JP2000147975A - Printing device and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily acquire a printed result in which the same image is printed and outputted alternately on different kinds of recording media in color and monochrome, to reduce printing cost and to shorten the time taken until finishing printing by refraining needless color printing from being executed. SOLUTION: When an OHP midway insertion mode is set, a CPU 12 controls so that an OHP sheet and a plain paper are supplied alternately supplied, and a color image is formed on the OHP sheet, based on color image information inputted from a host computer 3000. Then, it controls so that the same image as the image formed on the OHP sheet is formed on the plain paper in monochrome.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a color image or a color image on a first recording medium to be supplied or a second recording medium of a type different from the first recording medium, based on input color image information. The present invention relates to a printing apparatus capable of forming a monochrome image and a method of controlling the printing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an OHP sheet and a normal sheet are alternately fed, an image is formed on the OHP sheet, and the same image is also formed on a normal sheet and discharged. There is a technique of sandwiching a sheet of the same image as an OHP sheet.

[0003]

However, when the above-described conventional technique is used for a color printing apparatus, printing on ordinary paper is often sufficient for monochrome printing, but all printing is performed in color. Is performed, and there is a problem that an increase in printing cost or an increase in time until printing ends when color printing takes longer time than monochrome printing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the first to fifth inventions according to the present invention is to provide a method for setting a first operation mode when a predetermined operation mode is set. While controlling to alternately supply the recording medium and the second recording medium, based on the input color image information,
A color image is formed on the first recording medium, and the same image as the image formed on the first recording medium is formed in monochrome on the second recording medium. Can be easily obtained as a result of alternately printing color and monochrome images of different images on recording media of different types. The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printing apparatus control method capable of reducing time.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming means capable of forming a color image or a monochrome image on a supplied recording medium based on input color image information (see FIG. 1). Laser driver 1002 shown in FIG.
Semiconductor laser 1003, rotating polygon mirror 1005, electrostatic drum 1006, developing unit 1007, transfer drum 102
0), a discharge unit (discharge roller 1027 shown in FIG. 1) for sequentially discharging the recording medium on which an image is sequentially formed by the image forming unit, and a first recording medium (OHP sheet A shown in FIG. 4). First sheet feeding means (sheet cassette 1008, sheet feeding roller 100 shown in FIG.
9, conveyance rollers 1010 and 1011) and a second paper supply unit (plain paper B shown in FIG. 4) for supplying a second recording medium (plain paper B shown in FIG. 4) of a type different from the first recording medium to the image forming unit. Paper cassette 1023 and paper feed roller 102 shown in FIG.
4, conveyance rollers 1010, 1011 and 1025) and a predetermined operation mode (OHP insertion mode set by the operation unit 1012 or the host computer 3000 shown in FIG. 2). Second
The first paper supply unit and the second paper supply unit are controlled so as to alternately supply the first recording medium, a color image is formed on the first recording medium, and the second recording is performed. For the medium, control means for controlling the image forming means so as to form the same image as the image formed on the first recording medium in monochrome (the CPU 12 shown in FIG. 2 is a program ROM of the ROM 13 or the external memory 14 or not shown) Control based on a program stored in another storage medium).

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the first recording medium includes an OHP sheet, and the second recording medium includes plain paper.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the input color image information is input by an information processing apparatus (host computer 3000 shown in FIG. 2) communicably connected via a predetermined communication medium. Things.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the input color image information is input by a reading device (scanner unit, not shown) for optically reading a color image.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the first recording medium supplied by the first paper supply means or the second recording medium supplied by the second paper supply means based on the input color image information. In a control method of a printing apparatus capable of forming a color image or a monochrome image on a second recording medium of a type different from the first recording medium, when a predetermined operation mode is set, the first recording medium is A first supply step of supplying (step (2) in FIG. 3) and a first image forming step of forming a color image on the supplied first recording medium and discharging the color image to a predetermined discharge unit ( Step (3) in FIG. 3), a second supply step of supplying the second recording medium (Step (4) in FIG. 3), and the first recording medium with respect to the second recording medium. The same image as the image formed in Second image forming step of discharge (Figure 3
(5)).

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Before describing the configuration of the present embodiment, a configuration of a color laser beam printer suitable for applying the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
It should be noted that the printer to which this embodiment is applied is not limited to a color laser beam printer, but may be a color printer of another printing method such as a color inkjet printer.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a color laser beam printer (hereinafter, color LBP) to which a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied.
The BP can register a character pattern and a fixed format (form data) from a data source (not shown).

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1000 denotes a color LBP main body, which is connected to a host computer 30 connected to the outside.
00 (shown in FIG. 2 to be described later), form information, macro instructions, and the like, which are supplied from the printer, and generate a corresponding character pattern, form pattern, and the like according to the information. On recording paper (plain paper, sheet material such as OHP, etc.).

Reference numeral 1012 denotes an operation unit in which switches for operation, an LED display, and the like are arranged, and various operations such as an OHP insertion mode in which plain paper printed and output is sandwiched between printed OHP sheets. Mode settings and various operations can be specified. A printer control unit 1001 controls the entire color LBP main body 1000 and analyzes character information and the like supplied from a host computer 3000 described later. 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 a laser beam 10 emitted from the semiconductor laser 1003 according to an input video signal.
Switch 04 on and off.

The laser beam 1004 is swung right and left by a rotary polygon mirror 1005 to scan and expose an 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 1
After the image is developed by the developing unit 1007 disposed in the periphery of the transfer drum 006, the image is transferred to the transfer drum 1020. The developing unit 1007 includes a yellow (Y) developing device 1022Y,
A magenta (M) developing device 1022M, a cyan (C) developing device 1022C, and a black (K) developing device 1022K;
By sequentially switching between a yellow (Y) developing device 1022Y, a magenta (M) developing device 1022M, a cyan (C) developing device 1022C, and a black (K) developing device 1022K, a toner image of each color is formed on the electrostatic drum 1006.
The toner image of each color is sequentially transferred to the transfer drum 1020, and a color image in which four color toners overlap is formed on the transfer drum 1020. The color image on the transfer drum 1020 is transferred to a recording sheet to be conveyed, is fixed by a fixing device 1026, and is discharged to a discharge tray 1028 by a discharge roller 1027.

A cut sheet (plain paper) or an OHP sheet is used as the recording paper.
An OHP sheet as a first recording medium is stored in a paper cassette 1008 mounted on the BP main body 1000, and a paper feed roller 1009 and transport rollers 1010 and 1011 are turned off.
The sheet is taken into the HP sheet device and supplied to the transfer drum 1020.

Further, as a second paper feeding means, a color LB
A cut sheet recording paper as a second recording medium is stored in a paper cassette 1023 mounted on the P body 1000, and a paper feed roller 1024 and transport rollers 1010, 101
1, 1025 takes in the cut sheet recording paper into the apparatus and supplies it to the transfer drum 1020.

As described above, in this embodiment, there are a plurality of paper feeding means including a paper cassette, one of which stores plain paper and the other stores OHP sheets.

The color LBP main body 1000 is provided with at least one or more card slots (not shown) so that an option card (emulation card) can be connected in addition to the built-in fonts.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printer system to which an output device according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied. Here, a color laser beam printer (FIG. 1) will be described as an example. Note that, as long as 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. 1, reference numeral 3000 denotes a host computer which executes document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets, etc.) are mixed based on a document processing program or the like stored in a program ROM of the ROM 3. C
The CPU 1 has a PU 1 and controls each device connected to the system bus 4 as a whole. Host computer 3
000 sends a predetermined signal to the color LBL,
Operation modes such as a monochrome mode, a color mode, and an OHP insertion mode can be set by a command.

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.
Stores various data used when performing the document processing and the like. Reference numeral 2 denotes a RAM, which functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 1. 5 is a keyboard controller (K
BC), key input from the keyboard 9 or a pointing device (not shown) is controlled. Reference numeral 6 denotes a CRT controller (CRTC), and a CRT display (CRT) 10
Control the display of. 7 is a memory controller (MC)
A hard disk (HD) for storing boot programs, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, etc., and a floppy disk (F).
D) controls access to the external memory 11.

8 is a printer controller (PRTC)
A predetermined bidirectional interface (interface)
21 and is connected to the color LBP main body 1000 via
A communication control process with the color LBP main body 1000 is executed. The CPU 1 executes, for example, a process of developing (rasterizing) the outline font in the display information RAM set on the RAM 2, and executes WYSIW on the CRT 10.
YG is possible. Further, the CPU 1 has a CRT 10
Various registered windows are opened based on commands instructed by a mouse cursor or the like (not shown), and various data processes are executed.

In the color LBP main body 1000, 12
Denotes a printer CPU (CPU) that 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. And outputs an image signal as output information to a printing unit (printer engine) 17 connected via the printing unit interface 16. Further, a control program of the CPU 12 and the like are stored in the program ROM of the ROM 13.

Further, the font ROM of the ROM 13 stores font data and the like used when generating the output information. In the case of a printer having no external memory 14 such as a hard disk in the data ROM of the ROM 13,
It stores information and the like used on the host computer. The CPU 12 is capable of communicating with the host computer via the input / output unit 18 and configured to be able to notify the host computer 3000 of information in the printer and the like.

Reference numeral 19 denotes a RAM that functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 12, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). Note that RAM1
9 is an output information development area, environment data storage area, NVR
Used for AM and the like. Hard disk (H
D), access to the external memory 14 such as an IC card is controlled by a memory controller (MC) 20. The external memory 14 is connected as an option and stores font data, an emulation program, form data, and the like. Reference numeral 1012 denotes the above-described operation unit in which a switch for operation, an LED display, and the like are arranged.
The color LBP 1000 can be printed in an operation mode such as a monochrome mode, a color mode, an OHP insertion mode, and the operation mode can be set (designated) by the operation unit 1012.

The above-mentioned external memory is not limited to one. 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 unit 1012.

Hereinafter, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The print control processing operation of the printing apparatus of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a print control processing procedure of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. The CPU 12 shown in FIG. 2 stores the program in the program ROM of the ROM 13 or the external memory 14 or another storage medium (not shown). Execute based on the program to be executed.

First, it is determined by the host computer 3000 or the operation unit 1012 whether or not the OHP insertion mode for inserting plain paper between OHP sheets is designated (1). Is OH
First sheet feeding means (sheet cassette 10
08, paper feed roller 1009, transport rollers 1010, 10
The OHP sheet is fed from 11) (2), a color image is printed on the OHP sheet (color image formation) based on information from the host computer 3000, and the OHP sheet is discharged to the discharge tray 1028 after printing is completed. (3).

Next, plain paper (cut sheet recording paper) is fed from the second paper feeding means (paper cassette 1023, paper feed roller 1024, transport rollers 1010, 1011 and 1025) for supplying plain paper (see FIG. 1). 4), step (3)
Then, the same image as that printed on the OHP sheet is printed in monochrome on plain paper (monochrome image formation), and after the printing is completed, the plain paper is discharged to the discharge tray 1028 (5).

Such a printing operation (from step (2))
By repeatedly performing (5)), an OHP sheet A on which a color image is printed and a plain paper B on which a monochrome image is printed as shown in FIG. Plain paper B of monochrome printing in between
Is sandwiched.

Next, it is determined whether or not the printing is completed (6). If it is determined that the printing is completed, the process is terminated. If it is determined that the printing is not completed, the process returns to step (1) and the remaining process is performed. Print processing.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (1) that the OHP insertion mode for inserting plain paper between OHP sheets has not been designated, the first paper feed means or the second The OHP sheet or plain paper is fed from the paper feeding means 2 (7), and the host computer 3
Print a color image or monochrome image on OHP sheet or plain paper based on information from 000 (image formation)
Then, after the printing is completed, the OHP sheet or the plain paper is discharged to the discharge tray 1028 (8).

Next, it is determined whether or not the printing is completed (6). If it is determined that the printing is completed, the process is terminated. If it is determined that the printing is not completed, the process returns to step (1) and the remaining process is performed. Print processing.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a printing result by the printing apparatus of the present invention, and corresponds to a printing result when the OHP insertion mode is designated.

In the figure, A is an OHP sheet on which a color image is printed. B is plain paper, OHP sheet A
The same image as the color image printed in is printed as a monochrome image.

The OHP sheet A on which the color image is printed and the plain paper B on which the monochrome image is printed are alternately discharged.
Plain paper B for monochrome printing is sandwiched between OHP sheets A for color printing.

In the present embodiment, a case has been described in which print output is performed based on print information input from the host computer 3000. However, a document image optically read by a scanner unit (not shown) is copied and output. You may comprise.

Further, an image captured by a digital camera may be used.

Further, in this embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic printing apparatus (color LBP main body 1000) has been described. However, the present invention is also applied to an ink jet type and sublimation type color printing apparatus. It is possible.

In the present embodiment, the OH after printing is completed.
Although the case where the P sheet and the plain paper are discharged to the same discharge tray 1028 (shown in FIG. 4) has been described, a discharge tray (not shown) other than the discharge tray 1028 is provided, and the OHP sheet after printing is completed. A configuration may be adopted in which plain paper is discharged to different discharge trays.

Further, in the present embodiment, the same image is
The case where color and monochrome printing are performed on an HP sheet and plain paper, respectively, has been described. However, the recording medium is not limited to the OHP sheet and plain paper. For example, high quality paper and plain paper may be alternately supplied, and color printing may be performed on high quality fine paper, and monochrome printing may be performed on plain paper used as a reserve.

As described above, the first recording medium for supplying the first recording medium
The recording medium is alternately fed by the second paper feeding means and the second paper feeding means for supplying the second printing medium, and a color image is formed on the first printing medium. For the recording medium, control is performed so that the same image as that formed on the first recording medium is formed in monochrome, that is, the first image is formed.
To form a color image on the first recording medium and a monochrome image on the second recording medium, the same image formed on the first recording medium is used, for example, the first recording medium If an OHP sheet is used as the second recording medium and a normal sheet is used, a color image is formed on the OHP sheet, and the same image is formed in monochrome on a normal sheet sandwiched between the OHP sheets. In the case where monochrome printing is sufficient for ordinary printing on paper, the printing cost can be reduced, and when color printing requires more time than monochrome printing, the time until printing is completed can be shortened.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads out and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, 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, C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M, EEPROM and 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. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes 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 instruction of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

The present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices or to an apparatus constituted by a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, by reading a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or the apparatus, the system or the apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. .

Further, by downloading and reading out a program represented by software for achieving the present invention from a database on a network by a communication program, the system or apparatus can be
It is possible to enjoy the effects of the present invention.

[0051]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the invention, when the predetermined operation mode is set,
The control means controls the first paper supply means and the second paper supply means so as to alternately supply the first recording medium and the second recording medium, and based on the input color image information, An image forming unit is controlled so that a color image is formed on the first recording medium and a monochrome image of the same image formed on the first recording medium is formed on the second recording medium. Therefore, with a simple operation of designating a predetermined operation mode, it is possible to obtain a print result of alternately printing the same image in different types of recording media in color and monochrome.

According to the second invention, the first recording medium includes an OHP sheet, and the second recording medium includes plain paper. It is possible to easily obtain a print result in which printed plain paper is output alternately.

According to the third aspect, the input color image information is input by an information processing device communicably connected via a predetermined communication medium. A print result obtained by alternately printing the same image on different types of recording media in color and monochrome can be easily obtained.

According to the fourth aspect, the input color image information is input by a reading device that optically reads a color image, so that the same color original image can be stored in different types of recording media in color and monochrome. The print result alternately copied and output can be easily obtained.

According to the fifth aspect, based on the input color image information, the first recording medium supplied by the first paper supply means or the first recording medium supplied by the second paper supply means. In a method of controlling a printing apparatus capable of forming a color image or a monochrome image on a second recording medium of a type different from that of the first recording medium, when a predetermined operation mode is set, the first recording medium is supplied. Forming a color image on the supplied first recording medium, discharging the paper to a predetermined discharge unit, supplying the second recording medium, and supplying the first recording medium to the second recording medium. Since the same image as the image formed on the recording medium is formed in monochrome and discharged to a predetermined discharge unit, the same image can be transferred to different types of recording media by a simple operation of specifying a predetermined operation mode. Printed alternately with It is possible to obtain the printing results.

Therefore, it is possible to easily obtain a print result of alternately printing the same image in different types of recording media in color and monochrome, and to avoid unnecessary color printing, thereby reducing the printing cost. There are effects such as reduction and reduction of time until printing is completed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a color laser beam printer to which an embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer system to which an output device according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print control processing procedure of the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a printing result by the printing apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 CPU 13 ROM 19 RAM 1000 Color LPB main body 1001 Printer control unit 1008 Paper cassette 1009 to 1011 Paper feed roller 1023 Paper cassette 1024, 1025 Paper feed roller 1012 Operation unit 3000 Host computer A OHP sheet (first recording medium) B Normal Paper (second recording medium)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G03G 21/00 376 B41J 3/00 BF Term (Reference) 2C262 AA10 AA24 AA26 AC04 CA09 EA02 EA03 EA16 2H027 DA32 ED16 EE07 EF09 FA28 FA30 2H030 AD06 AD12 AD17 BB58 2H072 AA36 AB02 3F343 FA02 FB02 GA01 GB01 GC01 GD01 JA01 MA03 MA59 MA60 MB03 MB13 MC30

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. Based on input color image information,
Image forming means capable of forming a color image or a monochrome image on a supplied recording medium, discharging means for sequentially discharging the recording medium on which images have been sequentially formed by the image forming means; A first paper supply unit for supplying a second recording medium of a type different from the first recording medium to the image forming unit; and a predetermined operation mode is set. When the first recording medium and the second recording medium are supplied alternately, the first recording medium and the second recording medium are controlled so that the first recording medium and the second recording medium are alternately supplied. Control means for forming a color image, and for the second recording medium, controlling the image forming means so as to form the same image as the image formed on the first recording medium in monochrome. A printing device characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first recording medium includes an OHP sheet, and the second recording medium includes plain paper. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input color image information is input by an information processing apparatus communicably connected via a predetermined communication medium. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input color image information is input by a reading device that optically reads a color image. 5. Based on input color image information,
A color image or a monochrome image is formed on a second recording medium of a type different from the first recording medium supplied by the first paper supply unit or the first recording medium supplied by the second paper supply unit. In the method for controlling a printing apparatus capable of forming, when a predetermined operation mode is set, a first supply step of supplying the first recording medium, and a color image for the supplied first recording medium A first image forming step of forming a sheet and discharging the sheet to a predetermined discharge section; a second supplying step of supplying the second recording medium; and a first recording medium for the second recording medium. A second image forming step of forming the same image as the image formed in (1) in monochrome and discharging the same to a predetermined discharge unit.