JP2016170268A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide am image formation device that can largely reduce complexity of users.SOLUTION: A digital multifunction machine 11 comprises: a reception unit; an image formation unit 15; an ejection tray; a sheet presence or absence detection sensor 28; and a control unit 12. The reception unit is configured to receive a request of image formation, and the image formation unit 15 is configured to in responce to a request of the image formation received from the reception unit, form an image on a sheet on the basis of image data. The sheet presence or absence detection sensor 28 is configured to detect presence or absence of the sheet on the ejection tray. The control unit 12 is configured to perform control so as to: when the reception unit receives a plurality of requests of the image formation, form the image by the image formation unit 15 in responce to the request of first image formation among the plurality of requests of the image formation; and when the sheet presence or absence detection sensor 28 detects that there is no sheet on the ejection tray, form the image by the image formation unit 15 in responce to the request of second image formation different from the first image formation among the plurality of requests of the image formation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  In an image forming apparatus typified by a digital multifunction peripheral or the like, after an image of a document is read by an image reading unit, light is irradiated to the photoconductor provided in the image forming unit based on the read image, and the photoconductor An electrostatic latent image is formed thereon. Thereafter, a charged developer is supplied onto the formed electrostatic latent image to form a visible image, which is then transferred and fixed on a sheet, and discharged outside the apparatus.

  Here, the image forming apparatus is used, for example, by a plurality of users sharing a floor. As a result, the output output from another user may be discharged on the output output from one user. In such a case, it becomes necessary to sort the output. A technique relating to sorting of output materials is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-29658 (Patent Document 1).

  In Patent Document 1, based on input image data, a printing unit that prints characters and images on paper fed from a paper feeding unit, and a printed matter in which characters and images are printed by the printing unit are sequentially provided. A printing apparatus including a paper discharge unit that discharges paper is disclosed. If the number of copies set by the print number setting function for setting the number of copies to be printed for the input image data and the number of copies set by the print number setting function is two or more, one copy of the input image data is printed. When the printing is completed, a control unit having a sorting function for discharging a printed matter in which a predetermined character or image is printed on the printing unit to the discharging unit before starting the next one printing is provided. Yes.

JP 2002-29658 A

  When the image forming apparatus is used by a plurality of users, a plurality of users may request image formation almost simultaneously. In such a case, the image forming apparatus forms images in the order in which requests for image formation are received, and discharges the paper onto the discharge tray. If it does so, the printed matter which the other user requested | required will be discharged | emitted on a discharge tray on the printed matter which a certain user requested | required, and it will be necessary to sort a printed matter later. Such work is cumbersome for the user and should be avoided if possible.

  If a sorting device such as a sorter is attached to the image forming apparatus as an option, there is no need to sort the printed matter. However, when using a small image forming apparatus or from the viewpoint of cost reduction, it may be difficult to attach the sorting apparatus. Further, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, a printed matter on which a predetermined character or image is printed is discharged, which is not preferable because paper is wasted.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of greatly reducing the complexity of user operations.

  In one aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes a receiving unit, an image forming unit, a discharge tray, a recording medium presence / absence detecting unit, and a control unit. The receiving unit receives a request for image formation. The image forming unit forms an image on the recording medium based on the image data in response to the image formation request received by the receiving unit. The recording medium on which the image is formed by the image forming unit is discharged to the discharge tray. The recording medium presence / absence detection unit detects the presence / absence of a recording medium on the discharge tray. If the receiving unit accepts a plurality of image forming requests, the control unit forms an image by the first image forming request among the plurality of image forming requests, and detects the presence / absence of a recording medium. If the image forming unit detects that there is no recording medium on the discharge tray, an image is formed by the image forming unit in response to a second image forming request different from the first image forming request among the plurality of image forming requests. Control to form.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, there is no need for the user who requested image formation to sort the recording medium discharged to the discharge tray. As a result, the complexity of the user's work can be greatly reduced.

1 is a diagram illustrating an external appearance of a digital multifunction peripheral when an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to the digital multifunction peripheral. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral when an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to the digital multifunction peripheral. It is an external view which shows the structure of an operation part. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow when an image is formed using the digital multi-function peripheral according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the case of forming an image using the digital multifunctional device which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a display screen. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral when an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention is applied to the digital multifunction peripheral.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a digital multifunction machine when an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to the digital multifunction machine. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral when the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to the digital multifunction peripheral.

  1 to 2, a digital multifunction peripheral 11 as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a control unit 12, an operation unit 13, an image reading unit 14, and an image forming unit 15. , A discharge tray 30, a hard disk 16 as a storage unit for storing data, a facsimile communication unit 17, and a network interface unit 18 for connecting to a network 25.

  The control unit 12 controls the entire digital multi-function peripheral 11. The operation unit 13 includes a display screen 21 that displays information transmitted from the digital multifunction peripheral 11 side and user input contents. The operation unit 13 inputs image forming conditions such as the number of copies to be printed and gradation, and power on / off. The image reading unit 14 includes an automatic document feeder (ADF (Auto Document Feeder)) 22 that automatically conveys a set document to a reading position. The image reading unit 14 reads an image of a document transported by the ADF 22 or an image of a document placed on the placement table. The image forming unit 15 includes a developing unit 23 that performs development using toner. The image forming unit 15 forms an image based on the read image and image data transmitted via the network 25. That is, the image forming unit 15 forms an image on a recording medium, for example, a sheet based on the image data in response to the accepted request for image formation. A sheet as a recording medium on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 15 is discharged to the discharge tray 30 as a printed matter. The hard disk 16 stores transmitted image data, input image forming conditions, and the like. The facsimile communication unit 17 is connected to the public line 24 and performs facsimile transmission and facsimile reception.

  The digital multi-function peripheral 11 includes a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) that writes and reads image data, a paper transport unit that transports a paper on which a visualized image formed by a developer is transferred, and the like. The illustration and description are omitted. In addition, arrows in FIG. 2 indicate the flow of data regarding control signals, control, and images.

  The digital multi-function peripheral 11 includes a sheet presence / absence detection sensor 28 as a recording medium presence / absence detection unit that detects whether or not there is a sheet on the discharge tray 30. The paper presence / absence detection sensor 28 is constituted by an optical sensor, for example. The paper discharged on the discharge tray 30 is removed by the user who has requested image formation. When the sheet is removed from the discharge tray 30 by using the sheet presence / absence detection sensor 28, the control unit 12 detects that there is no sheet. It is detected that there is a sheet from when the sheet is discharged onto the discharge tray 30 until the sheet is removed.

  The digital multi-function peripheral 11 does not include a sorting device called a so-called sorter. That is, the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 15 is always discharged to the discharge tray 30.

  The digital multifunction peripheral 11 operates as a copying machine by forming an image in the image forming unit 15 using the original read by the image reading unit 14 and printing the image on a sheet. In addition, the digital multifunction peripheral 11 forms an image in the image forming unit 15 using image data transmitted from the computers 26a, 26b, and 26c connected to the network 25 through the network interface unit 18, and prints it on a sheet. It works as a printer. That is, the image forming unit 15 operates as a printing unit that prints the requested image. Further, the digital multifunction peripheral 11 forms an image in the image forming unit 15 via the DRAM using the image data transmitted from the public line 24 through the facsimile communication unit 17, and also by the image reading unit 14. The image data of the read original is transmitted to the public line 24 through the facsimile communication unit 17, thereby operating as a facsimile apparatus. That is, the digital multifunction peripheral 11 has a plurality of functions such as a copying function, a printer function, and a facsimile function with respect to image processing. Further, each function has functions that can be set in detail.

  The image forming system 27 including the digital multifunction peripheral 11 includes the digital multifunction peripheral 11 and a plurality of computers 26a, 26b, and 26c. Specifically, the image forming system 27 includes the digital multifunction peripheral 11 having the above-described configuration and a plurality of computers 26 a, 26 b, and 26 c connected to the digital multifunction peripheral 11 via the network 25. In this embodiment, three computers 26a to 26c are shown. Each of the computers 26 a to 26 c can print by making a print request to the digital multi-function peripheral 11 via the network 25. The digital multi-function peripheral 11 and the computers 26a to 26c may be connected by wire using a LAN (Local Area Network) cable or the like, or may be connected wirelessly. A configuration in which a digital multifunction peripheral or a server is connected may be used.

  Next, the configuration of the operation unit 13 described above will be described in more detail. FIG. 3 is an external view showing the configuration of the operation unit 13. Referring to FIG. 3, the operation unit 13 includes a numeric keypad 31 for inputting numbers from 0 to 9 for inputting the number of copies to be printed, and symbols of “*” and “#”, and start of printing and facsimile transmission. A start key 32 for instructing the start of the printer, a power key 33 for inputting power on / off of the digital multifunction device 11, a menu key 34 for instructing selection of a printer function, a copy function, etc. of the digital multifunction device 11, A registration key 35 for instructing image forming conditions and user registration, a reset key 36 for canceling the contents of an instruction input by the user using the numeric keypad 31 and the like, and the display screen 21 described above are included. The display screen 21 has a liquid crystal touch panel function, and allows the user to input image forming conditions and the like from the display screen 21 and select a function by pressing with a user's finger.

  Next, a case where an image is formed using the digital multifunction machine 11 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when an image is formed using the digital multi-function peripheral 11 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Here, a case will be described in which when the digital multifunction peripheral 11 is used as a printer, a plurality of users request image formation, that is, print requests.

  Referring to FIG. 4, the first user uses the computer 26 a to make a first image formation request to the digital multifunction peripheral 11. The second user uses the computer 26b to make a second image formation request to the digital multifunction peripheral 11. Then, the digital multi-function peripheral 11 accepts the first image formation request and the second image formation request (step S11 in FIG. 4, hereinafter “step” is omitted). Here, the control unit 12 operates as a receiving unit.

  In this case, it is assumed that the first image formation request timing is slightly earlier than the second image formation request timing. Then, the control unit 12 of the digital multi-function peripheral 11 starts image formation corresponding to the first image formation request (S12). That is, the control unit 12 uses the image forming unit 15 to form an image in response to a request for image formation from the computer 26a. Then, the paper on which the image has been formed is discharged onto the discharge tray 30, and the first image formation is completed (S13).

  Thereafter, the control unit 12 stands by without starting the second image formation (S14). The standby here means that image formation based on the second image formation request is performed until the sheet on which the image is formed based on the first image formation request discharged onto the discharge tray 30 is removed. Means no. In this case, the presence / absence of a sheet is detected by the sheet presence / absence detection sensor 28 described above.

  The first user who requested the first image formation goes to the place where the digital multifunction peripheral 11 is installed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the first image formation was requested. Then, the sheet on which the image is formed in accordance with the first image formation is removed from the discharge tray 30.

  Based on the signal from the paper presence / absence detection sensor 28, the controller 12 detects that the paper has been removed from the discharge tray 30 (YES in S15). Then, the control unit 12 starts image formation corresponding to the second image formation request that has been waiting (S16). Then, the second image formation is finished (S17). Thereafter, the second user goes to a place where the digital multifunction peripheral 11 is installed and obtains a sheet on which an image is formed by the second image formation.

  According to the digital multi-function peripheral 11 having such a configuration, if a plurality of image formation requests are received by the reception unit, the image forming unit 15 is responded to the first image formation request among the plurality of image formation requests. To form an image. Further, if it is detected that there is no sheet on the discharge tray 30 using the sheet presence / absence detection sensor 28, the control unit 12 selects a second image that is different from the first image formation request among the plurality of image formation requests. The image forming unit 15 controls to form an image in response to a request for image formation. Then, even when image formation requests from a plurality of users are received, the formed sheets are not mixed. Accordingly, it is not necessary for the user who has requested image formation to sort the sheets discharged to the discharge tray 30. As a result, the complexity of the user's work can be greatly reduced.

  In this case, since the timing of the first image formation request received by the reception unit is earlier than the timing of the second image formation request received by the reception unit, the earliest image formation request was made. First, user image formation is performed. In this way, the user who made the earliest image formation request can obtain the paper on which the image is formed without waiting.

  In the above-described embodiment, a configuration may be provided that includes a display unit that displays data of an image formation request received by the receiving unit. That is, data for which image formation is requested is displayed on the display screen 21. By doing so, a user who has visited the digital multi-function peripheral 11 can visually recognize a request for image formation.

  In the above embodiment, the control unit 12 waits without performing image formation corresponding to the next image formation request until the sheet is removed from the discharge tray 30. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration may be adopted in which a designation unit that designates data for requesting image formation displayed on the display screen 21 is provided. The control unit 12 may be configured to form an image by the image forming unit 15 in response to a designated image formation request regardless of the detection result using the paper presence / absence detection sensor 28.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in this case. Referring to FIG. 5, similarly to FIG. 4, the digital multifunction peripheral 11 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a computer 26 a used by the first user and a computer 26 b used by the second user, respectively. Requests for the first and second image formation are received (S21). Here, the second image formation is referred to as image formation X.

  Also in this case, it is assumed that the first image formation request timing is slightly earlier than the second image formation request timing. Then, the control unit 12 starts image formation corresponding to the first image formation request (S22). Then, the sheet on which the image has been formed is discharged onto the discharge tray 30, and the first image formation is completed (S23).

  Thereafter, the control unit 12 stands by without starting image formation corresponding to the request for the second image formation X (S24). At the same time as waiting, the data of the request for the second image forming X that is waiting is displayed on the display screen 21 of the operation unit 13 (S25).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the display screen 21 of the operation unit 13 in this case. Referring to FIG. 6, on display screen 21 of operation unit 13, a message 41 “Data for which image formation is requested: image formation X” and an inquiry “Do you want to form an image immediately?” 42, a selection key 43a indicating "image formation" and a selection key 43b indicating "no image formation" are displayed. Here, the operation unit 13 or the like operates as a designation unit.

  The user designates “image formation” by pressing the selection key 43a. Then, control unit 12 determines that an image formation request has been received from display screen 21 (YES in S26, YES in S27).

  Thereafter, the control unit 12 starts image formation corresponding to the request for the second image formation X even though there is a sheet on the discharge tray 30 (S28). That is, the second image formation X is performed regardless of the detection result of the paper presence / absence detection sensor 28. In this case, the second user may directly obtain the sheet discharged from the image forming unit 15 by the second user's own hand before being discharged to the discharge tray 30. In addition, a colored sheet or the like serving as a mark is placed on the sheet discharged by the first image formation, and based on the mark, the sheet on which the image is formed by the first image formation and the second image The boundary between the sheet on which the image is formed by forming X may be distinguished.

  Then, the second image formation X is finished (S29). Thereafter, the second user obtains a sheet on which an image is formed by the second image formation X on the spot.

  In this way, the second user can obtain the paper on which the second image formation X has been performed without waiting until the first user removes the paper on which the first image formation has been performed.

  Similarly to FIG. 4, if the control unit 12 detects that the paper is removed from the discharge tray 30 using the paper presence / absence detection sensor 28 (YES in S26), the control unit 12 waits for the second Image formation corresponding to the request for image formation X is started (S28). Then, the second image formation is finished (S29). When the selection key 43b is pressed (NO in S27), the image formation corresponding to the second image formation X request is waited until the sheet is removed from the discharge tray 30.

  In the above-described embodiment, a paper discharge unit that discharges paper on which an image is not formed to the discharge tray 30 before discharging the paper on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 15 may be provided. Then, the sheet discharge unit may be controlled to operate before the image forming unit 15 forms an image in response to the designated second image forming X request. That is, a sheet on which no image is formed is discharged to the discharge tray 30 between the first image formation and the second image formation X. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral in this case. Referring to FIG. 7, when an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention is applied to a digital multi-function peripheral, a digital multi-function peripheral 51 before discharging a sheet on which an image is formed by image forming section 15. In addition, a paper discharge unit 52 serving as a recording medium discharge unit that discharges a sheet on which an image is not formed to the discharge tray 30 is provided. Since other configurations are the same as those of the digital multi-function peripheral 11 shown in FIG. 2, the same reference numerals are given and descriptions thereof are omitted. By doing this, it is possible to distinguish between the paper on which the first image is formed and the paper on which the second image formation X is performed, using a paper on which no image is formed as a mark. Also, the paper used as a mark can be reused because no image is formed.

  In this case, for the paper on which the image is not formed, for example, when the size of the paper on which the first image formation is requested and the size of the paper on which the second image formation is requested are the same, A paper having a size different from that of the paper may be used. This makes it easier to find the boundary between the sheet on which the first image is formed and the sheet on which the second image is formed.

  In the above embodiment, after the image forming unit 15 is activated and a predetermined time has elapsed, if the paper is detected on the discharge tray 30 by the paper presence / absence detection sensor, the control unit 12 is notified to that effect. It may be configured. By doing so, it is possible to prevent prolonged waiting due to forgetting to take it. In the above case, for example, the fact is displayed on the display connected to the computer 26a which is considered to be used by the first user.

  In the above embodiment, if it is determined that the image formation corresponding to the image formation X requested by the second user has not been started after the lapse of a predetermined time, the control unit 12 notifies that fact. You may make it do. By doing so, it is possible to notify the second user that no image is formed without going to the place where the digital multifunction peripheral 11 is installed. In the above case, for example, the fact is displayed on the display connected to the computer 26b which is considered to be used by the second user.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the image is formed from the one with the earlier timing of accepting the image formation request. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image formation request from the computer having a predetermined priority order. An image may be formed according to the above. That is, when the first image formation request and the second image formation request are received at substantially the same timing, if the priority order of the computer 26b is higher than that of the computer 26a, the difference in timing is slightly related. Instead, the control unit 12 may be configured to start image formation based on the second image formation request requested by the second user from the computer 26b.

  In the above-described embodiment, paper is used as the recording medium. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a thick paper, an OHP (Overhead Projector) sheet, or the like may be used.

  It should be understood that the embodiments and examples disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive in any respect. The scope of the present invention is defined by the scope of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is particularly effectively used when it is required to reduce the complexity of the user's work.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11,51 Digital compound machine, 12 Control part, 13 Operation part, 14 Image reading part, 15 Image formation part, 16 Hard disk, 17 Facsimile communication part, 18 Network interface part, 21 Display screen, 22 ADF, 23 Developer, 24 Public line, 25 network, 26a, 26b, 26c Computer, 27 Image forming system, 28 Paper detection sensor, 30 Eject tray, 31 Numeric keypad, 32 Start key, 33 Power key, 34 Menu key, 35 Registration key, 36 Reset key, 41 message, 42 inquiry, 43a, 43b selection key, 52 paper discharge section.

Claims (6)

A receiving unit for receiving a request for image formation;
An image forming unit for forming an image on a recording medium based on image data in response to an image formation request received by the receiving unit;
A discharge tray for discharging the recording medium on which an image is formed by the image forming unit;
A recording medium presence / absence detecting unit for detecting the presence / absence of the recording medium on the discharge tray;
If a plurality of image forming requests are received by the receiving unit, an image is formed by the image forming unit in response to a first image forming request among the plurality of image forming requests, and the recording medium is present If the detection unit detects that there is no recording medium on the discharge tray, the second image forming request is different from the first image forming request among the plurality of image forming requests. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the image forming unit to form an image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a timing of the first image formation request received by the reception unit is earlier than a timing of the second image formation request received by the reception unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit configured to display data of the image formation request received by the receiving unit. A designating unit for designating data of the image formation request displayed by the display unit;
The control unit controls to form an image using the image forming unit in response to the image formation request designated by the designation unit, regardless of a detection result using the recording medium presence / absence detection unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. Before discharging the recording medium on which an image is formed by the image forming unit, a recording medium discharge unit that discharges the recording medium that does not form an image to the discharge tray,
5. The image according to claim 4, wherein the control unit controls the recording medium discharge unit to operate before forming an image by the image forming unit in response to the image formation request designated by the designation unit. Forming equipment. The control unit performs control so as to notify the user if the recording medium is detected on the discharge tray by the recording medium presence / absence detection unit after a predetermined time has elapsed after the image forming unit is operated. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1 to 5.

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