JP4612775B2 - Image forming apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus capable of duplex printing and a control method thereof.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Along with the digitalization of copiers, multi-function machines that have multiple functions, such as a facsimile function that performs facsimile transmission and reception using the scanner function and printer function of the copier, and a PDL (Page Description Language) printer, have been put into practical use. . This type of multifunction device is configured to be operable not only with a single function such as a copier function, a facsimile function or a PDL print function, but also between a plurality of functions such as facsimile transmission of a PDL developed image, for example. . Further, by connecting the multifunction peripheral via a LAN, the functions of the multifunction peripheral can be used even in a computer device or the like.
[0003]
In addition, in a copying machine, an apparatus having a function of performing a charging process on a single side / double side, a paper size of an image, a paper type, the number of paper sheets, color / monochrome, etc. has been put into practical use. In this copying machine, since the original is read one by one (one side) at the time of duplex copying, the processing is interrupted and charged each time one side is printed.
[0004]
The reason why there was no problem even if the printing on one side was interrupted in this way mainly at the time of the pressure plate is that the user who requested double-sided printing inserted coins and printed while grasping the progress.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
On the other hand, in the case of PDL, at the time of double-sided printing, data for both sides are requested to be printed together, so that it is not possible to divert the processing of a conventional copier that performs charging processing for each side as it is.
That is, even if data for both sides is received, if only one side is printed due to a lack of fees (coins), complicated processing is required from the user. For example, if the user sends two pages of data and only one-side printing is performed, in order to print the second page, the user must edit the data and send the data again for the second page.
[0006]
In view of such circumstances, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of double-sided printing that can be appropriately and efficiently controlled, and that can reduce the load on the user when the transferred data is double-sided printed, and a control method therefor. For the purpose.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus capable of duplex printing, receiving means for receiving code data representing an image to be printed and analyzing means for analyzing a header portion of the code data received by the receiving means And, based on the analysis result of the header part by the analyzing unit, the image data obtained by developing the code data received by the receiving unit is subjected to monochrome printing or color printing, a paper size and resolution at the time of print output, Recognizing means for recognizing an output mode indicating single-sided printing or double-sided printing, and one sheet of duplex printing in the output mode recognized by the recognizing means when the output mode recognized by the recognizing means indicates double-sided printing Determining means for determining whether or not the necessary amount of money has been input by the user, and the amount of money required for the double-sided printing by the determination by the determining means Yes but if it is determined not to be turned on, and control means for controlling so as not be single-sided printing, the When the output mode of the first code data received by the receiving unit is double-sided printing, it is determined whether or not the first code data has data for one sheet on both sides. When there is data, if the amount necessary for printing one sheet on both sides of the first code data is input, printing for one sheet on both sides is executed. If the amount is not input, single-sided printing is also performed. Without waiting for the amount to be inserted, and when there is only one side of data during the double-sided printing of the first code data, the single-sided data is printed on one side, When the output mode of the first code data is double-sided printing and the received first code data does not include data for one sheet on both sides, the same output mode as the first code data is output. Second code day Data is received and both sides of the first code data and the second code data are printed on both sides if the amount of money necessary for printing one sheet on both sides of the output mode is input. It is characterized by doing.
[0013]
Further, the control method of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a receiving step of receiving code data representing an image to be printed, an analyzing step of analyzing a header portion of the code data received in the receiving step, and the analyzing step Based on the analysis result of the header part, the image data obtained by developing the code data received in the receiving step is printed in black and white or color, paper size and resolution when printing out, single-sided printing or double-sided printing A recognition step for recognizing an output mode indicating whether or not, and when the output mode recognized in the recognition step indicates double-sided printing, the amount of money required for one sheet of double-sided printing in the output mode recognized in the recognition step is A judgment step for judging whether or not the money has been thrown in, and the amount required for one double-sided printing by the judgment in the judgment step. If it is determined that that is not, Yes and a control step of controlling so as not be single-sided printing, the If the output mode of the received first code data is duplex printing, it is determined whether or not the first code data has data for one sheet on both sides. If the amount necessary for printing one sheet on both sides of the first code data is input, printing for one sheet on both sides is executed, and if the amount is not input, the one-side printing is not performed and the amount is printed. And when the first code data is being printed on both sides, if only the data for one side runs out, the data for one side is printed on one side, while the first code data is printed on the other side. If the code data output mode is duplex printing and the received first code data does not contain data for one sheet, the second code in the same output mode as the first code data. Data is received, and Perform the duplex printing data amount necessary for printing both sides one sheet is a combination of the said said first code data if it is turned on the second code data of said output mode It is characterized by doing.
[0017]
In addition, the present invention program Any of the above Of image forming device To make the computer function as each means , A program executed by a computer It is.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a reader unit 1 reads an image of a document and outputs image data corresponding to the document image to a printer unit 2 and an image input / output control unit 3. The printer unit 2 records an image corresponding to the image data from the reader unit 1 and the image input / output control unit 3 on a recording sheet. The image input / output control unit 3 is connected to the reader unit 1, and includes a facsimile unit 4, a file unit 5, a network computer interface unit 7, a formatter unit 8, a block selection unit 9, a core unit 10, and the like.
[0019]
The facsimile unit 4 decompresses the compressed image data received via the telephone line 13 and transfers the decompressed image data to the core unit 10. In addition, the image data transferred from the core unit 10 is compressed, and the compressed image data that has been compressed is transmitted via the telephone line 13. A hard disk 11 is connected to the facsimile unit 4, and the received compressed image data can be temporarily stored.
[0020]
An external storage device, that is, a magneto-optical disk drive unit 6 is connected to the file unit 5. The file unit 5 compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 10 and stores it on a magneto-optical disk set in the magneto-optical disk drive unit 6 together with a keyword for retrieving the image data. The file unit 5 searches the compressed image data stored in the magneto-optical disk based on the keyword transferred via the core unit 10, reads the retrieved compressed image data, decompresses it, and decompresses the image Data is transferred to the core unit 10.
[0021]
The computer interface unit 7 is an interface between a personal computer or workstation (PC / WS) 12 and the core unit 10 and supports a basic interface such as a serial interface to a LAN. The network function is supported up to serial (SLIP) and LAN (Local Area Network). As network functions, protocols such as Network, TCP / IP, and Ether Talk are supported on SLIP and LAN, and higher layer services such as NFS are also supported.
[0022]
The formatter unit 8 develops code data representing an image transferred from the PC / WS 12 into image data that can be recorded by the printer unit 2.
The block selection unit 9 accumulates image data, analyzes the accumulated image data, classifies it into a text portion and an image portion, and manages the classified data and its layout information in association with each other.
[0023]
Although the core unit 10 will be described later, the core unit 10 stores data between the reader unit 1, the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, the network interface unit 7, the formatter unit 8, the image memory unit 9, and the coin robot unit 14. Control the flow.
[0024]
The coin robot unit 14 notifies the core unit 10 of the fee of coins inserted by the user. When the coin robot unit 14 manages monochrome / color charges, the core unit 10 determines whether monochrome / color printing is possible for the core unit 10 or the number of prints that can be made for monochrome / color printing. You may make it notify. The core unit 10 starts up a screen after receiving a notification from the coin robot unit 14 and performs a printing operation.
[0025]
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2. The document feeder 101 of the reader unit 1 feeds documents one by one from the last page onto the platen glass 102 one by one. After the document reading operation is completed, the document on the platen glass 102 is discharged. When the original is conveyed onto the platen glass 102, the lamp 103 is turned on, and the movement of the scanner unit 104 is started to expose and scan the original. The reflected light from the original at this time is guided to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 109 by mirrors 105, 106, 107 and a lens 108.
[0026]
The image of the original scanned in this way is read by the CCD 109, and the image data output from the CCD 109 is transferred to the printer unit 2 and the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3 after being subjected to predetermined processing. The
[0027]
The laser driver 221 of the printer unit 2 drives the laser light emitting unit 201 and causes the laser light emitting unit 201 to emit laser light corresponding to the image data output from the reader unit 1. The laser beam is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 202, and a latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 202. A developer is attached to the latent image portion of the photosensitive drum 202 by the developing unit 203. Then, at the timing synchronized with the start of laser light irradiation, the recording paper is fed from either the cassette 204 or the cassette 205 and conveyed to the transfer unit 206, and the developer attached to the photosensitive drum 202 is transferred to the recording paper. To do. The recording paper on which the developer is placed is conveyed to the fixing unit 207, and the developer is fixed on the image recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 207.
[0028]
The recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 207 is discharged by the discharge roller 208, and the sorter 220 stores the discharged recording paper in each bin and sorts the recording paper. Note that the sorter 220 stores recording paper in the uppermost bin when sorting is not set. If double-sided recording is set, the recording paper is conveyed to the discharge roller 208, and then the rotation direction of the discharge roller 208 is reversed and guided to the refeed conveyance path 210 by the flapper 209. When multiple recording is set, the recording paper is guided to the refeed conveyance path 210 by the flapper 209 so as not to be conveyed to the discharge roller 208. The recording paper guided to the refeed conveyance path 210 is fed to the transfer unit 206 at the timing described above.
[0029]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the reader unit 1. In FIG. 3, the image data output from the CCD 109 is subjected to analog / digital conversion by the A / D / SH unit 110 and subjected to shading correction. The image data processed by the A / D / SH unit 110 is transferred to the printer unit 2 through the image processing unit 111 and also transferred to the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3 through the interface unit 113. The
[0030]
The CPU 114 controls the image processing unit 111 and the interface 113 according to the setting content set by the operation unit 115. For example, when a copy mode for performing copying by performing trimming processing at the operation unit 115 is set, trimming processing is performed by the image processing unit 111 and transferred to the printer unit 2. When the facsimile transmission mode is set on the operation unit 115, the image data and the control command corresponding to the set mode are transferred from the interface 113 to the core unit 10. Such a control program of the CPU 114 is stored in the memory 116, and the CPU 114 performs control while referring to the memory 116. The memory 116 is also used as a work area for the CPU 114.
[0031]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the core unit 10. In FIG. 4, the image data from the reader unit 1 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 via the interface 122. A control command from the reader unit 1 is transferred to the CPU 123 via the interface 122. The data processing unit 121 performs image processing such as image rotation processing and scaling processing. The image data transferred from the reader unit 1 to the data processing unit 121 is transferred to the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, and the computer interface unit 7 through the interface 120 in accordance with the control command transferred from the reader unit 1. .
[0032]
In addition, code data representing an image input via the computer interface unit 7 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 and then transferred to the formatter unit 8 to be developed into image data. The image data is transferred to the data processing unit 121 and then transferred to the facsimile unit 4 and the printer unit 2. Image data from the facsimile unit 4 is transferred to the data processing unit 121, and then transferred to the printer unit 2, the file unit 5, and the computer interface unit 7. The image data from the file unit 5 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 and then transferred to the printer unit 2, facsimile unit 4, and computer interface unit 7.
Information from the coin robot unit 14 is transferred to the CPU 123 via the interface 125.
[0033]
The CPU 123 performs such control according to the control program stored in the memory 124 and the control command transferred from the reader unit 1. The memory 124 is also used as a work area for the CPU 123. In this way, processing that combines functions such as reading of a document image, printing of an image, transmission / reception of an image, storage of an image, and input / output of data from a computer can be performed with the core unit 10 as the center.
[0034]
Next, FIG. 5 shows a flow of a charging system of the image forming apparatus in the present embodiment.
In step S501 of FIG. 5, a normal copy startup operation is performed under the core unit 10 when the power is turned on. Initialization processing is performed for the formatter unit 8 (PDL), but the normal PC / WS 12 does not shift to the PDL (Page Description Language) data receivable mode, and PDL data is not accepted while waiting for printing. stop.
[0035]
The PDL data has a logical structure as shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 701 denotes a header portion, which indicates information related to settings such as a description language (LIPS), a paper size, an output mode such as single-sided / double-sided, and the number of copies. Reference numeral 702 denotes print data written in the description language shown in the header portion 701. In some cases, data for a plurality of pages is written.
[0036]
In step S502, when all the setups are completed, the operation unit 124 displays a coin insertion screen.
In step S503, if a coin is inserted into the coin robot 14, the process proceeds to step S504. If not, the process returns to step S503. In step S503, it is determined whether or not a coin has been inserted, rather than determining the number of coins (charge) required for printing. This is done to determine that the user who is trying to print is near the multifunction device. Therefore, when a coin is inserted in step S503, it is assumed that the user is nearby, and the processing after step S504 is performed.
[0037]
In step S504, the core unit 10 receives a coin inserted from the coin robot 14, and turns on the print ready signal. Upon receiving this signal, the formatter unit 8 (PDL) can accept print data.
[0038]
In step S505, the PDL data is transferred from the PC / WS 12 to the formatter unit 8 via the computer interface unit 7 by the operation of the PC / WS 12 or the operation unit 115, and is actually expanded. Then, by interpreting the header portion 107, the black and white / color, paper size, resolution, and single side / double side are clarified as the output mode. If single side printing, the process proceeds to step S506, and if double side printing, the process proceeds to step S511.
[0039]
In the case of single-sided printing, in step S506, the output mode (monochrome / color, paper size, resolution, single-sided / double-sided) clarified in step S505 is notified to the core unit 10.
In step S507, based on the output mode determined in step S505, the fee required for printing the first sheet is calculated by the same method as that for copying. If the amount inserted in the coin robot 14 is sufficient, the process returns to step S508, and if not, the process returns to step S502.
In step S508, the print data is transferred from the formatter unit 8 to the core unit 10, and printing is actually executed. In step S509, actual charging processing such as subtracting the printed fee from the fee charged in the coin robot 14 is performed.
[0040]
In step S510, it is determined whether there is a page that has not been printed with the data developed in step S505. If printing of all pages has been completed, the process ends. If there is a page to be printed, the process returns to step S507, and the remaining pages are printed in step S507, step S508, and step S509.
In the case of double-sided printing, it is determined in step S511 whether the data developed by the formatter unit 8 is for both sides (first side and second side). If there is data for both sides, in step S512, the output mode (monochrome / color, paper size, resolution, duplex printing) for both the first side and the second side, which has been clarified in step S505, is notified to the core unit 10. .
[0041]
In step S513, the fee required for printing the first sheet (both sides) is calculated based on the output mode determined in step S505. If the amount inserted in the coin robot 14 is sufficient, the process proceeds to step S514, and if not, the process proceeds to step S518, and the coin insertion screen is displayed on the operation unit 124. When a coin is inserted into the coin robot 14 in step S519, the process returns to step S513.
[0042]
In step S514, the print data for both sides is transferred from the formatter unit 8 to the core unit 10, and actual printing is performed. In step S515, actual charging processing such as subtracting the printed fee from the fee charged in the coin robot 14 is performed. Do.
In step S516, it is determined whether there is a page that has not been printed with the data developed in step S505. If printing of all pages has been completed, the process ends. If there is a page to be printed, it is determined in step S517 whether there is data that has not been printed yet on both sides, and if there is data on both sides, the process returns to step S512 to perform the above-described double-sided printing process. If not, that is, if there is only one side, it is determined as the final page, and the process proceeds to step S507 to perform the above-described single-sided printing process.
[0043]
In step S511, if there is no data for both sides, that is, if the data developed in the snubber S505 is only for one side, the formatter unit 8 (PDL) is used to accept the data on the second side in step S520 in FIG. ) Can accept PDL data. When the PDL data is transferred from the PC / WS 12, in step S521, the data transferred in the formatter unit 8 is expanded and the output data (monochrome / color / color) is interpreted by interpreting the header portion 701 of the expanded data. The paper size, resolution, and single side / double side) are clarified, and it is determined whether or not the output mode is the same as the output mode analyzed in step S505.
[0044]
As a result of the determination, if the output modes match, the process proceeds to step S512, and the first side data developed in step S505 and the second side data developed in step S521 are output to the core unit 10 together with the output mode as data for both sides. Notification is performed, and double-sided printing processing is performed after step S513.
[0045]
If the output mode does not match in step S521, the process proceeds to step S522. In step S522, a message such as “Do you want to print on one side?” Or the like is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 115, so that the data developed in step S505 and the data developed in step S521 may be printed on one side. If single-sided printing is instructed by operating the operation unit 115, the process proceeds to step S506, and by performing the processing from step S506 described above, the both-side items of the analyzed output mode are set to one side. Each of the data expanded in step S505 and the data expanded in step S521 is printed on one side.
If it is determined in step S522 that single-sided printing is not instructed, the process returns to step S520, and data for which double-sided printing is designated is received again.
[0046]
Here, software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments for an apparatus or a computer in the system connected to the various devices so that the various devices are operated so as to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments. The program implemented by supplying the program code and operating the various devices according to the program stored in the computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus is also included in the scope of the present invention.
[0047]
In this case, the program code of the software itself realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code itself and means for supplying the program code to the computer, for example, the program code is stored. The storage medium constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for storing the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.
[0048]
Further, by executing the program code supplied by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS (operating system) or other application software in which the program code is running on the computer, etc. It goes without saying that the program code is also included in the embodiment of the present invention even when the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized jointly.
[0049]
Further, after the supplied program code is stored in the memory provided in the function expansion board of the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit based on the instructions of the program, etc. However, the present invention also includes a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing.
[0050]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention Yo Thus, the copy charging system can be effectively used in an image forming apparatus having a printer function. In particular For printing that can specify black and white / color, paper size, resolution, single side / double side It is possible to reduce the load on the user at the time of duplex printing, and it is not necessary to carry out a complicated process of recovery such as a one-side interruption with insufficient charge at the time of duplex printing.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a reader unit and a printer unit in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a reader unit in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a core unit in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the accounting system in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the accounting system in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a logical structure of PDL data in the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Reader section
2 Printer section
3 Image input / output controller
4 Facsimile Department
5 File part
7 Computer interface
8 Formatter section
9 Block selection section,
10 Core part
11 Hard disk part
12 PC / WS Department
14 Coin Robot
101 Document feeder
102 Platen glass
103 lamp
104 Scanner unit
105,106,107 mirror
109 CCD
110 A / D / SH Department
111 Image processing unit
113 interface
114 CPU
115 Operation unit
116 memory
121 Data processing unit
123 CPU
124 memory
201 Laser emission part
202 Photosensitive drum
203 Developer
204,205 cassette
206 Transfer section
207 Fixing part
208 discharge roller
209 Flapper
210 Refeed conveyance path
220 Sorter
221 Laser driver

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus capable of duplex printing,
Receiving means for receiving code data representing an image to be printed out;
Analyzing means for analyzing a header portion of the code data received by the receiving means;
Based on the analysis result of the header section by the analyzing unit, the image data obtained by developing the code data received by the receiving unit is printed in black and white or color, or the paper size and resolution when printing out, single-sided printing Recognition means for recognizing an output mode indicating whether to perform double-sided printing;
When the output mode recognized by the recognizing unit indicates double-sided printing, a determining unit that determines whether an amount necessary for one double-sided printing in the output mode recognized by the recognizing unit is input by the user;
Control means for controlling so as not to perform single-sided printing when it is determined by the determination by the determination means that the necessary amount of money for one sheet of double-sided printing has not been input ,
When the output mode of the first code data received by the receiving means is double-sided printing, it is determined whether or not the first code data has data for one side of both sides, and the data for one side of the double side is obtained. In some cases, if the amount necessary for printing one sheet of both sides of the first code data is input, printing for one sheet of both sides is executed, and if the amount is not input, single-sided printing is not performed. Until the amount of money is inserted, and when there is only one side of data during the double-sided printing of the first code data, the single-sided data is printed on one side,
On the other hand, when the output mode of the first code data is duplex printing and the received first code data does not include data for one sheet on both sides, the same output as the first code data is output. If the second code data of the mode is received and the amount of money necessary for printing one sheet on both sides of the output mode is input, the first code data and the second code data are combined. An image forming apparatus that performs double-sided printing of data . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
An image forming apparatus characterized in that, when it is determined by the determination means that the necessary amount of money is not input for one sheet of double-sided printing, a notification that prompts the user to input a fee is provided. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
Formatter means for developing the code data received by the receiving means into image data;
Switching means for switching the formatter means from a state not accepting code data from the receiving means to an accepting state when detecting that the user has inserted money regardless of the amount of money to be inserted,
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the switching unit is switched to a receiving state for receiving code data from the receiving unit, the analyzing unit analyzes a header portion of the code data received by the receiving unit. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus capable of duplex printing,
A receiving process for receiving code data representing an image to be printed;
An analysis step of analyzing the header portion of the code data received in the reception step;
Based on the analysis result of the header portion in the analysis step, the image data obtained by developing the code data received in the reception step is printed in black and white, color printed, paper size and resolution when printing out, single-sided printing A recognition process for recognizing an output mode indicating whether to perform double-sided printing,
When the output mode recognized in the recognition step indicates double-sided printing, a determination step of determining whether the amount required for one double-sided printing in the output mode recognized in the recognition step has been input by the user;
When the amount of money required for one said double-sided printing by the determination at decision step is determined not to be turned on, possess a control step of controlling so as not be single-sided printing, a,
When the output mode of the received first code data is duplex printing, it is determined whether or not the first code data has data for one sheet on both sides. If the amount necessary for printing one sheet of both sides of one code data is input, printing for one sheet on both sides is executed. If the amount is not input, the amount is input without performing single-sided printing. In addition, when there is only one side of data during the double-sided printing of the first code data, the single-sided data is printed on one side,
On the other hand, if the output mode of the first code data is duplex printing and the received first code data does not include data for one sheet on both sides, the same output as the first code data is output. If the second code data of the mode is received and the amount of money necessary for printing one sheet on both sides of the output mode is input, the first code data and the second code data are combined. A control method for an image forming apparatus, wherein double-sided printing of data is executed . For causing a computer to function as each means of the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, a program executed by a computer.

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