Image formation device and image processing device

Abstract

To reduce a possibility of occurrence of failure in transportation of a recording material.SOLUTION: An image formation device 100 includes: an operation unit 110 for selecting a first mode in which an image is formed on a clear file; a tray 17 for placing the clear file; a printer unit 120 for forming an image on the clear file transported from the tray 17; and a display 111. The display 111 displays, in a case where the first mode is selected by the operation unit 110, a message prompting a user to place the clear file on the tray 17 so that a leading edge side in a transport direction of the clear file becomes a fixed part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material by an electrophotographic method or an electrostatic recording method. [Background technology]

[0002] Image forming devices generally print images using paper or the like defined in the Japanese Industrial Standards as a recording material. Image forming devices can use various types and sizes of paper, as well as clear files, as recording materials. Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming device that conveys clear files. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-198394 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A clear file has a shape in which at least one side is closed and at least one side is open. When forming an image on a recording material of this shape, there is a risk of the recording material being transported improperly depending on the direction in which the recording material is transported.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has as its main object to reduce the possibility of recording material conveyance failure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises a selection means for selecting a first mode for forming an image on a first recording material having a closed first side, a closed second side, an open third side, and an open fourth side, a stacking means for loading the first recording material, an image forming means for forming an image on the first recording material transported from the stacking means, and a display means, and is characterized in that when the first mode is selected by the selection means, the display means displays a message urging the user to load the first recording material on the stacking means so that the leading edge of the first recording material in the transport direction is the first side. The information processing device of the present invention is an information processing device capable of communicating with an image forming device that has a loading means for loading recording material and an image forming means for forming an image on the recording material transported from the loading means, and is equipped with a selection means for selecting a first mode for forming an image on a first recording material having a closed first side, a closed second side, an open third side, and an open fourth side, and is characterized in that when the first mode is selected by the selection means, the display means displays a message urging the user to load the first recording material on the loading means so that the leading edge of the first recording material in the transport direction is the first side. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the possibility of recording material conveyance failure occurring. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an image forming system. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 5] 10 is a view showing an example of a paper type selection screen. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing the process from setting the paper type to starting image formation. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a setting screen for a paper feed location for clear files. [Figure 8] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a guide screen showing important points to note. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing modified examples of the guide screen. [Figure 10] An illustration of how a clear file folds. [Figure 11] An illustration of how a clear file folds. [Figure 12] FIG. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of guide screens showing other precautions. [Figure 14] 10 is an example of a single-sided / double-sided setting screen. [Figure 15] FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a setting screen for a normal paper feed location. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of a selection screen for double-sided printing. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart showing the process from setting the paper type to starting image formation. [Figure 19] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a guide screen showing important points to note. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a guide screen. [Figure 21] An example of the single-sided / double-sided setting screen for clear files. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a guide screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus will be described as an example, but the present invention is also effective in other image forming apparatuses such as an inkjet type.

[0010] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. The image forming system 1X includes an image forming apparatus 100 that forms a toner image on a recording material S, and an operation unit 110 that has a display 111.

[0011] The image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment is a tandem-type full-color printer using an electrophotographic method. Note that the image forming apparatus 100 may also be configured to form images using an electrostatic recording method. The image forming apparatus 100 includes an image forming unit Pa that forms a yellow image, an image forming unit Pb that forms a magenta image, an image forming unit Pc that forms a cyan image, and an image forming unit Pd that forms a black image.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 100 forms a toner image on a recording material S based on data relating to the toner image contained in image data acquired from an external device 1000, such as a document reading device (not shown) or a personal computer, communicably connected to the image forming apparatus 100. The recording material S may be a sheet material made of paper such as ordinary plain paper, cardboard, rough paper, textured paper, or coated paper, or in this embodiment, a clear file made of a plastic sheet material formed into a bag shape.

[0013] The conveying process of the recording material S will be described. The recording material S is stored and stacked in a cassette 10, or is stacked on a tray 17. The recording material S is fed from the cassette 10 or the tray 17 by a supply roller 13 in accordance with the timing of image formation. The tray 17 is provided so that it can be opened and closed by the user, for example. The recording material S fed by the supply roller 13 is conveyed to a registration roller 12 arranged midway along a conveying path 114. The registration roller 12 performs skew correction and timing correction on the recording material S before conveying it to a secondary transfer portion T2. ​​The secondary transfer portion T2 is a transfer nip formed by an inner secondary transfer roller 14 and an outer secondary transfer roller 11. The secondary transfer portion T2 transfers a toner image onto the recording material S by applying a secondary transfer voltage to the outer secondary transfer roller 11.

[0014] This section describes the image forming process in which a toner image is transported to the secondary transfer unit T2 at the same time as the process in which the recording material S is transported to the secondary transfer unit T2. The configuration of the image forming units Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd will be described. The image forming units Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd are configured in approximately the same manner except that the colors of the images (toner images) they form are different: yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. Here, we will describe the image forming unit Pd, which forms a black toner image, and will omit descriptions of the other image forming units Pa, Pb, and Pc.

[0015] The image forming unit Pd mainly includes a developing unit 1d, a charging unit 2d, a photosensitive drum 3d, a photosensitive drum cleaner 4d, an exposure unit 5d, and a primary transfer roller 6d. The photosensitive drum 3d is a photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer on its surface and rotates around the drum axis. The charging unit 2d uniformly charges the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 3d. The exposure unit 5d forms an electrostatic latent image on the charged surface of the photosensitive drum 3d by irradiating it with a laser beam driven based on an image signal. The developing unit 1d develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 3d using a developer to form a black toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3d.

[0016] The primary transfer roller 6d is disposed in a position facing the photosensitive drum 3d across the intermediate transfer belt 80. When a primary transfer voltage is applied, the primary transfer roller 6d transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 3d onto the intermediate transfer belt 80. Residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 3d after transfer is collected by the photosensitive drum cleaner 4d.

[0017] Similarly, a yellow toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 3a of the image forming station Pa, and the toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 80 by the primary transfer roller 6a. A magenta toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 3b of the image forming station Pb, and the toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 80 by the primary transfer roller 6b. A cyan toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 3c of the image forming station Pc, and the toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 80 by the primary transfer roller 6c.

[0018] The intermediate transfer belt 80 is an endless belt that is stretched around the inner secondary transfer roller 14 and tension rollers 15 and 16, and is driven in the direction of arrow R2. In this embodiment, the tension roller 16 also serves as a drive roller that drives the intermediate transfer belt 80. The image formation processes of the image forming units Pa to Pd are performed at such a timing that the transferred toner images of each color are sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 80. As a result, a full-color toner image is finally formed on the intermediate transfer belt 80.

[0019] The intermediate transfer belt 80 rotates to transport the toner image to the secondary transfer portion T2. ​​The transport of the toner image to the secondary transfer portion T2 is synchronized with the timing at which the recording material S is transported to the secondary transfer portion T2. ​​This allows the toner image to be transferred to a predetermined position on the recording material S. Any residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 80 after transfer by the secondary transfer portion T2 is removed by a transfer cleaner 22.

[0020] Through the above-described conveying process and image forming process, a toner image is carried on the recording material S. The recording material S is conveyed from the secondary transfer unit T2 to the fixing unit 50. The fixing unit 50 applies heat and pressure to the recording material S bearing the toner image, thereby fixing the toner image to the recording material S. To this end, the fixing unit 50 has a first roller incorporating a heat source and a second roller biased toward the first roller, and the recording material S is nipped and conveyed between the first roller and the second roller. During this process, the recording material S is heated by the heat source and pressurized by the second roller. As a result, the toner image carried by the recording material S is melted and mixed, and fixed to the recording material S as a full-color image.

[0021] The recording material S on which the image has been fixed is guided by a flapper 300 to either a conveying path 301 or a conveying path 305. The flapper 300 guides the recording material S to the conveying path 305 when the printed side is not turned over in single-sided printing or when printing on both sides is completed in double-sided printing. The recording material S guided to the conveying path 305 is discharged outside the image forming apparatus 100.

[0022] When printing on the front side (first side) is completed in double-sided printing, or when the printed side is to be reversed in single-sided printing, the flapper 300 guides the recording material S to a conveying path 301. The recording material S is conveyed to a reversing unit 302 via the conveying path 301. The recording material S conveyed to the reversing unit 302 has its conveying direction reversed, and is guided by a flapper 303 to either the conveying path 301 or a double-sided conveying path 304. The conveying direction is reversed in the reversing unit 302, and the recording material S is conveyed to the conveying path 301 or the double-sided conveying path 304, whereby the printed side of the recording material S is reversed.

[0023] When the printing surface is to be reversed in single-sided printing, the flapper 303 guides the recording material S to a conveying path 301. The recording material S guided to the conveying path 301 is discharged from the conveying path 301 to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100 via a conveying path 305. When printing on the front side is completed in double-sided printing, the flapper 303 guides the recording material S to a double-sided conveying path 304. The recording material S guided to the double-sided conveying path 304 is conveyed to a secondary transfer unit T2. As a result, an image is printed on the back side (second side) of the recording material S.

[0024] The developer used in this embodiment is a two-component developer containing toner and a carrier. The toner contains a binder resin, a colorant, and a release agent (wax). Known binder resins can be used. Examples of binder resins that can be used include vinyl copolymers such as styrene-(meth)acrylic copolymers, polyester resins, hybrid resins in which vinyl copolymer units and polyester units are chemically bonded, epoxy resins, and styrene-butadiene copolymers. Known colorants can be used for each of the colors yellow, magenta, cyan, and black.

[0025] Examples of the release agent that can be used include aliphatic hydrocarbon waxes, oxides of aliphatic hydrocarbon waxes, and block copolymers thereof. Examples of aliphatic hydrocarbon waxes include low-molecular-weight polyethylene, low-molecular-weight olefin copolymer waxes, microcrystalline waxes, Fischer-Tropsch waxes, and paraffin waxes. Examples of oxides of aliphatic hydrocarbon waxes include oxidized polyethylene waxes. Block copolymers include waxes whose main component is fatty acid ester, ester waxes, and partially or completely deoxidized fatty acid esters such as deoxidized carnauba wax. Examples of waxes whose main component is fatty acid ester include carnauba wax and Montan acid ester wax. Ester waxes are synthetic reaction products of higher fatty acids, such as behenyl behenate and behenyl stearate, with higher alcohols.

[0026] The operation of such an image forming apparatus 100 is controlled by a main control unit 101. Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the main control unit 101. The main control unit 101 can communicate with a printer unit 120 and an operation unit 110. The printer unit 120 includes each unit used in the image forming process described above.

[0027] The main control unit 101 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 102, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 103, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 104, and an image processing unit 105. The CPU 102 controls the operation of the entire image forming system 1X by executing computer programs stored in the ROM 103. The RAM 104 provides a work area for the CPU 102 when executing processing. The image processing unit 105 performs predetermined image processing on image data obtained from the external device 1000, such as converting the image data into a format processable by the exposure devices 5a to 5d of the image forming units Pa to Pd, to generate image signals, which are then transmitted to the image forming units Pa to Pd.

[0028] The printer unit 120 includes a stacking unit 124, a conveying unit 123, a fixing unit 122, and an image forming unit P. The image forming unit P represents the image forming units Pa to Pd described above. The stacking unit 124 is a cassette 10 and a tray 17, and stores or stacks the recording material S. The conveying unit 123 feeds the recording material S from the stacking unit 124, conveys it to the secondary transfer unit T2 and the fixing unit 50, and discharges it outside the image forming system 1X. The conveying unit 123 includes a supply roller 13 and a registration roller 12. The fixing unit 122 is the fixing unit 50 described above, and fixes the toner image on the recording material S. The image forming unit P forms toner images of each color as described above. The image forming unit P controls the driving of laser light output from the exposure units 5a to 5d based on an image signal acquired from the image processing unit 105.

[0029] In order to perform optimal print settings, the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment requires that the paper type be set according to instructions from the user using the operation unit 110. The operation unit 110 is a user interface having a display 111 which is an input interface and an output interface. The operation unit 110 is used, for example, to acquire the paper type setting for the recording material S used in image formation. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the operation unit 110.

[0030] The operation unit 110 of this embodiment has, as input interfaces, a setting key 1002, a power saving key 1003, a group of hard keys 1104, a reset key 1105, a stop key 1106, and a start key 1107. The operation unit 110 may also have, as an input interface, a touch panel provided on the display 111. The contents input via the input interface (for example, information necessary for creating job information such as the type of recording material S, the number of copies to be printed, and output attribute information) are transmitted to the CPU 102. Using the input interface, the user can input information.

[0031] The setting key 1002 is pressed to perform various settings such as paper type settings. The power-saving key 1003 is pressed to transition the image forming apparatus 100 to or from sleep mode. When the power-saving key 1003 is pressed in normal mode, the image forming apparatus 100 transitions to sleep mode, and when the power-saving key 1003 is pressed in sleep mode, the image forming apparatus 100 transitions to normal mode. The hard key group 1104 includes a numeric keypad, a clear key, and an authentication key. The reset key 1105 is pressed to reset various settings. The stop key 1106 is pressed to stop an ongoing operation. The start key 1107 is pressed to start a printing operation or to instruct the start of other functions. The start key 1107 is equipped with a two-color LED (light emitting diode) of green and red (not shown). The start key 1107 indicates that operation can be started when lit green, and indicates that operation cannot be started when lit red.

[0032] The various keys described above are hardware keys, but may also be realized as software keys displayed on the display 111. Also, the various keys may be realized as a combination of hardware keys and software keys.

[0033] (Examples of other image forming devices) The image forming apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 prints an image on a recording material S while transporting the recording material S in a horizontal direction parallel to the bottom surface of the image forming apparatus 100. In other words, the transport path 114 along which the recording material S is transported is a horizontal path extending horizontally. Some image forming apparatuses print images on the recording material S while transporting it in a vertical direction (vertical direction) perpendicular to the bottom surface of the image forming apparatus (vertical path). FIG. 4 is a structural diagram of such an image forming apparatus. This image forming apparatus 201 is a tandem-intermediate transfer laser beam printer that utilizes an electrophotographic process. The image forming apparatus 201 forms and outputs a full-color or monochrome image on the recording material S, which is a recording medium, based on image data acquired from an external device 1000 (see FIG. 1) via a network or image data acquired from an image reading device 202 provided above.

[0034] The image forming apparatus 201 has components for forming an image inside a main body 201A, and is provided with an image reading device 202 and an operation unit 502 having a configuration similar to that of the operation unit 110 in Fig. 1 on the upper part of the main body 201A. Between the main body 201A and the image reading device 202 of the image forming apparatus 201, there is provided a discharge space D having a stacking section 223 to which the recording material S after image formation is discharged.

[0035] The image reading device 202 is a scanner that reads an image from a document and generates image data. The image reading device 202 is used, for example, when copying a document. The image reading device 202 of this embodiment is configured as a part of the image forming device 201. However, the image reading device 202 may also be configured as a separate device from the image forming device 201 and electrically connected to the image forming device 201.

[0036] The image forming apparatus 201 includes, in a main body 201A, an image forming mechanism 201B, an intermediate transfer unit 201C, a secondary transfer unit 201D, a fixing unit 201E, and a cassette paper feed unit 230. The main body 201 is also provided with a manual paper feed unit 235.

[0037] The cassette paper feed unit 230 feeds the recording material S from a paper feed cassette 231 that stores the recording material S. The cassette paper feed unit 230 includes a pickup roller 232 and a separation unit that includes a feed roller 233 and a retard roller 234 for separating the recording material S fed from the pickup roller 232. The recording material S is fed one sheet at a time from the paper feed cassette 231 by the pickup roller 232 and the separation unit. In this embodiment, a configuration in which a plurality of cassette paper feed units 230 (four in this example) are provided will be described, but the number of cassette paper feed units 230 may be any number. The recording material S fed from the cassette paper feed unit 230 is conveyed to the registration rollers 240 via conveyance rollers 280 and 290.

[0038] In addition to the cassette paper feed unit 230, the recording material S can also be fed from a manual paper feed unit 235. The manual paper feed unit 235 is provided with a tray 236 on which the user manually places the recording material S. Similar to the cassette paper feed unit 230, the manual paper feed unit 235 is provided with a pickup roller and a separation unit, and feeds the recording material S one sheet at a time from the tray 236. The recording material S fed from the manual paper feed unit 235 is also conveyed to the registration rollers 240 via conveyance rollers 280 and 290.

[0039] The image forming mechanism 201B is a four-drum full-color system and includes a laser scanner 210 and four image forming units 211 for forming toner images of four colors: yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Each image forming unit 211 includes a photosensitive drum 212, a charger 213, and a developing unit 214. A toner cartridge 215 is disposed above the image forming unit 211. The toner cartridge 215 supplies toner to the developing unit 214.

[0040] The intermediate transfer unit 201C includes an intermediate transfer belt 216 wound around a drive roller 216a and a tension roller 216b. Four primary transfer rollers 219 are provided inside the intermediate transfer belt 216 and contact the intermediate transfer belt 216 at positions facing the respective photosensitive drums 212. The intermediate transfer belt 216 is rotated in the direction of the arrow by a drive roller 216a driven by a drive unit (not shown).

[0041] The secondary transfer unit 201D includes a secondary transfer roller 217 disposed opposite the drive roller 216a with the intermediate transfer belt 216 interposed therebetween. The fuser 201E is disposed downstream of the secondary transfer roller 217 in the conveyance direction of the recording material S, and includes a pressure roller 220a and a heating roller 220b. A first discharge roller 225a, a second discharge roller 225b, and a duplex reversing unit 201F are disposed downstream of the fuser 201E in the conveyance direction of the recording material S. The duplex reversing unit 201F includes a reversing roller 222 that can rotate forward and backward, and a re-conveying path R that conveys the recording material S with an image formed on one side thereof to the image forming mechanism 201B.

[0042] The image forming apparatus 201 configured as described above operates as follows. The image forming apparatus 201 receives an instruction to start a print job, as well as image data from the image reading device 202 or the external device 1000, and forms an image on the recording material S according to the image data. Note that a print job refers to a series of operations that execute a conveying process and an image forming process based on a print signal that instructs image formation on the recording material S, from when printing of the image is completed until the recording material S is discharged onto the stacking unit 223. The image forming apparatus 201 receives an instruction to start the print job from the operation unit 502 or the external device 1000.

[0043] The image forming mechanism 201B uniformly charges the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 212 to a potential of a predetermined polarity using the chargers 213. The laser scanner 210 irradiates the uniformly charged surfaces of the photosensitive drums 212 with laser light modulated based on image data. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the corresponding color (yellow, magenta, cyan, or black) is formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 212.

[0044] The image forming mechanism 201B develops the electrostatic latent images formed on the photosensitive drums 212 by the developing devices 214. On each photosensitive drum 212, the electrostatic latent images are developed with toner of the corresponding color, thereby forming a toner image of the corresponding color. The toner images are sequentially transferred by primary transfer rollers 219 from the photosensitive drums 212 onto the rotating intermediate transfer belt 216 in a superimposed state. As a result, a full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 216. The intermediate transfer belt 216 conveys the toner image to the secondary transfer unit 201D by rotating.

[0045] In parallel with this toner image formation operation, recording material S is conveyed one sheet at a time to registration rollers 240 by cassette paper feed unit 230 or manual paper feed unit 235. Registration rollers 240 correct skew of the conveyed recording material S. After skew correction, the recording material S is conveyed by registration rollers 240 to secondary transfer unit 201D in accordance with the timing at which the toner image carried by intermediate transfer belt 216 is conveyed to secondary transfer unit 201D. Secondary transfer unit 201D transfers the full-color toner image from intermediate transfer belt 216 onto recording material S by a secondary transfer bias applied to secondary transfer roller 217.

[0046] The recording material S onto which the toner image has been transferred is transported to a fixing device 201E. The fixing device 201E sandwiches and transports the recording material S in a roller nip formed by a pressure roller 220a and a heating roller 220b. When sandwiching and transporting the recording material S, the fixing device 201E heats the recording material S with the heating roller 220b, thereby melting and mixing the toner of each color on the recording material S. The fixing device 201E also pressurizes the recording material S with the pressure roller 220a, thereby fixing the melted and mixed toner to the recording material S. At this time, the adhesive force of the melted toner causes the recording material S to stick to the heating roller 220b.

[0047] The recording material S with the fixed image is discharged to the discharge space D by either the first discharge roller 225a or the second discharge roller 225b. The recording material S is stacked on a stacking section 223 that protrudes from the bottom surface of the discharge space D. When an image is to be formed on both sides of the recording material S, the recording material S with the image fixed on one side is transported to a re-conveyance path R by the reversing roller 222 and transported again to the image forming mechanism 201B, where an image is formed on the inverted side. The re-conveyance path R is configured to transport the recording material S to a transport path between the transport roller 290 and the registration roller 240.

[0048] In this way, in the image forming apparatus 201, the recording material S is transported along a transport path (vertical path) that extends in the vertical direction. During image formation, the recording material S is transported from the registration roller 240 to the fixing device 201E from the bottom to the top in the vertical direction, with the top side at the leading edge. When transported along the re-conveyance path R, the recording material S is transported from the top to the bottom in the vertical direction, with the bottom side at the leading edge.

[0049] The operation of the image forming apparatus 201 is controlled by a main control unit 101 similar to that shown in FIG. 2. In this case, the stacking unit 124 of the printer unit 120 includes a cassette paper feed unit 230 and a manual paper feed unit 235. The conveying unit 123 includes various rollers such as conveying rollers 280 and 290 and a registration roller 240. The fixing unit 122 includes a fixing device 201E. The image forming unit P includes an image forming unit 211.

[0050] The recording material S used for printing in the image forming apparatuses 100 and 201 described above can be a paper sheet or a clear file made by folding a plastic sheet material into a bag shape. A clear file is made by folding, for example, a plastic sheet material, so that at least one of the overlapping edges (edges) is open and the remaining edges (edges) are closed. The open edge (edge) is called the "open portion," and the closed edge (edge) is called the "fixed portion." The fixed portion includes a folded portion formed by folding the plastic material, and a closed portion where the edges (edges) are fixed by welding using heat or ultrasound, or by bonding with an adhesive or the like. Typically, a clear file is closed by fixing two edges, and the remaining two edges are open.

[0051] When transporting clear files, transport problems can occur due to the shape of the clear file. For example, if the transport path has a bend, the folded portion of the clear file may bend in a direction intersecting the fold due to external forces generated at the bend during transport. Furthermore, if the clear file is transported with the open portion facing the leading edge in the transport direction, the edges may open. This can reduce the transport speed of the clear file and cause transport problems such as paper jams. By properly setting the orientation and paper feed conditions when feeding the clear file, such transport problems can be prevented. However, for users using clear files as recording material S for the first time, it can be difficult to properly set the orientation and paper feed conditions when feeding the clear file.

[0052] Example 1

[0053] In this embodiment, printing on clear files is possible by selecting the type of paper (recording material S) to be used for printing from a paper type selection screen. In Example 1, when a clear file is set as the paper type, measures to prevent conveyance problems corresponding to the clear file are taken to prevent folding of the recording material S (clear file), which is one type of conveyance problem for clear files. FIG. 5 is an example diagram of the paper type selection screen. A selection screen 1201 is displayed on the display 111. On the selection screen 1201, any recording material S can be selected, and "clear file" is provided as an optional paper type.

[0054] When the user selects and presses "clear file" from the pull-down menu on the selection screen 1201, the background of the selected area is displayed in inverse video. After that, when the user presses the confirm button 1203, the fact that "clear file" has been selected as the paper type is input to the main control unit 101. The CPU 102 then sets the type of recording material S to "clear file."

[0055] ROM 103 stores setting information (image forming conditions) for image formation to suppress deterioration in conveyance and image quality in accordance with the "clear file." CPU 102 acquires the setting information for the "clear file" from ROM 103 and uses it to control image formation by printer unit 120. This suppresses deterioration in conveyance and image quality when printing on a clear file.

[0056] In this embodiment, folding of recording material S (clear file), which is a specific example of a conveyance problem, is suppressed by displaying a guide screen that calls attention when loading recording material S. The guide screen provides guidance on the paper feed location (stacking section 124) of recording material S (clear file) and the orientation of recording material S (clear file) when loaded.

[0057] 6 is a flowchart showing the process from setting the paper type to starting image formation. Here, the process when using image forming apparatus 100 will be described, but the same process can also be performed when using image forming apparatus 201.

[0058] The main control unit 101 displays a paper type selection screen 1201 of FIG. 5 on the display 111 (S101). The selection screen 1201 is displayed when the user presses a button to start paper type selection, or when the user places the recording material S in the cassette 10 or tray 17. As described above, the main control unit sets the type of recording material S when the user selects a paper type from the selection screen 1201 and presses the confirm button 1203. The main control unit 101 determines whether a clear file has been set as the type of recording material S (S102). When a clear file has been set, this is called the first mode, and when a single sheet other than a clear file that does not have a fixed portion or an open portion has been set, this is called the second mode.

[0059] If a clear file is set (S102: Y), the main control unit 101 displays a setting screen for the paper feed location (paper feed destination) for clear files, as shown in FIG. 7, on the display 111 (S103). The setting screen 1301 for the paper feed location for clear files is a screen in which only specific paper feed locations can be selected, and other paper feed locations cannot be selected. In FIG. 7, paper feed location No. 1 1302, which indicates tray 17, can be selected, and paper feed location No. 2 1303, which indicates cassette 10, cannot be selected. In FIG. 7, paper feed locations that cannot be selected are displayed grayed out and are not enabled even if pressed. When the enter button 1304 is pressed after selecting a paper feed location, the main control unit 101 sets the selected paper feed location.

[0060] For recording materials S having fixed portions, such as clear files, a decrease in conveyance performance can be suppressed by feeding the recording materials S from a paper feed location with fewer curves in the conveyance path. For this reason, in this embodiment, only paper feed location No. 1 1303, which indicates tray 17, can be selected as a specific paper feed location. In other words, tray 17 is suitable for feeding recording materials S for clear files, and cassette 10 is not suitable for feeding recording materials S for clear files.

[0061] The main control unit 101 displays on the display 111 a guide screen showing precautions for printing on a recording material S (clear file) as shown in Fig. 8 (S104). The guide screen 1601 is a guide for preventing creases, which are a type of conveyance defect that can occur during printing, on a recording material S that has one or more sides folded by folding a sheet material, such as a clear file. Specifically, the guide screen 1601 is a message urging the user to place the clear file on the tray 17 with the folded portion of the clear file facing the leading edge in the conveyance direction.

[0062] 9A and 9B show modified examples of the guide screen. The guide screen 1601 in Fig. 9A and 9B instructs the user to place the clear file on the tray 17 with the folded portion facing the leading edge in the conveyance direction, and also instructs the user to specify the printed side. Here, the printed side is the obverse side. 9A is a message urging the user to place the clear file with the folded portion of the clear file facing up in the conveying direction. The image forming apparatus 100 prints an image on the recording material S while conveying it in a horizontal lateral path. In this case, by placing the clear file on the tray 17 with the print surface facing up, the image is printed on the surface of the clear file. 9(b) is a message urging the user to place the clear file with the folded portion of the clear file facing up in the conveying direction. The image forming apparatus 201 prints an image on the recording material S while conveying it in a vertical path. In this case, the clear file is placed on the tray 236 with the front side, which is the printing side, facing down, so that the image is printed on the front side of the clear file.

[0063] 10 and 11 are explanatory diagrams of folding of a clear file. In FIG. 9, the clear file is placed on the tray 17 so that the folded portion is parallel to the conveyance direction. The conveyance path from the tray 17 to the secondary transfer unit T2 has a smaller curvature of the bent portion compared to the conveyance path from the cassette 10 to the secondary transfer unit T2. However, even when the clear file is fed from the tray 17, the file may be folded depending on the angle at which the file is fed by the supply roller 13 and the curvature of the local bent portion of the conveyance path.

[0064] The fold of a clear file folder is a fixed part formed by folding a single sheet and by plastic deformation of the single sheet. The fold formed in this way has less elasticity than when a single sheet is used. Therefore, the clear file folder is weak against bending in the vertical direction perpendicular to the fold, as shown in Figure 11, and may break.

[0065] 12 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which clear files are placed on tray 17 to prevent folds from occurring. Image forming apparatus 100 is designed on the premise of stably conveying sheet-like recording material S, so the curvature in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction is small. Therefore, when conveying a clear file with a fold in image forming apparatus 100, the clear file is placed on tray 17 so that the fold is perpendicular to the conveyance direction. In this state, the curvature of the bend at the fold is small.

[0066] When the user confirms the guide screen 1601 in FIG. 8 or 9 and then presses the OK button 1602, the display of the guide screen 1601 ends, and the user can continue to perform various setting processes for executing the image forming operation. Note that the guide screen is not limited to the screens exemplified in FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a guide screen showing other precautions. The guide screen 1701 is a message urging the user to place the recording material S on the tray 17 so that the fold is perpendicular to the conveying direction and at the rear end in the conveying direction. In this case, when the user confirms the guide screen 1701 in FIG. 13 and then presses the OK button 1702, the display of the guide screen 1701 ends, and the user can continue to perform various setting processes for executing the image forming operation.

[0067] When the display of the guide screen ends, the main control unit 101 displays a single-sided / double-sided setting screen, as shown in Fig. 14, on the display 111 (S105). The user selects single-sided printing or double-sided printing from the single-sided / double-sided setting screen 1401 using the operation unit 110, and presses the OK button 1402. The selection is transmitted from the operation unit 110 to the main control unit 101. The main control unit 101 sets either single-sided printing or double-sided printing based on the selection acquired from the operation unit 110.

[0068] The main control unit 101 determines whether single-sided printing is set (S106). If single-sided printing is set (S106: Y), the main control unit 101 completes the settings necessary for paper passing. In this example, the type of recording material S is clear file, the paper feed location is tray 17, and single-sided printing is set. When the start key 1107 on the operation unit 110 is pressed, the main control unit 101 starts the job with "manual paper feed / single-sided setting" (S107). If double-sided printing is set (S106: N), the main control unit 101 completes the settings necessary for paper passing. In this example, the type of recording material S is clear file, the paper feed location is tray 17, and double-sided printing is set. When the start key 1107 on the operation unit 110 is pressed, the main control unit 101 starts the job with "manual paper feed / double-sided setting" (S108).

[0069] When a job is started with "manual feed / duplex setting," the conveyance direction of the clear file is reversed by the reversing unit 302, so that the file is conveyed with the open end at the leading edge. This can cause paper jams. For this reason, when a job is performed with "manual feed / duplex setting," the clear file is ejected after an image is printed on the front side, and is then placed back on the tray 17 with the printed side facing back. This makes it possible to prevent paper jams by making the open end the leading edge in the conveyance direction.

[0070] 15 is a diagram showing an example of an instruction screen when starting a job with "manual paper feed / duplex setting." This instruction screen is displayed on the display 111 when the process of S108 starts. When the main control unit 101 detects that printing on the front side has finished and a clear file has been placed on the tray 17, it erases the instruction screen of FIG. 15 from the display 111 and starts printing on the back side.

[0071] If a type other than a clear file is set as the type of recording material S (S102: N), the main control unit 101 displays a normal paper feed location setting screen, as shown in FIG. 16, on the display 111 (S109). The normal paper feed location setting screen 1501 is a screen on which all paper feed locations can be selected. In FIG. 16, both paper feed location No. 1, which indicates tray 17, and paper feed location No. 2, which indicates cassette 10, can be selected. By pressing the enter button after selecting a paper feed location, the main control unit 101 sets the selected stacker 124 (paper feed location).

[0072] The main control unit 101 determines whether the set paper feed location is set to tray 17 (manual feed) (S110). If it is set to manual feed (S110: Y), the main control unit 101 displays a single-sided / double-sided setting screen on the display 111, as shown in Fig. 14 (S111). Either single-sided printing or double-sided printing is set on the single-sided / double-sided setting screen, as in the process of S105.

[0073] The main control unit 101 determines whether single-sided printing is set (S112). If single-sided printing is set (S112: Y), the main control unit 101 completes the settings required for paper passing. Here, the type of recording material S is other than clear file, the paper feed location is tray 17, and single-sided printing is set. When the start key 1107 on the operation unit 110 is pressed, the main control unit 101 starts the job with "manual paper feed / single-sided setting" (S113). If double-sided printing is set (S112: N), the main control unit 101 completes the settings required for paper passing. Here, the type of recording material S is other than clear file, the paper feed location is tray 17, and double-sided printing is set. When the start key 1107 on the operation unit 110 is pressed, the main control unit 101 starts the job with "manual paper feed / double-sided setting" (S114). In this case, since the recording material S is not a clear file, the conveying direction of the recording material S is reversed by a reversing unit 302 and double-sided printing is performed.

[0074] If the set paper feed location is set to cassette 10 (S110: N), the main control unit displays a single-sided / double-sided setting screen on the display 111 (S115), as shown in Fig. 14. Either single-sided printing or double-sided printing is set on the single-sided / double-sided setting screen, as in the process of S105.

[0075] The main control unit 101 determines whether single-sided printing is set (S116). If single-sided printing is set (S116: Y), the main control unit 101 completes the settings required for paper passing. Here, the type of recording material S is other than clear file, the paper feed source is cassette 10, and single-sided printing is set. When the start key 1107 on the operation unit 110 is pressed, the main control unit 101 starts the job with "cassette feed / single-sided setting" (S117). If double-sided printing is set (S116: N), the main control unit 101 completes the settings required for paper passing. Here, the type of recording material S is other than clear file, the paper feed source is cassette 10, and double-sided printing is set. When the start key 1107 on the operation unit 110 is pressed, the main control unit 101 starts the job with "cassette feed / double-sided setting" (S118). In this case, since the recording material S is not a clear file, the conveying direction of the recording material S is reversed by a reversing unit 302 and double-sided printing is performed.

[0076] In the present embodiment, various printing-related settings are configured by the user operating the operation unit 110. However, similar processing is possible when the user operates the external device 1000. The external device 1000 is an information processing device equipped with an input device and a display. The external device 1000 has the functions of the main control unit 101 and, for example, a printer driver for using the image forming system 1X is installed in the external device 1000. The printer driver displays screens for selecting items to be set in the screens of FIGS. 5, 7, 14, and 16 on the display of the external device 1000 as the processing progresses. The guide screens of FIGS. 8, 9, and 13 are also displayed as the processing progresses. FIG. 17 is an example of a double-sided printing selection screen displayed on the display 1502 of the external device 1000. This selection screen corresponds to the setting screens of FIGS. 7 and 16. Even when the settings are configured by the external device 1000, printing on a clear file is possible.

[0077] In the above process, when the recording material S is a clear file, the paper feed location is limited to tray 17, and the orientation of the clear file when placed on tray 17 is also indicated. This prevents the recording material S (clear file) from being folded during transport. In this way, even when printing an image on a clear file for the first time, the user can properly know the paper feed location and the orientation when placed.

[0078] Example 2 In Example 1, the occurrence of creases in the recording material S (clear file) was suppressed by limiting the paper feed locations and by calling attention to the orientation when placing the recording material S. In Example 2, a case will be described in which paper jams, another transport problem caused by the characteristics of clear files, are suppressed.

[0079] If a clear file is transported with its open portion at the leading edge in the transport direction, the unfixed side of the open portion will open up during transport, which will reduce the transport speed and may result in transport problems such as paper jams. In order to pass recording material S with an open portion through without paper jams, it is necessary to place the fixed portion at the leading edge in the transport direction when placing it in the paper feed location and not reverse the transport direction by the reversing unit 302. The fixed portion is formed by fixing multiple overlapping sides (edges) to each other, and is provided on at least two sides, for example, the long and short sides, of the clear file.

[0080] In the second embodiment, when a clear file is selected as the recording material S, the fixing part is set to the leading edge side in the conveying direction by calling attention to the orientation of the recording material S when it is placed, as in the first embodiment. In addition, double-sided printing is not performed, and only single-sided printing is permitted, and guiding the recording material S to the conveying path 301 is prohibited, so that the conveying direction is not reversed by the reversing part 302. These measures reduce paper jams when a clear file is selected as the recording material S.

[0081] In this embodiment, even if the recording material S is printed on one side, if the printed side is to be reversed and discharged, the recording material S is first guided to a reversing unit 302. Whether or not to determine the printed side and discharge it can be set as appropriate, so in the case of clear files, the setting is such that the printed side is not reversed.

[0082] 18 is a flowchart showing the process from setting the paper type to starting image formation. Here, the process when using image forming apparatus 100 will be described, but the same process can also be performed when using image forming apparatus 201.

[0083] The type of recording material S is set by the same processes as in S101 and S102 in Fig. 6, and it is determined whether the set type is a clear file (S201, S202). If a clear file is set (S202: Y), the main control unit 101 displays a setting screen for the paper feed location for clear files, as shown in Fig. 7, on the display 111 by the same process as in S103 in Fig. 6 (S203).

[0084] The main control unit 101 displays on the display 111 a guide screen showing precautions for printing on the recording material S (clear file) as shown in FIG. 19 (S204). The guide screen 1801 is a message urging the user to place the clear file on the tray 17 so that the fixed portion of the long side of the clear file is at the leading edge in the conveyance direction. The guide screen 1801 is a guide for preventing paper jams when passing through recording material S that has an open portion, which is an unfixed side, such as a clear file. When the user presses the enter button 1802 after checking the guide screen 1801, the display of the guide screen 1801 ends, and the user can continue to perform various setting processes for executing the image forming operation.

[0085] Here, the user is prompted to place the clear file on tray 17 so that the fixed portion of the long side of the clear file is at the leading edge in the conveying direction, but the leading edge in the conveying direction may be the short side of the clear file. Figure 20 shows an example of a guide screen in this case. During the processing of S204, the guide screen of Figure 20 may be displayed on display 111. Whether the guide screen of Figure 19 or the guide screen of Figure 20 is displayed is determined, for example, depending on the bend in the conveying path of the recording material S.

[0086] For example, in the case of image forming apparatus 100, where recording material S is transported substantially horizontally from tray 17 in a horizontal path, the occurrence of transport failures is suppressed even if the fixed portion of the short side of the clear file is transported in the leading position. In the case of image forming apparatus 201, where recording material S is transported in a vertical direction while bending from tray 236 in a vertical path, the possibility of transport failures occurring is higher when the fixed portion of the short side of the clear file is transported in the leading position than when the fixed portion of the long side is transported in the leading position. For this reason, for example, the guide screen of Fig. 20 is displayed in image forming apparatus 100, and the guide screen of Fig. 19 is displayed in image forming apparatus 201.

[0087] When the display of the guide screen 1801 ends, the main control unit 101 displays a single-sided / double-sided setting screen for clear files, as shown in FIG. 21, on the display 111 (S205). Only specific settings can be selected on the single-sided / double-sided setting screen 1901 for clear files. Specifically, only single-sided printing 1902 can be selected, and double-sided printing 1903 is displayed as grayed out and unselectable. The user selects single-sided printing 1902 from the single-sided / double-sided setting screen 1901 using the operation unit 110 and presses the confirm button 1904. The selection is transmitted from the operation unit 110 to the main control unit 101. The main control unit 101 sets single-sided printing based on the selection acquired from the operation unit 110. By allowing only single-sided printing 1902 to be selected, paper jams can be prevented for recording materials S that have an open section, such as clear files.

[0088] When single-sided printing is set, the main control unit 101 completes the settings necessary for paper passing. Here, the type of recording material S is set to clear file, the paper feed location is set to tray 17, and single-sided printing is set. When the start key 1107 on the operation unit 110 is pressed, the main control unit 101 starts the job with "manual paper feed / single-sided / straight paper output settings" (S206). The processing of S207 to S216 is the same as the processing of S109 to S118 in FIG. 6, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0089] As in the first embodiment, double-sided printing on a clear file is possible by temporarily ejecting the clear file with an image printed on the front side out of the machine and then prompting the user to place the clear file with the printed side facing back on tray 17. Therefore, for example, double-sided printing may be enabled by displaying the single-sided / double-sided setting screen in Fig. 14 in the process of S205 and displaying the instruction screen in Fig. 15 at the start of the job.

[0090] As in the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, the user can operate the external device 1000 to make various settings related to printing. On the display of the external device 1000, a screen for selecting items to be set on the screens of Fig. 5, Fig. 7, and Fig. 21 is displayed by the printer driver as the processing progresses. In addition, the guide screen of Fig. 19 or Fig. 20 is also displayed as the processing progresses. Even when the settings are made by the external device 1000, printing onto a clear file is possible.

[0091] In the above process, when the recording material S is a clear file, the paper feed location is limited to tray 17, the orientation of the clear file when placed on tray 17 is also indicated, and only single-sided printing is possible. This reduces the occurrence of paper jams while the recording material S (clear file) is being transported. In this way, even when printing an image on a clear file for the first time, the user can properly know the paper feed location and the orientation when placed. Note that allowing only single-sided printing without double-sided printing and prohibiting the guidance of the recording material S to the reversing unit 302 may be introduced into the first embodiment.

[0092] Example 3 In Example 1, the occurrence of creases in the recording material S (clear file) is suppressed by limiting the paper feed locations and restricting the orientation of the recording material S when it is placed, and in Example 2, the occurrence of paper jams in the clear file is suppressed by restricting the orientation of the recording material S when it is conveyed. In Example 3, an example that combines these will be described.

[0093] In this case, a guide screen is displayed on the display 111 to prompt the user to place the clear file on the tray 17 with the fixed portion of the long side of the clear file at the leading edge in the transport direction. Fig. 22 shows an example of the guide screen in this case. This guide screen is displayed on the display 111 in the process of S104 in Fig. 6 or in the process of S204 in Fig. 18. As with the second embodiment, double-sided printing may be prohibited when the recording material S is a clear file, but as with the first embodiment, it may be possible to perform single-sided printing twice.

[0094] As in the first and second embodiments, in the third embodiment, the user can configure various settings related to printing by operating the external device 1000. The printer driver displays the guide screen of Fig. 22 on the display of the external device 1000 as the processing progresses. Even when the settings are configured by the external device 1000, printing onto a clear file is possible.

[0095] In the above process, when the recording material S is a clear file, the paper feed location is limited to tray 17, and the orientation of the clear file when placed on tray 17 is also indicated. This prevents the recording material S (clear file) from being folded or jammed while being transported. In this way, even when printing an image on a clear file for the first time, the user can properly know the paper feed location and the orientation when placing it.

Claims

1. a selection means for selecting a first mode for forming an image on a first recording material having a closed first side, a closed second side, an open third side, and an open fourth side; stacking means for stacking the first recording material; an image forming means for forming an image on the first recording material conveyed from the stacking means; a display means; When the first mode is selected by the selection means, the display means displays a message urging the user to place the first recording material on the stacking means so that the leading edge of the first recording material in the conveyance direction is the first side. Image forming device.

2. The first side is longer than the second side.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

3. the first side is formed by folding a sheet of the first recording material, The second side is formed by folding the sheet material to close the overlapping side.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

4. a conveying path extending in a vertical direction perpendicular to a bottom surface of the image forming apparatus; a conveying unit that conveys the first recording material from the stacking unit to the image forming unit by conveying the first recording material from the lower side to the upper side of the conveying path, When the first mode is selected by the selection means, the display means displays a message prompting the user to place the first recording material on the stacking means with the print surface of the first recording material facing downwards.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

5. a conveying path extending horizontally on a bottom surface of the image forming apparatus; a conveying means for conveying the first recording material from the stacking means to the image forming means via the conveying path, When the first mode is selected by the selection means, the display means displays a message prompting the user to place the first recording material on the stacking means with the print surface of the first recording material facing up.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

6. a double-sided conveying path for inverting the recording material on which the image has been printed by the image forming means on a first side thereof and conveying the recording material again to the image forming means; a discharge means for discharging the recording material; a conveying means for conveying the recording material, When the first mode is selected by the selection means and double-sided printing is set, the conveying means causes the image forming means to print an image on the first side of the first recording material, and then discharges the first recording material to the discharge means without guiding the first recording material to the double-sided conveying path.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

7. the display means displays a message urging the user to place the first recording material discharged to the discharge means on the stacking means in a second orientation that is inverted from a first orientation when the first recording material was placed on the stacking means in order to print an image on the first side.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6.

8. The loading means includes a first loading means and a second loading means, a first curvature of a first transport path from the first stacking means to the image forming means is smaller than a second curvature of a second transport path from the second stacking means to the image forming means; When the first mode is selected by the selection means, the display means displays a setting screen on which the first stacking means can be set as a paper feed destination of the first recording material.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

9. the display means displays a message prompting the user to place the first recording material on the stacking means so that the first side of the first recording material is perpendicular to the conveyance direction.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.

10. The display means displays a setting screen on which only single-sided printing can be set when the first mode is selected by the selection means.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

11. The first recording material is a clear file.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

12. When the selection means selects a second mode in which an image is formed on a second recording material that does not have a closed side, the display means does not display the message.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

13. An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with an image forming apparatus including a stacking means for stacking recording materials and an image forming means for forming an image on the recording materials conveyed from the stacking means, a selection means for selecting a first mode for forming an image on a first recording material having a closed first side, a closed second side, an open third side, and an open fourth side; a display means; When the first mode is selected by the selection means, the display means displays a message urging the user to place the first recording material on the stacking means so that the leading edge of the first recording material in the conveyance direction is the first side. Information processing device.

14. the image forming apparatus further includes a transport path extending in a vertical direction perpendicular to a bottom surface of the image forming apparatus, and a transport unit that transports the first recording material from the bottom side to the top side of the transport path, thereby transporting the first recording material from the stacking unit to the image forming unit, When the first mode is selected by the selection means, the display means displays a message prompting the user to place the first recording material on the stacking means with the print surface of the first recording material facing downwards.

14. The information processing device according to claim 13.

15. the image forming apparatus further includes a transport path extending in a horizontal direction parallel to a bottom surface of the image forming apparatus, and a transport unit that transports the first recording material from the stacking unit to the image forming unit via the transport path, When the first mode is selected by the selection means, the display means displays a message prompting the user to place the first recording material on the stacking means with the print surface of the first recording material facing up.

14. The information processing device according to claim 13.

16. The image forming apparatus further comprises a double-sided conveying path for inverting the recording material on which an image has been printed by the image forming means and conveying the recording material again to the image forming means, and a discharge means for discharging the recording material, and when performing double-sided printing on the first recording material, after causing the image forming means to print an image on the first side of the first recording material, the first recording material is discharged to the discharge means without being guided to the double-sided conveying path, the display means displays a message urging the user to place the first recording material discharged to the discharge means on the stacking means in a second orientation that is inverted from a first orientation when the first recording material was placed on the stacking means in order to print an image on the first side.

14. The information processing device according to claim 13.

17. the stacking means of the image forming apparatus has a first stacking means and a second stacking means, and a first curvature of a first transport path from the first stacking means to the image forming means is smaller than a second curvature of a second transport path from the second stacking means to the image forming means, When the first mode is selected by the selection means, the display means displays a setting screen on which the first stacking means can be set as a paper feed destination of the first recording material.

14. The information processing device according to claim 13.

18. the first side is longer than the second side; the display means displays a message prompting the user to place the first recording material on the stacking means so that the first side of the first recording material is perpendicular to the conveyance direction.

14. The information processing device according to claim 13.

19. The display means displays a setting screen on which only single-sided printing can be set when the first mode is selected by the selection means.

14. The information processing device according to claim 13.

20. When the selection means selects a second mode in which an image is formed on a second recording material that does not have a closed side, the display means does not display the message.

14. The information processing device according to claim 13.

Images