Image forming apparatus and printer driver

Abstract

This allows users to recognize, before printing, the presence of print data that is highly likely to cause a jam where the recording paper gets tangled in the fuser unit. [Solution] The image forming apparatus 1 comprises an image forming unit 12 that forms an image on recording paper, a fixing unit 13 that fixes the image formed by the image forming unit 12 to the recording paper, a determination unit 101 that determines whether predetermined jam conditions are met, indicating a high probability of jams occurring where the recording paper wraps around the fixing unit 13, based on the print data used for image formation in the image forming unit 12, and a warning processing unit 102 that performs processing to issue a warning when the determination unit 101 determines that the jam conditions are met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a fixing unit for fixing an image on a recording paper and a printer driver.

Background Art

[0002] An electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording paper and performs printing by fixing the image on the recording paper at a fixing unit. The fixing unit includes a heating member (thermal roller) and a pressing member (pressure roller), and performs a fixing process by sandwiching the recording paper and heating and pressing (thermocompression bonding) it in a nip portion formed by these two members.

[0003] In the fixing unit as described above, for example, when printing and fixing a so-called solid black image, the toner melted in the nip portion becomes an adhesive, the leading end portion of the recording paper adheres to the heating member, and the recording paper is wound up by the heating member, which may cause a jam (paper clogging).

[0004] In order to prevent the occurrence of jams due to winding around the fixing unit as described above, in Patent Documents 1 and 2 below, it has been proposed to lower the density of the leading end image area indicated by the print data or provide a margin in the leading end image area.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, even if it is to prevent jamming, it is undesirable for users if adjustments to the print data, such as reducing the density of the leading image area or adding margins to the leading image area, are performed without the user's permission, as proposed in the above-mentioned Patent Documents 1 and 2. It is preferable to make the user aware of the existence of print data that is likely to cause jamming in the fuser before performing the above adjustments, so that the user can take measures to avoid jamming.

[0007] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to enable users to recognize, before printing, the existence of print data that is highly likely to cause a jam in which the recording paper wraps around the fuser. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: an image forming unit that forms an image on recording paper; a fixing unit that fixes the image formed by the image forming unit to the recording paper; a determination unit that determines, based on print data used for image formation in the image forming unit, whether predetermined jam conditions are met, which indicate a high probability of jams occurring in which the recording paper wraps around the fixing unit; and a warning processing unit that performs processing to issue a warning when the determination unit determines that the jam conditions are met.

[0009] Furthermore, a printer driver according to one aspect of the present invention provides a computer, which is equipped in an information processing device capable of data communication with an image forming apparatus having a fixing unit for fixing an image onto recording paper, to function as follows: a generation unit that generates print data that can be processed by the image forming apparatus; an output unit that transmits the print data generated by the generation unit to the image forming apparatus; a determination unit that determines, based on the print data generated by the generation unit, whether predetermined jam conditions indicating a high probability of jams occurring in which the recording paper wraps around the fixing unit are met; and a warning processing unit that performs processing to issue a warning when the determination unit determines that the jam conditions are met. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it becomes possible for the user to recognize, before printing, the existence of print data that is highly likely to cause a jam in which the recording paper wraps around the fuser. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This figure shows the overall image forming system, including an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a functional block diagram schematically showing the main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the data structure stored in the storage box. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows an example of the process performed by the control unit in an image forming apparatus for saving print data to a storage box. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows an example of the process performed by the control unit in an image forming apparatus for displaying a list of print data stored in a storage box. [Figure 6] (A) and (B) are diagrams showing examples of operation screens displayed on the display unit of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 7]This flowchart shows an example of a printing process performed by the control unit in an image forming apparatus, based on print data stored in a storage box. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of an operation screen displayed on the display unit of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 9] This figure shows the overall image forming system, including an information processing device on which a printer driver according to the second embodiment is installed. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus and printer driver according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the overall image forming system including the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] The image forming system 11 comprises an image forming apparatus 1 and an information processing apparatus 2, both located on a network. The image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction device that combines multiple functions, such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

[0014] The information processing device 2 is, for example, a personal computer and comprises a control unit 21, an operation unit 22, a display unit 23, a communication unit 24, and a storage unit 25. Each of these components is capable of sending and receiving data or signals from one another via a communication bus.

[0015] The operation unit 22 consists of a keyboard, mouse, etc., and is used to input commands and characters to the control unit 21, and to operate the pointer on the screen of the display unit 23. The operation unit 22 accepts user input based on user operations. The display unit 23 consists of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), etc., and displays responses and data results from the control unit 21.

[0016] The communication unit 24 is a communication interface that transmits and receives various data with external devices such as the image forming apparatus 1 within a local area or on the Internet.

[0017] The storage unit 25 is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores various control programs and the like. Also, a printer driver 250 as a program is installed in the information processing apparatus 2. The printer driver 250 is stored in the storage unit 25.

[0018] The control unit 21 is composed of a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a dedicated hardware circuit. The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit 21 includes a control section 210, a generation section 211, and an output section 212.

[0019] The control unit 21 functions as the control section 210 by the operation of the processor according to the control program stored in the storage unit 25, and functions as the generation section 211 and the output section 212 by the operation of the processor according to the printer driver 250 stored in the storage unit 25. However, the control section 210 and the like can also be constituted by hardware circuits without depending on the operation according to the control program and the like by the control unit 21. The same applies to each embodiment hereinafter unless otherwise particularly mentioned.

[0020] The control section 210 is in charge of the overall operation control of the information processing apparatus 2. The control section 210 is connected to the operation unit 22, the display unit 23, the communication unit 24, and the storage unit 25, and performs drive control and the like of these units.

[0021] The generation unit 211 generates print data that can be processed by the image forming apparatus 1 (for example, print data converted into a page description language corresponding to the image forming apparatus 1). The output unit 212 transmits the print data generated by the generation unit 211 to the image forming apparatus 1 via the communication unit 24.

[0022] Figure 2 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10, a document feeding unit 6, a document reading unit 5, an image forming unit 12, a fixing unit 13, a paper feeding unit 14, an operation unit 47, a facsimile communication unit 7, a network interface unit 9, and a storage unit 8.

[0023] The document feeding unit 6 is configured to open and close on the upper surface of the document reading unit 5 by a hinge (not shown), and functions as a document holder cover when reading a document placed on a platen glass (not shown). The document feeding unit 6 is also called an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) and is equipped with a document tray (not shown) that supplies documents placed on the document tray to the document reading unit 5.

[0024] The document reading unit 5 is equipped with a scanner and reads documents fed from the document feeding unit 6, or documents placed on the platen glass. The document reading unit 5 is also capable of sequentially reading multiple document images sent from the document feeding unit 6.

[0025] The process of reading a document in the image forming apparatus 1 will now be explained. The document reading unit 5 optically reads the image of the document supplied to the document reading unit 5 by the document feeding unit 6, or the document placed on the platen glass, and generates image data. The image data generated by the document reading unit 5 is stored in an image memory (not shown) or the like.

[0026] The image forming operation performed by the image forming apparatus 1 will now be described. The image forming unit 12 is equipped with a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, and a primary transfer device for each color, and is a mechanism that forms an image on recording paper, which is a recording medium, by secondary transfer via an intermediate transfer belt. Based on image data generated by the document reading operation, image data stored in image memory, image data received from a network-connected computer, etc., the image forming unit 12 forms an image on the recording paper fed from the paper feeding unit 14 to create a printed document.

[0027] The fixing unit 13 is a fixing device equipped with a heat roller, a pressure roller, and a drive mechanism for rotating them. It heats and pressurizes the recording paper on which an image has been formed by the image forming unit 12 using the nip created by the two rollers, thereby fixing the image to the recording paper. The fixed recording paper is then discharged into an output tray (not shown).

[0028] The paper feeding unit 14 includes a paper feeding cassette (not shown), and further comprises a pickup roller, a transport roller, a transport path, and a rotational drive mechanism for each roller, which pick up recording paper from the paper feeding cassette and feed it to the image forming unit 12.

[0029] The control unit 47 is equipped with various hard keys operated by the user, and in response to the operation of the hard keys, it receives instructions from the user, such as instructions to execute image forming operations, regarding various operations and processes that the image forming apparatus 1 can perform.

[0030] The control unit 47 is equipped with a display unit 473 that displays operating instructions and other information to the operator. The control unit 47 also accepts user input based on user operations (touch operations) on the screen displayed on the display unit 473 via the touch panel of the display unit 473.

[0031] The display unit 473 consists of an LCD or the like. When an operator touches a button or key displayed on the screen, the touch panel receives an instruction corresponding to the touched location. In this case, the touch panel functions as an operation unit.

[0032] The facsimile communication unit 7 is equipped with an encoding / decoding, modulation / demodulation unit and an NCU (Network Control Unit) as shown in the diagram, and performs facsimile transmission and reception using a public telephone network or the like.

[0033] The network interface unit 9 is a communication interface that transmits and receives various types of data with external devices (e.g., information processing device 2) within the local area network or on the internet.

[0034] The storage unit 8 is a non-volatile high-capacity storage device such as an HDD or SSD, and stores various control programs, etc. It also includes a storage box 81 as part of its storage area for storing print data before it is used for image formation in the image forming unit 12. The storage box 81 stores print data received via the network interface unit 9 from the information processing device 2, image data (scan data) obtained by reading the document reading unit 5, and FAX data received via the facsimile communication unit 7.

[0035] Figure 3 shows an example of the data structure stored in the storage box 81. The storage box 81 stores the print data, the date and time the print data was saved to the storage box 81, the job name, the user name, and the jam flag, all associated with a reference number. The jam flag is a 2-bit data flag that indicates whether or not there is a high probability of a jam occurring where the recording paper gets tangled around the fuser unit 13.

[0036] The control unit 10 comprises a processor, RAM, ROM, and dedicated hardware circuitry. The processor is, for example, a CPU, ASIC, or MPU. The control unit 10 includes a control unit 100, a determination unit 101, a warning processing unit 102, and an adjustment unit 103.

[0037] The control unit 10 functions as a control unit 100, a judgment unit 101, a warning processing unit 102, and an adjustment unit 103 through the operation of the processor in accordance with the control program stored in the memory unit 8. However, the control unit 100 and the others can also be configured by hardware circuits, rather than by operation in accordance with the control program of the control unit 10. The same applies to each embodiment below unless otherwise specified.

[0038] The control unit 100 is responsible for the overall operation control of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 100 is connected to the document feeding unit 6, document reading unit 5, image forming unit 12, fixing unit 13, paper feeding unit 14, operation unit 47, facsimile communication unit 7, network interface unit 9, and storage unit 8, and performs drive control of each of these units and executes various processes necessary for image forming by the image forming apparatus 1.

[0039] The control unit 100 controls the display of the display unit 473 and displays an operation screen on the display unit 473 for accepting user settings to enable or disable each function. The control unit 100 registers whether to enable or disable each function according to the user settings received by the operation unit 47. One of the functions that can be set to enable or disable is the anti-wrap function, which prevents the recording paper on which the image has been formed from wrapping around the fixing unit 13.

[0040] The determination unit 101 determines, based on the print data used for image formation in the image forming unit 12, whether predetermined jam conditions are met, which indicate a high probability of jams occurring in the fixing unit 13 where the recording paper wraps around it. For example, the determination unit 101 detects the margins created on the recording paper during image formation based on the print data and calculates the amount of margin in a predetermined leading edge region of the recording paper. The control unit 100 determines that the jam conditions are met when the amount of margin is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold.

[0041] When the determination unit 101 determines that the above-mentioned jam occurrence conditions are met, the warning processing unit 102 performs processing to issue a warning to the user.

[0042] The adjustment unit 103, in accordance with user instructions received by the operation unit 47, executes a predetermined adjustment process to avoid jamming on print data for which the judgment unit 101 has determined that the jamming conditions described above are met. The predetermined adjustment process is, for example, a size reduction process for the print data. By reducing the size, the amount of margin in the leading edge area of ​​the recording paper can be increased.

[0043] Next, an example of the process related to saving print data to the storage box 81, performed by the control unit 10 in the image forming apparatus 1, will be explained using the flowchart shown in Figure 4.

[0044] For example, when the control unit 100 receives print data transmitted from the information processing device 2 via the network interface unit 9, it assigns a reference number to the print data and stores the print data in the storage box 81 in association with the reference number (S1). Alternatively, the control unit 100 assigns a reference number to an image file consisting of a document image obtained by document reading by the document reading unit 5, and stores the image file as print data in the storage box 81 in association with the reference number (S1).

[0045] Furthermore, the control unit 100 associates the date and time information at this point with the reference number and saves it in the save box 81 as the save date and time information for the print data. In addition, if various information (such as job name and user name) is attached to the received print data, that information is also saved in the save box 81 as well, associated with the print data.

[0046] Next, the determination unit 101 determines whether the anti-wrap function is effective (S2). If it determines that the anti-wrap function is effective (YES in S2), it converts the print data stored in the save box 81 into a page description language and then into raster data (S3). Based on this raster data, it determines whether the jam occurrence conditions are met (S4). The determination unit 101 may choose to rasterize all of the print data, only some of the pages of the print data, or a predetermined leading area of ​​the first page of the print data.

[0047] If the determination unit 101 determines that the above jam occurrence conditions are met (YES in S4), it sets the jam flag corresponding to the print data stored in the storage box 81 to "10" (S5). After this, the process ends.

[0048] On the other hand, if the determination unit 101 determines that the above jam occurrence conditions are not met (NO in S4), it sets the jam flag corresponding to the print data stored in the storage box 81 to "01" (S6). After this, the process ends.

[0049] In S2, if the determination unit 101 determines that the above-mentioned jam prevention function is not effective (NO in S2), the process ends. This is because it is not necessary to determine whether or not the above-mentioned jam occurrence conditions are met. The determination unit 101 sets the jam flag associated with the print data at this time to "00".

[0050] Next, the process for displaying a list of print data in the image forming apparatus 1 will be explained using the flowchart shown in Figure 5.

[0051] The control unit 100, in accordance with the display instruction for the list display received by the operation unit 47, creates an operation screen G1 that includes a print data list L1 showing a list of print data stored in the save box 81, as exemplified in Figure 6(A), and displays it on the display unit 473 (S11). Each row in the print data list L1 shown in Figure 6(A) displays the reception time (time of saving to the save box 81) and job name of each print data.

[0052] Next, the warning processing unit 102 searches for the jam flag of each print data stored in the storage box 81 and determines whether there is any print data with a jam flag of "10" (S12).

[0053] If the warning processing unit 102 determines that there is print data with a jam flag of "10" (YES in S12), it adds a warning mark CM to the row in the print data list L1 that shows the print data with a jam flag of "10" and displays it (S13), as shown in the example in Figure 6(B). After this, the process ends. On the other hand, if the warning processing unit 102 determines that there is no print data with a jam flag of "10" (NO in S12), the process ends without adding or displaying the warning mark CM. This is because it has already determined that there is no risk of jam occurring, and therefore there is no need to add and display the warning mark CM.

[0054] Next, an example of the printing process performed by the image forming apparatus 1 based on the print data stored in the storage box 81 will be explained using the flowchart shown in Figure 7.

[0055] The control unit 100 displays the operation screen G1 on the display unit 473. Here, when the operation unit 47 receives a print command from the user specifying the print data to be printed from the print data stored in the save box 81, the control unit 100 refers to the save box 81 and determines whether the jam flag stored in association with the print data for which the print command was received is "10" (S21).

[0056] If the control unit 100 determines that the jam flag is "10" (YES in S21), it displays a dialog box DB, as shown in Figure 8, on the display unit 473 overlaid on the operation screen G1 (S22). This presents the user with multiple options. The dialog box DB displays the message M1, "A paper jam may occur if you perform printing," a selection button B1 labeled "Margin Settings," a selection button B2 labeled "Force Print," and a selection button B3 labeled "Cancel."

[0057] The control unit 100 determines which of the selection buttons B1 to B3 the operation unit 47 has received an instruction (S23). If the control unit 100 determines that a margin setting instruction has been received based on the user's operation of selection button B1, which is labeled "margin setting" on the operation unit 47 (in S23, "margin setting"), the adjustment unit 103 performs a predetermined adjustment process on the print data to be printed to avoid jamming (S24).

[0058] The above adjustment process is, for example, a size reduction process for print data. The adjustment unit 103 reduces the size of the image and sets the print position of the reduced image to a position that increases the margin amount in the leading edge area of ​​the recording paper. This is because increasing the margin amount in the leading edge area of ​​the recording paper or reducing the amount of toner in the leading edge area of ​​the recording paper is preferable to avoid the recording paper wrapping around the fuser unit 13. Other adjustment processes performed by the adjustment unit 103 include the following.

[0059] <Image Shift Processing> This process shifts the overall print position towards the rear edge. This process increases the margin at the leading edge of the recording paper.

[0060] <Image Leading Edge Cutting Process> This process involves removing the portion of the image to be printed that will be printed at the leading edge of the paper in the paper transport direction, and replacing that portion with a solid white image where toner will not be applied. This process increases the margin at the leading edge of the paper.

[0061] <Rotation Process> This process checks the image on all four sides of the image to be printed and rotates the image so that the side with the most white image area faces the leading edge of the recording paper. This increases the amount of margin at the leading edge of the recording paper.

[0062] <Density Reduction Process> A process that reduces the density of the image to be printed. This process reduces the amount of toner in the leading edge area of ​​the recording paper. For the image to be printed, this process may be applied to reduce the amount of toner in only a portion of the image located in the leading edge area of ​​the recording paper.

[0063] The control unit 100 controls the operation of the image forming unit 12 and the fixing unit 13, etc., based on the print data for which the adjustment process has been performed by the adjustment unit 103, and executes the printing process (S25). Then, the control unit 100 hides the dialog box DB from the display unit 473 (S26). After that, this process ends.

[0064] In S23, if the control unit 100 determines that a forced print instruction has been received based on the user's operation of the selection button B2 labeled "Force Print" on the operation unit 47 ("Force Print" in S23), it controls the operation of the image forming unit 12 and the fixing unit 13, etc., based on the print data to be printed stored in the save box 81, and executes the print process (S25). In other words, the control unit 100 executes the print process based on the original print data in which the adjustment process described above has not been performed by the adjustment unit 103. Then, the control unit 100 hides the dialog box DB from the display unit 473 (S26). After this, this process ends.

[0065] Furthermore, in S23, if the control unit 100 determines that a cancel instruction has been received based on the user's operation on the selection button B3 labeled "Cancel" on the operation unit 47 ("Cancel" in S23), it will not perform the printing process based on the print data and will hide the dialog box DB from the display unit 473 (S26). After this, the process ends.

[0066] Furthermore, in S21, if the control unit 100 determines that the jam flag is not "10" (NO in S21), it controls the operation of the image forming unit 12 and the fixing unit 13, etc., based on the original print data of the print target stored in the save box 81, and executes the printing process (S27). After this, the process ends.

[0067] According to the above embodiment, the user can recognize before printing the existence of print data that is highly likely to cause a paper jam where the recording paper wraps around the fuser unit 13. Furthermore, for print jams that are highly likely to cause a paper jam, adjustment processing can be performed to avoid the occurrence of a paper jam, thereby preventing the occurrence of a paper jam.

[0068] The image forming apparatus 1 described above is an example in which the image forming apparatus 1 includes a determination unit 101, a warning processing unit 102, and an adjustment unit 103. However, these processes performed by the determination unit 101, the warning processing unit 102, and the adjustment unit 103 may be performed by an information processing device 2.

[0069] Figure 9 shows the overall image forming system 11, including the information processing device 20 on which the printer driver 250 is installed. In this embodiment, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 differs from the information processing device 2 shown in the above embodiment in that, in addition to the control unit 210, generation unit 211, and output unit 212 similar to those of the information processing device 2, it further includes a determination unit 213, a warning processing unit 214, and an adjustment unit 215.

[0070] The control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 functions as a judgment unit 213, a warning processing unit 214, and an adjustment unit 215, in addition to the generation unit 211 and output unit 212, through operation by the processor according to the printer driver 250 stored in the storage unit 25.

[0071] The determination unit 213 determines, based on the print data generated by the generation unit 211, whether predetermined jam occurrence conditions are met, which indicate a high probability of jams occurring where the recording paper wraps around the fixing unit 13. The jam occurrence conditions are the same as those determined by the determination unit 101.

[0072] When the judgment unit 213 determines that the above-mentioned jam occurrence conditions are met, the warning processing unit 214 performs processing to issue a warning to the user. For example, the warning processing unit 214 displays a warning message on the display unit 23 of the information processing device 2.

[0073] The adjustment unit 215, in accordance with user instructions received by the operation unit 47, executes a predetermined adjustment process to avoid jamming on print data for which the judgment unit 213 has determined that the jamming conditions described above are met. The adjustment process is the same as that performed by the adjustment unit 103.

[0074] Next, an example of the process by which the information processing device 20 saves print data to the storage unit 25 will be explained using the flowchart shown in Figure 4 above.

[0075] When the control unit 210 stores print data in the storage unit 25 based on instructions or other inputs from the user to the operation unit 22, it assigns a reference number to the print data and stores the print data in the storage unit 25 in association with the reference number (S1).

[0076] Furthermore, the control unit 210 associates the date and time information at this point with the reference number and stores it in the storage unit 25 as the print data's save date and time information. In addition, if various information (such as job name and user name) is attached to the received print data, this information is also stored in the storage unit 25 in association with the print data.

[0077] Next, the determination unit 213 determines whether the anti-wrap function is enabled (S2). If it determines that the anti-wrap function is enabled (YES in S2), it converts the print data stored in the storage unit 25 and converted into page description language by the generation unit 211 into raster data (S3). Based on the raster data, it determines whether the jam occurrence conditions are met (S4). The determination unit 213 may choose to rasterize all of the print data, only some of the pages of the print data, or a predetermined leading area of ​​the first page of the print data.

[0078] If the determination unit 213 determines that the above jam occurrence conditions are met (YES in S4), it sets the jam flag corresponding to the print data stored in the storage unit 25 to "10" (S5). After this, the process ends.

[0079] On the other hand, if the determination unit 213 determines that the above jam occurrence conditions are not met (NO in S4), it sets the jam flag corresponding to the print data stored in the storage unit 25 to "01" (S6). After this, the process ends.

[0080] In S2, if the determination unit 213 determines that the above-mentioned jam prevention function is not effective (NO in S2), the process ends. This is because it is not necessary to determine whether or not the above-mentioned jam occurrence conditions are met. The determination unit 213 sets the jam flag associated with the print data at this time to "00".

[0081] Next, the process related to the display of a list of print data in the information processing device 20 will be explained using the flowchart shown in Figure 5 above.

[0082] The control unit 210, in accordance with the display instruction for the list display received by the operation unit 22, creates an operation screen G1 that includes a print data list L1 showing a list of print data stored in the storage unit 25, as exemplified in Figure 6(A), and displays it on the display unit 233 (S11).

[0083] Next, the warning processing unit 214 searches for the jam flag of each print data stored in the memory unit 25 and determines whether there is any print data with a jam flag of "10" (S12).

[0084] If the warning processing unit 214 determines that there is print data with a jam flag of "10" (YES in S12), it adds a warning mark CM to the row in the print data list L1 that indicates the print data with a jam flag of "10" and displays it (S13), as shown in the example in Figure 6(B). After this, the process ends. On the other hand, if the warning processing unit 214 determines that there is no print data with a jam flag of "10" (NO in S12), the process ends without adding or displaying the warning mark CM.

[0085] Next, an example of the printing process in the information processing device 20 based on the print data stored in the storage unit 25 will be explained using the flowchart shown in Figure 7 above.

[0086] The control unit 210 displays the operation screen G1 on the display unit 23. Here, when the operation unit 22 receives a print command from the user specifying the print data to be printed from the print data stored in the storage unit 25, the control unit 210 refers to the storage unit 25 and determines whether the jam flag stored in association with the print data for which the print command was received is "10" (S21).

[0087] If the control unit 210 determines that the jam flag is "10" (YES in S21), it displays a dialog box DB, as shown in Figure 8, on the display unit 23 overlaid on the operation screen G1 (S22).

[0088] The control unit 210 determines which of the selection buttons B1 to B3 the operation unit 47 has received an instruction (S23). If the control unit 210 determines that a margin setting instruction has been received (indicated as "margin setting" in S23), the adjustment unit 215 performs the above adjustment process on the print data to be printed to avoid the occurrence of jamming (S24).

[0089] The output unit 212 transmits the print data, on which the adjustment process described above has been performed by the adjustment unit 215, from the communication unit 24 to the image forming apparatus 1 (S25). Then, the control unit 210 hides the dialog box DB from the display unit 473 (S26). After that, this process ends.

[0090] In S23, if the control unit 210 determines that a forced print instruction has been received by the operation unit 22 ("forced print" in S23), the output unit 212 transmits the print data to be printed, which is stored in the storage unit 25, to the image forming apparatus 1 (S25). That is, the control unit 210 transmits the original print data, which has not undergone the adjustment process by the adjustment unit 215, to the image forming apparatus 1. Then, the control unit 100 hides the dialog box DB from the display unit 23 (S26). After this, this process ends.

[0091] Furthermore, in S23, if the control unit 210 determines that a cancel instruction has been received by the operation unit 22 ("cancel" in S23), the printing process based on the print data will not be executed, and the dialog box DB will be hidden from the display unit 23 (S26). After this, the process will end.

[0092] Furthermore, in S21, if the control unit 210 determines that the jam flag is not "10" (NO in S21), the output unit 212 transmits the original print data of the print target, stored in the storage unit 25, to the image forming apparatus 1 (S27). After this, the process ends.

[0093] In this embodiment, the information processing device 20 makes it possible for the user to recognize before printing the existence of print data that is highly likely to cause a jam where the recording paper wraps around the fuser unit 13. Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 1, printing is performed under the control of the control unit 100 based on the print data received from the information processing device 20 via the network interface unit 9. Since the received print data has either undergone the above adjustment process in the information processing device 20 or has a low risk of jamming, the occurrence of a jam is prevented during printing in the image forming apparatus 1.

[0094] The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiments and various modifications are possible. Furthermore, the configuration and processing shown in the above embodiments using Figures 1 to 9 are merely one embodiment of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention to such configuration and processing. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0095] 1. Image forming apparatus 2.20 Information Processing Devices 8 Memory section 12 Image forming unit 13 Fixing section 47 Control section 81 Storage Box 101 Judgment Department 102 Warning Processing Unit 103 Adjustment section 211 Generation part 212 Output section 213 Judgment Department 214 Warning Processing Unit 215 Adjustment section 250 Printer Drivers

Claims

1. An image forming unit that forms an image on recording paper, A fixing unit for fixing the image formed by the image forming unit onto the recording paper, A determination unit that determines, based on the print data used for image formation in the image forming unit, whether predetermined jam conditions are met, which indicate a high probability of jams occurring in the fixing unit where the recording paper wraps around it, An image forming apparatus comprising: a warning processing unit that performs processing for issuing a warning when the determination unit determines that the jam occurrence conditions are met.

2. The image forming unit further comprises a storage unit for storing the print data used for image formation, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether or not the jam occurrence conditions are met based on the print data stored in the storage unit.

3. An operating unit that receives input instructions from the user, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising: an adjustment unit that, in accordance with instructions from the user received by the operation unit, performs a predetermined adjustment process to avoid the occurrence of the jamming condition on the print data determined by the determination unit to be met;

4. A computer provided in an information processing device that is capable of data communication with an image forming apparatus equipped with a fixing unit for fixing images onto recording paper, A generation unit that generates print data that can be processed by the image forming apparatus, An output unit that transmits the print data generated by the generation unit to the image forming apparatus, A determination unit determines, based on the print data generated by the generation unit, whether predetermined jam conditions are met, which indicate a high probability of jams occurring in the fixing unit where the recording paper wraps around it. A printer driver that functions as a warning processing unit, which performs processing to issue a warning when the judgment unit determines that the jam occurrence conditions are met.

5. The previous computer, further, The printer driver according to claim 4, which functions as an adjustment unit that performs a predetermined adjustment process to avoid the occurrence of jamming on the print data for which the judgment unit has determined that the jamming conditions have been met.

Images