Printing apparatus, method of controlling the same, and storage medium for setting information on sheets

Provided is a printing apparatus that, if information on sheets held by sheet holding unit for holding sheets is set, prints images based on the set information on sheets, and a method for controlling the printing apparatus. In a case that a job that uses the sheet holding unit has been interrupted when sheets are placed on the sheet holding unit, printing is performed based on information on sheets that was designated by the job.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a method of controlling the same, and a storage medium.

2. Description of the Related Art

An image forming apparatus includes one or more sheet storage units, and feeds sheets stored in the sheet storage units one by one, thus performing image formation on the sheets. The sheet storage units include cassettes for storing sheets in the apparatus, a deck on which a large amount of sheets are stored, and a manual feed tray on which a small amount of sheets can easily be placed instead of being stored inside the apparatus. Sheets that have the special shape and type such that they cannot be placed in the sheet feed cassettes are often set on the manual feed tray, and it is common that each time a user places sheets on the manual feed tray, the user is required to set the shape and type of the sheets.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-192158 discloses a technique for preventing, when a manual feed tray has run out of sheets and a user has to set sheets on the manual feed tray again, the sheet size from being misrecognized without regard to a guide width sensing mechanism of the manual feed tray, and wrong-sized sheets from being conveyed.

When feeding sheets from a manual feed tray or a similar sheet storage unit and then performing printing, there may be a case where, after a print job was input, sheets are placed on the sheet storage unit that has run out of sheets. At that time, although the print job for which the sheet size and the sheet type were already defined is being executed, setting of the sheet size and the sheet type has to be performed again at a timing at which sheets are placed on the sheet storage unit. Therefore, the user needs to input again sheet information for the sheet storage unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned problems which are found in the conventional technology.

A feature of the present invention is to provide a technique in which, if a job that uses a sheet holding unit has been interrupted when sheets are placed on the sheet holding unit, printing is performed based on information on sheets that was designated by the job.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided printing apparatus comprising: a sheet holding unit configured to hold sheets; a setting unit configured to set information on sheets held by the sheet holding unit; and a printing unit configured to print images based on the information on sheets set by the setting unit, wherein, in a case that a job that uses the sheet holding unit has been interrupted when sheets are placed on the sheet holding unit, the printing unit performs printing based on information on sheets designated by the job.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a printing apparatus, comprising the steps of: setting information on sheets held by a sheet holding unit for holding sheets in order to let a printing unit perform printing based on the information on sheets; and controlling, in a case that a job that uses the sheet holding unit has been interrupted when sheets are placed on the sheet holding unit, the printing unit to perform printing based on information on sheets designated by the job.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus, comprising: a sheet holding unit configured to hold sheets; a setting unit configured to set information on sheets holed by the sheet holding unit; and a printing unit configured to print images based on the information on sheets set by the setting unit, wherein, when sheets are placed on the sheet holding unit, the setting unit sets information on sheets that corresponds to a button selected via a screen that displays buttons each associated with information on sheets in advance.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a Multi-Function Peripheral (MFP)100, which serves as an example of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

InFIG. 1, a controller101controls the MFP100, and has a hardware configuration shown inFIG. 2. A scanner102reads an original document under control of the controller101, and outputs image data that corresponds to an image of the original document. A printer engine103is, in this embodiment, a laser beam printer engine and performs printing under control of the controller101. The printer engine103is connected to a finisher104, and the finisher104can staple a plurality of record media (for example, sheets) discharged from the printer engine103together. Note that the finisher104as well is controlled by the controller101. A network interface105can perform two-way communication with a PC107via a network108. A console unit106includes a display unit having a touch panel function, various types of hard keys, and the like, and is configured to display images, messages, and the like based on the information from the controller101, and to give instructions from users to the controller101.

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the controller101and connection between the controller101and the peripherals thereof according to the first embodiment.

In the controller101, a CPU201is connected, via a bus209, to a memory202, a display unit203and a keyboard204, which constitute the console unit106, a ROM210, and a disk211. Various types of programs and data that are to be executed by the CPU201are stored in the disk211such as a hard disk or a Floppy™ disk, and these programs are sequentially read on the memory202as needed and executed under control of the CPU201. This disk211may be removable from and attachable to the MFP100, or may be built in the MFP100. Furthermore, a configuration is also possible in which the programs are downloaded from another MFP, a PC, or the like via the network108and stored in the disk211. Furthermore, the memory202may have functions of both a volatile memory such as a DRAM and a nonvolatile memory such as a nvSRAM, or a configuration is also possible in which the memory202functions as a volatile memory and the disk211functions as a nonvolatile memory. Alternatively, the memory202may be a removable memory medium.

The CPU201performs display by outputting data on the display unit203, and receives an instruction from a user by inputting data from the keyboard204or the display unit203having a touch panel function. The input information is transmitted to the memory202or the disk211, is accumulated there, and is used for various types of processing. Furthermore, the network interface105is connected to the bus209. The CPU201performs communication using the interface by reading or writing data from or into the interface.

Moreover, the printer engine103, the finisher104, and the scanner102are connected to the bus209. By reading or writing data from or into these engines, the CPU201can control operations of the engines, such as printing or scanning, and can obtain various types of status. Image data obtained from the scanner102or the network interface105can be saved in the disk211or the memory202of the controller101. Furthermore, by mounting a removable memory, in which image data is accumulated in advance, on the controller101, it is also possible to import the image data. The image data accumulated in the disk211can be shifted or copied to the memory202, and it is possible to combine with the image data of the memory202various additional images (for example, numeric characters of page numbers) depending on contents of instructions from the console unit106. Note that a configuration is also possible in which the scanner102, the printer engine103, and the finisher104are provided not in the MFP100but as separate peripheral devices on the network, and are controlled by the controller101of the MFP100.

FIG. 3depicts an overview of the MFP100according to the first embodiment.

The scanner102illuminates an image of an original document, scans the original document with a CCD line sensor, and thereby converts the image of the original document into electrical image data. Determination of color and size of the original document is performed based on the electrical image data.

The printer engine103prints images on sheets based on the image data. Then, the finisher104performs post-processing, such as stapling or binding, on the printed sheets, and outputs the sheets. Activation and termination of printing operation are performed by instructions from the CPU201. The reference numeral304denotes a manual feed tray. Here, the printer engine103includes the manual feed tray304and a plurality of sheet feed stages (sheet feed cassettes: sheet storage units).

FIG. 4depicts a top view of the console unit106of the MFP100according to the first embodiment.

The display unit203has a touch panel sheet adhered to a liquid crystal screen thereof, and is configured to display an operation screen and soft keys, and to transmit, if any of the displayed keys is pressed, position information of the pressed key to the CPU201. A start key402is used for starting, for example, operation for reading an image of an original document. The start key402includes, in the central part thereof, a two-color (green and red) LED403, green indicating the state in which the start key402is ready for use, and red indicating the state in which the start key402is non-usable. A stop key404functions to stop a job operation that is being executed. A numeric keypad405is constituted by a group of number and character buttons, and is used for setting the number of copies, inputting facsimile numbers, and the like. A user mode key406is pressed when, for example, apparatus settings are configured.

FIGS. 5A and 5Bdepict overhead views of the manual feed tray304of the MFP100.

InFIG. 5A, the manual feed tray304includes guides502that are freely movable on rails503, and the positions of these guides502can be adjusted according to the size of sheets that are to be placed.

The reference numeral505ofFIG. 5Bindicates the positions of the guides when A4 size sheets are placed in the longitudinal direction, and the reference numeral506indicates the positions of the guides when A4 size sheets are placed in the lateral direction. A sensor504detects that sheets have been placed on the manual feed tray304. If sheets are placed on this sensor504, the controller101can detect that the sheets are placed on the manual feed tray304.

FIGS. 6A to 6Hare diagrams illustrating a method for setting a sheet size and a sheet type in the MFP100according to the first embodiment.

Setting of sheet information for the manual feed tray304is performed such that the sensor504detects placement of sheets if the sheets are placed on the manual feed tray304, and a sheet size setting screen shown inFIG. 6Ais displayed. The sheet size can be set via this screen.

A standard size button group601is a group of buttons for setting a standard sheet size, and a user can register a standard sheet size the user wants to set for the manual feed tray304by pressing a button that corresponds to the size.

A user setting button602is pressed when the user wants to set sheets having a particular size. If the user setting button602is pressed, a user-configurable size input screen shown inFIG. 6Cis displayed. InFIG. 6C, a button X610is pressed when a user sets the size in the lateral direction, and the user sets the desired size (length (as a unit of mm)) using a numeric button group612. A button Y611is pressed when the user sets the size in the longitudinal direction, and the user sets the size (length) in the longitudinal direction using the numeric button group612. A cancel button613is pressed when the user wants to cancel the setting in this screen. When the cancel button613is pressed, the screen returns to the sheet size setting screen ofFIG. 6Awithout completing the setting of the sheet size. When the user presses an OK button614after having completed the setting of the sizes in the longitudinal and lateral directions, the sizes of the sheets that were set in this screen are set for the manual feed tray304, and the screen returns to the sheet size setting screen ofFIG. 6A.

An envelope button603ofFIG. 6Ais pressed when an envelope size is set. When the envelope button603is pressed, an envelope size input screen shown inFIG. 6Dis displayed. This screen includes an envelope size setting button group616, and the user can set the envelope size by pressing any one of the buttons. Here, “N3” is selected as a default. This default setting varies depending on destinations (destinations are information on countries or regions in which the apparatus is installed, and are saved in the memory202or the disk211of the controller101). In the case where the destination is Japan, “N3” is set as a default, and in the case where the destination is any foreign country, “Com10” is set as a default. A cancel button617is pressed when the user wants to cancel the setting in this envelope size input screen. When the cancel button617is pressed, the screen returns to the sheet size setting screen ofFIG. 6Awithout completing the setting. An OK button618is pressed when the user determines the envelope size in the screen ofFIG. 6D. When the OK button618is pressed, the setting in the screen ofFIG. 6Dis established, and the screen returns to the sheet size setting screen ofFIG. 6A.

After a standard size, a user-configurable size, or an envelope size was set in this way, the screen returns to the sheet size setting screen ofFIG. 6A, and, when a forward button605is pressed, a sheet type setting screen ofFIG. 6Bis displayed. This screen includes a sheet type setting button group606, and the user can set a sheet type by pressing any one of the buttons. A back button607is pressed when the user wants to stop the setting in this screen. When the back button607is pressed, the screen returns to the screen ofFIG. 6Awithout completing the setting of the sheet type. An OK button608is pressed when the user completes the setting of the sheet type. When the OK button608is pressed, the setting of the sheet type is completed, and the screen is closed. Furthermore, if the user wants to configure settings of sheets for another sheet feed stage, the user performs a cassette selecting operation in the screen ofFIG. 6Fso as to select a cassette, and repeats the above-described setting procedures. If the user does not configure the setting, the user presses a close button626, thereby returning to the sheet size setting screen ofFIG. 6A.

Furthermore, when a frequently-used sheet button604ofFIG. 6Ais pressed, the screen shifts to the screen ofFIG. 9, and in the screen ofFIG. 9, the user can select and set a desired sheet size from among the preset sheet sizes. Note that a user mode screen ofFIG. 6Emay also shift to the screen ofFIG. 9, as will be described later.

In order to set sheet information for the sheet feed cassette, the cassette size and the cassette type are set from the user mode screen ofFIG. 6E. When the user mode key406of the console unit106is pressed, the user mode screen ofFIG. 6Eis displayed. A sheet size can be set via this screen. InFIG. 6E, by pressing one button of a button group621that corresponds to “sheet setting”, which belongs to button function contents denoted by reference numeral620, a sheet setting screen for cassettes shown inFIG. 6Fis displayed. This screen includes a cassette selecting button group624, and it is possible to select a cassette. When one button of the cassette selecting button group624is selected and a setting button625is pressed, the sheet size setting screen ofFIG. 6Ais displayed, and it is possible to set the sheet size for the selected cassette by executing the above-described procedures.

Furthermore, in order to perform sheet setting as with cassettes as described above, in contrast to setting of the sheet size each time sheets are placed on the manual feed tray304, default setting for the manual feed tray304is selected in the user mode screen ofFIG. 6E. That is, when the user mode key406of the console unit106is pressed, the user mode screen shown inFIG. 6Eis displayed. In this screen, when the user presses a default setting button619for the manual feed tray304, a default setting registration screen for manually fed sheets, which is shown inFIG. 6G, is displayed.

InFIG. 6G, a fix button628is pressed when the user always keeps default settings for the manual feed tray304fixed. In the state in which the fix button628is pressed, the sheet size setting screen ofFIG. 6Ais not displayed each time sheets are placed on the manual feed tray304, and the sheet size and the sheet type that are displayed in a sheet information display area630are set as fixed. Here, in order to change the sheet size and the sheet type that are to be set, a registration button631in the screen ofFIG. 6Gis pressed. When this registration button631is pressed, the sheet size setting screen ofFIG. 6Ais displayed, and, by executing the above-described procedures, it is possible to set a sheet size and a sheet type for the manual feed tray304, as defaults.

Furthermore, a setting button629of “each time of placement” ofFIG. 6Gis pressed when sheet information is set each time sheets are placed on the manual feed tray304as described above, in contrast to the case where the sheet size for the manual feed tray304is fixed. When the setting button629of “each time of placement” is pressed, the screen changes to the screen shown inFIG. 6H. InFIG. 6H, the display in the sheet information display area630ofFIG. 6Gis changed to, for example, “set frequently-used sheets as default” in a display area635ofFIG. 6H. With this, when sheets are placed on the manual feed tray304, it is possible to select whether to configure setting from the sheet size setting screen ofFIG. 6A, or the “frequently-used sheet” setting screen shownFIG. 9, which will be described later. When an ON button636ofFIG. 6His pressed, a screen (FIG. 9) that prompts the user to configure setting based on the frequently-used sheets is set as a default, whereas when an OFF button637is pressed, the sheet size setting screen ofFIG. 6Ais set as a default.

FIG. 10Ais a diagram illustrating examples of sheet information that were set for the sheet feed cassettes and the manual feed tray304in sheet information setting processing according to the first embodiment.

Furthermore,FIG. 10Bis a diagram illustrating examples of information after default settings for the manual feed tray304were configured.FIG. 10Bshows the case where the fix button628ofFIG. 6Gis pressed and sheet information for the manual feed tray304is set to A4 size plain paper as fixed. The data is saved in the memory202or the disk211of the controller101.

FIG. 7depicts a cross-sectional view of the scanner102of the MFP100according to the first embodiment.

Original documents703are placed on an original tray702and fed one by one to an exposure unit713, and images of the original documents703are read while the original documents703move. An original document feed roller704constitutes a pair with a separation pad705, and conveys the original documents703one by one. The conveyed original documents703are fed into the scanner102by an intermediate roller706, and are conveyed by a large roller708and a first driven roller709, and further by a large roller708and a second driven roller710while being supported therebetween. The original documents703conveyed by the large roller708and the second driven roller710pass between a flowing document reading glass712and an original document guide plate717, pass by a jumping plate718, and are conveyed while being supported between the large roller708and a third driven roller711. The original documents703conveyed by the large roller708and the third driven roller711are discharged by an original document discharging roller pair707. Note that the original documents703are conveyed between the flowing document reading glass712and the original document guide plate717while being in contact with the flowing document reading glass712due to the original document guide plate717.

Accordingly, when the original document703passes on the flowing document reading glass712, the face of the document that is in contact with the flowing document reading glass712is exposed by the exposure unit713. As a result, light reflected on the original document703passes through a lens715via a mirror unit714so as to be collected, and the collected light is incident on a CCD sensor716and converted into an electric signal. The image signal thus obtained is input into the controller101.

FIG. 8is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the printer engine103of the MFP100according to the first embodiment. Here, description is given taking a full color laser beam printer as an example.

A photosensitive drum801is charged to a given polar potential by a primary charger811, and is exposed at the position thereof denoted by an arrow812by exposure means (not shown). Accordingly, an electrostatic latent image that corresponds to a first color component is formed. Then, the electrostatic latent image is developed using one of four developers802. An intermediate transfer belt803is driven to perform conveyance in the direction indicated by the arrow, and an image of the first color component formed on the photosensitive drum801is transferred on an intermediate transfer belt803by an electric field that was formed by a primary transfer roller810in the course of passing through an interface between the photosensitive drum801and the intermediate transfer belt803. Accordingly, the surface of the photosensitive drum801that has undergone transfer on the intermediate transfer belt803is cleaned up by a cleaning unit804. The procedures are repeated in the order and four color images are superposed by the intermediate transfer belt803, thereby forming a color image. Note that in the case where a unicolor image is formed, the transfer processing is performed only one time. The image transferred on the intermediate transfer belt803is printed, by a secondary transfer roller809, on a sheet fed from the cassette805. The sheet on which the image is thus printed is heated and fixed by a fixing unit806. After the fixation, the sheet travels along a pass807and is conveyed to a discharge port813so as to be discharged. Note that in the case where two-sided printing is performed, a single sided printed sheet passes through a reversing path808in a circulating manner, and is conveyed again to the position of the secondary transfer roller809, where an image is printed on the opposite side to the printed side of the sheet.

FIG. 9is a diagram illustrating an example of the “frequently-used sheet” setting screen that is to be displayed on the console unit106of the MFP100according to the first embodiment.

By the user mode key406of the console unit106being pressed, the screen shown inFIG. 6Eis displayed on the display unit203of the console unit106. In the screen ofFIG. 6E, when a button622of the button group621that corresponds to “frequently-used sheet setting” is pressed, the “frequently-used sheet” setting screen shown inFIG. 9is displayed. This “frequently-used sheet” setting screen includes preset buttons902, and it is possible to register the size or type of the frequently-used sheet using one of these buttons. The screen ofFIG. 9shows the state in which a preset 1 (“P1 A4”) is selected, and an information display area903displays the sheet size (A4) and the sheet type (plain paper).

FIG. 10Cis a diagram illustrating an example of data set in the “frequently-used sheet setting” according to the first embodiment.

Here, presets 1 to 5, which correspond to the preset buttons902ofFIG. 9, are stored. Here, the presets 1 to 4 have been set, and only the preset 5 has not yet been set. The preset data is to be saved in the memory202or the disk211of the controller101. The data is used when a sheet feed cassette is automatically selected.

Furthermore, the user can press a registration button904ofFIG. 9to instruct setting of the sheet sizes and the sheet types for the group of preset buttons902. If one of the preset buttons902is selected and the registration button904is pressed, the sheet size setting screen shown inFIG. 6Ais displayed, and it is possible to set the sheet size and the sheet type as presets by executing the above-described procedures. When the frequently-used sheet setting is completed in this manner, the user presses an OK button905and establishes the settings.

Note that the “frequently-used sheet” setting screen shown inFIG. 9is displayed not only when sheet information is registered for the preset button902but also when the content registered in the preset button902is set as sheet information of the manual feed tray304. In the case where sheet information is registered for the manual feed tray304, an “other sheet” button906ofFIG. 9is displayed. If the user presses this button906, the screen is switched to the sheet size setting screen ofFIG. 6A, and any sheet information, instead of the preset sheet information, can be set for the manual feed tray304.

FIG. 11is a flowchart for describing processing for setting sheet information for the manual feed tray304in the MFP100according to the first embodiment. Note that a program for executing this processing is installed in the disk211, is deployed on the memory202at the time of execution, and is executed under control of the CPU201.

First, in step S1101, the CPU201determines using the sensor504whether or not sheets have been placed on the manual feed tray304. If it is determined that sheets have been placed on the manual feed tray304, the procedure advances to step S1102, where the CPU201checks the default settings (seeFIG. 10B) for the manual feed tray304that are stored in the memory202or the disk211. If it is determined in step S1102that default settings are “fixed”, the procedure advances to step S1103. In step S1103, the CPU201sets the sheet size and the sheet type that were registered in theFIG. 10Bin a field for the manual feed tray ofFIG. 10A, which is stored in the memory202or the disk211, and the procedure ends.

Accordingly, in the example ofFIG. 10B, plain paper having sheet size of A4 is set for the manual feed tray304.

On the other hand, if the CPU201determines in step S1102that default settings for the manual feed tray are configured “each time of placement”, the procedure advances to step S1104, where the CPU201determines whether or not the processing has been interrupted due to the manual feed tray running out of sheets. The interruption due to the manual feed tray running out of sheets refers to the state in which, while, for example, PDL printing processing or copying processing is executed on sheets fed from the manual feed tray304, the manual feed tray304runs out of sheets. If the interruption occurred since the manual feed tray ran out of sheets, the procedure advances to step S1105, where the CPU201obtains from data of an interrupted job the sheet size and the sheet type that the job uses. Next, the procedure advance to step S1106, where the CPU201displays, on the display unit203, a confirmation screen for confirming sheets on the manual feed tray shown inFIG. 12.

FIG. 12is a diagram illustrating an example of the confirmation screen for confirming sheets on the manual feed tray.

A sheet information area1201of this screen displays sheet information obtained in step S1105by the CPU201, the sheet information being for use in the job. By displaying this screen, it is possible to prompt the user to determine whether or not the sheets placed on the manual feed tray304are appropriate for execution of this job.

Next, in step S1107, the CPU201determines whether or not an OK button1202or a sheet changing button1203has been pressed on the screen ofFIG. 12. If the CPU201determines that the OK button1202has been pressed, the procedure advances to step S1108, where the CPU201sets and registers the sheet information obtained in step S1105in the field for the manual feed tray ofFIG. 10A. Then, the procedure advances to step S1109, where the CPU201closes the confirmation screen for confirming settings of sheet on the manual feed tray ofFIG. 12, and this processing ends.

On the other hand, if the CPU201detects in step S1107that the sheet changing button1203ofFIG. 12has been pressed, or if the CPU201determines in step S1104that interruption occurred other than the manual feed tray ran out of sheets, the procedure advances to step S1110. In step S1110, the CPU201displays, on the display unit203, the sheet size setting screen shown inFIG. 6A. Here the user will set the sheet size and the sheet type. Accordingly, the procedure advances to step S1111, where the CPU201determines that input of the sheet information via the screen ofFIG. 6Ais established, and then the procedure advances to step S1108, where the CPU201sets the established sheet information in a field for the manual feed tray ofFIG. 10A, thereby terminating the processing.

By performing such operations, it is possible to display, on the console unit106, the screen for setting sheet information for the manual feed tray at a timing at which the user places sheets on the manual feed tray, and the user can determine whether or not the sheets on the manual feed tray are appropriate, thereby improving convenience.

FIG. 13is a flowchart for describing processing performed, in the MFP100according to the first embodiment, when a job that has been interrupted due to the manual feed tray running out of sheets is deleted during the procedure. The operation starts in step S1106ofFIG. 11, with display of the confirmation screen for confirming sheet settings (FIG. 12).

First, in step S1301, the CPU201determines whether or not a job that has been interrupted due to the manual feed tray running out of sheets is running. For example, if the interrupted job is stopped by the stop key404, or priority is given to another job and the interrupted job is left behind, it is determined that the job having been interrupted due to running out of sheets is not running.

If the CPU201determines in step S1301that the job having been interrupted due to running out of sheets is not running, the procedure advances to step S1302, where the CPU201closes the confirmation screen for confirming sheets on the manual feed tray shown inFIG. 12, and the procedure advances to step S1110ofFIG. 11.

In this first embodiment, it is possible to set sheet information to be set for the manual feed tray using the sheet size setting screen and the sheet type setting screen, similarly to the case of the other sheet feed cassettes. Furthermore, it is possible to select whether to set sheet information set for the manual feed tray as fixed, or to set sheet information each time, that is, at a timing at which sheets are placed on the manual feed tray. In the case of setting sheet information as fixed, when the user places sheets on the manual feed tray, sheet information such as the sheet size and the sheet type that are registered with respect to the manual feed tray are always set for the manual feed tray. On the other hand, in the case of setting sheet information each time sheets are placed, when a job has been interrupted since the manual feed tray ran out of sheets, sheet information used for the interrupted job is displayed. Accordingly, it is possible for the user to determine whether or not the sheets placed on the manual feed tray by the user are appropriate.

According to the first embodiment as described above, it is possible to automatically set sheet information for the manual feed tray at a timing at which sheets are placed on the manual feed tray. Alternatively, it is possible to switch the screen, at this timing, to the screen for setting or confirming sheet information for the manual feed tray. With this, when, for example, interruption occurred since the manual feed tray ran out of sheets, time and effort for setting sheet information for the manual feed tray can significantly be reduced.

Furthermore, if a job has been interrupted due to running out of sheets and an operation screen for avoiding time and effort for inputting sheet information is displayed, change of the job state to a state other than the execution state enables the screen to automatically switch to the screen for manually setting sheet information. With this, it is also possible to prevent the user from registering sheet information that is not intended by mistake. Therefore, a significant reduction in time and effort spent by the user can be achieved.

Second Embodiment

Hereinafter, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described. Note that system configuration, a configuration of the MFP, and the like according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the above-described first embodiment, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

In this second embodiment, by switching the operation screen displayed on the console unit106at a timing at which sheets are placed on the manual feed tray304, time and effort for setting sheet information for the manual feed tray are reduced particularly when interruption occurred since the manual feed tray ran out of sheets.

FIG. 14is a flowchart for describing processing for setting sheet information for the manual feed tray304in the MFP100according to the second embodiment. Note that a program for executing this processing is installed in the disk211, is deployed on the memory202at the time of execution, and is executed under control of the CPU201.

First, in step S1401, the CPU201determines using the sensor504whether or not sheets have been placed on the manual feed tray304. If it is determined that sheets have been placed on the manual feed tray304, the procedure advances to step S1402, where the CPU201reads out default settings for the manual feed tray (FIG. 10D) stored in the memory202or the disk211, and performs determination.

FIG. 10Dis a diagram illustrating examples of information after default settings were configured for the manual feed tray304according to the second embodiment. Here, the default settings for the manual feed tray304include an item of “frequently-used setting” for instructing whether or not to set the set content.

Here, if the CPU201determines that the default settings are “fixed”, the procedure advances to step S1403. Here, similarly to the step S1103ofFIG. 11, the CPU201sets the sheet size and the sheet type that were registered inFIG. 10Din a field for the manual feed tray of the sheet information (FIG. 10A), which is stored in the memory202or the disk211, and the processing ends.

On the other hand, if the CPU201determines in step S1402that the default settings are set “each time of placement”, the procedure advances to step S1404, where it is determined whether the “frequently-used setting” ofFIG. 10Dis ON or OFF. If the “frequently-used setting” is ON, the procedure advances to step S1405, where the CPU201displays, on the display unit203, the sheet information setting screen for frequently-used sheets shown inFIG. 9.

Next, in step S1406, the CPU201determines whether the OK button905or the “other sheet” button906is pressed after any one of the preset buttons902in the screen ofFIG. 9was pressed. If the CPU201determines that the OK button905was pressed, the procedure advances to step S1407, where the CPU201sets preset sheet information selected in the “frequently-used sheet” screen ofFIG. 9in the field for the manual feed tray ofFIG. 10A. Then, the procedure advances to step S1408, where the CPU201deletes the “frequently-used sheet” screen ofFIG. 9from the display unit203, and the processing ends.

On the other hand, if the CPU201determines in step S1406that the “other sheet” button906was pressed, or the CPU201determines in step S1404that the frequently used setting ofFIG. 10Dis OFF, the procedure advances to step S1409. In step S1409, the CPU201displays, on the display unit203, the sheet size setting screen ofFIG. 6A, and lets the user set the sheet size and the sheet type. Then, if the CPU201determines in step S1410that the input sheet information was established, the CPU201sets the sheet information set in step S1409in the field for the manual feed tray ofFIG. 10A, and the processing ends.

In this second embodiment, it is possible to set sheet information to be set for the manual feed tray using the sheet size setting screen and the sheet type setting screen, similarly to the case of the other sheet feed cassettes. Furthermore, it is possible to select whether to set sheet information set for the manual feed tray as fixed, or to set sheet information each time, that is, at a timing at which sheets are placed on the manual feed tray. In the case of setting sheet information as fixed, when the user places sheets on the manual feed tray, sheet information such as the sheet size and the sheet type that are registered with respect to the manual feed tray are set for the manual feed tray. Furthermore, it is possible to designate whether or not sheet information to be set for the manual feed tray can be set via the sheet information setting screen for frequently-used sheets.

According to the second embodiment as described above, it is possible to set sheet information to be set for the manual feed tray at a timing at which sheets are placed on the manual feed tray, using the setting screen for frequently-used sheets. Therefore, when, for example, interruption occurred since the manual feed tray ran out of sheets, time and effort for setting sheet information for the manual feed tray can efficiently and significantly be reduced.

Note that although the first and second embodiments have described, taking setting of sheet information for the manual feed tray as an example, the present invention is not limited to the example, and is applicable to the case where sheet information is set for the sheet feed cassettes.

Other Embodiment

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-131054, filed Jun. 21, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.