Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and program

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus, a method for processing information on a type of a recording medium, and a program that can contribute to specifying a cause of trouble such as paper jam.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: receiving means 100b that receives settings of a type of a recording medium performed by a user; detection means 91, 92 for discriminating the type of the recording medium; and control means 100 that executes a first operation mode for operating image forming means 10 in an image forming condition based on the discriminated type of the recording medium, and a second operation mode for operating the image forming means in an image forming condition based on the type of the recording medium the settings of which are received by the receiving means and operating the detection means 91, 92 in an entire area of a print job.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a multi-functional digital composite machine (MFP), an image forming method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] As an image forming apparatus, there is known one in which a user sets the type of a recording medium such as a sheet on which an image is to be formed from an operation panel or the like, and based on this setting, an image is formed under optimal image forming conditions for the recording medium.

[0003] Recently, image forming apparatuses that automatically discriminate the type of a recording medium using an optical sensor or the like have been provided.

[0004] Also, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that can be switched between a first mode in which image forming conditions of an image forming unit are set according to information for determining the type of a recording medium obtained based on information detected by a detection sensor, and a second mode in which the image forming conditions of the image forming unit are set according to a preset type of a recording medium. In the second mode, even if the type of the recording medium has been specified in advance, at a timing when a detection operation is possible, type discrimination parameters are detected for the recording medium temporarily stopped before being conveyed to the image forming unit, information for determining the type of the recording medium is stored in a storage unit, and in the first mode, when information for determining the type of the recording medium is stored in the storage unit, the image forming conditions are set according to the information for determining the type of the recording medium.

[0005] Patent Document 2 discloses an image forming apparatus that detects the media characteristics of recording material being transported to an image forming unit, and if the first media characteristics of the transported recording material detected differ from the second media characteristics of the recording material from the previous image forming process stored in RAM, and if the image forming conditions corresponding to the first media characteristics differ from the image forming conditions corresponding to the second media characteristics, the apparatus interrupts the image forming process, and furthermore, after interruption, prompts the user to input the media characteristics using an input means, and resumes the image forming operation with image forming conditions corresponding to the input media characteristics. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 05435984 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-106112 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] However, the type of recording medium entered by the user is not always correct, and if it does not match the type determined based on the sensor's detection results, inappropriate image formation conditions may be set. If image formation is forced under these conditions, there is a risk of malfunctions such as jams, where the recording medium gets stuck in the transport path. When such malfunctions occur, service technicians will respond as needed, but because the usage conditions are unknown, it is difficult to identify the cause and propose solutions. Therefore, there is a need for technology that can help identify the cause of malfunctions, but the technologies described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 could not satisfy this requirement.

[0008] This invention has been made in view of the above technical background, and aims to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a program that can contribute to identifying the cause of malfunctions such as jams. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The above objectives will be achieved by the following means. (1) A means for receiving user settings for the type of recording medium, A detection means for determining the type of recording medium, Image forming means for forming an image on the recording medium, A control means that performs a first operating mode in which the image forming means is operated under image forming conditions based on the type of recording medium identified, and a second operating mode in which the image forming means is operated under image forming conditions based on the type of recording medium set by the receiving means, and the detection means is operated over the entire area of ​​the print job, Equipped with 、 In the second operating mode, the control means determines the type of recording medium based on the detection means, and even if the determined type of recording medium does not match the type of recording medium set by the reception means, it continues to execute the image forming operation of the image forming means without stopping it. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features. (2) A means for receiving user settings for the type of recording medium, A detection means for determining the type of recording medium, Image forming means for forming an image on the recording medium, A control means that performs a first operating mode in which the image forming means is operated under image forming conditions based on the type of recording medium identified, and a second operating mode in which the image forming means is operated under image forming conditions based on the type of recording medium set by the receiving means, and the detection means is operated over the entire area of ​​the print job, Equipped with, In the second operating mode, the control means causes the detection means to perform detection without determining the type of recording medium. Characterized by Image forming apparatus. (3) In the second operating mode, the control means causes the detection means to perform detection for each recording medium being fed through the paper. or 2 The image forming apparatus described above. (4) A means for receiving user settings for the type of recording medium, A detection means for determining the type of recording medium, Image forming means for forming an image on the recording medium, A control means that performs a first operating mode in which the image forming means is operated under image forming conditions based on the type of recording medium identified, and a second operating mode in which the image forming means is operated under image forming conditions based on the type of recording medium set by the receiving means, and the detection means is operated over the entire area of ​​the print job, Equipped with, In the second operating mode, the control means causes the detection means to periodically detect among the recording media being fed through the paper. Characterized by Image forming apparatus. (5) A means for receiving user settings for the type of recording medium, A detection means for determining the type of recording medium, Image forming means for forming an image on the recording medium, A control means that performs a first operating mode in which the image forming means is operated under image forming conditions based on the type of recording medium identified, and a second operating mode in which the image forming means is operated under image forming conditions based on the type of recording medium set by the receiving means, and the detection means is operated over the entire area of ​​the print job, Equipped with, In the second operation mode, the detection time of the detection means is different from that in the first operation mode. Characterized by Image forming apparatus. (6) A means for receiving user settings for the type of recording medium, A detection means for determining the type of recording medium, Image forming means for forming an image on the recording medium, A control means that performs a first operating mode in which the image forming means is operated under image forming conditions based on the type of recording medium identified, and a second operating mode in which the image forming means is operated under image forming conditions based on the type of recording medium set by the receiving means, and the detection means is operated over the entire area of ​​the print job, Equipped with, The detection range by the detection means is different between the first operation mode and the second operation mode. Characterized by Image forming apparatus. (7) A means for receiving user settings for the type of recording medium, A detection means for determining the type of recording medium, Image forming means for forming an image on the recording medium, A control means that performs a first operating mode in which the image forming means is operated under image forming conditions based on the type of recording medium identified, and a second operating mode in which the image forming means is operated under image forming conditions based on the type of recording medium set by the receiving means, and the detection means is operated over the entire area of ​​the print job, Equipped with, In the second operation mode, the number of recording media sheets for which detection is performed by the detection means in one job is different from that in the first operation mode. Characterized by Image forming apparatus. <​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The image forming apparatus according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 8 above, wherein the constituent information of the recording medium includes at least one of pulp, coating, fluorescent agent, filler, and colorant, and the printing information includes at least one of the brand name of the recording medium, environmental information, paper feed slot information, and image forming information. (10) The detection means comprises a light source and a light receiving sensor capable of receiving transmitted and / or reflected light of light irradiated from the light source onto the recording medium, An image forming apparatus according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 9 above, which detects at least one of the transmittance, reflectance, basis weight, thickness, color, smoothness, and components of a recording medium based on the transmitted light and / or reflected light received by the light receiving sensor. (11) The image forming apparatus according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 10 above, wherein the control means associates the type of recording medium set by the receiving means with at least one of the detection result by the detection means in the second operating mode or a discrimination result based on the detection result. (12) A means for receiving user settings for the type of recording medium, A detection means for determining the type of recording medium, Image forming means for forming an image on the recording medium, A control means that performs a first operating mode in which the image forming means is operated under image forming conditions based on the type of recording medium identified, and a second operating mode in which the image forming means is operated under image forming conditions based on the type of recording medium set by the receiving means, and the detection means is operated over the entire area of ​​the print job, Equipped with, The system includes means for acquiring analytical information that indicates the likelihood of malfunctions occurring based on the associated information. Characterized by Image forming apparatus. (13) The image forming apparatus described in paragraph 12 above, wherein the analysis is performed by analytical means built into the apparatus or by an external apparatus. (14) The image forming apparatus according to paragraph 13, which is provided with a notification means for notifying the possibility of a malfunction occurring when analytical information indicating the possibility of a malfunction is obtained by the acquisition means. (15) A reception step that accepts the user's setting of the type of recording medium, A detection step by a detection means for determining the type of recording medium, Image forming step of forming an image on the recording medium, A control step that performs a first operation mode in which an image is formed using image formation conditions based on the type of recording medium identified, and a second operation mode in which an image is formed using image formation conditions based on the type of recording medium set in the reception step, and the detection means is operated over the entire area of ​​the print job, The image forming apparatus performs death, In the control step, in the second operating mode, the type of recording medium is determined based on the detection step, and even if the determined type of recording medium does not match the type of recording medium set in the reception step, the image forming operation of the image forming step is executed without stopping. An image forming method characterized by [doing something]. (16) A reception step that accepts the user's setting of the type of recording medium, A detection step by a detection means for determining the type of recording medium, Image forming step of forming an image on the recording medium, A control step that performs a first operation mode in which an image is formed using image formation conditions based on the type of recording medium identified, and a second operation mode in which an image is formed using image formation conditions based on the type of recording medium set in the reception step, and the detection means is operated over the entire area of ​​the print job, The computer of the image forming apparatus executes this command. 、 In the control step, in the second operating mode, the type of recording medium is determined based on the detection step, and even if the determined type of recording medium does not match the type of recording medium set in the reception step, the image forming operation of the image forming step is not stopped and the operation is continued. A program for that purpose. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the invention described in paragraph (1) above, the type of recording medium set by the user is accepted, while detection is performed by a detection means for determining the type of recording medium. Meanwhile, the image forming apparatus performs a first operating mode in which image forming is performed under image forming conditions based on the determined type of recording medium, and a second operating mode in which image forming is performed under image forming conditions based on the accepted type of recording medium, and the detection means is operated throughout the entire area of ​​the print job. Therefore, in the second operating mode, each time a print job is executed, information based on the type of recording medium set by the user and the detection result of the detection means for that recording medium can be collected over time. As a result, for example, when a malfunction such as a jam occurs in the image forming apparatus for a recording medium set by the user, the combination of the type of recording medium and the information based on the detection result can be examined to see if it is a combination that has caused a similar jam in the past, etc., thereby identifying that the cause is a user setting error, etc., making it an image forming apparatus that can contribute to identifying the cause of the malfunction.

[0011] According to the invention described in paragraph (2) above, in the second operating mode, information based on the detection result of the detection means can be obtained for recording media whose type has been set by the user, without determining the type of recording media.

[0012] According to the invention described in paragraph (3) above, in the second operating mode, detection is performed by the detection means for each recording medium being fed through.

[0013] According to the invention described in paragraph (4) above, in the second operating mode, the detection means periodically detects the recording medium being fed through the paper.

[0014] According to the invention described in paragraph (5) above, the second operating mode is performed with a different detection time than the first operating mode, for example, with a shorter detection time than the first detection mode.

[0015] According to the invention described in paragraph (6) above, the detection range by the detection means differs between the first operating mode and the second operating mode, for example, the detection range in the second operating mode is set to be wider than that in the first operating mode.

[0016] According to the invention described in paragraph (7) above, in the second operating mode, the number of recording media detected by the detection means in a single job is different from that in the first operating mode.

[0017] According to the invention described in paragraph (8) above, in the second operating mode, the detection means used is different from that used in the first operating mode.

[0018] According to the invention described in paragraph (9) above, the type of recording medium includes at least one of the following: image information regarding the presence or absence of an image on the surface of the recording medium, transmittance information, reflectance information, stiffness information, thickness information, basis weight information, size information, grain direction information, color information, moisture information, smoothness information, resistance information, friction information, recording medium composition information, and printing information. The recording medium composition information includes at least one of the following: pulp, coating, fluorescent agent, filler, and colorant, and the printing information includes at least one of the following: brand name of the recording medium, environmental information, paper feed slot information, and image formation information.

[0019] According to the invention described in paragraph (10) above, at least one of the transmittance, reflectance, basis weight, thickness, color, smoothness, and components of the recording medium is detected based on the transmitted or reflected light detected by the detection means.

[0020] According to the invention described in paragraph (11) above, the type of recording medium for which the setting has been received is associated with at least one of the detection result by the detection means or the discrimination result based on the detection result in the second operating mode, making it easier to handle this information.

[0021] According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph (12), it is possible to analyze the likelihood of a malfunction occurring based on the associated information.

[0022] According to the invention described in paragraph (13) above, the analysis is performed by analytical means built into the device or by an external device.

[0023] According to the invention described in paragraph (14) above, when analytical information indicating the possibility of a malfunction is obtained, the possibility of a malfunction is notified, so the user can recognize the possibility of a malfunction.

[0024] According to the invention described in paragraph (15) above, for example, when a malfunction such as jamming occurs in an image forming apparatus with a recording medium whose type has been set by the user, the combination of the type of recording medium and the information based on the detection result can be examined to see if it is a combination that has caused similar jamming in the past, etc., thereby identifying that the cause is a user setting error, and thus contributing to identifying the cause of the malfunction.

[0025] According to the invention described in paragraph (16) above, the computer of the image forming apparatus can be made to perform the following processes: a first operating mode in which the user sets the type of recording medium, a detection means for determining the type of recording medium is made to detect it, and an image is formed using image forming conditions based on the determined type of recording medium; and a second operating mode in which the image is formed using image forming conditions based on the type of recording medium for which the setting was accepted, and the detection means is operated over the entire area of ​​the print job. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0026] [Figure 1] This diagram schematically shows a portion of the transport path for a sheet on which an image is printed in an image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram of an optical sensor. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram of an ultrasonic sensor. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 5] This is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the control unit of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 6]This flowchart shows an example of the operation of an image forming apparatus during printing. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows another example of the operation of an image forming apparatus during printing. [Figure 8] This graph shows an example of the analysis results. [Figure 9] This graph shows another example of the analysis results. [Figure 10] This graph shows yet another example of the analysis results. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of a screen display used to notify a user that a problem may occur. [Figure 12] This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the information sharing system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of this invention will be described based on the drawings.

[0028] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a part of the transport path of a recording medium on which an image is printed in an image forming apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] The image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to a copier, printer, or MFP, etc. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 has a user setting mode in which the user can set the type of recording medium (hereinafter the recording medium is also referred to as a sheet or paper) on which the image is printed (also referred to as a sheet type or paper type), and an automatic detection mode in which the image forming apparatus automatically determines the sheet type without the user setting the sheet type.

[0030] In Figure 1, a paper feeding section 60 is provided at the bottom of the image forming apparatus 1. This paper feeding section 60 has an upper first-stage paper feeding cassette 60a and a lower second-stage paper feeding cassette 60b. A sheet transport path 8 is formed in the vertical direction, communicating with the paper feed opening 8a of the first-stage paper feeding cassette 60a and the paper feed opening 8b of the second-stage paper feeding cassette 60b. Sheets fed into the sheet transport path 8 from the paper feed opening 8a of the first-stage paper feeding cassette 60a or the paper feed opening 8b of the second-stage paper feeding cassette 60b are transported upward along the sheet transport path 8, as indicated by arrow A, to a pair of skew correction rollers 72 installed at the upper position of the sheet transport path 8. A manual feed tray (not shown) is provided on the opposite side of the sheet transport path 8 from the first-stage paper feeding cassette 60a, and sheets set in the manual feed tray are supplied to the sheet transport path 8 via the manual feed opening 8c. Reference numeral 71 in Figure 2 indicates a transport roller for transporting sheets fed from the second-stage paper feed cassette 60b.

[0031] The skew correction roller 72 is a roller used to correct the skew (tilt) of the sheet being transported along the sheet transport path 8.

[0032] Between the paper feed opening 8a of the upper first-stage paper feed cassette 60a and the skew correction roller 72, two media detection sensors 91 and 92 are positioned on the upstream and downstream sides of the sheet transport path 8. These media detection sensors 91 and 92 detect discrimination parameters for determining information about the sheet type. The upstream media detection sensor 91 is an optical sensor that detects light irradiated onto the sheet as a discrimination parameter, while the downstream media detection sensor 92 is an ultrasonic sensor that detects ultrasonic waves output towards the sheet as a discrimination parameter. Alternatively, the optical sensor 91 may be positioned on the upstream side and the ultrasonic sensor 92 on the downstream side.

[0033] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram of the optical sensor 91. The optical sensor 91 consists of a transmissive light source 91a such as an LED, a reflective light source 91b, and a light-receiving element 91c such as a photodiode. The light-receiving element 91c detects the amount of transmitted light 93, which is transmitted through the sheet M being transported along the sheet transport path 8 by the light emitted from the transmissive light source 91a, and the amount of reflected light 94, which is reflected by the sheet M, by the light emitted from the reflective light source 91b. Based on the detected levels of transmitted and reflected light, the control unit 100, which will be described later, determines information about the sheet type, including the type of sheet M (basis weight, OHP, recycled paper, coated paper, etc.). The optical sensor 91 may also consist of multiple sensor groups corresponding to each of the colors, such as red, green, and blue.

[0034] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram of the ultrasonic sensor 92. The ultrasonic sensor 92 comprises a pair of ultrasonic transmitters 92a and ultrasonic receivers 92b arranged diagonally opposite each other across the sheet transport path 8 with respect to the direction of passage of the sheet M (see Figure 1). The ultrasonic sensor 92 emits ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transmitter 92a to the sheet M as it passes through, and the ultrasonic receivers 92b receive the ultrasonic waves that have passed through the sheet M. Then, the control unit 100, which will be described later, determines whether it is a single sheet of paper or an envelope based on the amount of ultrasonic wave attenuation by the sheet M.

[0035] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in Figure 4, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 100, a storage device 110, an image reading device 120, an operation panel 50, an image forming unit 10, a paper feeding unit 60, the aforementioned optical sensor 91, an ultrasonic sensor 92, and further includes a printer controller 150 and a network interface (network I / F) 160, etc., which are connected to each other via a system bus 175.

[0036] The control unit 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, an S-RAM (Static Random Access Memory) 103, an NV-RAM (Non-Volatile RAM) 104, and a clock IC 105, among others.

[0037] The CPU 101 comprehensively controls the entire image forming apparatus 1 by executing an operation program stored in the ROM 102 or the like. For example, it controls the operation of functions such as copying, printing, and scanning. In this embodiment in particular, it executes the first operation mode in the automatic detection mode described above. In the first operation mode, it performs light intensity detection by the optical sensor 91 and ultrasonic detection by the ultrasonic sensor 92, determines the sheet type based on the detection results, and when printing, automatically sets the image forming conditions corresponding to the sheet type based on the sheet type determination result and executes printing.

[0038] On the other hand, in user setting mode, a second operating mode is executed. In the second operating mode, the system accepts print job settings, including sheet type settings, made by the user through the operation panel 50 or via the network from a terminal device such as a personal computer, tablet, or smartphone, and then sets image formation conditions corresponding to the accepted sheet type and executes printing.

[0039] Furthermore, in the second operating mode, the optical sensor 91 and ultrasonic sensor 92 are operated throughout the entire printing job, even for sheets whose sheet type has been set by the user. Here, operating throughout the entire printing job means that the optical sensor 91 and ultrasonic sensor 92 are operated for all sheets fed through the printing job, and detection results are obtained from the optical sensor 91 and ultrasonic sensor 92 for the sheets to be detected. The detection results are sensing data, which are information about the physical properties of the sheet, such as the sheet's physical properties or basis weight converted from the physical properties.

[0040] The sheets to be detected can be set as appropriate; it can be all sheets, the first sheet, or periodically, such as every other sheet or every two sheets. In the second operating mode, sheet type determination based on the detection results of the optical sensor 91 and ultrasonic sensor 92 may or may not be performed. As described later, if determination is performed, the system checks whether the received sheet type matches or does not match the determined sheet type, and stores the necessary information, including the result, in association with the data in the storage device 110. If determination is not performed, the system stores the information regarding the received sheet type, the detection results (sensing data) from the optical sensor 91 and ultrasonic sensor 92, and the necessary information in association with the data in the storage device 110.

[0041] ROM102 stores programs and other data that the CPU101 executes.

[0042] S-RAM103 serves as a workspace for the CPU101 when executing programs, and temporarily stores programs and data related to program execution.

[0043] NV-RAM104 is a battery-backed non-volatile memory that stores various settings related to image formation, the number of pixels on the display unit 54, and data for various screens displayed on the display unit 54.

[0044] The IC105 clock not only measures the time but also functions as an internal timer to measure processing time, etc.

[0045] The storage device 110 consists of a hard disk or the like, and stores programs and various data. In particular, in this embodiment, in user setting mode, necessary information is stored, including at least two of the following: information about the sheet type received as input by the user, information about the sheet type determined based on the detection results of the optical sensor 91 and ultrasonic sensor 92, and information about whether the received sheet type and the determined sheet type match or not. Alternatively, in user setting mode, if determination based on the detection results of the optical sensor 91 and ultrasonic sensor 92 is not performed, information about the sheet type received as input by the user and the detection results of the optical sensor 91 and ultrasonic sensor 92 are stored.

[0046] The image reading device 120 is equipped with a scanner and reads a document placed on a platen glass by scanning it, and converts the read document into image data.

[0047] The control panel 50 is used by the user to give instructions such as jobs and make various settings to the image forming apparatus 1, and is equipped with a reset key 51, a start key 52, a stop key 53, a display unit 54, and a touch panel 55.

[0048] The reset key 51 is used to reset the settings, the start key 52 is used to start operations such as scanning, and the stop key 53 is pressed to interrupt operations, etc.

[0049] The display unit 54 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device and displays messages, various operation screens, etc., and the touch panel 55 is formed on the screen of the display unit 54 and detects user touch operations.

[0050] The image forming unit 10 prints a copy image onto paper, generated from image data of a document read by the image reading device 120 or from print data transmitted from an external terminal device 3, etc. It includes a printing engine 18 consisting of hardware components for image formation such as a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer belt, and a transfer roller, and a fixing unit 19 that heats and pressurizes the sheet on which the image has been formed to fix the image.

[0051] The network interface 160 functions as a communication means for sending and receiving data with external servers, terminal devices, other image forming apparatus, etc., via network 4.

[0052] Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the control unit 100. Functionally, the control unit 100 comprises a media detection control unit 100a, a sheet type setting control unit 100b, an image formation control unit 100c, a storage unit 100d, an external communication control unit 100e, and an edge processing unit 100f.

[0053] The media detection control unit 100a operates the optical sensor 91 and ultrasonic sensor 92, which are media detection sensors, and determines information about the sheet type based on the detection results. As mentioned above, not only is the sheet type determined in automatic detection mode, but also when the user sets the sheet type in user setting mode, the optical sensor 91 and ultrasonic sensor 92 are operated, and the sheet type is determined based on the detection results as needed.

[0054] In user setting mode, the sheet type setting control unit 100b receives the sheet type set by the user in the print job from the operation panel unit 50 or the terminal device 3.

[0055] In user-defined mode, the image forming control unit 100c controls the image forming unit 10 using image forming conditions corresponding to the sheet type set by the user and received by the sheet type setting control unit 100b. In automatic detection mode, the image forming unit 10 controls the image forming unit 10 using image forming conditions corresponding to the sheet type determined by the media detection control unit 100a, and prints an image on the sheet.

[0056] The storage unit 100d stores the sheet type set by the user and the sheet type determined by the media detection control unit 100a.

[0057] The external communication control unit 100e corresponds to the network I / F 160 in Figure 2 and performs data transmission and reception between the terminal device 3, an external server, or other image forming apparatus, etc.

[0058] Furthermore, the sheet type setting control unit 100b stores information regarding the sheet type set by the user as reception information in the storage device 110, and also stores information regarding the sheet type automatically determined by the media detection control unit 100a for sheets where the user has not set a sheet type, as determination information in the storage device 110. For sheets where the user has set a sheet type, at least one of the detection results from the optical sensor 91 and the ultrasonic sensor 92, and the information regarding the sheet type automatically determined by the media detection control unit 100a is stored. In addition, the sheet type setting control unit 100b may, if necessary, determine whether the accepted sheet type and the determined sheet type match or not, and store information regarding the match or mismatch in the storage device 110.

[0059] During storage, each piece of information to be stored is linked to others, for example, by assigning the same ID to each job. This makes it easier to handle each piece of information.

[0060] The edge processing unit 100f is equipped with analysis and learning functions and uses the information stored in the storage device 110 to analyze the possibility of malfunctions such as paper jams occurring. Furthermore, the learning results obtained through the learning function are reflected in the image formation process by the image forming unit 10, transmitted to an external server, or shared with other image forming devices. An example of the learning function is the correction of the threshold for sheet type determination.

[0061] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be explained, focusing on the control by the control unit 100.

[0062] A user can instruct a print job by operating the control panel 50, or by instructing the image forming apparatus 1 from a terminal device 3. In user setting mode, when instructing a print job, the user can set the type of sheet on which the image will be formed (sheet type). Print jobs that include the sheet type setting are received by the control unit 100. If a print job instruction including the sheet type setting is made by the terminal device 3, the print job is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 via the network 4 and received by the control unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 1. One example of a situation where a user sets the sheet type for printing (image formation) is when the user sets thick paper as plain paper to increase productivity.

[0063] When the control unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 1 receives a print job, it feeds a sheet from the first-stage paper feed cassette 90a or the second-stage paper feed cassette 90b into the sheet transport path 8, and transports the fed sheet toward the skew correction roller 72.

[0064] The control unit 100 causes the optical sensor 91 and ultrasonic sensor 92 to detect parameters for identifying the sheet type while the conveyed sheet is being transported. Specifically, the light-receiving element 91c receives the transmitted and / or reflected light from the light sources 91a and 91b of the optical sensor 91 that are irradiated onto the sheet. In addition, the ultrasonic waves emitted from the ultrasonic transmitter 92a of the ultrasonic sensor 92 are received by the ultrasonic receiver 92b.

[0065] The control unit 100 determines the type of sheet based on the amount of light received by the light receiving sensor 91c of the optical sensor 91 and the amount of light received by the ultrasonic receiving unit 92b of the ultrasonic sensor 92.

[0066] Detection of discrimination parameters by the optical sensor 91 and ultrasonic sensor 92, and discrimination of the sheet type based on the detection results, are always performed for sheets for which the user has not set a sheet type. In this case, detection and discrimination may be performed only on a representative sheet of a single print job (e.g., the first sheet) or on all sheets. On the other hand, for sheets for which the user has set a sheet type, detection is performed, but discrimination may or may not be performed. Detection and further discrimination may be performed only on a representative sheet of a single print job (e.g., the first sheet) or on all sheets.

[0067] In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 operates in the first operating mode as described above in the automatic detection mode where the user does not set the sheet type, and operates in the second operating mode in the user setting mode. In the first operating mode, the detection of discrimination parameters by the optical sensor 91 and the ultrasonic sensor 92 is performed in the first detection mode, and in the second operating mode, it is performed in a second detection mode that is different from the first detection mode.

[0068] In the first operating mode, the sheet type is determined based on the detection results of the first detection mode, and printing is performed on the sheet using image formation conditions corresponding to the determined sheet type. On the other hand, in the second operating mode, the sheet type is determined based on the detection results of the second detection mode, but the image formation conditions applied are those corresponding to the sheet type set by the user, and printing is performed on the sheet using these image formation conditions. Therefore, the detection results from the optical sensor 91 and the ultrasonic sensor 92 are not reflected in the printing.

[0069] In the first detection mode, since information about the sheet type is unknown, the sheet transport speed is slowed down so that any sheet can be transported. Specifically, as shown in Figure 1, detection is performed between the time the sheet reaches each media detection sensor 91 and 92 and the time it reaches the skew correction roller 72, so that image formation is performed under conditions corresponding to the automatically determined sheet type without reducing productivity as much as possible.

[0070] On the other hand, in the second detection mode, the transport speed is set according to the sheet type specified by the user. Therefore, depending on the sheet type, the transport speed may be faster than in the first detection mode, shortening the time it takes for the sheet to reach each media detection sensor 91, 92 and then reach the skew correction roller 72, and consequently shortening the detection time.

[0071] For example, if we define the media detection range as 25 mm for each sensor, from the time the sheet reaches the media detection sensors 91 and 92 until it reaches the skew correction roller 72, and the sheet transport speed in the first detection mode is 150 mm / s, and the sheet transport speed in the second detection mode is 150 mm / s to 400 mm / s, then the detection time for the first mode will be 25 mm ÷ 150 mm / s ≈ 167 ms, and the minimum detection time for the second mode will be 25 mm ÷ 400 mm / s ≈ 63 ms.

[0072] The detection of discrimination parameters by each media detection sensor 91 and 92 is performed by sampling multiple times. This sampling is carried out within the processing capacity and control requirements of the CPU 100a, and in the second detection mode, the number of data samples is smaller than in the first detection mode, which may reduce detection accuracy. Conversely, the detection accuracy is higher in the first detection mode than in the second detection mode.

[0073] However, in the second detection mode, the detection of discrimination parameters is performed within a different range than in the first detection mode, making it possible to achieve detection time and detection accuracy equal to or better than the first detection mode. Specifically, by performing detection even when the leading edge of the sheet is transported beyond the skew correction roller 72, it is possible to expand the detection range (detection length), and as a result, the detection range of the second detection mode becomes wider than that of the first detection mode, making it possible to achieve detection time and detection accuracy equal to or better than the first detection mode. In the second detection mode, information on the automatically determined sheet type is not reflected in the image formation process, so there is no impact on productivity.

[0074] Furthermore, in the second detection mode, the user sets the sheet type, so the type of media detection sensor used may differ from that used in the first detection mode, where information about the sheet type is unknown. In the second detection mode, for example, if an envelope is not set, the ultrasonic sensor 92 may not be used.

[0075] In automatic detection mode, where the user does not set the sheet type, the media detection control unit 100a performs detection in the first detection mode and determines the sheet type based on the detection result. The image formation control unit 100c then controls the image formation unit 10 to print an image on the sheet under image formation conditions corresponding to the determined sheet type (first operation mode). The sheet type setting control unit 100b also stores information regarding the determined sheet type in the storage device 110.

[0076] On the other hand, in user-defined mode, the sheet type setting control unit 100b receives the sheet type set by the user, and the image forming control unit 100c controls the image forming unit 10 with image forming conditions corresponding to the received sheet type to print an image on the sheet (second operation mode). The media detection control unit 100a also causes the media detection sensors 91 and 92 to perform detection in the second detection mode, and, if necessary, determines the sheet type based on the detection results. The sheet type setting control unit 100b stores at least two pieces of information in the storage device 110, relating them together: information about the determined sheet type, information about the sheet type set and received by the user, and information about the match / mismatch between the received sheet type and the determined sheet type. If no determination is performed, the information about the sheet type set and received by the user and the detection results from the media detection sensors 91 and 92 are stored in the storage device 110, relating them together.

[0077] The storage of information in the memory device 110 may be performed after each print job is completed, after each of several jobs, or at a predetermined time; it is not limited to these methods.

[0078] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 during printing. This operation is performed by the CPU 101a of the control unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 1, which operates according to an operation program stored in the ROM 101b or the like.

[0079] Step S01 checks whether the user has set a sheet type (whether the setting was accepted). If no sheet type is set ("None" in step S01), step S02 applies the first detection mode, and step S03 performs automatic detection and determination of the sheet type.

[0080] Next, in step S04, image formation is performed using the image formation conditions corresponding to the automatically detected and determined sheet type, and then in step S05, it is determined whether there is another sheet. If there is another sheet (YES in step S05), image formation is performed on this sheet using the image formation conditions corresponding to the sheet type automatically determined for the first sheet in step S04, without performing automatic detection and determination. The above operation is repeated until there are no more sheets in the print job.

[0081] When the print job runs out of sheets (NO in step S05), in step S06, information about the automatically detected and determined sheet type is stored in the storage device 110.

[0082] On the other hand, if the user has set a sheet type in step S01 (if it is "Yes" in step S01), the second detection mode is applied in step S07, and the discrimination parameters are automatically detected in step S08. The sheet type is not determined.

[0083] Next, in step S09, image formation is performed according to the image formation conditions corresponding to the sheet type set by the user, and then in step S10, it is determined whether there is a next sheet. If there is a next sheet (YES in step S10), the process returns to step S08 for automatic detection, and the image formation in step S09 and the determination of whether there is a next sheet in step S10 are repeated, and the above operations are repeated until there are no more sheets in the print job. In other words, automatic detection is performed for each sheet of the print job one by one. When there are no more sheets in the print job (NO in step S05), in step S11, the detection result for each sheet and the information regarding the sheet type set by the user are associated and stored in the storage device 110.

[0084] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 during printing. This operation is performed by the CPU 101a of the control unit 100 of the image forming apparatus operating according to an operation program stored in the ROM 101b or the like.

[0085] The flowchart in Figure 7 is the same as the flowchart in Figure 6, except that in step S081, automatic detection and automatic determination of the sheet type are performed instead of step S08 in the flowchart in Figure 6; in step S111, information regarding the automatically determined sheet type and information regarding the sheet type set by the user and accepted by the image forming apparatus are stored in the storage device 110 instead of step S11 in the flowchart in Figure 6; and in step S12, the possibility of malfunctions is analyzed using the stored information. Therefore, a detailed explanation is omitted. Note that the analysis in step S12 may be performed using an external device such as an external server.

[0086] Furthermore, information regarding the match / mismatch between the information regarding the received sheet type and the information regarding the automatically determined sheet type may also be stored, or information regarding the match / mismatch may be stored in place of either the information regarding the automatically determined sheet type or the information regarding the received sheet type. In addition, the detection results of the media detection sensors 91 and 92 may also be stored.

[0087] Table 1 shows an example of the information stored in the storage device 110 in automatic detection mode, where the user does not set the sheet type.

[0088] [Table 1]

[0089] The information in Table 1 is generated for each print job using information about a representative sheet (for example, the first sheet). The same applies to Tables 2 and beyond. In the table, "Storage Date and Time" is the date and time when the information was stored in the storage device 110, and "Detection ID" is the identification information corresponding to the print job in which the sheet type was detected and determined. "Detection Date and Time" is the date and time when the sheet type was detected and determined, "Machine Information" is the identification information assigned to the image forming apparatus 1, and "Media Detection Sheet Type" is information indicating the sheet type that was automatically detected and determined. In this embodiment, as described above, automatic detection and determination of the sheet type is performed only for one sheet, such as the first sheet of the print job. "Number of Sheets Threaded at Detection ID" indicates the number of sheets printed in that job, and "Defect Information at Detection ID" indicates whether or not there were any defects such as jams during the execution of that print job; in this example, it is shown that no defects occurred.

[0090] Table 2 shows an example of the information stored in the storage device 110 when automatic detection and discrimination by media detection sensors 91 and 92 is not performed in user setting mode.

[0091] [Table 2]

[0092] Table 2 stores not only the "Accumulation Date and Time" and "Machine Information" from Table 1, but also "User-defined Sheet Type," "Number of Sheets Passed per Set Sheet Type," and "Problem Information per Set Sheet Type." In this example, it is shown that the user set "Thick Paper 2" and a fuser jam occurred during printing.

[0093] Table 3 shows a first example of the information stored in the storage device 110 when automatic detection and discrimination are performed by the media detection sensors 91 and 92 in user setting mode.

[0094] [Table 3]

[0095] The information in Table 3 is generated for each print job. In addition to the same information as in Table 1, such as "Accumulation Date and Time," "Detection ID," "Detection Date and Time," "Machine Information," "Media Detection Sheet Type," and "Defect Information at the Time of Detection ID," a "User-Set Sheet Type" indicating the sheet type set by the user is also accumulated. In this example, although the user set cardboard 2 as the sheet type, the sheet type determined by the media detection sensors 91 and 92 was thin paper, indicating a discrepancy between the two. It also indicates that a fuser jam occurred during the print job. Note that the defect is not limited to a jam, and even in the case of a jam, it is possible to indicate that the jam occurred in a part other than the fuser unit 19, for example, in the finisher.

[0096] Furthermore, the "Number of sheets processed at the time of detection ID" indicates which sheet it is out of the total number of sheets in the print job. In this case, it is shown to be the 1st sheet out of 21. For print jobs where no jams or other problems occurred, information like that shown in Table 3 is created for each sheet.

[0097] However, as mentioned above, information may be created not for each sheet, but for, for example, only the first sheet, or for periodic sheets such as every three sheets.

[0098] Table 4 shows a second example of the information stored in the storage device 110 when automatic detection and discrimination are performed by the media detection sensors 91 and 92 in user setting mode.

[0099] [Table 4]

[0100] In the example in Table 4, information about "Relationship to User-Defined Sheet Type" is sent instead of "User-Defined Sheet Type" in Table 3. "Relationship to User-Defined Sheet Type" is information about the match / mismatch between the sheet type set by the user and the sheet type determination result by the media detection sensor (thin paper in this example), and it indicates a mismatch. Note that both "User-Defined Sheet Type" in Table 3 and "Relationship to User-Defined Sheet Type" in Table 4 may be stored.

[0101] Table 5 shows a third example of the information stored in the storage device 110 when automatic detection and discrimination are performed by the media detection sensors 91 and 92 in user setting mode.

[0102] [Table 5]

[0103] In the example in Table 4, the relationship with the user-defined sheet type was directly shown, indicating whether the user-defined sheet type matched or not with the sheet type determination result by media detection sensors 91 and 92. However, in the example in Table 5, the difference in basis weight level is shown as sheet type information. In other words, if we use thick paper 2 as the baseline and assign the lower basis weight categories to thick paper 1 (-1 rank), plain paper+ (-2 rank), plain paper (-3 rank), and thin paper (-4 rank), then if the user-defined sheet type is thick paper 2, then thick paper 2 and the automatically detected and determined sheet type, thin paper, differ in basis weight by -4 ranks, and are therefore displayed as -4 rank. Note that the "user-defined sheet type" in Table 3 may also be stored.

[0104] In the examples in Tables 3 to 5, the configuration was such that the combination of "media detection sheet type" and "user-defined sheet type," or the combination of "media detection sheet type" and "relationship with user-defined sheet type," is stored in the storage device 110. However, as mentioned above, it is also acceptable to store the combination of "user-defined sheet type" and "relationship with user-defined sheet type," or to store at least two pieces of information from "media detection sheet type," "user-defined sheet type," and "relationship with user-defined sheet type."

[0105] Furthermore, since each piece of information is assigned a detection ID, it is linked to and stored through these detection IDs. Even if the information is stored separately, the image forming apparatus 1 can associate and handle each piece of information based on the same detection ID.

[0106] Furthermore, if only the detection results from media detection sensors 91 and 92 are stored as information, the "Media Detection Sheet Type" item in Table 3-5 will become "Detection Result," and numerical values ​​(sensing data) indicating the detection result will be described. Also, the "Relationship with User-Set Sheet Type" item will be removed.

[0107] Figure 8 shows the analysis results by the edge processing unit 100f of the image forming apparatus 1. It is a graph showing the number of sheets fed and the jam rate for each sheet type over a certain period when printing is performed under image forming conditions corresponding to the sheet type determined based on the detection results of the media detection sensors 91 and 92. The bar graph shows the number of sheets fed for each automatically detected sheet type, and the line graph shows the ratio of jammed sheets to the number of sheets fed (jam rate). This analysis is based on the media detected sheet type and defect information (jam count) contained in the data (Table 1) stored in the storage device 110 when the image forming apparatus 1 installed in the market was operating in automatic detection mode. Figure 7 shows that the frequency of jams is low.

[0108] Next, Figure 9 shows the number of sheets fed and the jam rate for each sheet type when printing is performed based on the sheet type set by the user. This analysis was also performed based on the user-set sheet type and malfunction information contained in the data (Table 2) stored in the storage device 110 by the edge unit 100f of the image forming apparatus 1, which operated based on the user settings. From Figure 8, it can be seen that the frequency of jam occurrence is higher compared to the case in Figure 7. In particular, the jam rate for thick paper is higher than that of other sheet types.

[0109] Incidentally, the jam rate relative to the total number of sheets fed in automatic detection mode (Figure 8) is 0.0070%, while the jam rate in user-defined mode (Figure 9) is 0.0186%, which is higher than in automatic detection mode. Furthermore, user-defined mode has a higher proportion of thick paper fed and a lower proportion of thin paper fed than automatic detection mode.

[0110] Figure 10 is a graph showing the number of sheets fed and the jam rate for each sheet type, analyzed in user-defined mode when printing is performed based on the sheet type set by the user, and automatic detection and identification of the sheet type is also performed by media detection sensors 91 and 92 (labeled as active detection in Figure 10). In this case, the number of sheets fed is the number of sheets fed when the user-defined sheet type does not match the number of sheets fed for each sheet type that was automatically detected and identified, and the jam rate is the jam rate relative to this number of sheets fed. This analysis is also performed by the edge processing unit 100f of the image forming apparatus 1, which performs printing based on user settings and also performs automatic detection of the sheet type, based on the media detection sheet type, user-defined sheet type, relationship with the user-defined sheet type, and malfunction information contained in the data (Tables 3 to 5) stored in the storage device 110. From Figure 10, it can be seen that the jam rate for thick paper and thin paper is higher than that of other sheet types.

[0111] Thus, in this embodiment, in user setting mode, at least two pieces of information are stored in the storage device 110: information regarding the sheet type set by the user and received by the image forming apparatus 1; information regarding the sheet type automatically detected and determined by the image forming apparatus 1; and information regarding the match / mismatch between the information regarding the sheet type set by the user and the information regarding the sheet type automatically detected and determined. Furthermore, even if the sheet type is not determined in user setting mode, the information regarding the sheet type set by the user and the detection results from the media detection sensors 91 and 92 are stored.

[0112] Therefore, by using this accumulated information, it is possible to analyze which sheet types are most frequently misconfigured by users and identify the cause of the malfunction. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 1 can grasp the analysis results periodically, at any time, or in real time. Then, during printing, the control unit 100 displays messages based on the analysis results on the display unit 54 to prompt the user to confirm the correct sheet type setting, thereby preventing malfunctions caused by setting errors.

[0113] Furthermore, when a malfunction such as jamming occurs, the image forming apparatus 1 stores specific malfunction information in the storage device 110, thereby associating user setting errors with malfunctions and enabling analysis of the stored data. For example, if the user sets thick paper, and the automatic detection and identification determines the sheet type to be thin paper, and the stored data is analyzed to show that jamming is a frequent problem, the analysis results are acquired as malfunction occurrence information. In practice, if printing is performed on thin paper using image forming conditions corresponding to thick paper set by the user, the paper is heated excessively, causing curling and making it prone to jamming in the fuser unit 19.

[0114] The image forming apparatus 1 can notify the user by displaying a warning on the display unit 54, as shown in Figure 11, that a jam may occur if the automatically detected and determined sheet type is, for example, thin paper, and the sheet type set by the user is, for example, thick paper. The user can choose to continue or cancel printing, and if they continue printing, they can choose whether to print on the thick paper they set or on the automatically detected and determined thin paper, depending on whether or not the "Print with automatically detected paper type" item is checked.

[0115] Furthermore, notifications to the user may not be displayed on the display unit 54 of the image forming apparatus 1 as shown in Figure 11, but may also be displayed on the screen of the terminal device 3, or they may be sent via email to a pre-registered address, or they may be sent via voice. In the case of voice notifications, printing will be interrupted and a message such as, "Continuing to print may cause a jam. If you wish to continue, press the start button. If you wish to cancel, press the stop button and change the paper type," will be played.

[0116] Furthermore, the edge processing unit 100f of the image forming apparatus 1, which has analyzed that a malfunction may occur, may issue an instruction to the image forming control unit 100c to switch to image forming conditions corresponding to the automatically detected and determined sheet type, or to interrupt the image forming process. Upon receiving this instruction, the image forming unit 10 will print or interrupt printing using the image forming conditions for the specified sheet type. The system may also notify the user of the switch in image forming conditions or the interruption of the image forming process. Alternatively, the system may be configured to only notify the user if the same malfunction occurs multiple times.

[0117] Furthermore, the analysis results and learning results performed by the edge processing unit 100f of the image forming apparatus 1 are not only stored in the image forming apparatus 1, but may also be transmitted to one or more other image forming apparatuses 21-26 connected to the network 4, as shown in Figure 12, allowing for the sharing of information between the image forming apparatus 1 and the other image forming apparatuses 21-26, for example, regarding the possibility of malfunctions. Alternatively, the analysis results and learning results may also be transmitted to a server (including a cloud server) 5. In this case, the server 5 can centrally manage the analysis results and learning results transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 and the other image forming apparatuses 21-26.

[0118] Alternatively, the detection results from media detection sensors 91 and 92, the discrimination results from media detection control unit 100a, and information regarding the sheet type set by the user may be transmitted to an external server 5 instead of the storage device 110 and stored on the external server 5. Furthermore, the server 5 may also perform analyses of the possibility of malfunctions occurring.

[0119] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0120] For example, information regarding the sheet type may include various types of information in addition to information about the sheet type itself and the information shown in Tables 3-5. For example, it may include at least one of the following: image information regarding the presence or absence of an image on the sheet surface, sheet transmittance information, reflectance information, stiffness information, thickness information, basis weight information, size information, grain direction information, color information, moisture information, smoothness information, resistance information, friction information, sheet composition information, and printing information. Sheet composition information may include at least one of the following: pulp, coating, fluorescent agent, filler, and colorant, and printing information may include at least one of the following: sheet brand, environmental information, paper feed information, and image formation information.

[0121] Table 6 summarizes each of these pieces of information according to the detection means used to acquire them. For example, the optical sensor 91 can provide information on paper type, transmittance, and reflectance determined from its optical properties. Paper size information can be obtained from the paper feed cassettes 90a and 90b, stiffness information from the sheet transport motor (mechanical mechanism), sheet thickness information by measuring the displacement of the sheet transport roller with a displacement sensor, and paper grain direction, smoothness, and color information from a sensor using CMOS. "User settings" are information set by the user.

[0122] [Table 6]

[0123] Table 7 shows the relationship between sheet type and basis weight.

[0124] [Table 7]

[0125] By accumulating such information in the storage device 110, the image forming apparatus 1 can analyze, for example, the relationship between basis weight, fixing heat, and defects from the accumulated information on incorrect sheet type settings and defect information, and can notify the user of the analysis results. [Explanation of symbols]

[0126] 1. Image forming apparatus 3. Terminal device (external print instruction means) 4 Network 5 servers 8 Sheet transport path 10 Image forming unit 50 Control Panel 54 Display section 60 Paper feed section 72 Skew Correction Rollers 91 Optical Sensor (Media Detection Sensor) 91a, 91b light source 91c light-receiving element 92. Ultrasonic Sensor (Media Detection Sensor) 91a Ultrasonic Transmitter 91b Ultrasonic receiver 100 Control Unit 100a Media detection control unit (discrimination means) 100b Sheet type setting control unit (reception means) 100c Image Forming Control Unit 100d storage section 100e External communication control unit (transmitting means, receiving means) 100f Edge Processing Unit 110 Storage device

Claims

1. A means for receiving user settings for the type of recording medium, A detection means for determining the type of recording medium, Image forming means for forming an image on the recording medium, A control means that performs a first operating mode in which the image forming means is operated under image forming conditions based on the type of recording medium identified, and a second operating mode in which the image forming means is operated under image forming conditions based on the type of recording medium set by the receiving means, and the detection means is operated over the entire area of ​​the print job, Equipped with, The control means is characterized in that, in a second operating mode, the type of recording medium is determined based on the detection means, and even if the determined type of recording medium does not match the type of recording medium set by the reception means, the image forming operation of the image forming means is not stopped and the image forming operation is continued.

2. A receiving means for receiving the setting of the type of recording medium by the user, A detection means for determining the type of recording medium, Image forming means for forming an image on the recording medium, A control means that performs a first operating mode in which the image forming means is operated under image forming conditions based on the type of recording medium identified, and a second operating mode in which the image forming means is operated under image forming conditions based on the type of recording medium set by the receiving means, and the detection means is operated over the entire area of ​​the print job, Equipped with, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that, in the second operating mode, the control means causes the detection means to perform detection without determining the type of recording medium.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the second operating mode, the control means causes the detection means to perform detection for each recording medium through which paper is passed.

4. A receiving means for receiving the setting of the type of recording medium by the user, A detection means for determining the type of recording medium, Image forming means for forming an image on the recording medium, A control means that performs a first operating mode in which the image forming means is operated under image forming conditions based on the type of recording medium identified, and a second operating mode in which the image forming means is operated under image forming conditions based on the type of recording medium set by the receiving means, and the detection means is operated over the entire area of ​​the print job, Equipped with, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that, in the second operating mode, the control means causes the detection means to periodically detect among the recording media being fed through the paper.

5. A receiving means for receiving the setting of the type of recording medium by the user, A detection means for determining the type of recording medium, Image forming means for forming an image on the recording medium, A control means that performs a first operating mode in which the image forming means is operated under image forming conditions based on the type of recording medium identified, and a second operating mode in which the image forming means is operated under image forming conditions based on the type of recording medium set by the receiving means, and the detection means is operated over the entire area of ​​the print job, Equipped with, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that, in the second operating mode, the detection time of the detection means is different from that of the first operating mode.

6. A receiving means for receiving the setting of the type of recording medium by the user, A detection means for determining the type of recording medium, Image forming means for forming an image on the recording medium, A control means that performs a first operating mode in which the image forming means is operated under image forming conditions based on the type of recording medium identified, and a second operating mode in which the image forming means is operated under image forming conditions based on the type of recording medium set by the receiving means, and the detection means is operated over the entire area of ​​the print job, Equipped with, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the detection range by the detection means differs between the first operating mode and the second operating mode.

7. A receiving means for receiving the setting of the type of recording medium by the user, A detection means for determining the type of recording medium, Image forming means for forming an image on the recording medium, A control means that performs a first operating mode in which the image forming means is operated under image forming conditions based on the type of recording medium identified, and a second operating mode in which the image forming means is operated under image forming conditions based on the type of recording medium set by the receiving means, and the detection means is operated over the entire area of ​​the print job, Equipped with, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that, in the second operating mode, the number of recording media detected by the detection means in a single job is different from that in the first operating mode.

8. A receiving means for receiving the setting of the type of recording medium by the user, A detection means for determining the type of recording medium, Image forming means for forming an image on the recording medium, A control means that performs a first operating mode in which the image forming means is operated under image forming conditions based on the type of recording medium identified, and a second operating mode in which the image forming means is operated under image forming conditions based on the type of recording medium set by the receiving means, and the detection means is operated over the entire area of ​​the print job, Equipped with, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that, in the second operating mode, the detection means used is different from that used in the first operating mode.

9. The type of recording medium includes at least one of the following: image information regarding the presence or absence of an image on the surface of the recording medium, transmittance information, reflectance information, stiffness information, thickness information, basis weight information, size information, grain direction information, color information, moisture information, smoothness information, resistance information, friction information, recording medium configuration information, and printing information. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the constituent information of the recording medium includes at least one of pulp, coating, fluorescent agent, filler, and colorant, and the printing information includes at least one of the brand name of the recording medium, environmental information, paper feed slot information, and image forming information.

10. The detection means comprises a light source and a light receiving sensor capable of receiving transmitted and / or reflected light from the light source onto the recording medium. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein at least one of the transmittance, reflectance, basis weight, thickness, color, smoothness, and components of the recording medium is detected based on the transmitted light and / or reflected light received by the light receiving sensor.

11. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the control means associates the type of recording medium set by the receiving means with at least one of the detection result by the detection means in the second operating mode or a discrimination result based on the detection result.

12. A receiving means for receiving the setting of the type of recording medium by the user, A detection means for determining the type of recording medium, Image forming means for forming an image on the recording medium, A control means that performs a first operating mode in which the image forming means is operated under image forming conditions based on the type of recording medium identified, and a second operating mode in which the image forming means is operated under image forming conditions based on the type of recording medium set by the receiving means, and the detection means is operated over the entire area of ​​the print job, Equipped with, An image forming apparatus characterized by comprising acquisition means for acquiring analytical information indicating the possibility of malfunctions occurring based on the associated information described above.

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the analysis is performed by an analysis means built into the apparatus or by an external apparatus.

14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a notification means for notifying the possibility of a malfunction occurring when analytical information indicating the possibility of a malfunction is obtained by the acquisition means.

15. A reception step that accepts user settings for the type of recording medium, A detection step by a detection means for determining the type of recording medium, Image forming step of forming an image on the recording medium, A control step that performs a first operation mode in which an image is formed according to image formation conditions based on the type of recording medium identified, and a second operation mode in which an image is formed according to image formation conditions based on the type of recording medium set in the reception step, and the detection means is operated in the entire area of ​​the print job, The image forming apparatus performs this, The control step is characterized in that, in the second operating mode, the type of recording medium is determined based on the detection step, and even if the determined type of recording medium does not match the type of recording medium set in the reception step, the image forming operation of the image forming step is executed without stopping.

16. A reception step that accepts user settings for the type of recording medium, A detection step by a detection means for determining the type of recording medium, Image forming step of forming an image on the recording medium, A control step that performs a first operation mode in which an image is formed according to image formation conditions based on the type of recording medium identified, and a second operation mode in which an image is formed according to image formation conditions based on the type of recording medium set in the reception step, and the detection means is operated in the entire area of ​​the print job, The computer of the image forming apparatus executes this command. The control step involves a program that, in the second operating mode, determines the type of recording medium based on the detection step, and even if the determined type of recording medium does not match the type of recording medium set in the reception step, it causes the image forming operation of the image forming step to be executed without stopping.

Images