JP6488664B2 - Image forming apparatus, image forming system, and image forming method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and an image forming method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus, when a jam occurs during conveyance of a sheet, all sheets in the apparatus that have already been fed are separated from a sheet discharge tray for discharging a normal output product. An auto-purge function that forcibly discharges paper to the paper discharge tray is used. Since the paper discharged by the auto-purge function is spoiled paper (waste paper), waste of paper increases.

  In addition, when the auto purge function is performed, if a sheet remaining in the apparatus can be reused, a function of reusing the remaining sheet is also known. For example, if it is detected that a jam has occurred during double-sided image formation processing, the in-machine residual paper on which no image is formed on both sides can be used when resuming double-sided image formation processing. There has been proposed an image forming apparatus that discharges only the in-machine residual paper that is determined to be unusable (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2013-235137 A

  However, even when a paper on which an image is not formed exists in the apparatus when a jam occurs, the paper type of the paper (including the paper type, amount of paper, size, orientation, etc.) and the jam. In the case where the paper type on which the image that needs to be formed due to this is formed is different, there is a problem that the paper remaining in the apparatus cannot be used.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to reduce waste paper when the auto purge function is performed.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is an image forming unit configured to convey a fed sheet and an image forming unit that is positioned on a conveyance path of the conveyance unit and forms an image on the sheet. A jam detection unit that detects a jam of the paper, and a control unit that controls the transport unit to discharge the fed paper to a paper discharge tray when the jam detection unit detects the jam. When the jam is detected by the jam detection unit, the control unit corresponds to an image that needs to be formed due to the jam after the jam is released. Compare the paper type of the paper with the paper type of the target paper that has been fed and the image is not formed, and if both match, the target paper is not discharged and the paper is not discharged. Form images that need to be formed on the target paper Was, when the target sheet is a plurality of sheets, and the paper type of the paper corresponding to each image requires a formed due to the jam, and paper type for each target paper of the plurality of target paper, the Comparison is made in the order of image formation.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the control unit includes a paper type corresponding to each image that needs to be formed due to the jam, and the respective objects. When all the paper types of the papers coincide with each other in the image forming order, each image that needs to be formed due to the jam is formed on each target paper.

Invention according to claim 3, in the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit, and the paper type of the paper corresponding to each image requires a formed due to the jam, each subject The paper type of the paper is compared in the order of image formation, and the paper corresponding to the image that needs to be formed due to the jam and the paper that does not match the paper type and the paper located downstream in the paper transport direction are A process of discharging is performed, and the process is repeated for the target paper remaining after discharging.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a conveyance unit that conveys a fed sheet, an image formation unit that is located on a conveyance path of the conveyance unit and that forms an image on the sheet, and detects a paper jam An image forming apparatus comprising: a jam detection unit that controls the conveyance unit to discharge the fed paper onto a paper discharge tray when a jam is detected by the jam detection unit. When the jam is detected by the jam detection unit, the control unit detects the paper type corresponding to the image that needs to be formed due to the jam after the jam is released, Compare the paper type of the target paper that is already formed and an image is not formed, and if both match, the image that needs to be formed due to the jam is discharged without discharging the target paper. Formed on the target paper, due to the jam If the paper type corresponding to the image that needs to be formed does not match the paper type of the target paper, the paper type corresponding to the image that needs to be formed due to the jam is the same as the paper type It is determined whether or not a new sheet can be fed. If the new sheet can be fed, an image that needs to be formed due to the jam is formed on the new sheet.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention , there is provided an image forming system including a paper feeding unit that feeds paper and a paper processing unit that performs predetermined paper processing on the paper, and the paper fed from the paper feeding unit A jam that is detected by the jam detection unit, a jam detection unit that detects a jam of the paper, an image formation unit that forms an image on the paper, and is located on a conveyance path of the conveyance unit. A control unit that controls the transport unit to discharge the fed paper to a paper discharge tray of the paper processing unit, and the control unit detects a jam by the jam detection unit. The paper type corresponding to the image that needs to be formed due to the jam after the jam is released, and the paper type of the target paper that is already fed and has no image formed thereon. , And if both match, the target Each image that needs to be formed due to the jam when the target paper is formed with an image that needs to be formed due to the jam without discharging the paper and there are a plurality of the target sheets. And the paper type of each target paper of the plurality of target papers are compared in the order of image formation.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming system including a paper feeding unit that feeds paper and a paper processing unit that performs predetermined paper processing on the paper, and the paper fed from the paper feeding unit A jam that is detected by the jam detection unit, a jam detection unit that detects a jam of the paper, an image formation unit that forms an image on the paper, and is located on a conveyance path of the conveyance unit. A control unit that controls the transport unit to discharge the fed paper to a paper discharge tray of the paper processing unit, and the control unit detects a jam by the jam detection unit. The paper type corresponding to the image that needs to be formed due to the jam after the jam is released, and the paper type of the target paper that is already fed and has no image formed thereon. , And if both match, the target Without discharging paper, the image formation is required due to the jam is formed on the target paper, and paper type of the paper corresponding to an image it is necessary to form due to the jam, the subject When the paper type of the paper does not match, it is determined whether or not a new paper having the same paper type as the paper corresponding to the image that needs to be formed due to the jam can be fed, and When a new sheet can be fed, an image that needs to be formed due to the jam is formed on the new sheet.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a conveyance unit that conveys a fed sheet, an image formation unit that is located on a conveyance path of the conveyance unit and that forms an image on the sheet, and detects a jam of the sheet An image in an image forming apparatus, comprising: a jam detecting unit that controls the image forming unit; and a control unit that controls the transport unit to discharge a fed sheet to a paper discharge tray when a jam is detected by the jam detecting unit. In the forming method, when the jam is detected by the jam detection unit, the paper type of the paper corresponding to an image that needs to be formed due to the jam after the jam is released Is compared with the paper type of the target paper that has been fed and the image is not formed, and if both match, the target paper is not ejected and the paper needs to be formed due to the jam. Image to be formed on the target paper Extent only contains, in the step, the control unit, the target paper When there are more than one sheet, and the paper type of the paper corresponding to each image requires a formed due to the jam, the plurality The paper type of each target paper of the target paper is compared in the order of image formation.
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a conveyance unit that conveys a fed sheet, an image formation unit that is located on a conveyance path of the conveyance unit and that forms an image on the sheet, and detects a paper jam An image in an image forming apparatus, comprising: a jam detecting unit that controls the image forming unit; and a control unit that controls the transport unit to discharge a fed sheet to a paper discharge tray when a jam is detected by the jam detecting unit. In the forming method, when the jam is detected by the jam detection unit, the paper type of the paper corresponding to an image that needs to be formed due to the jam after the jam is released Is compared with the paper type of the target paper that has been fed and the image is not formed, and if both match, the target paper is not ejected and the paper needs to be formed due to the jam. Image to be formed on the target paper In the step, when the control unit does not match the paper type of the paper corresponding to the image that needs to be formed due to the jam and the paper type of the target paper, the jam It is determined whether it is possible to feed a new paper having the same paper type as the paper corresponding to the image that needs to be formed due to the image, and if the new paper can be fed, Thus, an image that needs to be formed is formed on the new sheet.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce waste paper when performing the auto purge function.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a first jam occurrence process executed in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example A of jam generation. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state where a fed sheet that is not scheduled to be used is discharged in a jam occurrence example A; 6 is a flowchart illustrating a second jam occurrence process executed in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example B of jam generation. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a third jam occurrence process executed in the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example C of jam generation. It is a figure which shows the jam generation example D. FIG.

[First Embodiment]
First, a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The present invention is not limited to the illustrated example.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 100.
The image forming apparatus 100 is a tandem type color image forming apparatus that forms a color image by electrophotography based on image data obtained by reading an image from a document or image data received from an external device. .
The image forming apparatus 100 includes an image forming unit 10, a paper feeding unit 20, and a paper processing unit 30.

The image forming unit 10 is located on the sheet conveyance path and forms an image on the sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit 20.
The image forming unit 10 includes photosensitive drums 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K and primary transfer rollers 42Y, 42M, and 42C corresponding to colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). , 42K, an intermediate transfer belt 43, a secondary transfer roller 44, a fixing unit 45, a registration roller 46, and the like.

After the photoreceptor drum 41Y is uniformly charged, it is scanned and exposed with a laser beam based on yellow image data to form an electrostatic latent image. Then, yellow toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 41Y, and development is performed.
Since the photosensitive drums 41M, 41C, and 41K are the same as the photosensitive drum 41Y except that the handled colors are different, the description thereof is omitted.

The toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drums 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K are sequentially transferred onto the rotating intermediate transfer belt 43 by the primary transfer rollers 42Y, 42M, 42C, and 42K (primary transfer). ). That is, on the intermediate transfer belt 43, a color toner image is formed by superimposing four color toner images.
The color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 43 are collectively transferred onto the paper by the secondary transfer roller 44 (secondary transfer).

  The fixing unit 45 includes a heating roller that heats the sheet on which the color toner image is transferred and a pressure roller that pressurizes the sheet, and fixes the color toner image on the sheet by heating and pressing.

  The registration roller 46 is a roller for aligning the front end position of the paper and sending the paper to the transfer position (image forming position) where the color toner image is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 43 onto the paper.

  The paper supply unit 20 includes a plurality of paper supply trays T1 to T9 and supplies paper. In the paper feed trays T1 to T9, paper of a predetermined paper type is stored for each paper feed tray. Here, the paper type includes the type of paper (plain paper, high-quality paper, recycled paper, coated paper, etc.), the weight (thickness), size, orientation, and the like.

  The paper processing unit 30 performs paper processing such as sorting processing, stapling processing, punch hole punching processing, folding processing, and bookbinding processing on the paper on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 10 as necessary. The paper processing unit 30 discharges the paper to the paper discharge tray T11 or the paper discharge tray T12.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 100.
As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 11, an operation unit 12, a display unit 13, a storage unit 14, a communication unit 15, an image reading unit 16, an image forming unit 10, a paper feeding unit 20, paper processing. Unit 30, a conveyance unit 17, a jam detection unit 18, and the like. Note that description of the functional units already described is omitted.

  The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The CPU reads out various processing programs stored in the ROM in accordance with an operation signal input from the operation unit 12 or an instruction signal received by the communication unit 15, expands the program in the RAM, and displays an image according to the expanded program. The operation of each part of the forming apparatus 100 is centrally controlled.

  The operation unit 12 includes a touch panel formed to cover the display screen of the display unit 13 and various operation buttons such as numeric buttons and a start button, and outputs an operation signal based on a user operation to the control unit 11.

  The display unit 13 is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays various screens according to instructions of display signals input from the control unit 11.

The storage unit 14 is configured by a hard disk, a flash memory, or the like, and stores various data.
For example, job information is stored in the storage unit 14. In the job information, image data for forming an image and the paper type of the paper are associated with each other in the order of image formation.
The storage unit 14 stores a paper use schedule table. In the sheet use schedule table, information indicating an image that needs to be formed due to the jam after the jam is canceled and information indicating a sheet or a paper feed tray to be used are associated with each other in the order of image formation. .

  The communication unit 15 transmits / receives data to / from an external device connected to a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

  The image reading unit 16 includes an ADF (automatic document feeder), a scanner, and the like, and outputs image data obtained by reading an image of the document to the control unit 11.

  The transport unit 17 includes a transport roller for transporting paper, supplies the paper stored in the paper feed trays T1 to T9 of the paper feed unit 20 to the image forming unit 10, and discharges the paper after image formation to the paper discharge tray. The paper is conveyed in the image forming apparatus 100 until it is discharged to T11 and T12.

  The jam detection unit 18 includes a plurality of sensors that detect the presence or absence of a sheet provided in the sheet conveyance path, and detects the occurrence of a jam and its position. For example, the jam detection unit 18 detects a jam as a jam when it is not detected that a sheet has reached one downstream sensor after a predetermined time has elapsed after the sheet has passed through one sensor on the transport path. Detect.

  When the jam is detected by the jam detection unit 18, the control unit 11 can discharge a sheet that has already been fed when the jam occurs (hereinafter referred to as a fed sheet) to the outside of the apparatus. Judge whether there is. When there is a transport path through which the fed paper can be discharged out of the apparatus, the control unit 11 controls the transport unit 17 so that the fed paper passes through the transport path, and the fed paper is Is discharged to a discharge tray that can be discharged (auto purge function). For example, the control unit 11 discharges the fed paper to a paper discharge tray T12 that is different from the paper discharge tray T11 that is normally used.

When the jam detection unit 18 detects a jam, the control unit 11 determines the paper type corresponding to an image that needs to be formed due to the jam after the jam is released, The paper type of the target paper that is an image-unformed paper is compared. An image that needs to be formed due to a jam is an image that corresponds to a sheet that has been determined to be jammed (hereinafter referred to as a jammed sheet) and a sheet that has been fed upstream of the jammed sheet in the sheet transport direction. . In addition, regarding the determination as to whether or not the sheet is an unformed image, for example, when the entire sheet is upstream of the registration roller 46 in the sheet conveyance path, the image is treated as an unformed image. A method may be used.
The control unit 11 controls the transport unit 17 and the image forming unit 10 when the paper type corresponding to the image that needs to be formed due to the jam matches the paper type of the target paper. Then, an image that needs to be formed due to a jam is formed on the target paper without discharging the target paper.

When there are a plurality of target sheets, the control unit 11 selects a paper type corresponding to each image that needs to be formed due to a jam and a paper type of each target sheet of the plurality of target sheets. Comparison is made in the order of image formation.
When the paper type corresponding to each image that needs to be formed due to a jam and the paper type of each target paper all match in the image formation order, the control unit 11 causes the jam. Each image that needs to be formed is formed on each target sheet.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a first jam occurrence process executed in the image forming apparatus 100. This process is realized by software processing in cooperation with the CPU of the control unit 11 and the program stored in the ROM.

  First, the control unit 11 determines whether or not occurrence of a jam is detected by the jam detection unit 18 (step S1). When the occurrence of a jam is detected by the jam detection unit 18 (step S1; YES), the control unit 11 determines the position of each fed paper remaining in the transport path and the paper when the jam occurs. The seed is acquired and stored in the storage unit 14. The control unit 11 obtains the position of the fed paper from the jam detection unit 18 and obtains the paper type of the fed paper from the job information. The jammed paper is removed by the user.

  Next, the control unit 11 sets the recovery paper number indicating the image forming order (paper position order) of the images that need to be formed due to the jam after the jam is released to the first image formed after the jam is released. (N−i) corresponding to the target paper number, and the target paper number indicating the conveyance order / paper feeding order (image formation order) of the target paper is associated with the paper located at the most downstream of the target papers (n−j). ) (Step S2). The most downstream means the discharge port (discharge trays T11 and T12) side most in the sheet conveyance direction.

  Next, the control unit 11 plans to form the paper type of the paper P (n−i) on which the (n−i) th image is to be formed and the (n−j) th image. The paper type of the existing paper P (n−j) is compared, and it is determined whether or not the paper type of the paper P (n−i) matches the paper type of the paper P (n−j) ( Step S3).

  When the paper type of the paper P (n−i) matches the paper type of the paper P (n−j) (step S3; YES), the control unit 11 forms the (n−i) th image. A sheet P (n−j) is scheduled as the sheet to be processed (step S4). The control unit 11 associates the information indicating the (n−i) th image with the information indicating the sheet P (n−j) and stores the information in the sheet use schedule table of the storage unit 14.

  Next, the control unit 11 determines whether there is a next target sheet (step S5). The next target sheet is a sheet fed next to the sheet P (n−j).

  If there is a next target sheet (step S5; YES), the value of i and the value of j are decremented by 1 (step S6), and the process returns to step S3. That is, the control unit 11 uses the changed values of i and j to determine whether the paper type of the paper P (n−i) matches the paper type of the paper P (n−j). to decide.

  In step S5, when there is no next target sheet (step S5; NO), the control unit 11 refers to the sheet use schedule table in the storage unit 14 and has already fed the sheets that are not scheduled to be used. The transport unit 17 is controlled so that the sheet is discharged to a discharge tray T12 that is different from the discharge tray T11 that is normally used (step S7).

  In step S3, when the paper type of the paper P (n−i) and the paper type of the paper P (n−j) do not match (step S3; NO), the control unit 11 determines that all the supplied papers have been supplied. The transport unit 17 is controlled so as to be discharged to the paper discharge tray T12 (step S8).

After step S7 or step S8, the control unit 11 controls the image forming unit 10 and the transport unit 17 to restart image formation (step S9). Specifically, the control unit 11 determines that the paper type corresponding to each image that needs to be formed due to a jam and the paper type of each target paper match in the image forming order. Images that need to be formed due to jamming are sequentially formed on the target paper. On the other hand, the control unit 11 compares a sheet corresponding to each image that needs to be formed due to a jam and each target sheet in the order of image formation, and if there is a sheet whose paper type does not match, Paper is newly fed, and images that need to be formed due to a jam are sequentially formed on the newly fed paper.
This is the end of the first jam occurrence process.

(Jam occurrence example A)
In FIG. 4, as jam occurrence example A, when a job in which two types of paper (paper type Q and paper type R) are mixed is output, a jam occurs on paper P (n−4). An example is shown. In FIG. 4, the paper P (n-4), the paper P (n-2), and the paper P (n) are paper types Q fed from the paper feed tray T9, and the paper P (n-3) ), Paper P (n−1) is paper of paper type R fed from the paper feed tray T4.

  4, the recovery paper number set in step S2 of FIG. 3 is (n−4) corresponding to the paper closest to the paper discharge port remaining in the apparatus when a jam occurs ( i = 4). Further, the target paper number is (n−2) (j = 2) corresponding to the most downstream paper among the papers located upstream from the registration roller 46.

  Since the paper type Q of the paper P (n-4) matches the paper type Q of the paper P (n-2) (step S3; YES), the paper P (n-2) is (n-4). It will be used to form the second image (step S4). Since there is a sheet P (n−1) which is the next target sheet after the sheet P (n−2) (step S5; YES), i = 3 and j = 1 are reset (step S6). The paper types of P (n-3) and paper P (n-1) are compared (step S3).

  Since the paper type R of the paper P (n-3) matches the paper type R of the paper P (n-1) (step S3; YES), the paper P (n-1) is (n-3). It will be used to form the second image (step S4). Since there is a sheet P (n) that is the next target sheet after the sheet P (n−1) (step S5; YES), i = 2 and j = 0 are reset (step S6), and the sheet P ( The paper types of n-2) and paper P (n) are compared (step S3).

  Since the paper type Q of the paper P (n-2) matches the paper type Q of the paper P (n) (step S3; YES), the paper P (n) displays the (n-2) th image. It will be used to form (step S4). Since there is no next target paper after the paper P (n) (step S5; NO), the paper that has already been fed except the paper that is scheduled to be used, that is, the paper P (n-3) downstream from the registration roller 46. Is discharged to a discharge tray T12 that is different from the discharge tray T11 that is normally used (step S7).

  FIG. 5 shows a state in which the paper P (n-3) is discharged to the paper discharge tray T12. When the image formation is resumed (step S9), the (n−4) th image, (n−) for each of the paper P (n−2), the paper (n−1), and the paper P (n). 3) The (n-2) th image is formed. The (n-1) th image and the (n) th image are re-started from the paper feed and image formation is performed.

  If a sheet located downstream of the jammed paper exists in the transport path in the image forming apparatus 100 when a jam occurs, the image forming operation for the downstream paper is terminated to the end, and a normal paper discharge tray is used. What is necessary is just to discharge | emit to T11.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the paper type corresponding to the image that needs to be formed due to the jam is compared with the paper type of the target paper, and the two match. In this case, an image that needs to be formed due to a jam is formed on the target paper without discharging the target paper. Compared to the case where all the fed paper is discharged, the auto purge function It is possible to reduce waste paper when performing the above.

If there are multiple target papers, the paper type corresponding to each image that needs to be formed due to a jam is compared with the paper type of each target paper in the order of image formation. Paper can be used.
Also, if the paper type corresponding to each image that needs to be formed due to a jam matches the paper type of each target paper in the order of image formation, formation is necessary due to the jam. Are formed on each target sheet, a plurality of target sheets can be used in order.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described.
Since the image forming apparatus 200 in the second embodiment has the same configuration as the image forming apparatus 100 shown in the first embodiment, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are used, and the configuration is illustrated and described. Is omitted. Hereinafter, a configuration and processing characteristic of the second embodiment will be described.

  The control unit 11 compares the paper type corresponding to each image that needs to be formed due to a jam and the paper type of each target paper in the order of image formation, and needs to be formed due to a jam. Processing is performed to discharge the target paper whose paper type does not match the paper corresponding to the image and the paper located downstream in the paper transport direction, and the same processing is repeated for the target paper remaining after discharge.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment will be described.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a second jam occurrence process executed in the image forming apparatus 200. This process is realized by software processing in cooperation with the CPU of the control unit 11 and the program stored in the ROM.

  Since the processing from step S11 to step S17 is the same as the processing from step S1 to step S7 shown in the first jam occurrence processing in FIG.

  In step S13, when the paper type of the paper P (n−i) and the paper type of the paper P (n−j) do not match (step S13; NO), the control unit 11 determines that the paper P (n−j). ) And all the sheets positioned downstream of the sheet P (n−j) are controlled to be discharged to the sheet discharge tray T12 (step S18). Here, the control unit 11 deletes the information in the paper use schedule table stored in the storage unit 14.

  Next, the control part 11 sets the value of i to an initial value (step S19). Specifically, the control unit 11 resets the value of i to the value of i set in step S12.

  Next, the control unit 11 determines whether there is a next target sheet (step S20). If there is a next target sheet (step S20; YES), the value of j is decremented by 1 (step S21), and the process returns to step S13. That is, the control unit 11 uses the value of i reset to the initial value and the changed value of j to use the paper type of the paper P (n−i) and the paper type of the paper P (n−j). Whether or not matches is determined.

After step S17 or when there is no next target sheet in step S20 (step S20; NO), the control unit 11 controls the image forming unit 10 and the conveyance unit 17 to resume image formation. (Step S22). Specifically, the control unit 11 uses the target paper for the part in which the target paper is arranged in the same order as the paper type of the paper corresponding to the image that needs to be formed due to the jam. For the shortage of paper, new paper is fed and images that need to be formed due to jamming are sequentially formed on the paper.
This is the end of the second jam occurrence process.

(Jam occurrence example B)
In FIG. 7, as jam occurrence example B, when a job in which two types of paper (paper type Q and paper type R) are mixed is output, a jam occurs on paper P (n−4). An example is shown. In FIG. 7, the paper P (n-4), the paper P (n-2), and the paper P (n) are paper types Q fed from the paper feed tray T9, and the paper P (n-3) ), Paper P (n−1) is paper of paper type R fed from the paper feed tray T4.

  Under the situation of FIG. 7, the recovery paper number set in step S12 of FIG. 6 is (n-4) (i = 4), and the target paper number is (n-1) (j = 1). Since a part of the paper P (n-2) passes through the registration roller 46, it is determined that the image has been formed.

  Since the paper type Q of the paper P (n-4) and the paper type R of the paper P (n-1) do not match (step S13; NO), the paper P (n-1) and the paper P (n-1) The paper P (n-2) and the paper P (n-3) located downstream of the paper are discharged to the paper discharge tray T12 (step S18).

  Next, the value of i is reset to 4 which is an initial value (step S19). Since there is a sheet P (n) that is the next target sheet after the sheet P (n−1) (step S20; YES), j = 0 is reset (step S21), and the sheet P (n− 4) and the paper type of paper P (n) are compared (step S13).

  Since the paper type Q of the paper P (n-4) and the paper type Q of the paper P (n) match (step S13; YES), the paper P (n) displays the (n-4) th image. It will be used to form (step S14). Since there is no target sheet next to the sheet P (n) (step S15; NO), the process proceeds to step S17. However, since the sheet P (n-3) to the sheet P (n-1) have already been discharged, There is no paper ejected here.

  When image formation is resumed (step S22), the (n-4) th image is formed on the paper P (n). The (n-3) -th image, the (n-2) -th image, the (n-1) -th image, and the (n) -th image are redone from the paper feed and image formation is performed.

  In FIG. 7, the paper types of the paper P (n-1) and the paper P (n-4) do not match, but the paper type of the paper P (n) upstream from the paper P (n-1) is the paper P (n). Since it matches the paper type n-4), the paper P (n) is used for forming the (n-4) th image, and is a paper that has been fed downstream of the paper P (n) (paper). P (n-3) to paper P (n-1)) are discharged to the paper discharge tray T12.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the paper type corresponding to the image that needs to be formed due to the jam is compared with the paper type of the target paper, and the two match. In this case, an image that needs to be formed due to a jam is formed on the target paper without discharging the target paper. Compared to the case where all the fed paper is discharged, the auto purge function It is possible to reduce waste paper when performing the above.

  In addition, when there are multiple target papers, the paper type corresponding to each image that needs to be formed due to a jam is compared with the paper type of each target paper in the order of image formation. Since the sheet and the sheet located downstream thereof are discharged, it is possible to repeatedly determine whether there is a target sheet that can be used.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described.
Since the image forming apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment has the same configuration as the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are used, and the configuration is illustrated and described. Is omitted. Hereinafter, a configuration and processing characteristic of the third embodiment will be described.

  When the paper type of the paper corresponding to the image that needs to be formed due to the jam does not match the paper type of the target paper, the control unit 11 converts the image that needs to be formed due to the jam. It is determined whether or not a new paper having the same paper type as the corresponding paper can be fed. The control unit 11 controls the conveyance unit 17 and the image forming unit 10 when a new sheet having the same paper type as the sheet corresponding to the image that needs to be formed due to the jam can be fed, An image that needs to be formed due to a jam is formed on a new sheet.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment will be described.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a third jam occurrence process executed in the image forming apparatus 300. This process is realized by software processing in cooperation with the CPU of the control unit 11 and the program stored in the ROM.

  The processing in steps S31 to S37 is the same as the processing in steps S1 to S7 shown in the first jam occurrence processing in FIG.

  In step S33, when the paper type of the paper P (n−i) and the paper type of the paper P (n−j) do not match (step S33; NO), the control unit 11 determines the paper P (n−i). ) Is determined whether or not a sheet of the same sheet type as () can be inserted from the same sheet feed tray (the sheet feed tray set in advance) as the sheet tray to which the sheet P (ni) is fed. (Step S38). Specifically, the control unit 11 corresponds to the sheet on which the (ni) -th image is formed without preventing the sheet remaining in the conveyance path from being fed from the corresponding sheet feeding tray. It is determined whether paper can be fed from the paper feed tray.

  When a paper of the same paper type as the paper P (n−i) cannot be inserted from the preset paper feed tray (step S38; NO), the control unit 11 determines that the paper P (n−i) It is determined whether or not the same type of paper can be inserted from a paper feed tray different from the preset paper feed tray (step S39). Specifically, the control unit 11 can transport a sheet of the same paper type as that of the sheet P (n−i) from another sheet feeding tray even if there is a sheet remaining in the conveyance path. Determine if there is a route.

  When a paper of the same paper type as the paper P (n−i) cannot be inserted from another paper feed tray (step S39; NO), the control unit 11 determines that the paper P (n−j) and the paper P The transport unit 17 is controlled to discharge all sheets positioned downstream of (n−j) to the sheet discharge tray T12 (step S40). Here, the control unit 11 deletes the information in the paper use schedule table stored in the storage unit 14.

  Next, the control part 11 sets the value of i to an initial value (step S41). Specifically, the control unit 11 resets the value of i to the value of i set in step S32.

  Next, the control unit 11 determines whether there is a next target sheet (step S42). If there is a next target sheet (step S42; YES), the value of j is decremented by 1 (step S43), and the process returns to step S33. That is, the control unit 11 uses the value of i reset to the initial value and the changed value of j to use the paper type of the paper P (n−i) and the paper type of the paper P (n−j). Whether or not matches is determined.

  In step S38, when a paper of the same paper type as the paper P (n−i) can be inserted from the preset paper feed tray (step S38; YES), the control unit 11 (n− i) As a sheet on which the image is formed, a sheet newly fed from a preset sheet feeding tray is scheduled (step S44). The control unit 11 associates the information indicating the (n−i) -th image with the information indicating the preset paper feed tray and stores the information in the paper use schedule table of the storage unit 14.

  In step S39, when a sheet of the same paper type as the sheet P (n−i) can be inserted from another sheet feeding tray (step S39; YES), the control unit 11 determines the (n−i) th. As a sheet on which the image is formed, a sheet newly fed from another sheet feeding tray is scheduled (step S44). The control unit 11 associates the information indicating the (n−i) th image with the information indicating another paper feed tray and stores the information in the paper usage schedule table of the storage unit 14.

  After step S44, the controller 11 decrements the value of i by 1 (step S45), and returns to step S33. That is, the control unit 11 uses the changed value of i and the current value of j to determine whether the paper type of the paper P (n−i) matches the paper type of the paper P (n−j). Determine whether.

After step S37 or when there is no next target sheet in step S42 (step S42; NO), the control unit 11 controls the image forming unit 10 and the transport unit 17 to resume image formation. (Step S46). Specifically, the control unit 11 sequentially forms images that need to be formed due to a jam on a target sheet or a newly fed sheet.
This is the end of the third jam occurrence process.

(Jam occurrence example C)
In FIG. 9, as a jam occurrence example C, when a job in which two types of paper (paper type Q and paper type R) are mixed is output, a jam occurs on the paper P (n-4). An example is shown. In FIG. 9, the paper P (n-4), the paper P (n-3), the paper P (n-2), and the paper P (n-1) are paper types Q fed from the paper feed tray T9. The paper P (n) is a paper of the paper type R fed from the paper feed tray T4. Here, the paper P (n) remains on the transport path 52 before the paper P (n) joins the transport path 51 on which the paper fed from the paper feed tray T9 is transported.

  Under the situation of FIG. 9, the recovery paper number set in step S32 of FIG. 8 is (n-4) (i = 4), and the target paper number is (n-1) (j = 1).

  Since the paper type Q of the paper P (n-4) matches the paper type Q of the paper P (n-1) (step S33; YES), the paper P (n-1) is (n-4). This is used to form the second image (step S34). Since there is a sheet P (n) that is the next target sheet after the sheet P (n−1) (step S35; YES), i = 3 and j = 0 are reset (step S36), and the sheet P ( The paper types of n-3) and paper P (n) are compared (step S33).

  Since the paper type Q of the paper P (n-3) and the paper type R of the paper P (n) do not match (step S33; NO), the paper of the same paper type Q as the paper P (n-3) is fed. It is determined whether or not insertion from the tray T9 is possible (step S38). The paper of the paper type Q can be inserted from the paper feed tray T9 without passing through the transport path 52 where the paper P (n) remains (step S38; YES), so the (n-3) th image. Is newly fed from the paper feed tray T9 (step S44).

  Next, i = 2 is reset (step S45), and the paper types of the paper P (n-2) and the paper P (n) are compared (step S33).

  Since the paper type Q of the paper P (n-2) and the paper type R of the paper P (n) do not match (step S33; NO), the paper of the same paper type Q as the paper P (n-2) is fed. It is determined whether or not insertion from the tray T9 is possible (step S38). Since the paper of the paper type Q can be inserted from the paper feed tray T9 without passing through the transport path 52 where the paper P (n) remains (step S38; YES), the (n-2) th image Is newly fed from the paper feed tray T9 (step S44).

  Next, i is reset to 1 (step S45), and the paper types of the paper P (n-1) and the paper P (n) are compared (step S33).

  Since the paper type Q of the paper P (n-1) and the paper type R of the paper P (n) do not match (step S33; NO), the paper of the same paper type Q as the paper P (n-1) is fed. It is determined whether or not insertion from the tray T9 is possible (step S38). Since the paper of the paper type Q can be inserted from the paper feed tray T9 without passing through the transport path 52 where the paper P (n) remains (step S38; YES), the (n-1) th image Is newly fed from the paper feed tray T9 (step S44).

  Next, i = 0 is reset (step S45), and the paper types of the paper P (n) and the paper P (n) are compared (step S33). Since the paper type R of the paper P (n) and the paper type R of the paper P (n) match (step S33; YES), the paper P (n) forms the (n) th image. It will be used (step S34).

  Since there is no target paper next to the paper P (n) (step S35; NO), the paper already supplied excluding the paper to be used, that is, the paper P (n-3) and the paper P (n− 2) is discharged to a discharge tray T12 different from the normally used discharge tray T11 (step S37).

  When the image formation is resumed (step S46), the (n-4) th image is formed on the paper P (n-1). The (n−3) -th image (n−3) th image (n−3) is obtained for the paper Q of paper type Q newly fed from the paper feed tray T9 while the paper P (n) remains in the transport path 52. -2) The (n-1) th image is formed. Thereafter, the (n) th image is formed on the paper P (n) remaining in the transport path 52.

(Jam occurrence example D)
In FIG. 10, as a jam occurrence example D, when a job in which two types of paper (paper type Q and paper type R) are mixed is output, a jam occurs on the paper P (n-4). An example is shown. In FIG. 10, the paper P (n-4), the paper P (n-2), and the paper P (n) are paper types Q fed from the paper feed tray T9, and the paper P (n-3) ), Paper P (n−1) is paper of paper type R fed from the paper feed tray T4.

  In the situation of FIG. 10, the recovery paper number set in step S32 of FIG. 8 is (n-4) (i = 4), and the target paper number is (n-1) (j = 1).

Since the paper type Q of the paper P (n-4) does not match the paper type R of the paper P (n-1) (step S33; NO), a paper of the same paper type Q as the paper P (n-4) is used. It is determined whether or not insertion from the paper feed tray T9 is possible (step S38). However, since the sheet P (n−1) and the sheet P (n) exist in the transport path 61, a new sheet cannot be fed from the sheet feeding tray T9 (step S38; NO). It is determined whether or not a sheet of the same sheet type Q as in n-4) can be inserted from another sheet feeding tray (step S39). Here, since paper of the paper type Q is put in another paper feed tray T3, new paper can be fed from the paper feed tray T3 using the transport path 62 (step S39; YES). The paper for forming the n-4) th image is newly fed from the paper feed tray T3 (step S44).
For example, the control unit 11 displays a message “Please insert paper of type Q in the paper feed tray T3” on the display unit 13.

  Next, i = 3 is reset (step S45), and the paper types of the paper P (n-3) and the paper P (n-1) are compared (step S33).

  Since the paper type R of the paper P (n-3) matches the paper type R of the paper P (n-1) (step S33; YES), the paper P (n-1) is (n-3). This is used to form the second image (step S34). Since there is a sheet P (n) that is the next target sheet after the sheet P (n−1) (step S35; YES), i = 2 and j = 0 are reset (step S36), and the sheet P ( The paper types of n-2) and paper P (n) are compared (step S33).

  Since the paper type Q of the paper P (n-2) matches the paper type Q of the paper P (n) (step S33; YES), the paper P (n) displays the (n-2) th image. It will be used to form (step S34). Since there is no target paper next to the paper P (n) (step S35; NO), the paper already supplied excluding the paper to be used, that is, the paper P (n-3) and the paper P (n− 2) is discharged to a discharge tray T12 different from the normally used discharge tray T11 (step S37).

  When the image formation is resumed (step S46), the (n-4) th image is formed on the paper Q of paper type Q newly fed from the paper feed tray T3, and the paper P (n-1) is formed. ), The (n-3) th image is formed, and the (n-2) th image is formed on the paper P (n). The (n-1) th image and the (n) th image are re-started from the paper feed and image formation is performed.

  As described above, even when the paper types of the paper P (n-1) and the paper P (n-4) are different, the transport path 62 for feeding paper from another paper feed tray T3 is secured. Can set and output a paper of the same paper type Q as the paper P (n-4) in another paper feed tray T3.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, the paper type corresponding to the image that needs to be formed due to the jam is compared with the paper type of the target paper, and the two match. In this case, an image that needs to be formed due to a jam is formed on the target paper without discharging the target paper. Compared to the case where all the fed paper is discharged, the auto purge function It is possible to reduce waste paper when performing the above.

  In addition, when the paper type corresponding to the image that needs to be formed due to the jam and the paper type of the target paper do not match, the new paper can be handled by feeding a new paper. In contrast, since an image that needs to be formed due to a jam is formed, the target sheet can be used efficiently.

  The description in each of the above embodiments is an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this. The detailed configuration and detailed operation of each part constituting the apparatus can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, in each of the above embodiments, the image forming apparatus includes the paper feeding unit 20 and the paper processing unit 30. However, each of the paper feeding unit 20 and the paper processing unit 30 is an independent device, and these are configured as image forming units. An image forming system connected to the image forming unit may be configured.

  In each of the above embodiments, when a jam has occurred, a case has been described in which a user removes a jammed paper and then discharges a fed paper that is not scheduled to be used. However, there is a jammed paper. However, if there is a transport path that can eject the paper that is not scheduled to be used, the user removes the jammed paper after ejecting the paper that is not planned to be used. The image formation may be resumed.

  In the above description, an example in which a ROM is used as a computer-readable medium storing a program for executing each process is disclosed, but the present invention is not limited to this example. As other computer-readable media, a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory and a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM can be applied. A carrier wave may be applied as a medium for providing program data via a communication line.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming part 11 Control part 14 Memory | storage part 17 Conveyance part 18 Jam detection part 20 Paper feed part 30 Paper processing part 46 Registration roller 100,200,300 Image forming apparatus T1-T9 Paper feed tray T11, T12 Paper discharge tray

Claims (8)

A transport unit for transporting the fed paper;
An image forming unit that is located on a transport path of the transport unit and that forms an image on a sheet;
A jam detection unit for detecting a paper jam;
A control unit that controls the transport unit to discharge a fed paper to a paper discharge tray when a jam is detected by the jam detection unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising:
When a jam is detected by the jam detection unit, the control unit includes a paper type corresponding to an image that needs to be formed due to the jam after the jam is released, When the paper type of the target paper that is an image-unformed paper is compared, and the two match, an image that needs to be formed due to the jam is discharged without discharging the target paper. It is formed on,
When there are a plurality of the target papers, image formation is performed on the paper type corresponding to each image that needs to be formed due to the jam and the paper type of each target paper of the plurality of target papers. An image forming apparatus to compare in order . When the paper type corresponding to each image that needs to be formed due to the jam and the paper type of each target paper match in the image forming order, the control unit sets the jam to the jam. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein each image that needs to be formed is formed on each target sheet. The control unit compares the paper type corresponding to each image that needs to be formed due to the jam and the paper type of each target paper in the order of image formation, and forms due to the jam. The target paper whose paper type does not match the paper corresponding to the image that needs to be discharged and the paper positioned downstream in the paper transport direction are discharged, and the processing is performed on the target paper remaining after discharge. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, which is repeated. A transport unit for transporting the fed paper;
An image forming unit that is located on a transport path of the transport unit and that forms an image on a sheet;
A jam detection unit for detecting a paper jam;
A control unit that controls the transport unit to discharge a fed paper to a paper discharge tray when a jam is detected by the jam detection unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising:
When a jam is detected by the jam detection unit, the control unit includes a paper type corresponding to an image that needs to be formed due to the jam after the jam is released, When the paper type of the target paper that is an image-unformed paper is compared, and the two match, an image that needs to be formed due to the jam is discharged without discharging the target paper. To form
When the paper type of the paper corresponding to the image that needs to be formed due to the jam does not match the paper type of the target paper, it corresponds to the image that needs to be formed due to the jam. It is determined whether or not a new sheet having the same paper type as that of the sheet can be fed. When the new sheet can be fed, an image that needs to be formed due to the jam is displayed on the new sheet. images forming apparatus Ru is formed. An image forming system including a paper feeding unit that feeds paper and a paper processing unit that performs predetermined paper processing on the paper,
A transport unit for transporting paper fed from the paper feed unit;
An image forming unit that is located on a transport path of the transport unit and that forms an image on a sheet;
A jam detection unit for detecting a paper jam;
A control unit that controls the transport unit to discharge a fed paper to a paper discharge tray of the paper processing unit when a jam is detected by the jam detection unit;
With
When a jam is detected by the jam detection unit, the control unit includes a paper type corresponding to an image that needs to be formed due to the jam after the jam is released, When the paper type of the target paper that is an image-unformed paper is compared, and the two match, an image that needs to be formed due to the jam is discharged without discharging the target paper. It is formed on,
When there are a plurality of the target papers, image formation is performed on the paper type corresponding to each image that needs to be formed due to the jam and the paper type of each target paper of the plurality of target papers. An image forming system to compare in order . An image forming system including a paper feeding unit that feeds paper and a paper processing unit that performs predetermined paper processing on the paper,
A transport unit for transporting paper fed from the paper feed unit;
An image forming unit that is located on a transport path of the transport unit and that forms an image on a sheet;
A jam detection unit for detecting a paper jam;
A control unit that controls the transport unit to discharge a fed paper to a paper discharge tray of the paper processing unit when a jam is detected by the jam detection unit;
With
When a jam is detected by the jam detection unit, the control unit includes a paper type corresponding to an image that needs to be formed due to the jam after the jam is released, When the paper type of the target paper that is an image-unformed paper is compared, and the two match, an image that needs to be formed due to the jam is discharged without discharging the target paper. To form
When the paper type of the paper corresponding to the image that needs to be formed due to the jam does not match the paper type of the target paper, it corresponds to the image that needs to be formed due to the jam. It is determined whether or not a new sheet having the same paper type as that of the sheet can be fed. When the new sheet can be fed, an image that needs to be formed due to the jam is displayed on the new sheet. An image forming system to be formed. A transport unit that transports the fed paper, an image forming unit that is positioned on a transport path of the transport unit and forms an image on the paper, a jam detection unit that detects a jam of the paper, and the jam detection An image forming method in an image forming apparatus, comprising: a control unit that controls the transport unit to discharge a fed paper to a discharge tray when a jam is detected by a unit;
When the jam is detected by the jam detection unit, the control unit detects the paper type corresponding to an image that needs to be formed due to the jam after the jam is released, When the paper type of the target paper that is an image-unformed paper is compared, and the two match, an image that needs to be formed due to the jam is discharged without discharging the target paper. the step of forming the only free,
In the step, when there are a plurality of the target sheets, the control unit determines a paper type corresponding to each image that needs to be formed due to the jam and each target of the plurality of target sheets. An image forming method for comparing the type of paper with the order of image formation. A transport unit that transports the fed paper, an image forming unit that is positioned on a transport path of the transport unit and forms an image on the paper, a jam detection unit that detects a jam of the paper, and the jam detection An image forming method in an image forming apparatus, comprising: a control unit that controls the transport unit to discharge a fed paper to a discharge tray when a jam is detected by a unit;
When the jam is detected by the jam detection unit, the control unit detects the paper type corresponding to an image that needs to be formed due to the jam after the jam is released, When the paper type of the target paper that is an image-unformed paper is compared, and the two match, an image that needs to be formed due to the jam is discharged without discharging the target paper. Including the step of forming
In the step, when the paper type of the paper corresponding to the image that needs to be formed due to the jam does not match the paper type of the target paper, the control unit causes the jam. It is determined whether it is possible to feed a new paper having the same paper type as the paper corresponding to the image that needs to be formed. If the new paper can be fed, the paper is formed due to the jam. An image forming method for forming an image that needs to be formed on the new paper.

Images