U.S. patent application number 16/666284 was filed with the patent office on 2020-04-30 for sheet type discrimination device and sheet type discrimination device control program.
This patent application is currently assigned to KONICA MINOLTA, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is KONICA MINOLTA, INC.. Invention is credited to Mie KAWABATA, Atsushi KAWAI, Akira MURAKAWA.
Application Number | 20200130971 16/666284 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 70326386 |
Filed Date | 2020-04-30 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200130971 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KAWABATA; Mie ; et
al. |
April 30, 2020 |
SHEET TYPE DISCRIMINATION DEVICE AND SHEET TYPE DISCRIMINATION
DEVICE CONTROL PROGRAM
Abstract
A sheet type discrimination device includes a holder that holds
a sheet, a conveyor that conveys a sheet from the holder along a
conveyance path, a measurer that measures a basis weight of the
sheet conveyed along the conveyance path, a storage that stores a
type discrimination table describing a relationship between the
basis weight and a type of a sheet, and a hardware processor that
sets the type of the sheet held in the holder on the basis of the
basis weight measured by the measurer.
Inventors: |
KAWABATA; Mie;
(Toyokawa-shi, JP) ; MURAKAWA; Akira;
(Toyonaka-shi, JP) ; KAWAI; Atsushi;
(Toyokawa-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KONICA MINOLTA, INC. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
70326386 |
Appl. No.: |
16/666284 |
Filed: |
October 28, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G03G 15/5029 20130101;
B65H 7/02 20130101; B65H 2515/10 20130101; B65H 5/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65H 7/02 20060101
B65H007/02; B65H 5/06 20060101 B65H005/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 30, 2018 |
JP |
2018-204346 |
Claims
1. A sheet type discrimination device comprising: a holder that
holds a sheet; a conveyor that conveys a sheet from the holder
along a conveyance path; a measurer that measures a basis weight of
the sheet conveyed along the conveyance path; a storage that stores
a type discrimination table describing a relationship between the
basis weight and a type of a sheet; and a hardware processor that
sets the type of the sheet field in the holder on the basis of the
basis weight measured by the measurer, wherein the type
discrimination table prescribes a unique range being a range of
basis weight in which the sheet type is uniquely discriminated, and
a selection range being a range of basis weight in which the sheet
type is discriminated into either of a first type in which the
basis weight is relatively large and a second type in which the
basis weight is relatively small, the sheet type discrimination
device further comprising a selection screen display that displays
a selection screen being a screen that receives operation of
selecting the sheet type from the first and second types in a case
where the basis weight measured by the measurer is within the
selection range, and that receives selection through the selection
screen, and in a case where the selection screen is displayed, the
hardware processor sets the type of the sheet held in the holder to
the type received through the selection screen.
2. The sheet type discrimination device according to claim 1,
wherein the unique range includes: a first unique range being a
range of basis weight in which the sheet type is uniquely
discriminated to be the first type; and a second unique range being
a range of basis weight in which the sheet type is uniquely
discriminated to be the second type, having a conveyance speed of
the first sheet type a conveyance speed of the second sheet type
different from each other, and the selection range is set between
the first unique range and the second unique range.
3. The sheet type discrimination device according to claim 1,
further comprising: a setting screen display that display s a
setting screen that receives operation to set the type of sheet
held in the holder and receives setting of the sleet type through
the setting screen after setting of the sheet type held in the
holder by the hardware processor, wherein the hardware processor
changes the setting of the type of the sheet held in the holder to
the type for which setting has been received by the setting screen
display, and the setting screen display displays the setting screen
that receives operation of setting a sheet type out of the first
type and the second type.
4. The sheet type discrimination device according to claim 3,
wherein, in a case where the basis weight measured by the measurer
is a value within the unique range, the setting screen display does
not receive operation of setting the sheet type through the setting
screen.
5. The sheet type discrimination device according to claim 1,
wherein the hardware processor discriminates whether there is a
need to display the selection screen, and in a case where the basis
weight measured by the measurer is a value within the selection
range and when the hardware processor determines that there is no
need to display the selection screen, the selection screen display
does not display the selection screen.
6. The sheet type discrimination device according to claim 5,
further comprising a change detector that detects a change in the
type of the sheet field in the holder, wherein, in a case where the
change detector has not detected a change in the type of the sheet
field in the holder in a state where the type of the sheet held in
the holder is set, the hardware processor determines that there is
no need to display the selection screen.
7. The sheet type discrimination device according to claim 6,
wherein, in a case where the change detector has not detected a
change in the type of sheet held in the holder in a state where the
type of the sheet held in the holder is set, the hardware processor
does not change the setting of the type of the sheet held in the
holder.
8. The sheet type dissemination device according to claim 5,
further comprising an image former that forms an image in
accordance with a received job, wherein, in a case where the type
of the job is a specific type, the hardware processor determines
that there is no need to display the selection screen.
9. The sheet type discrimination device according to claim 8,
wherein the specific type includes a print job for management of an
image forming apparatus.
10. The sheet type discrimination device according to claim 8,
wherein the storage further stores a conveyance speed
discrimination table describing a relationship between the type of
the sheet and a conveyance speed, and in a case where the hardware
processor has determined that there is no need to display the
selection screen, the hardware processor specifies the conveyance
speed of each of the first and second types of sheets on the basis
of the conveyance speed discrimination table, and sets the type of
the sheet field in the holder to the type having the higher
conveyance speed among the first and second types.
11. The sheet type discrimination device according to claim 5,
further comprising an image former that forms an image in
accordance with the received job, wherein the storage further
stores: a conveyance speed discrimination table describing a
relationship between the type of sheet and the conveyance speed;
and another type discrimination table describing a relationship
between the basis weight and the type of sheet and uniquely
prescribing the type of the sheet with respect to the basis weight,
the hardware processor determines that there is no need to display
the selection screen in a case where the mode of the job is a
specific mode, in a case where it is determined by the hardware
processor that there is no need to display the selection screen and
where the mode of the job is the first mode, the hardware processor
sets the type of the sheet held in the holder using the conveyance
speed discrimination table on the basis of the basis weight
measured by the measurer, and in a ease where it is determined by
the hardware processor that there is no need to display the
selection screen and where the mode of the job is a second mode
different from the first mode, the hardware processor sets the type
of sheet held in the holder using the other type discrimination
table on the basis of the basis weight measured by the
measurer.
12. The sheet type discrimination device according to claim 5,
further comprising: an image former that forms an image in
accordance with a job received from a user, and a position
acquisitor that acquires information regarding the position of the
user, wherein the hardware processor determines that there is no
need to display the selection screen in a case where the position
of the user is away from the position of the image forming
apparatus more than a predetermined distance.
13. The sheet type discrimination device according to claim 5,
further comprising an image former that forms an image in
accordance with a received job, wherein in a case where
predetermined post-processing is set for the job, the hardware
processor determines that there is no need to display the selection
screen, and the hardware processor sets the type of the sheet held
in the holder to the first type.
14. The sheet type discrimination device according to claim 5,
further comprising: another selection screen display that performs,
in a predetermined case after the type of the sheet is set by the
hardware processor, displaying another selection screen being a
screen that receives operation of selecting the type of the sheet
from among the first and second types and receiving selection
through the other selection screen, wherein the hardware processor
changes, in a case where the other selection screen is displayed,
the sheet type set by the hardware processor to the type for which
selection has been received by the other selection screen
display.
15. The sheet type discrimination device according to claim 14,
wherein the hardware processor evaluates quality of an image formed
by the image former after setting of the type of the sheet by the
hardware processor, and in a case where it is determined by the
hardware processor that there is no need to display the selection
screen, and where the quality evaluated by the hardware processor
is lower than a predetermined value, the other selection screen
display displays the other display screen, and receives selection
through the other selection screen.
16. The sheet type discrimination device according to claim 14,
wherein, in a case where it is determined, by the hardware
processor, that there is no need to display the selection screen,
and where the number of occurrences of jams exceeds a predetermined
number, the other selection screen display displays the other
display screen, and receives selection through the other selection
screen.
17. The sheet type discrimination device according to claim 1,
wherein the hardware processor changes, in a case where an
evaluation value of the quality of the image formed by the image
former after the type of the sheet is set by the hardware processor
is lower than a predetermined value, where the basis weight
measured by the measurer is within the selection range, and where
the type of the sheet set by the hardware processor and the type of
the sheet discriminated by another type discrimination table
describing a relationship between the basis weight and the sheet
type and uniquely prescribing the type of sheet with respect to the
basis weight are different from each other, the type of sheet set
by the hardware processor to the type discriminated by using the
other type dissemination table.
18. The sheet type discrimination device according to claim 1,
wherein the hardware processor changes, in a case where the basis
weight measured by the measurer is a value within the selection
range, and the number of occurrences of jams after setting of the
type of the sheet by the hardware processor exceeds a predetermined
number, the type of sheet set by the hardware processor to the type
having a slower conveyance speed among the first and the second
type.
19. A non-transitory recording medium storing a computer readable
program for controlling a sheet type discrimination device
including: a holder that holds a sheet; a conveyor that conveys a
sheet from the holder along a conveyance path; a measurer that
measures a basis weight of the sheet conveyed along the conveyance
path; and a storage that stores a type discrimination table
describing a relationship between the basis weight and a type of
the sheet, the program provided for causing a computer to execute
setting of the type of the sheet held in the holder on the basis of
the basis weight measured by the measurer, the type discrimination
table prescribing a unique range being a range of basis weight in
which the sheet type is uniquely discriminated, and selection range
being a range of basis weight in which the sheet type is
discriminated into either of a first type in which the basis w
eight is relatively large and a second type in which the basis
weight is relatively small, the program being provided for causing
the computer to execute displaying a selection screen being a
screen that receives operation of selecting the sheet type out of
the first and second types in a case where the basis weight
measured by the measurer is within the selection range, and
receiving selection through the selection screen, wherein, in a
case where the selection screen is displayed, the type of the sheet
held in the holder is set to the type for which selection has been
received through the selection screen.
Description
[0001] The entire disclosure of Japanese patent Application No.
2018-204346, filed on Oct. 30, 2018, is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
Technological Field
[0002] The present invention relates to a sheet type discrimination
device and a sheet type discrimination device control program. The
present invention more particularly relates to a sheet type
discrimination device and a sheet type discrimination device
control program capable of suppressing an increase in time taken
for printing.
Description of the Related Art
[0003] An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes: a
multi function peripheral (MFP) having a seamier function, a
facsimile function, a copying function, a printer function, a data
communication function, and a server function; a facsimile machine;
a copying machine; and a printer.
[0004] When performing printing, the image forming apparatus sets
parameters such as the conveyance speed to appropriate values in
accordance with the sheet type to enhance image quality and avoid
occurrence of problems such as jams. Therefore, in order to enable
the image forming apparatus to appropriately execute printing, the
type of sheet held in the sheet feed tray needs to be set
correctly.
[0005] Unfortunately, however, it is difficult for the user to
accurately determine the type of sheet, and this, the type of sheet
might be erroneously set when the sheet is held in the sheet feed
tray, leading to a problem such as jam. To handle this, a
conventional image forming apparatus measures the basis weight of
the sheet on the basis of the reflected light amount and the
transmitted light amount of the sheet, and then uses a sheet type
discrimination table preliminarily stored in the storage to
determine the sheet type on the basis of the measured basis weight.
This type of image forming apparatus performs printing on a sheet
while conveying the sheet at a conveyance speed corresponding to
the discriminated type. The sheet type discrimination table
includes the relationship between the sheet type and the basis
weight range.
[0006] Techniques related to sheet type discrimination are
disclosed in JP 2017-193390 A, JP 2005-062916 A, JP 2001-213032 A,
or the like. JP 2017-193390 A discloses a technique of detecting a
thickness index value, which is an index value of the thickness of
a sheet using a central region located at the center in a width
direction of the sheet and a first end region and a second end
region located at both outer sides in the width direction of the
sheet than the central area, as detection positions.
[0007] JP 2005-062916 A discloses a technique of judging whether
the sheet type set in the printer is incompatible with the sheet
set by a print setting processing part and restricting print data
generation by a print data generation processing part or output of
the generated print data.
[0008] JP 2001-213032 A discloses a technique of acquiring, by a
printer driver of a host apparatus, ink characteristic information
stored in an ink cartridge from the printer and determining the
type of sheet on which printing can be performed by the ink
cartridge mounted on the printer from the acquired ink
characteristic information. The printer driver sets a sheet
selection menu presenting the defined sheet type selectable by the
user and displays the sheet selection menu on a setting screen.
[0009] In a case, on the conventional sheet type discrimination
table, where a first range which is a range of a basis weight of a
first type of sheet having a high conveyance speed and a second
range which is a range of a basis weight of a second type of sheet
having a low conveyance speed are prescribed adjacent to each other
and when the measured basis weight is a value within the second
range, the sheet is discriminated to be the sheet of the second
type having a low conveyance speed.
[0010] Meanwhile, high image quality is preferably achieved at the
time of printing a photographic image. Accordingly, when printing a
high quality image such as a photographic image on a sheet there is
a need to decrease the sheet conveyance speed. In contrast, the
image quality preferable at the time of printing a document or the
like may generally be lower than the image quality required for a
photo. Accordingly, when printing a document, it is possible to
print an image of sufficient quality even at a high conveyance
speed.
[0011] The basis weight range prescribed in the conventional sheet
type discrimination table has been a range that achieves a
conveyance speed that would not cause a problem in the image
quality regardless of the required image quality in a case where
the sheet having the basis weight within the range is conveyed.
Therefore, when the measured basis weight is a value within the
second range, being a value near the boundary value between the
first range and the second range, the sheet would be conveyed at a
slow conveyance speed even when it is possible, in printing a
document or the like, to print an image with sufficient quality
even at a high conveyance speed, and this has increased time for
printing.
SUMMARY
[0012] The present invention is made in view of the above problem,
and aims to provide a sheet type discrimination device and a sheet
type discrimination device control program capable of suppressing
an increase in time for printing.
[0013] To achieve the abovementioned object according to an aspect
of the present invention, a sheet type discrimination device
reflecting one aspect of the present invention comprises a holder
that holds a sheet, a conveyor that conveys a sheet from the holder
along a conveyance path, a measurer that measures a basis weight of
the sheet conveyed along the conveyance path, a storage that stores
a type discrimination table describing a relationship between the
basis weight and a type of a sheet, and a hardware processor that
sets the type of the sheet held in the holder on the basis of the
basis weight measured by the measurer, wherein the type
discrimination table prescribes a unique range being a range of
basis weight in which the sheet type is uniquely discriminated, and
a selection range being a range of basis weight in which the sheet
type is discriminated into either of a first type in which the
basis weight is relatively large and a second type in which the
basis weight is relatively small, the sheet type discrimination
device further comprising a selection screen display that displays
a selection screen being a screen that receives operation of
selecting the sheet type from the first and second types in a case
where the basis weight measured by the measurer is within the
selection range, and that receives selection through the selection
screen, and in a case where the selection screen is displayed, the
hardware processor sets the type of the sheet field in the holder
to the type received through the selection screen.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The advantages and features provided by one or more
embodiments of the invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description given hereinbelow and the appended
drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are
not intended as a definition of the limits of the present
invention:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating an external
configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first
embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating
a configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the
first embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of
the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of
the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a view schematically illustrating a sheet feed
tray information table stored in a storage in the first embodiment
of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a view schematically illustrating a first setting
screen of sheet feed tray information displayed on an operation
panel in the first embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a view schematically illustrating a second setting
screen of the sheet feed tray information displayed on the
operation panel in the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a view schematically illustrating a conventional
sheet type discrimination table;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a view schematically illustrating an example of a
sheet type discrimination table stored in the storage in the first
embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a view schematically illustrating a selection
screen to be displayed on the operation panel in a case where the
basis weigh measured by a basis weigh sensor is a value within a
selection range of "85 g/m.sup.2 to 94 g/m.sup.2" in the first
embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a view schematically illustrating another example
of a sheet type discrimination table stored in the storage in the
first embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 11 is a view schematically illustrating a second
setting screen in a case where the setting of the sheet type is
received through the second setting screen after setting is
performed to the sheet type selected on the selection screen in the
first embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating operation of the image
forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0027] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating operation of the image
forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0028] FIG. 14 is a subroutine of selection necessity determination
processing (S21) in the first example of the second embodiment of
the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 15 is a view schematically illustrating a conveyance
speed discrimination table stored in the storage in the second
embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 16 is a view schematically illustrating an image
quality-priority sheet type discrimination table stored in the
storage in the second embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 17 is a subroutine of selection necessity determination
processing (S21) in a second example of the second embodiment of
the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 18 is a subroutine of selection necessity determination
processing (S21) in a third example of the second embodiment of the
present invention;
[0033] FIG. 19 is a subroutine of selection necessity determination
processing (S21) in a fourth example of the second embodiment of
the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating setting change
processing performed by the image forming apparatus in a first
example of a third embodiment of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating setting change
processing performed by the image forming apparatus in a second
example of the third embodiment of the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating setting change
processing performed by the image forming apparatus in a third
example of the third embodiment of the present invention; and
[0037] FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating setting change
processing performed by the image forming apparatus in a fourth
example of the third embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0038] Hereinafter, one or more embodiments of the present
invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosed
embodiments.
[0039] The following embodiments describe a case where a sheet type
discrimination device is mounted on an image forming apparatus.
Examples of the image forming apparatus include an MFP, a printer,
a copying machine, and a facsimile. The sheet type discrimination
device may also be mounted on a device such as a sheet storage or a
post-processing device other than an image forming apparatus.
First Embodiment
[0040] <Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus>
[0041] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating an external
configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to a first
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional
view schematically illustrating a configuration of the image
forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the
present invention.
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 1
(example of a sheet type discrimination device) according to the
present embodiment includes: a sheet conveyor 10 (example of a
conveyor); a toner image former 20 (example of an image former); a
fixing device 21; an operation panel 22 (example of a selection
screen display, a setting screen display, and another selection
screen display); and a basis weight sensor 23 (example of a
measurer).
[0043] The sheet conveyor 10 conveys a sheet from one of the
plurality of sheet feed trays 11 or a manual feed tray 12, along a
conveyance path TR. The sheet conveyor 10 includes: the plurality
of sheet feed trays 11 (example of a holder); the manual feed tray
12 (example of a holder); sheet feed rollers 13 and 14; a
registration roller 15; a sheet discharge roller 16; and a sheet
discharge tray 17. The plurality of sheet feed trays 11 each holds
sheets on which an image is to be formed. The manual feed tray 12
holds sheets for manual feeding. The sheet feed roller 13 is
provided between the sheet feed tray 11 and the conveyance path TR,
and feeds sheets held in the sheet feed tray 11 one sheet at a
time. The sheet feed roller 14 is provided between the manual feed
tray 12 and the conveyance path TR, and feeds sheets held in the
manual feed tray 12 one sheet at a time. The registration roller 15
is provided upstream of the conveyance path TR with respect to a
transfer position ST by the toner image former 20. The sheet
discharge roller 16 is provided at the most downstream portion of
the conveyance path TR. The sheet discharge tray 17 is provided at
the uppermost portion of an image forming apparatus main body
1a.
[0044] The toner image former 20 forms an image on a sheet in
accordance with a job received by the image forming apparatus 1.
The toner image former 20 combines images of four colors of yellow
(Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) by a tandem system to
form a toner image on the conveyed sheet at the transfer position
ST. The toner image former 20 includes an intermediate transfer
belt 20a. The toner image former 20 also includes a photosensitive
drum, a charging roller, an exposure device, a developing device, a
primary transfer roller, a secondary transfer roller, or the
like.
[0045] The fixing device 21 grips and conveys the sheet carrying a
toner image along the conveyance path TR so as to fix a toner image
onto the conveyed sheet.
[0046] The operation panel 22 receives various types of operation
related to the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 and
displays various types of information.
[0047] The basis weigh sensor 23 measures the basis weight of the
sheet conveyed along the conveyance path TR at a detection position
on the upstream side of the conveyance path TR relative to the
registration roller 15.
[0048] The image forming apparatus 1 feeds sheets held in the sheet
feed tray 11 or the manual feed tray 12 one at a time to the
conveyance path TR by the sheet feed roller 13 or 14. After
temporarily stopping the sheet using the registration roller 15,
the image forming apparatus 1 convey s the sheet to the transfer
position ST in accordance with the tinting of transfer by the toner
image former 20. The image forming apparatus 1 uses the basis
weight sensor 23 to measure the basis weight of the sheet
temporarily stopped by the registration roller 15. The image
forming apparatus 1 may measure the basis weight of the sheet being
conveyed.
[0049] Meanwhile, the image forming apparatus 1 causes the toner
image former 20 to generate a toner image on the intermediate
transfer belt 20a of the toner image former 20 by a known
electrophotographic method and tandem method, and conveys the toner
image toward the transfer position ST by rotation of the
intermediate transfer belt 20a. A sheet is fed from the
registration roller 15a toner image is conveyed from the toner
image former 20 to the transfer position ST. The image forming
apparatus 1 transfers the toner image from the intermediate
transfer belt 20a to the sheet at the transfer position ST.
[0050] The image forming apparatus 1 uses the fixing device 21 to
heat and presses the sheet on which the toner image is formed. With
this operation, the toner image is fixed onto the sheet.
Thereafter, the image forming apparatus 1 discharges the sheet to
the sheet discharge tray 17 by the sheet discharge roller 16.
[0051] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of
the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of
the present invention.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 1 further
includes: a system controller 101; a memory 103; an input image
processing part 104; an imaging part 105; a storage 106 (example of
a storage); an output image processing part 107; a printer engine
108; a sheet type setting part 109 (example of a setting part a
clanging part, a first setting changing pan, a second setting
changing part, and a third setting changing part); a network
interface 110; an authentication part 111; various sensors 112
(example of a change detector); a position information acquisition
part 113 (example of a position acquisitor); a necessity
discrimination part 114 (example of a necessity discrimination
part); and an evaluation part 115 (example of an evaluation
part).
[0053] The system controller 101 includes a central processing unit
(CPU) 102 and controls the entire image forming apparatus 1. The
CPU 102 operates in accordance with a control program. The system
controller 101 is connected to each of the memory 103, the input
image processing part 104, the imaging part 105, the storage 106,
the output image processing part 107, the printer engine 108, the
sheet type setting part 109, the network interface 110, the
authentication part 111, the various sensors 112, the position
information acquisition part 113, the necessity discrimination part
114, and the evaluation part 115.
[0054] The memory 103 includes: a read only memory (ROM) that
stores a control program, a fixed value, or the like; and a random
access memory (RAM) that temporarily stores various types of data
such as an image.
[0055] The input image processing part 104 processes input image
data read by the imaging part 105.
[0056] The imaging part 105 reads an image.
[0057] The storage 106 is an auxiliary storage, and stores various
types of data such as a sheet type discrimination table, a
conveyance speed discrimination table, and the number of
occurrences of jams.
[0058] The output image processing part 107 processes image data to
create print data.
[0059] The primer engine 108 prints the prim data created by the
output image processing part 107 on a sheet.
[0060] The sheet type setting part 109 sets the type of sheet held
in the sheet feed tray 11 or the manual feed tray 12 on the basis
of the basis weight measured by the basis weight sensor 23. In
addition, the set sheet type is changed as necessary.
[0061] The network interlace 110 communicates with devices on the
network.
[0062] The authentication part 111 authenticates a user who uses
the image forming apparatus 1.
[0063] Tire various sensors 112 includes: an open/close detection
sensor that detects opening and closing of each of the plurality of
sheet feed trays 11; a sheet detection sensor that detects a sheet
on the manual feed tray 12; a size detection sensor that detects
size and direction of tire sheet held in each of the plurality of
sheet feed trays 11 and the manual feed tray 12; a load amount
sensor that detects the load amount of sheets stored in each of the
plurality of sheet feed trays 11 and the manual feed tray 12; a
color detection sensor that detects tire color of the sheet being
conveyed; and an image density control (IDC) sensor that detects
density of the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt
20a.
[0064] The position information acquisition part 113 acquires
position information and entry/exit information of the user of the
image forming apparatus 1 from a server of a global positioning
system (GPS) or of an entry management system.
[0065] The necessity discrimination part 114 discriminates the
necessity of display of a selection screen described below.
[0066] The evaluation pan 115 evaluates tire quality of the image
formed by tire toner image forming part 20.
[0067] (Street Feed Tray Information)
[0068] FIG. 4 is a view schematically illustrating a sheet feed
tray information table stored in the storage 106 in the first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0069] Referring to FIG. 4, the sheet feed tray information table
describes information (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as sheet
feed tray information) set for sheets stored in sheet feed tray 11
and the manual feed tray 12. Here, the sheet feed tray information
table describes the sheet feed tray information regarding each of
items of size, direction, type, and discrimination operation
setting for the sheet held in each of the four sheet feed trays 11
(trays 1 to 4) and the manual feed tray 12.
[0070] The sheet type setting of tire sheet feed tray information
may use tire setting input by the user through the setting screen
(FIGS. 5 and 6) described below, or tire setting determined on the
basis of tire measurement result obtained by the basis weight
sensor 23.
[0071] Similarly, the setting of sheet size and direction of the
sheet feed tray information may use the setting input by the user
through the setting screen (FIGS. 5 and 6) described below, or the
setting determined on the basis of the detection result obtained by
the various sensors 112.
[0072] The discrimination operation setting includes setting items
related to the timing of performing the sheet type discrimination
based on the basis weight measured by the basis weight sensor 23.
The field of the discrimination operation setting is a field in
which one of the "not execute" which is a setting of not performing
discrimination, "execute" which is a setting of performing
discrimination every time the sheet is conveyed, and "automatic"
which is a setting of executing discrimination at a timing
determined by the image forming apparatus 1 to be necessary on the
basis of the situation.
[0073] As an example, tire sheet feed tray information of the sheet
feed tray 11 named "tray 1" includes tire setting that tire "plain
sheet" of "A4" size is "horizontally" held in the sheet feed tray
11 named "tray 1". The type of sheet in the sheet feed tray 11 is
set to be discriminated at the timing when the image forming
apparatus 1 determines the necessity of discrimination on the basis
of the situation.
[0074] In a case where a prim instruction is received from the user
through operation panel 22 or the like, the image forming apparatus
1 refers to the sheet feed tray information table to specify
information of size, direction, and the type of the sheet held in
sheet feed tray 11 or the manual feed tray 12 specified by the prim
instruction. The image forming apparatus 1 determines various
parameters related to the prim processing such as the conveyance
speed and the fixing temperature in accordance with the specified
sheet information, and performs priming by the primer engine
108.
[0075] The sheet feed tray information may be reset in a case where
the various sensors 112 have detected that the sheet feed tray 11
has been opened or closed, or where the change in the presence or
absence of the sheets held in the sheet feed tray 11 or the manual
feed tray 12 is detected by the various sensors 112, or the
like.
[0076] (Method for Setting Sheet Feed Tray Information Through
Setting Screen)
[0077] FIGS. 5 and 6 are views schematically illustrating a setting
screen of sheet feed tray information displayed on the operation
panel 22 in the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0078] Referring to FIG. 5, in a case where predetermined operation
has been received through operation panel 22, the image forming
apparatus 1 displays a first setting screen illustrated in FIG. 5
on the operation panel 22. The first setting screen includes
information set for the sheets held in each of the plurality of
sheet feed trays 11 and the manual feed tray 12, a key KY1 for
changing the setting, a key KY2 for canceling the display of the
setting screen, and a key KY3 for confirming selection.
[0079] Referring to FIG. 6, in a case where any of the plurality of
sheet feed tray s 11 and the manual feed tray 12 (here, the "tray
1") is selected on the first setting screen and the key KY3 is
pressed, the image forming apparatus 1 display s the second setting
screen illustrated in FIG. 6 on the operation panel 22. The second
setting screen is a screen that receives operation for setting the
sheet feed tray information regarding the selected sheet feed tray
11 or the manual feed tray 12. The second setting screen includes a
key KY4 which is a combo box that receives selection of a sheet
size, a key KY5 which is a combo box that receives selection of a
sheet direction, a key KY6 which is a combo box that receives
selection of a sheet type, a key KY7 which is a combo box that
receives the selection of the discrimination operation setting, a
key KY8 for canceling the selected setting and returning to the
first setting screen, and a key KY9 for confirming the selected
setting.
[0080] In a case where the key KY9 is pressed on the second setting
screen, the image forming apparatus 1 updates the sheet feed tray
information in the sheet feed tray information table so that the
setting received through the second setting screen is to be
reflected.
[0081] (Method for Setting Sheet Type in Sheet Feed Tray
Information Based on Measurement Results Obtained by Basis Weight
Sensor)
[0082] The following description includes a case of setting the
sheet type in the sheet feed tray information of any sheet feed
tray 11 among the plurality of sheet feed trays 11 and the manual
feed tray 12.
[0083] The setting of the sheet type in the sheet feed tray
information based on the measurement result obtained by the basis
weight sensor 23 may be performed at any timing. At the time of
setting the sheet type in the sheet feed tray information based on
the measurement result obtained by the basis weight sensor 23, the
image forming apparatus 1 measures the basis weight of the sheet to
be conveyed by the basis weight sensor 23, and uses the sheet type
discrimination table (example of the type discrimination table)
preliminarily stored in the storage 106 to discriminate the type of
sheet from the measured basis weight. The image forming apparatus 1
sets the sheet type in the sheet feed tray information of the sheet
feed tray 11 to the discriminated type.
[0084] FIG. 7 is a view schematically illustrating a conventional
sheet type discrimination table.
[0085] Referring to FIG. 7, the sheet type discrimination table is
a table describing a relationship between the basis weight and the
sheet type. In the conventional sheet type discrimination table,
one sheet type is associated with one basis weight range so that
the sheet type can be uniquely discriminated on the basis of the
basis weigh.
[0086] Specifically, in a case where the measured basis weigh is in
the range of "52 g/m.sup.2 to 59 g/m.sup.2", the sheet type is
uniquely discriminated to be a "thin sheet". In a case where the
measured basis weigh is in the range of "60 g/m.sup.2 to 90
g/m.sup.2", the sheet type is uniquely discriminated to be a "plain
sheet". In a case where the measured basis weight is in the range
of 91 g/m.sup.2 to 120 g/m.sup.2, the sheet type is uniquely
discriminated to be a "thick sheet 1". In a case where the measured
basis weight is in the range of "121 g/m.sup.2 to 157 g/m.sup.2",
the sheet type is uniquely discriminated to be a "thick sheet
1+".
[0087] In the conventional sheet type discrimination table
illustrated in FIG. 7, the sheet types that achieves a conveyance
speed that would cause no problem in the image quality regardless
of the required image quality when the sheets within the basis
weight range are conveyed are associated with the basis weight.
[0088] As an example, in a case where the conventional sheet type
discrimination table is used, and when the measured basis weight is
"92 g/m.sup.2", the sheet type is discriminated to be the thick
sheet regardless of the fact that the basis weight is close to the
range of the basis weight of plain sheet ("60 g/m.sup.2 to 90
g/m.sup.2"). However, for a user who gives priority to printing
speed over printing quality, it is more preferable that the sheet
is discriminated to be the "plain sheet" with a high conveyance
speed than discriminated to be the "thick sheet" with a low
conveyance speed.
[0089] FIG. 8 is a view schematically illustrating an example of a
sheet type discrimination table stored in the storage 106 in the
first embodiment of the present invention.
[0090] Referring to FIG. 8, the sheet type discrimination table of
the present embodiment prescribes a unique range that is a basis
weight range in which the type of sheet is uniquely discriminated,
and a selection range that is a basis weight range in which
discriminated as one of a first type having relatively a large
basis w eight and a second type having a relatively small basis
weight. Two types of sheet are associated with the selection
range.
[0091] Specifically, the unique range includes a range of "52
g/m.sup.2 to 54 g/m.sup.2", a range of "65 g/m.sup.2 to 84
g/m.sup.2", a range of "95 g/m.sup.2 to 114 g/m.sup.2", and a range
of "125 g/m.sup.2 to 157 g/m.sup.2". In a case where the measured
basis weight is in the range of "52 g/m.sup.2 to 54 g/m.sup.2", the
sheet type is uniquely discriminated to be the "thin sheet". In a
case where the measured basis weight is in the range of "65
g/m.sup.2 to 84 g/m.sup.2", the sheet type is uniquely
discriminated to be the "plain sheet". In a case where the measured
basis weight is in the range of "95 g/m.sup.2 to 114 g/m.sup.2",
the sheet type is uniquely discriminated to be the "thick sheet 1".
In a case where the measured basis weight is in the range of "125
g/m.sup.2 to 157 g/m.sup.2", the sheet type is uniquely
discriminated to be the "thick sheet 1+".
[0092] The selection range includes a range of "55 g/m.sup.2 to 64
g/m.sup.2", a range of "85 g/m.sup.2 to 94 g/m.sup.2", and a range
of "115 g/m.sup.2 to 124 g/m.sup.2". The range of "55 g/m.sup.2 to
64 g/m.sup.2" is a range between the range of "52 g/m.sup.2 to 54
g/m.sup.2" which is uniquely discriminated to be the thin sheet,
and the range of "65 g/m.sup.2 to 84 g/m.sup.2" which is uniquely
discriminated to be the plain sheet. Accordingly, in a case where
the measured basis weight is in the range of "55 g/m.sup.2 to 64
g/m.sup.2", the sheet type is discriminated to be "thin sheet or
plain sheet". The range of "85 g/m.sup.2 to 94 g/m.sup.2" is a
range between the range of "65 g/m.sup.2 to 84 g/m.sup.2" which is
uniquely discriminated to be the plain sheet, and the range of "95
g/m.sup.2 to 114 g/m.sup.2" which is uniquely discriminated to be
the thick sheet 1. Accordingly, in a case where the measured basis
weight is in the range of "85 g/m.sup.2 to 94 g/m.sup.2", the sheet
type is discriminated to be "plain sheet or thick sheet 1". The
range of "115 g/m.sup.2 to 124 g/m.sup.2" is a range between the
range of "95 g/m.sup.2 to 114 g/m.sup.2" which is uniquely
discriminated to be the thick sheet 1, and the range of "125
g/m.sup.2 to 157 g/m.sup.2" which is uniquely discriminated to be
the thick sheet 1+. Accordingly, in a case where the measured basis
weight is in the range of "115 g/m.sup.2 to 124 g/m.sup.2", the
sheet type is discriminated to be "thick sheet 1 or thick sheet
1+".
[0093] In a case where the basis weight measured by the basis
weight sensor 23 is a value within the unique range, the image
forming apparatus 1 uses the sheet type setting part 109 to set the
sheet in the sheet feed tray information of the target sheet feed
tray 11 to the sheet type associated with that unique range.
[0094] In a case where the basis weight measured by the basis
weight sensor 23 is a value within the selection range, the image
forming apparatus 1 uses the operation panel 22 to display a
selection screen and receives the selection of the sheet type
through the selection screen. The selection screen is a screen that
receives operation of selecting the sheet type from among the types
corresponding to two individual unique ranges each having a basis
weight range adjacent to the selection range. In the case of
displaying the selection screen, the image forming apparatus 1 uses
the sheet type setting part 109 to set the sheet type in the sheet
feed tray information of the target sheet feed tray 11 to the type
received through the selection screen.
[0095] FIG. 9 is a view schematically illustrating a selection
screen displayed on the operation panel 22 in a case where the
basis weight measured by the basis weight sensor 23 is a value
within the selection range of "85 g/m.sup.2 to 94 g/m.sup.2" in the
first embodiment of the present invention.
[0096] Referring to FIG. 9, in a case, as an example, where the
basis weight measured by basis weight sensor 23 is in the selection
range "85 g/m.sup.2 to 94 g/m.sup.2" (selection range in which the
sheet type is discriminated to be "plain sheet or thick sheet 1"),
a pop-up PP1 is displayed on the operation screen displayed during
printing. The pop-up PP1 includes a key KY10 that receives the
selection of "plain sheet" and a key KY11 that receives the
selection of "thick sheet 1".
[0097] FIG. 10 is a view schematically illustrating another example
of a sheet type discrimination table stored in the storage 106 in
the first embodiment of the present invention. Note that, for the
convenience of description. FIG. also illustrates the conveyance
speeds corresponding to the sheet types.
[0098] Referring to FIG. 10, in a case where the conveyance speed
set by the sheet type corresponding to each of the two unique
ranges having the range of basis weight adjacent to the selection
range is the same, the conveyance speed cannot be increased
regardless of which sheet type is set. For this reason, a selection
range may be provided between the two unique ranges in a specific
case where the conveyance speeds set for the sheet types
corresponding to each of the two unique ranges are different from
each other.
[0099] Specifically, the sheet type discrimination table includes a
selection range that receives selection of sheet type from among
the "thin sheet and plain sheet" set between the range of "52
g/m.sup.2 to 54 g/m.sup.2" uniquely discriminated to be a thin
sheet and for which the conveyance speed of "30 sheets/minute" is
set and the range of "65 g/m.sup.2 to 84 g/m.sup.2" uniquely
discriminated to be a plain sheet and for which the conveyance
speed of "36 sheets/minute" is set. In addition, a selection range
that receives selection of sheet type from among the "plain sheet
and thick sheet 1" is set between the range of "65 g/m.sup.2 to 84
g/m.sup.2" uniquely discriminated to be the plain sheet and for
which the conveyance speed of "36 sheets/minute" is set and the
range of "95 g/m.sup.2 to 120 g/m.sup.2" uniquely discriminated to
be the thick sheet 1 and for which the conveyance speed of "30
sheets/minute" is set. Meanwhile, the conveyance speed set for the
thick sheet 1 and the conveyance speed set for the thick sheet 1+
are both "30 sheets/minute". Therefore, there is no selection range
provided between the range of "95 g/m.sup.2 to 120 g/m.sup.2"
uniquely discriminated to be the thick sheet 1 and for which the
conveyance speed of "30 sheets/minute" is set and the range of "121
g/m.sup.2 to 157 g/m.sup.2" uniquely discriminated to be the thick
sheet 1+ and for which the conveyance speed of "30 sheets/minute"
is set.
[0100] (Operation in the Case of Receiving Sheet Type Setting
Through Second Setting Screen after Setting to Sheet Type Selected
Through Selection Screen)
[0101] FIG. 11 is a view schematically illustrating a second
setting screen in a case where the setting of the sheet type is
received through the second setting screen after setting is
performed to the sheet type selected through the selection screen
in the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0102] Referring to FIG. 11, in a case where the second setting
screen (example of the setting screen) is to be displayed on the
operation panel 22 after the sheet type in the sheet feed tray
information of the target sheet feed tray 11 is set to the sleet
type selected on the selection screen, the image forming apparatus
1 may display the second setting screen that receives operation to
set the sheet type from among the types corresponding to each of
the two unique ranges being options on the selection screen.
[0103] Here is an assumed case where the options for the "plain
sheet" or the "thick sheet 1" are displayed on the selection
screen, and the sheet type in the sheet feed tray information of
the target sheet feed tray 11 is set to the sheet type selected on
the selection screen. The second setting screen displayed after
setting in this case includes options limited to the plain sheet or
the thick sheet 1. That is, the second setting screen includes a
key KY12 that receives the selection of "plain sheet" and a key
KY13 that receives the selection of "thick sheet 1" instead of the
key KY6 (FIG. 6) which is the combo box that receives the selection
of the sheet type.
[0104] In this case, the image forming apparatus 1 uses the sheet
type setting part 109 to change the sheet type setting in the sheet
feed tray information of the target sheet feed tray 11 to the type
received on the second setting screen illustrated in FIG. 11.
[0105] In a case where the basis weight measured by the basis
weight sensor 23 is a value within the unique range, there is no
need for the image forming apparatus 1 to receive operation to set
the sheet type through the setting screen after completion of
setting the sheet type in sheet feed tray information for the
target sheet feed tray 11.
[0106] (Flowchart)
[0107] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating operation of the image
forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the
present invention.
[0108] Referring to FIG. 12, the CPU 102 measures the basis weight
of the sheet passing the measurement position of the basis weight
sensor 23 at an arbitrary timing using the basis weight sensor 23
(S1). Next, the CPU 102 uses the sheet type discrimination table to
discriminate whether the basis weight measured by the basis weight
sensor 23 is a value within a unique range (S3).
[0109] In a case where it is discriminated in step S3 that the
basis w eight measured by the basis weight sensor 23 is a value
within a unique range (YES in S3), the CPU 102 sets the sheet type
in the sheet feed tray information of the sheet feed tray 11 that
has fed the sheet to the sheet type discriminated from the measured
basis weight (S5), and proceeds to processing of step S7.
[0110] In a case where it is discriminated in step S3 that the
basis weight measured by the basis weight sensor 23 is not a value
within the unique range (NO in S3), the CPU 102 displays a
selection screen (S11). The CPU 102 sets the sheet type in the
sheet feed tray information of the sheet feed tray 11 that has
supplied the sheet to the type selected through the selection
screen (S13), and proceeds to processing of step S7.
[0111] In step S7, the CPU 102 sets various parameters such as the
conveyance speed in accordance with the set sheet type (S7),
performs printing (S9), and finishes the processing.
[0112] According to the present embodiment, the selection of the
sheet type is received from the selection screen in a case where
the selection range is provided as the basis weight range on the
sheet type discrimination table, and where the basis weight
measured by the basis weight sensor 23 is a value within the
selection range. This configuration enables a user who does not
require high-quality printing to select the sheet type having a
high conveyance speed, leading to suppression of an increase in the
time required for printing.
Second Embodiment
[0113] In a case where the basis weight measured by the basis
weight sensor 23 is a value within the selection range, it might be
annoying for the user to always select the sheet type from the
selection screen. To handle this, the present embodiment will
describe an exemplary case where the necessity discrimination part
114 is used to perform selection necessity determination processing
to discriminate whether there is a need to display the selection
screen, and the selection screen is not to be displayed when it is
discriminated that there is no need to display the selection screen
in a case where the basis weight measured by the basis weight
sensor 23 is a value within the selection range.
[0114] (Flowchart)
[0115] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating operation of the image
forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the
present invention.
[0116] Referring to FIG. 13, in a case where it is discriminated,
in step S3 of the flowchart of FIG. 12, that the sheet type cannot
be uniquely discriminated from the measured basis weight (NO in
S3), the CPU 102 performs the selection necessity determination
processing described below (S21) and discriminates whether there is
a need to display the selection screen (S23).
[0117] In a case where it is discriminated in step S23 tint there
is a need to display the selection screen (YES in S23), the CPU 102
performs the processing of step S11 and subsequent steps in the
flowchart of FIG. 12.
[0118] In step S23, when it is discriminated that there is no need
to display the selection screen (NO in S23), the CPU 102 does not
display the selection screen, and sets the sheet type in the sheet
feed tray information of the sheet feed tray 11 that has supplied
the sheet to the sheet type determined under the other conditions
(S25), and performs the processing of step S7 and subsequent steps
in the flowchart of FIG. 12.
[0119] (First Example of Selection Necessity Determination
Processing)
[0120] In a case, as a first example of the selection necessity
determination processing, where the change of the type of the sheet
held in the sheet feed tray 11 has not been detected by various
sensors 112 in a state where the sheet type in the sheet feed tray
information of the sheet feed tray 11 is set, it is allowable to
determine that there is no need to display the selection
screen.
[0121] In addition, in a case where it is determined that there is
no need to display the selection screen, the setting of the sheet
type of the sheet feed tray information of the sheet feed tray 11
does not have to be changed.
[0122] The case where the change of the sheet held in the sheet
feed tray 11 has been detected is a case where the opening and
closing of the sheet feed tray 11 has been detected by the various
sensors 112, and thereafter a change in attributes of the sheet
other than the type (sheet size, sheet color, or the load amount of
sheets on the sheet feed tray 11, or the like) has been detected by
the various sensors 112.
[0123] The case where the change of the sheet held in the sheet
feed tray 11 has been detected may be a case where the change of
the load amount of sheets held in the sheet feed tray 11 has been
detected by the various sensors 112.
[0124] The case where the change of the sheet held in the sheet
feed tray 11 has been detected may be a case where the change of
the size of the sheet stored in the sheet feed tray 11 has been
detected by the various sensors 112.
[0125] The case where the change of the sheet held in the sheet
feed tray 11 has been detected may be a case where the change of
the color of the sheet conveyed from the sheet feed tray 11 has
been detected by the various sensors 112.
[0126] FIG. 14 is a subroutine of selection necessity determination
processing (S21) in the first example of the second embodiment of
the present invention.
[0127] Referring to FIG. 14, the CPU 102 discriminates (S31) in the
selection necessity determination processing (S21) whether the
sheet of sheet feed tray 11 has been changed on the basis of the
detection results obtained by the various sensors 112.
[0128] In a case where it is discriminated in step S31 that the
sheet of the sheet feed tray 11 has been changed (YES in S31), the
CPU 102 determines that there is a need to display the selection
screen (S33), and then control is returned.
[0129] In a case where it is discriminated in step S31 that the
sheet of the sheet feed tray 11 has not been changed (NO in S31),
the CPU 102 determines that there is no need to display the
selection screen (S35), and then control is returned.
[0130] (Second Example of Selection Necessity Determination
Processing)
[0131] As a second example of the selection necessity determination
processing, it is allowable to determine that there is no need to
display the selection screen in a case where the type of job
received by the image forming apparatus 1 is a specific type (in a
case, in particular, where the job is a print job for management of
the image forming apparatus 1). In a case where it is determined
tint there is no need to display the selection screen, the types of
sheets held in the target sheet feed tray 11 may be set by the
method described in the following items (1) to (4).
[0132] (1) In a case where the image forming apparatus 1 executes a
print job (example of a specific type of job) for management of the
image forming apparatus 1, the quality necessary for an image
(image containing information for management of the image forming
apparatus 1, such as setting values and status of the image forming
apparatus 1) formed on a sheet is a low level image that is
satisfactory as long as it can be read.
[0133] Therefore, in a case where the type of job received by the
image forming apparatus 1 is a print job for management of the
image forming apparatus 1, or the like, it is allowable to
determine that there is no need to display the selection screen and
suppress displaying the selection screen. This configuration would
make it possible to reduce the work time of the service person or
administrator of the image forming apparatus 1, leading to
reduction of the service cost and the management. The type of job
may also be determined on the basis of information such as whether
the state of the image forming apparatus 1 is in the setup state or
whether the image to be printed includes a report on maintenance of
the image forming apparatus 1.
[0134] In a case where it is determined that there is no need to
display the selection screen, the type of two sheets associated
with the selection range including the basis weight measured by the
basis weight sensor 23 is specified, and the conveyance speed of
each of the two types of sheets may be discriminated on the basis
of the conveyance speed discrimination table illustrated in FIG. 15
(example of the conveyance speed discrimination table), and it is
allowable to set the sheet type in the sheet feed tray information
of the target sheet feed tray 11 to the type having the higher
conveyance speed out of the two types.
[0135] FIG. 15 is a view schematically illustrating a conveyance
speed discrimination table stored in the storage 106 in the second
embodiment of the present invention.
[0136] Referring to FIG. 15, the conveyance speed discrimination
table is a table describing the relationship between the sheet type
and the conveyance speed. According to the conveyance speed
discrimination table, it can be observed that the conveyance speed
of thin sheet is "30 sheets/minute", the conveyance speed of plain
sheet is "36 sheets/minute", the conveyance speed of thick sheet 1
is "30 sheets/minute" and the conveyance speed of thick sleet 1+ is
"30 sheets/minute".
[0137] In a case, as an example, where "thin sheet and plain
street" is associated with the selection range including the basis
weight measured by the basis weight sensor 23, the conveyance speed
of the thin sheet (30 sheets/minute) and tire conveyance speed of
the plain sheet (36 sheets/minute) are discriminated on the basis
of the conveyance speed discrimination table, and then, tire sheet
type in tire sheet feed tray information of the target sheet feed
tray 11 is set to the plain sheet, which is tire type with the
higher conveyance speed.
[0138] (2) In a case where the job mode is monochrome mode, high
quality is not required for the image formed on the sheet and
therefore, it is possible to increase the street conveyance speed.
In contrast in a case where tire mode of the job is color mode,
high quality is required for the image formed on the sheet.
[0139] Accordingly, when the job mode is a first mode (here,
monochrome mode), it is allowable to determine that there is no
need to display tire selection screen and there it is allowable to
use the conveyance speed discrimination table illustrated in FIG.
15 to set the type of sheet held in the target street feed tray 11
on tire basis of tire basis weight measured by tire basis weight
sensor 23. Moreover, when tire job mode is a second mode (here,
color mode), it is allowable to determine that there is no need to
display the selection screen and then, it is allowable to use the
image quality-priority sheet type discrimination table (example of
another type discrimination table) illustrated in FIG. 16 to set
the type of sheet in the sheet feed tray information of the target
sheet feed tray 11 on the basis of the basis weight measured by the
basis weigh sensor 23.
[0140] FIG. 16 is a view schematically illustrating an image
quality-priority sheet type discrimination table stored in a
storage 106 in the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0141] Referring to FIG. 16, the image quality-priority sheet type
discrimination table, one sheet type is associated with one basis
weight range so that the sheet type can be uniquely discriminated
on the basis of the basis weight.
[0142] Specifically, in a case where the measured basis weight is
in the range of "52 g/m.sup.2 to 59 g/m.sup.2", tire sheet type is
uniquely discriminated to be a "thin sheet". In a case where the
measured basis weight is in the range of "60 g/m.sup.2 to 90
g/m.sup.2", the sheet type is uniquely discriminated to be a "plain
sheet". In a case where the measured basis weight is in the range
of 91 g/m.sup.2 to 120 g/m.sup.2, the sheet type is uniquely
discriminated to be a "thick sheet 1".
[0143] In a case where the measured basis weight is in the range of
"121 g/m.sup.2 to 157 g/m.sup.2", the sheet type is uniquely
discriminated to be a "thick sheet 1+".
[0144] In the image quality-priority sheet type discrimination
table, the sheet types that achieves the conveyance speed that
would cause no problem in the image quality regardless of the
required image quality when the sheets within the basis weight
range are conveyed are associated with the basis weight.
[0145] (3) In a case where the job mode is low resolution print
mode, high quality is not required for the image formed on the
sheet, and therefore, it is possible to increase the sheet
conveyance speed. In contrast, in a case where the mode of the job
is a high resolution print mode, high quality is required for an
image formed on a sheet.
[0146] Accordingly, when the job mode is a first mode (here, low
resolution print mode), it is allowable to determine that there is
no need to display the selection screen and then, it is allowable
to use the conveyance speed discrimination table illustrated in
FIG. 15 to set the type of sheet held in the target sheet feed tray
11 on the basis of the basis weight measured by the basis weight
sensor 23. Furthermore, in a case where it is determined that there
is no need to display the selection screen and when the mode of the
job is the second mode (here, a prim mode with high resolution), it
is allowable to determine that there is no need to display the
selection screen, and then, it is allowable to use the image
quality-priority sheet type discrimination table illustrated in
FIG. 16 to set the type of sheet held in the target sheet feed tray
11 on the basis of the basis weight measured by the basis weight
sensor 23.
[0147] (4) In a case where the job mode is a print inode with
document image quality of text or duplicated photograph, high
quality is not required for the image formed on the sheet, and
therefore, it is possible to increase the sheet conveyance speed.
In contrast, in a case where the mode of the job is a print mode
with the document image quality of a photo or a map, high quality
is required for the image formed on the sheet.
[0148] Therefore, when the job mode is the first mode (here, the
prim mode with the document image quality of the text or duplicated
photograph), it is allowable to determine that there is no need to
display the selection screen and the sheet type held in the target
sheet feed tray 11 may be set using the conveyance speed
discrimination table illustrated in FIG. 15 on the basis of the
basis weigh measured by the basis weigh sensor 23. Moreover, when
the job mode is a second mode (here, a print mode with document
image quality of photograph or map), it is allowable to determine
that there is no need to display the selection screen and then, it
is allowable to use the image quality-priority sheet type
dissemination table illustrated in FIG. 16 to set the type of sheet
held in the target sheet feed tray 11 on the basis of the basis
weight measured by the basis weigh sensor 23.
[0149] FIG. 17 is a subroutine of selection necessity determination
processing (S21) in a second example of the second embodiment of
the present invention.
[0150] Referring to FIG. 17, the CPU 102 discriminates in the
selection necessity determination processing (S21) whether the job
received by image forming apparatus 1 is a job of a predetermined
type (S41).
[0151] In step S41, in a case where it is discriminated that the
job received by the image forming apparatus 1 is a job of a
predetermined type (YES in S41), the CPU 102 determines that there
is no need to display the selection screen (S43), and uses either
the conveyance speed discrimination table or the image
quality-priority sheet type discrimination table to set the sheet
type in the sheet feed tray information of the sheet feed tray 11
(S45), and then control is returned.
[0152] In step S41, when it is discriminated that the job received
by the image forming apparatus 1 is not a job of a predetermined
type (NO in S41), the CPU 102 determines that there is a need to
display the selection screen (S47), and then control is
returned.
[0153] (Third Example of Selection Necessity Determination
Processing)
[0154] In a case where the user is away from the image forming
apparatus 1, the user cannot operate the selection screen, and this
causes stoppage of printing while the selection screen is being
displayed. In order to avoid such a situation, it is allowable, as
a third example of the selection necessity determination
processing, to determine that there is no need to display the
selection screen in a case where the position of the user is away
from the position of the image forming apparatus 1 by a distance
more than a predetermined distance. The position of the user may be
specified on the basis of the user's position information and
entry/exit information acquired by the position information
acquisition pan 113.
[0155] FIG. 18 is a subroutine of selection necessity determination
processing (S21) in the third example of the second embodiment of
the present invention.
[0156] Referring to FIG. 18, the CPU 102 acquires, in the selection
necessity determination processing (S21), user's position
information or entry/exit information by the position information
acquisition part 113 (S51), and discriminates whether the user is
in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus 1 (S53).
[0157] In a case where it is discriminated in step S53 that the
user is in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus 1 (YES in
S53), the CPU 102 discriminates that there is a need to display the
selection screen (S55), and then control is returned.
[0158] In a case where it is discriminated in step S53 that the
user is not in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus 1 (NO in
S53), the CPU 102 discriminates that there is no need to display
the selection screen (S57), and then control is returned.
[0159] (Fourth Example of Selection Necessity Determination
Processing)
[0160] When performing post-processing such as stapling, the
necessity of setting of post-processing such as the number of
sheets that can be stapled, whether or not to punch, and the number
of folds is determined by the basis weight of the sheet. In a case
where post-processing is performed by treating a sheet type having
a large actual basis weight as a sheet type having a small basis
weight the thickness of the sheets might be larger than the
thickness that can be processed by the post-processing device,
leading to a concern of a failure in the post-processing
device.
[0161] Therefore, in a case, as a fourth example of tire selection
necessity determination processing, where predetermined
post-processing is set for the job, it is allowable to determine
that there is no need to display the selection screen and set the
sheet of the street held in the sheet feed tray to the type having
tire larger basis weight (first type) out of the two types of
sheets associated with the selection ranges including the basis
weight measured by tire basis weight sensor 23.
[0162] FIG. 19 is a subroutine of selection necessity determination
processing (S21) in the fourth example of the second embodiment of
the present invention.
[0163] Referring to FIG. 19, the CPU 102 discriminates in the
selection necessity determination processing (S21) whether the
setting of post-processing has been added to the job (S61).
[0164] In a case where it is discriminated in step S61 that the
post-processing setting has been added to the job (YES in S61), the
CPU 102 discriminates that there is no need to display the
selection screen (S63). Next, the CPU 102 sets tire sheet type in
the sheet feed tray information of tire sheet feed tray 11 to tire
type having a larger basis weight out of the two sheet types
associated with tire selection ranges including the basis weight
measured by tire basis weight sensor 23 (S65), and then control is
returned.
[0165] In a case where it is discriminates in step S61 that the
post-processing setting is not added to the job (NO in S61), the
CPU 102 discriminates that there is a need to display the selection
screen (S67), and then control is returned.
[0166] Note that the configuration of the image forming apparatus
in the present embodiment and the operation other than those
described above are similar to those in the first embodiment, and
therefore the description thereof will not be repeated.
Third Embodiment
[0167] In a case where the sheet type in the sheet feed tray
information of the sheet feed tray 11 is set by the method
described in the first and second embodiments, there is an occasion
where the sheet type is found out to be inappropriate alter
setting. Therefore, the present embodiment will describe an example
of performing setting change processing in a predetermined case and
changing the sheet type in the sheet feed tray information of the
sheet feed tray 11.
[0168] (First Example of Setting Change Processing)
[0169] As a first example of the setting change processing, when it
is determined that there is no need to display the selection screen
and the quality of the evaluated image is lower than a
predetermined value, the selection screen for change may be
displayed, and the sheet type setting pan 109 may be used to change
the sheet type in the sheet feed tray information of the sheet feed
tray 11 to the type for which the selection has been received
through the selection screen for the change. The selection screen
for the change may be any screen that receives operation to select
the sheet type from the first and second types, and may be the same
screen as the selection screen illustrated in FIG. 9.
[0170] FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating setting change
processing performed by the image forming apparatus 1 in the first
example of the third embodiment of the present invention.
[0171] Referring to FIG. 20, after setting the sheet type in the
sheet feed tray information of sheet feed tray 11, the CPU 102
discriminates whether it is determined that there is no need to
display the selection screen (S71) in the selection necessity
determination processing (S21) at the time of setting the sheet
type in the sheet feed tray information of the sheet feed tray
11.
[0172] In a case where it is discriminated in step S71 that the
determination is that there is no need to display the selection
screen (YES in S71), the CPU 102 detects the density of the toner
image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 20a by the various
sensors 112 (IDC sensor) and evaluates the quality of an image on
the basis of a detection result (S73). Subsequently, the CPU 102
disseminates whether the quality of the image is a predetermined
value or less (S75).
[0173] In a case where it is discriminated in step S71 that the
determination is that there is a need to display the selection
screen (NO in S71), or it is discriminated in step S75 that the
quality of the image is not less than the predetermined value (NO
in S75), the CPU 102 finishes the processing.
[0174] In a case where it is discriminated in step S75 that the
quality of the image is a predetermined value or less (YES in S75),
the CPU 102 displays the selection screen for the change having two
sheet types associated with the selection range including the basis
weight measured by the basis weight sensor 23 as an option (S77).
The CPU 102 changes the sheet type in the sheet feed tray
information of the sheet feed tray 11 to the selected sheet type
(S79), and finishes the processing.
[0175] (Second Example of Setting Change Processing)
[0176] As a second example of the setting change processing, when
it is determined that there is no need to display the selection
screen and the number of occurrences of jams exceeds a
predetermined number, the selection screen for change may be
displayed, and the sheet type setting part 109 may be used to
change the sheet type in the sheet feed tray information of the
sheet feed tray 11 to the type for which the selection has been
received through the selection screen for the change.
[0177] Here, the number of occurrences of jams to be counted may be
simply jams related to sheet conveyance or printing, or simply jams
related to the sheet conveyed from the sheet feed tray 11 in which
the sheet type has been set without displaying the selection
screen.
[0178] FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating setting change
processing performed by the image forming apparatus 1 in the second
example of the third embodiment of the present invention.
[0179] Referring to FIG. 21, after setting the sheet type in the
sheet feed tray information of sheet feed tray 11, the CPU 102
discriminates whether it is determined that there is no need to
display the selection screen (S81) in the selection necessity
determination processing (S21) at the time of setting the sheet
type in the sheet feed tray information of the sheet feed tray
11.
[0180] In step S81, in a case where it is discriminated that
determination is that there is no need to display the selection
screen (YES in S81), the CPU 102 reads the number of occurrences of
jams from the storage 106 (S83), and discriminates whether the read
number of occurrences of jams exceeds a predetermined value
(S85).
[0181] In a case where it is discriminated in step S81 that the
determination is that there is a need to display the selection
screen (NO in S81), or it is discriminated in step S85 that the
read number of occurrences of jams does not exceed a predetermined
value (NO in S85), the CPU 102 finishes the processing.
[0182] In a case where it is discriminated in step S85 that the
read number of occurrences of jams has exceeded the predetermined
value (YES in S85), the CPU 102 displays the selection screen for
the change having two sheet types associated with the selection
range including the basis weight measured by the basis weight
sensor 23 as an option (S87). The CPU 102 changes the sheet type in
the sheet feed tray information of the sheet feed tray 11 to the
selected sheet type (S89), and finishes the processing.
[0183] (Third Example of Setting Change Processing)
[0184] As a third example of the setting change processing, in a
case, after setting the sheet type, where the quality of the image
evaluated by the evaluation pan 115 is lower than a predetermined
value, and the basis weight measured by the basis weight sensor 23
is within a selection range, and where the type of sheet that has
been set and the type of sheet discriminated by using the image
quality-priority type discrimination table are different from each
other, the sheet type setting part 109 may be used to change the
sheet type in the sheet feed tray information of the sheet feed
tray 11 to the sheet type discriminated by using the image
quality-priority type discrimination table.
[0185] FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating setting change
processing performed by the image forming apparatus 1 in the third
example of the third embodiment of the present invention.
[0186] Referring to FIG. 22, after setting the sheet type of the
sheet feed tray information of sheet feed tray 11, the CPU 102
detects the density of the toner image formed on the intermediate
transfer belt 20a using various sensors 112 (IDC sensors) and
evaluates the quality of the image on the basis of the detection
result (S91). Subsequently, the CPU 102 discriminates whether the
quality of the image is a predetermined value or less (S93).
[0187] In a case where it is discriminated in step S93 that the
quality of the image is the predetermined value or less (YES in
S93), the CPU 102 discriminates whether the basis weight measured
by the basis weight sensor 23 is a value within a selection range
(S95).
[0188] In a case where it is discriminated in step S95 that the
basis weight measured by the basis weight sensor 23 is a value
within the selection range (YES in S95), the CPU 102 discriminates
whether the sheet type set as the sheet feed tray information of
the sheet feed tray 11 differs from the sheet type discriminated by
image quality-priority table (S97).
[0189] The CPU 102 finishes the processing in a case where it is
discriminated in step S93 that the quality of the image is not less
than the predetermined value (NO in S93), or where it is
discriminated in step S95 that the basis weight measured by basis
weight sensor 23 is not within the selection range (NO in S95), or
where it is discriminated in step S97 that the sheet type set as
the sheet feed tray information of the sheet feed tray 11 does not
differ from the sheet type discriminated in the image
quality-priority table (NO in S97).
[0190] In a case where it is discriminated in step S97 that the
sheet type set as the sheet feed tray information of the sheet feed
tray 11 is different from the sheet type discriminated in the image
quality-priority table (YES in S97), the CPU 102 changes the sheet
type in the sheet feed tray information of the sheet feed tray 11
from the basis weight measured by the basis weight sensor 23 to the
type discriminated using the image quality-priority sheet type
discrimination table (S99), and then finishes the processing.
[0191] (Fourth Example of Setting Change Processing)
[0192] As a fourth example of the setting change processing, in a
ease where the basis weight measured by the basis weight sensor 23
is a value within the selection range and the number of occurrences
of jams after the sheet type setting exceeds a predetermined
number, it is allowable, by using the sheet type setting part 109,
to change the sheet type in the sheet feed tray information of the
sheet feed tray 11 to the type of the lower conveyance speed
described in the conveyance speed discrimination table out of two
types of sheets associated with the selection ranges including the
basis weight measured by the basis weight sensor 23. This is
because a slower conveyance speed reduces the possibility of
jam.
[0193] Here, the number of occurrences of jams to be counted may be
simply jams related to sheet conveyance or printing, or simply jams
attributed to the sheet conveyed from the target sheet feed tray
11.
[0194] FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating setting change
processing performed by the image forming apparatus 1 in the fourth
example of the third embodiment of the present invention.
[0195] Referring to FIG. 23, after setting the sheet type in the
sheet feed tray information of the sheet feed tray 11, the CPU 102
discriminates whether the basis weight measured by the basis weigh
sensor 23 is a value within a selection range (S101).
[0196] In a case where it is discriminated in step S101 that the
basis weigh measured by the basis weigh sensor 23 is a value within
a selection range (YES in S101), the CPU 102 reads the number of
occurrences of jams from the storage 106 (S103), and discriminates
whether the read number of occurrences of jams exceeds a
predetermined value (S105).
[0197] In a case where it is discriminated in step S101 that the
basis weigh measured by the basis weigh sensor 23 is not a value
within a selection range (NO in S101), or it is discriminated in
step S105 that the read number of occurrences of jams does not
exceed a predetermined value (NO in S105), the CPU 102 finishes the
processing.
[0198] In step S105, when it is discriminated that the read number
of occurrences of jams exceeds the predetermined value (YES in
S105), the CPU 102 changes the sheet type in the sheet feed tray
information of the sheet feed tray 11 to the type of the lower
conveyance speed described in the conveyance speed discrimination
table out of two types of sheets associated with the selection
ranges (S107), and finishes the processing.
[0199] Note that the configuration of the image forming apparatus
in the present embodiment and the operation other than those
described above are similar to those in the first embodiment, and
therefore the description thereof will not be repealed.
OTHERS
[0200] The embodiments described above and the examples in the
embodiments can be combined with each other as appropriate.
[0201] The processing in the above-described embodiments may be
performed by software or may be performed using a hardware circuit.
Furthermore, it is also possible to provide a program for executing
the processing in the above-described embodiments, and the program
may be recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible
disk, a hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, a memory card and supplied to the
user. The program is executed by a computer such as a CPU.
Furthermore, the program may be downloaded to the apparatus via a
communication line such as the Internet.
[0202] Although embodiments of the present invention have been
described and illustrated in detail, the disclosed embodiments are
made for purposes of illustration and example only and not
limitation. The scope of the present invention should be
interpreted by terms of the appended claims, and is intended to
include all modifications within the meaning and scope, which are
equivalent to the scope of claims.
* * * * *