JP2006159679A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve a user's convenience by correctly keeping track of the number of recording mediums in a paper feeding cassette, and comparing the number of recording mediums to be printed for a printing job with the number of recording mediums, searching another printing setting where the number of recording mediums suffices to meet the need of the printing job and reporting to the user, when it is judged that the number of recording mediums is insufficient, and refraining from starting printing when the number of recording mediums is insufficient and preferentially printing a subsequent printing job if the number of recording mediums suffices to complete the subsequent printing job. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming device comprises an image forming means to form an image on a recording medium such as a paper and a contactless information writing/reading means to communicate with a contactless IC having an inherent ID added to the recording medium, and detects the number of remaining recording mediums by reading and counting the inherent ID of the contactless IC by the writing/reading means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium such as paper and detects the remaining amount of the recording medium using a non-contact IC attached to the recording medium.

Conventionally, as a method of detecting the remaining amount of a recording medium using a non-contact IC, the number of printable sheets is registered in advance in a non-contact IC added to the core of an unused roll paper, There has been proposed a recording apparatus that detects the remaining amount of a recording medium by counting the number of printed contact ICs and subtracting the number of printed sheets from the number of printable sheets (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-145899 A

  However, in the conventional technique described above, the number of printable sheets is registered in advance in a non-contact IC added to the core of the roll paper. When this method is applied to an image forming apparatus using a paper cassette, the paper cassette is provided with a non-contact IC, and the remaining amount of recording medium is registered in the non-contact IC of the paper cassette. The remaining amount of the recording medium of the IC is rewritten. However, there is a problem that it takes time to register the remaining amount of the recording medium of the non-contact IC every time the paper is fed to the paper feeding cassette.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the invention described in claim 1 of the present invention is characterized by an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium such as paper and a unique recording medium added to the previous recording medium. A non-contact information writing / reading means for communicating with a non-contact IC having an ID, and reading and counting a unique ID of the non-contact IC by the non-contact information writing / reading means. Since the recording medium remaining amount detection is performed, it is not necessary to provide a non-contact IC in the paper feed cassette, and the image forming apparatus automatically calculates the number of recording media fed when the paper feed cassette is fed. Since it counts and updates, the convenience for a user improves.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, since the non-contact information writing / reading means is provided for each paper feed cassette, recording is performed for each paper feed cassette in an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper feed cassettes. It is possible to accurately grasp the remaining amount of the medium.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading means for reading an image of a document, and a feeder means for causing a plurality of image data to be automatically read by the image reading means. The image reading unit and the feeder unit read a plurality of image data in advance, compared with the recording medium remaining amount detection result by the non-contact information writing / reading unit, when it is determined that the recording medium remaining amount is insufficient, Since the user interface means for notifying the user of the information is provided, the necessary number of recording media can be grasped before starting copy printing, and the convenience for the user is improved.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided interface means for connecting to a host computer or a network, and the number of print data received by the interface means and the non-contact information writing / reading means. Compared with the result of detecting the remaining amount of the recording medium, when it is determined that the remaining amount of the recording medium is insufficient, the information is notified to the user using the interface means, so that the image forming apparatus stops when the remaining amount of the recording medium is insufficient. Therefore, it is possible to prevent another operation (for example, FAX printing) from being performed until the recording medium is fed.

  Further, the invention according to claim 5 of the present invention calculates the number of prints by a printing method (double-sided, reduced layout, etc.) that is not a user-set printing method, and as a result, prints in which shortage of recording medium is eliminated Since the method is configured to notify the user, the user who is not particular about the printing method has more choices of conditions that can be printed within the remaining amount of the recording medium, and the convenience for the user is improved.

  In the invention according to claim 6 of the present invention, when a plurality of print data is received, the print data that does not run out of the recording medium is preferentially printed. If there is a small print request after the request, and the remaining amount of recording medium is insufficient for large-scale printing, if small amount printing is possible within the remaining amount of recording medium, the small amount printing is given priority. By printing, mass printing does not stop due to a shortage of recording media in the middle, and user convenience is improved.

  According to the present invention, the remaining amount of recording medium can be accurately detected, and by comparing with the number of printed sheets, printing can be stopped and notified to the user when the remaining amount of the recording medium is insufficient. Will improve. Further, when the remaining amount of the recording medium is insufficient, the user can be notified of a printing method that can solve the shortage of the remaining amount of the recording medium by a printing method different from the user setting, which improves the convenience for the user. Furthermore, user convenience is improved by preferentially printing print data that does not cause a shortage of recording medium when a plurality of print data is received.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system. An image forming apparatus 1 is connected to a network 3 together with a PC 2. The image forming apparatus 1 performs printing on the recording medium 5 to which the non-contact IC 4 is added and writes information to the non-contact IC 4. The outline of the operation of this system is as follows. The image forming apparatus 1 calculates the number of recording media 5 in a paper feed cassette (not shown) in advance by reading the unique ID of the non-contact IC 4 attached to the recording media 5. When the user A transmits a print job from the PC 2 and information to be written to the non-contact IC 4 to the image forming apparatus 1 via the network 3, the image forming apparatus 1 receives the print job. Calculate what you need. If there are more recording media 5 in the image forming apparatus 1 than the number of recording media 5 required for the print job, printing is performed as it is. If the number of recording media 5 is insufficient, the image forming apparatus 1 notifies the PC 2 of the shortage of recording media via the network 3. At this time, for example, if double-sided printing is used, if the number of recording media 5 is sufficient, the information is notified and the operation of user A is awaited. The print job is held without printing until the shortage of recording media is resolved or the user instructs double-sided printing. If this print job is held and the image forming apparatus 1 receives another print job, if the number of print jobs of the print job is sufficient with the number of recording media 5 of the image forming apparatus 1, Priority is given to print jobs.

  Next, the image forming apparatus 1 in FIG. 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 200 is roughly divided into an image reader unit 201 that reads an original image and a printer unit 202 that reproduces image data read by the image reader unit 201. The image reader unit 201 reads a document with a resolution of 400 dpi (dots / inch) and performs digital signal processing. The printer unit 202 is a part that outputs an image corresponding to the original image read by the image reader unit 201 on a designated sheet at a resolution of 1200 dpi on a full color. In the image reader unit 201, a document 204 on a platen glass (hereinafter referred to as a platen) 203 is irradiated with a lamp 205, guided to mirrors 206, 207, and 208, and light collected by a lens 209 is converted into an electrical signal. An image is formed on a three-line sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 210 to be converted, and sent to the signal processing unit 211 as a full color information red (R), green (G), and blue (B) component. The carriages 205 and 206 are fixed at a speed of v, and 207 and 208 are at a speed of 1/2 v by mechanically moving in the direction perpendicular to the electric scanning (main scanning) direction of the line sensor. The entire surface is scanned (sub-scanning). The signal processing unit 211 electrically processes the read image signal, decomposes it into magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (Bk) components and sends them to the printer unit 202. . In addition, one component of M, C, Y, and Bk is sent to the printer unit 202 for one document scan in the image reader unit 201, and one printout is completed by a total of four document scans. . M, C, Y, and Bk image signals sent from the image reader unit 201 are sent to the laser driver 212. The laser driver 212 modulates and drives the semiconductor laser 213 in accordance with the transmitted image signal. The laser beam scans on the photosensitive drum 217 via the polygon mirror 214, the f-θ lens 215, and the mirror 216. Reference numeral 218 denotes a rotary developing unit, which includes a magenta developing unit 219, a cyan developing unit 220, a yellow developing unit 221, and a black developing unit 222. The four developing units are alternately in contact with the photosensitive drum 217 and formed on the photosensitive drum. The latent image development is developed with toner. A transfer drum 223 winds the paper supplied from the paper cassette 224 or 225 around the transfer drum 223, and transfers the image developed on the photosensitive drum onto the paper. In this way, after the four colors M, C, Y, and Bk are sequentially transferred, the sheet passes through the fixing unit 226 and is discharged after the toner is fixed on the sheet.

  FIG. 3 shows in detail the configuration of a part (controller) for processing an electrical signal of a printer unit for printing on a recording medium such as paper in the image forming apparatus. Reference numeral 301 denotes a CPU for controlling each part of the printer. Reference numeral 302 denotes a RAM for temporarily storing results calculated by the CPU and image data handled by the printer. A ROM 303 stores a program for operating the CPU, font data for generating image data, and the like. Reference numeral 304 denotes a local bus to which the CPU, RAM, and ROM are connected. Reference numeral 305 denotes an I / O bus, which is an internal bus for function expansion. Reference numeral 306 denotes a bridge circuit for connecting the local bus and the I / O bus. A printer unit 307 is a part for forming an image on a recording medium such as paper. There are various types of printer units such as an electrophotographic system and a bubble jet (registered trademark) system. A printer interface unit 308 is used to connect the printer unit to the I / O bus, and can transfer image data stored in the RAM 302 to the printer unit 307 in accordance with instructions from the CPU. It is. Reference numeral 309 denotes a hard disk drive for spooling image data and storing programs for the CPU 301 to perform various processes. Reference numeral 311 denotes a network interface controller, which is used to connect to the local area network indicated by 3 in FIG. An image processing unit (hereinafter referred to as IPU) 312 is for performing image processing such as resolution conversion. Reference numeral 313 denotes a raster image processor. The image data in the page description language transferred from the outside via the network interface circuit 311 is developed into a bitmap image according to the instruction of the CPU 301, and the bit developed in the RAM 302 Used to store map data. Reference numeral 314 denotes a video RAM into which display data displayed on an external CRT or LCD panel is written by the CPU. Reference numeral 315 denotes a video interface, which serves as an interface for displaying display data stored in the VRAM on an external CRT or LCD panel. Reference numeral 316 denotes an extended I / O interface, which is an interface circuit for allowing the CPU of 301 to communicate with a portable device, for example. Communication forms include serial communication, Bicentro interface, or wireless communication such as Bluetooth. A user interface 317 includes an operation panel and a numeric keypad. Reference numeral 500 denotes a non-contact IC reader / writer unit for writing to or reading from a non-contact IC attached to a recording medium on which printing has been performed. Data is read from and written to a non-contact IC such as an RFID described later by wireless communication. Is to do. Reference numeral 700 denotes a non-contact IC reader / writer unit for writing to or reading from a non-contact IC added to the recording media stored in the paper cassettes 224 and 225 of FIG. 2, and a non-contact IC such as RFID described later. In contrast, the number of recording media is calculated by wireless communication.

  FIG. 4 shows in detail the configuration of the portion of the image forming apparatus that processes the electrical signal of the scanner unit. Reference numeral 401 denotes a CPU for controlling each part of the scanner. Reference numeral 402 denotes a RAM for temporarily storing a result calculated by the CPU, image data read by the scanner, and the like. Reference numeral 403 denotes a ROM, which stores a program for operating the CPU. Reference numeral 404 denotes a local bus to which the CPU, RAM, and ROM are connected. Reference numeral 405 denotes an I / O bus, which is an internal bus for function expansion. Reference numeral 406 denotes a bridge circuit for connecting the local bus and the I / O bus. Reference numeral 407 denotes a scanner unit that converts an optical signal read from a document placed on a document table (not shown) into electronic data using a CCD or the like, and transfers the electronic data. Reference numeral 408 denotes a scanner interface unit for connecting the scanner unit to the I / O bus. According to instructions from the CPU, electronic data obtained by reading a document transferred from the scanner is transferred to a RAM 402. It is possible. A network interface controller 410 is used to connect to the local area network indicated by 3 in FIG. Reference numeral 409 denotes an image processing unit (hereinafter referred to as IPU) for performing image processing such as resolution conversion. Reference numeral 411 denotes an extended I / O interface, which is an interface circuit for allowing the CPU of 401 to communicate with a portable device, for example. Communication forms include serial communication, Bicentro interface, or wireless communication such as Bluetooth.

  In FIG. 5, the non-contact IC unit 600 will be described in detail. The non-contact IC unit 600 includes a non-volatile memory 601, an antenna unit for transmitting and receiving a radio wave 602, a resonance capacitor unit 603, a power forming unit for rectifying and smoothing a power source 604, and a radio wave 605 Are composed of a post-modulation unit for performing modulation and demodulation, and a control unit for 606. The antenna portion 602 is combined with a resonance capacitor 603 so that a resonance circuit can be configured. When a radio signal for supplying power is sent from the outside, it is received by the resonance circuit and supplied to the power generation unit shown in 604, and the power generation unit of 604 operates 600 non-contact ICs Therefore, it becomes possible to supply electric power. The power is supplied to a non-volatile memory 601 and a post-modulation circuit 605. The control unit 606 is for controlling the 600 non-contact IC unit. Along with radio waves for supplying power from the outside, data for reading or writing from the non-contact IC unit is also transmitted and received at the same time, and the signal sent to the 600 non-contact IC unit is 605 demodulated. The signal is demodulated by the circuit and stored in the nonvolatile memory 601 via the control unit 606. The data read from the non-volatile memory 601 by the control unit 606 is modulated by the post-modulation circuit 605 and can be transmitted as a radio wave signal from the antenna unit 602.

  In FIG. 6, the reader / writer unit 500 and 700 for reading or writing the non-contact IC added to the recording medium will be described in detail. The reader / writer unit 500 includes a transmission antenna unit 501 for transmitting radio waves to a 600 non-contact IC unit, a modulation circuit 502 for modulating radio waves transmitted from the transmission antenna, and a 600 non-contact IC unit. Demodulating circuit 504 for demodulating signals received from the receiving antenna units of receiving antenna units 503 and 503 for receiving radio waves transmitted from 501, a transmitting antenna unit of 501, a modulating circuit of 502, and receiving of 503 A control unit 505 for controlling the demodulation circuit of the antenna unit and 504, an I / F unit 506 that communicates with a host device, and a transmission antenna unit 501, are connected to 600 non-contact ICs to supply power Consists of a power supply 507. The control unit 505 modulates a radio wave for supplying power and data to be transmitted using a modulation circuit 502 in accordance with an instruction from the outside, and transmits the radio wave from the transmission antenna unit 501 to the outside. Further, a radio signal received from the outside can be received by the receiving antenna unit 503, demodulated by the demodulation circuit 504, and then converted so that it can be handled as a data signal.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus will be described in detail using a flowchart. The flowchart in FIG. 7 is for counting the number of recording media in the paper feed cassette, and is a flowchart showing the operation of the CPU 301 in FIG. Since the number of recording media in the paper cassette 224 or 225 changes when the paper cassette 224 or 225 is opened or closed, the CPU 301 first detects the opening or closing of the paper cassette 224 or 225 in step S1. To do. When the opening / closing of the paper feed cassette 224 or 225 is detected, in step S2, the non-contact IC reader / writer 700 is used to read the unique ID of the non-contact IC added to the recording medium in the paper feed cassette 224 or 225. Next, in step S3, it is determined whether or not the read unique ID is registered in the RAM 302. If the read unique ID is not yet registered, the process proceeds to step S4, the read unique ID is registered in the RAM 302, and the process returns to step S2. On the other hand, if the read unique ID has already been registered, the process proceeds to step S5, where it is determined whether the registered unique ID has been continuously read a predetermined number of times. Here, the certain number of times is a preset value and can be changed by the system. If the registered unique ID has not been read for a certain number of times, the process returns to step S2 again, and an attempt is made to read a unique ID that has not been registered yet. When the registered unique ID is read continuously for a certain number of times, the recording medium counting process is terminated on the assumption that there is no unique ID that has not been registered. The number of registered unique IDs after the end is the number of recording media.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing when the image forming apparatus 1 receives a print job via the network 2. In FIG. 8, when a print job is received in step S11, the CPU 301 analyzes the print job in step S12 and determines the number of prints. Next, the number of recording media counted in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is compared with the number of print jobs counted in step S12 in step S13. If the number of recording media is greater than the number of prints, the process proceeds to step S14 and printing is performed. On the other hand, if the number of prints is greater than the number of recording media, printing will continue and printing will stop halfway due to insufficient recording media. ) To search for a printable setting within the range of the number of recording media. If a printable setting is found within the range of the number of recording media, the process advances to step S16 to notify the user of the printable setting via the network 2. If the user instructs printing with settings that allow printing via the network 2, the process proceeds to step S14, and printing is performed with the settings. On the other hand, if no printable setting is found within the range of the number of recording media in step S15, the process proceeds to step S18 to notify the user of the shortage of recording media via the network 2. In step S19, the process waits until the recording medium is fed. When the recording medium is fed, the process proceeds to step S13, where the number of print jobs and the number of recording media are compared again. As described above, the print job is compared with the number of recording media, and if the print setting is such that the number of recording media is insufficient when printing is started, the print job is held without starting printing. .

  With such control, it is possible to perform the following control when the next print job is received in a state where the print job is held due to insufficient number of recording media. That is, in the flowchart of FIG. 8, if the number of prints is less than the number of recording media, or if the number of prints can be less than the number of recording media with another print setting, and the user instructs printing with that print setting, this print Since the number of recording media is sufficient for the job, printing can be performed first.

  As described above, when the number of recording media is smaller than the number of printed sheets, the printing is not started to prevent the image forming apparatus from stopping during the printing process, and the next print job. The printing order can be changed, and the convenience for the user is improved.

System using image forming apparatus of the present invention Image forming apparatus of the present invention Print controller of image forming apparatus of the present invention Scan controller for image forming apparatus of the present invention Non-contact IC Non-contact IC reader / writer Flowchart of recording medium counting according to the first embodiment Flowchart during printing of the first embodiment

Explanation of symbols

1 Image forming device 2 PC
3 Network 4 Contactless IC
5 Recording medium 224, 225 Paper feed cassette 500 Non-contact IC reader / writer for recording medium 700 Non-contact IC reader / writer for paper feed cassette

Claims (6)

  Image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium such as paper, and non-contact information writing / reading means for communicating with a non-contact IC having a unique ID, which is added to the previous recording medium, And a non-contact information writing / reading unit that reads and counts a unique ID of the non-contact IC to detect the remaining amount of the recording medium.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the non-contact information writing / reading unit is provided for each sheet feeding cassette.   An image reading unit for reading an image of a document, and a feeder unit for automatically reading a plurality of pieces of image data by the image reading unit, and a plurality of sheets are read in advance by the image reading unit and the feeder unit. User interface means for reading image data, comparing with the result of detection of the remaining amount of recording medium by the non-contact information writing / reading means, and notifying the user of the information when it is determined that the remaining amount of recording medium is insufficient. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is characterized.   An interface unit for connecting to a host computer or a network, and comparing the number of print data received by the interface unit with the result of detecting the remaining amount of the recording medium by the non-contact information writing / reading unit; 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the amount is insufficient, the information is notified to the user using the interface unit.   4. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the number of printed sheets is calculated by the printing method in the double-sided or reduced layout, and the user is notified of the printing method in which the shortage of the recording medium is solved as a result. 5. The image forming apparatus according to 4.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when a plurality of print data is received, the print data that does not cause a shortage of the recording medium is preferentially printed.

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