JP2004074808A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent paper from being erroneously fed from a paper feed tray.
SOLUTION: After a user ID is registered in a printing condition holding unit of a paper feeding tray for a special paper and a user restriction is set, a printing start command, a printing condition for performing color printing, and a printing condition for the special paper are set. When a paper feed tray designation command for designating a paper feed tray is input, a paper feed tray for exclusive paper is selected (step St. 38). Then, the printing condition availability attribute information held in the printing condition holding unit of the selected paper feed tray for the dedicated paper is read by the third information reading unit (Step St. 39). St. It is determined whether or not there is a user restriction based on the print information availability attribute information read in step 39 (step St. 40). At this time, since the user ID is registered, it is determined that there is a user restriction. Then, the user restriction is reported to the personal computer 2 and the printing operation is stopped (Step St. 41).
[Selection diagram] FIG.

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer and a copying machine.

As an image forming apparatus, there is a printer or a copier connected to an external device such as a personal computer. Some of these printers and copiers have a plurality of paper feed trays set in the apparatus main body. These printers and copiers select a desired paper feed tray at the start of printing, feed paper from the selected paper feed tray, and print an image on the fed paper.

Some of such printers and copiers have a single-sided printing function for printing an image on one side of a sheet and a double-sided printing function for printing an image on both sides of a sheet. In these printers and copiers, when the printing conditions for performing double-sided printing are specified and the desired paper size is specified, the paper tray loaded with the specified size paper is selected and selected. The paper is fed from the fed paper tray, and images are printed on both sides of the fed paper.

By the way, in the above-described printers and copiers, one-side printed paper (back paper) may be used in order to effectively use the paper when performing one-sided printing. When the backing paper is used, it is troublesome and troublesome to set the paper feeding tray on which the backing paper is loaded in the apparatus main body every time. Therefore, even when the back paper is not used, the paper feed tray loaded with the back paper may be set in the apparatus main body.

未 When performing double-sided printing operation, unused paper is used. However, a paper feed tray loaded with backing paper and a paper feed tray loaded with unused papers may be set in the apparatus body. At this time, if the size of the backing paper matches the size of the unused paper, the printing conditions for performing double-sided printing are specified and the backing paper is loaded when the desired paper size is specified. May be selected. Then, the back paper is fed from the selected paper feed tray, and an image is printed on both sides of the back paper. As described above, in the above-described printers and copiers, if a paper feed tray on which desired paper is stacked is not selected, paper unsuitable for a printing operation is supplied, and a desired printed matter may not be obtained.

On the other hand, Patent Documents 1 to 5 disclose printers or color copiers capable of selecting a paper feed tray on which desired paper is stacked.

Patent Documents 1 to 3 describe printers connected to personal computers and word processors. In this printer, an identification information section indicating identification information relating to the size and type of paper is provided on the paper feed tray, and when a desired paper size and type is specified, the specified size and type of paper and the identification information section are added to the identification information section. It is determined whether or not the indicated paper size and type match, a paper feed tray loaded with paper of the same size and type is selected, and paper is fed from the selected paper feed tray.

Patent Document 4 describes a printer connected to a personal computer. In this printer, the amount of transmitted light transmitted through the paper is detected by a transmission type optical sensor, the level of a voltage signal corresponding to the transmitted light is compared with a threshold, and the type of paper is determined based on the magnitude relationship between the level of the voltage signal and the threshold. To determine whether the determined paper type matches the desired paper type, select a paper tray loaded with paper of the same type, and remove paper from the paper tray. Feed paper.

Patent Document 5 describes a color copying machine. This color copier determines the size of the original, whether the image of the original is color, and whether the image area such as a picture or a photograph is larger than a predetermined value based on the read image information of the original. Then, a sheet is selected based on the result, and the sheet is fed.

JP-A-3-67824 JP-A-3-127077 JP-A-4-59519 JP-A-7-196207 JP-A-7-199736

By the way, as an application example of the printers described in Patent Literatures 1 to 4, consider a printer having a double-sided printing function. In such a printer, even when printing conditions for performing double-sided printing are specified, if a paper feed tray on which back paper is stacked is selected based on the size and type of paper, the selected paper feed tray is selected. Back paper is fed from the paper tray, and an image is printed on both sides of the back paper. As described above, when a paper feed tray is selected based on a certain condition, paper is supplied from the selected paper feed tray even if print conditions that are not suitable for the purpose of the paper stacked in the paper feed tray are specified. I'll make paper. Therefore, an image is printed on the paper by a printing operation that is not suitable for the purpose of the paper, and a desired printed matter cannot be obtained.

As an application example of the color copying machine described in Patent Document 5, consider a color copying machine having a double-sided printing function. In such a color copier, even when the printing conditions for performing double-sided printing are specified, if the paper feed tray on which the backing paper is stacked is selected based on the size of the paper, the selected feeder is selected. Back paper is fed from the paper tray, and an image is printed on both sides of the back paper. In this way, if a paper tray is selected based on a certain condition, paper is still selected from the selected paper tray even if printing conditions that are not suitable for the purpose of the paper loaded in that paper tray are specified. Paper is fed. Therefore, an image is printed on the paper by a printing operation that is not suitable for the purpose of the paper, and a desired printed matter cannot be obtained.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of paper feed trays on which paper is stacked, a paper feed unit that feeds the paper from one of the paper feed trays, and a paper feed unit A printing unit that prints an image on the fed paper, and an attribute information holding unit that holds printing condition availability attribute information that specifies whether or not there is a usage restriction that limits the use of the paper placed on each of the paper feeding trays Paper feed tray selecting means for selecting the paper feed tray on which the desired paper is loaded when a printing operation start command is input, and the attribute of the paper feed tray selected by the paper feed tray selecting means An attribute information reading unit that reads the printing condition availability attribute information held by an information holding unit; and the paper feed unit when the use limitation of the printing condition availability attribute information read by the attribute information reading unit exists. A paper tray selection rejecting unit for rejecting the selection of the paper tray by the selecting unit, and a use restriction releasing unit for releasing the use restriction by the paper tray selection rejecting unit when a use restriction release command is input. Prepare. Therefore, when the print operation start command is input, the paper feed tray on which the desired paper is loaded is selected by the paper feed tray selecting means, and the print condition availability attribute held by the attribute information holding unit of the selected paper feed tray is selected. The information is read by the attribute information reading means, and when the use of the read printing condition availability attribute information is restricted, the selection of the paper feed tray by the paper feed tray selecting means is rejected by the paper feed tray selection rejecting means. When the user inputs a use restriction release command, the use restriction by the paper supply tray selection rejection unit is released by the use restriction release unit, and paper is fed from the paper supply tray selected by the paper supply tray selection unit. Then, an image is printed on the fed paper. With this, even if the paper feed tray is selected by the paper feed tray selection unit, if there is a usage restriction that restricts the use of the paper stacked on the selected paper feed tray, the selected paper feed tray is not used. Since the paper is not fed, the paper is not erroneously fed from the paper feed tray. Further, since the use restriction is released by inputting the use restriction release command, paper is fed from the selected paper supply tray, and an image is printed on the paper. Therefore, it is easy to manage special papers that are difficult to use if used incorrectly.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the attribute information holding unit in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect is a storage device that is provided for each paper feed tray and stores print condition availability attribute information. Therefore, it is easy to rewrite the print condition availability attribute information.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the print operation start command is input, the paper feed tray on which the desired paper is loaded is selected by the paper feed tray selecting means, and the attribute information holding unit of the selected paper feed tray is selected. The attribute information reading means reads the print condition availability attribute information held by the attribute information reading means, and when there is a restriction on the use of the read print condition availability attribute information, the selection of the paper tray by the paper tray selection means is performed by the paper tray selection rejection means Disavowed by When the user inputs a use restriction release command, the use restriction by the paper supply tray selection rejection unit is released by the use restriction release unit, and paper is fed from the paper supply tray selected by the paper supply tray selection unit. Then, an image is printed on the fed paper. With this, even if the paper feed tray is selected by the paper feed tray selection unit, if there is a usage restriction that restricts the use of the paper stacked on the selected paper feed tray, the selected paper feed tray is not used. Since the paper is not fed, the paper is not erroneously fed from the paper feed tray. Further, since the use restriction is released by inputting the use restriction release command, paper is fed from the selected paper supply tray, and an image is printed on the paper. Therefore, it is easy to manage special papers that are difficult to use if used incorrectly.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the attribute information holding unit is a storage device for storing the print condition availability attribute information, it is easy to rewrite the print condition availability attribute information.

最 良 One embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an MFP (Mlti-Fnction Pripheral) to which the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment is applied. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the MFP. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of print condition availability attribute information. The MFP 1 is connected to a personal computer 2, connected to a plurality of other personal computers (not shown) via a network, and connected to a telephone line 3. An application expansion box 5 for connecting the MFP 1 to the personal computer 2 and the telephone line 3 is attached to the main body case 4 of the MFP 1. A plotter section 6 which is a printing section for printing an image on a sheet is provided in the main body case 4. Below the plotter unit 6, there is provided a double-sided printing unit 7 for turning over the sheet on which an image is printed on one side by the plotter unit 6 and feeding the sheet to the plotter unit 6 again. Below the double-sided printing unit 7, a paper feed tray 8 for plain paper, a paper feed tray 9 for back paper, and a paper feed tray 10 for special paper are arranged in order from the top. Above the plotter section 6, an image reading section 11 for reading image information of a document is provided. Further, on the side surface of the main body case 4, there are provided a plurality of paper discharge trays 12 for discharging paper on which an image is printed by the plotter unit 6. Further, the personal computer 2 is provided with a display 30.

The image reading section 11 is provided with an automatic document feeder 13. In the automatic document feeder 13, a document feed tray 14 and a document discharge tray 15 are formed.

In the vicinity of the paper feed tray 8 for plain paper, the paper feed tray 9 for back paper, and the paper feed tray 10 for special paper, any one of the paper feed trays 8, 9, 10 is provided. Paper feed units (not shown) for feeding paper from the paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10 are provided.

Each of the paper feed tray 8 for plain paper, the paper feed tray 9 for back paper, and the paper feed tray 10 for special paper has an attribute information holding unit for holding print condition availability attribute information. A section 16 (see FIG. 7) is provided. The printing condition holding unit 16 is a storage device composed of an EEPROM. This storage device is formed so as to be able to electrically rewrite the printing condition availability attribute information, and does not require power supply for holding the printing information availability attribute information. The print condition availability attribute information specifies whether double-sided printing, single-sided printing, color printing, monochrome printing, copy use, FAX use, and printer use are valid or invalid. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, one-sided printing, color printing, and copying use designated as valid are authorized printing conditions suitable for the purpose of paper. Double-sided printing, monochrome printing FAX use, and printer use designated as invalid are denied printing conditions that are not suitable for the purpose of paper. Further, the print condition availability attribute information specifies whether or not there is a user restriction which is a usage restriction for restricting the use of paper. At this time, it is set that there is a user restriction by registering the user ID. Further, the printing condition holding unit 16 stores the size and type of the paper loaded on each of the paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10.

(4) A4 size unused plain paper (not shown) is stacked on the plain paper feed tray 8. The printing condition availability attribute information stored in the printing condition holding unit 16 of the plain paper feed tray 8 includes two-sided printing, one-sided printing, monochrome printing, copy use, FAX use, and printer use. It is set to be specified as. Further, the printing condition availability attribute information is set so as to designate color printing as a disapproving printing condition. Further, the print condition availability attribute information is set to specify that there is no user restriction.

Ａ A4 size plain paper (not shown) is loaded on the backing paper feed tray 9. This plain paper is a backing paper that has been printed on one side. The printing condition availability attribute information stored in the printing condition holding unit 16 of the backing paper feed tray 9 is set so as to designate one-sided printing, monochrome printing, copy use, and printer use as authorized printing conditions. Have been. Further, the printing condition availability attribute information is set so as to designate double-sided printing, color printing, and FAX use as rejected printing conditions. Further, the print condition availability attribute information is set to specify that there is no user restriction.

(4) A dedicated paper (not shown) for color printing is stacked on the paper feed tray 10 for the dedicated paper. The print condition availability attribute information stored in the print condition holding unit 16 of the paper feed tray 10 for the dedicated paper is set so as to designate one-sided printing, color printing, copy use, and printer use as authorized print conditions. Have been. Further, the printing condition availability attribute information is set so as to designate double-sided printing, monochrome printing, and FAX use as rejected printing conditions. Further, the print condition availability attribute information is set to specify that there is no user restriction.

Next, the electrical configuration will be described with reference to FIG. In the main body case 4, an application operation adjusting unit 17 for selectively performing a copy operation, a facsimile operation, and a printer operation is provided. The application operation adjustment unit 17 is connected to a copy control unit 18 that controls a copy operation, a FAX control unit 19 that controls a FAX operation, and a printer control unit 20 that controls a printer operation. A plotter operation control unit 21 that controls the plotter unit 6 and a print condition determination unit 22 that determines print conditions are connected to the copy control unit 18, the FAX control unit 19, and the printer control unit 20. The printing condition determining unit 22 includes first, second, and third information reading units that read printing condition availability attribute information stored in the printing condition holding unit 16 of each of the paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10. 23, 24 and 25 are connected. The first, second and third information reading units 23 connect the first, second and third adapters 26, 27 and 28 when the sheet feeding trays 8, 9 and 10 are set in the main body case 4. It is formed so as to be connected to the print information holding unit 16 through the same. Further, an attribute information setting unit 29 for setting printing condition availability attribute information held by the printing condition holding unit 16 is provided.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. The operation when a paper feed tray designation command for designating the paper feed tray 9 for back paper is input will be described with reference to FIG. When a print start designation command for designating printing start and a paper feed tray designation command for designating the back paper feed tray 9 are input from the personal computer 2 to the MFP 1, the application operation arbitration unit 17 selects a printer operation. . Then, it is determined that the paper feed tray designation command has been input to MFP 1 together with the print start designation command (step St. 1), and it is determined whether the printing conditions have been input to MFP 1 together with the print start designation command and the paper feed tray designation command. (Step St.2). This St. If it is determined in step 2 that the printing condition has not been input, the paper feed tray designated by the paper feed tray designation command is selected (step St. 3). At this time, since the paper feed tray 9 for the back paper is specified by the paper feed tray specification command, St. At 3, the paper feed tray 9 for the backing paper is selected. Thus, the operation of selecting the paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10 designated by the paper feed tray designation command is executed as a function of the paper feed tray selecting means.

{Circle around (2)} The printing condition availability attribute information stored in the printing condition holding unit 16 of the backing paper feed tray 9 is read by the second information reading unit 24 (Step St. 4). In this way, the operation of reading the print condition availability attribute information stored in the print condition holding unit 16 of the selected paper feed trays 8, 9, 10 by the information reading units 23, 24, 25 is executed as a function of the attribute information reading unit. Is done.

{St. The authorization print condition of the print condition availability attribute information read in step 4 is set as a print condition (step St. 5). At this time, since the single-sided printing, monochrome printing, copy use, and printer use are specified as the printing conditions by the printing condition availability attribute information of the paper feed tray 9 for the backing paper, the single-sided printing and monochrome printing are set as the printing conditions. You. In this way, the operation of setting the read authorized print condition of the print condition availability attribute as the print condition is executed as a function of the print condition setting unit.

{St. 5, the plotter unit 6 is controlled based on the printing conditions set in St. The back paper is fed from the back paper feed tray 9 selected in Step 3, and one-sided printing is performed, and a black and white image is printed on the blank side of the back paper (Step St. 6). Thereafter, when the image is printed on the desired number of backing papers, the printing operation ends. Thus, the operation of controlling the plotter unit 6 based on the set printing conditions is executed as a function of the print control unit.

As described above, when the paper feed tray designation command is input, the paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10 designated by the paper feed tray designation command are selected, and the printing conditions of the selected paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10 are selected. By reading the printing condition availability attribute information stored in the holding unit 16 and setting the approved printing condition of the printing condition availability attribute information as the printing condition, the printing condition of the sheets stacked on the specified paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10 is determined. Printing conditions suitable for the purpose are set, and a printing operation suitable for the purpose of the paper is performed. Therefore, an image is printed on the paper by a printing operation suitable for the use of the paper, and a desired printed matter is obtained. Also, the paper is used effectively according to the application. Further, since the printing condition holding unit 16 that holds the printing condition availability attribute is a storage device, the setting and rewriting of the printing condition availability attribute information are facilitated.

Next, an operation when a paper feed tray designation command for designating the paper feed tray 9 for back paper and a printing condition for performing double-sided printing are input will be described with reference to FIGS. St. 1, it is determined that the paper feed tray designation command has been input together with the print start designation command. If it is determined in step 2 that the print conditions have been input together with the print start designation command and the paper feed tray designation command, the paper feed tray designated by the paper feed tray designation command is selected (step St. 7). At this time, since the paper feed tray 9 for the back paper is specified by the paper feed tray designation command, the paper feed tray 9 for the back paper is selected. The printing condition availability attribute information stored in the printing condition holding unit 16 of the selected back paper feed tray 9 is read by the second information reading unit 24 (Step St. 8).

{After that, St. 8, the rejected printing condition of the printing condition permission attribute read and the printing condition input from the personal computer 2 are compared, and it is determined whether at least one of the rejected printing condition matches the printing condition (step St). .9). At this time, the single-sided printing, monochrome printing, copy use, and printer use are designated as the authorized printing conditions by the printing condition availability attribute information of the backing paper feed tray 9, and the printing conditions of the backing paper feeding tray 9 are specified. Double-sided printing, color printing, and facsimile use are designated as rejected printing conditions by the propriety attribute information. Since double-sided printing is specified by the printing conditions, St. 9, it is determined that the rejected printing condition and the printing condition match by one, and it is reported to the personal computer 2 that the printing condition is not suitable for the purpose of the backing paper on the paper feeding tray 9 for the backing paper, and the printing operation is stopped. (Step St. 10).

After that, the display 30 of the personal computer 2 displays that the printing condition or the designation of the paper feed tray is incorrect. If the user designates the restart of the printing operation without changing the print conditions and the specification of the paper feed tray, it is determined that the print conditions have not been changed (Step St. 11), and the specification of the paper feed tray is changed. Is determined not to have been made (step St. 12), and St. The authorization printing condition of the printing condition availability attribute information read in step 8 is set as the printing condition (step St. 13). At this time, since single-sided printing and monochrome printing are set as authorized printing conditions by the printing condition availability attribute information of the paper feed tray 9 for the backing paper, single-sided printing and monochrome printing are set as printing conditions. Then, the plotter unit 6 is controlled based on the set printing conditions, and St. The backing paper is fed from the backing paper feeding tray 9 selected in step 7, the single-sided printing is performed, and a black and white image is printed on the blank side of the backing paper (step St.14). Thereafter, when the image is printed on the desired number of backing papers, the printing operation ends.

When it is displayed on the display 30 of the personal computer 2 that the printing condition or the specification of the paper feed tray is incorrect, when the user specifies the printing condition for performing the one-sided printing and the monochrome printing and specifies the restart of the printing operation. , St. 11, it is determined that the printing conditions have been changed, and St. In step 9, it is determined that none of the disapproved printing conditions and the printing conditions match. Then, it is determined that at least one of the authorized printing conditions matches the printing conditions. Then, St. At 14, single-sided printing is performed, and a black-and-white image is printed on the blank side of the backing paper. Thereafter, when the image is printed on the desired number of backing papers, the printing operation ends.

When it is displayed on the display 30 of the personal computer 2 that the printing condition or the specification of the paper feed tray is incorrect, the user inputs a paper feed tray designation command for designating the paper feed tray for plain paper, and resumes the printing operation. Is specified, St. 11, it is determined that the printing conditions have not been changed, and St. 12, it is determined that the specification of the paper feed tray has been changed, and St. 7, the paper feed tray 8 for plain paper is selected, and St. At 8, the print condition availability attribute condition stored in the print condition holding unit 16 of the plain paper feed tray 8 is read by the first information reading unit 23. Since the color printing is designated as the disallowed printing condition by the printing condition availability attribute information of the plain paper feed tray 8, St. In step 9, it is determined that none of the disapproved printing conditions and the printing conditions match. Then, it is determined that at least one of the authorized printing conditions matches the printing conditions. Then, St. 14, double-sided printing is performed, and images are printed on both sides of unused plain paper. Thereafter, when an image is printed on a desired number of unused plain papers, the printing operation ends.

As described above, when the paper feed tray designation command and the printing condition are input, the paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10 designated by the paper feed tray designation command are selected, and the selected paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10 are selected. The print condition permission attribute information stored in the print condition holding unit 16 is read, and the rejection print condition and the print condition of the print condition permission attribute information are compared with each other. The user is informed that the printing conditions or the paper tray specification is incorrect when the user is in the state, and the printing operation is stopped, so that the paper loaded on the specified paper trays 8, 9, and 10 is not suitable for use. When the printing conditions are input, paper is prevented from being fed from the designated paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10. If none of the denial printing conditions and the printing conditions match and at least one of the authorized printing conditions and the printing conditions match, paper is fed from the selected paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10. Then, the plotter unit 6 is controlled based on the printing conditions, and the image is printed on the fed paper. Therefore, an image is not printed on a sheet by a printing operation that is not suitable for the purpose of the sheet. Then, since an image is printed on the paper by a printing operation suitable for the use of the paper, a desired printed matter is obtained. Also, the paper is used effectively according to the application.

Next, an operation when a paper size designation command for designating A4 size paper and a printing condition for performing color printing are input will be described with reference to FIGS. St. 1, it is determined that the paper feed tray designation command has not been input, and it is determined that the paper size designation command has been input together with the print start designation command (step St. 15). When it is determined that the printing conditions have been input together with the print start designation command and the paper size designation command (Step St. 16), the paper feed tray on which the sheets of the size designated by the paper size designation command are stacked is selected. (Step St. 17). At this time, since the A4 size is specified by the paper size specification command, first, the plain paper feed tray 8 disposed above the other feed trays is selected. In this manner, the operation of selecting the paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10 on which the paper of the size designated by the paper size designation command is loaded is executed as a function of the paper feed tray selecting means.

{St. The printing condition availability attribute information stored in the printing condition holding unit 16 of the plain paper feed tray 8 selected in step 17 is read by the first information reading unit 23 (step St. 18). In this way, the operation of reading the printing condition availability attribute information held in the printing condition holding unit 16 of the selected paper feed trays 8, 9, 10 by the information reading units 23, 24, 25 is executed as a function of the attribute information reading unit. You.

{After that, St. The rejected printing condition of the printing condition permission attribute information read in 18 and the printing condition input from the personal computer 2 are compared, and it is determined whether at least one of the rejected printing condition and the printing condition matches (step). St. 19).

At this time, double-sided printing, single-sided printing, monochrome printing, copy use, facsimile use, and printer use are designated as the authorized printing conditions by the print information availability attribute information of the plain paper feed tray 8, and color printing is rejected printing. Specified as a condition. Since color printing is specified by the printing conditions, St. In step 19, it is determined that one of the rejected printing conditions and the printing conditions match. Then, it is determined whether or not there is a paper feed tray loaded with A4 size paper designated by the paper size designation command other than the plain paper feed tray 8 (step St. 20). In this manner, when at least one of the rejected printing conditions matches the printing condition, the operation of rejecting the selection of the paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10 having the printing condition availability attribute information for designating the rejected printing condition is performed. It is performed as a function of the means.

Since the size of the backing paper stacked on the paper feeding tray 9 for the backing paper is also A4, it is determined that the paper feeding tray loaded with the A4 size paper is other than the paper feeding tray 8 for the plain paper. And St. 17, the paper feed tray 9 for the backing paper is selected, and St. At 18, the printing condition availability attribute information stored in the printing condition holding unit 16 of the backing paper feed tray 9 is read by the second information reading unit 24. At this time, double-sided printing, color printing, and FAX use are designated as disapproved printing conditions by the printing condition availability attribute information of the paper feed tray 9 for the backing paper. In step 19, it is determined that one of the rejected printing conditions and the printing conditions match.

The size of the special paper for color printing stacked on the special paper feed tray 10 is also A4. 20, it is determined that there is another paper feed tray on which A4 size paper is stacked other than the paper feed tray 8 for plain paper and the paper feed tray 9 for back paper. 17, the paper feed tray 10 for exclusive paper is selected, and St. At 18, the print condition availability attribute information stored in the print condition holding unit 16 of the paper feed tray 10 for dedicated paper is read by the third information reading unit 25. At this time, single-sided printing, color printing, copy use, and printer use are specified as authorized printing conditions by the printing condition availability attribute information of the paper feed tray 10 for dedicated paper, and double-sided printing, monochrome printing, and FAX use are rejected printing. Since it is specified as a condition, St. At 19, it is determined that none of the disapproved printing conditions and the printing conditions match. Then, it is determined that at least one of the authorized printing conditions matches the printing conditions. Then, the plotter unit 6 is controlled based on the printing conditions, and St. The dedicated paper for color printing is fed from the paper feeding tray 10 for dedicated paper selected in step S17, color printing is performed, and a color image is printed on the dedicated paper for color printing (Step St.21). . In this way, the operation of comparing the print condition with the authorized print condition and the rejected print condition of the print condition availability attribute is executed as a function of the print condition comparing unit. Further, when none of the denial printing conditions and the printing conditions match, and at least one of the authorized printing conditions and the printing conditions match, the paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10 having printing condition availability attribute information for specifying the printing conditions. Is performed as a function of the paper feed tray selection approval unit. Further, an operation of controlling the plotter unit 6 based on the printing conditions is executed as a function of the printing control unit.

(4) Thereafter, when the desired number of images are printed on the dedicated paper for color printing, the printing operation ends.

{St. If it is determined in step 20 that there is no other paper feed tray loaded with paper of the size designated by the paper size designation command, it is determined that the printing conditions are not suitable for the purpose of the paper on the paper feed tray. , And the printing operation is stopped (Step St. 22).

After that, the display 30 of the personal computer 2 indicates that there is no paper feed tray loaded with paper suitable for the designated size and printing conditions. If the user designates resumption of the printing operation without changing the printing conditions and the paper size, it is determined that the printing conditions have not been changed (Step St. 23), and the specification of the paper size is changed. (Step St.24), and a new paper feed tray (not shown) is provided in addition to the paper feed tray 8 for plain paper, the paper feed tray 9 for back paper, and the paper feed tray 10 for dedicated paper. ) Is set (step St. 25). St. 25, if a new paper feed tray is not set, St. The operations after 22 are repeated.

(4) When the display 30 of the personal computer 2 displays that there is no paper feed tray loaded with paper suitable for the specified size and printing conditions, and the user changes the printing conditions and specifies restart of the printing operation, St. 23, it is determined that the printing conditions have been changed. The operations after 19 are repeatedly performed.

When it is displayed on the display 30 of the personal computer 2 that there is no paper feed tray loaded with paper suitable for the specified size and printing conditions, when the user changes the paper size specification and specifies restart of the printing operation. , St. 23, it is determined that the printing conditions have not been changed, and St. 24, it is determined that the specification of the paper size has been changed. The operations after 17 are repeated.

In this way, when the paper size designation command and the printing conditions are input, the paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10 on which the paper of the size designated by the paper size designation command is loaded are selected, and the selected paper feed tray is selected. The print condition permission / non-permission attribute information stored in the print condition holding unit 16 is read from the print condition permission / rejection attribute information of the print condition permission / rejection attribute information. By stopping the printing operation when at least one of the conditions is satisfied, even if the paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10 on which sheets of the specified size are stacked are selected, the selected paper feed trays 8, 9 and 10 are selected. , 10 are prevented from being fed from the selected paper feed trays 8, 9, 10. If none of the denial printing conditions and the printing conditions match and at least one of the authorized printing conditions and the printing conditions match, paper is fed from the selected paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10. Then, the plotter unit 6 is controlled based on the printing conditions, and the image is printed on the fed paper. Therefore, an image is not printed on a sheet by a printing operation that is not suitable for the purpose of the sheet. Then, since an image is printed on the paper by a printing operation suitable for the use of the paper, a desired printed matter is obtained. Also, the paper is used effectively according to the application.

Next, the operation when paper is exhausted from one paper feed tray during the printing operation and paper is fed from another paper feed tray will be described with reference to FIG. When a print start designation command, a print condition for performing duplex printing, and a feed tray designation command for designating the plain paper feed tray 8 are input to the MFP 1, as described above, the plain paper feed is performed. Tray 8 is selected as the first paper feed tray (Step St. 26). In this way, the operation of selecting a desired paper feed tray 8, 9, 10 is executed as a function of the paper feed tray selecting means.

Then, the plotter unit 6 is controlled based on the printing condition, and unused plain paper is fed from the plain paper feed tray 8, and duplex printing is performed to print an image on both sides of unused plain paper. (Step St. 27). Thus, the operation of controlling the plotter unit 6 based on the printing conditions is executed as a function of the printing control unit.

After that, it is determined whether or not the image has been printed on a desired number of unused plain papers (Step St. 28). At this time, when it is determined that the image has been printed on the desired number of unused plain papers, the printing operation ends.

{St. If it is determined at 28 that the image is not printed on the desired number of unused plain papers, it is determined whether unused plain papers are stacked on the plain paper feed tray 8 ( Step St. 29). At this time, if unused plain paper is loaded on the plain paper feed tray 8, St. The operations after 27 are repeated.

{St. If it is determined at 29 that no unused plain paper is loaded on the plain paper feed tray 8, a size equal to the size of unused plain paper loaded on the plain paper feed tray 8 is set. It is determined whether or not there is another sheet feeding tray on which the sheet is loaded (Step St. 30). At this time, if it is determined that there is no paper feed tray loaded with paper of a size equal to the size of unused plain paper loaded on the plain paper feed tray 8, paper of a desired size is loaded. It is reported to the personal computer 2 that there is no supplied paper tray (Step St. 31). Thereafter, it is displayed on the display 29 of the personal computer 2 that there is no paper tray loaded with paper of a desired size, and the printing operation is performed. Ends.

{St. At 30, the size of the unused plain paper loaded on the plain paper feed tray 8 is A4, and the size of the paper loaded on the other two feed trays 9 and 10 is also A4. It is determined that there is a paper feed tray loaded with paper of a size equal to the size of unused plain paper loaded on the paper feed tray 8 loaded on the paper feed tray 8 for plain paper. Then, first, the paper feed tray 9 for the back paper disposed above the paper feed tray 10 for the dedicated paper is selected as the second paper feed tray (Step St. 32). In this manner, the operation of selecting the second paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10 on which sheets of the same size as the unused plain papers loaded on the first paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10 are loaded. This is executed as a function of the paper feed tray reselecting unit.

Then, the print condition availability attribute information stored in the print condition holding unit 16 of the selected paper feed tray 9 for the back paper is read by the second information reading unit 24 (Step St. 33). In this way, the operation of reading the print condition availability attribute information stored in the print condition holding unit 16 of the second paper feed trays 8, 9, 10 by the information reading units 23, 24, 25 is executed as a function of the attribute information reading unit. Is done.

{After that, St. 33, the rejection printing condition of the printing condition permission attribute information read in 33 is compared with the printing condition of the printing operation performed before the unused plain paper on the plain paper feed tray 8 runs out. It is determined whether or not at least one of the condition and the printing condition match (step St. 34).

At this time, if it is determined that none of the denial printing conditions and the printing conditions do not match, and if it is determined that at least one of the authorization printing conditions and the printing conditions match, the plotter unit 6 is controlled based on the printing conditions. , St. 32, paper is fed from the paper feed tray selected in step S32, duplex printing is performed, and images are printed on both sides of the paper (step St. 35). In this way, the rejection printing conditions of the printing condition availability attribute information of the second paper feeding trays 8, 9, and 10 and the printing conditions performed before the paper on the first paper feeding trays 8, 9, and 10 are exhausted. The comparing operation is executed as a function of the printing condition comparing unit. In addition, when there is no disapproved printing condition and no printing condition matches, and when at least one approved printing condition matches one of the printing conditions, the printing condition has print condition availability attribute information for specifying the approved printing condition and the disapproved printing condition. The operation of rejecting the selection of the paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10 is executed as a function of the paper feed tray reselection rejection unit.

{St. At 34, single-sided printing, monochrome printing, copy use, and printer use are designated as authorized printing conditions by the printing condition availability attribute information of the backing paper feed tray 9, and double-sided printing, color printing, and FAX use are rejected printing. Specified as a condition. Then, since double-sided printing is specified by the printing condition, it is determined that one of the disapproved printing condition and the printing condition matches. Then, it is determined whether or not there is another sheet feeding tray on which sheets of a size equal to the size of the unused plain paper stacked on the sheet feeding tray 8 for plain paper are stacked (Step St. 36). ). In this way, when at least one of the disapproved printing conditions matches the printing condition, the operation of rejecting the selection of the sheet feeding trays 8, 9, and 10 having the printing condition availability attribute information for designating the disapproved printing condition is performed by reselecting the sheet feeding tray. It is executed as a function of the denial means.

Since the size of the dedicated paper for color printing loaded on the paper feed tray 10 for dedicated paper is also A4, St. At 32, the paper feed tray 10 for dedicated paper is selected. St. At 33, the third information reading unit 25 reads the printing condition availability attribute information stored in the printing condition holding unit 16 of the dedicated paper feed tray 9. At this time, single-sided printing, color printing, copy use, and printer use are designated as disapproved printing conditions by the printing condition availability attribute information of the paper feed tray 10 for dedicated paper, and double-sided printing, monochrome printing, and fax use are disapproved printing. Since it is specified as a condition, St. At 34, it is determined that one of the denial printing condition and the printing condition matches. And St. If it is determined at 36 that there is no other paper feed tray loaded with paper of the same size as the unused plain paper loaded on the plain paper feed tray 8, the paper feed for plain paper is performed. It is reported to the personal computer 2 that there is no paper feed tray loaded with paper suitable for the size and printing conditions of the unused plain paper loaded on the tray 8 (Step St. 37).

Then, it is displayed on the display of the personal computer 2 that there is no paper feed tray loaded with paper suitable for the size and print conditions of the unused paper loaded on the paper feed tray 8 for plain paper, and the printing operation is started. finish.

As described above, the first paper feed trays 8, 9, 10 are selected, paper is fed from the selected first paper feed trays 8, 9, 10, and an image is printed on the fed paper. When there is no more paper on the first paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10, the paper of the same size as the paper loaded on the first paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10 is loaded. The second paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10 are selected, and the print condition availability attribute information stored in the print condition holding unit 16 of the selected second paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10 is read. The rejection printing condition of the printing condition propriety attribute information and the printing condition of the printing operation performed before the sheets in the first paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10 run out are compared, and at least one of the rejection printing condition and the printing condition is determined. If they match, the printing operation is stopped, and the first paper tray Even if the second paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10 on which sheets of the same size as those of the sheets stacked on the sheets 8, 9, and 10 are stacked, the printing conditions of the printing operation performed are not changed. If the paper on the second paper feed trays 8, 9, 10 is not suitable for use, the paper is prevented from being fed from the selected second paper feed trays 8, 9, 10. If none of the denial printing conditions and the printing conditions match and at least one of the authorized printing conditions and the printing conditions match, paper is fed from the selected paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10. Then, the plotter unit 6 is controlled based on the printing conditions, and the image is printed on the fed paper. Therefore, paper that is not suitable for the printing conditions of the printing operation that has been performed is fed, and an image is not printed on the paper by a printing operation that is not suitable for the intended use of the paper. Then, since an image is printed on the paper by a printing operation suitable for the use of the paper, a desired printed matter is obtained. Also, the paper is used effectively according to the application.

Next, the operation when the user ID is registered and the user restriction is set will be described with reference to FIG. After the user ID is registered in the print condition holding unit 16 of the paper feed tray 10 for the special paper and the user restriction is set, a print start command, printing conditions for performing color printing, and paper supply for the special paper are set. When a paper feed tray designation command for designating tray 10 is input, paper feed tray 10 for dedicated paper is selected as described above (step St. 38). In this way, the operation of selecting the paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10 when the print start command is input is executed as a function of the paper feed tray selecting means.

Then, the print condition availability attribute information held in the print condition holding unit 16 of the selected dedicated paper feed tray 10 is read by the third information reading unit 25 (Step St. 39). In this way, the operation of reading the print condition availability attribute information stored in the print condition holding unit 16 of the selected paper feed trays 8, 9, 10 by the information reading units 23, 24, 25 is executed as a function of the attribute information reading unit. Is done.

{St. It is determined whether or not there is a user restriction based on the print information availability attribute information read in step 39 (step St. 40). At this time, since the user ID is registered, it is determined that there is a user restriction. Then, the user restriction is reported to the personal computer 2 and the printing operation is stopped (Step St. 41). In this way, the operation of rejecting the selection of the paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10 with the user restriction is executed as the function of the paper feed tray selection rejection unit.

After that, the display 27 of the personal computer 2 indicates that the user is restricted. When the user inputs a user ID, which is a use restriction release command, in the personal computer 2, the input user ID is input from the personal computer 2 to the MFP 1. The MFP 1 compares the input user ID with the user ID registered in the printing condition availability attribute information of the paper feed tray 10 for dedicated paper, and compares the input user ID with the registered user ID. It is determined whether or not the ID matches (Step St. 42). At this time, if it is determined that the input user ID does not match the registered user ID, St. The operations after 41 are repeated.

If it is determined that the entered user ID matches the registered user ID, St. The denial print condition and the print condition of the print information propriety attribute information read in 39 are compared, and it is determined whether at least one of the denial print condition and the print condition matches (Step St. 43). At this time, single-sided printing, color printing, copy use, and printer use are specified as authorized printing conditions by the printing condition availability attribute information of the paper feed tray 10 for dedicated paper, and double-sided printing, monochrome printing, and FAX use are rejected printing. Specified as a condition. Then, since color printing is designated by the printing condition, it is determined that none of the disapproving printing condition and the printing condition match, and the plotter unit 6 is controlled based on the printing condition, and St. 38, the special paper for color printing is fed from the paper feeding tray 10 for special paper selected in step S38, color printing is performed, and a color image is printed on the special paper for color printing (step St. 44). . In this way, when the input user ID matches the registered user ID, the operation of releasing the user restriction and restarting the printing operation is executed as a function of the use restriction release unit.

(4) Thereafter, when the desired number of images are printed on the dedicated paper for color printing, the printing operation ends.

{St. If it is determined in 43 that at least one of the disapproved printing conditions and the printing conditions match, the personal computer 2 determines that the printing conditions are not suitable for the use of the plain paper for color printing stacked on the paper feed tray 10 for special paper. And the printing operation is stopped (Step St. 45).

After that, the display 27 of the personal computer 2 displays that the printing condition or the designation of the paper feed tray is incorrect. Then, when the user changes the printing conditions and designates the restart of the printing operation, it is determined that the printing conditions have been changed (step St. 46), and the St. The operations after 43 are repeatedly performed.

(4) When the display 27 of the personal computer 2 displays that the printing conditions or the specification of the paper feed tray are incorrect, if the user changes the specification of the paper feed tray and specifies the restart of the printing operation, St. 46, it is determined that the printing conditions have not been changed, and it is determined that the specification of the paper feed tray has been changed (step St. 47). The operations after 38 are repeated.

When the display 27 of the personal computer 2 displays that the printing condition or the specification of the paper feed tray is incorrect, and if the user specifies the restart of the printing operation without changing the printing condition and the specification of the paper feed tray, St. . 46, it is determined that the printing conditions have not been changed, and St. 47, it is determined that the designation of the paper feed tray has not been changed, and St. The operations after 45 are repeated.

Thus, when the print start command is input, the paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10 are selected, and the print condition availability attribute stored in the print condition holding unit 16 of the selected paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10 is selected. The information is read, and it is determined whether there is a user restriction based on the read print information availability attribute information. If there is a user restriction, the printing operation is stopped, and the input user ID and printing are performed. By restarting the printing operation when the user ID registered in the information availability attribute matches the user ID, even if the paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10 are selected, if the user is restricted, the user is selected. Since the paper is not fed from the paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10, the paper is not erroneously fed from the paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10. Further, by inputting a user ID equal to the registered user ID, paper is fed from the selected paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10, and an image is printed on the paper. Therefore, it is easy to manage special papers that are difficult to use if used incorrectly.

The operation when the copy operation or the FAX operation is performed is the same as the operation when the printer operation is performed. Therefore, description of the operation when the copy operation or the FAX operation is performed is omitted.

The method for setting the print condition availability attribute of each of the paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10 may be a method set by the attribute information setting unit 26 in the MFP 1 or a method set in the personal computer 2.

Further, the printing condition holding unit is not limited to a storage device composed of an EEPROM, but may be a plate-shaped metal plate having a notch corresponding to the printing condition availability attribute information or a printing condition availability attribute information. A mechanical structure in which the arranged pins and the like are provided in each of the paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10 may be used. Further, a storage device serving as a printing condition holding unit may be provided in the MFP 1, and the printing condition availability attribute information of each of the paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10 may be stored in the storage device.

5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when a sheet feed tray designation command is input in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when a paper feed tray designation command and a printing condition are input. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when a paper size designation command and a printing condition are input. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of selecting a second paper supply tray when there is no more paper on the first paper supply tray during a printing operation. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement when there is a use restriction. FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of print condition availability attribute information.

Explanation of reference numerals

6 printing unit 8, 9, 10 paper feed tray 16 attribute information storage unit

Claims (2)

A plurality of paper trays on which paper is stacked;
A paper feed unit that feeds the paper from one of the paper feed trays,
A printing unit that prints an image on the paper fed by the paper feeding unit;
An attribute information holding unit that holds print condition availability attribute information that specifies whether or not there is a usage restriction that limits the use of the paper placed on each of the paper feed trays;
Paper feed tray selecting means for selecting the paper feed tray on which the desired paper is loaded when a printing operation start command is input,
Attribute information reading means for reading the print condition availability attribute information held by the attribute information holding unit of the paper feed tray selected by the paper feed tray selecting means;
Paper tray selection rejecting means for rejecting the selection of the paper tray by the paper tray selecting means when the use limitation of the printing condition availability attribute information read by the attribute information reading means is present;
A use restriction release unit that releases the use restriction by the paper feed tray selection rejection unit when a use restriction release command is input;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the attribute information holding unit is a storage device provided for each paper feed tray and storing print condition availability attribute information.

Images