaft holder 155b and the shaft holder 156b of the support shaft 51b is illustrated as a shaft holder interval distance L2b.

[0039] <Settings for paper placed in the manual feed tray> 5 illustrates an embodiment of the present disclosure and shows examples of setting screens 510 and 520 for paper S placed in manual paper feed tray 5. The setting screens 510 and 520 shown in FIG. 5 are displayed on display unit 250 under the control of CPU 280.

[0040] Specifically, Fig. 5(a) shows a setting screen 510 that is displayed on the display unit 250 when paper S is placed on the manual paper feed tray 5. The setting screen 510 shown in Fig. 5(a) has a "Change paper size" button 511, a "Change paper type" button 512, a display area 513 for the currently set paper type, and an "OK" button 514. The setting screen 510 shown in Fig. 5(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 512.

[0041] When the "Change Paper Type" button 512 is pressed on the setting screen 510 shown in FIG. 5(a), the screen transitions to a setting screen 520 shown in FIG. 5(b). The setting screen 520 shown in FIG. 5(b) has an "Automatically detect when printing" button 521, a "Select from list" button 522, a "Cancel" button 523, and an "OK" button 524. The "Automatically detect when printing" button 521 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 522 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) present in a paper type database previously stored in the ROM 281. On the setting screen 520 shown in Fig. 5(b), when an "Auto detect when printing" button 521 is pressed, or the type of paper S is selected from a paper type list screen (not shown) and then an "OK" button 524 is pressed, the display returns to the setting screen 510 shown in Fig. 5(a). Then, when an "OK" button 514 is pressed on the setting screen 510 shown in Fig. 5(a), the CPU 280 stores the setting information for the paper S placed on the manual paper feed tray 5 in the ROM 281 (or RAM 282).

[0042] <Processing procedure for image formation in a print job> Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure in a control method for image forming apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure in an image forming process for a print job, and includes a control step of whether or not to blow air onto paper S from blower fan 270 according to this embodiment (perform air handling). Each step of the flowchart shown in Fig. 6 is performed by CPU 280 executing a control program read from ROM 281 and loaded into RAM 282.

[0043] The flowchart shown in FIG. 6 starts when a print job is input after the paper S is placed on the manual paper feed tray 5 and "automatic detection when printing" is set in the paper setting process described in FIG. 5. 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 when printing" button 521 shown in FIG. 5(b). Alternatively, the print job here may be a PDL print job in which the paper feed location set to "automatic detection when printing" is selected in a printer driver on an information processing terminal device such as a personal computer connected via a network. When the paper feed location set to "automatic detection when printing" is set in the print job settings, the paper type detection sensor 260 measures the characteristic amount of the paper S and detects the type of the paper S. Similarly, in the case of a print job in which the paper type is not explicitly specified, such as "automatic" or "automatic selection", the paper type detection sensor 260 measures the characteristic amount of the paper S and detects the type of the paper S. In addition, in the following explanation of the flowchart in FIG. 6, it is assumed that a print job spanning multiple pages has been submitted, and the explanation will begin with the processing for the first page of the print job in which the paper type is detected.

[0044] First, in step S601 in FIG. 6, the CPU 280 determines whether the page to be printed is the first page of the input print job.

[0045] As a result of the determination in step S601, if the print page is the first page of the print job (S601 / Yes), the process proceeds to step S602. Here, in this specification, the process proceeds to step S602 in order to start with the process for the first page of the paper S of the print job (in this embodiment, air handling is not started for the first page of the paper S). When the process proceeds to step S602, the CPU 280 starts feeding the topmost paper S currently stacked on the manual paper feed tray 5.

[0046] Next, in step S603, CPU 280 determines whether the page to be printed is the first page of the input print job.

[0047] If the result of the determination in step S603 is that the print page is the first page of the print job (S603 / Yes), the process proceeds to step S604. In this specification, the process proceeds to step S604 in order to begin with the description of the processing on the paper S of the first page of the print job. In step S604, the paper type detection sensor 260, under the control of the CPU 280, measures the characteristic amount of the paper S of the first page fed in step S602 and detects the type of the paper S of the first page.

[0048] Next, in step S605, CPU 280 performs processing to update the currently set paper type to the paper type detected in step S604. Specifically, in this step, CPU 280 updates and displays display area 513 in Fig. 5(a) to the paper type detected in S604, and also updates the currently set paper type stored in ROM 281 or RAM 282 to the paper type detected in S604.

[0049] When the process of step S605 is completed, or when it is determined in step S603 that the print page is not the first page of the print job (S603 / No), the process proceeds to step S606. In step S606, the CPU 280 controls the image forming unit 201B to execute image forming processing on the paper S that started to be fed in step S602, and prints on the paper S. Thereafter, the printed paper S is discharged to the discharge space V and stacked on the stacking unit 223.

[0050] Next, in step S607, 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 (S607 / No), the process returns to step S601. Here, in this embodiment, it is assumed that a print job spanning multiple pages has been submitted, and since steps S601 to S606 have described the processing for the first page of paper S, the following describes the case where the process returns to step S601.

[0051] Returning to the process of step S601, CPU 280 judges whether the page to be printed is the first page of the submitted print job. If the result of this judgment is that the page to be printed is not the first page of the print job (S601 / No), the process proceeds to step S608. Here, in this specification, since the process for the paper S for the first page of the print job has ended, the process proceeds to step S608 to process the paper S for the second and subsequent pages of the print job.

[0052] When the process proceeds to step S608, the CPU 280 judges whether or not the type of the paper S of the first page detected in step S604 is a paper type that requires air blowing from the blower fan 270. Here, it is assumed that whether or not the paper type requires air blowing is stored as a print control parameter for each paper type in the paper type database (media library) of the ROM 281. In this embodiment, which is merely an example, it is assumed that the type of paper S that requires air blowing is coated paper, and the type of paper S that does not require air blowing is plain paper.

[0053] If the result of the determination in step S608 is that the type of the first page of paper S detected in step S604 is a paper type that requires air blowing (coated paper in this embodiment) (S608 / Yes), the process proceeds to step S609. In step S609, the CPU 280 starts air blowing by blowing air from the blower fan 270 to the paper S on the manual paper feed tray 5 (paper S for the second page and onward).

[0054] When the process of step S609 is completed, or when it is determined in step S608 that the type of the paper S of the first page is a paper type that does not require air separation (plain paper in this embodiment) (S608 / No), the process proceeds to step S602. When the process proceeds to step S602, in steps S602 to S607, the same process is performed on the paper S of the second page and thereafter, as was performed on the paper S of the first page described above. At this time, since a negative determination is made in step S603 for the paper S of the second page and thereafter (S603 / No), the processes of steps S604 and S605 are not performed.

[0055] Also, if the result of the determination in step S607 is that printing has been completed for all pages of the print job (S607 / Yes), the process proceeds to step S610. When the process proceeds to step S610, CPU 280 ends the blowing of air (air handling) by blower fan 270 to sheets S on manual paper feed tray 5. Note that, although the flowchart shown in Fig. 6 shows a process in which air blowing (air handling) by blower fan 270 is being performed throughout the image formation process of sheets S from the second page onwards, it may be performed only for a predetermined time or for every predetermined number of printed sheets.

[0056] When the process of step S610 ends, the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 ends.

[0057] The image forming apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment described above includes an image forming section 201B which is an image forming means for printing on a sheet S. The image forming apparatus 200 also includes a manual paper feed section 235 which is a paper feed means for feeding a sheet S from a manual paper feed tray 5 on which the sheet S is stacked to the image forming section 201B via a paper transport path H. The image forming apparatus 200 also includes a blower fan 270 which is a blower means for blowing air to the sheets S stacked on the manual paper feed tray 5, and a paper type detection sensor 260 which is provided on the paper transport path H and is a paper type detection means for detecting the type of the sheet S. When the type of the first page of paper (first sheet) S detected by the paper type detection sensor 260 is one that requires air to be blown, the blower fan 270 performs the following process under the control of the CPU 280, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6. Specifically, in this case, the blower fan 270 does not blow air to the paper (second paper) S of the second page at least from after the paper type detection sensor 260 detects the type of the paper S of the first page until the paper S of the first page is fed to the image forming unit 201B. More specifically, in this case, the blower fan 270 does not blow air to the paper (second paper) S of the second page from after the paper type detection sensor 260 detects the type of the paper S of the first page until the paper S of the first page is printed by the image forming unit 201B. In addition, in this case, the blower fan 270 blows air to the paper (second paper) S of the second page in the manual paper feed tray 5 (S609 in FIG. 6) after the paper (first paper) S of the first page is printed by the image forming unit 201B (S606 in FIG. 6). According to this configuration, when it is necessary to blow air onto the sheet (second sheet) S before it is fed, it is possible to suppress power consumption due to unnecessary air blowing.

[0058] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the execution timing of air handling in the image forming apparatus 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure and the execution timing of air handling in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1. Specifically, in FIG. 7, the execution timing of air handling in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is illustrated by a black arrow 701, and the execution timing of air handling in the image forming apparatus 200 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated by a black arrow 702. In the image forming apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment, as shown by the black arrow 702, air handling is not performed during the period from time [4] to time [5], when air handling is performed in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1. That is, in the image forming apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment, air handling is not performed from after the type of the paper S of the first page is detected by the paper type detection sensor 260 (time [4]) until the image forming unit 201B prints on the paper S of the first page (time [5]). As a result, in the image forming apparatus 200 according to this embodiment, compared to the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to reduce power consumption caused by unnecessary air blowing when it is necessary to blow air onto the paper S before it is fed.

[0059] (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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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 from a paper feed tray on which the paper is stacked to the image forming means via a paper transport path; a blowing unit that blows air onto the sheets stacked on the sheet feed tray; a paper type detection means provided on the paper transport path for detecting the type of the paper; having The air blowing means is When the type of the first paper detected by the paper type detection means is one that requires the air to be blown, the air is not blown to a second sheet of paper that is fed next to the first sheet of paper at least from after the type of the first sheet of paper is detected by the paper type detection means until the first sheet of paper is fed to the image forming means; After the printing is performed on the first sheet by the image forming means, the air is blown onto the second sheet. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: [Configuration 2] The air blowing means is When the type of the first paper detected by the paper type detection means is one that requires the air to be blown, The air is not blown onto the second sheet of paper after the type of the first sheet of paper is detected by the paper type detection means until the printing is performed on the first sheet of paper by the image forming means. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, [Configuration 3] The type of paper to which the air needs to be blown is coated paper, The type of paper that does not require air blowing is plain 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 any one of configurations 1 to 3. [Method 1] an image forming means for printing on paper; a paper feed means for feeding the paper from a paper feed tray on which the paper is stacked to the image forming means via a paper transport path; a blowing unit that blows air onto the sheets stacked on the sheet feed tray; a paper type detection means provided on the paper transport path for detecting the type of the paper; A control method for an image forming apparatus comprising: The air blowing means is When the type of the first paper detected by the paper type detection means is one that requires the air to be blown, the air is not blown to a second sheet of paper that is fed next to the first sheet of paper at least from after the type of the first sheet of paper is detected by the paper type detection means until the first sheet of paper is fed to the image forming means; After the printing is performed on the first sheet by the image forming means, the air is blown onto the second sheet. 2 is a control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 . [Program 1] A program for causing a computer to execute the control method for an image forming apparatus according to the first method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 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: ROM, 282: RAM, S: paper

Claims

1. an image forming means for printing on paper; a paper feed means for feeding the paper from a paper feed tray on which the paper is stacked to the image forming means via a paper transport path; a blowing unit that blows air onto the sheets stacked on the sheet feed tray; a paper type detection means provided on the paper transport path for detecting the type of the paper; having When the type of the first sheet detected by the paper type detection means requires the air to be blown, the air blowing means does not blow the air to a second sheet of paper that is fed next to the first sheet of paper at least from after the type of the first sheet of paper is detected by the paper type detection means until the first sheet of paper is fed to the image forming means, and blows the air to the second sheet of paper after the printing is performed on the first sheet of paper by the image forming means.

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. When the type of the first sheet detected by the paper type detection means requires the air to be blown, the air blowing means does not blow the air to the second sheet from after the type of the first sheet is detected by the paper type detection means until the printing is performed on the first sheet by the image forming means.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

3. The type of paper to which the air needs to be blown is coated paper, The type of paper that does not require air blowing is plain 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 paper from a paper feed tray that holds the paper to the image forming unit through a paper transport path; an air blower for blowing air onto the paper stacked on the paper feed tray; and a paper type detection unit that is provided on the paper transport path and detects the type of the paper, comprising: When the type of the first sheet detected by the paper type detection means requires the air to be blown, the air blowing means does not blow the air to a second sheet of paper that is fed next to the first sheet of paper at least from after the type of the first sheet of paper is detected by the paper type detection means until the first sheet of paper is fed to the image forming means, and blows the air to the second sheet of paper after the printing is performed on the first sheet of paper by the image forming means. 2 is a control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

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

Images