JPH1026874A - Device and method for outputting image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the stopping of printing caused by the shortage of consumables in unmanned environment. SOLUTION: A specified value is previously set at a constant storing part 301. The residual amount of toner is detected by a toner residual amount detecting part 302, and is compared with a specified amount by a comparing part 303. When the residual amount of the toner is less than the specified amount, a toner mode is switched so as to make toner consumption small by a toner mode changeover part 304, and also developing bias is switched by a developing bias changeover part 305. An image is formed by the developing bias switched by which toner consumption is made small at a developing unit 1007.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image output apparatus and method such as a printer connected to a host computer or the like, and more particularly to an image output apparatus and method capable of reducing the consumption of a recording material or a recording medium. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image output apparatus, for example, a printer such as a well-known laser beam printer, is connected to a host computer using a standard interface cable, and receives an image signal described in PDL from the host computer. Then, the image signal is interpreted, converted into a binary signal of bitmap data for output to a printer engine, and a hard copy is obtained from the printer.

In recent years, the importance of energy saving and environmental protection has increased, and printers having a recording material mode for reducing the consumption of recording materials such as toner and ink have been commercialized. In addition, it has a function of printing a plurality of pages by reducing the number of pages on one sheet and printing a plurality of pages, and further has a function of saving paper consumption by simultaneously performing well-known double-sided printing and printing a plurality of pages. Things have also been commercialized.

[0004]

However, in the above conventional example, the recording material saving mode is set regardless of the remaining amount of the recording material.
The average amount of toner consumed per page does not change unless the user switches to the recording material saving mode. For example, when a printer is used as a facsimile output, recording is performed when a large amount of data is received in an unmanned state such as at night. There has been a problem that the material has run out and it is not possible to print all the received data.

Further, in the above-mentioned conventional example, one page is printed per sheet regardless of the number of sheets of paper in the printer, unless the user switches to the printing of a plurality of pages. When a printer is used, there is a problem in that when a large amount of data is received in an unmanned state such as at night, the paper runs out and it is not possible to print all the received data.

In order to solve this problem, there is a method of storing a large amount of recording material in a printer, or preparing a large-capacity paper cassette or a paper stacker. Had the disadvantage of becoming

In particular, for use in a small office or the like, downsizing of the OA equipment is indispensable, and downsizing and cost reduction of the printer are indispensable. In other words, the recording material runs out unattended, such as at night, at a low cost at a small size,
Alternatively, in order to prevent the paper from running out, it is necessary to perform the recording material saving mode or automate the printing of a plurality of pages.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to prevent running out of recording material and paper in an unattended state.

[0009]

The image output apparatus of the present invention for achieving the above object has the following arrangement. That is, an image output apparatus for forming image data on a recording material by using the recording material and the recording material as a consumption material, comprising: an input unit that inputs image data; and a detection unit that detects a remaining amount of the consumption material. Means, determining means for determining whether the remaining amount of the consumable material detected by the detecting means satisfies a predetermined condition, and determining by the determining means that the remaining amount of the consumable material does not satisfy the condition. In this case, there is provided an image forming means for forming an image of the image data input by the input means while reducing the consumption of the consumable material.

Alternatively, there is provided an image output apparatus for forming an image by an electrophotographic method, comprising an input means for inputting image data, a detecting means for detecting a remaining amount of the recording material, and a recording material detected by the detecting means. Determining means for determining whether the remaining amount of the recording material is greater than the reference amount, and when the determining means determines that the remaining amount of the recording material is less than the reference amount, the developing bias is lowered to reduce the amount of the recording material adhered. Image forming means for forming an image by reducing the number of images.

Alternatively, there is provided an image output apparatus for forming an image by an electrophotographic method, comprising: an input means for inputting image data; a detecting means for detecting a remaining amount of a recording material; Determining means for determining whether the remaining amount of the recording material is greater than the reference amount; and determining, by the determining means, that the remaining amount of the recording material is less than the reference amount, the image for a plurality of pages is reduced by one. And an image forming means for forming on one recording material.

Further, the image output method of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, an image output method of forming image data on a recording material by using a recording material and a recording material as a consumption material, and an input step of inputting image data;
A detecting step of detecting the remaining amount of the consumable material; a determining step of determining whether the remaining amount of the consumable material detected in the detecting step satisfies a predetermined condition; and An image forming step of forming an image of the image data input in the input step by reducing the consumption amount of the consumable material when it is determined that the condition is not satisfied.

Alternatively, there is provided an image output method for forming an image by an electrophotographic method, wherein an input step of inputting image data, a detecting step of detecting a remaining amount of the recording material, and a recording material detected by the detecting step A determining step of determining whether the remaining amount of the recording material is larger than the reference amount; and, if the determining step determines that the remaining amount of the recording material is smaller than the reference amount, lowering the developing bias to reduce the amount of the recording material adhered. And an image forming step of forming an image by reducing the number of images.

Alternatively, there is provided an image output method for forming an image by an electrophotographic method, wherein an inputting step of inputting image data, a detecting step of detecting a remaining amount of a recording material, and a detecting step performed by the detecting step. A determining step of determining whether the remaining amount of the recording material is larger than the reference amount; and determining that the remaining amount of the recording material is smaller than the reference amount by And an image forming step of forming on one recording material.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

<Embodiment 1> Before describing the configuration of the apparatus of the present embodiment, the configurations of a laser beam printer and an inkjet printer, which are examples of an image output apparatus suitable for applying the present invention, will be described with reference to FIGS. I will explain it. The printer to which the present embodiment is applied is not limited to a laser beam printer and an ink jet printer, but may be a printer of another printing method.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the structure of a first output device to which the present invention can be applied, and shows, for example, the case of a laser beam printer (LBP).

Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 1000 denotes an LBP main body, which inputs and stores print information (character codes and the like), form information, macro instructions, and the like supplied from an externally connected host computer, and stores the information. , A corresponding character pattern, form pattern, or the like is created, and an image is formed on a recording medium such as recording paper.
Reference numeral 1012 denotes an operation panel on which switches for operation, an LED display, and the like are arranged.
This is a printer control unit that controls the entire system and analyzes character information and the like supplied from the host computer. The printer control unit 1001 mainly converts character information into a video signal of a corresponding character pattern and outputs the video signal to a laser driver 1002. The laser driver 1002 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 1003, and switches on / off a laser beam 1004 emitted from the semiconductor laser 1003 according to an input video signal. The laser beam 1004 is oscillated in the left-right direction by the rotary polygon mirror 1005 to scan and expose the electrostatic drum 1006. As a result, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1006. This latent image is stored in the electrostatic drum 1006
After the image is developed by a developing unit 1007 disposed around, the image is transferred to a recording sheet. A cut sheet is used as the recording paper, and the cut sheet recording paper is stored in a paper cassette 1008 mounted on the LBP 1000,
09, the transfer roller 1010 and the transfer roller 1011, the toner is taken into the apparatus and supplied to the electrostatic drum 1006. The LBP main body 1000 is provided with at least one or more card slots (not shown) so that an optional font card and a control card (emulation card) having a different language system can be connected in addition to the built-in fonts.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of an ink jet recording apparatus IJRA to which the present invention can be applied. In the figure,
The carriage HC that engages with the spiral groove 5004 of the lead screw 5005 that rotates via the driving force transmission gears 5011 and 5009 in conjunction with the forward and reverse rotation of the drive motor 5013 has a pin (not shown), , B. An ink jet cartridge IJC is mounted on the carriage HC. Reference numeral 5002 denotes a paper pressing plate, which presses the paper against the platen 5000 in the moving direction of the carriage. Reference numerals 5007 and 5008 denote home position detecting means for confirming the presence of the lever 5006 of the carriage in this area and switching the rotation direction of the motor 5013. 50
16 is a cap member 5 for capping the front surface of the recording head.
Reference numeral 5015 denotes a suction unit for sucking the inside of the cap, and performs suction recovery of the recording head through the opening 5023 in the cap. Reference numeral 5017 denotes a cleaning blade. Reference numeral 5019 denotes a member which allows the blade to move in the front-rear direction. These members are supported by a main body support plate 5018. It goes without saying that the blade is not limited to this form and a known cleaning blade can be applied to this example. Reference numeral 5021 denotes a lever for starting suction for recovery of suction, which moves with the movement of the cam 5020 which engages with the carriage, and controls the movement of the driving force from the drive motor by a known transmission means such as clutch switching. Is done.

The following description relates to control performed on a printer having the mechanism shown in FIG. 1 or FIG.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printer control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, a laser beam printer (FIG. 1) will be described as an example. If the functions of the present invention are executed, the present invention is applicable to a single device, a system including a plurality of devices, and a system in which processing is performed via a network such as a LAN. It goes without saying that the invention can be applied.

In FIG. 2, a host computer 300
0 is a C for executing document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets, etc.) are mixed based on a document processing program or the like stored in the program ROM of the ROM 3.
PU1 is provided. The CPU 1 generally controls each device connected to the system device 4.

The program ROM of the ROM 3
Stores a control program of the CPU 1 and the like.
The font ROM stores font data and the like used in the above-described document processing. The ROM 3 data ROM stores various data (for example, a fixed pattern and a test print form) used in the above-described document processing and the like. Such)
Is stored. The RAM 2 functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like for the CPU 1. Keyboard controller (K
The BC 5 controls key input from a keyboard 9 or a pointing device (not shown). A CRT controller (CRTC) 6 includes a CRT display (CRT) 10
Control the display of. The memory controller (MC) 7
Hard disk (HD), floppy disk (FD) for storing boot programs, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, etc.
Access to the external memory 11 is controlled. The printer controller (PRTC) 8 is connected to the printer 1500 via a predetermined bidirectional interface (interface) 21, executes an outline font development (rasterization) process in a communication control RAM with the printer 1000, and executes a CRT 10. The above WYSIWYG is enabled. Further, the CPU 1 opens various registered windows based on commands specified by a mouse cursor or the like (not shown) on the CRT 10 and executes various data processing.

In the printer 1000, the printer CP
U12 comprehensively controls access to various devices connected to the system bus 15 based on a control program or the like stored in the program ROM of the ROM 13 or a control program or the like stored in the external memory 14,
An image signal is output as output information to a printing unit (printer engine) 17 connected via the printing unit interface 16. The program ROM of the ROM 13 stores a control program of the CPU 12 and the like. ROM
The font ROM 13 stores font data and the like used when generating the output information, and the ROM 13 stores an external memory 14 such as a hard disk.
In the case of a printer having no printer, information used on the host computer is stored. CPU 12 is an input unit 1
8 enables communication processing with the host computer, and transfers information and the like in the printer to the host computer 3.
000 can be notified. The RAM 19 functioning as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 12 is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an additional port (not shown). The RAM 19 is used for an output information development area, an environment data storage area, an NVRAM, and the like. The external memory 14 such as a hard disk (HD) and an IC card described above.
Are controlled by a memory controller (MC) 20. The external memory 14 is connected as an option, and includes font data, an emulation program,
Stores form data and the like. The operation panel 101
2 is provided with a switch for operation, an LED display, and the like.

The above-mentioned external memory is not limited to one, and at least one external memory is provided. In addition to the built-in fonts, an optional font card and a plurality of external memories storing programs for interpreting printer control languages of different languages are connected. It may be configured to be able to do so. Further, an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided to store the printer mode setting information from the operation panel 1012.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention, in which the remaining toner amount is detected and the mode is switched to the toner saving mode. The configuration in FIG. 3 may be included in the printing unit interface 16 and the printing unit 17 in FIG. 2, and the CPU 12 may include the ROM 13 or the RAM 1 except for the configuration included in the printing unit 17.
9 may be realized by executing a program stored in the program 9.

The processing procedure according to the configuration of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When FIG. 3 is realized by the CPU 12, FIG. 4 can be said to be a flowchart of the procedure of the program to be executed. This is the same for the embodiments other than the first embodiment.

First, in the toner remaining amount detecting unit 302,
The amount of toner in the developing unit 7 is monitored and detected, and the detected amount of toner is output to the comparison unit 303 (step S
0). The comparison unit 303 compares the constant stored in the constant storage unit 301 in advance with the amount of toner from the remaining toner amount detection unit 302, and calculates the amount of toner from the remaining toner amount detection unit 302 based on the constant in the constant storage unit 301. When the number is smaller, an H signal is output to the toner mode switching unit 304 (step S1). Toner mode switching unit 3 receiving the H signal
04 is a toner saving mode (toner consumption is 1 /
The developing bias switching unit 3 sets the toner density value to satisfy 2).
05 (step S2). The developing bias switching unit 305, which receives the toner density value of the toner saving mode from the toner mode switching unit 304, switches the developing bias to the developing unit 1007 to a developing bias voltage value such that the toner saving mode is set. 1/2 of printing
The printing is performed in the toner saving mode, which is the toner consumption amount (step S3).

When the developing bias is switched in this way, actual print output is performed. Therefore, the toner remaining amount detection unit may monitor the toner remaining amount every time one page is printed. Further, the toner remaining amount detection unit detects the remaining amount of toner by using a sensor or the like included in the printing unit 17.

According to the above procedure, the remaining toner detecting section 30
If the remaining amount of toner detected in step 2 is smaller than a predetermined constant, the developing bias is switched. When the developing bias is switched to the toner-saving side, the amount of toner adhering to the latent image on the developing drum when developing the latent image is reduced, so that the consumption of toner can be reduced.

In the constant storage unit 301, a value is set in advance, and as the value, the remaining amount of toner capable of printing several tens or hundreds of sheets on average is stored. The constant is a value that can be set from the operation unit 1012 or the host computer 3000, and can change the timing of switching to the toner saving mode.

The toner mode switching unit can be operated by a user through an operation unit (not shown), and can be switched to the toner saving mode at any time even when the remaining amount of toner is low. Further, it is possible to automatically switch to the toner-saving mode or not to switch to the toner-saving mode by the operation unit (not shown).

In the above embodiment, the toner mode switching unit 3
04 switches to the toner saving mode when receiving the H signal from the comparison unit 303, but is not limited to this.
When the toner mode switching unit 304 receives the H signal from the comparison unit 303, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which printing is stopped or a warning is issued.

In the above-described embodiment, the toner saving mode is realized by changing the voltage value of the developing bias. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to realize the toner saving mode by printing only the outline.

The constant storage unit 301 can store only one value. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A plurality of values can be stored, and each value is compared with the remaining amount of toner. It is also possible to switch the toner-saving mode and cut off the developing bias accordingly.

<Embodiment 2> FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the number of print requests is detected and the mode is switched to the toner saving mode.
Blocks having the same functions as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. This procedure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The toner remaining amount detecting unit 302 monitors and detects the amount of toner in the developing unit 1007, and outputs the detected amount of toner to the printed sheet number calculating unit 25. In the print number calculating section 25, a conversion table 26 prepared in advance based on the toner amount received from the toner remaining amount detecting section 302 is used.
Is used to calculate the number of printable sheets in normal printing (normal toner consumption), and outputs the calculated number of printable sheets to the comparison unit 27 (step S20).

The conversion table 26 is stored in the RAM 19 or the ROM 13, and is a table showing, for example, when the toner density, that is, the developing bias is switched stepwise, the toner consumption according to each toner density value. As this consumption amount, for example, an average toner consumption amount per page is stored. In the print quantity calculation unit 25,
The number of printable sheets is calculated based on the remaining amount of toner, the average toner consumption per page at each toner density described in the conversion table 26, and the toner density at that time.

On the other hand, the print request number detecting section 21 detects the number of print requests from the host computer 3000 via a command analysis section in a controller section (not shown), and outputs the detected print request number to the comparing section 27. I do. The comparison unit 27 compares the printable number from the print number calculation unit 25 with the print request number from the print request number detection unit 21, and if the print request number is smaller than the printable number, the valid toner mode detection unit 28 An H signal is output (step S21).

In the comparing section 27, if the number of requested prints from the requested number of prints detecting section 21 is larger than the number of printed sheets from the number of printed sheets calculating section 25, the L signal is output to the effective toner mode detecting section 28 and the detected number of printed sheets. Output to the unit 25.

When the signal from the comparing section 27 is the L signal, the printed sheet number detecting section 25 recalculates and recalculates using the conversion table which uses less toner than the conversion table used in the previous calculation. The number of prints is output to the comparison unit 27,
The number of the conversion table used at that time is output to the effective toner mode detection unit 28 (step S22). Comparison section 27
In the case where the requested number of prints from the requested number of prints detection unit 21 is smaller than the number of prints from the number of prints calculation unit 25, an H signal is output to the effective toner mode detection unit 28 and the number of prints calculation unit 25 (step S23). Steps S22 and S23 are repeated while changing the toner density until the sheet requested to be printed becomes printable.

In the effective toner mode detecting section 28, when the signal from the comparing section 27 is an H signal, the printed sheet number calculating section 25
Is output to the toner mode switching unit 304.

The toner mode switching section 304 outputs a toner density value corresponding to the toner density of the conversion table number received from the effective toner mode detecting section 28 to the developing bias switching section 305 (step S24). Upon receiving the toner density value from the toner mode switching unit 304, the developing bias switching unit 305 switches the developing bias to the developing bias voltage value corresponding to the developing unit 1007, and prints with a toner consumption amount that enables printing for the requested number of prints. (Step S25).

The print data requested to be printed is printed out with the developing bias switched as described above.

By determining the print density in accordance with the remaining amount of toner and the amount to be printed in this way, it is possible to prevent the toner from running out during printing.

Although the number of printable sheets has been converted by the number of prints calculating section 25 only with the amount of toner, the present invention is not limited to this. May be detected, and the number of printable sheets may be calculated based on the ratio. FIG. 7 is an example of the conversion table. Calculate the number of each pattern of the image requested to be printed in one page,
The amount of toner required to print the entire image is calculated from the amount of toner consumed for each pattern, and the result is compared with the remaining amount of toner to calculate the number of printable sheets. The toner consumption amount for each pattern is different for each of the plurality of tables. By calculating the number of printable sheets while changing the table, it is possible to calculate the number of printable sheets larger than the requested number of prints.

Further, in the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the toner saving mode is realized by changing the voltage value of the developing bias. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to realize the toner saving mode by thinning out the pixels or printing only the outline of the image.

Further, in combination with the first embodiment, when the remaining amount of toner is smaller than a certain value, a plurality of print request image data are spooled in a buffer in the printer, and the plurality of print request image data are Of course, it is also possible to convert and output at once.

<Embodiment 3> FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention, in which the number of sheets in a sheet feeding unit is detected and the mode is switched to a multi-page mode. This procedure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The number-of-sheets detecting section 33 monitors and detects the remaining amount of sheets in the sheet feeding unit 37, and outputs the detected remaining amount of paper to the comparing section 34 (step S30). The comparison unit 34 compares the constant stored in the constant storage unit 32 in advance with the remaining amount of paper from the number-of-sheets detection unit 33,
When the remaining amount of paper from the number-of-sheets detection unit 33 is smaller than the constant in the constant storage unit 32, an H signal is output to the page mode switching unit 35 (step S31). The page mode switching unit 35 that has received the H signal switches to the multiple page mode (step S32).

When the multi-page mode is set in this way, printing is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG. 9B. First, when the predetermined printing is started, it is determined whether the printing mode is the multi-page mode (step S33). If the printing mode is the multi-page mode, the print data of a predetermined page is developed as a one-page image. Yes (Step S3
4). If the mode is not the multiple page mode, the print data for one page is developed as an image of one page as usual (step S35). The developed image is printed out (step S36).

In this manner, if the remaining amount of paper becomes smaller than the predetermined number in accordance with the remaining amount of paper, printing can be performed in the multi-page mode, thereby saving paper consumption.

The values corresponding to the number of sheets stored in the constant storage unit 32 are stored on average in several or several tens of sheets. In addition, the constant can be switched by the user using the operation unit 1012, and the timing of switching to the multiple page mode can be changed.

The multi-page mode is a mode in which the number of sheets of printing paper is half or less of that of normal printing. In normal printing (one-page printing), an image for one page is printed on only one side of one sheet. This is a mode in which images for a plurality of pages are printed on one sheet of paper. Generally, two-page printing and four-page printing are often used.

FIG. 10 shows normal printing (one-page printing) in which an image for one page is printed on only one side of one sheet. FIG. 11 shows two-page printing in which two pages of images are printed on one side, and FIG. 12 shows four-page printing in which four pages of images are printed on one side.
Further, if two pages are printed on the other side of the two-page printing of FIG. 11, four pages are printed, and if four pages are printed on the other side of the four-page printing of FIG. 12, eight pages are printed.

As a means for printing a plurality of pages, the image is reduced by software using a control language of the printer, or the image is reduced by thinning out the image when the rasterized bitmap is discharged to the engine, and the image is stored in a page. Various implementation methods are conceivable, such as performing only for the data to be set. Further, the multi-page mode switching unit can be operated by a user using an operation unit (not shown), and can switch to the multi-page mode at any time even when the remaining amount of paper in the paper feeding unit is low.
Further, it is possible to automatically switch to the multi-page mode or not to switch by using the operation unit (not shown).

In the above embodiment, the page mode switching unit 3
5 switches to the multi-page mode when receiving the H signal from the comparison unit 34, but is not limited to this. When the page mode switching unit 35 receives the H signal from the comparison unit 34, printing is stopped. It is also possible to make a configuration that gives a warning.

<Fourth Embodiment> FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which the number of print requests is detected and the mode is switched to the multiple page mode. Blocks having the same functions as those of the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. This procedure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The number-of-sheets detecting section 33 monitors and detects the remaining amount of sheets in the sheet feeding unit 1007, and outputs the detected amount of remaining sheets to the comparing section 42 and the insufficient number-of-sheets calculating section 43 (step S40). On the other hand, the print request number detection unit 4
In step 1, the number of print requests from the host computer 3000 is detected via the command analysis unit in the controller unit (not shown), and the detected number of print requests is output to the comparison unit 42. The comparison unit 42 compares the printable number from the sheet number detection unit 33 with the print request number from the print request number detection unit 41. If the print request number is smaller than the printable number, the page mode switching unit 35 A signal is output (step S41).

When the requested number of prints from the requested number of prints detecting section 41 is larger than the number of printable sheets from the number of printable sheets detecting section 33 in the comparing section 42, an L signal is output to the page mode switching section 35.

Further, in the shortage sheet number calculating section 43,
Based on the received print request number from the print request number detection unit 41 and the printable number from the sheet number detection unit 33, calculate how much the printable number is less than the print request number and switch the shortage number to the page mode. Output to the unit 35 (step S42).

In the page mode switching section 35, the comparing section 42
When the signal received from L is L, the shortage sheet number calculation unit 43
Is switched to the n-page mode (n is a positive integer and the minimum value of (print request number) ≦ (printable number) × n) according to the insufficient number received from (step S43).

When the n-page print mode is set as described above, each page is printed in the procedure shown in FIG.
First, the page mode is determined (step S150), and the print data for n pages in the determined n-page mode is reduced and developed into an image for one page (step S150).
151). The developed image is printed out (step S152).

By setting the page mode in this way and printing in accordance with the set page mode, even if the printing paper is insufficient, the requested print data can be completely printed without interruption due to running out of paper. can do.

In the above embodiment, (print request number)>
At the time of (number of printable sheets), the print mode has been switched to n-page printing which satisfies (number of requested print sheets) ≦ (number of printable sheets) × n. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to print by mixing page printing and the like.

When the number of printable sheets is smaller than a certain value in combination with the first embodiment, a plurality of print request image data are spooled in a buffer in a printer, and the plurality of print request image data are spooled. It is also possible to collectively convert and output a plurality of page prints for each print request.

[0066]

[Other Embodiments] The above embodiments are all laser beam printers, but the same control is possible with the ink jet printer of FIG. In this case, the remaining amount of the ink is detected instead of the toner. The amount of ink consumed can be reduced by lowering the voltage applied to the inkjet head that ejects ink by a predetermined voltage instead of the developing bias.

The present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), and can be applied to a single device (for example, a copier, a facsimile). Device).

An object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or CPU) of the system or apparatus.
And MPU) read and execute the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instructions of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0073]

As described above, according to the image output apparatus and method according to the present invention, the remaining amount of the recording material is detected, and if the remaining amount is smaller than a certain value, the mode is switched to the mode for saving the recording material. Therefore, there is an effect that the recording material does not run out immediately.

Further, the number of printable sheets is calculated based on the remaining amount of the recording material, and if the requested number of prints is larger than the number of printable sheets, the mode is switched to a mode for saving the recording material. However, there is an effect that the requested number of sheets can be printed.

When the remaining amount of paper is detected and the value is smaller than a certain value, the data of a plurality of pages are combined into one page, so that there is an effect that the paper does not run out immediately.

When the requested number of prints is larger than the remaining amount of paper, the data of a plurality of pages are combined into one page, so that even if the remaining amount of paper is less than the required number of prints, printing is performed for the number of requested print pages. There is an effect that can be.

[0077]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a first output device to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer control system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the image output apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the image output apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of an image output device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the image output apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a conversion table according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of an image output device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the image output device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of normal printing (one-page printing) according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of two-page printing according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of four-page printing according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of an image output device according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the image output device according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the image output device according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a second output device to which the present invention can be applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 CPU 2 RAM 3 ROM 4 System bus 12 CPU 13 ROM 19 RAM 3000 Host computer 1000 Printer

Claims (34)

[Claims] 1. An image output apparatus for forming image data on a recording material by using the recording material and the recording material as a consumption material, comprising: an input unit for inputting image data; Detecting means for detecting; determining means for determining whether the remaining amount of the consumable material detected by the detecting means satisfies a predetermined condition; and determining that the remaining amount of the consumable material does not satisfy the condition by the determining means. An image output apparatus comprising: an image forming unit configured to form an image of the image data input by the input unit by reducing the consumption of the consumable material when the determination is made. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines that the remaining amount of the consumable material is
2. The image output device according to claim 1, wherein the condition is determined to be greater than a predetermined amount. 3. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the consumable material is a recording material. 4. The image output device according to claim 1, wherein the consumable material is a recording material. 5. The consumable material is a recording material, and the determining means has a calculating means for calculating an amount of image data capable of forming an image based on a remaining amount of the recording material as a number of recording materials, and 2. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination is made based on the condition that the number of recording materials is larger than a predetermined amount. 6. The consumable material is a recording material, and the determining means includes a calculating means for calculating an amount of image data capable of forming an image based on a remaining amount of the recording material as a number of recording materials, 2. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination is made based on the condition that the number of recording materials is larger than the required number of recording materials for the image data input by the input unit. 7. The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the consumable material is a recording material, and the determination unit determines that the remaining amount of the recording material is larger than the number of recording materials required for the image data input by the input unit. The image output device according to claim 1, wherein the determination is made based on the condition. 8. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a warning unit that stops or warns the printing process when the determination unit determines that the condition is not satisfied. 2. The image output device according to 1. 9. When the determining unit determines that the condition is not satisfied, the warning unit stops or warns the printing process, or the image forming unit reduces the consumption of the consumable material. The image output apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a selection unit configured to select whether an image is to be formed. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines the condition as to a plurality of stages, and the image forming unit reduces the consumption of the consumable material stepwise according to the stage of the condition. Item 8. The image output device according to any one of Items 1 to 7. 11. When calculating the amount of image data on which an image can be formed based on the remaining amount of recording material as the number of recording materials, the calculating unit calculates an average consumption amount of a consumable material for one recording material. 6. The calculation according to claim 5, wherein the sum is calculated.
Or the image output device according to 6. 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the calculating unit calculates the amount of image data capable of forming an image based on the remaining amount of the recording material as the number of recording materials, and determines a predetermined amount of consumption of the recording material for each type of image data. The image output apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image output apparatus calculates the sum by calculating: 13. An image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said image forming means forms an image using toner as a recording material by an electrophotographic method, and reduces a consumption amount of said recording material by changing a developing bias. The image output device according to any one of the above. 14. An image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said image forming means forms an image using ink as a recording material by an ink jet method, and reduces a consumption amount of the recording material by changing a voltage applied to a head. 7. The image output device according to any one of 6. 15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image forming unit forms an image of image data for a plurality of pages on one recording material to reduce the consumption of the recording material. The image output device as described in the above. 16. An image output apparatus for forming an image by electrophotography, comprising: input means for inputting image data; detecting means for detecting a remaining amount of recording material; and recording material detected by the detecting means. Determining means for determining whether the remaining amount of the recording material is larger than the reference amount; and, if the determining means determines that the remaining amount of the recording material is smaller than the reference amount, reducing the developing bias to reduce the amount of the recording material adhered. An image output apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image by reducing the number of images. 17. An image output apparatus for forming an image by electrophotography, comprising: input means for inputting image data; detecting means for detecting a remaining amount of a recording material; Determining means for determining whether the remaining amount of the recording material is greater than the reference amount; and determining that the remaining amount of the recording material is less than the reference amount, the image for one or more pages is determined to be one.
An image output apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image on two recording materials. 18. A recording material and a material to be recorded are used as a consumable material.
An image output method for forming image data on a recording material using a recording material, comprising: an input step of inputting image data; a detecting step of detecting a remaining amount of a consumable material; A determining step of determining whether the remaining amount satisfies a predetermined condition; and, when determining that the remaining amount of the consumable material does not satisfy the condition, reducing the consumption amount of the consumable material. An image forming step of forming an image of the image data input in the input step. 19. The image output method according to claim 18, wherein the determining step determines that the remaining amount of the consumable material is larger than a predetermined amount as the condition. 20. The image output method according to claim 18, wherein the consumable material is a recording material. 21. The image output method according to claim 18, wherein the consumable material is a recording material. 22. The consumable material is a recording material, and the determining step includes a calculating step of calculating an amount of image data capable of forming an image based on a remaining amount of the recording material as a number of recording materials. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determination is made based on the condition that the quantity of the recording material is larger than a predetermined quantity.
9. The image output method according to 8. 23. The consumable material is a recording material, and the determining step includes a calculating step of calculating an amount of image data capable of forming an image based on a remaining amount of the recording material as a number of recording materials, 19. The image output method according to claim 18, wherein the determination is made based on the condition that the number of recording materials is larger than the required number of recording materials for the image data input in the input step. 24. The consumption material is a recording material, and in the determining step, the remaining amount of the recording material is larger than the number of recording materials required for the image data input in the input step. 19. The image output method according to claim 18, wherein the determination is made using the condition as the condition. 25. The apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising a warning step of stopping or warning a print process when it is determined in the determination step that the condition is not satisfied. The image output method described in 1. 26. When the determination step determines that the condition is not satisfied, the warning step stops or warns the printing process, or reduces the consumption of the consumable material by the image forming step. 26. The image output method according to claim 25, further comprising a selection step of selecting whether to form an image by using the image output method. 27. The image forming apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the determining step determines the condition as a plurality of stages, and the image forming step reduces consumption of the consumable material stepwise according to the step of the condition. Item 25. The image output method according to any one of Items 18 to 24. 28. The calculating step, when calculating the amount of image data capable of forming an image based on the remaining amount of the recording material as the number of recording materials, calculates an average consumption amount of the consumable material for one recording material. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the calculation is performed by integrating.
24. The image output method according to 2 or 23. 29. In the calculating step, when calculating the amount of image data that can form an image based on the remaining amount of the recording material as the number of recording materials, the amount of consumption of the recording material predetermined for each type of image data The image output method according to claim 22, wherein the image output is calculated by integrating 30. The image forming step according to claim 20, wherein an image is formed using toner as a recording material by an electrophotographic method, and the consumption of the recording material is reduced by changing a developing bias. The image output method according to any one of the above. 31. The image forming process according to claim 20, wherein an image is formed by using an ink as a recording material by an ink-jet method, and consumption of the recording material is reduced by changing a voltage applied to a head. Or the image output method according to any one of 23. 32. The image forming step according to claim 21, wherein the consumption of the recording material is reduced by forming an image of a plurality of pages of image data on one recording material.
Or the image output method described in 24. 33. An image output method for forming an image by electrophotography, comprising: an input step of inputting image data; a detecting step of detecting a remaining amount of a recording material; and a recording material detected by the detecting step. A determining step of determining whether the remaining amount of the recording material is larger than the reference amount; and, if the determining step determines that the remaining amount of the recording material is smaller than the reference amount, lowering the developing bias to reduce the amount of the recording material adhered. An image forming step of forming an image by reducing the number of images. 34. An image output method for forming an image by an electrophotographic method, comprising: an input step of inputting image data; a detecting step of detecting a remaining amount of a recording material; A determining step of determining whether the remaining amount of the recording material is larger than the reference amount; and determining that the remaining amount of the recording material is smaller than the reference amount by
An image forming step of forming an image on two recording materials.