JP3511555B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copying machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Image forming apparatuses include printers and copying machines connected to external devices such as personal computers. Some of these printers and copiers have a plurality of paper feed trays set in the apparatus main body. In these printers and copying machines, a desired paper feed tray is selected at the start of printing, paper is fed from the selected paper feed tray, and an image is printed on the fed paper.

Some of such printers and copying machines have a single-sided printing function for printing an image on one side of a sheet and a double-sided printing function for printing an image on both sides of the sheet. With these printers and copiers, when the printing conditions for double-sided printing are specified and the desired paper size is specified, the paper tray on which the paper of the specified size is stacked is selected and selected. Paper is fed from the input tray and the image is printed on both sides of the fed paper.

By the way, in the above-mentioned printer or copying machine, a single-side printed sheet (backing sheet) may be used in order to effectively use the sheet when performing single-sided printing. It is troublesome and troublesome to set the paper feed tray on which the backing paper is stacked in the apparatus main body each time the backing paper is used. Therefore, even when the backing paper is not used, the paper feed tray on which the backing paper is stacked may be set in the apparatus main body.

When performing the double-sided printing operation, unused paper is used. However, a paper feed tray on which backing paper is stacked and a paper feed tray on which unused paper is stacked may be set in the apparatus main body. At this time, if the size of the backing paper and the size of the unused paper match, the printing conditions for double-sided printing are specified and the backing paper is loaded when the size is specified for the desired paper. The selected paper feed tray may be selected. Then, the backing paper is fed from the selected paper feeding tray, and an image is printed on both sides of the backing paper. As described above, in the above-described printer or copying machine, if the paper feed tray on which the desired paper is stacked is not selected, the paper that is not suitable for the printing operation may be fed, and the desired printed matter may not be obtained.

On the other hand, a printer or a color copying machine capable of selecting a paper feed tray on which desired paper is stacked is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 3-67824 and 3-127.
077, JP 4-59519, JP 7
-196207 and JP-A-7-199736.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 3-67824 and 3-
Japanese Patent No. 127077 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-59519 describe a printer connected to a personal computer or a word processor. In this printer, the paper feed tray is provided with an identification information section that shows identification information about the size and type of paper.
When the desired paper size and type are specified, it is determined whether the specified paper size and type and the paper size and type indicated in the identification information section match, and the size and type match. Select the paper tray that contains the paper to be loaded, and feed the paper from the selected paper tray.

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 7-196207 describes a printer connected to a personal computer. In this printer, the amount of transmitted light that has passed through the paper is detected by a transmissive optical sensor, the level of the voltage signal corresponding to the amount of transmitted light is compared with a threshold value, and the type of paper is determined based on the magnitude relationship between the voltage signal level and the threshold value. Determine whether or not the determined paper type matches the desired paper type, select the paper feed tray on which the paper of the same type is stacked, and then load the paper from the paper feed tray. Feed the paper.

A color copying machine is described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-199736. In this color copier, the size of the document, whether or not the image of the document is in color, and whether or not the image area such as a picture or photograph is larger than a predetermined value is determined based on the read image information of the document. , Select a sheet based on the result, and feed the sheet.

[0010]

By the way, JP-A-3-
67824, JP-A-3-127077, JP-A-4-59519 and JP-A-7-196207.
As an application example of the printer described in the publication, consider a printer having a double-sided printing function. In such a printer, even when the printing condition for performing double-sided printing is specified, when the paper tray on which the backing paper is stacked is selected based on the size and type of the paper, the selected paper feeding tray is selected. The backing paper is fed from the paper tray, and images are printed on both sides of the backing paper. As described above, when a paper feed tray is selected based on a certain condition, even if the print condition not suitable for the purpose of the paper stacked in the paper feed tray is specified, the paper is fed from the selected paper feed tray. I will make paper. Therefore, an image is printed on the paper by a printing operation that is not suitable for the purpose of the paper, and the desired printed matter cannot be obtained.

As an application example of the color copying machine disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-199736, consider a color copying machine having a double-sided printing function. In such a color copying machine, even when the printing conditions for performing double-sided printing are specified, if the paper feed tray loaded with the backing paper is selected based on the paper size, the selected paper feeding tray is selected. The backing paper is fed from the paper tray, and images are printed on both sides of the backing paper. In this way, when a paper feed tray is selected based on a certain condition, even if printing conditions that are not suitable for the purpose of the paper loaded in that paper feed tray are specified, the paper will not be ejected from the selected paper feed tray. It will be fed. Therefore, an image is printed on the paper by a printing operation that is not suitable for the purpose of the paper, and the desired printed matter cannot be obtained.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of sheet feed trays on which sheets are stacked and one sheet feed tray for feeding the sheets from the sheet feed trays. A paper unit, a printing unit that prints an image on the paper fed by the paper feeding unit, and a print condition availability attribute that specifies an authorized print condition suitable for the purpose of the paper stacked in each paper feed tray. An attribute information holding unit that holds information, and a paper tray selection that selects the paper tray specified by the paper tray specification command when a paper tray specification command that specifies the desired paper tray is input Means, attribute information reading means for reading the print condition propriety attribute information held by the attribute information holding portion of the paper feed tray selected by the paper feed tray selecting means, and the attribute information reading means. A print condition setting unit that sets the authorized print condition of the read print condition propriety attribute information as a print condition, and a print control unit that controls the printing unit based on the print condition set by the print condition setting unit. With. Therefore, when the paper feed tray designation command is input, the paper feed tray designated by the paper feed tray designation command is selected by the paper feed tray selecting means and held by the attribute information holding unit of the selected paper feed tray. The print condition propriety attribute information is read by the attribute information reading unit, and the authorized print condition of the read print condition propriety attribute information is set as the print condition by the print condition setting unit. Then, the paper is fed from the paper feed tray selected by the paper feed tray selection unit by the paper feed unit, and the printing unit is controlled by the print control unit based on the print condition set by the print condition setting unit, and the paper feed is performed. The image is printed on the paper fed by the set. As a result, the printing conditions suitable for the intended use of the sheets stacked on the desired paper feed tray are set, and the printing operation suitable for the intended use of the sheets is performed. Therefore, an image is printed on the paper by a printing operation suitable for the purpose of the paper, and a desired printed matter can be obtained. Further, the paper is effectively used according to the purpose.

According to the second aspect of the invention, a plurality of paper feed trays on which paper is stacked, a paper feed unit for feeding the paper from one of the paper feed trays, and a paper feed unit for feeding the paper. A print unit that prints an image on the paper fed by the paper unit, a print condition suitable for the use of the paper stacked in each paper feed tray, and a denial print condition not suitable for the use of the paper An attribute information holding unit for holding attribute information of printing condition availability, a paper size designation command for designating a desired size of the paper, and the paper of a size designated by the paper size designation command when printing conditions are input. A sheet feeding tray selecting unit that selects the sheet feeding tray on which the sheets are stacked, and the print condition propriety information held by the attribute information holding unit of the sheet feeding tray selected by the sheet feeding tray selecting unit. Attribute information reading means for reading information, printing condition comparing means for comparing the authorized printing condition and the denied printing condition of the printing condition propriety attribute information read by the attribute information reading means with the printing condition, and the denial A paper feed tray selection denial unit that denies the selection of a paper feed tray by the paper feed tray selection unit when at least one of the printing condition and the printing condition match, and the denial printing condition and the printing condition also match. If the authorized printing condition and the printing condition are the same, the sheet feeding tray selection authorizing unit authorizing the selection of the sheet feeding tray by the sheet feeding tray selecting unit, and the printing unit based on the printing condition. And a print control unit for controlling. Therefore, when the paper size designation command and the printing condition are input, the paper feed tray on which the paper of the size designated by the paper size designation command is stacked is selected by the paper feed tray selection means, and the selected paper feed tray is selected. The print condition propriety attribute information held by the attribute information holding unit is read by the attribute information reading means, and the read print condition propriety attribute information of the read print condition propriety attribute information and the print condition are compared by the print condition comparing means. If at least one of the rejected print condition and the print condition match, the selection of the feed tray by the feed tray selection unit is rejected by the feed tray selection reject unit. If none of the rejected printing conditions and the printing conditions match and at least one of the authorized printing conditions and the printing conditions match, the selection of the paper feeding tray by the paper feeding tray selection means is the paper feeding tray selection. The paper is fed from the paper feed tray approved by the approval means and selected by the paper feed tray selection means, the printing unit is controlled by the print control unit based on the printing condition, and the paper is fed by the paper feed unit. The image is printed. As a result, even if the paper feed tray loaded with the paper of the specified size is selected, if the print condition not suitable for the purpose of the paper loaded in the selected paper feed tray is input, the selection is performed. Paper is prevented from being fed from the specified paper feed tray. Therefore, the image is not printed on the paper by the printing operation which is not suitable for the purpose of the paper. Then, since the image is printed on the paper by the printing operation suitable for the purpose of the paper, a desired printed matter can be obtained. Further, the paper is effectively used according to the purpose.

[0014]

[0015]

According to the invention of claim 5, claim 1 or 2
The attribute information holding unit in the described image forming apparatus is a storage device that is provided for each paper feed tray and stores the print condition availability attribute information. Therefore, it becomes easy to rewrite the print condition propriety attribute information.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 shows an MFP (Multi-Function) to which the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is applied.
It is a schematic diagram of Peripheral). FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the MFP. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the print condition propriety attribute information. This MFP 1
It is connected to the personal computer 2, is connected to a plurality of other personal computers (not shown) via a network, and is connected to the telephone line 3. Main body case 4 of the MFP 1
An application expansion box 5 for connecting the MFP 1 to the personal computer 2 and the telephone line 3 is attached to the. In the main body case 4, a plotter unit 6 which is a printing unit for printing an image on a sheet is provided. Below the plotter section 6, the plotter section 6 reverses the front and back sides of the paper on which an image is printed on one side, and again the plotter section 6
A double-sided printing unit 7 for feeding a sheet is provided. Below the double-sided printing unit 7, a paper feed tray 8 for plain paper, a paper feed tray 9 for backing paper, and a paper feed tray 10 for special paper are sequentially arranged from the top. An image reading unit 11 that reads image information of a document is provided above the plotter unit 6. Further, on the side surface of the main body case 4, a plurality of paper discharge trays 12 for discharging the paper on which the image is printed by the plotter unit 6 are provided. Further, the personal computer 2 is provided with a display 30.

The image reading section 11 is provided with an automatic document feeding section 13. This automatic document feeder 13 has
A document feed tray 14 and a document discharge tray 15 are formed.

In the vicinity of the paper feed tray 8 for the plain paper, the paper feed tray 9 for the back paper, and the paper feed tray 10 for the special paper, any one of these paper feed trays 8, 9, 10 is provided. A paper feed unit (not shown) for feeding paper from one of the paper feed trays 8, 9 and 10 is provided.

Each of the plain paper feed tray 8, the back paper feed tray 9, and the dedicated paper feed tray 10 is an attribute information holding unit that holds print condition availability attribute information. A printing condition holding unit 16 (see FIG. 7) is provided. The printing condition holding unit 16 is a storage device including an EEPROM. The storage device is formed so that the printing condition propriety attribute information can be electrically rewritten, and does not require power supply for holding the print information propriety attribute information. The printing condition propriety attribute information specifies whether double-sided printing, single-sided printing, color printing, monochrome printing, copy use, FAX use, and printer use are valid or invalid. For example, single-sided printing, color printing, and copy use, which are designated as valid as shown in FIG. 8, are approved printing conditions suitable for the purpose of the paper. Duplex printing, monochrome printing specified as invalid F
Use of AX and use of printer are denial printing conditions that are not suitable for the purpose of the paper. Further, the printing condition propriety attribute information specifies presence / absence of user restriction, which is a usage restriction for restricting the use of paper. At this time, it is set that there is user restriction by registering the user ID. Further, the printing condition holding unit 16 stores the size and type of the sheets stacked on the sheet feeding trays 8, 9 and 10.

The plain paper feed tray 8 is loaded with unused plain paper (not shown) of A4 size.
The printing condition holding unit 16 of the paper feed tray 8 for plain paper
The print condition propriety attribute information stored in is set so as to specify double-sided printing, single-sided printing, monochrome printing, copy use, FAX use, and printer use as the authorized print conditions. Further, the printing condition propriety attribute information is
The color printing is set to be specified as the denial printing condition. Further, the print condition propriety attribute information is set to specify that there is no user restriction.

A4 size plain paper (not shown) is loaded on the paper feed tray 9 for the backing paper. This plain paper is a back paper that has been printed on one side. The printing condition propriety attribute information stored in the printing condition holding unit 16 of the backing paper feed tray 9 is set so that single-sided printing, monochrome printing, copy use, and printer use are designated as authorized print conditions. Has been done. Further, the print condition propriety attribute information is set so that double-sided printing, color printing, and FAX use are designated as the rejected printing conditions. Further, the print condition propriety attribute information is set to specify that there is no user restriction.

On the paper feed tray 10 for the special paper, special papers (not shown) for color printing are stacked. The printing condition availability attribute information stored in the printing condition holding unit 16 of the dedicated paper feed tray 10 is set so that single-sided printing, color printing, copy use, and printer use are designated as the authorized print conditions. Has been done. The print condition availability attribute information is set so that double-sided printing, monochrome printing, and FAX use are designated as the rejected printing conditions. Further, the print condition propriety attribute information is set to specify that there is no user restriction.

Next, the electrical configuration will be described with reference to FIG. The main body case 4 is provided with an application operation adjusting unit 17 for selectively performing a copy operation, a FAX operation, and a printer operation. The application operation adjusting unit 17 includes a copy control unit 18 that controls a copy operation and a FAX.
A FAX control unit 19 that controls the operation and a printer control unit 20 that controls the printer operation are connected. The copy control unit 18, the FAX control unit 19, and the printer control unit 20 include a plotter operation control unit 21 that controls the plotter unit 6 and a printing condition determination unit 2 that determines printing conditions.
2 and are connected. The printing condition determining unit 22 includes
The printing condition holding unit 1 of each of the paper feed trays 8, 9 and 10
The first, second, and third information reading units 23, 24, and 25 that read the printing condition propriety attribute information stored in 6 are connected. The first, second and third information reading section 23
When the paper feed trays 8, 9, 10 are set in the main body case 4, the first, second and third adapters 26, 2
It is formed so as to be connected to the print information holding unit 16 via 7, 28. Further, the printing condition holding unit 16
An attribute information setting unit 29 for setting the print condition availability attribute information held by is provided.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 1 shows the operation when a paper feed tray designation command for designating the paper feed tray 9 for the backing paper is input.
It will be described based on. When a print start designation command for designating the print start and a paper feed tray designation command for designating the paper feed tray 9 for the backing paper are input from the personal computer 2 to the MFP 1, the application operation arbitration unit 17 selects the printer operation. .
Then, it is determined that the paper feed tray designating command is input to the MFP 1 together with the print start designating command (step St.
1), it is determined whether the print condition is input to the MFP 1 together with the print start designation command and the paper feed tray designation command (step St. 2). This St. If it is determined in step 2 that the printing conditions have not been input, the paper feed tray designated by the paper feed tray designation command is selected (step St. 3). At this time, the paper feed tray 9 for the backing paper is specified by the paper feed tray specifying command. In 3, the backing sheet feeding tray 9 is selected. Thus
Paper tray 8 designated by the paper tray designation command,
The operation of selecting 9 and 10 is executed as a function of the paper feed tray selection means.

Then, the print condition propriety attribute information stored in the print condition holding unit 16 of the paper feed tray 9 for the backing paper is read by the second information reading unit 24 (step S).
t. 4). Thus, the selected paper feed tray 8, 9, 1
The operation of reading the print condition propriety attribute information stored in the print condition holding unit 16 of 0 by the information reading units 23, 24, and 25 is executed as a function of the attribute information reading unit.

St. The authorized print condition of the print condition propriety attribute information read in step 4 is set as the print condition (step St. 5). At this time, the paper feed tray 9 for the backing paper
Since single-sided printing, monochrome printing, copy use, and printer use are designated by the print condition availability attribute information as print conditions, single-sided print and monochrome print are set as print conditions. In this way, the operation of setting the authorized print condition of the read print condition availability attribute as the print condition is executed as a function of the print condition setting unit.

St. 5, the plotter unit 6 is controlled based on the printing conditions set in Step 5, and the St. The backing paper is fed from the backing paper feed tray 9 selected in 3 and single-sided printing is performed, and a black and white image is printed on the white side of the backing paper (step St. 6). After that, when an image is printed on a desired number of backing sheets, the printing operation ends. In this way, the operation of controlling the plotter unit 6 based on the set printing conditions is executed as a function of the printing control means.

In this way, when the paper feed tray designation command is input, the paper feed trays 8, 9, 10 designated by the paper feed tray designation command are selected, and the selected paper feed trays 8, 9, 10 are selected. By reading the printing condition propriety attribute information stored in the printing condition holding unit 16 and setting the authorized printing condition of the printing condition propriety attribute information as the printing condition,
The printing conditions suitable for the purpose of the paper stacked on the designated paper feed trays 8, 9, 10 are set, and the printing operation suitable for the purpose of the paper is performed. Therefore, an image is printed on the paper by a printing operation suitable for the purpose of the paper, and a desired printed matter can be obtained. Further, the paper is effectively used according to the purpose. Furthermore, since the printing condition holding unit 16 holding the printing condition propriety attribute is a storage device, it is easy to set and rewrite the printing condition propriety attribute information.

Next, the operation when the paper feed tray designating command for designating the paper feed tray 9 for the backing paper and the printing condition for performing the double-sided printing are input will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. To do. St. 1, it is determined that the paper feed tray designating command is input together with the print start designating command, and the St. When it is determined that the print condition is input together with the print start designation command and the paper feed tray designation command in step 2, the paper feed tray designated by the paper feed tray designation command is selected (step St. 7). At this time, since the backing sheet feeding tray 9 is designated by the sheet feeding tray designation command, the backing sheet feeding tray 9 is selected. The printing condition availability attribute information stored in the printing condition holding unit 16 of the selected backing paper feed tray 9 is read by the second information reading unit 24 (step St. 8).

After that, St. The denial printing condition of the printing condition propriety attribute read in 8 is compared with the printing condition input from the personal computer 2, and it is determined whether at least one of the denying printing condition and the printing condition match (step St). .9). At this time, single-sided printing, monochrome printing, copy use, and printer use are specified as authorized print conditions by the print condition availability attribute information of the back paper feed tray 9, and the print conditions of the back paper feed tray 9 are specified. Double-sided printing, color printing, and FAX use are designated as the denial printing conditions by the propriety attribute information. Since double-sided printing is specified by the printing conditions, the St. In 9, it is determined that the rejected printing condition and the printing condition are the same, and it is reported to the PC 2 that the printing condition is not suitable for the purpose of the backing paper on the backing paper feed tray 9, and the printing operation is stopped. (Step St. 10).

After that, it is displayed on the display 30 of the personal computer 2 that the printing condition or the designation of the paper feed tray is incorrect. Then, when the user specifies the restart of the printing operation without changing the print condition and the designation of the paper feed tray, it is determined that the print condition is not changed (step St. 1).
1), it is determined that the designation of the paper feed tray has not been changed (step St. 12), and St. The authorized printing condition of the printing condition propriety attribute information read in step 8 is set as the printing condition (step St. 13). At this time, single-sided printing and monochrome printing are set as authorized printing conditions by the printing condition availability attribute information of the backing paper feed tray 9, so single-sided printing and monochrome printing are set as printing conditions. Then, the plotter unit 6 is controlled based on the set printing conditions, and the St. The backing paper is fed from the paper feed tray 9 for the backing paper selected in step 7, single-sided printing is performed, and a black and white image is printed on the white paper side of the backing paper (step St. 14). After that, when an image is printed on a desired number of backing sheets, the printing operation ends.

When it is displayed on the display 30 of the personal computer 2 that the printing condition or the designation of the paper feed tray is wrong, the user designates the printing condition for performing the one-sided printing and the monochrome printing, and the printing operation is restarted. If you specify, S
t. It is determined that the printing conditions have been changed in 11, and S
t. In No. 9, it is determined that none of the rejected printing conditions and the printing conditions match. Then, it is determined that at least one of the authorized print condition and the print condition match. Then S
t. Single-sided printing is performed in 14 to print a black and white image on the white side of the backing sheet. After that, when an image is printed on a desired number of backing sheets, the printing operation ends.

When it is displayed on the display 30 of the personal computer 2 that the printing conditions or the designation of the paper feed tray is incorrect, the user issues a paper feed tray designation command for designating the paper feed tray for plain paper. Is input and the print operation is restarted, S
t. 11, it is determined that the printing conditions have not been changed, and St. 12, it is determined that the designation of the paper feed tray has been changed, and St. Paper feed tray 8 for plain paper in 7
Is selected and St. 8 for plain paper feed tray 8
The print condition propriety attribute condition stored in the print condition holding unit 16 is read by the first information reading unit 23.
Then, since the color printing is designated as the reject printing condition by the print condition propriety attribute information of the paper feed tray 8 for plain paper, the St. In No. 9, it is determined that none of the rejected printing conditions and the printing conditions match. Then, it is determined that at least one of the authorized print condition and the print condition match. Then, St. Double-sided printing is performed by 14 to print an image on both sides of unused plain paper. After that, when an image is printed on a desired number of unused plain papers, the printing operation ends.

In this way, when the paper feed tray designation command and the printing condition are input, the paper feed trays 8, 9, 10 designated by the paper feed tray designation command are selected, and the selected paper feed tray 8 is selected. , 9 and 10 read the print condition propriety attribute information stored in the print condition holding unit 16 and compare the rejected print condition of the print condition propriety attribute information with the print condition. When the two match, the user is informed that the printing conditions or the designation of the paper feed tray is incorrect, and the printing operation is stopped to use the sheets stacked on the designated paper feed trays 8, 9 and 10. If a printing condition that does not meet the requirement is input, the sheets are prevented from being fed from the designated paper feed trays 8, 9, 10. If none of the rejected printing conditions and the printing conditions match and at least one of the authorized printing conditions and the printing conditions match, the selected paper feed tray 8,
Paper is fed from 9 and 10, the plotter unit 6 is controlled based on the printing conditions, and an image is printed on the fed paper. Therefore, the image is not printed on the paper by the printing operation which is not suitable for the purpose of the paper. Then, since the image is printed on the paper by the printing operation suitable for the purpose of the paper, a desired printed matter can be obtained. Further, the paper is effectively used according to the purpose.

Next, the operation when a paper size designation command for designating A4 size paper and printing conditions for performing color printing are input will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3. St. It is determined that the paper feed tray designation command has not been input in step 1, and it is determined that the paper size designation command has been input together with the print start designation command (step St.
15). Then, when it is determined that the print condition is input together with the print start designation command and the paper size designation command (step St. 16), the paper feed tray loaded with the paper of the size designated by the paper size designation command is selected. (Step St. 17). At this time, since the A4 size is designated by the sheet size designation command, first, the plain paper feed tray 8 arranged above the other paper feed trays is selected. In this way, the operation of selecting the paper feed trays 8, 9 and 10 on which the paper of the size designated by the paper size designation command is stacked is executed as a function of the paper feed tray selection means.

St. The printing condition propriety attribute information stored in the printing condition holding unit 16 of the plain paper feed tray 8 selected in 17 is read by the first information reading unit 23 (step St. 18). In this way, the print condition propriety attribute information held in the print condition holding unit 16 of the selected paper feed trays 8, 9 and 10 is transferred to the information reading units 23 and 2.
The operation of reading by 4, 25 is executed as a function of the attribute information reading means.

After that, St. The denial printing condition of the printing condition propriety attribute information read in 18 is compared with the printing condition input from the personal computer 2, and it is determined whether at least one of the denying printing condition and the printing condition match (step). St. 19).

At this time, double-sided printing, single-sided printing, monochrome printing, copy use, FAX use, and printer use are specified as authorized print conditions by the print information availability attribute information of the paper feed tray 8 for plain paper, and color print is performed. Is specified as the denial printing condition. Then, since the color printing is designated by the printing condition, the St. In 19, it is determined that the rejected printing condition and the printing condition are the same. Then, the A specified by the paper size specification command
It is determined whether or not there is a paper feed tray on which 4 size sheets are stacked other than the paper feed tray 8 for plain paper (step St. 20). In this way, when at least one of the rejected print conditions and the print condition match, the paper feed tray 8, 9, 1 having the print condition availability attribute information for designating the rejected print condition
The operation of denying the selection of 0 is executed as a function of the paper feed tray selection denial means.

Since the size of the backing paper loaded on the backing paper feed tray 9 is also A4, the paper feed tray loaded with A4 size paper is not limited to the plain paper feed tray 8. It is determined that there is St. 17, the paper feed tray 9 for the backing paper is selected, and St. In 18, the second information reading unit 24 reads the printing condition propriety attribute information stored in the printing condition holding unit 16 of the backing paper feed tray 9. At this time, double-sided printing, color printing, and FAX use are designated as the reject print conditions by the print condition permission / prohibition attribute information of the paper feed tray 9 for the backing paper. In 19, it is determined that the rejected printing condition and the printing condition are the same.

Since the size of the dedicated paper for color printing stacked on the dedicated paper feed tray 10 is also A4, the St. It is determined that there is a paper feed tray on which A4 size papers are stacked in other than the paper feed tray 8 for the plain paper and the paper feed tray 9 for the back paper in St. 17, the dedicated paper feed tray 10 is selected, and St. In 18, the third information reading unit 25 reads the printing condition propriety attribute information stored in the printing condition holding unit 16 of the dedicated paper feed tray 10. At this time, single-sided printing is performed according to the print condition propriety attribute information of the paper feed tray 10 for exclusive paper,
Color printing, copy use, and printer use are specified as authorized print conditions, and double-sided printing, monochrome printing, and FAX use are specified as reject print conditions.
St. In 19, it is determined that the rejected printing conditions and the printing conditions do not match. Then, it is determined that at least one of the authorized print condition and the print condition match. Then, the plotter unit 6 is controlled based on the printing conditions, and S
t. Paper feed tray 10 for special paper selected in 17
The special paper for color printing is fed from, the color printing is performed, and the color image is printed on the special paper for color printing (step St. 21). In this way, the operation of comparing the authorized print condition and the rejected print condition of the print condition availability attribute with the print condition is executed as a function of the print condition comparison means. Further, when none of the rejected printing conditions and the printing conditions match and at least one of the authorized printing conditions and the printing conditions match, the paper feed trays 8, 9, 10 having the printing condition availability attribute information for designating the printing conditions The operation of approving the selection is executed as a function of the paper feed tray selection approval means. Further, the operation of controlling the plotter unit 6 based on the printing conditions is executed as a function of the printing control means.

After that, when an image is printed on the desired number of sheets for exclusive use for color printing, the printing operation ends.

St. If it is determined in step 20 that there is no other paper feed tray on which paper of the size specified by the paper size specification command is stacked, it is determined that the printing condition is not suitable for the purpose of the paper on the paper feed tray. And the printing operation is stopped (step St. 22).

Thereafter, it is displayed on the display 30 of the personal computer 2 that there is no paper feed tray loaded with paper suitable for the specified size and printing conditions. When the user specifies the restart of the printing operation without changing the print condition and the paper size designation, it is determined that the print condition has not been changed (step St. 23), and the paper size designation is changed. It is determined that it has not been performed (step St. 24),
It is determined whether or not a new paper feed tray (not shown) is set in addition to the plain paper feed tray 8, the back paper feed tray 9, and the dedicated paper feed tray 10. Step St.25). St. 25, if a new paper feed tray is not set, St. The operations after 22 are repeated.

When it is displayed on the display 30 of the personal computer 2 that there is no paper feed tray in which sheets suitable for the specified size and printing conditions are stacked, the user changes the printing conditions and specifies the restart of the printing operation. , St. 23, it is determined that the printing conditions have been changed, and St. The operations after 19 are repeated.

When it is displayed on the display 30 of the personal computer 2 that there is no paper feed tray loaded with paper suitable for the specified size and printing conditions, the user changes the paper size specification and restarts the printing operation. Is specified, the St. Two
It is determined in 3 that the printing conditions have not been changed, and S
t. 24, it is determined that the designation of the paper size has been changed, and St. The operations after 17 are repeated.

As described above, when the paper size designation command and the printing condition are input, the paper feed trays 8, 9, 1 on which the paper of the size designated by the paper size designation command is stacked.
0 is selected, the print condition propriety attribute information stored in the print condition holding unit 16 of the selected paper feed tray 8, 9, 10 is read, and the authorized print condition and the reject print condition and the print of the print condition propriety attribute information are printed. By comparing the conditions and stopping the printing operation when at least one of the denial printing condition and the printing condition match, it is determined that the paper feed trays 8, 9 and 10 on which the sheets of the specified size are stacked are selected. Also, when a printing condition that is not suitable for the purpose of the sheets stacked on the selected paper feed trays 8, 9, 10 is input, the paper is fed from the selected paper feed trays 8, 9, 10 Is prevented. If none of the rejected printing conditions and the printing conditions match and at least one of the authorized printing conditions and the printing conditions match, the selected paper feed tray 8,
Paper is fed from 9 and 10, the plotter unit 6 is controlled based on the printing conditions, and an image is printed on the fed paper. Therefore, the image is not printed on the paper by the printing operation which is not suitable for the purpose of the paper. Then, since the image is printed on the paper by the printing operation suitable for the purpose of the paper, a desired printed matter can be obtained. Further, the paper is effectively used according to the purpose.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, description will be given of an operation when the sheets on one paper feed tray are exhausted during the printing operation and the paper is fed from another paper feed tray. When a print start designation command, a print condition for performing double-sided printing, and a paper feed tray designation command for designating the paper feed tray 8 for plain paper are input to the MFP 1, as described above, the paper feed for plain paper is performed. Tray 8
Is selected as the first paper feed tray (step St.
26). In this way, the operation of selecting the desired paper feed tray 8, 9, 10 is executed as a function of the paper feed tray selection means.

Then, based on the printing conditions, the plotter unit 6
Is controlled, unused plain paper is fed from the plain paper feed tray 8, double-sided printing is performed, and images are printed on both sides of the unused plain paper (step St. 27). In this way, the operation of controlling the plotter unit 6 based on the printing conditions is executed as a function of the printing control means.

Thereafter, it is judged whether or not an image is printed on a desired number of unused plain papers (step St. 2).
8). At this time, if it is determined that the image has been printed on the desired number of unused plain papers, the printing operation ends.

St. When it is determined in 28 that the image is not printed on the desired number of unused plain papers, it is determined whether or not the unused plain papers are stacked in the paper feed tray 8 for plain papers ( Step St.29). At this time,
If unused plain paper is loaded on the paper feed tray 8 for plain paper, St. The operations after 27 are repeated.

St. When it is determined in 29 that the unused plain paper is not loaded on the plain paper feed tray 8, the size equal to the size of the unused plain paper loaded on the plain paper feed tray 8 It is determined whether or not there is another paper feed tray on which the sheets of No. are stacked (step St.
30). At this time, if it is determined that there is no paper feed tray loaded with paper of the same size as the unused plain paper loaded in the paper feed tray 8 for plain paper, the paper of the desired size is loaded. It is reported to the personal computer 2 that there is no paper feed tray (step St. 31). Then, it is displayed on the display 29 of the personal computer 2 that there is no paper feed tray loaded with paper of a desired size, and the printing operation is performed. Ends.

St. In 30, the size of the unused plain paper stacked on the plain paper feed tray 8 is A4, and the size of the paper stacked on the other two paper feed trays 9 and 10 is A4. It is determined that there is a paper feed tray loaded with paper of the same size as the size of the unused plain paper loaded on the paper feed tray 8 loaded on the paper feed tray 8 for plain paper. Then, first, the backing paper feed tray 9 arranged above the dedicated paper feed tray 10 is selected as the second paper feed tray (step S).
t. 32). Thus, the first paper feed tray 8, 9, 10
The operation of selecting the second paper feed trays 8, 9, and 10 on which the sheets of the same size as the unused plain paper loaded in the above are loaded is executed as a function of the paper feed tray reselecting means.

Then, the paper feed tray 9 for the selected backing paper
The printing condition propriety attribute information stored in the printing condition holding unit 16 is read by the second information reading unit 24 (step St. 33). In this way, the operation of reading the print condition propriety attribute information stored in the print condition holding unit 16 of the second paper feed tray 8, 9, 10 by the information reading units 23, 24, 25 is executed as a function of the attribute information reading unit. To be done.

After that, St. 33. The denial printing condition of the printing condition propriety attribute information read in 33 is compared with the printing condition of the printing operation performed before the unused plain paper on the plain paper feed tray 8 is exhausted, and the denial printing is performed. It is determined whether at least one of the condition and the printing condition match (step St. 34).

At this time, if it is determined that the rejected printing conditions and the printing conditions do not match at all, and it is determined that at least one of the approved printing conditions and the printing conditions match, the plotter unit 6 based on the printing conditions. Is controlled, and St. Paper is fed from the paper feed tray selected in 32, double-sided printing is performed, and images are printed on both sides of the paper (step S
t. 35). Thus, the second paper feed tray 8, 9, 10
The operation of comparing the denial print condition of the print condition propriety attribute information with the print condition performed before the sheets on the first paper feed trays 8, 9 and 10 are executed as a function of the print condition comparison means. It In addition, when none of the rejected printing conditions and the printing conditions match and at least one of the authorized printing conditions and the printing conditions match, there is print condition permission / prohibition attribute information that specifies the authorized printing conditions and the rejected printing conditions. The operation of denying the selection of the paper feed trays 8, 9 and 10 is executed as a function of the paper feed tray reselection denial means.

St. 34, single-sided printing, monochrome printing, copy use, and printer use are specified as authorized print conditions by the print condition availability attribute information of the backing paper feed tray 9, and double-sided print, color print, and FAX use are denied print. It is specified as a condition. Since double-sided printing is specified by the printing condition, it is determined that the rejected printing condition and the printing condition are the same. Then, it is determined whether or not there is another paper feed tray in which paper of a size equal to the size of the unused plain paper loaded in the paper feed tray 8 for plain paper is loaded (step St.
36). In this way, when at least one of the rejected print conditions and the print condition match, the operation of rejecting the selection of the feed trays 8, 9, and 10 having the print condition permission / prohibition attribute information designating the rejected print condition is the feed tray reselection. It is executed as a function of denial means.

Since the size of the dedicated paper for color printing stacked on the dedicated paper feed tray 10 is also A4, the St. In 32, the paper feed tray 10 for dedicated paper is selected. St. In 33, the third information reading unit 25 reads the printing condition propriety attribute information stored in the printing condition holding unit 16 on the dedicated paper feed tray 9. At this time, single-sided printing, color printing, copy use, and printer use are designated as the reject print conditions by the print condition allowance attribute information of the paper feed tray 10 for the dedicated paper.
Since double-sided printing, monochrome printing, and FAX use are specified as the denial printing conditions, St. At 34, it is determined that the rejected printing condition and the printing condition are the same. Then, St. If it is determined in 36 that there is no other paper feed tray loaded with paper of the same size as the unused plain paper loaded in the paper feed tray 8 for plain paper,
It is reported to the personal computer 2 that there is no paper feed tray loaded with paper suitable for the size and printing condition of the unused plain paper loaded on the paper feed tray 8 for plain paper (step St. 37). .

Then, it is displayed on the display of the personal computer 2 that there is no paper feed tray loaded with paper suitable for the size and printing condition of the unused paper loaded on the plain paper feed tray 8. The printing operation ends.

Thus, the first paper feed trays 8, 9, 1
0 is selected, and the selected first paper feed tray 8, 9, 10
When a sheet is fed from the first sheet feeding tray 8, 9 and 10 while the image is printed on the fed sheet, the first sheet feeding tray 8, 9, 10 The second paper feed trays 8, 9 and 10 on which paper of a size equal to the size of the paper stacked on the paper is selected, and the printing condition holding unit of the selected second paper feed trays 8, 9 and 10 is selected. The print condition propriety attribute information stored in 16 is read, and the rejected print condition of the read print condition propriety attribute information and the printing operation performed before the sheets in the first paper feed trays 8, 9, 10 are exhausted The printing conditions are compared with each other, and when at least one of the denial printing condition and the printing condition match, the printing operation is stopped so that the size of the sheets stacked on the first paper feeding trays 8, 9 and 10 is increased. Second input tray loaded with paper of the same size as , As well as 9 and 10 has been selected,
If the printing conditions of the printing operation that has been performed are not suitable for the purpose of the paper on the second paper feed trays 8, 9 and 10, the papers will be loaded from the selected second paper feed trays 8, 9 and 10. It is prevented from being fed. If none of the rejected printing conditions and the printing conditions match and at least one of the authorized printing conditions and the printing conditions match, paper is fed from the selected paper feed tray 8, 9, 10. Then, the plotter unit 6 is controlled based on the printing conditions, and the image is printed on the fed paper. Therefore, a sheet that does not meet the printing conditions of the printing operation that has been performed is fed, and an image is not printed on the sheet due to a printing operation that does not suit the purpose of the sheet. Then, since the image is printed on the paper by the printing operation suitable for the purpose of the paper, a desired printed matter can be obtained.
Further, the paper is effectively used according to the purpose.

Next, the operation when the user ID is registered and the user restriction is set will be described with reference to FIG. The user I is set in the print condition holding unit 16 of the paper feed tray 10 for exclusive paper.
After D is registered and user restrictions are set, when a print start command, a print condition for performing color printing, and a paper feed tray designation command for designating the paper feed tray 10 for dedicated paper are input, As described above, the dedicated paper feed tray 10 is selected (step St. 38). Thus, the operation of selecting the paper feed trays 8, 9 and 10 when the print start command is input is executed as a function of the paper feed tray selection means.

Then, the printing condition propriety attribute information held in the printing condition holding unit 16 of the selected special paper feed tray 10 is read by the third information reading unit 25 (step St. 39). In this way, the print condition propriety attribute information stored in the print condition holding unit 16 of the selected paper feed trays 8, 9, 10 is transferred to the information reading units 23, 24, 25.
The operation of reading by is executed as a function of the attribute information reading means.

St. It is determined whether there is a user restriction based on the print information propriety attribute information read in 39 (step St. 40). At this time, since the user ID is registered, it is determined that there is a user restriction. Then, it is reported to the personal computer 2 that there are user restrictions, and the printing operation is stopped (step St. 41). Thus
An operation of denying the selection of the paper feed trays 8, 9 and 10 with user restrictions is executed as a function of the paper feed tray selection denial means.

Then, the display 27 of the personal computer 2 displays that there are user restrictions. Then, when the user inputs a user ID, which is a usage restriction release command, on the personal computer 2, the input user ID is input from the personal computer 2 to the MFP 1. The MFP 1 compares the input user ID with the user ID registered in the print condition propriety attribute information of the dedicated paper feed tray 10 and compares the input user ID with the registered user. It is determined whether the IDs match (step St.42). At this time,
If it is determined that the input user ID does not match the registered user ID, St. Operations after 41 are repeated.

When it is determined that the input user ID matches the registered user ID, St.
The denial printing condition and the printing condition of the printing information propriety attribute information read in 39 are compared with each other, and it is determined whether at least one of the denying printing condition and the printing condition match (step St. 43). At this time, single-sided printing, color printing, copy use, and printer use are specified as the authorized print conditions by the print condition availability attribute information of the dedicated paper feed tray 10, and double-sided print, monochrome print, and FA
Use of X is specified as the denial printing condition. And
Since the color printing is designated by the printing condition, it is determined that the denial printing condition and the printing condition do not match at all, and the plotter unit 6 is controlled based on the printing condition.
t. Paper feed tray 10 for special paper selected in No. 38
The special paper for color printing is fed from, the color printing is performed, and the color image is printed on the special paper for color printing (step St.44). In this way, when the input user ID and the registered user ID match, the operation of releasing the user restriction and restarting the printing operation is executed as a function of the usage restriction releasing means.

After that, when the image is printed on the desired number of dedicated sheets for color printing, the printing operation ends.

St. If it is determined in 43 that at least one of the denied print condition and the print condition match, the personal computer 2 may find that the print condition is not suitable for the purpose of the plain paper for color printing stacked on the paper tray 10 for exclusive paper. And the printing operation is stopped (step St. 45).

After that, it is displayed on the display 27 of the personal computer 2 that the printing condition or the designation of the paper feed tray is wrong. Then, when the user changes the printing conditions and specifies the restart of the printing operation, it is determined that the printing conditions have been changed (step St. 46), and St. Operations after 43 are repeated.

When it is displayed on the display 27 of the personal computer 2 that the printing conditions or the designation of the paper feed tray is wrong, the user changes the designation of the paper feed tray and designates the restart of the printing operation. 46, it is determined that the printing conditions have not been changed, it is determined that the designation of the paper feed tray has been changed (step St. 47), and St. Operations after 38 are repeated.

When it is displayed on the display 27 of the personal computer 2 that the printing condition or the designation of the paper feed tray is wrong, the user designates the restart of the printing operation without changing the designation of the printing condition and the paper feed tray. Then, St. 46, it is determined that the printing conditions have not been changed, and St. 47, it is determined that the designation of the paper feed tray has not been changed, and St. Operations after 45 are repeated.

In this way, when the print start command is input, the paper feed trays 8, 9 and 10 are selected, and the printing stored in the print condition holding unit 16 of the selected paper feed trays 8, 9 and 10 is performed. The condition propriety attribute information is read, and it is determined whether there is a user restriction based on the read print information propriety attribute information. If there is a user restriction, the printing operation is stopped and the entered user When the ID and the user ID registered in the print information propriety attribute match, the printing operation is restarted so that even if the paper feed trays 8, 9 and 10 are selected, if there is a user restriction. Since the sheets are not fed from the selected sheet feeding trays 8, 9 and 10, the sheets are not mistakenly fed from the sheet feeding trays 8, 9 and 10. In addition, the registered user I
By inputting a user ID equal to D, paper is fed from the selected paper feed trays 8, 9, 10 and an image is printed on the paper. Therefore, it becomes easy to manage the special paper which is troubled if it is used incorrectly.

The operation when the copy operation or the FAX operation is performed is the same as the operation when the printer operation is performed. Therefore, the description of the operation when the copy operation or the FAX operation is performed is omitted.

The method of setting the print condition propriety attribute of each of the paper feed trays 8, 9 and 10 may be set by the attribute information setting section 26 in the MFP 1 or by the personal computer 2.

Further, as the printing condition holding unit, the EEP
The present invention is not limited to a storage device including a ROM, but may be a plate-shaped metal plate in which a notch corresponding to the print condition propriety attribute information or a pin arranged according to the print condition propriety attribute information is supplied to each paper feed. It may have a mechanical structure provided on the trays 8, 9 and 10. In addition, a storage device, which is a printing condition holding unit, is provided in the MFP 1, and each of the paper feed trays 8, 9, 1
The print condition propriety attribute information of 0 may be stored.

[0075]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the paper feed tray designation command is input, the paper feed tray designated by the paper feed tray designation command is selected and selected by the paper feed tray selecting means. The print condition propriety attribute information held by the attribute information holding unit of the paper feed tray is read by the attribute information reading unit, and the authorized print condition of the read print condition propriety attribute information is set as the print condition by the print condition setting unit. Paper is fed from the paper feed tray selected by the paper feed tray selection means by the paper feed section, and the printing section is controlled by the print control section based on the print condition set by the print condition setting section. The image is printed on the paper fed by. Therefore,
You can set the printing conditions suitable for the purpose of the paper loaded in the desired paper feed tray, and the printing operation suitable for the purpose of the paper can be set.
Since an image can be printed on the paper by a printing operation suitable for the purpose of the paper, a desired printed matter can be obtained. Further, the paper can be effectively used according to the purpose.

According to the second aspect of the invention, when the paper size designation command and the printing condition are input, the paper feed tray on which the paper of the size designated by the paper size designation command is stacked is selected. The print condition propriety attribute information selected by the means and held by the attribute information holding unit of the selected paper feed tray is read by the attribute information reading means, and the rejected print condition and the print condition of the read print condition propriety attribute information are read. Are compared by the printing condition comparing means, and if at least one of the denial printing condition and the printing condition match, the selection of the paper feeding tray by the paper feeding tray selecting means is denied by the paper feeding tray selection denying means. If none of the rejected printing conditions and the printing conditions match and at least one of the authorized printing conditions and the printing conditions match, the paper feed tray selection means selects the paper feed tray. Authorized by the tray selection authorization means,
Paper is fed from the paper feed tray selected by the paper feed tray selection unit, the printing unit is controlled by the print control unit based on the printing conditions, and an image is printed on the paper fed by the paper feed unit. As a result, even if the paper feed tray loaded with the paper of the specified size is selected, if the print condition not suitable for the purpose of the paper loaded in the selected paper feed tray is input, the selection is performed. Paper can be prevented from being fed from the specified paper feed tray. Then, when the printing condition suitable for the purpose of the paper stacked in the selected paper feed tray is input, the paper can be fed from the selected paper feed tray. Therefore, an image is not printed on the paper by a printing operation that is not suitable for the purpose of the paper, and an image can be printed on the paper by the printing operation that is suitable for the purpose of the paper, so that a desired printed matter can be obtained. . Further, the paper can be effectively used according to the purpose.

[0077]

[0078]

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, since the attribute information holding unit is a storage device for storing the print condition propriety attribute information, it is easy to rewrite the print condition propriety attribute information.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an operation when a paper feed tray designation command is input in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation when a paper feed tray designation command and printing conditions are input.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation when a paper size designation command and printing conditions are input.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of selecting a second paper feed tray when there is no more paper on the first paper feed tray during a printing operation.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation when there is a usage restriction.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of print condition availability attribute information.

[Explanation of symbols]

6 Printing department 8, 9, 10 paper feed tray 16 Attribute information storage

Continuation of front page (56) Reference JP-A-6-156804 (JP, A) JP-A-3-67824 (JP, A) JP-A-5-88428 (JP, A) JP-A-4-358651 (JP , A) JP-A-4-30181 (JP, A) JP-A-4-288568 (JP, A) JP-A-3-119369 (JP, A) JP-A-1-270070 (JP, A) JP-A 63-217370 (JP, A) JP 62-279357 (JP, A) JP 61-36769 (JP, A) JP 61-156057 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 21/00 370-512 B41J 13/00 G03G 15/00 106 G03G 15/00 516

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of paper feed trays on which paper is stacked, a paper feed unit that feeds the paper from one of the paper feed trays, and a paper feed unit that feeds the paper. A printing unit that prints an image on the paper, an attribute information holding unit that holds printing condition availability attribute information that specifies an authorized printing condition that is suitable for the purpose of the paper stacked in each paper feed tray, and a desired When a paper feed tray designation command for designating the paper feed tray is input, a paper feed tray selection unit for selecting the paper feed tray designated by the paper feed tray designation command, and a paper feed tray selection unit for selecting the paper feed tray Attribute information reading means for reading the printing condition propriety attribute information held by the attribute information holding part of the paper feed tray, and the printing condition propriety attribute information read by the attribute information reading means. A print condition setting unit that sets the authorized print condition of the information as a print condition; and a print control unit that controls the printing unit based on the print condition set by the print condition setting unit. Image forming apparatus. 2. A plurality of paper feed trays on which paper is stacked, a paper feed unit that feeds the paper from one of the paper feed trays, and a paper feed unit that feeds the paper. A printing unit that prints an image on the paper, a print condition availability attribute that specifies an authorized print condition suitable for the use of the paper stacked in each of the paper feed trays and a reject print condition not suitable for the use of the paper An attribute information holding unit that holds information, a sheet size designation command that designates a desired size of the sheet, and a printing condition when the printing conditions are input, and the sheets of the size designated by the sheet size designation command are stacked. Paper feed tray selecting means for selecting a paper feed tray, and reading the print condition propriety attribute information held by the attribute information holding portion of the paper feed tray selected by the paper feed tray selecting means Sex information reading means, printing condition comparing means for comparing the authorized printing condition and the denied printing condition of the printing condition propriety attribute information read by the attribute information reading means with the printing condition, and the denied printing condition Paper feed tray selection denial means for denying the selection of the paper feed tray by the paper feed tray selection means when at least one of the printing conditions matches, and the denial printing condition and the printing condition do not match at all. Paper feed tray selection approval means for approving the selection of the paper feed tray by the paper feed tray selection means when at least one of the approved printing conditions and the printing conditions match, and the printing unit is controlled based on the printing conditions. An image forming apparatus, comprising: Wherein the attribute information holding unit, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein it is a storage device for storing print condition permission attribute information provided in each sheet feed tray.