Image forming apparatus, and control method of image forming apparatus

Abstract

To control an added cassette 21 at a higher speed.SOLUTION: An image forming device 1 comprises a body control device 100 equipped with a body memory 120, a body cassette 17, and an added cassette 21 different from the body cassette 17, which is communicatably connected to the body control device 100. The body memory 120 has a transmission queue Q that temporarily memorizes a command to be transmitted to the added cassette 21, for each added cassette 21 that is communicatably connected to the body control device 100. The body control device 100, when a plurality of commands are memorized in the transmission queue Q, performs processing for generating first combined commands in which the plurality of commands memorized in the transmission queue Q are combined and transmitting the first combined commands to the added cassette 21, for each transmission queue Q.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an image forming apparatus including a cassette capable of accommodating a medium such as paper is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus including a plurality of additional cassettes connected to a device main body by a bus. The image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 specifies one additional cassette and instructs the device main body to execute a predetermined process on the specified additional cassette.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Among image forming apparatuses such as those described in Patent Document 1, there is an apparatus configured such that a control device transmits data to each cassette one by one in cassette control. However, in this type of image forming apparatus, the larger the amount of data to be transmitted, the more likely it is that a delay will occur in the transmission of other data. Therefore, there is room for improvement in speeding up the control of the cassette in this type of image forming apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect for solving the above problems is an image forming apparatus including a control device having a storage unit, a first cassette, and a second cassette different from the first cassette and communicatively connected to the control device. The storage unit has a transmission queue for temporarily storing data to be transmitted to the second cassette for each second cassette communicatively connected to the control device. When a plurality of data are stored in the transmission queue, the control device generates first combined data obtained by combining the plurality of data stored in the transmission queue and transmits the first combined data to the second cassette for each transmission queue.

[0006] Another aspect for solving the above problems is a control method for an image forming apparatus including a control device having a storage unit, a first cassette, and a second cassette different from the first cassette and communicatively connected to the control device. The storage unit has a transmission queue for temporarily storing data to be transmitted to the second cassette for each second cassette communicatively connected to the control device. When a plurality of data are stored in the transmission queue, the control device generates first combined data obtained by combining the plurality of data stored in the transmission queue and transmits the first combined data to the second cassette for each transmission queue.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are illustrated. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are orthogonal to each other. The Z-axis indicates the vertical direction and the up-and-down direction in the installation state of the image forming apparatus 1. The X-axis and Y-axis are parallel to the horizontal direction. The Y-axis indicates the front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus 1. The X-axis indicates the left-right direction of the image forming apparatus 1. The positive direction of the Z-axis indicates the upward direction. The positive direction of the Y-axis indicates the forward direction. The positive direction of the X-axis indicates the leftward direction. Note that the front surface of the image forming apparatus 1 is the front side of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a front view showing the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is called an MFP (Multi Function Peripherals) and is a multifunction device having various functions such as an image forming function, a facsimile function, and a scanning function.

[0010] The image forming apparatus 1 has a reading unit 11 at the upper part of the apparatus main body 10. The reading unit 11 includes a cover 12 that is openably and closably provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 10, a document tray 13 mounted on the cover 12, and an automatic document feeder 14 (Auto Document Feeder). The reading unit 11 reads the document D conveyed one by one from the document tray 13 by the automatic document feeder 14 or the document D set on the glass table exposed when the cover 12 is opened. The document D read by the reading unit 11 is discharged onto the discharge tray 15.

[0011] An operation panel 16 is provided at the upper front part of the apparatus main body 10. The operation panel 16 includes a plurality of operation switches and devices such as a display and a touch panel.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a main body cassette 17. The main body cassette 17 is provided in a recess 18 formed at a position below the operation panel 16 in the apparatus main body 10. The main body cassette 17 includes a main body tray 171 capable of accommodating a medium S such as paper in a stacked state. The main body tray 171 can accommodate one or more media S. A grip portion 172 used when the user pulls out the main body tray 171 is formed on the front surface of the main body tray 171. The main body cassette 17 is an example of the "first cassette".

[0013] The image forming apparatus 1 includes an ink storage portion 19 below the main body cassette 17. The ink storage portion 19 houses an ink pack 20 which is a source of ink. The ink storage portion 19 houses a plurality of ink packs 20 each having a different ink color.

[0014] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a first additional cassette 21A, a second additional cassette 21B, and a third additional cassette 21C below the apparatus main body 10. In the following description, when the first additional cassette 21A, the second additional cassette 21B, and the third additional cassette 21C are not distinguished, they are referred to as "additional cassettes" and denoted by the symbol "21". The additional cassette 21 is an example of the "second cassette".

[0015] Each of the first additional cassette 21A, the second additional cassette 21B, and the third additional cassette 21C has substantially the same configuration. Therefore, in the description of the configuration of the additional cassette 21 with reference to FIG. 1, the configuration of the first additional cassette 21A is described as representative, and the descriptions of the configurations of the second additional cassette 21B and the third additional cassette 21C are omitted.

[0016] The first additional cassette 21A includes a housing 22 and an additional tray 23 attached to the housing 22. The additional tray 23 can accommodate one or more sheets of the medium S. Note that the additional tray 23 may have a larger, smaller, or the same number of sheets of the medium S that can be accommodated as compared to the main body cassette 17. A grip portion 24 used when the user pulls out the additional tray 23 is formed on the front surface of the additional tray 23.

[0017] When the image forming apparatus 1 receives image forming data from an external device such as a PC (Personal Computer), it identifies a cassette corresponding to the information of the medium S indicated by the received image forming data, and conveys the medium S from the identified cassette. The image forming data includes information of the medium S on which an image is to be formed, image data to be formed on the medium S, and various control commands by which the image forming apparatus 1 conforms to a command system. The image forming apparatus 1 ejects ink supplied from within the ink storage unit 19 onto the medium S conveyed along a conveyance path HK formed within the apparatus main body 10 described later to perform image formation.

[0018] The medium S on which an image has been formed is discharged from a discharge port 25 that opens between the operation panel 16 and the main body cassette 17 in the apparatus main body 10. A slide-type discharge tray 26 that is multi-stage and stretchable in the front-rear direction is provided below the discharge port 25. The medium S discharged from the discharge port 25 is loaded onto the extended discharge tray 26.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a side cross section of the image forming apparatus 1. Note that in FIG. 2, illustration of the ink storage unit 19 is omitted. Each of the first additional cassette 21A, the second additional cassette 21B, and the third additional cassette 21C has substantially the same configuration as each other. Therefore, in the description of the configuration of the additional cassette 21 with reference to FIG. 2, the configuration of the first additional cassette 21A will be described as representative, and the descriptions of the configurations of the second additional cassette 21B and the third additional cassette 21C will be omitted as appropriate.

[0020] The apparatus main body 10 includes a first main body conveyance unit 27. The first main body conveyance unit 27 conveys the medium S conveyed from the main body cassette 17 or the additional cassette 21 in the conveyance direction H. The first main body conveyance unit 27 includes a first main body conveyance roller pair 271, a second main body conveyance roller pair 272, and a third main body conveyance roller pair 273. Each of the first main body conveyance roller pair 271, the second main body conveyance roller pair 272, and the third main body conveyance roller pair 273 includes a rotating roller that rotates by the power of a motor and a driven roller that is driven as the rotating roller rotates. The second main body conveyance roller pair 272 is provided downstream of the first main body conveyance roller pair 271 in the conveyance direction H of the medium S. The third main body conveyance roller pair 273 is provided downstream of the second main body conveyance roller pair 272 in the conveyance direction H of the medium S.

[0021] The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming unit 28. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming unit 28 is provided between the second main body conveyance roller pair 272 and the third main body conveyance roller pair 273 in the conveyance direction H. The image forming unit 28 includes a carriage 281 and an inkjet head 282 mounted on the carriage 281.

[0022] The carriage 281 is supported by a carriage shaft 283 extending in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction H, and the inkjet head 282 is scanned in the orthogonal direction along the carriage shaft 283. The inkjet head 282 includes, for example, nozzle arrays of four colors of CYMK. The inkjet head 282 receives the supply of ink from the ink storage unit 19, and ejects ink from the nozzles provided in each nozzle array to form an image on the medium S.

[0023] In the conveyance path HK of the medium S, a platen 29 is provided at a position facing the inkjet head 282. The platen 29 extends over the range where the inkjet head 282 can form an image, and flattens and supports the medium S so that the surface of the medium S located on the platen 29 is perpendicular to the ejection direction of the ink ejected from the inkjet head 282.

[0024] The apparatus main body 10 includes a second main body conveyance unit 30. The second main body conveyance unit 30 conveys the media S accommodated in the main body cassette 17 one by one to the first main body conveyance unit 27. The second main body conveyance unit 30 includes a main body pickup roller 301 and a main body separation roller pair 302. The main body pickup roller 301 is a roller that feeds out the uppermost media S among the media S stacked on the main body tray 171 from the main body tray 171. The main body separation roller pair 302 conveys the media S one by one toward the first main body conveyance unit 27 even when a plurality of the media S fed out by the main body pickup roller 301 are stacked. The main body separation roller pair 302 includes a rotating roller and a driven roller that is driven as the rotating roller rotates. The main body cassette 17 includes a hopper plate 173 on which the media S is stacked in the main body tray 171. The main body cassette 17 inclines the hopper plate 173 to press the media S accommodated in the main body tray 171 against the main body pickup roller 301. The main body cassette 17 of the present embodiment inclines the hopper plate 173 by a mechanical drive method using the force when the main body cassette 17 is inserted into the recess 18.

[0025] The first additional cassette 21A includes an additional conveyance unit 31. The additional conveyance unit 31 conveys the media S accommodated in the additional tray 23 one by one to the apparatus main body 10. The additional conveyance unit 31 includes an additional pickup roller 311, an additional separation roller pair 312, and an additional conveyance roller pair 313.

[0026] The additional pickup roller 311 is a roller that feeds out the uppermost media S among the media S placed on the additional tray 23 from the additional tray 23.

[0027] The additional separation roller pair 312 conveys the media S one by one to the additional conveyance roller pair 313 even when a plurality of the media S fed out by the additional pickup roller 311 are stacked. The additional separation roller pair 312 includes a rotating roller and a driven roller that is driven as the rotating roller rotates.

[0028] The additional conveyance roller pair 313 includes a rotating roller and a driven roller. The additional conveyance roller pair 313 conveys the medium S conveyed from the additional separation roller pair 312 to the apparatus main body 10 installed adjacent above the first additional cassette 21A. Further, the additional conveyance roller pair 313 conveys the medium S conveyed from the additional cassette 21 installed below the first additional cassette 21A to the apparatus main body 10 installed adjacent above the first additional cassette 21A.

[0029] Note that the additional conveyance roller pair 313 of the second additional cassette 21B conveys the medium S accommodated in the second additional cassette 21B or the medium S conveyed from the third additional cassette 21C to the first additional cassette 21A. The additional conveyance roller pair 313 of the third additional cassette 21C conveys the medium S accommodated in the third additional cassette 21C to the second additional cassette 21B.

[0030] The first additional cassette 21A presses the medium S against the additional pickup roller 311 by tilting the hopper plate 32. The first additional cassette 21A tilts the hopper plate 32 by an electric drive method and presses the medium S against the additional pickup roller 311.

[0031] Next, the configuration of the control system of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a main body control device 100. The main control device 100 includes a main processor 110 that executes programs such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a main memory 120, and a communication line I / F 130. I / F is an abbreviation for interface. The main control device 100 controls each part of the image forming apparatus 1 by the main processor 110 reading out and executing the control program 121 stored in the main memory 120. By executing the control program 121 stored in the main memory 120, the main processor 110 functions as a first main body communication control unit 111, a second main body communication control unit 112, an image forming control unit 113, and a second command generation unit 114. The main control device 100 is an example of a "control device". The main memory 120 is an example of a "storage unit".

[0033] The main memory 120 is a memory that stores the control program 121, other programs executed by the main processor 110, data processed by the main processor 110, and the like. The main memory 120 has a non-volatile storage area. Further, the main memory 120 may include a volatile storage area and constitute a work area of the main processor 110.

[0034] The communication line I / F 130 includes communication hardware such as a connector and a communication circuit. A bus-type communication line TL to which the additional cassette 21 can be connected is connected to the communication line I / F 130. In other words, the additional cassette 21 is connected to the communication line I / F 130 in a bus shape. The main control device 100 communicates with the additional cassette 21 via the communication line TL.

[0035] The image forming apparatus 1 includes an operation panel 16, a communication device 101, a reading unit 11, an image forming unit 28, a first main body motor 102, a second main body motor 103, a third main body motor 104, a fourth main body motor 105, and a fifth main body motor 106. The operation panel 16, the communication device 101, the reading unit 11, the image forming unit 28, the first main body motor 102, the second main body motor 103, the third main body motor 104, the fourth main body motor 105, and the fifth main body motor 106 are connected to the main body control device 100.

[0036] The operation panel 16 displays various information on the display according to the control of the main body control device 100. Further, the operation panel 16 outputs a signal corresponding to an operation on the operation switch to the main body control device 100.

[0037] The communication device 101 includes communication hardware such as a communication circuit according to a predetermined communication standard, and communicates with an external device separate from the image forming apparatus 1 according to the predetermined communication standard.

[0038] The reading unit 11 reads the document D according to the control of the main body control device 100.

[0039] The image forming unit 28 drives the inkjet head 282 and the carriage 281 according to the control of the main body control device 100, and forms an image on the medium S.

[0040] The first main body motor 102 is connected to the first main body conveyance roller pair 271 via a power transmission mechanism. The main body control device 100 rotates the rotation roller of the first main body conveyance roller pair 271 by driving the first main body motor 102.

[0041] The second main body motor 103 is connected to the second main body conveyance roller pair 272 via a power transmission mechanism. The main body control device 100 rotates the rotation roller of the second main body conveyance roller pair 272 by driving the second main body motor 103.

[0042] The third body motor 104 is connected to the third body conveyance roller pair 273 via a power transmission mechanism. The main body control device 100 rotates the rotating rollers of the third body conveyance roller pair 273 by driving the third body motor 104.

[0043] The fourth body motor 105 is connected to the body pickup roller 301 via a power transmission mechanism. The main body control device 100 rotates the body pickup roller 301 by driving the fourth body motor 105.

[0044] The fifth body motor 106 is connected to the body separation roller pair 302 via a power transmission mechanism. The main body control device 100 rotates the rotating rollers of the body separation roller pair 302 by driving the fifth body motor 106.

[0045] As described above, the main body processor 110 functions as the first main body communication control unit 111, the second main body communication control unit 112, the image formation control unit 113, and the second command generation unit 114. The image formation control unit 113 functions as the first command generation unit 1131.

[0046] The first main body communication control unit 111 communicates with an external device via the communication device 101. For example, the first main body communication control unit 111 receives image formation data from an external device.

[0047] Before explaining the second main body communication control unit 112, the image formation control unit 113 and the second command generation unit 114 will be explained. The image formation control unit 113 performs image formation processing based on the image formation data received by the first main body communication control unit 111. The image formation processing is a process including conveyance of the medium S and image formation on the medium S. The image formation control unit 113 controls the image formation unit 28, the first main body motor 102, the second main body motor 103, and the third main body motor 104 to perform image formation processing.

[0048] When the image forming control unit 113 performs an image forming process on the medium S accommodated in the main body cassette 17, the image forming control unit 113 further controls the fourth main body motor 105 and the fifth main body motor 106, conveys the medium S accommodated in the main body cassette 17, and forms an image on the medium S. When the image forming control unit 113 performs an image forming process on the medium S accommodated in the additional cassette 21, the image forming control unit 113 outputs a command, which is an example of "data", to the additional cassette 21 to convey the medium S to the additional cassette 21. Then, the image forming control unit 113 forms an image on the medium S conveyed from the additional cassette 21.

[0049] The first command generation unit 1131 generates a command to be output to the additional cassette 21. The first command generation unit 1131 stores the generated command in the main body memory 120. In the storage area of the main body memory 120, a transmission queue Q is formed for each additional cassette 21 added to the apparatus main body 10. The transmission queue Q is a storage area for temporarily storing commands to be output to the additional cassette 21. In the main body memory 120 of the present embodiment, a first transmission queue Q1 corresponding to the first additional cassette 21A, a second transmission queue Q2 corresponding to the second additional cassette 21B, and a third transmission queue Q3 corresponding to the third additional cassette 21C are formed. When the first command generation unit 1131 generates a command to be output to the first additional cassette 21A, the generated command is stored in the first transmission queue Q1. When the first command generation unit 1131 generates a command to be output to the second additional cassette 21B, the generated command is stored in the second transmission queue Q2. When the first command generation unit 1131 generates a command to be output to the third additional cassette 21C, the generated command is stored in the third transmission queue Q3.

[0050] In the present embodiment, the command generated by the first command generation unit 1131 is a hardware-based command.

[0051] Hardware commands are commands related to the hardware of the expansion cassette 21. In this embodiment, the hardware commands include a first mechanical drive command, a second mechanical drive command, a third mechanical drive command, a fourth mechanical drive command, a first sensor command, a second sensor command, a third sensor command, and a fourth sensor command.

[0052] The first mechanical drive command is a command for instructing the drive of the additional pickup roller 311. The first mechanical drive command describes the rotation amount of the additional pickup roller 311 and the like. The second mechanical drive command is a command for instructing the drive of the additional separation roller pair 312. The second mechanical drive command describes the rotation amount of the rotating roller of the additional separation roller pair 312 and the like. The third mechanical drive command is a command for instructing the drive of the additional transport roller pair 313. The third mechanical drive command describes the rotation amount of the rotating roller of the additional transport roller pair 313 and the like. The fourth mechanical drive command is a command for instructing the drive of the hopper plate 32.

[0053] The first sensor command is a command for requesting the detection value of the first sensor 206A. The first sensor 206A is a sensor for detecting whether or not the medium S is stored in the additional tray 23. The second sensor command is a command for requesting the detection value of the second sensor 206B. The second sensor 206B is a sensor for detecting the position of the medium S in the additional tray 23. The third sensor command is a command for requesting the detection value of the third sensor 206C. The third sensor 206C is a sensor for detecting the size of the medium S stored in the additional tray 23. The fourth sensor command is a command for requesting the detection value of the fourth sensor 206D. The fourth sensor 206D is a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the additional tray 23.

[0054] In the following description, when not distinguishing between the first mechanical drive command, the second mechanical drive command, the third mechanical drive command, the fourth mechanical drive command, the first sensor command, and the second sensor command, it is referred to as an "image forming operation command". The image forming operation command is a command related to the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0055] When generating a command, the first command generation unit 1131 associates it with a command that generates a flag indicating that an ACK is required. The first command generation unit 1131 associates one flag indicating that an ACK is required with all of the hardware-based commands.

[0056] The second command generation unit 114 generates a command to be output to the additional cassette 21. The command to be output to the additional cassette 21 is an example of "data". When the second command generation unit 114 generates a command to be output to the first additional cassette 21A, it stores the generated command in the first transmission queue Q1. When the second command generation unit 114 generates a command to be output to the second additional cassette 21B, it stores the generated command in the second transmission queue Q2. When the second command generation unit 114 generates a command to be output to the third additional cassette 21C, it stores the generated command in the third transmission queue Q3.

[0057] In the present embodiment, the command generated by the second command generation unit 114 is a software-based command. The software-based command is a command related to the software of the additional cassette 21. In the present embodiment, the software-based command includes a first firmware command, a second firmware command, and a time setting command.

[0058] The first firmware command is a command for requesting the version of the firmware of the additional cassette 21. The second firmware command is a command for instructing the update of the firmware of the additional cassette 21. The time setting command is a command for instructing the setting of the time in the additional cassette 21.

[0059] When generating a command, the second command generation unit 114 associates one command that generates a flag indicating whether an ACK is required.

[0060] The second main body communication control unit 112 will be described. The second main body communication control unit 112 communicates with the expansion cassette 21 connected to the communication line TL via the communication line I / F 130 and the communication line TL. The second main body communication control unit 112 transmits the commands stored in the transmission queue Q to the expansion cassette 21. The second main body communication control unit 112 monitors each transmission queue Q and transmits the commands stored in the transmission queue Q to the expansion cassette 21 corresponding to the transmission queue Q. Details of the transmission operation of the second main body communication control unit 112 will be described later. When the expansion cassette 21 transmits an ACK (Acknowledgement) which is an affirmative response, the second main body communication control unit 112 receives the ACK from the expansion cassette 21.

[0061] Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the configuration of the control system of the expansion cassette 21 will be described. Each of the first expansion cassette 21A, the second expansion cassette 21B, and the third expansion cassette 21C has substantially the same configuration. Therefore, in the description of the configuration of the expansion cassette 21 with reference to FIG. 3, the configuration of the first expansion cassette 21A will be described as a representative, and the descriptions of the configurations of the second expansion cassette 21B and the third expansion cassette 21C will be omitted.

[0062] The first expansion cassette 21A includes an expansion control device 200. The expansion control device 200 includes an expansion processor 210 that executes a program such as a CPU, and an expansion memory 220. The expansion control device 200 controls each part of the first expansion cassette 21A by the expansion processor 210 reading and executing the control program 221 stored in the expansion memory 220. The expansion processor 210 functions as an expansion communication control unit 211 and a command execution unit 212 by executing the control program 221 stored in the expansion memory 220.

[0063] The additional memory 220 is a memory that stores a control program 221, other programs executed by the additional processor 210, data processed by the additional processor 210, and the like. The additional memory 220 has a non-volatile storage area. Further, the additional memory 220 may include a volatile storage area and constitute a work area of the additional processor 210.

[0064] The first additional cassette 21A includes an additional I / F 201. The additional I / F 201 includes communication hardware such as a connector. The additional I / F 201 is connected to a bus-type communication line TL and communicates with the main control device 100 via the communication line TL.

[0065] The first additional cassette 21A includes a first additional motor 202, a second additional motor 203, a third additional motor 204, and a fourth additional motor 205. These motors are connected to the additional control device 200.

[0066] The first additional motor 202 is connected to the additional pickup roller 311 via a power transmission mechanism. The additional control device 200 rotates the additional pickup roller 311 by driving the first additional motor 202.

[0067] The second additional motor 203 is connected to the additional separation roller pair 312 via a power transmission mechanism. The additional control device 200 rotates the rotating roller of the additional separation roller pair 312 by driving the second additional motor 203.

[0068] The third additional motor 204 is connected to the additional conveyance roller pair 313 via a power transmission mechanism. The additional control device 200 rotates the rotating roller of the additional conveyance roller pair 313 by driving the third additional motor 204.

[0069] The fourth additional motor 205 tilts the hopper plate 32 via a power transmission mechanism. The additional control device 200 tilts the hopper plate 32 by driving the fourth additional motor 205.

[0070] The first additional cassette 21A is provided with a sensor group 206. The sensor group 206 includes a first sensor 206A, a second sensor 206B, a third sensor 206C, and a fourth sensor 206D, and outputs the detection values of these sensors to the additional control device 200.

[0071] As described above, the additional processor 210 functions as an additional communication control unit 211 and a command execution unit 212.

[0072] The additional communication control unit 211 communicates with the main control device 100 via the additional I / F 201. The additional communication control unit 211 receives a command from the main control device 100. When a flag requiring an ACK is associated with the command received from the main control device 100, the additional communication control unit 211 transmits one ACK to the main control device 100.

[0073] The command execution unit 212 executes the command received by the additional communication control unit 211. When the command received by the additional communication control unit 211 is damaged, the command execution unit 212 discards the command. The detection of command damage is performed by existing methods such as hash functions and checksums.

[0074] When the command received by the additional communication control unit 211 is the first mechanical drive command, the command execution unit 212 drives the first additional motor 202 and rotates the additional pickup roller 311 by the amount of rotation described in the first mechanical drive command. When the command received by the additional communication control unit 211 is the second mechanical drive command, the command execution unit 212 drives the second additional motor 203 and rotates the rotating roller of the additional separation roller pair 312 by the amount of rotation described in the second mechanical drive command. When the command received by the additional communication control unit 211 is the third mechanical drive command, the command execution unit 212 drives the third additional motor 204 and rotates the rotating roller of the additional transport roller pair 313 by the amount of rotation described in the third mechanical drive command. When the command received by the additional communication control unit 211 is the fourth mechanical drive command, the command execution unit 212 drives the fourth additional motor 205 to tilt the hopper plate 32.

[0075] When the command received by the additional communication control unit 211 is the first sensor command, the command execution unit 212 outputs the detection value of the first sensor 206A to the additional communication control unit 211. The additional communication control unit 211 outputs the output detection value of the first sensor 206A to the main control device 100. When the command received by the additional communication control unit 211 is the second sensor command, the command execution unit 212 outputs the detection value of the second sensor 206B to the additional communication control unit 211. The additional communication control unit 211 outputs the output detection value of the second sensor 206B to the main control device 100. When the command received by the additional communication control unit 211 is the third sensor command, the command execution unit 212 outputs the detection value of the third sensor 206C to the additional communication control unit 211. The additional communication control unit 211 outputs the output detection value of the third sensor 206C to the main control device 100. When the command received by the additional communication control unit 211 is the fourth sensor command, the command execution unit 212 outputs the detection value of the fourth sensor 206D to the additional communication control unit 211. The additional communication control unit 211 outputs the output detection value of the fourth sensor 206D to the main control device 100.

[0076] When the command received by the additional communication control unit 211 is the first firmware command, the command execution unit 212 causes the additional communication control unit 211 to transmit information indicating the firmware version of the additional cassette 21 to the main control device 100. When the command received by the additional communication control unit 211 is the second firmware command, the command execution unit 212 updates the firmware of the additional cassette 21. When the command received by the additional communication control unit 211 is the time setting command, the command execution unit 212 sets the time when the additional cassette 21 elapses over time.

[0077] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.

[0078] First, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 related to the exclusive control of the additional cassette 21 will be described. In the image forming apparatus 1, when the main body control device 100 communicates with one additional cassette 21, the main body control device 100 performs exclusive control on this one additional cassette 21. This is to avoid the occurrence of data collision on the communication line TL when a plurality of additional cassettes 21 are connected to the communication line TL.

[0079] The second main body communication control unit 112 transmits a communication right grant command to the additional cassette 21 that is the target of exclusive control. The communication right grant command is a command for exclusive communication control, that is, a command for granting the communication right for performing exclusive control. By transmitting the communication right grant command, the main body control device 100 starts the exclusive control of the additional cassette 21 to which the communication right grant command has been transmitted. Note that a flag indicating that an ACK is required is associated with the communication right grant command.

[0080] The additional communication control unit 211 of the additional cassette 21 to be exclusively controlled transmits a communication right return command to the main body control device 100 at a predetermined timing. The communication right return command is a command for returning the communication right for performing exclusive control. By transmitting the communication right return command, in the image forming apparatus 1, the exclusive control of the additional cassette 21 that has transmitted the communication right return command ends. Note that a flag indicating that an ACK is required is associated with the communication right return command.

[0081] Next, the operation of the second main body communication control unit 112 related to the transmission of the commands stored in the transmission queue Q will be described.

[0082] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second main body communication control unit 112. In the operation of FIG. 4, the operation is performed on the transmission queue Q corresponding to the additional cassette 21 during exclusive control.

[0083] The second main body communication control unit 112 determines whether a command is stored in the transmission queue Q to be processed (step SA1).

[0084] When the second main body communication control unit 112 determines that no command is stored in the transmission queue Q to be processed (step SA1: NO), it re-performs the determination in step SA1.

[0085] On the other hand, when the second main body communication control unit 112 determines that a command is stored in the transmission queue Q to be processed (step SA1: YES), it determines whether there are a plurality of commands stored in the transmission queue Q to be processed (step SA2).

[0086] When the second main body communication control unit 112 determines that there are not a plurality of commands stored in the transmission queue Q to be processed (step SA2: NO), it transmits the command stored in the transmission queue Q to the additional cassette 21 (step SA3).

[0087] Returning to the description of step SA2, when the second main body communication control unit 112 determines that there are a plurality of commands stored in the transmission queue Q to be processed (step SA2: YES), it determines whether the total data amount of the commands stored in the transmission queue Q to be processed is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (step SA4). This predetermined threshold is appropriately determined through prior tests, simulations, etc. from the perspective of preventing the transmission delay of the commands stored in the transmission queue Q.

[0088] When the second main body communication control unit 112 determines that the total data amount of the commands stored in the transmission queue Q to be processed is less than the predetermined threshold (step SA4: NO), it transmits the first command among the commands stored in the transmission queue Q to be processed to the additional cassette 21 (step SA5). The first command is the command that was stored first among the commands stored in the transmission queue Q.

[0089] On the other hand, when the second main body communication control unit 112 determines that the total data amount of the commands stored in the transmission queue Q to be processed is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (step SA4: YES), it generates a first combined command (step SA6).

[0090] The first combined command is a command obtained by combining a plurality of commands stored in the transmission queue Q to be processed. The plurality of commands included in the first combined command are described in the first combined command so as to be processed in the same order as the order in which they are stored in the transmission queue Q. The first combined command is an example of "first combined data".

[0091] When generating the first combined command, the second main body communication control unit 112 associates one flag indicating that an ACK is required with the first combined command. At this time, the second main body communication control unit 112 cancels the association of the flag indicating that an ACK is required for the plurality of commands included in the first combined command.

[0092] When the second main body communication control unit 112 generates the first combined command, it transmits the generated first combined command to the expansion cassette 21 (step SA7).

[0093] As described with reference to FIG. 4, the second main body communication control unit 112 transmits the first combined command to the expansion cassette 21. Thereby, the overhead of the commands transmitted from the main body control device 100 to the expansion cassette 21 is reduced, and a plurality of commands stored in the transmission queue Q can be transmitted. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 can speed up the control of the expansion cassette 21.

[0094] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 when performing image forming processing on the media S accommodated in the plurality of expansion cassettes 21 will be described. FIG. 5 is a sequence showing an example of the operation of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0095] The operation shown in the sequence of FIG. 5 exemplifies the case of communicating with each additional cassette 21 in the order of the first additional cassette 21A, the second additional cassette 21B, and the third additional cassette 21C. In the case of the example of FIG. 5, along with the switching of the exclusive control target, the second main body communication control unit 112 of the main body control device 100 switches the transmission queue Q of the processing target of the operation shown in FIG. 4 to the first transmission queue Q1, the second transmission queue Q2, and the third transmission queue Q3 in this order.

[0096] The second main body communication control unit 112 of the main body control device 100 transmits a communication right grant command to the first additional cassette 21A (step SB1). Thereby, in the image forming apparatus 1, the exclusive control of the first additional cassette 21A starts.

[0097] The additional communication control unit 211 of the first additional cassette 21A receives the communication right grant command and transmits an ACK for the communication right grant command to the main body control device 100 (step SB2).

[0098] In the example of FIG. 5, when transmitting in step SB3, the case where one command is stored in the first transmission queue Q1 is exemplified. Therefore, the second main body communication control unit 112 of the main body control device 100 transmits one command stored in the first transmission queue Q1 to the first additional cassette 21A (step SB3).

[0099] The additional communication control unit 211 of the first additional cassette 21A transmits an ACK for the command transmitted in step SB3 to the main body control device 100 (step SB4).

[0100] In the example of FIG. 5, when transmitting in step SB5, the case where a plurality of commands are stored in the first transmission queue Q1 and the data amount of the plurality of commands stored in the first transmission queue Q1 is equal to or more than a predetermined threshold value is exemplified. Therefore, the second main body communication control unit 112 transmits the first combined command to the first additional cassette 21A (step SB5).

[0101] The additional communication control unit 211 of the first additional cassette 21A transmits an ACK for the first coupling command transmitted in step SB5 to the main control device 100 (step SB6).

[0102] After step SB6, the second main body communication control unit 112 transmits an uncoupled command or the first coupling command to the first additional cassette 21A according to the operation shown in FIG. 4.

[0103] The additional communication control unit 211 of the first additional cassette 21A transmits a communication right return command to the main control device 100 (step SB7). As a result, the exclusive control of the first additional cassette 21A ends in the image forming apparatus 1.

[0104] The second main body communication control unit 112 of the main control device 100 transmits an ACK for the communication right return command (step SB8).

[0105] Next, the second main body communication control unit 112 transmits a communication right grant command to the second additional cassette 21B (step SB9). As a result, the exclusive control of the second additional cassette 21B starts in the image forming apparatus 1.

[0106] The additional communication control unit 211 of the first additional cassette 21A receives the communication right grant command and transmits an ACK for the communication right grant command to the main control device 100 (step SB10).

[0107] After step SB10, the second main body communication control unit 112 transmits an uncoupled command or the first coupling command to the second additional cassette 21B according to the operation shown in FIG. 4.

[0108] The additional communication control unit 211 of the second additional cassette 21B transmits a communication right return command to the main control device 100 (step SB11). As a result, the exclusive control of the second additional cassette 21B ends in the image forming apparatus 1.

[0109] The second main body communication control unit 112 of the main body control device 100 transmits an ACK for the communication right return command (step SB12).

[0110] Next, the second main body communication control unit 112 transmits a communication right grant command to the third additional cassette 21C (step SB13). As a result, in the image forming apparatus 1, exclusive control of the third additional cassette 21C is started.

[0111] The additional communication control unit 211 of the third additional cassette 21C receives the communication right grant command and transmits an ACK for the communication right grant command to the main body control device 100 (step SB14).

[0112] After step SB14, the second main body communication control unit 112 transmits an uncombined command or a first combined command to the third additional cassette 21C according to the operation shown in FIG. 4.

[0113] The additional communication control unit 211 of the third additional cassette 21C transmits a communication right return command to the main body control device 100 (step SB15). As a result, in the image forming apparatus 1, exclusive control of the third additional cassette 21C ends.

[0114] The second main body communication control unit 112 of the main body control device 100 transmits an ACK for the communication right return command to the third additional cassette 21 (step SB16).

[0115] As described with reference to FIG. 5, in the image forming process, the second main body communication control unit 112 can transmit the first combined command to the additional cassette 21. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 1, control of the additional cassette 21 can be speeded up in the image forming process. Thus, the image forming apparatus 1 can speed up the image forming process.

[0116] Another embodiment will be described. Second Embodiment The second main body communication control unit 112 of the first embodiment determines whether to generate a first combined command based on the total data volume of a plurality of commands stored in the transmission queue Q. The second main body communication control unit 112 of the second embodiment determines whether to generate a first combined command based on the types of commands stored in the transmission queue Q.

[0117] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second main body communication control unit 112 of the second embodiment. In FIG. 6, the same step numbers are assigned to the same steps as those in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, and the detailed description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

[0118] When the second main body communication control unit 112 determines that a plurality of commands are stored in the transmission queue Q to be processed (step SA2: YES), it determines whether an image forming operation command is included in the plurality of commands stored in the transmission queue Q to be processed (step SC1).

[0119] When the second main body communication control unit 112 determines that an image forming operation command is not included in the plurality of commands stored in the transmission queue Q to be processed (step SC1: NO), it transmits the first command among the commands stored in the transmission queue Q to be processed to the additional cassette 21 (step SA5).

[0120] On the other hand, when the second main body communication control unit 112 determines that an image forming operation command is included in the plurality of commands stored in the transmission queue Q to be processed (step SC1: YES), it generates a first combined command (step SA6).

[0121] Third Embodiment The second main body communication control unit 112 of the third embodiment has a different operation after command transmission compared to the second main body communication control units 112 of the first and second embodiments.

[0122] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second main body communication control unit 112 of the third embodiment. In FIG. 7, the same step numbers are assigned to the same steps as those in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, and the detailed description thereof is omitted as appropriate. In the operation of FIG. 7, similar to the operation of FIG. 4, the operation targets the transmission queue Q corresponding to the additional cassette 21 during exclusive control. Note that the second main body communication control unit 112 of the third embodiment may perform step SD1 described in the second embodiment instead of step SA4 shown in FIG. 7.

[0123] When the second main body communication control unit 112 transmits a command in any of steps SA3, SA5, and SA7, it determines whether an error has occurred in the transmission in any of steps SA3, SA5, and SA7 (step SD1).

[0124] When the second main body communication control unit 112 determines that no error has occurred (step SD1: NO), it returns the process to step SA1 and performs the processes after step SA1 again.

[0125] On the other hand, when the second main body communication control unit 112 determines that an error has occurred (step SD1: YES), it determines whether a new command has been stored in the transmission queue Q to be processed within a predetermined period (step SD2).

[0126] When the second main body communication control unit 112 determines that no new command has been stored within a predetermined period (step SD2: NO), it retransmits the command that caused the transmission error (step SD3).

[0127] When the second main body communication control unit 112 determines that a new command has been stored within a predetermined period (step SD2: YES), it generates a second combined command (step SD4).

[0128] The second combined command is a command obtained by combining the command that resulted in a transmission error and the command newly stored in the transmission queue Q to be processed. The plurality of commands included in the second combined command are described in the second combined command so as to be processed in the same order as the order in which they are stored in the transmission queue Q. The second combined command is an example of "second combined data".

[0129] When generating the second combined command, the second main body communication control unit 112 associates one with the second combined command that generates a flag indicating that an ACK is required. At this time, the second main body communication control unit 112 cancels the association of the flag indicating that an ACK is required for the plurality of commands included in the second combined command.

[0130] When the second main body communication control unit 112 generates the second combined command, it transmits the generated second combined command to the expansion cassette 21 (step SD5).

[0131] As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a main body control apparatus 100 including a main body memory 120, a main body cassette 17, and an expansion cassette 21 that is a cassette different from the main body cassette 17 and is communicatively connected to the main body control apparatus 100. The main body memory 120 has a transmission queue Q that temporarily stores commands to be transmitted to the expansion cassette 21 for each expansion cassette 21 communicatively connected to the main body control apparatus 100. When a plurality of commands are stored in the transmission queue Q, the main body control apparatus 100 performs, for each transmission queue Q, a process of generating a first combined command obtained by combining the plurality of commands stored in the transmission queue Q and transmitting the first combined command to the expansion cassette 21.

[0132] According to this, by transmitting the plurality of commands stored in the transmission queue Q as one command, the overhead when transmitting the plurality of commands can be reduced. Therefore, since the time required for transmitting commands to the expansion cassette 21 can be shortened, the image forming apparatus 1 can speed up the control of the expansion cassette 21.

[0133] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a plurality of additional cassettes 21. The plurality of additional cassettes 21 are connected to a bus-type communication line TL to which the main control device 100 is connected. When the main control device 100 communicates with the plurality of additional cassettes 21, if a plurality of commands are stored in the transmission queue Q, the main control device 100 generates a first combined command by combining the plurality of commands stored in the transmission queue Q and transmits the first combined command to the additional cassette 21. This process is sequentially performed for each transmission queue Q.

[0134] According to this, even when a plurality of additional cassettes 21 are connected to the bus-type communication line TL, it is possible to prevent data collision on the communication line TL and speed up the control of the additional cassette 21.

[0135] The main control device 100 determines whether to generate the first combined command based on the total data amount of the plurality of commands stored in the transmission queue Q. If it is determined to generate the first combined command, the main control device 100 generates the first combined command and transmits the first combined command to the additional cassette 21.

[0136] According to this, by determining whether to generate the first combined command based on the total data amount of the plurality of commands stored in the transmission queue Q, it is possible to appropriately speed up the control of the additional cassette 21 while suppressing the combination process of unnecessary commands.

[0137] The main control device 100 determines whether to generate the first combined command based on the types of commands stored in the transmission queue Q. If it is determined to generate the first combined command, the main control device 100 generates the first combined command and transmits the first combined command to the additional cassette 21.

[0138] According to this, by determining whether to generate the first combined command based on the types of data stored in the transmission queue Q, it is possible to appropriately speed up the control of the additional cassette 21 while suppressing the combination process of unnecessary commands.

[0139] When the image forming operation command is included in a plurality of commands stored in the transmission queue Q, the present control device 100 determines that the first combined command is generated.

[0140] According to this, since the time required for transmission control of the image forming operation command can be shortened, occurrence of errors such as paper jams due to transmission delay of the image forming operation command can be suppressed. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 can speed up the control of the additional cassette 21 and suppress the occurrence of errors such as paper jams due to transmission delay of the image forming operation command.

[0141] When an error occurs in transmitting a command to the additional cassette 21, the present control device 100 generates a second combined command by combining a new command stored in the transmission queue Q and the command that has become a transmission error, and transmits the second combined command to the additional cassette 21.

[0142] According to this, the command that has become a transmission error can be retransmitted as one command including the new command stored in the transmission queue Q. Therefore, the control of the additional cassette 21 when a transmission error occurs can be speeded up.

[0143] One flag indicating that an affirmative response is required is associated with the first combined command.

[0144] According to this, one ACK for the first combined command can be made. Therefore, since ACK transmission and reception are not performed for each of the plurality of commands included in the first combined command, the control of the additional cassette 21 can be speeded up more, and the reliability of communication can be ensured by ACK.

[0145] A control method for an image forming apparatus 1 including a main control device 100 having a main memory 120, a main cassette 17, and an additional cassette different from the main cassette 17 and communicatively connected to the main control device 100. The main memory 120 has a transmission queue Q for temporarily storing commands to be transmitted to the additional cassette 21 for each additional cassette 21 communicatively connected to the main control device 100. When a plurality of commands are stored in the transmission queue Q, the main control device 100 generates a first combined command by combining the plurality of commands stored in the transmission queue Q and transmits the first combined command to the additional cassette 21 for each transmission queue Q.

[0146] According to this, the same effect as that of the above-described image forming apparatus 1 can be obtained.

[0147] The above-described embodiment merely shows a specific example to which the present invention is applied. The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various aspects without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0148] In the above-described embodiment, a command is exemplified as the data transmitted from the main control device 100 to the additional cassette 21. However, the data transmitted from the main control device 100 to the additional cassette 21 is not limited to a command, and may be, for example, firmware update data or setting data to be set in the additional cassette 21.

[0149] In the above-described second embodiment, when an image forming operation command is included in the commands stored in the transmission queue Q, a configuration for generating a first combined command is provided. However, the types of commands that are conditions for generating the first combined command are not limited to image forming operation commands, and other types of commands may also be used.

[0150] In the above-described embodiment, with regard to the commands transmitted from the main body control device 100 to the additional cassette 21, a configuration is provided to generate the first combined command and the second combined command. However, with regard to the data transmitted from the additional cassette 21 to the main body control device 100, a plurality of data may be combined in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment. In this case, when a plurality of data to be transmitted to the main body control device 100 are stored in the additional memory 220 of the additional cassette 21, the additional communication control unit 211 of the additional cassette 21 combines the plurality of data and transmits the combined data to the main body control device 100 as one piece of data.

[0151] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the image forming apparatus 1 includes three additional cassettes 21 has been illustrated. However, the image forming apparatus 1 only needs to include one or more additional cassettes 21, and the number of additional cassettes 21 included in the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to three.

[0152] For example, in the above-described embodiment, a multifunction printer has been illustrated as the image forming apparatus 1. However, the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to a multifunction printer, and any apparatus having at least an image forming function may be used.

[0153] In the above-described embodiment, a serial inkjet head 282 has been illustrated, but the head for ejecting ink onto the medium S may be a line head or a lateral head. Further, the image forming method of the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to the inkjet method. The inkjet head 282 is not limited to a head that ejects four colors of ink, i.e., CMYK. For example, a head that uses multicolor ink obtained by adding special ink to the four colors of CMYK may be used, or a head that can eject monochrome or two-color ink may also be used.

[0154] In the above-described embodiment, an inkjet head 282 supplied with ink from the ink pack 20 has been illustrated, but the inkjet head 282 included in the image forming apparatus 1 may be configured to be supplied with ink from an ink cartridge, an ink tank, or the like.

[0155] The main body processor 110 and the additional processor 210 may be constituted by a single processor or may be constituted by a plurality of processors. The main body processor 110 and the additional processor 210 may also be hardware programmed to realize corresponding functional units. That is, the main body processor 110 and the additional processor 210 may be constituted by, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0156] Each part of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 3 is an example, and the specific implementation form is not particularly limited. That is, it is not necessarily required that hardware corresponding to each part be individually mounted, and of course, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which one processor executes a program to realize the functions of each part. Also, in the above-described embodiment, a part of the functions realized by software may be implemented as hardware, or a part of the functions realized by hardware may be realized by software. In addition, the specific detailed configuration of the other parts of the image forming apparatus 1 can be arbitrarily changed.

[0157] The step units of the operations shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7 are divided according to the main processing contents in order to facilitate the understanding of the operations of each part of the image forming apparatus 1, and the present invention is not limited by the method and name of the division of the processing units. According to the processing contents, it may be further divided into more step units. Also, one step unit may be divided to include more processes. Also, the order of the steps may be appropriately changed within a range not obstructive to the spirit of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0158] 1…Image forming apparatus, 17…Main body cassette (first cassette), 21…Additional cassette (second cassette), 21A…First additional cassette (second cassette), 21B…Second additional cassette (second cassette), 21C…Third additional cassette (second cassette), 100…Main body control device (control device), 101…Communication device, 102…First main body motor, 103…Second main body motor, 104…Third main body motor, 105…Fourth main body motor, 106…Fifth main body motor, 110…Main body processor, 111…First main body communication control unit, 112…Second main body communication control unit, 113…Image forming control unit, 114…Second command generation unit, 120…Main body memory (storage unit), 121…Control program, 130…Communication line I / F, 200…Additional control device, 201…Additional I / F, 202…First additional motor, 203…Second additional motor, 204…Third additional motor, 205…Fourth additional motor, 206…Sensor group, 206A…First sensor, 206B…Second sensor, 206C…Third sensor, 206D…Fourth sensor, 210…Additional processor, 211…Additional communication control unit, 212…Command execution unit, 220…Additional memory, 221…Control program, 271…First main body conveyance roller pair, 272…Second main body conveyance roller pair, 273…Third main body conveyance roller pair, 301…Main body pickup roller, 302…Main body separation roller pair, 311…Additional pickup roller, 312…Additional separation roller pair, 313…Additional conveyance roller pair, 1131…First command generation unit, Q…Transmission queue, Q1…First transmission queue, Q2…Second transmission queue, Q3…Third transmission queue, S…Medium, TL…Communication line.

Claims

1. A control device including a memory unit, a first cassette, a cassette different from the first cassette and being a second cassette communicatively connected to the control device, wherein the memory unit has a transmission queue for temporarily storing data to be transmitted to the second cassette for each second cassette communicatively connected to the control device, and the control device performs, for each transmission queue, a process of generating first combined data obtained by combining a plurality of data stored in the transmission queue and transmitting the first combined data to the second cassette when a plurality of data are stored in the transmission queue, an image forming apparatus.

2. including a plurality of the second cassettes, wherein the plurality of second cassettes are connected to a bus-type communication line to which the control device is connected, and when communicating with the plurality of second cassettes, the control device sequentially performs the process for each transmission queue, the image forming apparatus according to Claim 1.

3. the control device determines whether to generate the first combined data based on the total amount of data of a plurality of data stored in the transmission queue, and when it is determined to generate the first combined data, generates the first combined data and transmits the first combined data to the second cassette, the image forming apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. the control device determines whether to generate the first combined data based on the types of data stored in the transmission queue, and when it is determined to generate the first combined data, generates the first combined data and transmits the first combined data to the second cassette, the image forming apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2.

5. the control device determines to generate the first combined data when the data stored in the transmission queue includes data related to the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus according to Claim 4.

6. the control device when an error occurs in transmitting data to the second cassette, generates second combined data obtained by combining new data stored in the transmission queue and data that has become a transmission error, and transmits the second combined data to the second cassette, the image forming apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 5.

7. one flag indicating that an affirmative response is required is associated with the first combined data, the image forming apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 6.

8. A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a control device including a memory unit, a first cassette, and a second cassette different from the first cassette and communicatively connected to the control device. The memory unit has a transmission queue for temporarily storing data to be transmitted to the second cassette, for each second cassette communicatively connected to the control device. When a plurality of data are stored in the transmission queue, the control device performs a process of generating first combined data obtained by combining the plurality of data stored in the transmission queue and transmitting the first combined data to the second cassette, for each transmission queue. A control method for an image forming apparatus.

Images