Image forming apparatus and image formation method, and program

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus for improving user convenience by improving the efficiency of selection operation of a paper kind according to a use environment in which users who want to use an existing basic paper kind and user who want to use a paper kind defined by the users themselves according to various uses are mixed.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 100 includes a medium sensor 14 for acquiring a paper characteristic, and selection means 600 for selecting a paper kind by using the paper characteristic acquired by the medium sensor 14 and user attribute information, a user type for each user is set in each user attribute of the user attribute information, and the selection means 600 selects a paper kind from a first paper kind in the case that the first paper kind is set in the user type, and selects a paper kind from a second paper kind in the case that the second paper kind different from the first paper kind is set in the user type.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6A

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Image forming devices develop electrostatic latent images formed on a photoreceptor using a laser beam with toner, transfer the toner image to paper, and thermally fuse it. By setting optimal conveyance speeds and fuser temperatures for each paper type, such as plain paper or thick paper, they can produce high-quality prints. For example, image forming devices achieve high-quality image formation by switching control according to pre-stored print control parameters for each paper type. A known method involves manually setting the paper type via a user's operation panel or the screen of a personal computer (PC) connected to the image forming device. Recently, image forming devices have been introduced that incorporate a paper type detection sensor (media sensor) that detects the surface texture and thickness of the paper and automatically sets the paper type based on the detection results of the paper type detection sensor. For example, a method has been proposed for automatically determining the appropriate paper type during printing using a media sensor (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-70877 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, media sensors have begun to be installed even in image forming devices intended for both office and production use. Office users (office users) select automatic settings because they are not particularly concerned with paper type. In contrast, production users (production users) strictly register paper types and use automatic settings to differentiate between different types. In such an image forming device usage environment, office users and production users coexist. In this case, due to the influence of users with different usage purposes and the increase in registered paper types, the accuracy of automatic paper type determination based on media sensor and paper type usage history information is not sufficiently improved, raising concerns about incorrect paper type determination.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide an image forming device and method that is suited to a usage environment where there is a mix of users who want to use existing basic paper types and users who want to use paper types defined by themselves for various purposes, and that streamlines the paper type selection operation, thereby improving user convenience for both users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The image forming apparatus of the present disclosure has a sensor means for acquiring paper characteristics, and a selection means for selecting a paper type using the paper characteristics acquired by the sensor means and user attribute information, wherein a user type is set for each user in the user attribute information, and the selection means selects a paper type from the first paper type when a first paper type is set as the user type, and selects a paper type from the second paper type when a second paper type different from the first paper type is set as the user type.

[0007] The image forming method disclosed herein includes the steps of acquiring paper characteristics using a sensor means, filtering a plurality of registered paper types using the paper characteristics acquired by the sensor means, and using user attribute information in which a user type is set for each user in each user attribute, selecting a paper type from the first paper type if a first paper type is set for the user type, and selecting a paper type from the second paper type if a second paper type different from the first paper type is set for the user type. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, an image forming device and method are realized that are adapted to a usage environment in which there is a mixture of users who want to use existing basic paper types and users who want to use paper types that they define themselves for various purposes, and that streamline the paper type selection operation to improve user convenience for both users. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the main components controlled by a CPU of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram used to explain the configuration of a fixing unit and fixing. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a media sensor. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams for explaining a method for creating a user-defined paper. [Figure 6A] FIG. 10 is a functional configuration diagram for explaining a paper information selection function in the present embodiment. [Figure 6B] FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram for explaining a paper information selection function in image forming mode 1 in the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a functional configuration diagram for explaining a series of screen transitions up to the printing and paper type selection process by the image forming apparatus. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining the priority setting of paper types. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a table of user attribute information. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of paper information management data. [Figure 11A] 10 is a flowchart showing a method from receiving a print job to executing printing in image forming mode 1. [Figure 11B] 10 is a flowchart showing a method from receiving a print job to executing printing in the second image forming mode. [Figure 11C] 11C is a flowchart showing details of filtering of paper types in step S1106 of FIG. 11B. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] -Basic configuration of image forming apparatus in embodiment- Before specifically disclosing the embodiments, the basic configuration of an image forming apparatus in the embodiments will be described.

[0011] The image forming apparatus according to the present disclosure has a sensor unit and a selection unit. The sensor unit is, for example, a so-called media sensor, and acquires paper characteristics (e.g., paper basis weight and surface properties). The selection unit selects a paper type using the paper characteristics acquired by the sensor unit and user attribute information. The user attribute information defines multiple user attributes, and a user type is set for each attribute for each user. Possible user attributes include, for example, user role and user department. Possible user types include user roles such as production users and office users, and user departments such as a specified company correspondence department or business management department.

[0012] In the present disclosure, when a first paper type is set as the user type, the selection unit selects a paper type from the first paper type; when a second paper type different from the first paper type is set as the user type, the selection unit selects a paper type from the second paper type. The first paper type is, for example, a basic paper type with default content that is preset in the image forming device. The second paper type is, for example, a paper type that can be set in the image forming device with content that the user defines themselves in addition to the first paper type. According to the present disclosure, for example, by setting the first paper type if the user is an office user and the second paper type if the user is a production user, the selection unit can efficiently select the paper type desired by the user (authenticated user) using the device. According to the present disclosure, for example, an image forming device is realized that is suitable for a usage environment where users who want to use existing basic paper types and users who want to use paper types defined by themselves for various purposes coexist, and that streamlines the paper type selection operation and improves user convenience.

[0013] Specifically, the selection unit first narrows down the registered paper types through a primary filter using paper characteristics acquired by the sensor unit. If the primary filter fails to uniquely identify a paper type, the selection unit performs a secondary filter on the primary filtered paper types using a first paper type or a second paper type set for the user type of the authenticated user. Here, the user type refers to, for example, an office user or a production user when the user attribute is a user role, or to, for example, an operations management department or a specified company correspondence department when the user attribute is a user department. In this way, the present disclosure performs at least two stages of filtering on paper types, thereby enabling extremely efficient paper type selection operations.

[0014] The image forming apparatus according to the present disclosure further includes a priority setting unit capable of setting a priority for paper type selection, and the selection unit selects a paper type based on the priority information set by the priority setting unit. The priority setting unit can set a priority for one or more selected from each user attribute (user role, user department), the paper type registered by the currently authenticated user, the first paper type (e.g., basic paper), and the second paper type (e.g., user-defined paper). By appropriately setting priorities for the selection by the selection unit in this way, an image forming apparatus can be realized that is suited to a usage environment in which various users have different paper type preferences, making the paper type selection operation more efficient and further improving user convenience.

[0015] -Specific Description of the Embodiments- Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0016] [Overall configuration of image forming apparatus] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. The image forming apparatus according to this embodiment prints on paper, which is a print medium, using an electrophotographic method, an electrostatic recording method, or the like. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the main components controlled by a central processing unit (CPU) of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. First, the basic configuration and operation of an image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment will be described using FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0017] The CPU 10 is a control unit that controls the entire image forming apparatus 100. The ROM 11 stores a control program according to this embodiment, initial values ​​of various settings, and the like. The CPU 10 executes the control program according to this embodiment read from the ROM 11 to implement the image formation procedures and the procedures of each flowchart, which will be described later. The RAM 12 stores various information under the control of the CPU 10. As will be described in detail later, the RAM 12 stores print control parameters for each paper type in a first storage area, and stores a history of paper types detected by a media sensor for each paper feed cassette in a second storage area. As will be described later, if a user changes the print control parameters corresponding to a referenced paper type, the CPU 10 additionally stores the changed print control parameters in the first storage area as user-defined print control parameters corresponding to the paper type.

[0018] The permanent area 21 refers to storage that can permanently store data, such as an HDD or SSD. The permanent area 21 stores basic paper information 631 and user-defined paper information 632, which will be described later. In addition, the permanent area 21 stores identifiers and password hash values ​​required for user authentication, user attribute information 910, which will be described later, and paper type priority settings (common priority settings 621, personal priority settings 622).

[0019] The instruction / display unit 13 includes a panel, buttons, etc. capable of displaying an operation screen, and when an instruction such as starting a print operation is input, the instruction information is sent to the CPU 10. The instruction information such as starting a print operation may be input by a user operating the instruction / display unit 13, or may be input from an external device such as a personal computer, tablet terminal, or smartphone connected via a network (not shown). When the instruction information to start a print operation is input, the CPU 10 drives and controls a paper feed / conveyance motor (not shown) in accordance with the instruction information to feed and convey paper. The CPU 10 also controls image formation (printing) by the image forming unit 17 by setting print control parameters for the image forming unit 17. The image forming unit 17 prints on paper based on the print control parameters set by the CPU 10.

[0020] The image forming unit 17 includes the cartridges 120a-120d, intermediate transfer belt 130, primary transfer units 123a-123d, secondary transfer unit 140, and laser scanners 122a-122d shown in FIG. 1. The image forming unit 17 drives the cartridges 120a-120d, intermediate transfer belt 130, primary transfer units 123a-123d, secondary transfer unit 140, and laser scanners 122a-122d in accordance with print control parameters. The CPU 10 also controls a fuser 170 for fixing images formed by the image forming unit 17 and monitors sensor outputs from paper feed cassette open / close sensors 180 and 181, which are open / close detection sensors that detect the open / closed state of the paper feed cassettes. The CPU 10 can detect whether the paper feed cassettes are open or closed based on the sensor outputs from the paper feed cassette open / close sensors 180 and 181.

[0021] The media sensor 14 is a paper type detection sensor that is provided on the paper transport path and detects the type of paper (paper type) fed through the paper transport path. The paper type refers to the type of paper. The media sensor 14 detects the surface texture, thickness, etc. of the paper being transported, and the CPU 10 determines the paper type from the detection results. In this embodiment, the act of the media sensor 14 detecting the surface texture, thickness, etc. of the paper and the CPU 10 determining the paper type from the detection results is expressed as detecting or determining the paper type with the media sensor 14. Details will be described later. The media sensor 14 is configured with an ultrasonic sensor 19 and an optical sensor 20, and the information processing unit 18 issues measurement instructions to the sensors and processes the measurement results of the sensors.

[0022] When the information processing unit 18 detects paper, it starts the measurement sequence. The ultrasonic sensor 19 performs ultrasonic measurement and outputs a voltage corresponding to the ultrasonic output. The information processing unit 18 then calculates the transmittance from the output voltage when paper is present and calculates the basis weight from the transmittance. The optical sensor 20 is a CIS, and the imaging results from the CIS are stored in the information processing unit 18 as brightness values ​​for each pixel, and are converted by the information processing unit 18 into adjacent pixel difference values ​​and brightness surface property information. The information processing unit 18 sends the basis weight information and surface property information to the control unit of the image forming apparatus 100. The control unit determines the paper type from the received surface property information. The control unit then determines the type of paper measured based on the paper type and basis weight information from paper information 901 in RAM 12.

[0023] [Basic operation of image forming device] Next, a basic image forming operation will be described with reference to FIGS. When an instruction to start a print operation is input from the instruction / display unit 13 or the like, the CPU 10 starts the paper feeding operation from the instructed paper feed cassette.

[0024] In the case of paper feed cassette 220 of image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, CPU 10 drives a paper feed transport motor (not shown) that serves as a drive source for paper feed pickup roller 151. This causes paper feed pickup roller 151 to rotate, and sheets of paper in paper feed cassette 220 are fed and transported one by one along the paper transport path. In the case of paper feed cassette 221, CPU 10 drives a paper feed transport motor (not shown) that serves as a drive source for paper feed pickup roller 152. This causes paper feed pickup roller 152 to rotate, and sheets of paper in paper feed cassette 221 are fed and transported one by one along the paper transport path.

[0025] When the paper type is set to automatic, the media sensor 14 detects the type of paper that is fed and transported. Then, the CPU 10 optimally controls the image formation speed and the target temperature of the fixing unit 170 according to the paper type detected here or the paper type set from the instruction / display unit 13. Regarding the image formation speed, the CPU 10 controls the image formation and transport so that the speed is predetermined depending on the material. For example, if the image formation speed (transport speed) for plain paper or thin paper is 1, image formation is performed at 1 / 2 speed for thick paper.

[0026] Furthermore, the CPU 10 sets the target temperature of the fixing device 170 to a lower temperature for thin paper compared to plain paper and to a higher temperature for thick paper. The CPU 10 starts the image forming operation by the cartridges 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d so that the paper arrives in time for arrival at the secondary transfer unit 140. The cartridge 120a is for forming a yellow image, followed by cartridge 120b for forming a magenta image, cartridge 120c for forming a cyan image, and cartridge 120d for forming a black image. These cartridges are configured to be attachable and detachable by the user.

[0027] After the surface of the photoconductor is charged by the charging roller, a latent image is formed on the photoconductor by a laser irradiated from a laser scanner 122a. The formed latent image is then developed on the photoconductor by toner in a developing device. After that, a primary transfer voltage is applied to the developed toner image at primary transfer sections 123a to 123d shown in FIG. 1, and the developed toner image is transferred to intermediate transfer belt 130 shown in FIG. 1.

[0028] The toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 130 reaches the secondary transfer unit 140 as the intermediate transfer belt 130 rotates. The CPU 10 detects the position of the paper conveyed by the conveyance rollers 155 by monitoring the output from the pre-registration conveyance sensor 160. The CPU 10 then controls the conveyance of the paper, taking into account the timing when the leading edge of the paper reaches the pre-registration conveyance sensor 160, so that the leading edge of the paper and the leading edge of the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 130 coincide at the secondary transfer unit 140. For example, if the paper arrives earlier than the toner image, the CPU 10 stops the paper at the pre-registration conveyance rollers 161 for a predetermined time and then resumes conveyance. By applying a secondary transfer voltage to the paper and toner image that have reached the secondary transfer unit 140 in this manner, the toner image is transferred to the paper.

[0029] After the secondary transfer, the paper is transported to fixing device 170. Details of fixing device 170 will be described later. After fixing device 170 heats and fixes the toner image on the paper to the paper, CPU 10 causes the paper to be transported further downstream of the device. When the leading edge of the paper after fixing reaches paper transport sensor 171, CPU 10 determines whether the paper should be transported to paper transport path 230 or paper transport path 231, according to an instruction specified in advance from instruction / display unit 13. Then, CPU 10 switches the transport destination of the paper by switching transport flapper 172 in accordance with that determination.

[0030] For example, when the instruction / display unit 13 issues a double-sided printing instruction and the front side is being printed, the CPU 10 causes the paper to be conveyed to paper conveyance path 230, and when single-sided printing or double-sided printing is being printed on the back side, the CPU 10 causes the paper to be conveyed to paper conveyance path 231. When the paper is conveyed to paper conveyance path 231, the conveyed paper is conveyed further downstream by conveyance rollers 232 and discharged to paper discharge tray 196. On the other hand, when the paper is conveyed to paper conveyance path 230, the paper is conveyed by reversing conveyance rollers 162 located downstream and drawn into reversing unit A. After the paper is drawn into reversing unit A, the CPU 10 switches conveyance flapper 173 and reverses the rotation of reversing conveyance rollers 162 to switch back the paper and convey the paper toward secondary transfer unit 140.

[0031] Then, CPU 10 again detects the position of the paper by monitoring the output of pre-register transport sensor 160, and controls the transport of the paper so that the leading edge of the paper and the leading edge of the toner image on intermediate transfer belt 130 are aligned at secondary transfer unit 140. After the toner image has been transferred, the paper passes through fuser 170, and CPU 10 switches transport flapper 172. Then, after the toner image has been transferred, the paper is transported to paper transport path 231 and discharged to paper discharge tray 196. This achieves double-sided printing.

[0032] When switching back the paper at the reversing unit A, the length of the paper in the transport direction must be shorter than the length L of the reversing unit A. Also, by monitoring the output of the paper feed cassette open / close sensors 180 and 181, the CPU 10 can detect whether the corresponding paper feed cassettes 220 and 221 are open or closed. This allows the CPU 10 to perform control so as not to start the paper feed operation when a paper feed cassette is open. The basic image forming operation described above is an example, and the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described configuration.

[0033] [Explanation of the fixing unit] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram used to explain the configuration of the fixing device 170 and fixing. The fixing unit 170 is an assembly consisting of a heater holder 207, a fixing heater 204 fixedly disposed on the underside of the heater holder 207 along the longitudinal direction of the heater holder (vertical to the drawing), and an elastic fixing film 203. Note that each arrow R in Fig. 3 indicates the direction of rotation. Also, arrow T in Fig. 3 indicates the direction of movement of paper M carrying toner 301. The pressure roller 205 is disposed with both ends of its core metal rotatably mounted between the side plates of the fixing device.

[0034] The fixing unit 170 is arranged parallel to the pressure roller 205 with the fixing heater 204 facing in contact with the pressure roller 205, and both ends of the heater holder 207 are pressed with a predetermined pressure by a biasing mechanism (not shown). As a result, the surface of the fixing heater 204 is pressed against the pressure roller 205, sandwiching the fixing film 203, against the elasticity of the pressure roller 205, forming a fixing nip 206 of a predetermined width. The pressure roller 205 is rotated at a predetermined peripheral speed in the counterclockwise direction indicated by arrow R by a drive mechanism (not shown). The fixing heater 204 is formed by forming a resistance heating element on a ceramic substrate. A temperature detection sensor 208 abuts against the fixing heater 204.

[0035] CPU 10 detects the temperature of fixing heater 204 from the output of temperature detection sensor 208, and controls the power supplied to fixing heater 204 so that the temperature of fixing heater 204 becomes a predetermined target temperature. The target temperature of fixing heater 204 is determined by the type of paper being fed and the ambient temperature, etc. CPU 10 determines the target temperature of fixing heater 204 according to the paper type set via instruction / display unit 13 or the paper type detected by media sensor 14. As mentioned above, the target temperature of fixing unit 170 is set lower for thin paper than for plain paper, and higher for thick paper.

[0036] [Media sensor explanation] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the media sensor 14. As shown in FIG. An LED 481 as a light-emitting element and a photodiode 480 as a light-receiving element are arranged inside the media sensor 14. The amount of reflected light emitted by the LED 481 can be detected by the photodiode 480. The media sensor 14 also has a guide section 483 into which the paper sheet M enters.

[0037] The CPU 10 receives the input signal from the photodiode 480 as the output value of the media sensor 14. The CPU 10 can determine the type of paper being fed according to the differences in the received value, which depend on the surface texture and thickness of each sheet of paper. The CPU 10 then optimally controls the image formation speed and the target temperature of the fixing unit 170 according to the detected paper type.

[0038] As described above, in this embodiment, the CPU 10 uses the media sensor 14 to determine the paper type, eliminating the need for the user to consciously set the paper type. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment provides a mode in which the media sensor 14 determines the paper type and automatically sets print control parameters and the like according to that paper type. In the description of this embodiment, the first-time paper type 813, which will be described later, is considered to be the same as the automatic setting mode. Meanwhile, the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment also provides a mode in which the user manually sets the paper type to be used (hereinafter referred to as the manual media setting mode), as in the past. The user can operate the instruction / display unit 13 to preset either the automatic media setting mode or the manual media setting mode for each paper feed cassette.

[0039] The above-described configuration of the media sensor 14 is an example, and the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, the media sensor 14 may be configured by combining an ultrasonic sensor such as a piezoelectric element in addition to a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, or may have other components.

[0040] [User-defined paper description] A method for creating a user-defined paper will be described below with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5(a) to Fig. 5(e) schematically show screens displayed on the instruction / display unit 13. In this embodiment, user-defined paper refers to a paper type that is uniquely set by the user. For each user-defined paper, it is possible to define characteristics such as basis weight and surface texture, and set print control parameters (control parameters for image formation) such as secondary transfer voltage and image position adjustment, which will be described later. In this embodiment, user-defined paper is created as described below based on the print control parameters of basic paper that are prepared in advance. The print control parameters of basic paper are stored in a first storage area of ​​RAM 12, and the print control parameters of user-defined paper are added to and stored in the first storage area of ​​RAM 12 by CPU 10.

[0041] FIG. 5(a) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a screen displaying a list of basic paper types that can be selected when setting a user-defined paper type. The user can select from four options: basic paper, user-defined paper, all, and automatically filtered, using the pull-down menu 502 in FIG. 5(a). The CPU 10 reads out the paper information stored in the RAM 12 in accordance with the selection and displays it in 503. Details of automatically filtered will be explained using FIG. 11. The user can select any basic paper from the papers displayed in 503 and register it as a new paper with a new name based on the registration information of the user-defined paper by pressing the Duplicate button 505. The user can check the details of the basic paper by selecting any basic paper from the papers displayed in 503 and pressing the Details / Edit button 504. Basic paper cannot be deleted, so the Delete button 506 is shaded to prevent it from being pressed.

[0042] FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram showing an example of a screen that is displayed when a user-defined paper is selected from the pull-down menu 512. A list of user-defined paper sheets that the CPU 10 has read from RAM 12 is displayed in 513. The user can change paper parameters such as basis weight and size by selecting any user-defined paper sheet from the paper sheets displayed in 513 and pressing a details / edit button 514. Furthermore, the user can register a new user-defined paper sheet based on a registered user-defined paper sheet by selecting any user-defined paper sheet from the paper sheets displayed in 513 and pressing a copy button 515. The user can also delete the selected user-defined paper sheet by selecting any user-defined paper sheet from the paper sheets displayed in 513 and pressing a delete button 516.

[0043] FIG. 5(c) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a screen that is displayed when the details / edit buttons 504 and 514 are pressed. The screen in Figure 5(c) allows you to check and edit the parameter settings required to control each paper type. For basic paper, the name registered in advance in the device is displayed, and for user-defined paper, the name registered by the user is displayed. For type, whether it is basic paper or user-defined paper is displayed. For basis weight, the weight of the paper is displayed. For size, the paper size is displayed. For surface texture, a type that indicates the characteristics of the paper surface shape is displayed. For secondary transfer voltage adjustment and image position adjustment, either no setting or a setting is displayed. These adjustment values ​​are explained next.

[0044] The secondary transfer voltage is set to a value necessary to transfer toner from the intermediate transfer body without causing abnormal discharge. For example, when printing on a type of paper whose moisture content or resistance value differs significantly from the standard values, the default secondary transfer voltage may not provide optimal transfer. If the resistance value of the paper used for printing is greater than the standard value, the default secondary transfer voltage will be insufficient, and a secondary transfer voltage greater than the default value must be applied. Furthermore, if the moisture content of the paper used for printing is less than the standard value, abnormal discharge is more likely to occur, resulting in poor image quality. Therefore, a secondary transfer voltage smaller than the default value must be applied. Thus, the secondary transfer voltage must be controlled to an appropriate value depending on the type of paper used for printing. To register an appropriate adjustment value for the paper, a coarse adjustment chart or fine adjustment chart (not shown) is printed and read to determine the adjustment value of the secondary transfer voltage so that the transfer efficiency falls within a specified range.

[0045] If the user wishes to newly register or re-register the secondary transfer voltage adjustment, pressing the change button 522 will transition to the chart print screen shown in FIG. 5(d). When the print start button 532 is pressed, the CPU 10 controls the chart to be printed, and the screen shown in FIG. 5(e) is displayed. The user places the printed chart in the feeder and presses the read start button 542. When the read start button 542 is pressed, the CPU 10 scans the chart, calculates the necessary adjustment values, associates them with the paper being registered, and saves the adjustment values ​​in RAM 12. When the adjustment values ​​are saved, the detailed display screen 521 will display that the settings have been made.

[0046] Image position adjustment is an adjustment item for adjusting the image position relative to the front and back sides of paper. In image position adjustment, adjustment values ​​for the image position from the top and left edges for the front and back sides are set as movement amounts. For this adjustment, the image forming apparatus 100 prints a chart for adjusting the image position on the front and back sides and calculates the adjustment value by reading that chart. To newly register or re-register image position adjustment, press the change button 522 and print and read a chart for image position adjustment according to the screen flow of Figures 5(d) and 5(e). The adjustment value is then calculated, linked to the paper being registered, and saved in RAM 12. When the adjustment value is saved, the detailed display screen 521 displays "Settings Completed."

[0047] Here, the name, type, basis weight, size, surface properties, secondary transfer voltage adjustment, and image position adjustment are described as examples. However, various other parameters are also recorded, and these can be confirmed by pressing button 523. The paper information described above is specifically stored as data as shown in FIG. 9 in the first storage area of ​​RAM 12 of image forming apparatus 100. The name, type, basis weight, surface properties, size, secondary transfer voltage adjustment value, and image position adjustment value are as described in FIG. 5. The ID is an identifier that uniquely identifies the paper. The frequently used paper is flag information that allows a user to register frequently used paper as a favorite for easy selection. The registered role 1001 is set to the role of the registered user, the registered department 1002 is set to the department of the registered user, and the registered user ID 1003 is set to the identifier of the registered user. Details of the registered role 1001, registered department 1002, and registered user ID 1003 will be described later using FIG. 10.

[0048] In the above explanation, the flow for duplicating a user-defined paper from a basic paper or user-defined paper by pressing copy 504 or button 514 has been described. Note that it is also possible to uniquely identify the original basic paper from the basis weight information and surface property information identified by the information processing unit 18 of the media sensor 14, and omit the step of selecting the basic paper when creating a user-defined paper.

[0049] [Explanation of the paper type selection function] 6A is a functional configuration diagram for explaining the paper information selection function in this embodiment. The CPU 10 executes each component. The paper type selection unit 600 selects the type of paper fed from the paper information management data 633 acquired from the media management unit 630, using the basis weight information and surface property information identified by the information processing unit 18 of the media sensor 14 and the user attribute information 910 acquired via the authentication unit 610.

[0050] The authentication unit 610 has a user authentication function and performs authentication processing based on a user name and password. The authentication unit 610 can also restrict various functions of the image forming device, such as copy and scan functions, based on the user and user role. In addition, the authentication unit 610 manages user attribute information 910 for each user, as shown in FIG. 9. The media management unit 630 references basic paper information 631 and user-defined paper information 632, and provides the generated paper information management data 633 to the paper type selection unit 600. The paper information management data 633 is data with the configuration shown in FIG. 10.

[0051] The media priority management unit 620 manages a common priority setting 621 and a personal priority setting 622, and updates the priority order of paper types for automatic paper type selection based on the detection of a selection operation on the instruction / display unit 13. When the media priority management unit 620 detects a request from an administrator user, it updates the common priority setting 621, and when it detects a request from a general user, it updates the personal priority setting 622 of the currently authenticated user. The common priority setting 621 and personal priority setting 622 for paper types will be described in detail using FIG. 8.

[0052] [Printing process operation example] 7, a series of screen transitions from when the CPU 10 executes a program for the copy function 701 stored in the ROM 11 and RAM 12 of the image forming apparatus 100 to when printing and paper type selection processing are performed will be described. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the copy function, and is applicable to any function that includes printing processing.

[0053] FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram showing an example of a screen on which the CPU 10 displays a user interface of the copy function 701 on the instruction / display unit 13. As shown in FIG. The copy function 701 can accept various print settings and read settings and convert them into print control parameters. The image forming unit 17 then forms an image based on the print control parameters.

[0054] FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram showing an example of a screen on which a copy execution dialog 710 is displayed. Here, the CPU 10 detects a print start request to the instruction / display unit 13, and instructs the copy function 701 to read the document and perform print processing, resulting in the display of a copy execution dialog 710. When the paper type uniquely identified by the paper type selection unit 600 is a user-defined paper, the copy function 701 displays an execution message 711 in the copy execution dialog 710 in the form of "User-defined paper: Automatically select catalog for company B."

[0055] FIG. 7C is a schematic diagram showing a paper type selection confirmation screen 720. Here, if the paper type cannot be uniquely identified by the paper type selection unit 600, the copy function 701 displays a paper type selection confirmation screen 720 during image formation (printing). The paper type selection confirmation screen 720 has a setting button (standard paper setting button 721) for continuing printing with standard paper, and a setting button (paper type change setting button 722) for changing the paper type. When the copy function 701 detects that the OK button 723 has been pressed while the standard paper setting button 721 is selected, it continues the printing process with the preset standard paper setting (for example, plain paper).

[0056] FIG. 7D is a schematic diagram showing a paper type selection screen 730. Here, when the paper type change setting button 722 is selected and pressing of the OK button 723 is detected, the paper type selection screen 730 is displayed. Note that when pressing of the Stop button 724 is detected, the printing process is stopped, the paper being fed is ejected, and the process ends. The paper type selection screen 730 in FIG. 7(d) displays the paper types that have been filtered in advance by the paper type selection unit 600 in the paper type display area 732. For this reason, the copy function 701 has "Auto-filtered" set in the pull-down list 731.

[0057] Because the paper type selection unit 600 selects the paper type based on the media sensor 14 and user attribute information 910, highly similar paper types are filtered and displayed in the paper type display area 732, as shown in Figure 7(d). On the other hand, paper types with little relationship are excluded in advance, reducing the risk of erroneous selection by the user and the effort required for selection operations. Note that if the paper type uniquely identified by the paper type selection unit 600 is a user-defined paper, a confirmation screen 740 such as that shown in Figure 7(e) may be displayed before image formation (before printing) to confirm whether the user-defined paper can be set.

[0058] [Paper Type Priority Settings] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining the priority setting of paper types. Fig. 8(a) shows the settings related to the common priority setting 621 for paper types. The role setting 810 is the setting value of the priority paper 802 for each user role. The priority paper 802 is information indicating whether the paper type selection unit 600 will search for a basic paper or a user-defined paper first when selecting a paper type. In Fig. 8(a), priority paper 1 and priority paper 2 are listed, but priority paper 802 is used as a general term.

[0059] In Figure 8(a), for an office user, the basic paper is set to priority paper 1, and priority paper 2 is not set. In other words, this indicates that only basic paper is used when printing by a user with an office user role. On the other hand, for a user with a production user role, this indicates that the paper type is searched for among the user-defined paper types, and if no match is found, the paper type is searched for among the basic paper types. For a user with a custom user role, this indicates that the paper type is searched for among the basic paper types, and if no match is found, the paper type is searched for among the user-defined paper types. The role settings 810 can be enabled or disabled using an ON / OFF switch. The department settings 820 are the setting values ​​for the priority paper 802 for each user's department.

[0060] In FIG. 8A, the priority paper 802 for the Company A department is set in the order of user-defined paper and basic paper. On the other hand, the business management department is set to use only basic paper. The department setting 820 can be enabled or disabled using an ON / OFF switch. The paper type priority order 830 specifies the order in which the paper type selection unit 600 determines the priority paper 802 from the role setting 810, the department setting 820, and the user-registered paper 831 when selecting a paper type. In FIG. 8A, the role setting 810 is set as priority 1, the department setting 820 as priority 2, and the user-registered paper 831 as priority 3. For example, if a user role is not set for the authenticated user or if the user role does not have a priority paper 802 set, the paper type selection unit 600 selects the paper type based on the priority paper 802 in the department setting 820 with priority 2. In this way, the paper type selection unit 600 falls back on the selection of paper type based on the paper type priority order 830 .

[0061] The registered attribute filter 840 is a setting value that determines whether or not to filter paper types by the registered role 1001 or registered department 1002 of the user who registered the user-defined paper. If the paper type selection unit 600 cannot uniquely identify the paper type, when the registered attribute filter 840 is enabled, further filtering is performed based on the user attribute information 910 of the currently authenticated user. For example, the paper type display area 732 displays paper types whose user role 913 or user department 914 of the currently authenticated user matches the role or department of the user who registered the user-defined paper.

[0062] The personal paper type priority setting switch 850 is a switch that determines whether or not the priority order of paper types can be set for each user. When the personal paper type priority setting switch 850 is enabled, as shown in FIG. 8B, the paper type priority order 870 can be set for each user via the personal paper type priority setting 622, as shown in FIG. 8B. The priority settings that can be specified in the paper type priority order 830 and the paper type priority order 870 are not limited to the role setting 810 or department setting 820, and basic paper or user-defined paper may also be set directly. For example, the priority order 870 indicates that basic paper is set second. Here, the media priority management unit 620 can change the priority order of the selected priority setting by detecting the pressing of buttons 832 and 833. Furthermore, a priority setting can be added by detecting the pressing of button 834, and a selected priority setting can be deleted by detecting the pressing of button 835.

[0063] [User attribute information description] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a table 900 of user attribute information. Table 900 is managed by the authentication unit 610. User ID 911 is a user identifier. User name 912 is a name (alias) corresponding to the user ID 911. User role 913 is an attribute for controlling the user's authority and role. In FIG. 9, as examples, an office role 921 and a production role 922 exist. User department 914 is an attribute that indicates the department to which the user belongs. In FIG. 9, as examples, an operations management department 930, a company A correspondence department 931, and a company B correspondence department 932 exist. In this embodiment, the paper type selection unit 600 references the user role 913 and user department 914 and uses them to select a paper type.

[0064] When the personal setting switch 850 for paper type priority is disabled, the paper type priority setting 915 always applies "follow common setting," and the paper type selection unit 600 selects the paper type based on the priority order 830. On the other hand, when the personal setting switch 850 for paper type priority is enabled, the paper type priority setting 915 can be set for each individual. Therefore, the paper type priority setting 915 for a user who has defined the paper type priority order 870 applies "follow personal setting." The above attributes for one user are collectively referred to as user attribute information 910.

[0065] [Description of paper information management data] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the paper information management data 633. As shown in FIG. In the paper information management data 633, attributes related to paper type are defined for each ID. For user-defined paper, the user role 913, user department 914, and user ID 911 of the user who registered the user-defined paper are registered as the registered role 1001, registered department 1002, and registered user ID 1003. The paper information management data 633 is created by the media management unit 630 by combining the paper types of the basic paper information 631 and the user-defined paper information 632 and storing them in RAM 12. In this embodiment, the media sensor 14 can detect basis weight information and surface property information. However, as shown in FIG. 10, when the basic paper and user-defined paper are combined, it is clear that the paper type may not be uniquely identified based on the information obtained from the media sensor 14 alone. For example, ID2, ID14, ID16, and ID17 have matching basis weight information and surface property information.

[0066] [Explanation of image formation method] The image forming method according to this embodiment will be described below.

[0067] <Image Formation Mode 1> First, a basic image forming mode 1 of the image forming method according to this embodiment will be described. In image forming mode 1, the paper information selection function is simplified more than that shown in FIG. 6A, and is, for example, as shown in FIG. 6B.

[0068] 6B, the paper type selection unit 600 acquires user type information from the paper characteristic information (basis weight information and surface property information) identified by the information processing unit 18 of the media sensor 14 and the user attribute information 910 acquired via the authentication unit 610. In this case, the user type is an office user or a production user. The paper type selection unit 600 acquires basic paper information 631 or user-defined paper information 632 as registered paper information according to the user type information of the user currently being authenticated.

[0069] 11A is a flowchart showing the method from receiving a print job to executing printing in image formation mode 1. This flowchart is realized by CPU 10 reading and executing a program stored in ROM 11 and adjustment values ​​and setting values ​​set in RAM 12. Here, as in FIG. 8A, it is assumed that for office users, only basic paper is registered with priority 1, and for production users, user-defined paper is set with priority 1 and basic paper is set with priority 2.

[0070] First, in S1151, the image forming apparatus 100 receives a print job from the instruction / display unit 13 or via the network.

[0071] In S1152, the image forming apparatus 100 determines whether or not automatic detection of the paper type is enabled, and if enabled, the process proceeds to S1153, and if disabled, the process proceeds to S1171.

[0072] In S1153, the image forming apparatus 100 acquires paper characteristic information (basis weight information, surface property information) from the media sensor 14 and stores it in the RAM 12. On the other hand, in S1171, the image forming apparatus 100 sets the paper type to the default, and executes printing in S1162.

[0073] In S1154, the paper type selection unit 600 acquires the user type information (the user type is an office user or a production user) of the user currently being authenticated from the user attribute information 910 acquired via the authentication unit 610. If the user is an office user, the process proceeds to S1157, and if the user is a production user, the process proceeds to S1155.

[0074] In S1155, the paper type selection unit 600 searches for a similar paper type using the paper characteristic information acquired from the media sensor 14 and the paper type information indicating that the paper type is a user-defined paper type (priority 1 for production users).

[0075] In S1156, if the search result shows that there is a similar paper type, the process proceeds to S1158, and if there is no similar paper type, the process proceeds to S1157.

[0076] If no match is found in S1156, or if the user is an office user in S1154, S1157 is executed. That is, the paper type selection unit 600 searches for a similar paper type using the paper characteristic information acquired from the media sensor 14 and the paper type information indicating that the paper type is a basic paper type (priority 2 for a production user or priority 1 for an office user).

[0077] In S1158, if the paper type selection unit 600 is able to identify the paper type, i.e., if there is one similar paper type, the process proceeds to S1159; if the paper type selection unit 600 is unable to identify the paper type, i.e., if there are two or more similar paper types, the process proceeds to S1160.

[0078] In S1159, image forming apparatus 100 registers the identified paper type and executes printing in S1162. Meanwhile, in S1160, instruction / display unit 13 displays paper type options on the screen. Then, in S1161, when the authenticated user selects a paper type from the display screen, image forming apparatus 100 registers the selected paper type and executes printing in S1162.

[0079] According to image forming mode 1, an image forming device is realized that is suited to a usage environment in which there is a mixture of users who want to use basic paper types and users who want to use paper types defined by themselves for various purposes, and that improves user convenience by streamlining the paper type selection operation.

[0080] <Image Formation Mode 2> Next, image forming mode 2 of the image forming method according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 11B and 11C. Figure 11B is a flowchart showing the method from receiving a print job to executing printing. Figure 11C is a flowchart related to paper type filtering, detailing S1106 in Figure 11B. These flowcharts are realized by the CPU 10 reading and executing programs stored in ROM 11 and adjustment values ​​and setting values ​​set in RAM 12.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 11B, first, in S1101, the image forming apparatus 100 receives a print job from the instruction / display unit 13 or via the network.

[0082] In S1102, the image forming apparatus 100 determines whether or not automatic detection of the paper type is enabled, and if enabled, the process proceeds to S1103, and if disabled, the process proceeds to S1112.

[0083] In S1103, the image forming apparatus 100 acquires basis weight information and surface property information from the media sensor 14 and stores them in the RAM 12.

[0084] In S1104, the paper type selection unit 600 copies the paper information management data 633 acquired from the media management unit 630, stores it in RAM 12, and searches for paper types whose acquired basis weight information and surface property information match. If there is one matching paper type, the paper type has been uniquely identified, and the process proceeds to S1108. If there are two or more matching paper types, further filtering is required, so the paper type selection unit 600 filters the paper information management data 633 using the basis weight information and surface property information and updates it (S1105). If the number of matching paper types is zero, the process proceeds to S1106.

[0085] In S1106, the paper type selection unit 600 performs a process of filtering paper types based on priority. The process of S1106 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0086] In S1107, the CPU 10 refers to the number of filtered paper types, and if there is one, the paper has been identified and the process proceeds to S1108. On the other hand, if the number of paper types is zero or two or more, the process proceeds to S1112 and performs paper selection control.

[0087] In S1108, the CPU 10 reflects the information acquired from the identified paper type in the print control parameters.

[0088] In S1108, CPU 10 determines whether the identified paper type is a user-defined paper, and if so, sets the name of the paper type in the execution message 711. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which confirmation screen 740 is displayed to indicate in advance that a user-defined paper has been selected, and the user is prompted to confirm whether to continue printing (S1110).

[0089] In S1111, the image forming apparatus 100 performs image formation based on the print control parameters and ends the process.

[0090] On the other hand, if the paper type cannot be uniquely identified in S1107, the CPU 10 displays the paper type selection confirmation screen 720 on the instruction / display unit 13 (S1112).

[0091] In S1113, the CPU 10 detects whether or not a paper type can be selected, and if no selection is made, applies a standard setting (for example, plain paper) (S1114), and proceeds to S1111 to perform image formation.

[0092] On the other hand, if the CPU 10 detects the selection of a paper type in S1113, it displays the paper type selection screen 730 on the instruction / display unit 13 (S1115). At this time, the paper type selected in S1106 is displayed in the paper type display area 732. However, if the selected paper type is 0, a list of basic paper types is displayed.

[0093] In S1116, the image forming apparatus 100 detects the selection of the paper type via the paper type selection screen 730, acquires print control parameters from the selected paper type, and performs image formation in S1111.

[0094] The filtering of paper types in step S1106 will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 11C. First, in S1121, the paper type selection unit 600 acquires the user attribute information 910 of the currently authenticated user from the authentication unit 610.

[0095] In S1122, the paper type selection unit 600 acquires the setting value of the personal setting switch 850 for paper type priority from the media priority management unit 620, and if the setting value is valid, the process proceeds to S1123, and if it is invalid, the process proceeds to S1124. If the setting value is valid, and the paper type priority setting 915 included in the acquired user attribute information 910 of the currently authenticated user is set to "follow personal setting" (if S1123 is Yes), the paper type priority order 870 is stored in RAM 12 as the priority order (S1125). On the other hand, if the paper type priority setting 915 is set to "follow common setting" (if S1123 is No), the paper type priority order 830 is stored in RAM 12 as the priority order (S1124).

[0096] In S1126, the paper type selection unit 600 sets the current priority setting to the priority setting with priority 1 in the priority order. In S1127, if the current priority setting is the role setting 810, the process proceeds to S1128; if it is the department setting 820, the process proceeds to S1130; if it is the paper type 831 registered by the user, the process proceeds to S1132; if it is the basic paper type, the process proceeds to S1134; and if it is the user-defined paper type, the process proceeds to S1135.

[0097] In S1128, if the current priority setting is the role setting 810, if the user role 913 is set for the user currently being authenticated, and if the priority paper 802 is set for the user role 913, the process transitions to S1129 for filtering. On the other hand, if the above conditions are not met, the process transitions to S1136, and the priority paper is not filtered based on the role setting 810. In S1129, the paper type selection unit 600 filters the filtered paper information management data 633 with the priority paper 802 of the role setting 810 that corresponds to the user role 913 of the user currently being authenticated, and the process transitions to S1138.

[0098] In S1130, if the current priority setting in S1127 is the department setting 820, if the user department 914 is set for the user being authenticated, and if the priority paper 802 is set for the user department 914, the process transitions to S1131 for filtering. On the other hand, if the above conditions are not met, the process transitions to S1136, and the priority paper is not filtered based on the department setting 820. In S1131, the paper type selection unit 600 filters the filtered paper information management data 633 with the priority paper 802 in the department setting 810 that corresponds to the user department 914 of the user being authenticated, and the process transitions to S1138.

[0099] In steps S1129 and S1131, if two priority paper types 802 are set and there is no matching paper type in priority paper 1, priority paper 2 is referenced and filtered in the same manner.

[0100] If the current priority setting is the paper type 831 registered by the user in S1127, the paper type selection unit 600 filters the filtered paper information management data 633 for those whose registered user ID 1003 matches the user ID 911 of the authenticated user (S1132). If a matching paper type is found, the process proceeds to S1138; if not, the process proceeds to S1136 (S1133).

[0101] If the current priority setting is basic paper in S1127, the paper type selection unit 600 filters the filtered paper information management data 633 based on the type of basic paper (S1134). If a matching paper type is found, the process proceeds to S1138; if not, the process proceeds to S1136 (S1133).

[0102] If the current priority setting is user-defined paper in S1127, the paper type selection unit 600 filters the filtered paper information management data 633 based on the type of user-defined paper (S1135). If a matching paper type is found, the process proceeds to S1138; if not, the process proceeds to S1136 (S1133).

[0103] In S1136, the paper type selection unit 600 determines whether all priority settings have been searched based on the priority order. If all have been searched, the process proceeds to S1138, and if not, the process proceeds to S1137.

[0104] In S1137, the media priority management unit 620 updates the current priority setting to the priority setting of the next priority, and transitions to S1127. In S1138, the paper type selection unit 600 determines whether the paper type was uniquely identified, and if so (if S1138 is Yes), it responds with the filtered paper type and ends processing (S1139). If not (if S1138 is No), the paper type selection unit 600 determines whether the registered attribute filter 840 is valid (S1140). If the registered attribute filter is invalid, it transitions to S1139 and responds with two or more or zero paper types. On the other hand, if the registered attribute filter is valid, it transitions to S1141.

[0105] In S1141, the paper type selection unit 600 filters the filtered paper information management data 633 by paper types for which the user role 913 of the currently authenticated user and the registered role 1001 match.

[0106] In S1142, the paper type selection unit 600 filters the filtered paper information management data 633 for paper types whose user department 914 of the currently authenticated user matches the registered department 1002. The paper type selection unit 600 responds with the paper types selected in detail in S1141 and S1142 (S1139). This makes it possible to display paper types in the paper type display area 732 in S1115 in a more carefully selected state for the currently authenticated user.

[0107] Note that S1141 and S1142 may be configured to enable either one with a switch, or to filter using an OR condition. For example, if the number of paper types is 0 at the step S1140, control may be performed to filter using an OR condition.

[0108] As described above, in image forming mode 2, the paper type selection unit 600 selects a paper type based on information acquired from the media sensor 14 and the user attribute information 910 of the authenticated user, thereby reducing the user's effort in selecting a paper type. Specifically, the correspondence between the user role 913 and the role setting 810, or the correspondence between the user department 914 and the department setting 820, makes it possible to filter in advance whether the paper type search target is basic paper or user-defined paper. This makes it possible to automatically select an appropriate paper type according to the user attribute information 910 at the time of printing. Therefore, even if the image forming apparatus is used for different purposes, such as by a production user or an office user, the appropriate paper type is automatically selected, which is beneficial for each user with different purposes.

[0109] In addition, even if the paper type selection result cannot be uniquely determined, the paper types can be further filtered by matching the user-defined paper registration role 1001 or registered department 1002 with the authenticated user's user attribute information 910. Therefore, even in an environment with many user-defined paper types, it is possible to carefully select and present paper types, reducing the effort required for the user to make selections.

[0110] -Other embodiments- In the above-described embodiment, a computer program for controlling the image forming apparatus 100 is stored in a storage medium such as the ROM 11 or the HDD or SSD of the permanent area 21. This computer program is a program for implementing the functions of the components of the image forming apparatus 100, such as the paper type selection unit 600, authentication unit 610, media priority management unit 620, and media management unit 630 shown in FIG. 6, and the favorite setting paper information management unit 810, automatic detection management unit 820, and automatic detection information display data creation unit 830 shown in FIG. 8, for example, a program corresponding to steps S1101 to S1142 shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B. The CPU 10 then reads and executes the computer program from the ROM 11 or the storage medium. This allows the CPU 10 to control the image forming apparatus 100.

[0111] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configurations and methods. (Configuration 1) a sensor means for acquiring paper characteristics; a selection means for selecting a paper type using the paper characteristics and user attribute information acquired by the sensor means; and A user type is set for each user in each user attribute of the user attribute information, The selection means If a first paper type is set as the user type, a paper type is selected from the first paper type; If a second paper type different from the first paper type is set in the user type, a paper type is selected from the second paper type. Image forming device. (Configuration 2) The selection means a primary filter for the plurality of registered paper types using the paper characteristics acquired by the sensor means; Secondarily filtering the plurality of paper types that have been subjected to the primary filtering using the first paper type or the second paper type that is set to the user type of the currently authenticated user, Select the paper type, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. (Configuration 3) The device further includes a priority setting unit that can set the priority of paper type selection, the selection means selects a paper type based on the priority information set by the priority setting means; 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. (Configuration 4) the priority setting means is capable of setting the priority to one or more selected from the user attributes, the paper type registered by the currently authenticated user, the first paper type, and the second paper type. 4. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 3. (Configuration 5) the first paper type is a paper type that is set in advance, the second paper type is a paper type that can be set by the user in addition to the first paper type; The image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects. (Configuration 6) The user attribute is a user role. 6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 5. (Configuration 7) The user type is an office user. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6. (Configuration 8) The user type is a production user. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6. (Configuration 9) The user attribute is a user department. 6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 5. (Configuration 10) If the selection means cannot uniquely identify the paper type, the selected paper type is displayed as a selectable paper type. 10. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects. (Configuration 11) When the selection unit uniquely identifies the paper type and the identified paper type is the second paper type, information about the second paper type is displayed during image formation. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to tenth embodiments. (Configuration 12) When the selection unit uniquely identifies the paper type, and the identified paper type is the second paper type, a message is displayed to confirm whether the second paper type can be set before image formation. 12. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 11. (Configuration 13) the selection means selects a paper type from the second paper types registered by the authenticated user; 13. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 12. (Configuration 14) When the paper type cannot be uniquely identified, the selection unit selects the paper type using the user attribute information of the authenticated user who has registered the second paper type. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to tenth embodiments. (Configuration 15) the priority setting unit has a registered attribute filter that is information for determining whether or not the user attribute information is to be used in selecting a paper type; the selection unit, when the registered attribute filter is enabled, selects a paper type using the user attribute information of the authenticated user in which the second paper type is registered; 15. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 3 to 14. (Configuration 16) the priority setting means has a common priority setting that allows paper type priorities to be applied to all users, and an individual priority setting that allows paper type priorities to be applied to each user; 16. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 3 to 15. (Configuration 17) the priority setting means has a personal setting switch which is information that can set whether or not the personal priority setting is available; 17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16. (Configuration 18) the selection unit determines priority information to be referenced when selecting a paper type based on the personal priority setting when the personal setting switch is enabled, and based on the common priority setting when the personal setting switch is disabled. 18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17. (Configuration 19) When the personal setting switch is enabled, if the priority order of paper types of the authenticated user is set to follow the common priority setting, the selection unit determines the priority information to be referenced when selecting a paper type based on the common priority setting. 18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17. (Configuration 20) Either the first paper type or the second paper type can be deleted from the priority order determined by the priority setting means. 19. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 3 to 19. (Method 1) acquiring paper characteristics by a sensor means; filtering a plurality of registered paper types using the paper characteristics acquired by the sensor means; Using user attribute information in which a user type is set for each user in each user attribute, If a first paper type is set as the user type, a paper type is selected from the first paper type; If a second paper type different from the first paper type is set in the user type, a paper type is selected from the second paper type. Steps and having Image forming method. (Configuration 21) A program for causing a computer to execute each step of method 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 100 Image forming device 10 CPU 11 ROM 12 RAM 17 Image forming unit 14 Media Sensor 600 Paper type selection section 610 Authentication Department 620 Media Priority Management Unit 621 Common priority setting 622 Personal priority setting 630 Media Management Department 631 Basic Paper Information 632 User-defined paper information 633 Paper Information Management Data

Claims

1. a sensor means for acquiring paper characteristics; a selection means for selecting a paper type using the paper characteristics and user attribute information acquired by the sensor means; and A user type is set for each user in each user attribute of the user attribute information, The selection means If a first paper type is set as the user type, a paper type is selected from the first paper type; If a second paper type different from the first paper type is set in the user type, a paper type is selected from the second paper type. Image forming device.

2. The selection means a primary filter for the plurality of registered paper types using the paper characteristics acquired by the sensor means; Secondarily filtering the plurality of paper types that have been subjected to the primary filtering using the first paper type or the second paper type that is set to the user type of the currently authenticated user, Select the paper type, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. The device further includes a priority setting unit that can set the priority of paper type selection, the selection means selects a paper type based on the priority information set by the priority setting means; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

4. the priority setting unit is capable of setting the priority to one or more selected from the user attributes, the paper type registered by the currently authenticated user, the first paper type, and the second paper type. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 .

5. The first paper type is a preset paper type, the second paper type is a paper type that can be set by the user in addition to the first paper type; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

6. The user attribute is a user role. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

7. The user type is an office user. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 .

8. The user type is a production user. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 .

9. The user attribute is a user department. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

10. If the selection means cannot uniquely identify the paper type, the selected paper type is displayed as a selectable paper type. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

11. When the selection unit uniquely identifies the paper type and the identified paper type is the second paper type, information about the second paper type is displayed during image formation. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

12. When the selection unit uniquely identifies the paper type and the identified paper type is the second paper type, a message is displayed to confirm whether the second paper type can be set before image formation. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

13. the selection means selects a paper type from the second paper types registered by the authenticated user; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

14. When the paper type cannot be uniquely identified, the selection unit selects the paper type using the user attribute information of the authenticated user who has registered the second paper type. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

15. the priority setting unit has a registered attribute filter that is information for determining whether or not the user attribute information is to be used in selecting a paper type; the selection unit selects a paper type using the user attribute information of the authenticated user in which the second paper type is registered when the registered attribute filter is enabled; The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 .

16. the priority setting means has a common priority setting that allows paper type priorities to be applied to all users, and an individual priority setting that allows paper type priorities to be applied to each user; The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 .

17. the priority setting means has a personal setting switch which is information that can set whether or not the personal priority setting is available; The image forming apparatus according to claim 16.

18. the selection means determines priority information to be referenced when selecting a paper type based on the personal priority setting when the personal setting switch is enabled, and based on the common priority setting when the personal setting switch is disabled. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17.

19. When the personal setting switch is enabled, if the priority order of paper types of the authenticated user is set to follow the common priority setting, the selection unit determines the priority information to be referenced when selecting a paper type based on the common priority setting. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17.

20. Either the first paper type or the second paper type can be deleted from the priority order determined by the priority setting means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 .

21. acquiring paper characteristics by a sensor means; filtering a plurality of registered paper types using the paper characteristics acquired by the sensor means; Using user attribute information in which a user type is set for each user in each user attribute, If a first paper type is set as the user type, a paper type is selected from the first paper type; If a second paper type different from the first paper type is set in the user type, a paper type is selected from the second paper type. Steps and having Image forming method.

22. A program for causing a computer to execute the steps recited in claim 21.

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