Image forming apparatus, its control method and program

Abstract

The purpose of the paper output tray switching function based on a specified number of sheets is to prevent a bundle of sheets specified by the user from being split and output to multiple output trays. [Solution] The image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises a printing means, a plurality of output trays including a first output tray, a second output tray, and a third output tray, from which paper printed with an image by the printing means is discharged, a receiving means for receiving a number of sheets specified by the user, and a switching means for switching the output tray that discharges the paper for each specified number of sheets, wherein the switching means does not switch to the first output tray, which has a number of sheets that can be discharged that is less than the specified number, but rather switches to the second output tray and the third output tray, which have a number of sheets that can be discharged that is equal to or greater than the specified number, for each specified number of sheets.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In commercial printing, there is a case where a user packs printed products in a fixed number of sheets and sends them to an orderer. When packing such products, it is desirable that the products are sorted and discharged onto a paper discharge tray for each bundle of the number of sheets to be packed.

[0003] There is a shift function as a function to realize sorting for each desired number of sheets by the user (see Patent Document 1). In the shift function, by discharging the paper onto the tray in a shifted state for each specified number of sheets by the user, sorting for each desired number of sheets by the user becomes possible.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] For example, when using a type of paper that does not support the shift function or when using a paper discharge device that does not support the shift function, it is necessary to sort the paper by other means. For example, in a paper discharge device having a plurality of paper discharge trays, it is conceivable to switch the paper discharge tray for discharging for each specified number of sheets by the user.

[0006] However, each output tray has a paper capacity limit. If the number of sheets specified by the user exceeds the capacity limit of a particular output tray, the output destination will be switched to another tray once the number of sheets in that tray reaches the limit. Then, the difference between the number of sheets specified by the user and the capacity limit will be output to the other tray. In this case, the user will have to manually combine the stacks of paper output from multiple trays into a single stack.

[0007] This measure was implemented in consideration of the above-mentioned issues, and aims to prevent a user-specified number of sheets from being split and ejected into multiple output trays when switching output trays based on the number of sheets. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises a printing means, a plurality of output trays including a first output tray, a second output tray, and a third output tray, from which paper printed with an image by the printing means is discharged, a receiving means for receiving a number of sheets specified by a user, and a switching means for switching the output tray that discharges the paper for each specified number of sheets, wherein the switching means does not switch to the first output tray, which has a capacity to discharge fewer than the specified number of sheets, but rather switches to the second output tray and the third output tray, which have a capacity to discharge more than or equal to the specified number of sheets, for each specified number of sheets. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, in a paper output tray switching function based on a specified number of sheets, it is possible to prevent a bundle of sheets specified by the user from being divided and output to multiple paper output trays. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] A diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a printing system. [Figure 2]A diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a printing system. [Figure 3] This diagram shows an example of the settings screen for the paper output tray switching function. [Figure 4] A flowchart illustrating an example of the processing performed by an image forming apparatus when accepting a setting for the output tray switching function based on a specified number of sheets. [Figure 5] A flowchart illustrating an example of the processing performed by the image forming apparatus during print job execution when the paper output tray switching function based on the number of sheets is enabled. [Figure 6] Diagram showing an example of the settings screen for the divider paper insertion function. [Figure 7] A diagram showing an example of the paper output destination setting screen. [Figure 8] A flowchart showing an example of the process when the image forming apparatus 101 executes a print job. [Figure 9] This diagram shows an example of the paper output settings screen of the printer driver installed on PC103. [Figure 10] This diagram shows an example of the settings screen for the paper output tray switching function based on the specified number of sheets. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention to the claims. While multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same or similar configurations are given the same reference numeral, and redundant descriptions are omitted. Also, the configurations of the multiple embodiments described below may be combined.

[0012] In the following explanation, the external controller may also be called an image processing controller, digital front-end, print server, or DFE. The image forming machine may also be called a multifunction printer or MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral).

[0013] Figure 1 shows an example of the hardware configuration of a printing system. The image processing system comprises an image forming apparatus 101 and an external controller 102. The image forming apparatus 101 and the external controller 102 are connected via an internal LAN 105 and a video cable 106 for communication. The external controller 102 is connected via an external LAN 104 for communication with a client PC 103, and print commands are sent from the PC 103 to the external controller 102.

[0014] The client PC 103 has a printer driver installed that has the function of converting print data into a print description language that can be processed by the external controller 102. Users who want to print can issue print commands from various applications via the printer driver. Based on the print command from the user, the printer driver sends print data to the external controller 102. When the external controller 102 receives a print command from the PC 103, it performs data analysis and rasterization processing, feeds the print data to the image forming apparatus 101, and issues a print command.

[0015] Next, the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. The image forming apparatus 101 is connected to multiple devices with different functions and is configured to enable complex printing processes such as bookbinding. Note that the image forming apparatus 101 may have multiple different functions in a single device.

[0016] The printing device 107, which is a printing means, forms an image on a sheet conveyed from a paper feeding unit located at the lower part of the printing device 107 using toner. The configuration and operating principle of this printing device 107 are as follows. A light beam such as a laser beam modulated according to image data is reflected by a rotating polygon mirror or the like and irradiated onto a photosensitive drum as scanning light. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum by this laser beam is developed with toner, and the toner image is transferred onto a sheet attached to a transfer drum. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum after the transfer of the toner image is scraped off by a cleaning blade and conveyed to a waste toner container. By sequentially executing this series of image forming processes for yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners, a full-color image is formed on the sheet. The sheet on the transfer drum on which the full-color image is formed is conveyed to a fuser. The fuser includes rollers, belts, etc., and incorporates a heat source such as a halogen heater inside the roller, and melts the toner on the sheet onto which the toner image is transferred by heat and pressure and fixes it to the sheet.

[0017] Also, the storage port 109 is a storage port for a waste toner container provided in the printing device 107. The printing device 107 is equipped with two waste toner containers, and when the waste toner container becomes full, the user can replace the waste toner container by opening and closing this storage port.

[0018] The inserter 108 is an inserter for inserting an insertion sheet. A sheet can be inserted from 108 at an arbitrary position with respect to a group of sheets printed and conveyed by the printing device 107.

[0019] The high-capacity stacker 110 is a stacker capable of stacking a large volume of sheets. The finisher 111 is a finisher that applies finishing processing (post-processing) to the conveyed sheets. It is possible to perform finishing processing such as stapling, punching, and saddle stitching.

[0020] The finisher 111 is equipped with three output trays, and in print jobs where tray switching is set based on a specified number of sheets, it controls the sequential switching between these three output trays as the output destination. Note that there are not limited to three output trays; there may be four or more. Paper printed by the printing device 107 is ejected to these output trays, and post-processing may or may not be performed before the paper is ejected.

[0021] In other words, the image forming apparatus 101 has a plurality of output trays, including a first output tray, a second output tray, and a third output tray, from which the paper on which the printing means has printed an image is discharged.

[0022] The printing system described in Figure 1 is configured with an external controller 102 connected to the image forming apparatus 101, but the present invention is not limited to a configuration with an external controller 102 connected. That is, the image forming apparatus 101 may be connected to an external LAN 104, and print data that the image forming apparatus 101 can process may be transmitted from a client PC 103. In this case, data analysis and rasterization processing are performed in the image forming apparatus 101, and the printing process is executed.

[0023] Figure 2 shows an example of the system configuration of a printing system.

[0024] First, the configuration of the printing apparatus 107 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. The printing apparatus 107 of the image forming apparatus 101 consists of a communication I / F 217, a LAN I / F 218, a video I / F 220, an HDD 221, a CPU 222, a memory 223, an operation unit 224, and a display 225. Furthermore, the printing apparatus 107 of the image forming apparatus 101 includes a document exposure unit 226, a laser exposure unit 227, an image formation unit 228, a fixing unit 229, and a paper feeding unit 230. Each of these components is connected via a system bus 231.

[0025] The communication interface 217 is connected to the inserter 108, the high-capacity stacker 110, and the finisher 111 via the communication cable 254, and communication for the control of each device takes place.

[0026] The LANI / F218 is connected to the external controller 102 via the internal LAN 105, and communication such as print data takes place there.

[0027] The video interface 220 is connected to the external controller 102 via the video cable 106, and communication of image data and other data takes place.

[0028] The HDD221 is a storage device where programs and data are stored. The CPU222 comprehensively controls image processing and printing based on the programs stored in the HDD221. The memory223 stores programs and image data necessary for the CPU222 to perform various processes and operates as a work area. The operation unit224 receives input of various settings and operation instructions from the user. The display225 displays setting information of the image processing device and the processing status of print jobs. The document exposure unit226 processes the reading of documents when using the copy or scan function. It reads document data by illuminating the paper placed by the user with an exposure lamp and taking an image with a CCD camera. The laser exposure unit227 is a device that performs primary charging and laser exposure in order to irradiate the photosensitive drum with laser light in order to transfer the toner image. In the laser exposure unit227, primary charging is first performed to charge the surface of the photosensitive drum to a uniform negative potential. Next, a laser driver irradiates the photosensitive drum with laser light, adjusting the reflection angle with a polygon mirror. This neutralizes the negative charge in the irradiated area, forming an electrostatic latent image. The image-forming unit 228 is a device for transferring toner to paper and consists of a developing unit, a transfer unit, a toner supply unit, etc., which transfers the toner on the photosensitive drum to the paper. In the developing unit, negatively charged toner from the developing cylinder is attached to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum, making it visible. In the transfer unit, primary transfer is performed by applying a positive potential to the primary transfer roller to transfer the toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum to the transfer belt, and secondary transfer is performed by applying a positive potential to the secondary transfer outer roller to transfer the toner on the transfer belt to the paper. The fixing unit 229 is a device for dissolving and fixing the toner on the paper to the paper using heat and pressure, and consists of a heating heater, a fixing belt, a pressure belt, etc. The paper feeding unit 230 is a device for feeding paper, and the paper feeding and transport operations are controlled by rollers and various sensors.

[0029] Next, the configuration of the inserter 108 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. The inserter 108 of the image forming apparatus 101 consists of a communication interface 232, a CPU 233, a memory 234, and a paper feed control unit 235, and each component is connected via a system bus 236. The communication interface 232 is connected to the printing device 107 via a communication cable 254, and communication necessary for control is performed. The CPU 233 performs various controls necessary for paper feeding according to the control program stored in the memory 234. The memory 234 is a storage device in which the control program is stored. The paper feed control unit 235 controls the feeding and transport of paper from the inserter's paper feed section and the printing device 107, while controlling the rollers and sensors based on instructions from the CPU 233.

[0030] Next, the configuration of the large-capacity stacker 110 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. The large-capacity stacker 110 of the image forming apparatus 101 consists of a communication interface 244, a CPU 245, a memory 246, and a paper ejection control unit 247, and each component is connected via a system bus 248. The communication interface 244 is connected to the printing apparatus 107 via a communication cable 254, and communication necessary for control is performed. The CPU 245 performs various controls necessary for paper ejection according to the control program stored in the memory 246. The memory 239 is a storage device in which the control program is stored. The paper ejection control unit 247 controls the transport of the transported paper to the stack tray, escape tray, or subsequent finisher 111 based on instructions from the CPU 245.

[0031] Next, the configuration of the finisher 111 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. The finisher 111 of the image forming apparatus 101 consists of a communication I / F 249, a CPU 250, a memory 251, a paper ejection control unit 252, and a finishing processing unit 253, and each component is connected via a system bus 256. The communication I / F 249 is connected to the printing apparatus 107 via a communication cable 254, and communication necessary for control is performed. The CPU 250 performs various controls necessary for finishing and paper ejection according to the control program stored in the memory 251. The memory 251 is a storage device in which the control program is stored. The paper ejection control unit 252 controls paper transport and paper ejection based on instructions from the CPU 250. The finishing processing unit 253 controls finishing processes such as stapling, punching, and saddle stitching based on instructions from the CPU 250. The loading detection unit 255 detects whether paper is loaded in each tray of the finisher 111.

[0032] Next, the configuration of the external controller 102 will be described. The external controller 102 consists of a CPU 208, memory 209, HDD 210, keyboard 211, display 212, LANI / F 213, LANI / F 214, and video I / F 215, and is connected via the system bus 216. The CPU 208 comprehensively performs processes such as receiving print data from the client PC 103, RIP processing, and sending print data to the image forming apparatus 101, based on programs and data stored in the HDD 210. The memory 209 stores programs and data necessary for the CPU 208 to perform various processes and operates as a work area. The HDD 210 stores programs and data necessary for operations such as printing. The keyboard 211 is a device for inputting operation instructions for the external controller 102. The display 212 displays information such as the applications being executed by the external controller 102 as still images and video signals. The LANI / F 213 is connected to the client PC 103 via the external LAN 104, and communication such as print instructions is performed. LANI / F214 is connected to the image forming apparatus 101 via the internal LAN 105, and communication such as print instructions is performed. VideoI / F215 is connected to the image forming apparatus 101 via the video cable 106, and communication such as print data is performed.

[0033] Next, the configuration of client PC 103 will be described. Client PC 103 consists of CPU 201, memory 202, HDD 203, keyboard 204, display 205, and LANI / F 206, all connected via system bus 207. CPU 201 creates print data and executes print commands based on document processing programs stored in HDD 203. CPU 201 also comprehensively controls each device connected to the system bus. Memory 202 stores programs and data necessary for CPU 201 to perform various processes and operates as a work area. HDD 203 stores programs and data necessary for operations such as printing. Keyboard 204 is a device for inputting operation commands for PC 103. Display 205 displays information such as the applications running on client PC 103 as still images and video signals. LANI / F 206 is connected to the external LAN 104 and is used for communication such as print commands.

[0034] In the above description, the external controller 102 and the image forming apparatus 101 are connected via the internal LAN 1905 and video cable 106. However, any configuration that allows for the transmission and reception of data necessary for printing is acceptable; for example, a configuration with only a video cable connection is also acceptable. Furthermore, memory 202, memory 209, memory 223, memory 234, memory 239, memory 246, and memory 251 can each be any storage device for holding data or programs. For example, a configuration using volatile RAM, non-volatile ROM, an internal HDD, an external HDD, or a USB memory is also acceptable.

[0035] Figure 3 shows an example of the setting screen for the paper output tray switching function based on a specified number of sheets. The setting screen 300 is displayed on the display 225. The user configures the paper output tray switching function based on a specified number of sheets from the setting screen 300. The function is enabled when the user presses the ON button 301, and disabled when the user presses the OFF button 302. When the ON button 301 is pressed, a box 303 for receiving input of the specified number of sheets is displayed, allowing the user to specify the number. In other words, the image forming apparatus 101 has a means for receiving the user's specification of the number of sheets. The box 303 displays the number of sheets entered by the user via the operation unit 224, and the user can specify the number of sheets in the range of 1 to 9999.

[0036] In the example shown in Figure 3, the user has specified 100 sheets, and while executing one print job, the printer 107 switches the output tray to another output tray after ejecting 100 sheets of paper to the finisher 111's output tray. In other words, the image forming apparatus 101 can switch the output tray to which paper is ejected every number of sheets specified by the user.

[0037] The OK button 304, when pressed by the user, applies the settings from the settings screen 300 to the print job. The Cancel button 305, when pressed by the user, closes the settings screen 300 and interrupts the setting process.

[0038] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the process when the image forming apparatus 101 accepts the setting for the output tray switching function based on a specified number of sheets. The process shown in Figure 4 is executed by the CPU 222 of the printing device 107.

[0039] In S401, the CPU 222 waits for a user request to display the settings screen, and if a request is received, proceeds to S402. In S402, the CPU 222 displays the settings screen 300 on the display 225. In S403, the CPU 222 receives a setting completion operation from the user via the operation unit 224. Specifically, it receives a setting cancellation instruction via the cancel button 305 or a setting application instruction via the OK button 304. In S404, the CPU 222 determines whether the setting completion operation received in S403 was a cancellation instruction or a setting application instruction. If the OK button 304 is pressed in S404, proceeds to S405, and the CPU 222 stores the setting value in the HDD 221. On the other hand, if the cancel button 305 is pressed in S403, the setting value is discarded and not saved to the HDD 221. Once the setting operation is complete, in S406 the CPU 222 closes the settings screen 300.

[0040] <Embodiment 1> Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the process when the image forming apparatus 101 executes a print job with the setting for switching the output tray based on the specified number of sheets enabled. The process in Figure 5 is executed by the CPU 222 of the printing apparatus 107.

[0041] In S501, the printer 107 receives a print job from the external controller 102. In S502, the CPU 222 accesses the HDD 221 to obtain the number of sheets to switch output trays set by the user. In S503, the CPU 222 obtains the maximum number of sheets that can be loaded into each output tray of the finisher 111 from the HDD 221. In this embodiment, the maximum number of sheets that can be loaded into each tray is stored in the HDD 221 of the printer 107, but in order to perform more accurate loading control, it is also possible to store the upper limit of the height that can be loaded into each tray in the HDD 221 and calculate the maximum number of sheets that can be loaded according to the type of paper used in the print job. The maximum number of sheets that can be loaded is the number of sheets that can be ejected without removing the ejected paper. The maximum number of sheets that can be loaded is set as an upper limit and is stored in the HDD 221. The maximum number of sheets that can be loaded is an upper limit that prevents the next sheet from being ejected into that tray until the paper has been removed after that number of sheets has been ejected.

[0042] In S504, the CPU 222 determines from the detection result of the finisher 111's loading detection unit 255 whether there is a tray without paper loaded. If no such tray exists, the system waits until the user removes the paper and it becomes possible to eject it into the tray. In this embodiment, printing is stopped until a tray capable of ejecting paper is found, but it may also be possible to switch to a configuration that cancels the print job if no tray capable of ejecting paper exists. If a tray capable of ejecting paper is found in S504, the system proceeds to S505, where the CPU 222 determines that tray as the paper ejection destination.

[0043] In S506, the CPU 222 compares the number of sheets to switch output trays obtained in S502 with the maximum capacity of the tray determined as the output destination in S505. If the number of sheets to switch output trays exceeds the maximum capacity of the tray, the process proceeds to S507, where the CPU 222 sets that tray as unavailable for output and stores this setting in memory 223. After that, the process returns to S504, where the CPU 222 switches the output destination to a tray other than the one designated as unavailable in S507. In other words, the image forming apparatus 101 does not switch to the first output tray, which has fewer sheets available for output than the specified number among the multiple output trays. Then, among the multiple output trays, the second and third output trays, which have more sheets available for output than or equal to the specified number, can switch which output tray to discharge the paper at specified intervals.

[0044] If the number of sheets to switch the output tray in S506 is less than or equal to the tray's capacity, the process proceeds to S508. In S508, CPU222 executes the print process, and in S509, it ejects the paper to the tray determined in S505. In S510, CPU222 checks whether the number of sheets ejected to the tray has reached the number of sheets to switch the output tray. If the number has reached the output tray switching limit in S510, the process returns to S504 and switches the output destination to another tray. If the number has not reached the output tray switching limit in S510, the process proceeds to S511, where CPU222 checks whether the print job has finished. If the print job has not finished in S511, the process returns to S508 and continues printing. If the print job has finished in S511, the process ends.

[0045] In this embodiment, the printer makes an internal decision during printing to prevent paper from being ejected to a tray whose maximum output capacity is less than the number of trays that can be switched; however, this is not the only way to implement this.

[0046] <Embodiment 2> Figure 6 shows an example of the setting screen for the paper output tray switching function, and the setting screen 600 is displayed on the display 225. The components 601 to 606 in the setting screen 600 are the same as those in Figure 3, except for value 604.

[0047] The value 604 represents the range of values ​​that the user can set for the number of sheets to switch between output trays. Values ​​outside this range cannot be entered by the user. The CPU 222 obtains the maximum number of sheets that can be output from each output tray of the finisher 111 from the HDD 221 and sets the minimum of these values ​​to the maximum value of the range of value 604. For example, if the maximum number of sheets that can be output from the three trays of the finisher 111 is 100, 150, and 200, the CPU 222 determines the minimum value of 100 to be the upper limit for the number of sheets to switch between output trays and displays 1 to 100 as the range of value 604. The user is then prevented from entering or specifying a value greater than 100. Alternatively, the system could be configured to display an error message after accepting input and cancel the setting.

[0048] This control prevents users from specifying a number of output trays that exceeds the maximum output capacity of each tray. In other words, it prevents situations where a user's desired output spans multiple trays.

[0049] <Embodiment 3> Figure 7 shows an example of the output tray settings screen in yet another embodiment, where the settings screen 700 is displayed on the display 225. Before submitting a print job, the user sets the output destination from the settings screen 700. On the settings screen 700, the user can set the output destination for each function (copy function, saved file usage function, print function) and the output priority. This case is an example where the number of sheets to switch output trays entered by the user on screen 300 exceeds the maximum output capacity of tray A. The saved file usage function is a function that prints an image on paper based on image data (files) selected by the user from the image data stored in the HDD 221.

[0050] Settings 701-703 are for setting the priority of each function for each tray, and accept user-defined settings for each tray. The numbers shown in area 704 represent the user-defined priority. In the example in Figure 7, the priority of paper output for each function is set to Tray B → Tray C. For example, if a print job that outputs 200 sheets of paper is executed and the specified number of sheets is set to 100, the first 100 sheets will be output to Tray B, and the remaining 100 sheets will be output to Tray C.

[0051] On the other hand, the button on the Tray A settings screen 701 is grayed out, making it impossible for the user to select Tray A as the output destination. Furthermore, 705 displays a message indicating that Tray A cannot be specified as the output destination in combination with the specified number of sheets for switching output trays. The Cancel button 706 and OK button 707 are buttons that the user presses when the settings are complete, allowing them to choose whether to discard or save the settings.

[0052] When screen 700 is displayed, CPU 222 obtains the maximum number of sheets that can be output from each tray and the number of sheets that can be switched between output trays from HDD 221. In this case, only tray A has a maximum number of sheets that can be output below the number of sheets that can be switched between output trays, so the button on the setting screen 701 for tray A is grayed out to prevent the user from setting the output destination.

[0053] In other words, the image forming apparatus 101 can display a screen for accepting the selection of an output tray. Furthermore, on that screen, it is possible to switch the output tray that ejects the paper at specified intervals from the selected output tray. Also, on the screen, the first output tray that can eject fewer sheets than the specified number cannot be selected. It is possible to select an output tray that can eject fewer sheets than the specified number, but an error message may be displayed and the setting may be disabled.

[0054] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 101 can display information on the same screen that accepts the selection of an output tray indicating that an output tray cannot be selected if the number of sheets exceeds the maximum number of sheets that can be output. This information is a message stating, "Papers cannot be output to a tray where the number of sheets exceeds the maximum number of sheets that can be output." The image forming apparatus 101 can also accept the setting of output tray priority and switch output trays based on that priority. This priority is set according to the functions that the image forming apparatus can perform.

[0055] This control prevents the printer from setting a tray with a maximum output capacity lower than the tray switching limit as the output destination. In other words, it reduces the chance of the user's desired output stacks being spread across multiple trays.

[0056] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the process when the image forming apparatus 101 executes a print job in an embodiment where the output destination is set from screen 700 in Figure 7, with the setting for switching output trays based on a specified number of sheets enabled. The process in Figure 8 is executed by the CPU 222 of the printing apparatus 107.

[0057] In S801, the printer 107 receives a print job from the external controller 102. In S802, the CPU 222 accesses the HDD 221 to obtain the number of sheets to switch output trays set by the user. In S803, the CPU 222 obtains the maximum number of sheets that can be loaded into each tray of the finisher 111 from the HDD 221. In this embodiment, the maximum number of sheets that can be loaded into each tray is stored in the HDD 221 of the printer 107, but in order to perform more accurate loading control, it is also possible to store the upper limit of the height that can be loaded into each tray in the HDD 221 and calculate the maximum number of sheets that can be loaded according to the type of paper used in the print job.

[0058] In the S804, CPU222 retrieves the paper output tray settings configured by the user from HDD221 via screen 700.

[0059] In S805, CPU222 refers to the settings obtained in S804 and determines the tray with the highest paper output priority as the candidate for the paper output destination. In S806, CPU222 checks whether there is paper loaded in the tray that was set as the candidate for the paper output destination in S805. If there is paper in the tray in S806, it returns to S805 and CPU222 sets the tray with the next highest paper output priority as the candidate for the paper output destination. If it is determined in S806 that there is paper in the tray with the lowest priority, CPU222 sets the tray with the highest priority as the candidate for the paper output destination in S805.

[0060] If no paper is found in the output tray in S806, the process proceeds to S807, and that tray is selected as the output tray.

[0061] In S808, CPU222 compares the number of sheets to switch output trays obtained in S802 with the maximum capacity of the tray determined as the output destination in S807. If the number of sheets to switch output trays exceeds the maximum capacity of the tray, the process proceeds to S809, where CPU222 sets that tray to be disabled for paper output and stores this setting in memory223. After that, the process returns to S807 and switches trays.

[0062] If the number of sheets to switch the output tray in S808 is less than or equal to the tray's capacity, the process proceeds to S810. In S810, CPU222 executes the print process, and in S811, it ejects the paper to the tray determined in S807. In S812, CPU222 checks whether the number of sheets ejected to the tray has reached the number of sheets to switch the output tray.

[0063] If the number of sheets to switch the output tray is reached in S812, the process returns to S805 and the tray is switched. If the number of sheets to switch the output tray is not reached in S812, the process proceeds to S813, and CPU222 checks whether the print job has finished.

[0064] If the print job is not finished in S813, the process returns to S810 and continues printing. If the print job is finished in S813, the process ends.

[0065] Figure 9 shows an example of the paper output settings screen of a printer driver installed on PC103 in a different embodiment, where the settings screen 900 is displayed on the PC103's display 205. When the user submits a print job from the printer driver, they configure the settings for that job from the settings screen 900. Tab 901 is a tab for switching the items to configure, and when configuring the paper output tray, the "Paper Output" tab is selected. Check box 902 is a check box for enabling the tray switching function based on a specified number of sheets; check this box to enable the function. 903 is a box that accepts input for the number of sheets to switch trays in the tray switching function based on a specified number of sheets; numerical input is possible when check box 904 is checked. Check box 904 is a check box for setting the priority of each paper output tray. By checking the check box, the priority of each tray can be set. If the number of sheets to switch paper output trays is entered in pull-down 903, and the paper output limit is less than the number in pull-down 903, the check box for that tray is grayed out and user input is not possible. In the example in Figure 9, the checkbox for Tray 1 is grayed out, and since there is one less selectable tray, the checkbox for Priority 3 is also grayed out. When this graying process is performed, a message is displayed, such as message 905, indicating that the maximum number of sheets that can be output from the corresponding tray is less than the number entered in the pull-down menu 903, and therefore the tray is selected. The OK button 906 and the Cancel button 907 are buttons that the user presses when the settings are complete, and they can choose to save or discard the settings.

[0066] Figure 10 shows an example of the setting screen for the paper output tray switching function based on a specified number of sheets. The setting screen 1000 is displayed on the display 225. The user configures the paper output tray switching function based on a specified number of sheets from the setting screen 1000. The function is enabled when the user presses the ON button 1001, and disabled when the user presses the OFF button 1002. When the ON button 1001 is pressed, a box 1003 is displayed to accept input for the specified number of sheets, allowing the user to specify the number. The number of sheets entered by the user from the operation unit 224 is displayed in box 1004, and the user can specify a number in the range of 1 to 9999. In the example in Figure 10, the user has specified 100 sheets, and in a print job, the printer 107 switches the output destination to another paper output tray when it has ejected 100 sheets of paper into the tray of the finisher 111.

[0067] Message 1005 is displayed when the number of sheets entered into box 1004 exceeds the maximum stacking capacity of any tray in the finisher 111. In the example in Figure 10, the number of sheets entered into box 1004 (100 sheets) exceeds the maximum stacking capacity of tray A, which is 50 sheets, so a warning is displayed indicating that the paper cannot be output to tray A.

[0068] The OK button 1006, when pressed by the user, applies the settings from the settings screen 1000 to the print job. The Cancel button 1007, when pressed by the user, closes the settings screen 1000 and interrupts the setting process.

[0069] <Other Embodiments> The present invention provides a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium. It can also be implemented by a process in which one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. Furthermore, it can also be implemented by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0070] 101 Image forming apparatus 111 Finisher 225 displays

Claims

1. Printing methods, A plurality of output trays, including a first output tray, a second output tray, and a third output tray, wherein the printing means ejects paper on which an image has been printed, A means of receiving requests for the number of items specified by the user, The system includes a switching means for switching the output tray that ejects the paper every specified number of sheets, The switching means is characterized in that, without switching to the first output tray, which has a capacity to eject fewer than the specified number of sheets, among the plurality of output trays, it switches between the second output tray and the third output tray, which have a capacity to eject more than or equal to the specified number of sheets, and ejects the paper at intervals of the specified number of sheets.

2. The system further includes a display means for displaying a screen that accepts the selection of the paper output tray, The switching means switches the output tray that ejects the paper every specified number of sheets in the output tray selected on the screen, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the aforementioned screen, the first output tray, in which the number of sheets that can be output is less than the specified number, cannot be selected.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the screen displays information indicating that an output tray with a specified number of sheets exceeding the number of sheets that can be output cannot be selected.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the aforementioned information is a message.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving means receives the setting of the priority of the output tray, and the switching means switches the output tray based on the priority.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the priority is set according to the executable functions of the image forming apparatus.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the number of sheets that can be ejected is the number of sheets that can be ejected without the ejected paper being removed.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the number of sheets that can be ejected is the number set as an upper limit.

9. A control method for an image forming apparatus having a printing means and a plurality of output trays, including a first output tray, a second output tray, and a third output tray, wherein the printing means discharges paper on which an image has been printed, A reception process that accepts the number of items specified by the user, The process includes a switching step of switching the output tray that ejects the paper every specified number of sheets, A control method for an image forming apparatus, characterized in that, in the switching step, the first output tray, which has a capacity to discharge fewer than the specified number of sheets among the plurality of output trays, is not switched to, and the second output tray and the third output tray, which have a capacity to discharge more than or equal to the specified number of sheets among the plurality of output trays, are used to switch the output tray that discharges the paper every specified number of sheets.

10. A program that causes a computer to execute each of the means of the image forming apparatus described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

Images