JP5799657B2 - Image forming apparatus, notification method, and notification program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a notification method, and a notification program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an image forming apparatus that performs notification with a notification device such as a lamp in order to prevent a user from forgetting to take a printed recording sheet discharged to a discharge tray (for example, Patent Document 1). reference). As such an image forming apparatus, for example, there is an apparatus that turns on a lamp when a sensor detects that there is a recording sheet on a discharge tray.

  By the way, in the case of an image forming apparatus that performs double-sided printing by reversing the printing surface of the recording paper by performing a switchback that pulls out the recording paper after discharging a part of the recording paper from the paper discharge unit onto the paper discharge tray Even if no recording paper is placed on the paper discharge tray, there is a possibility that the recording paper is detected by the switchback and erroneous notification is performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus, a notification method, and a notification program that can prevent erroneous notification.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a tray detection unit that detects the presence of a recording sheet on a discharge tray, and the tray detection unit that While detecting that there is recording paper on the paper discharge tray, a notification unit that performs a notification operation, and a part of the recording paper on which one side is printed when duplex printing is set as the print format by causing the switchback retracting the recording paper after being discharged to the sheet discharge tray in the sheet discharge portion, and a conveyance control unit that reverses the printing surface to the other surface of the recording paper, the paper ejection A paper discharge detection unit for detecting that the recording paper is conveyed to the printing unit; and when the double-sided printing is set as the print format, the tray detection unit may have a recording paper on the paper discharge tray. In the state where it is not detected, the paper discharge detection When the recording paper wherein is one face printed by parts is detected to be conveyed to the sheet discharge portion, a predetermined time, and a mask portion for masking the detection result of the tray detection portion, the notification When the double-sided printing is set in the printing format, the tray detection unit does not detect the presence of recording paper on the paper discharge tray even if the switchback is performed. The notification operation is not performed.

Further, the notification method according to another aspect of the present invention includes a tray detection step in which the tray detection unit detects that there is a recording sheet on the discharge tray, and the notification unit includes a recording sheet on the discharge tray. When the presence is detected, the notification step for performing the notification operation, and the conveyance control unit, when duplex printing is set as the printing format, removes a part of the recording paper on which one side is printed. A conveyance control step for reversing the printing surface to the other surface of the recording paper by causing the paper discharge unit to perform a switchback for drawing the recording paper after discharging it onto the paper tray, and a paper discharge detection unit, When the double-sided printing is set as the print format in the paper discharge detection step for detecting that the recording paper is conveyed to the paper discharge unit and the mask unit, there is a recording paper on the paper discharge tray. In a state where it is not detected When the recording paper square surface is printed it is detected to be conveyed to the sheet discharge portion, a predetermined time, a mask step of masking the detection result of the tray detection step, the notification unit, the print format A non-notification step in which the notification operation is not performed even if the switchback is performed in a state where it is not detected that there is a recording sheet on the sheet discharge tray when the duplex printing is set. It is characterized by including.

Further, the notification program according to another aspect of the present invention includes a tray detection step for detecting the presence of recording paper on the paper discharge tray, and while detecting that there is recording paper on the paper discharge tray, When a notification step for performing a notification operation and double-sided printing is set as the print format, a part of the recording paper on which one side is printed is discharged onto the paper discharge tray and then the recording paper is drawn. A conveyance control step of inverting the print surface to the other surface of the recording paper by causing the paper discharge portion to perform switchback; and a paper discharge detection step of detecting that the recording paper is conveyed to the paper discharge portion; When the double-sided printing is set as the print format, the recording paper on which the one surface is printed is detected in the state where the recording paper is not detected on the paper discharge tray. Detected to be conveyed to When a certain time, a mask step of masking the detection result of the tray detection step, when the duplex printing to the printing format is set, the that there is recording paper to the paper discharge tray is detected The non-notification step in which the notification operation is not performed even if the switchback is performed in a state where there is no switch is performed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent erroneous notification.

FIG. 1 is a mechanical configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing steps performed by the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electrical configuration of a modified image forming apparatus. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment and the modification.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an image forming apparatus, a notification method, and a notification program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the image forming apparatus can be realized by, for example, a copying machine, a multifunction machine, or a printing apparatus. The multi-function device has at least two functions among a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

  First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a mechanical configuration diagram showing an example of the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, and mainly shows the configuration of the transport mechanism.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a paper feed tray 10, a paper feed roller 12, a paper feed sensor 14, a registration roller 16, a counter roller 18, a fixing roller 20, and a branching claw 22. , Main body stack unit 24, 1 bin stack unit 26, paper discharge roller 28, 1 bin paper discharge sensor 30, 1 bin paper discharge roller 32, 1 bin stack paper sensor 34, reversing roller 36, both sides A conveyance roller 38 and a double-sided exit sensor 40 are provided.

  A recording sheet is placed on the sheet feeding tray 10.

  The paper feed roller 12 feeds the recording paper placed on the paper feed tray 10 one by one.

  The paper feed sensor 14 detects the recording paper fed from the paper feed roller 12.

  The registration roller 16 conveys the recording paper fed from the paper feeding roller 12 in accordance with the image formation timing.

  The counter roller 18 transfers an image onto the printing surface of the recording paper conveyed from the registration roller 16 in cooperation with a transfer roller (not shown). As a result, an image is formed on the printing surface of the recording paper.

  The fixing roller 20 fixes the image on the recording paper by heating and pressing the recording paper on which the image is transferred to the printing surface.

  The branching claw 22 branches the conveyance path of the recording paper on which the image is fixed by the fixing roller 20. The branch claw 22 is driven by a solenoid (not shown) and switches between recording paper on which an image is fixed by the fixing roller 20 to the main body stack unit 24 or the one-bin stack unit 26.

  The paper discharge roller 28 discharges the conveyed recording paper to the main body stack unit 24 when the branching claw 22 is set to transport the recording paper on which the image is fixed by the fixing roller 20 to the main body stack unit 24. To do.

  The main body stack unit 24 stacks the recording paper discharged by the paper discharge roller 28.

  The 1-bin paper discharge sensor 30 (an example of a paper discharge detection unit) is transported when the branch claw 22 is set to transport the recording paper on which the image is fixed by the fixing roller 20 to the 1-bin stack unit 26. Detects recording paper. The 1-bin paper discharge sensor 30 also detects the recording paper that has been switched back when a 1-bin paper discharge roller 32 described later switches the recording paper back.

  The 1-bin paper discharge roller 32 (an example of the paper discharge unit) rotates forward when the branching claw 22 is set to convey the recording paper on which the image is fixed by the fixing roller 20 to the 1-bin stack unit 26. As a result, the conveyed recording paper is discharged to the 1-bin stack unit 26.

  However, when printing on both sides of the conveyed recording paper, the 1-bin paper discharge roller 32 rotates in the forward direction to discharge a part of the conveyed recording paper onto the 1-bin stack unit 26 and then reversely. Rotate and switch back to pull in the recording paper.

  The 1-bin stack unit 26 (an example of a paper discharge tray) stacks the recording paper discharged by the 1-bin paper discharge roller 32.

  The 1-bin stack paper sensor 34 detects that there is a recording paper on the 1-bin stack unit 26. The 1-bin stack paper sensor 34 detects not only the recording paper stacked in the 1-bin stack unit 26 but also the recording paper existing on the 1-bin stack unit 26.

  That is, when the recording paper is switched back by the one-bin discharge roller 32 in a state where the recording paper is not stacked on the one-bin stack unit 26, the one-bin stack paper sensor 34 is the recording paper being switched back. Is detected.

  The reverse roller 36 conveys the recording paper switched back by the 1-bin paper discharge roller 32.

  The double-sided conveyance roller 38 conveys the recording paper conveyed by the reversing roller 36 to the registration roller 16. The front and back surfaces of the recording paper are reversed and conveyed to the registration roller 16 by switchback by the 1-bin paper discharge roller 32 and conveyance by the reversing roller 36 and the double-sided conveyance roller 38. For example, when the surface of the recording paper is a printing surface, the back surface of the recording paper becomes the printing surface and is conveyed to the registration roller 16.

  The double-sided exit sensor 40 detects the recording paper conveyed by the double-sided conveyance roller 38.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a transport motor 52, a 1-bin stack paper sensor 34, a remaining paper LED (Light Emitting Diode) 54, a 1-bin paper discharge sensor 30, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit). 56).

  The transport motor 52 is a drive source for transport systems such as the paper feed roller 12, the registration roller 16, the paper discharge roller 28, the 1-bin paper discharge roller 32, the reverse roller 36, and the double-sided transport roller 38.

  The CPU 56 controls the entire image forming apparatus 1 and includes a conveyance control unit 58 and a mask unit 60.

  The transport control unit 58 controls the drive of the transport motor 52 to cause the transport system to perform the transport operation described with reference to FIG.

  For example, when double-sided printing is set as the print format, the conveyance control unit 58 controls driving of the conveyance motor 52 so that a part of the recording paper on which one side is printed is placed on the 1-bin stack unit 26. The 1-bin paper discharge roller 32 performs switchback for drawing the recording paper after the paper is discharged. As a result, the printing surface of the recording paper is reversed from one surface to the other surface.

  The print format is set by the CPU 56 based on a user input from an operation unit such as an operation panel (not shown). Whether one side of the recording paper is printed or whether both sides of the recording paper are printed can be determined, for example, by using outputs (detection results) of the paper feed sensor 14 and the double-sided exit sensor 40. .

  For example, when the CPU 56 causes the 1-bin paper discharge roller 32 to switch back the recording paper, if the immediately preceding output among the outputs of the paper feeding sensor 14 and the double-sided exit sensor 40 is the paper feeding sensor 14, the recording paper It can be determined that one side of the recording paper is printed, and if the previous output is the double-sided exit sensor 40, it can be determined that both sides of the recording paper are printed.

  When the duplex printing is set as the printing format, the mask unit 60 is in a state where the 1-bin stack paper sensor 34 does not detect that there is a recording sheet on the 1-bin stack unit 26, and the 1-bin discharge sensor When it is detected by 30 that the recording paper on which one side is printed is conveyed to the 1-bin discharge roller 32, the detection result of the 1-bin stack paper sensor 34 is masked for a certain period of time.

  Here, for a certain period of time, the 1-bin paper discharge sensor 30 starts the detection of the recording paper conveyed in the direction of the 1-bin paper discharge roller 32, and then the 1-bin paper discharge sensor 30 detects the 1-bin paper discharge roller 32. The time until the detection of the recording paper conveyed in the opposite direction is completed.

  In other words, the mask unit 60 detects the recording paper conveyed in the direction of the 1-bin paper discharge roller 32 by the 1-bin paper discharge sensor 30, and then the 1-bin paper discharge sensor 30 starts the 1-bin paper discharge roller 32. The detection result of the 1-bin stack paper sensor 34 is masked until the detection of the recording paper conveyed in the opposite direction is completed.

  The remaining paper LED 54 (an example of a notification unit) is lit while the one-bin stack paper sensor 34 detects that there is a recording sheet on the one-bin stack unit 26 (an example of a notification operation).

  However, when the duplex printing is set as the printing format, the remaining paper LED 54 is configured to discharge one bin when the one bin stack paper sensor 34 does not detect that there is recording paper on the one bin stack unit 26. Even if the recording paper being switched back is detected by the 1-bin stack paper sensor 34, the paper roller 32 is switched on and does not light up.

  Specifically, the remaining paper LED 54 does not light the remaining paper LED 54 if the detection result of the 1-bin stack paper sensor 34 is masked by the mask unit 60.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing steps performed in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 3, it is assumed that double-sided printing is set as the printing format.

  First, if the branch claw 22 is set to transport the recording paper on which the image is fixed by the fixing roller 20 to the 1-bin stack unit 26 (Yes in step S100), the transport control unit 58 transfers the recording paper. It is conveyed in the direction of the 1-bin stack unit 26. On the other hand, if the branch claw 22 is set to transport the recording paper on which the image is fixed by the fixing roller 20 to the main body stack unit 24 (No in step S100), the subsequent processing is not performed.

  Subsequently, when the CPU 56 detects the recording paper conveyed by the 1-bin paper discharge sensor 30, it confirms which one of the outputs of the paper feed sensor 14 and the double-sided exit sensor 40 is the previous output, and the paper feed sensor. If it is 14, it is determined that the first side of double-sided printing has been printed (Yes in step S102). On the other hand, if the previous output is the double-sided exit sensor 40, the CPU 56 determines that both sides of double-sided printing are printed (No in step S102), and the subsequent processing is not performed.

  Subsequently, when it is not detected by the 1-bin stack paper sensor 34 that there is a recording sheet on the 1-bin stack section 26 (Yes in step S104), the mask unit 60 displays the detection result of the 1-bin stack paper sensor 34. Mask (step S106). On the other hand, when it is detected by the 1-bin stack paper sensor 34 that there is a recording sheet on the 1-bin stack unit 26 (No in step S104), the subsequent processing is not performed. In this case, the remaining paper LED 54 is lit.

  Subsequently, the conveyance control unit 58 controls the driving of the conveyance motor 52 so that a part of the recording paper on which the first surface is printed is discharged onto the one-bin stack unit 26 and then the recording paper is drawn. The switchback is performed by the 1-bin paper discharge roller 32.

  Subsequently, the mask unit 60 waits for the end of detection of the recording sheet conveyed in the direction opposite to the one-bin discharge roller 32 by the one-bin discharge sensor 30 (No in step S108). Then, when the detection of the recording paper conveyed in the direction opposite to the one-bin paper discharge roller 32 by the one-bin paper discharge sensor 30 ends (Yes in step S108), the mask unit 60 detects the one-bin stack paper sensor 34. The resulting mask is removed (step S110). For this reason, the remaining paper LED 54 is not lit even when the recording paper is switched back.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the remaining paper LED 54 is lit while the recording paper stacked on the 1-bin stack unit 26 is detected by the 1-bin stack paper sensor 34. In this embodiment, the recording paper is switched back on the 1 bin stack unit 26 in a state where the recording paper is not stacked on the 1 bin stack unit 26, and the 1 bin stack paper sensor 34 is switching back. Even if the recording paper is detected, the remaining paper LED 54 is not lit because the detection result of the 1-bin stack paper sensor 34 is masked.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent erroneous notification that the remaining paper LED 54 is turned on in a state where the recording paper is not stacked on the 1-bin stack unit 26. As a result, the remaining paper LED 54 can be turned on only when the recording paper is stacked on the 1-bin stack unit 26, so that the user can be sure that there is a printed recording paper on the 1-bin stack unit 26. Can be notified.

(Modification)
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible.

  For example, the mask unit 60 calculates a certain time for masking the detection result of the 1-bin stack paper sensor 34 based on the size of the recording paper, and is conveyed by the 1-bin discharge sensor 30 in the direction of the 1-bin discharge roller 32. The detection result of the 1-bin stack paper sensor 34 may be masked for a certain period of time after the detection of the recording paper being started.

  Specifically, the mask unit 60 starts detecting the recording paper conveyed in the direction of the 1-bin paper discharge roller 32 by the 1-bin paper discharge sensor 30 using the conveyance direction length and the conveyance speed of the recording paper. After that, the time until the recording paper being switched back is no longer detected by the 1-bin stack paper sensor 34 is calculated. The mask unit 60 may set the calculated time as a certain time for masking the detection result of the 1-bin stack paper sensor 34.

  In the above embodiment, the erroneous detection of the remaining paper LED 54 is prevented by masking the detection result of the 1-bin stack paper sensor 34, but the method of preventing the erroneous notification is not limited to this.

  For example, when the recording paper is switched back on the 1 bin stack unit 26 in a state where the recording paper is not stacked on the 1 bin stack unit 26, the CPU 56 sends the remaining paper to the remaining paper LED 54 and the 1 bin stack paper sensor 34. The power supply may be cut off.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the remaining paper LED 54 is not under the control of the CPU 56 has been described as an example. However, as shown in FIG. 4, the remaining paper LED 54 may be under the control of the CPU 56. In this case, the CPU 56 does not need to include the mask unit 60.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 56 turns on the remaining paper LED 54 while the one-bin stack paper sensor 34 detects that there is a recording paper on the one-bin stack unit 26. However, when double-sided printing is set as the printing format, the CPU 56 detects that there is no recording paper on the 1-bin stack unit 26 by the 1-bin stack paper sensor 34, and the 1-bin discharge roller. Even if the switchback is performed by 32, the remaining paper LED 54 is not turned on.

  Specifically, when double-sided printing is set as the print format, the CPU 56 detects that there is no recording paper on the 1-bin stack unit 26 by the 1-bin stack paper sensor 34, and 1 bin When it is detected by the paper discharge sensor 30 that the recording paper on which one side is printed is conveyed to the 1-bin paper discharge roller 32, the detection result of the 1-bin stack paper sensor 34 is ignored for a certain period of time. Accordingly, the CPU 56 performs the switchback by the 1-bin discharge roller 32 in a state where the 1-bin stack paper sensor 34 does not detect the presence of the recording paper on the 1-bin stack unit 26, and the 1-bin stack paper sensor. Even if the recording paper being switched back is detected by 34, the remaining paper LED 54 is not turned on.

(Hardware configuration)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment and the modification.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment and the modification has a configuration in which a controller 910 and an engine unit (Engine) 960 are connected by a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus. The controller 910 is a controller that controls the entire image forming apparatus 1, drawing, communication, and input from the operation display unit 920. The engine unit 960 is a printer engine that can be connected to a PCI bus, and is, for example, a monochrome plotter, a 1-drum color plotter, a 4-drum color plotter, a scanner, or a fax unit. The engine unit 960 includes an image processing part such as error diffusion and gamma conversion in addition to a so-called engine part such as a plotter.

  The controller 910 includes a CPU 911, a north bridge (NB) 913, a system memory (MEM-P) 912, a south bridge (SB) 914, a local memory (MEM-C) 917, and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). 916 and a hard disk drive (HDD) 918, and the North Bridge (NB) 913 and the ASIC 916 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 915. The MEM-P 912 further includes a ROM 912a and a RAM 912b.

  The CPU 911 performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 1 and includes a chip set including the NB 913, the MEM-P 912, and the SB 914, and is connected to other devices via the chip set.

  The NB 913 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 911 to the MEM-P 912, SB 914, and the AGP bus 915, and includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P 912, a PCI master, and an AGP target.

  The MEM-P 912 is a system memory used as a memory for storing programs and data, a memory for developing programs and data, a memory for drawing printers, and the like, and includes a ROM 912a and a RAM 912b. The ROM 912a is a read-only memory used as a memory for storing programs and data, and the RAM 912b is a writable and readable memory used as a program / data development memory, a printer drawing memory, and the like.

  The SB 914 is a bridge for connecting the NB 913 to a PCI device and a peripheral device. The SB 914 is connected to the NB 913 via a PCI bus, and a network interface (I / F) unit and the like are also connected to the PCI bus.

  The ASIC 916 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing having hardware elements for image processing, and has a role of a bridge for connecting the AGP bus 915, the PCI bus, the HDD 918, and the MEM-C 917, respectively. The ASIC 916 includes a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of the ASIC 916, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C 917, and a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory) that perform image data rotation by hardware logic and the like. Access Controller) and a PCI unit that performs data transfer between the engine unit 960 via the PCI bus. The ASIC 916 is connected to an FCU (Fax Control Unit) 930, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) 940, and an IEEE 1394 (the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface 950 via a PCI bus. The operation display unit 920 is directly connected to the ASIC 916.

  The MEM-C 917 is a local memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer, and the HDD 918 is a storage for storing image data, programs, font data, and forms.

  The AGP bus 915 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed for speeding up graphics processing. The AGP bus 915 speeds up the graphics accelerator card by directly accessing the MEM-P 912 with high throughput. It is.

  Note that the notification program executed by the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment and the modification is provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  The notification program executed in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment and the modified example is a file in an installable format or an executable format, and is a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, a DVD (Digital Versatile). It may be configured to be recorded and provided on a computer-readable storage medium such as a Disk).

  Further, the notification program executed in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment and the modification is stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and is provided by being downloaded via the network. Also good. Further, the notification program executed by the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment and the modification may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  The notification program executed by the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment and the modification has a module configuration for realizing the above-described units on a computer. As actual hardware, the CPU 911 reads out a program from the ROM 912a onto the RAM 912b and executes it, whereby the above-described units are realized on a computer.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 10 Paper feed tray 12 Paper feed roller 14 Paper feed sensor 16 Registration roller 18 Opposed roller 20 Fixing roller 22 Branch claw 24 Main body stack part 26 1 bin stack part 28 Paper discharge roller 30 1 bin paper discharge sensor 32 1 bin Paper discharge roller 34 1-bin stack paper sensor 36 Reverse roller 38 Double-sided conveyance roller 40 Double-sided exit sensor 52 Conveyance motor 54 Remaining paper LED
56 CPU
58 Conveyance Control Unit 60 Mask Unit 62 Notification Control Unit 910 Controller 911 CPU
912 System memory 912a ROM
912b RAM
913 North Bridge 914 South Bridge 915 AGP Bus 916 ASIC
917 Local memory 918 Hard disk drive 920 Operation display unit 930 FCU
940 USB
950 IEEE1394 interface 960 engine part

JP 2004-361499 A

Claims (6)

A tray detector that detects the presence of recording paper on the paper discharge tray;
A notification unit that performs a notification operation while the tray detection unit detects that there is recording paper on the paper discharge tray;
When double-sided printing is set as the print format, a switchback is performed on the paper discharge unit so that a part of the recording paper on which one side is printed is discharged onto the paper discharge tray and then the recording paper is pulled in. A conveyance control unit that reverses the printing surface to the other surface of the recording paper,
A paper discharge detection unit for detecting that the recording paper is conveyed to the paper discharge unit;
When the double-sided printing is set as the print format, the one side is detected by the paper discharge detection unit in a state where the tray detection unit does not detect the presence of the recording paper on the paper discharge tray. When it is detected that the printed recording paper is conveyed to the paper discharge unit, a mask unit that masks the detection result of the tray detection unit for a certain time, and
When the double-sided printing is set as the print format, the notification unit performs the switchback in a state where the tray detection unit does not detect that there is a recording sheet on the discharge tray. In the image forming apparatus, the notification operation is not performed. For a certain period of time, after the detection of the recording paper conveyed in the direction of the paper discharge unit by the paper discharge detection unit is started, the paper discharge detection unit conveys the recording paper in the direction opposite to the paper discharge unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the time is a time until the detection of the recording paper is completed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the mask unit calculates the certain time based on a size of a recording sheet. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the mask unit calculates the predetermined time from a length in a conveyance direction and a conveyance speed of the recording paper. A tray detection step in which the tray detection unit detects that there is recording paper on the paper discharge tray;
A notification step of performing a notification operation while the notification unit detects that there is a recording sheet on the discharge tray;
When double-sided printing is set as the printing format, the transport control unit performs a switchback for pulling in the recording paper after discharging a part of the recording paper on which one side is printed onto the paper discharge tray. A conveyance control step of inverting the print surface to the other surface of the recording paper by causing the paper discharge unit to perform,
A paper discharge detecting step for detecting that the recording paper is conveyed to the paper discharge unit;
When the double-sided printing is set as the print format, the mask unit detects that there is no recording paper on the paper discharge tray and the recording paper on which the one side is printed is A mask step for masking the detection result of the tray detection step for a predetermined time when it is detected that the paper is conveyed to the paper discharge unit;
When the double-sided printing is set as the print format, the notification unit performs the notification operation even if the switchback is performed in a state where it is not detected that there is a recording sheet on the discharge tray. A non-notification step not to be performed;
A notification method comprising: A tray detection step for detecting the presence of recording paper on the discharge tray;
A notification step of performing a notification operation while it is detected that there is a recording sheet on the discharge tray;
When double-sided printing is set as the print format, a switchback is performed on the paper discharge unit so that a part of the recording paper on which one side is printed is discharged onto the paper discharge tray and then the recording paper is pulled in. A conveyance control step for reversing the printing surface to the other surface of the recording paper,
A paper discharge detection step for detecting that the recording paper is conveyed to the paper discharge unit;
When the double-sided printing is set as the print format, the recording paper on which the one side is printed is not detected in the paper discharge unit in a state where it is not detected that there is a recording paper on the paper discharge tray. When it is detected that it is conveyed, a mask step for masking the detection result of the tray detection step for a certain period of time;
Non-notification step in which the notification operation is not performed even if the switchback is performed in a state where it is not detected that there is a recording sheet on the discharge tray when the double-sided printing is set as the printing format. When,
Program for causing a computer to execute the program.

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