Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide means for allowing replenishment of a medium to a tray even during printing.SOLUTION: An image forming device has an image forming unit 2 for forming an image on a medium, a plurality of first trays 6 and 8 disposed in a device body 1 and on which a medium to be conveyed to the image forming unit 2 is placed, a second tray 5 on which a medium to be conveyed to the image forming unit 2 is placed, and a conveyance control unit 10 for conveying the medium from the first tray or the second tray to the image forming unit 2. When a replenishment destination tray for replenishing a medium selected at an operation display unit 9 and in the middle of conveying the medium from a paper feeding source tray for feeding a medium among the plurality of first trays is not disposed upstream of the paper feeding source tray in the medium conveyance direction, the conveyance control unit 10 switches the paper feeding source tray for feeding a medium from the first tray to the second tray.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that feeds a medium placed on a tray, forms an image on the medium, and performs printing.

Background Art

[0002] In a conventional image forming apparatus, when the medium placed on the first tray runs out during the supply of the medium from the first tray corresponding to a predetermined medium size to the image forming unit, there is one that switches the supply source of the medium to the second tray corresponding to the predetermined medium size (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the conventional technology, there is a problem that the user may not be able to replenish the medium in the tray during printing.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to solve such a problem and enable replenishment of the medium in the tray even during printing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] Therefore, the present invention includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a medium, A medium conveyance path for conveying the medium to the image forming unit; a plurality of first trays provided in the apparatus main body and on which the medium to be conveyed to the image forming unit is placed, A tray 1 connected to the medium conveyance path from below, and a tray 2 provided below the tray 1, on which the medium that is inhibited from being drawn out when the tray 1 is drawn out and is conveyed to the image forming unit through the tray 1 and the medium conveyance path when stored, are included. and Connected to the medium conveyance path without passing through the first tray from the front side above the first tray. A manual tray that is openable and closable with respect to the apparatus main body and on which a medium to be conveyed to the image forming unit is placed, an operation display unit that receives a user's operation, and the medium is conveyed from the first tray or the manual tray to the image forming unit based on medium setting information. Among the plurality of the first trays, a paper feed source tray that feeds the medium As tray 2 During conveyance of the medium from the paper feed source tray, a replenishment destination tray for replenishing the medium selected on the operation display unit is not provided upstream of the paper feed source tray in the medium conveyance direction Of tray 1 In this case, a conveyance control unit that switches the paper feed source tray for feeding the medium from the first tray Of tray 2 to the manual tray, and the conveyance control unit includes means for displaying a screen for prompting the closed manual tray to be opened, determination means for determining whether or not the manual tray has been opened, and when it is determined by the determination means that the manual tray is in an open state, means for displaying a screen for prompting the medium to be placed on the manual tray, paper setting inheritance means for setting the medium setting information of the paper feed source tray in the manual tray and inheriting it to the medium setting information of the manual tray, and after the medium setting information is inherited by the paper setting inheritance means, determination means for determining whether or not the medium has been placed on the manual tray. It is characterized by being configured as follows

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] The present invention configured in this way has the effect that the medium can be replenished in the tray even during printing

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus in the embodiment.

[0011] In FIG. 1(a), the image forming apparatus 100 forms a toner image as a developer image on a medium in response to a print job (print data) received from an upper device and performs printing. For example, it is an electrophotographic printer. Note that the image forming apparatus 100 may be a color printer that forms images of a plurality of colors of toner, or may be a monochrome printer that forms images of a single color of toner.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 100 includes a device main body 1, an image forming unit 2, a paper discharge unit 3, a medium conveyance path 4, a manual tray 5, a normal tray 6, an option cassette 7, an option tray 8, and an operation display unit 9. In this embodiment, the normal tray 6 and the option tray 8 are the first trays, and the manual tray 5 is the second tray.

[0013] The device main body 1 is the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, which houses the image forming unit 2, the medium conveyance path 4, and the normal tray 6, and can additionally provide the option cassette 7 and the option tray 8. Further, the device main body 1 is provided with the paper discharge unit 3, the manual tray 5, and the operation display unit 9.

[0014] The image forming unit 2 forms an image on the conveyed print medium. The image forming unit 2 in this embodiment is disposed opposite to a transfer belt disposed in the medium conveyance path 4, and forms a toner image on the surface of a photosensitive drum provided inside. The photosensitive drum is selectively exposed by an LED (Light Emitting Diode) head as the opposed exposure means to form an electrostatic latent image, and the electrostatic latent image is developed by the toners of respective colors accommodated in a toner cartridge as a developer accommodating unit to form a toner image. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is transferred to the print medium as the medium by the transfer belt.

[0015] Note that the toner transferred to the print medium is heated and pressurized by a fixing device and fixed to the print medium.

[0016] The paper discharge unit 3 is provided at the upper part of the apparatus main body 1 and accumulates the print media on which the toner is fixed. The user can take out the printed print media accumulated in the paper discharge unit 3.

[0017] The medium conveyance path 4 is a path connecting the manual tray 5, the normal tray 6, and the optional tray 8 and the paper discharge unit 3, and the print media sent out from the manual tray 5, the normal tray 6, or the optional tray 8 are conveyed in the medium conveyance direction indicated by the arrow A in the figure by the conveyance roller.

[0018] The manual tray 5 is provided on the front side (the user operation surface side) of the apparatus main body 1, is rotatably opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body 1, and is a media tray having a media placement unit for placing the print media to be conveyed to the image forming unit 2. As shown in FIG. 1(b), the print media P placed on the media placement unit of the manual tray 5 in the open state (hereinafter referred to as the "open state") with respect to the apparatus main body 1 is directly sent to the media conveyance path 4 and the image forming unit 2. Note that when the manual tray 5 is in the closed state (hereinafter referred to as the "closed state"), print media cannot be placed on the media placement unit.

[0019] Normally, the tray 6 is provided in the apparatus main body 1 and is configured to house and place the printing medium to be conveyed to the image forming unit 2 therein, and is a medium tray configured to be pullable with respect to the apparatus main body 1. As shown in FIG. 1(a), when the normal tray 6 is stored with respect to the apparatus main body 1 (hereinafter referred to as the "closed state"), the printing medium can be directly sent out to the medium conveyance path 4 and the image forming unit 2. Also, as shown in FIG. 1(b), when the normal tray 6 is pulled out to the front side with respect to the apparatus main body 1 (hereinafter referred to as the "open state"), the printing medium P cannot be sent out to the medium conveyance path 4 and the image forming unit 2, but the printing medium P can be replenished.

[0020] The optional cassette 7 is provided in the apparatus main body 1, is configured to be detachable with respect to the apparatus main body 1, and can be additionally attached to the apparatus main body 1 as an option.

[0021] The optional tray 8 is provided in the optional cassette 7 and is a medium tray configured to house and place the printing medium to be conveyed to the image forming unit 2 therein, and is configured to be pullable with respect to the optional cassette 7. As shown in FIG. 1(a), when the optional tray 8 is stored with respect to the optional cassette 7 (hereinafter referred to as the "closed state"), the printing medium can be sent out to the medium conveyance path 4 and the image forming unit 2 by passing through the normal tray 6 in the closed state. Also, as shown in FIG. 1(b), when the optional tray 8 is pulled out to the front side with respect to the optional cassette 7 (hereinafter referred to as the "open state"), the printing medium P cannot be sent out to the medium conveyance path 4 and the image forming unit 2, but the printing medium P can be replenished.

[0022] Note that the relationship between the printing medium sent out from the manual feed tray 5, the normal tray 6, and the optional tray 8 and the medium conveyance path 4 will be described later.

[0023] The operation display unit 9 is an operation panel including a touch panel and operation keys provided on the front surface or the like of the apparatus main body 1, and has an operation unit that receives input operations from the user and a display unit that displays various types of information.

[0024] The image forming apparatus 100 receives a print job instructing printing from an external device such as a host computer, sends out a print medium from the manual feed tray 5, the normal tray 6, or the optional tray 8 instructed by the print job to the medium conveyance path 4, forms a toner image on the print medium based on the print data included in the print job in the image forming unit 2, and performs a printing operation of discharging the print medium to the paper discharge unit 3.

[0025] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a medium tray and a medium conveyance path of the image forming apparatus in the embodiment.

[0026] Using FIG. 2, the relationship between the print medium sent out from the manual feed tray 5, the normal tray 6, and the optional tray 8 and the medium conveyance path 4 represented by a one-dot chain line will be described.

[0027] The image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 2 will be described as a front paper feeding device that feeds a print medium from the front (user operation surface direction) of the normal tray 6 and the optional tray 8 and feeds a print medium from the rear (direction of the image forming unit 2) of the manual feed tray 5. Note that the image forming apparatus 100 may be a rear paper feeding device that feeds a print medium from the rear (opposite direction of the user operation surface) of the normal tray 6 and the optional tray 8.

[0028] FIG. 2(a) shows a case where all of the manual feed tray 5, the normal tray 6, and the optional tray 8 are in a closed state. In this case, the print media from the normal tray 6 and the optional tray 8 are normally conveyed to the medium conveyance path 4.

[0029] Figure 2(b) shows the case where the manual tray 5 and the option tray 8 are in the closed state and the normal tray 6 is in the open state. In this case, the printing medium from the option tray 8, which is the paper supply source tray, is inhibited from being conveyed to the medium conveyance path 4 by the open normal tray 6 disposed downstream of the option tray 8 in the medium conveyance direction.

[0030] Figure 2(c) shows the case where the option tray 8 is in the closed state and the manual tray 5 and the normal tray 6 are in the open state. In this case, the printing medium from the manual tray 5 is conveyed to the medium conveyance path 4 without being inhibited from being conveyed by the open normal tray 6 or the option tray 8. That is, the manual tray 5 and the image forming unit 2 are connected by the medium conveyance path 4 without passing through the normal tray 6 or the option tray 8.

[0031] Therefore, even if the normal tray 6 and the option tray 8 are in the open state during paper supply of the printing medium from the manual tray 5, it is possible to convey the printing medium from the manual tray 5 to the medium conveyance path 4.

[0032] Figure 2(d) shows the case where the manual tray 5 and the normal tray 6 are in the closed state and the option tray 8 is in the open state. In this case, since the option tray 8 is disposed upstream of the normal tray 6 in the medium conveyance direction, the printing medium from the normal tray 6 is conveyed to the medium conveyance path 4 without being inhibited from being conveyed by the open option tray 8.

[0033] Therefore, even if the option tray 8 is in the open state during paper supply of the printing medium from the normal tray 6, it is possible to convey the printing medium from the normal tray 6 to the medium conveyance path 4.

[0034] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the medium tray switching control unit in the embodiment.

[0035] In FIG. 3, a media tray switching control unit 10, which is a conveyance control unit for sending a printing medium from the media trays (the manual tray 5, the normal tray 6, and the optional tray 8) of the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 to the media conveyance path 4 and the image forming unit 2, switches the media tray (the manual tray 5, the normal tray 6, and the optional tray 8) for sending the printing medium, and controls conveyance of the printing medium from the first tray (the normal tray 6, the optional tray 8) or the second tray (the manual tray 5) provided in the apparatus main body to the image forming unit 2 based on paper setting information.

[0036] This media tray switching control unit 10 includes a user paper replenishment request recognition unit 11, a conflict determination unit 12, and a manual tray switching unit 13.

[0037] Note that the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a control unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and the control unit controls the operation of the entire image forming apparatus 100 including the image forming unit 2 and the media tray switching control unit 10 based on a control program (software) stored in a storage means such as a memory. In this embodiment, the media tray switching control unit 10 will be mainly described.

[0038] The user paper replenishment request recognition unit 11 recognizes an input operation for requesting (instructing) replenishment of the user's printing medium and an input operation for selecting a media tray for replenishing the printing medium, and transmits the information to the conflict determination unit 12. Note that the user's input operation is assumed to be performed on the operation display unit 9, but other forms such as short-range wireless communication may be used. Also, the selected media tray for replenishment target may be singular or plural.

[0039] The conflict determination unit 12 determines whether or not the media conveyance path is obstructed and a jam of the printing medium occurs when the media tray for paper replenishment target of the printing medium recognized by the user paper replenishment request recognition unit 11 is opened. Some conflict determination units 12 have a printing execution determination unit 121 and a conveyance path conflict determination unit 122.

[0040] The printing execution determination unit 121 determines whether printing is currently in progress.

[0041] Here, when it is determined that printing is in progress, further determination is made by the conveyance path conflict determination unit 122. When it is determined that printing is not in progress, an instruction for paper replenishment operation is given from the operation display unit 9.

[0042] Note that the printing execution determination unit 121 determines that printing is in progress when there is remaining print data in the print job and the printing operation has not stopped due to an error or the like.

[0043] The conveyance path conflict determination unit 122 determines whether the media conveyance path is obstructed when it is determined by the printing execution determination unit 121 that printing is in progress and the media tray to be replenished is in an open state.

[0044] When the conveyance path conflict determination unit 122 determines that the media conveyance path is obstructed, it instructs the manual tray switching unit 13 to execute processing. When it determines that the media conveyance path is not obstructed, the operation display unit 9 displays an instruction for the user to replenish the printing media.

[0045] The manual tray switching unit 13 controls to send the printing media from the manual tray 5 shown in FIG. 1 to the media conveyance path 4 when it is determined by the printing execution determination unit 121 that printing is in progress and it is determined by the conveyance path conflict determination unit 122 that the media conveyance path is obstructed. It has a manual tray setting unit 131, a printing execution inheritance unit 132, and a paper replenishment operation end reception unit 133.

[0046] The manual tray setting unit 131 temporarily sets the paper setting information (media setting information regarding the printing media such as the size, type, thickness, etc. of the printing media) of the current paper feed tray (the media tray for paper feeding) to the manual tray 5 so that the printing media can be sent from the manual tray 5 shown in FIG. 1 to the media conveyance path 4 for printing. Also, it determines whether the printing media is set on the manual tray 5 shown in FIG. 1.

[0047] When the printing execution inheritance unit 132 can prepare for printing from the manual tray 5 shown in FIG. 1 by the manual tray setting unit 131, it switches the media tray, which is the paper feeding destination specified in the printing job, to the manual tray 5 and continues printing. The paper replenishment operation end reception unit 133 determines whether the replenishment of the printing medium to the media tray to be replenished is completed during the execution of printing from the manual tray. In this embodiment, it determines based on whether the media tray to be replenished has transitioned from the open state to the closed state, or when there is a sensor on the media tray itself, it determines whether the replenishment of the printing medium to the media tray to be replenished is completed using the output information of the sensor.

[0048] The operation display unit 9 is as described in FIG. 1, accepts the input operation of the user, and displays a screen for guiding the user to perform the replenishment operation of the printing medium.

[0049] When the media tray switching control unit 10 configured as described above is transporting the printing medium from the paper feeding source tray that feeds the printing medium among the plurality of first trays (normal tray 6, option tray 8), and the replenishment destination tray that is selected by the user's operation on the operation display unit 9 and replenishes the printing medium is not provided upstream of the paper feeding source tray in the media transport direction, it performs control to switch the paper feeding source tray that feeds the printing medium from the first tray (normal tray 6, option tray 8) to the second tray (manual tray 5).

[0050] The operation of the above-described configuration will be described.

[0051] First, the outline of the printing process (printing operation) performed by the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The printing process is performed based on a printing process program stored in a memory or the like by the control unit of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0052] The control unit of the image forming apparatus 100 receives a print job as a print command from an external device via a communication line. The control unit that has received the print job controls the media tray switching control unit 10 shown in FIG. 3, separates the print media P accommodated in the media tray (the manual feed tray 5, the normal tray 6, or the optional tray 8) specified in the print job one by one with a hopping roller, feeds the paper, conveys it to the media conveyance path 4, and further conveys it to the image forming unit 2 in accordance with the image forming timing.

[0053] At this time, the control unit forms a toner image by the image forming unit 2. Further, the control unit controls the conveyance rollers in the media conveyance path 4 and the image forming unit 2, and conveys the print media P at a predetermined print speed.

[0054] The image forming unit 2 rotates the photosensitive drum and uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum with a charging roller. After that, the image forming unit 2 selectively exposes the surface of the charged photosensitive drum according to the print data included in the print job with an LED head, forms an electrostatic latent image, and then supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum by a developing roller to develop it.

[0055] The image forming unit 2 controls the transfer voltage etc. of the transfer roller and transfers the toner image developed on the surface of the photosensitive drum to the print media P conveyed in the media conveyance direction shown by the arrow A in FIG. 1.

[0056] The print media P onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed in the media conveyance direction and conveyed to the fixing unit.

[0057] The control unit controls the fixing unit and fixes the toner transferred to the print media P with heat and pressure.

[0058] After that, the control unit controls the discharge roller to convey the print media P in the media conveyance direction, discharges it from the media conveyance path 4 to the paper discharge unit 3 outside the apparatus, and ends this printing process.

[0059] The control unit repeats the printing process described above until the printing data of the received print job ends, and performs printing on one or more print media P.

[0060] Next, when replenishing the print media in the media tray during the above-described printing, the media replenishment process performed by the media tray switching control unit will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, and FIGS. 6 to 8 according to the steps represented by S in the flowchart showing the flow of the media replenishment process in the embodiment of FIG. 4.

[0061] Here, FIGS. 7 and 8 are explanatory diagrams of the operations in the embodiment. FIG. 7 shows a case where the media conveyance path 4 of the media tray being fed paper is obstructed (hereinafter referred to as "interference") by the media tray to be replenished with the print media, and FIG. 8 shows an example of the operation in the case of no interference.

[0062] This interference or non-interference depends on the combination of the media tray to be replenished with the print media and the media conveyance path 4 of the media tray being fed paper, and the combination is as shown in FIG. 2 described above. Also, the same operation is performed in any combination of interfering media trays, and the same applies to the case of no interference.

[0063] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the display screen in the embodiment, and shows an example of the instruction screen for the user displayed on the operation display unit 9. In this embodiment, an example of display by a touch panel is shown, but other forms may also be used.

[0064] First, when the user desires to replenish the print media (paper) in the media tray, the control unit of the image forming apparatus 100 displays, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 6(a) on the operation display unit 9, accepts an input operation of the operation display unit 9, etc., and further displays, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 6(b) on the operation display unit 9, and accepts a selection operation of the media tray to be replenished. It is assumed that tray 1 in the screen shown in FIG. 6(b) corresponds to the normal tray 6 and tray 2 corresponds to the option tray 8.

[0065] S1: The user paper replenishment request recognition unit 11 of the media tray switching control unit 10 recognizes an input operation that requests (instructs) the replenishment of the user's printing medium, and transmits the information to the conflict determination unit 12.

[0066] The printing execution determination unit 121 of the conflict determination unit 12 determines whether the image forming apparatus 100 is in the middle of printing (a state where there is still printing data due to a printing job and the printing operation has not stopped due to an error or the like). If it is determined that printing is in progress, the process proceeds to S3. If it is determined that printing is not in progress, the process proceeds to S2.

[0067] S2: The printing execution determination unit 121 displays on the operation display unit 9 a screen notifying the user that it is okay to open and replenish the media tray for which the printing medium is to be replenished as it is. Note that this process ends when the replenishment of the printing medium by the user is completed.

[0068] S3: On the other hand, when the printing execution determination unit 121 determines that printing is in progress, the conveyance path conflict determination unit 122 acquires the information of the media tray selected by the user as the replenishment target.

[0069] S4: The conveyance path conflict determination unit 122 determines whether there is a conflict between the media tray selected by the user as the replenishment target and the media conveyance path 4 from the media tray that is the paper feed source of the printing job in progress. If it is determined that there is a conflict, the process proceeds to S5. If it is determined that there is no conflict, the process proceeds to S2.

[0070] Here, when the media conveyance path 4 is not obstructed even if the media tray to be replenished is in the open state, the conveyance path conflict determination unit 122 displays on the operation display unit 9 a screen notifying the user that it is okay to open and replenish the media tray for which the printing medium is to be replenished as it is. Note that this process ends when the replenishment of the printing medium by the user is completed.

[0071] Therefore, when the media conveyance path 4 is not obstructed even when the printing medium is being replenished, the printing operation sends the printing medium from the media tray currently feeding paper to the media conveyance path 4 and continues.

[0072] S5: When the media conveyance path 4 is blocked on one side, the conveyance path conflict determination unit 122 instructs the manual feed tray switching unit 13 to perform a manual feed tray retraction operation of sending the print media from the manual feed tray 5 to the media conveyance path 4.

[0073] When receiving the instruction for the manual feed tray retraction operation, the manual feed tray switching unit 13 performs a manual feed tray retraction process of displaying an explanation screen for the manual feed tray retraction operation on the operation display unit 9.

[0074] Here, the manual feed tray retraction process performed by the manual feed tray switching unit 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIG. 6 according to the steps represented by S in the flowchart showing the flow of the manual feed tray retraction process in the embodiment of FIG. 5.

[0075] S101: As preparation for the manual feed tray retraction, the manual feed tray switching unit 13 displays, on the operation display unit 9, a screen shown in, for example, FIG. 6(c) as an instruction to open the manual feed tray 5.

[0076] S102: The manual feed tray switching unit 13 determines whether the manual feed tray 5 has become open. If it is determined that it has become open, the process proceeds to S103. If it is determined that it has not become open, the process returns to S101.

[0077] S103: When it is determined that the manual feed tray 5 has become open, the manual feed tray switching unit 13 displays, on the operation display unit 9, a screen for instructing to set a print media of the same paper size as the currently feeding print media on the manual feed tray 5, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 6(d).

[0078] S104: The manual feed tray switching unit 13 sets the paper setting information of the media tray for paper feeding in the manual feed tray 5 and inherits it to the paper setting information of the manual feed tray 5 (paper setting inheritance).

[0079] S105: The manual feed tray switching unit 13 determines whether the print medium is set on the manual feed tray 5. If it is determined that it is set, the process proceeds to S106. If it is determined that it is not yet set, the process proceeds to S103. Note that when the setting of the print medium on the manual feed tray 5 is completed, the preparation for printing from the manual feed tray 5 is completed.

[0080] S106: When the preparation for printing from the manual feed tray 5 is completed, the manual feed tray switching unit 13 starts printing by feeding the print medium from the manual feed tray 5 and continues to perform printing according to the print job.

[0081] At this time, since the media trays other than the manual feed tray 5 (the normal tray 6 and the option tray 8) do not compete with the media conveyance path 4 through which the print medium fed from the manual feed tray 5 is conveyed, they can be freely opened and the print medium can be replenished.

[0082] In this way, when the media tray switching control unit 10 is in the process of conveying the print medium from the paper feed source tray that feeds the print medium among the plurality of first trays (the normal tray 6 and the option tray 8), and the replenishment destination tray that is selected by the user's operation on the operation display unit 9 and replenishes the print medium is not provided upstream of the paper feed source tray in the media conveyance direction, the media tray switching control unit 10 performs control to switch the paper feed source tray that feeds the print medium from the first tray (the normal tray 6 and the option tray 8) to the second tray (the manual feed tray 5).

[0083] S107: The manual feed tray switching unit 13 displays on the operation display unit 9 a screen instructing to replenish the print medium to the selected media tray X (the media tray recognized (selected) in S1 of FIG. 4), for example, the screen shown in FIG. 6(e).

[0084] S108: The manual feed tray switching unit 13 determines whether the print medium has been replenished to the selected media tray. If it is determined that it has been replenished, the process proceeds to S109. If it is determined that it has not yet been replenished, the process proceeds to S107.

[0085] S109: When the manual feed tray switching unit 13 detects that the replenishment of the printing medium to the medium tray to be replenished is completed and the medium tray is in the closed state, it sets the paper setting information of the medium tray to be fed again from the manual feed tray 5 to the original medium tray. As a result, the paper feed destination of the print job that has been temporarily retreated to the manual feed tray 5 will return to the original medium tray again.

[0086] When the printing preparation from the original medium tray is completed, the manual feed tray switching unit 13 starts printing from the original medium tray, continues printing by the print job, and ends this process.

[0087] For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the normal tray 6 to be replenished with the printing medium competes with the medium conveyance path 4 of the normal tray 6 from which the printing medium is being fed, in S1 of FIG. 4, the user paper replenishment request recognition unit 11 recognizes an input operation for requesting (instructing) the user to replenish the printing medium, and transmits the information to the conflict determination unit 12.

[0088] Here, as shown in FIG. 7(a), it is assumed that the user paper replenishment request recognition unit 11 recognizes a request to replenish the printing medium to the normal tray 6 while the printing medium is being fed from the normal tray 6.

[0089] At this time, in S4 of FIG. 4, when the conveyance path conflict determination unit 122 determines that the replenishment destination tray (normal tray 6) for replenishing the medium is not provided upstream of the paper feed source tray (normal tray 6) in the medium conveyance direction, it determines that there is a conflict between the medium tray to be replenished selected by the user and the medium conveyance path 4 from the medium tray of the paper feed destination of the print job being printed.

[0090] Next, as shown in FIG. 7(b), when the manual feed tray 5 is in the open state, in S101 to S104 of FIG. 5, the manual feed tray switching unit 13 sets the paper setting information of the medium tray to be fed to the manual feed tray 5.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 7(c), in S105 of FIG. 5, when the setting of the printing medium for the manual feed tray 5 is completed, the printing preparation from the manual feed tray 5 is completed.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 7(d), in S106 of FIG. 5, the manual tray switching unit 13 starts feeding the print medium PA from the manual tray 5 and continues printing according to the print job.

[0093] At this time, it becomes possible to replenish the print medium PB to the normal tray 6.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 7(e), in S107 to S109 of FIG. 5, when the replenishment of the print medium PB to the normal tray 6 is completed, the manual tray switching unit 13 resets the paper setting information of the paper feed tray from the manual tray 5 to the original normal tray 6 again. As a result, the paper feed destination of the print job temporarily retreated to the manual tray 5 returns to the original normal tray 6 again.

[0095] When the preparation for printing from the original normal tray 6 is completed, the manual tray switching unit 13 starts printing from the original normal tray 6 and continues printing according to the print job.

[0096] In this way, it is possible to replenish the print medium even during printing. Therefore, conventionally, it was impossible to replenish the print medium without stopping the print job, such as "want to replenish the print medium because it seems to run out" or "want to replenish the print medium in advance so as to be able to quickly shift to the next print job". However, by using the temporary retreat of the print job to the manual tray 5, it is possible to replenish the print medium even during printing.

[0097] Also, in this embodiment, it is set to temporarily retreat only when it is necessary to retreat to the manual tray 5. By implementing only when there is a conflict between the print medium replenishment target tray that requires temporary retreat and the medium conveyance path 4 from the current paper feed tray, it is possible to realize quick print medium replenishment without imposing unnecessary labor on the user.

[0098] Note that an example where temporary retreat is not required includes a case where the medium conveyance path 4 from the current paper feed tray is not obstructed even when the print medium replenishment target tray is opened.

[0099] Furthermore, since procedures are provided from the operation display unit 14 regarding operations, errors such as printing medium jams due to inadvertent operations can be reduced.

[0100] Also, as shown in FIG. 8, when the normal tray 6 for replenishing the printing medium does not conflict with the medium conveyance path 4 of the normal tray 6 during paper feeding, in S1 of FIG. 4, the user paper replenishment request recognition unit 11 recognizes an input operation for requesting (instructing) the user to replenish the printing medium, and transmits that information to the conflict determination unit 12.

[0101] Here, as shown in FIG. 8(a), it is assumed that the user paper replenishment request recognition unit 11 recognizes a request to replenish the printing medium in the option tray 8 while feeding the printing medium from the normal tray 6.

[0102] At this time, in S4 of FIG. 4, as shown in FIG. 8(b), when the replenishment destination tray (option tray 8) for replenishing the medium is provided upstream of the paper feed source tray (normal tray 6) in the medium conveyance direction, the conveyance path conflict determination unit 122 determines that there is no conflict between the medium tray for the replenishment target selected by the user and the medium conveyance path 4 from the medium tray of the paper feed destination of the printing job being printed.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 8(c), since there is no conflict between the medium tray for the replenishment target selected by the user and the medium conveyance path 4 from the medium tray of the paper feed destination of the printing job being printed, in S2 of FIG. 4, the printing execution determination unit 121 displays on the operation display unit 9 a screen informing the user that it is okay to open and replenish the medium tray for the replenishment target of the printing medium as it is.

[0104] In this way, when the media tray switching control unit 10 is in the process of conveying the printing medium from the paper feed source tray that feeds the printing medium among a plurality of first trays (normal tray 6, optional tray 8), and the replenishment destination tray that is selected by the user's operation on the operation display unit 9 and replenishes the printing medium is provided upstream of the paper feed source tray in the media conveyance direction, the media tray switching control unit 10 displays on the operation display unit 9 that the printing medium can be replenished to the replenishment destination tray without switching the paper feed source tray that feeds the printing medium from the first trays (normal tray 6, optional tray 8) to the second tray (manual feed tray 5).

[0105] In this case, as shown in FIG. 8(d), the image forming apparatus 100 can keep the optional tray 8 in an open state while continuing the printing operation, and can replenish the printing medium PB to the optional tray 8.

[0106] In this way, when the normal tray 6, which is the replenishment target of the printing medium, does not conflict with the media conveyance path 4 of the normal tray 6 during paper feeding, as shown in FIG. 8(e), the printing medium PB can be replenished to the optional tray 8 without interrupting the paper feeding from the normal tray 6.

[0107] In this embodiment, among a plurality of first trays (normal tray 6 or optional tray 8), when the replenishment destination tray that is selected by the user's operation on the operation display unit 14 and replenishes the printing medium is not provided upstream of the paper feed source tray in the media conveyance direction during the conveyance of the printing medium from the paper feed source tray that feeds the printing medium, the paper feed source tray that feeds the printing medium is switched from the first tray to the second tray (manual feed tray 5). As a result, the media can be replenished to the replenishment destination tray even during printing.

[0108] In addition, since the user's own action triggers the printing medium replenishment operation, the printing medium can be replenished at a timing convenient for the user.

[0109] Therefore, even during printing, "printing medium replenishment as a precaution" and "replenishing the printing medium in advance to prevent paper jams" are possible.

[0110] By constructing a configuration that allows the printing medium to be replenished in advance even during such printing, the frequency of running out of the printing medium itself can be reduced.

[0111] Therefore, it is possible to eliminate printing interruptions caused by running out of the printing medium and the resulting time loss.

[0112] In addition, in this embodiment, the front paper feeding device has been described, but a rear paper feeding device may also be used. Also, there may be a case where there are a plurality of trays for replenishing the printing medium. In that case, the conditions for determining the completion of replenishment of the printing medium will increase by the number of the target trays.

[0113] As described above, in this embodiment, the effect that the medium can be replenished to the replenishment destination tray even during printing is obtained.

[0114] In addition, in this embodiment, the image forming apparatus has been described as a printer, but it is not limited thereto, and it may be a copier, a facsimile apparatus, a multifunction peripheral (MFP), or the like.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0115] 1 Apparatus main body 2 Image forming unit 3 Paper discharge unit 4 Medium conveyance path 5 Manual feed tray 6 Normal tray 7 Option cassette 8 Option tray 9 Operation display unit 10 Medium tray switching control unit 11 User paper replenishment request recognition unit 12 Conflict determination unit 13 Manual feed tray switching unit 100 Image forming apparatus 121 Printing execution determination unit 122 Conveyance path conflict determination unit 131 Manual feed tray setting unit 132 Printing execution inheritance unit 133 Paper replenishment operation end reception unit

Claims

1. An image forming unit that forms an image on a medium, A medium conveyance path that conveys the medium to the image forming unit, A tray 1 provided in the apparatus main body and connected to the medium conveyance path from below for placing the medium conveyed to the image forming unit, and a tray 2 provided below the tray 1 that inhibits the tray 1 from being pulled out and places the medium that is stored and passed through the tray 1 and the medium conveyance path and conveyed to the image forming unit, and a plurality of first trays including the above, A manual feed tray that is connected to the medium conveyance path without passing through the first tray from the front side above the first tray and is openable and closable with respect to the apparatus main body for placing the medium conveyed to the image forming unit, An operation display unit that receives a user's operation, Based on the medium setting information, the medium is conveyed from the first tray or the manual feed tray to the image forming unit, and among the plurality of first trays, when the tray 2 that is the paper feed source tray for feeding the medium is the tray 1 where the replenishment destination tray for replenishing the medium selected on the operation display unit during the conveyance of the medium is not provided upstream of the paper feed source tray in the medium conveyance direction, a conveyance control unit that switches the paper feed source tray for feeding the medium from tray 2 of the first tray to the manual feed tray, having, The conveyance control unit, Means for displaying a screen that prompts the closed manual feed tray to be opened, Determination means for determining whether or not the manual feed tray has been opened, When it is determined by the determination means that the manual feed tray has been opened, Means for displaying a screen that prompts the medium to be placed on the manual feed tray, Paper setting inheritance means for setting the medium setting information of the paper feed source tray in the manual feed tray and inheriting it to the medium setting information of the manual feed tray, After the medium setting information is inherited by the paper setting inheritance means, Determination means for determining whether or not the medium has been placed on the manual feed tray, An image forming apparatus characterized by being configured as above.

2. In the image forming apparatus according to Claim 1, The conveyance control unit, Among the plurality of the first trays, when the replenishment destination tray for replenishing the medium selected on the operation display unit while the medium is being conveyed from the paper feed source tray that feeds the medium is provided upstream of the paper feed source tray in the medium conveyance direction, an image forming apparatus characterized by displaying on the operation display unit that the medium can be replenished to the replenishment destination tray without switching the paper feed source tray that feeds the medium from the first tray to the manual feed tray.

Images