Image forming apparatus, control method thereof, and program

Abstract

To solve the problem in which: in an image forming apparatus that is not equipped with a sensor for detecting a paper size set in a sheet stacking section, an end of a previously conveyed sheet cannot be detected; therefore, conveyance of a subsequent sheet is started after a time interval assuming a longest sheet that can be conveyed from a start of conveyance of the preceding sheet; as a result, as the length of the longest sheet increases, a conveyance interval between sheets becomes longer, thereby reducing printing speed.SOLUTION: When a free size is set as paper information of the sheet stacking section, it is determined whether an image size of a print job exceeds a predetermined size. When it is determined that the image size of the print job exceeds the predetermined size, a size of a sheet to be used in the print job is set to a maximum size of an irregular-shaped sheet that printing means can print. On the other hand, when it is determined that the image size of the print job does not exceed the predetermined size, the size of the sheet to be used in the print job is set to a maximum size of a regular-shaped sheet that the printing means can print.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Image forming devices equipped with a sheet stacking unit print images on sheets transported from the sheet stacking unit. The sheet stacking unit can accommodate sheets of various sizes. These sizes include standard sheets with fixed length and width dimensions, such as A4 and B5, as well as non-standard sheets with no predefined length and width dimensions. Standard sheets are used for printing general office documents, while non-standard sheets are often used for printing specialized documents. Some image forming devices are capable of transporting sheets with the short edge leading (i.e., portrait orientation) or the long edge leading (i.e., landscape orientation).

[0003] The user who loads sheets into the sheet stacking section must associate which type of sheet (standard size sheets such as A5 or B5, or non-standard size sheets with pre-specified length and width dimensions, etc.) is loaded into which sheet stacking section and set it as paper information. It is also necessary to set whether the sheet is set so that it is transported with its short side or long side as the leading edge.

[0004] In this way, based on the paper information set by the user in the image forming device and the information set for the image to be printed (what size sheet to print on and in what orientation), a determination is made as to whether printing is possible on the sheet loaded in the sheet stacking section of the image forming device. Alternatively, if printing cannot be performed, a determination is made as to whether to display an error message. In this way, it is possible to prevent printing errors, such as printing an image on an incorrectly set sheet (a sheet that does not match the size or orientation of the image to be printed).

[0005] It is also known to set the sheet size as "free size." For users who frequently switch between different size sheets, setting the sheet size and orientation each time a sheet is loaded into the sheet stacking section can be cumbersome. To address this issue, a "free size" option is provided, and when the user sets "free size," printing is performed regardless of the information set for the image to be printed (which size sheet to print on, which orientation to print in, whether it is a standard or custom size).

[0006] On the other hand, in the free size setting, the type of sheet loaded in the sheet stacking section is not set, so it is possible to perform different printing operations depending on the loaded sheet. For example, in electrophotographic printing, different printing operations depending on the type of sheet may involve changing the conveyance speed when fixing an image on the sheet.

[0007] Patent Document 1 describes that in a print mode in which the size of paper used for printing is not specified, the first of the stacked sheets is conveyed, and image data for the second sheet is generated before the size of the first sheet is detected by a sensor installed in the conveyance path, thereby speeding up the start of printing the image data for the second sheet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-142527 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] However, in image forming devices that do not incorporate a sensor for detecting the size of paper loaded in the sheet stacking section in order to reduce costs, the end of a previously conveyed sheet cannot be detected. Therefore, the conveyance of subsequent sheets begins after the start of conveyance of the preceding sheet, with a time interval based on the maximum length of paper that can be fed. This creates a problem: the longer the length of the maximum length of paper, the longer the conveyance interval between sheets, resulting in a slower printing speed. For example, if the maximum length of paper that can be fed is 1200 mm, such as long paper, then the free size setting will result in a printing speed that is equivalent to that for printing on long paper, regardless of the sheet type.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the prior art.

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for improving printing performance by switching the conveyance speed of a sheet set to a free size depending on the image size of a print job. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention has the following configuration: An image forming apparatus, a printing means capable of printing an image on a sheet fed from a sheet stacking section; a first setting means for setting a free size to the paper information of the sheet stacking section; a first determination means for determining whether a free size is set in paper information of the sheet stacking unit when a print job using sheets of the sheet stacking unit is executed; a second determination means for determining whether the image size of the print job exceeds a predetermined size when the first determination means determines that a free size is set; When the second determination means determines that the image size of the print job exceeds a predetermined size, the size of the sheet used in the print job is set to the maximum size of non-standard size paper that can be printed by the printing means, and printing by the printing means is controlled; The method is characterized in that it has a control means that, when the second determination means determines that the image size of the print job does not exceed a predetermined size, controls printing by the printing means by setting the size of the sheet used in the print job to the maximum size of standard paper that the printing means can print on. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, the conveying speed of a sheet set to a free size is changed depending on the image size of a print job, thereby improving printing performance.

[0014] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the same or similar elements are designated by the same reference numerals. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a printing system including an image forming apparatus that is an example of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an external view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment when a manual feed tray provided therein is used as a sheet supply source. [Figure 3] FIG. 1A shows an example of an operation screen for setting the size and orientation of sheets to be loaded on a manual feed tray, which is displayed on a display unit of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment; and FIG. 1B is a flowchart explaining a printing process by an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process for determining paper feed control associated with a printing operation when a manual feed tray is used as a sheet supply source in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 5A to 5C are diagrams for explaining the paper feed control instructed in steps S403, S404, and S405 in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of an operation screen displayed on a display unit of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process for determining paper feed control associated with a printing operation when a manual feed tray is used as a sheet supply source in an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention claimed. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0017] <Embodiment 1> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a printing system including an image forming apparatus 101, which is an example of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] The image forming apparatus 101 includes a controller unit 102, a display unit 103, an operation unit 104, and a printer unit 105. The display unit 103 includes, for example, an LED or LCD display, and displays user operations and the internal status of the apparatus. The operation unit 104 accepts user operations via a group of hard keys or the touch panel function of the display unit 103. When the printer unit 105 accepts a print instruction from the controller unit 102, it prints an image on a sheet based on image data sent from the controller unit 102. The sheet may be plain paper, cardboard, transparent film, or the like. To reduce costs, the image forming apparatus 101 according to the embodiment does not include a detection unit, such as a sensor, for detecting the size of a sheet set in the sheet stacking unit. The printer unit 105 also supports printing on long paper (1200 mm).

[0019] The controller unit 102 includes a CPU 107, a ROM 108, a RAM 109, a hard disk drive (HDD) 110, and an EEPROM 111. The CPU 107 is an execution medium for a control program built into the image forming apparatus 101, and controls the operation of devices connected to the controller unit 102 via each I / F and memory of a storage medium. The ROM 108 is a read-only memory that stores a boot program required for system startup. The RAM 109 is a volatile memory that is used as a work memory when executing the control program. The HDD 110 is a storage medium such as a magnetic disk, and stores the control program, image data, and the like. The EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) 111 is a non-volatile memory that stores setting values ​​and the like required when the control program is executed.

[0020] In the embodiment, the image forming apparatus 101 is configured such that one CPU 107 executes each process shown in the flowcharts described below using one memory (RAM 109), but other configurations are also possible. For example, each process can be executed by multiple CPUs, multiple RAMs, or HDDs and SSDs working together. Also, some of the processes described below can be executed using hardware circuits such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0021] The CPU 107 receives PDL data from an external device, the PC 113, via a network such as the LAN / WAN 112, and can cause the printer unit 105 to execute printing based on the received PDL data (a PDL job). This PDL data includes information such as the size of the image to be printed (for example, whether to print on A5-sized paper or on non-standard-sized paper), the orientation of the image (portrait or landscape), etc. This PDL data is generated by a printer driver installed in the host computer, the PC 113. Hereinafter, the settings on the PC 113 side are assumed to be settings made via a screen displayed by the printer driver.

[0022] FIG. 2 is an external view of the image forming apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment when a manual feed tray provided therein is used as a sheet supply source.

[0023] The image forming apparatus 101 is equipped with a manual feed tray and a paper feed cassette (not shown) as sheet stacking units that can be used as sheet supply sources. The paper feed cassette can hold more sheets than the manual feed tray, but it takes more time to replace the sheets. On the other hand, the manual feed tray can hold a smaller number of sorts than the paper feed cassette, but it is easier to replace the sheets, and it can be said to be suitable for frequently switching between sheets of different sizes.

[0024] The manual feed tray is also provided with a sensor (not shown) that detects whether a sheet has been loaded. Based on a signal from this sensor, CPU 107 detects whether a sheet has been removed from the manual feed tray by the user or whether a sheet has been loaded on the manual feed tray.

[0025] 2(a) shows a case where an A5 size sheet is set in portrait orientation and conveyed with the short side at the leading edge. FIG. 2(b) shows a case where an A5 size sheet is set in landscape orientation and conveyed with the long side at the leading edge. In this way, A5 size sheets can be set in both portrait and landscape orientations on the manual feed tray of image forming apparatus 101.

[0026] On the other hand, FIG. 2(c) shows a case where a B5 size sheet is set in portrait orientation and conveyed with the short side at the leading edge.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2(c), a B5-sized sheet can be placed in portrait orientation on the manual feed tray of the image forming apparatus 101, but a B5-sized sheet cannot be placed in landscape orientation. In order to print on a B5-sized sheet placed in landscape orientation and transported with its long side at the leading edge, the printable width in the main scanning direction of the image forming apparatus 101 must be longer than the length of the long side of the B5. However, because the image forming apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment is a relatively small image forming apparatus, the printable width in the main scanning direction is shorter than the length of the long side of the B5. For this reason, a B5-sized sheet can only be transported with its short side at the leading edge and printed on.

[0028] 3A is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen for setting the size and orientation of sheets to be loaded on the manual feed tray, which is displayed on the display unit 103 of the image forming apparatus 101 according to the embodiment 1. This operation screen is displayed on the display unit 103.

[0029] This operation screen displays the following options: "B5," "A5 portrait," "A5 landscape," "custom size," and "free size." In the example shown in FIG. 3A, "A5 portrait" is selected. As described above with reference to FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 101 can load A5-size sheets in both portrait and landscape orientations, so the options "A5 portrait" and "A5 landscape" are provided. On the other hand, B5-size sheets can only be loaded in portrait orientation, so only one option, "B5," is provided. When "B5" is selected, the image is printed in the orientation corresponding to when a B5-size sheet is transported with its short edge at the leading edge. Here, "B5," "A5 portrait," and "A5 landscape" are standard paper sizes with fixed vertical and horizontal dimensions. Although not shown in FIG. 3A, the sheet type options include all standard paper sizes supported by the printer unit 105.

[0030] When "user-defined size" is selected, the user can set the length and width (main scanning direction and sub-scanning direction) of the sheet via the operation unit 104. Whether the leading edge of the sheet is on the long side or the short side depends on the length and width sizes set by the user, so there are no length and width options for "user-defined size" on the operation screen. Here, "user-defined size" is used when non-standard size paper, whose length and width are not set, is used.

[0031] "Free size" is an option provided for cases where different sizes of sheets are frequently switched between. The problem is that it is cumbersome for the user to set the sheet size and orientation each time a sheet is set. When "Free size" is set, printing is performed regardless of the information set for the image to be printed (which size sheet and which orientation to print on). The settings made on this operation screen are stored (retained) in EEPROM 111, but may also be stored in RAM 109 or HDD 110.

[0032] 3(b) is a flowchart illustrating print processing by the image forming apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment. Each operation (step) shown in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 107 of the image forming apparatus 101 loading a control program stored in, for example, the HDD 110 or the ROM 108 into the RAM 109 and executing the program.

[0033] First, in S301, CPU 107 receives a print job transmitted from, for example, PC 113. Next, the process proceeds to S302, where CPU 107 determines whether to execute the received print job using sheets from the manual feed tray. This determination may be made based on the paper feed destination setting included in the received print job, or may be made based on whether the image forming apparatus 101 is set to print using sheets from the manual feed tray. If it is determined that the print job will be executed using sheets from the manual feed tray, the process proceeds to S303, where CPU 107 determines paper feed control for executing the print job according to the flowchart in FIG. 4, which will be described later. Then, the process proceeds to S304, where CPU 107 executes the print job and performs printing according to the paper feed control determined in S303.

[0034] On the other hand, if the CPU 107 determines in S302 that the print job will not be executed using sheets from the manual feed tray, the process proceeds to S305. In S305, the CPU 107 executes normal printing processing, feeding sheets from the paper feed unit specified in the received print job and controlling the paper feed according to the size of the sheets.

[0035] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process for determining paper feed control associated with a printing operation when a manual feed tray is used as a sheet supply source in image forming apparatus 101 according to embodiment 1. Each operation (step) shown in this flowchart is realized by CPU 107 of image forming apparatus 101 loading a control program stored in HDD 110 or ROM 108, for example, into RAM 109 and executing it.

[0036] First, in S401, the CPU 107 refers to the EEPROM 111 and determines whether the setting on the operation screen of FIG. 3A is "free size." If it determines that it is "free size," the process proceeds to S402. If it determines that it is not "free size," the process proceeds to S405. In S402, the CPU 107 determines whether the image size of the PDL data included in the print job sent from the PC 113 exceeds the default size. Here, the CPU 107 uses the maximum size of standard paper that can be processed by the printer unit 105 of the image forming apparatus 101 as the default size. Now, if the maximum size of standard paper that can be processed by the printer unit 105 is, for example, A3, the default size is 420 mm. If the CPU 107 determines in S402 that the image size of the PDL data exceeds this default size, the process proceeds to S403. If it determines that it does not exceed the default size, the process proceeds to S404. In S403, the CPU 107 determines that the printer unit 105 should control the feeding of sheets fed from the manual feed tray at the maximum size for non-standard paper. In this case, if the printer unit 105 supports long paper, in S304 it prints at a transport speed equivalent to that for printing on long paper.

[0037] On the other hand, if the CPU 107 determines in S402 that the image size of the PDL data does not exceed the predetermined size, the process proceeds to S404. In S404, the CPU 107 determines that the paper feed control for sheets fed from the manual feed tray should be performed at the maximum size for standard paper. In this case, if the maximum size for standard paper is A3, for example, the printer unit 105 prints at a transport speed equivalent to printing on an A3 sheet in S304.

[0038] If the size is not free size, the process proceeds to S405, and the CPU 107 determines that the printer unit 105 should perform paper feed control according to the sheet size set on the operation screen of FIG. 3(a).

[0039] As described above, when a print job is executed using sheets in the manual feed tray and the sheet size of the manual feed tray is set to free size, the image size included in the print job is determined. If the image size exceeds the default size, which is the maximum size of standard paper that can be processed by this image forming device, printing is performed at a sheet transport speed equivalent to when sheets of the maximum size of non-standard paper are used. On the other hand, if the image size included in the print job does not exceed the default size, printing is performed at a sheet transport speed equivalent to when sheets of the maximum size of standard paper are used.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the paper feed control instructed in S403, S404, and S405 of FIG. 4. Note that arrows (1) and (2) in FIG. 5 indicate the time it takes for the printer unit 105 to transport one page corresponding to the sheet type. In the first embodiment, the printing speed of the printer unit 105 is a speed at which 60 A4 landscape sheets can be printed per minute (60 ppm: Print Per Minute). The spacing between multiple pages is controlled so that the printer unit 105 requires one second for A4 landscape (210 mm), two seconds for A3 (420 mm), and six seconds for long paper (1200 mm) to transport each sheet.

[0041] FIG. 5(a) shows an example in which paper is fed at the paper size set for the manual feed tray selected on the operation screen in S405 of FIG. 4. The printer unit 105 controls paper feeding based on the image size sent from the controller unit 102 and the paper information set for the manual feed tray. The printer unit 105 prints each sheet at 60 ppm for A4 landscape, 30 ppm for A3, and 10 ppm for long paper. In the case of FIG. 5(a), the paper information for the manual feed tray and the image size match. This allows the printer unit 105 to print by feeding paper at an interval appropriate for each sheet type, preventing delays in printing speed.

[0042] FIG. 5B shows an example of feeding paper at the maximum size for non-standard paper in step S403 of FIG. 4. The printer unit 105 starts printing the image sent from the controller unit 102 on long paper (1200 mm), the maximum size for non-standard paper. At this time, the printer unit 105 controls paper feeding at a sheet printing speed of 10 ppm. As shown in FIG. 5B, if the sheets loaded in the manual feed tray are A4 landscape, a five-second wait time occurs between the first and second sheets. Similarly, if the sheets loaded in the manual feed tray are A3, a four-second wait time occurs between the first and second sheets. Thus, when the image forming apparatus 101 cannot detect the end of a sheet in the sheet stacking unit set to free size, it controls paper feeding based on the longest paper size that can be passed, as shown in FIG. 5B. This resulted in a problem: the longer the longest paper size, the slower the paper feed speed.

[0043] FIG. 5(c) shows an example of feeding paper at the maximum standard size in S404 of FIG. 4. The printer unit 105 starts printing the image sent from the controller unit 102, assuming that it will be printed on an A3-sized sheet (420 mm), the maximum standard size. At this time, the printer unit 105 controls paper feeding at a sheet printing speed of 30 ppm. As shown in FIG. 5(c), if the sheets set in the manual feed tray are A4 landscape, there is a one-second wait time between the first and second sheets. Also, if the sheets set in the manual feed tray are A3, printing is possible without any wait time between sheets.

[0044] In this way, when the manual feed tray is set to free size and the image size included in the print job does not exceed the default size, the image forming apparatus 101 controls to feed paper of the maximum size for standard paper. This allows the image forming apparatus 101 to start conveying subsequent sheets and perform printing without waiting for the maximum size for non-standard paper, even when the manual feed tray is set to free size, thereby preventing a decrease in printing speed.

[0045] As described above, according to the first embodiment, when a print job is executed using sheets from the manual feed tray, if the manual feed tray is set to free size, a determination is made as to whether the image size of the print job exceeds the default size. If the default size is not exceeded, paper feed control is performed using the maximum size for standard paper. This has the effect of maintaining productivity by reducing the decrease in printing speed for standard paper, even when using a sheet stacking unit set to free size.

[0046] <Embodiment 2> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment described above, when using sheets in a sheet stacking section set to free size, if the image size of the print job does not exceed the default size, printing is performed assuming that the image is printed on the maximum size of standard paper. In contrast, in the second embodiment, an example will be described in which the user selects whether to use the automatic determination mode and specifies the default size via the operation unit 104 of the image forming apparatus. The system configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the same parts as those described in the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on the display unit 103 of the image forming apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment.

[0048] Figure 6(a) shows an example screen for selecting whether to automatically switch the sheet feed control for sheets from a sheet stacker set to free size according to the image size of the print job. This screen displays the options "ON" and "OFF," with "ON" selected in Figure 6(a). When the automatic determination mode is set to "ON" (enabled), sheet feed control is performed based on whether the image size of the print job exceeds the default size set on the screen in Figure 6(b). On the other hand, when the automatic determination mode is set to "OFF" (disabled), when using sheets from a sheet stacker set to free size, paper feed control is performed assuming that printing will be performed on sheets of the maximum size for non-standard paper, regardless of the size of the image data included in the print job.

[0049] FIG. 6B shows an example of an operation screen for setting a default size value for switching the sheet transport method for free size in the second embodiment. On this screen, the default size range can be specified from the maximum standard paper size (A3 in this example) that can be fed by the printer unit 105 to the maximum non-standard paper size (long paper in this example). That is, values ​​from 420.0 mm to 1200.0 mm can be set. In FIG. 6B, the initial value is set to "420 mm," which corresponds to the maximum standard size A3 sheet. When button 601 is pressed (selected), the set value increases, and when button 602 is pressed (selected), the set value decreases. Note that the default size is specified by length here, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the default size may be specified by standard sizes such as A4 and A3.

[0050] In Fig. 6(a), if the automatic determination mode is set to "OFF", the default size set on the screen in Fig. 6(b) will not be used. The settings on the screen in Fig. 6 are stored in the EEPROM 111, RAM 109 or HDD 110.

[0051] 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process for determining paper feed control associated with a printing operation in the image forming apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment when a manual feed tray is used as a sheet supply source. Each operation (step) illustrated in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 107 of the image forming apparatus 101 loading a control program stored in, for example, the HDD 110 or the ROM 108 into the RAM 109 and executing it. Note that in FIG. 7, processes common to those in the flowchart of FIG. 4 according to the first embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. FIG. 7 illustrates a printing operation when the free-size sheet transport automatic determination mode is set to "ON" and a default size is set on the screens of FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) via the operation unit 104 by the user.

[0052] If the CPU 107 determines in S401 that the setting on the operation screen in Fig. 3(a) is "free size," the process proceeds to S701. In S701, the CPU 107 reads the settings on the screen in Fig. 6, for example, from the HDD 110, and determines whether the automatic determination mode setting is "OFF" on the screen in Fig. 6(a). If it determines that the setting is "OFF," the process proceeds to S403, where it determines that manual sheet feed control should be performed at the maximum size for non-standard paper, and the process ends.

[0053] On the other hand, if it is determined in S701 that the automatic determination mode is set to "ON," the process proceeds to S702. In S702, the CPU 107 acquires the default size set on the screen of FIG. 6B and determines whether the image size of the received print job exceeds the default size. If the CPU 107 determines in S702 that the image size exceeds the default size, the process proceeds to S403, and if it determines that the image size does not exceed the default size, the process proceeds to S404.

[0054] The above describes a method for determining sheet feed control for an image forming apparatus equipped with a printer unit capable of printing images on sheets conveyed from a manual feed tray when the size of the sheets conveyed from the manual feed tray is set to free size. Specifically, when the size of the sheets conveyed from the manual feed tray is set to free size, the method determines whether the image size of the print job exceeds a default size, and determines sheet feed control based on the determination result. This prevents the conveyance speed of free-size sheets from being fixed at the maximum size for non-standard paper, thereby improving printing speed, even in an image forming apparatus that does not have a detection unit for detecting the size of sheets set in the sheet stacking section. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the automatic determination mode for free-size sheet conveyance can be turned on / off and the default size can be set. This allows the user to select sheet feed control for the maximum size of standard paper or the maximum size of non-standard paper based on the user's desired image size.

[0055] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0056] The present specification and drawings disclose the following image forming apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program.

[0057] <Item 1> An image forming apparatus, a printing means capable of printing an image on a sheet fed from a sheet stacking section; a first setting means for setting a free size to the paper information of the sheet stacking section; a first determination means for determining whether a free size is set in paper information of the sheet stacking unit when a print job using sheets of the sheet stacking unit is executed; a second determination means for determining whether the image size of the print job exceeds a predetermined size when the first determination means determines that a free size is set; When the second determination means determines that the image size of the print job exceeds a predetermined size, the size of the sheet used in the print job is set to the maximum size of non-standard size paper that can be printed by the printing means, and printing by the printing means is controlled; a control means for controlling printing by the printing means, when the second determination means determines that the image size of the print job does not exceed a predetermined size, by setting the size of a sheet used in the print job to the maximum size of standard paper that can be printed by the printing means; An image forming apparatus comprising:

[0058] <Item 2> The device further includes a second setting means for setting whether or not the control by the control means is enabled in accordance with the determination result by the second determination means, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls printing by the printing unit in accordance with the determination result by the second determination unit based on the setting by the second setting unit.

[0059] <Item 3> Item 2 is an image forming apparatus characterized in that, when the setting by the second setting means is a setting that disables the control by the control means in accordance with the determination result by the second determination means, the control means controls printing by the printing means by setting the size of the sheet used in the print job to the maximum size of standard paper that the printing means can print on.

[0060] <Item 4> 4. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the predetermined size is the maximum size of standard paper that can be printed by the printing unit.

[0061] <Item 5> 5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 4, further comprising a designation unit that designates the default size in response to a user operation.

[0062] <Item 6> 6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the sheet stacking unit is a manual feed tray.

[0063] <Item 7> 7. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein the maximum size of the standard paper is A3 size.

[0064] <Item 8> 8. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 7, wherein the maximum size of the irregular sized paper is the size of a long sheet of paper.

[0065] <Item 9> The image forming apparatus described in any one of items 1 to 8 is characterized in that the image forming apparatus does not have a sensor that detects the size of the sheets loaded in the sheet stacking section or the sheets fed from the sheet stacking section.

[0066] <Item 10> A control method for an image forming apparatus having a printing unit capable of printing an image on a sheet fed from a sheet stacking unit, comprising: a setting step of setting a free size to paper information of the sheet stacking unit; a first determination step of determining whether a free size is set in paper information of the sheet stacking unit when a print job using sheets of the sheet stacking unit is executed; a second determination step of determining whether the image size of the print job exceeds a predetermined size when it is determined in the first determination step that a free size is set; a step of controlling printing by the printing means, when the second determination step determines that the image size of the print job exceeds a predetermined size, setting the size of the sheet used in the print job to the maximum size of irregular paper that can be printed by the printing means; a step of controlling printing by the printing means by setting the size of a sheet used in the print job to the maximum size of standard paper that can be printed by the printing means when the second determination step determines that the image size of the print job does not exceed a predetermined size; A control method comprising:

[0067] <Item 11> Item 11. The control method according to item 10, wherein the predetermined size is the maximum size of standard paper that can be printed by the printing means.

[0068] <Item 12> 12. The control method according to item 10 or 11, wherein the maximum size of the irregular paper is the size of a long paper.

[0069] <Item 13> A program that causes a computer to execute each step of the control method described in any one of items 10 to 12.

[0070] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 101...image forming apparatus, 102...controller unit, 103...display unit, 104...operation unit, 105...printer unit, 107...CPU, 110...HDD

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus, a printing means capable of printing an image on a sheet fed from a sheet stacking section; a first setting unit capable of setting a free size to the paper information of the sheet stacking unit; a first determination means for determining whether a free size is set in paper information of the sheet stacking unit when a print job using sheets of the sheet stacking unit is executed; a second determining means for determining whether the image size of the print job exceeds a predetermined size when the first determining means determines that a free size is set; When the second determination means determines that the image size of the print job exceeds a predetermined size, the size of the sheet used in the print job is set to the maximum size of irregular paper that can be printed by the printing means, and printing by the printing means is controlled; a control means for controlling printing by the printing means, when the second determination means determines that the image size of the print job does not exceed a predetermined size, by setting the size of a sheet used in the print job to the maximum size of standard paper that can be printed by the printing means; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. a second setting unit configured to set whether or not the control by the control unit is enabled in accordance with the determination result by the second determination unit; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls printing by the printing unit in accordance with the determination result by the second determination unit, based on the setting by the second setting unit.

3. An image forming apparatus as described in claim 2, characterized in that when the setting by the second setting means is a setting that disables the control by the control means in accordance with the judgment result by the second judgment means, the control means controls printing by the printing means by setting the size of the sheet used in the print job to the maximum size of standard paper that the printing means can print on.

4. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined size is a maximum size of standard paper that can be printed by the printing unit.

5. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a designation unit for designating the predetermined size in response to a user's operation.

6. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet stacking unit is a manual feed tray.

7. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the maximum size of the standard paper is A3 size.

8. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the maximum size of the irregular paper is a lengthy paper size.

9. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus does not have a sensor for detecting the size of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking unit or the size of the sheets fed from the sheet stacking unit.

10. A control method for an image forming apparatus having a printing unit capable of printing an image on a sheet fed from a sheet stacking unit, comprising: a setting step of setting a free size to paper information of the sheet stacking unit; a first determination step of determining whether a free size is set in paper information of the sheet stacking unit when a print job using sheets of the sheet stacking unit is executed; a second determination step of determining whether the image size of the print job exceeds a predetermined size when it is determined in the first determination step that a free size is set; a step of controlling printing by the printing means, when the second determination step determines that the image size of the print job exceeds a predetermined size, setting the size of the sheet used in the print job to the maximum size of irregular paper that can be printed by the printing means; a step of controlling printing by the printing means by setting the size of a sheet used in the print job to the maximum size of standard paper that can be printed by the printing means when the second determination step determines that the image size of the print job does not exceed a predetermined size; A control method comprising:

11. 11. The control method according to claim 10, wherein the predetermined size is a maximum size of standard paper that can be printed by the printing means.

12. 11. The control method according to claim 10, wherein the maximum size of the irregular sized paper is the size of a long paper.

13. A program that causes a computer to execute each step of the control method according to any one of claims 10 to 12.

Images