JP2002044303A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device that can reduce the cost for a user even when the user is not familiar with the setting work of an image forming mode. SOLUTION: A CPU 68 calculates output numbers of transfer paper (medium on which an image is formed) by each size of the transfer paper required to form a desired image on the basis of read original image data stored in an image memory 66 and possible combinations of image forming modes and stored in advance in a RAM 70, calculates a charge imposed on a user to form the desired image on the basis of the calculation result and charge information (a charge per one sheet of various transfer paper sheets) stored in advance in the RAM 70, automatically sets a combination of the image forming modes minimizing the charge imposed on the user on the basis of the charge calculation result, and forms the read image data stored in the image memory 66 according to the set combination of the image forming modes on the transfer paper.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to various image forming apparatuses such as a laser printer, a digital copying machine, and a digital multifunction peripheral.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a digital copying machine, a scanner (image reading means) for reading an image of an original, an image memory (image data storage means) for storing image data read by the scanner, and an image stored in the image memory A printer (image forming means) for forming an image on a medium on which an image is to be formed such as transfer paper and outputting the image.

As such a digital copying machine, a two-sided copy mode and an aggregated copy mode are prioritized from the viewpoint of simplification of operation on a machine having various copy modes (image forming modes) and effective use of resources. Is already provided that has a function to make the setting.

[0004]

However, determining the priority copy mode in advance as described above may be limited in view of the case where one machine is used by an unspecified number of people. It is also considered that it is desirable to execute the copy in a copy mode in which an output desired by the user can be obtained for each job.

According to the present invention, in view of the current situation in the industrial world where cost consciousness is increasing, even if a user is not skilled in setting the image forming mode, the user can reduce the cost of the image forming mode. It is an object to provide an image forming apparatus that performs a forming process.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming mode setting means for setting an image forming mode, an image data storing means for storing a plurality of pages of image data, and an image data storing means for storing the image data stored in the means. In order to achieve the above object, in an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit that forms an image on an image forming medium in an image forming mode set by an image forming mode setting unit and outputs the image, the following is performed. It is characterized by.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming mode combination storing means for storing a combination of various image forming modes which can be set by the image forming mode setting means, and a charge per sheet of various image forming media. A desired image is formed based on a combination of the image forming medium charge storing means to be stored and the image data stored in the image data storing means and each image forming mode stored in the image forming mode combination storing means. Means for calculating the number of output sheets of the image forming medium required for each size of the image forming medium, based on information obtained from the image forming medium charge storage means and the output sheet number calculating means. A user-paid fee calculating means for calculating a fee to be borne by the user for performing a desired image forming process; An image forming mode combination automatic setting means for automatically setting a combination of image forming modes which minimizes a fee borne by a user from the image forming apparatus, wherein the image data stored in the image data storing means is stored in the image forming means. The image forming apparatus includes means for executing image formation in a combination of image forming modes automatically set by the forming mode combination automatic setting means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the output sheet number calculating means is provided for each of the image forming modes stored in the image data and image forming mode combination storing means stored in the image data storing means. Based on the combination of image forming modes that can reflect the basic image forming output form selected by the user among the combinations, the number of output sheets of the image forming medium necessary for forming the desired image is determined. This is a means for calculating for each size of the image forming medium.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the combination of the image forming modes automatically set by the image forming mode combination automatic setting means and the image forming mode set by the image forming mode setting means. A mismatch notifying unit is provided for comparing a combination of modes and notifying them when they do not match.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming mode combination storing means for storing a combination of various image forming modes which can be set by the image forming mode setting means, and a charge per sheet of various image forming media. An image forming medium charge storing means for storing, and a desired image formation based on a combination of the image data stored in the image data storing means and each image forming mode stored in the image forming mode combination storing means. Output number calculating means for calculating the number of output sheets of the image forming medium required for each size of the image forming medium, and a desired number based on information obtained from the image forming medium fee storage means and the output number calculating means. A user-paid fee calculating means for calculating a fee to be borne by the user for forming an image, and based on a calculation result by the means. A combination candidate for notifying a preset number of image forming mode combinations in order from the image forming mode combination in which the user bears the lowest charge as the image forming mode combination settable by the image forming mode setting means. Notification means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect, the output sheet number calculating means includes an image data stored in the image data storing means and each of the image forming modes stored in the image forming mode combination storing means. Based on the combination of image forming modes that can reflect the basic image forming output mode selected by the user among the combinations of modes, the number of output sheets of the image forming medium required to form a desired image is determined. This is a means for calculating for each size of the image forming medium.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a mechanical section of a digital copying machine embodying the present invention.

In this digital copying machine, a document bundle placed with its image side up on a document table 2 provided in an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as "ADF") 1 is operated by an operation unit 30 shown in FIG. When the upper print key 34 is depressed, the originals are sequentially fed one by one from the bottom original onto the contact glass 6 by the feed rollers 3 and the feed belt 4, and set at a predetermined position. Image data (image information) of the set document is read by a scanner (reading unit) 50 as image reading means, and after the reading is completed, the document is discharged by the feed belt 4 and the discharge roller 5.

Each time the reading of the image data of one document is completed, the document set detecting sensor 7
It is detected whether or not the next original is present, and if so, the original is fed onto the contact glass 6 in the same manner as the previous original, and thereafter the same operation as described above is performed. The feed roller 3, the feed belt 4, and the discharge roller 5 are driven by a transport motor (not shown).

The transfer papers stacked on the first paper feed tray 8, the second paper feed tray 9, and the third paper feed tray 10 are respectively transferred to the first paper feed tray 8, the second paper feed tray 9, and the third paper feed tray 10.
The paper is fed by the paper feeding device 11, the second paper feeding device 12, and the third paper feeding device 13, and is transported by the vertical transport unit 14 to a position where it comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 15. However, in practice, one of the paper feed trays 8 to 10 is selected, and the transfer paper (image forming medium) is fed therefrom.

The image data read by the scanner 50 is sent to a writing unit 57 in a printer 80 as an image forming means as it is, or once stored in an image memory 66 of FIG. 1 as image data storing means. The writing unit 57 writes the laser beam as a laser beam on a pre-charged surface of the photoconductor drum 15 (charged by a charger (not shown)). It is formed.

The transfer paper fed from the selected paper feed tray is conveyed by a conveyor belt (transfer belt) 16 at the same speed as the rotation of the photosensitive drum 15, and is transferred onto one surface of the photosensitive drum 15. Is transferred, and the fixing unit 17 thermally fixes the toner image.
After that, the transfer paper is conveyed by the paper discharge unit 18 to the finisher 100 as a post-processing device in the one-sided copy mode.

At this time, for example, when it is desired to invert the transfer paper having the toner image formed on one surface for face-down discharge (the image surface is turned downward to align the transfer paper in the page order), the transfer paper is The sheet is conveyed to the double-sided sheet conveyance path 113 by the sheet discharge unit 18, switched back by the reversing unit 112, and then conveyed to the finisher 100 through the reverse sheet discharge conveyance path 114.

In the finisher 100, transfer paper having a toner image (image information) formed on one surface sent from the copying machine main body, that is, transfer paper having been copied on one side, is stacked by a branch deflecting plate 101 by a stacker transport roller 102. Side or the stapler conveyance roller 105 side.

That is, when the branch deflecting plate 101 is switched upward, the transfer paper from the copying machine main body is transferred to the stacker transport roller 102 and the stacker discharge roller 1.
03 can be discharged to the stacker tray 104. The stacker tray 104 is a paper discharge tray that can move back and forth, and moves back and forth for each document or for each copy unit sorted by using the image memory 66 to easily sort the transfer paper (copy paper) to be discharged. Is what you do.

When the branch deflecting plate 101 is switched downward, the single-side copied transfer paper sent from the copying machine main body is transferred to the staple tray 108 via the stapler transport roller 105 and the stapler discharge roller 107. Can be discharged.

On the staple tray 108, each time one sheet of transfer paper is discharged, its end is aligned by a jogger (drop stopper) 109 for alignment, and is stapled by the stapler 106 when one copy is completed. The transfer paper group bound by the stapler 106 is stored in the staple completed discharge tray (fall tray) 110 by its own weight.

On the other hand, in the double-sided copy mode, the transfer paper having a toner image formed on one side (transfer paper on which one side has been copied) is transported by the paper discharge unit 18 to the double-sided paper conveyance path 113.
After being reversed by the reverse unit 112 and then sent to the double-sided transport unit 111.

The transfer paper sent to the duplex transport unit 111 is re-fed from the duplex transport unit 111 in order to transfer the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 15 again, and is again exposed by the vertical transport unit 14. Body drum 15
After the toner image is transferred to a position where the toner image is transferred onto the other surface, the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit 17, and the finisher 10 is fixed by the paper discharging unit 18.
0, and the same operation as described above is performed thereafter.

The photosensitive drum 15 and the conveyor belt 1
6, the fixing unit 17, the paper discharging unit 18, and the developing unit 27 are driven by a main motor 25 shown in FIG. 5, and each of the paper feeding devices 11 to 13 is driven by the main motor 25 by a paper feeding clutch 22 to 24 shown in FIG. It is transmitted and driven. The vertical transport unit 14 is driven by the drive of the main motor 25 being transmitted by the intermediate clutch 21 in FIG. Further, each unit for the image forming process including the above-described writing unit 57 constitutes the printer 80 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a layout diagram showing a configuration example of the operation unit of the digital copying machine. The operation unit 30 includes a liquid crystal touch panel 31, a numeric keypad 32, a clear / stop key 33, a print key 34, a preheat key (mode clear key) 35, a reset key 36, an interrupt key 37, an initial setting key 38, a new reservation key 39, And a job list key 40. The liquid crystal touch panel 31 includes a touch panel on the surface of the liquid crystal display, and can display a function key, the number of copies, a message indicating a machine state, and the like.

In a digital copying machine having the operation unit 30,
When the interrupt key 37 is pressed, the mode shifts to the interrupt mode. The interrupt mode is a mode used when temporarily executing another copy operation while performing or operating the copy operation started by pressing the print key 34 (copy request). For this reason, when the interrupt key 37 is pressed, the copy mode (copy condition) before the press is pressed, or if copying is in progress, the progress information is stored in the RAM 70 of FIG. Initialize the mode.

When the print key 34 is pressed, an interrupt copy operation is started. After the copy operation is completed, the interrupt mode is released by pressing the interrupt key 37, and the copy mode or copy progress information stored in the RAM 70 is read. The read operation is returned to the state before the transition to the interrupt mode (setting), and the copy operation can be resumed in the copy mode before the interrupt by pressing the print key 34.

When the initial setting key 38 is pressed, the initial state of the machine can be arbitrarily customized.
That is, the initial state set when the size of the transfer paper stored in the machine is set or when the preheating key 35 is pressed (when used as a mode clear key for clearing the copy mode) is arbitrary. Can be set to

Further, when a key operation is not performed for a certain period of time, an application or the like to be preferentially selected is selected, a transition time to a low power state according to the International Energy Star plan is set, and an auto-off is set. / The transition time to the sleep mode can be set.

When the preheat key 35 is pressed for about one second or more,
The machine shifts from the standby state to the preheating state, and the fixing unit 1
7, the surface temperature (fixing temperature) of the fixing roller is lowered, and the display of the operation unit 30 is turned off. Here, the preheating state means a low power state referred to in the International Energy Star Program.

To release the preheating state or the off state / sleep state and shift to the standby state, the preheating key 35 is pressed again. The new reservation key 39 is used when a reservation copy is desired. The job list key 40 is used when displaying a list of active copy jobs. Since the new reservation key 39 and the job list key 40 are not so related to the present invention, their description will be omitted.

FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of an image forming mode (copy mode) setting screen displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31. When the operator (user) touches any of the function keys in the image forming mode setting screen displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31, the function displayed in the frame of the function key is selected, and The black and white display is reversed.

When it is necessary to specify the details of the function (for example, in the case of zooming, a zooming value or the like), by touching the function key, a detailed function setting screen is displayed. Since the liquid crystal touch panel 31 uses a dot display, it is possible to graphically perform an optimal display at that time.

On the image forming mode setting screen shown in FIG.
A message area for displaying a message such as "Ready to copy" or "Please wait" is provided at the upper part of the center, and an automatic density key for automatically adjusting the image density and an automatic transfer paper outside the area are provided. Each function key such as an automatic paper selection key for selecting the paper, a tray key for selecting any one of the paper feed trays, and a 1 × key for designating a 1 × magnification is displayed. Note that the function key indicating the selected function is displayed in black and white inverted (in FIG. 4, shaded).

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of the digital copying machine. Main controller 20
Controls the entire digital copying machine. The main controller 20 includes an operation unit 30 that controls display to the operator and key input by the operator, an image processing unit (IPU) 49 that controls a driving unit of the scanner 50, and controls reading and writing of image data from and to the image memory 66, A distributed control device such as an ADF 1 that performs a document feeding / discharging operation is connected.

The distributed controllers and the main controller 20 exchange information indicating the state of the machine and operation commands as needed. Further, the main controller 20 includes various clutches 21 to 24 necessary for paper conveyance and the like.
A main motor 25 and a human body detection sensor 29 for detecting whether or not an operator (operator) is in front of the copier;
Is also connected.

Next, an operation from reading image data of a document by the scanner 50 to forming an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data on the surface of the photosensitive drum 15 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the electrostatic latent image is a photosensitive drum 15
Is a potential distribution generated by writing image data on a surface (a surface charged by a charger) with a laser beam.

The scanner 50 includes a contact glass 6 on which a document is placed and an optical scanning system. The optical scanning system includes an exposure lamp 51, a first mirror 52, a lens 53, and a CC.
It is composed of a D image sensor 54 and the like. The exposure lamp 51 and the first mirror 52 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown), and the second mirror 55 and the third mirror 56 are fixed on a second carriage (not shown).

When reading image data of a document, the first carriage and the second carriage are mechanically scanned at a relative speed of 2: 1 so that the optical path length does not change. The optical scanning system is driven by a drive unit including a scanner drive motor (not shown).

The scanner 50 optically reads image data of a document and converts it into an electric signal. That is, the image surface of the document is illuminated by the exposure lamp 51 of the optical scanning system,
The reflected light image from the image surface is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD image sensor 54 via the first mirror 52, the second mirror 55, the third mirror 56, and the lens 53, and is converted into an electric signal by the CCD image sensor 54. To image data.

At this time, the image magnification is changed by moving the lens 53 and the CCD image sensor 54 in the horizontal direction in FIG. That is, the lens 53 and the CCD image sensor 54 correspond to the designated copy magnification.
Is set in the left-right direction.

The writing unit 57 includes a laser output unit 58, an imaging lens 59, a mirror 60, and the like.
Inside the laser output unit 58, there is provided a laser diode as a laser light source and a polygon mirror (rotating polygon mirror) which rotates at a high speed at a constant speed by a motor. A laser beam emitted from a laser output unit 58 is deflected by a polygon mirror that rotates at a constant speed, and is deflected by an imaging lens 59.
, Is turned back by the mirror 60, and is condensed on the charged surface of the photosensitive drum 15 to form an image.

That is, the laser beam deflected by the polygon mirror is exposed and scanned in the direction (main scanning direction) orthogonal to the direction in which the photosensitive drum 15 rotates, and the image data output from the image processing unit 49 in FIG. Write in line units. By repeating the main scanning at a predetermined cycle corresponding to the rotation speed of the photoconductor drum 15 and the scanning density (recording density), an electrostatic latent image is formed on the charged surface of the photoconductor drum 15.

The laser beam immediately before scanning the photosensitive drum 15 is detected by a synchronous detection sensor (not shown). Then, a laser writing control unit (not shown) uses the main scanning synchronization signal output from the synchronization detection sensor to generate a control signal for turning on / off the laser diode and inputting / outputting image information every scanning. .

FIG. 1 shows an image processing unit (IPU) 49.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of FIG. The reflected light image (image) from the document surface is converted into image data as an electric signal by the CCD image sensor 54, and further converted from an analog value to a digital value by the A / D converter 61. The image data converted into digital values is subjected to shading correction by a shading correction unit 62, and then subjected to image processing such as MTF correction and γ correction by an image processing unit 63.

The image data processed by the image processing section 63 is enlarged or reduced in accordance with the copy magnification specified by the magnification processing section 72, and
Is input to The selector 64 switches the destination of the image data. That is, the writing γ correction unit 71 or the memory controller 65 is set as the destination of the image data.

The image data sent from the selector 64 to the write γ correction section 71 is corrected for the write γ in accordance with the image forming conditions there, and the write unit 57 of the printer 80 is corrected.
Sent to Between the memory controller 65 and the selector 64, image data can be input and output in both directions.

The CPU 68 is a central processing unit, which writes and reads image information to and from the image memory 66 via the memory controller 65, and controls the scanner 50 and the writing unit 57. RO
M69 is a read-only memory, and stores various fixed data including a control program for operating the CPU 68. The RAM 70 is a readable and writable memory, and temporarily stores various data.

The image processing unit 49 stores a plurality of pieces of image data so as to process image data sent from an external device such as a personal computer or a facsimile machine in addition to image data input from the scanner 50. A circuit (image input means) for inputting is also provided. Further, a circuit (image output means) for outputting the input image data or the image data stored or stored in the image memory 66 to the printer 80 or an external device is provided.

The image data sent to the memory controller 65 is sent to an image memory 66 after being compressed by an image compression unit provided therein. Here, the reason for compressing the image data will be briefly described. The image data of 256 gradations corresponding to the maximum image size is directly stored in the image memory 66.
The image memory 66 is very often used for image data of one original (one page).

Therefore, by compressing the image data, the image memory 66 having a limited storage capacity can be effectively used. Also, by performing compression,
Since image data of many originals (a plurality of pages) can be stored (stored) in the image memory 66 at one time, the image data (image image data) of the stored originals can be output in page order as a sorting function. it can.

At this time, the image data read from the image memory 66 is sequentially expanded by an image expansion unit in the memory controller 65. Such a function is generally called an “electronic sort function (electronic sort mode)”. Further, by utilizing this electronic sorting function, it is also possible to sequentially read image data of a plurality of originals into an area obtained by dividing an area for one transfer sheet in the image memory 66.

For example, the image data of four originals (four pages) is sequentially written into an area obtained by equally dividing the area of one transfer sheet in the image memory 66 into four, so that the image data of the four originals is one. It is possible to obtain a copy result in which four originals are aggregated by combining and synthesizing the image data into the size of a sheet of transfer paper, forming an image of the aggregated combined image on the transfer paper and outputting the image. . Such a function is generally called “aggregate copy function (aggregate copy mode)”.

The image data written in the image memory 66 can be accessed from the CPU 68.
For this reason, it is possible to process the contents of the image memory 66, and for example, it is possible to perform processing such as thinning processing and cutout processing of image data. Processing of image data
This can be performed by writing image data to a register in the memory controller 65. The processed image data can be stored in the image memory 66 again.

The image memory 66 is divided into a plurality of areas according to the size of the image data to be processed, and has a configuration capable of simultaneously inputting and outputting a plurality of image data. That is, the memory controller 65 and the image memory 66 are provided with two sets of address and data lines for reading and writing so that input and output of each image data can be executed in parallel with respect to the plurality of divided areas. It is connected. As a result, input image data to a certain area (write)
During this operation, an operation of outputting (reading) image data from another area becomes possible.

In the image processing unit 49, the contents of the image memory 66 are read by the CPU 68, and the I / O port 6
7 through the operation unit 30 as display data (display information).
Can also be forwarded to That is, since the screen display resolution of the liquid crystal touch panel 31 of the operation unit 30 is low, the original image data in the image memory 66 can be thinned out and transferred to the operation unit 30 as display data.

The image memory 66 may use a hard disk to store a large amount of image data.
By using a hard disk, an external power supply is not required and image data can be held permanently. In general, the hard disk is used to read and hold the image data of a plurality of standard originals (format originals) by the scanner 50.

Here, the image data and control signal for one page in the selector 64 will be described with reference to FIG. / FGATE (“/” indicates low active) is a frame gate signal, and represents an effective period of one page of image data in the sub-scanning direction.

/ LSYNC is a main scanning synchronization signal for each line, and image data becomes valid at a predetermined clock after this signal rises. / LGATE is a line gate signal, and indicates an effective period of image data in the main scanning direction.

These signals correspond to the pixel clock signal VCL
Synchronous with K, data of 8 bits per pixel (256 gradations) is sent for one period. In this digital copying machine, the writing density on the transfer paper is 400 dpi, and the maximum number of pixels is 4,800 pixels in the main scan and 6,800 pixels in the sub-scan. It is assumed that the image data becomes whiter as the gradation is closer to “255”.

Hereinafter, processing directly related to the present invention in the digital copying machine will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. First, a common process among the processes according to the first to fifth aspects of the present invention will be described.

The CPU 68 selects a key operation on the image forming mode setting screen of FIG. 4 displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31 by a special key operation on the operation unit 30 by a serviceman when the digital copying machine is installed, for example. Various image forming modes that can be set by the user, that is, combinations of all existing image forming modes are stored in the RAM 70 as an image forming mode combination table,
Charges per sheet of various types of transfer paper (non-image forming medium) are stored in the RAM 70. Here, the RAM 70 is a non-volatile memory that can hold internal data even when the power is turned off.

Next, the processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention performed by the CPU 68 of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, the main controller 20 and the operation unit 3
0, and the CPU 68 in the image processing unit 49 and the RO
The M69, the RAM 70, and the like are provided with various functions (image forming mode setting means, image forming mode combination storing means, image forming medium charge storing means, output sheet number calculating means, user paid charge calculating means, image Forming mode combination automatic setting means).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing by the CPU 68 according to the first aspect of the present invention. CP
When the print key 34 is pressed in a state where the combination of the image forming modes is selected by a key operation by the user on the image forming mode setting screen displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31 of FIG. 3, the process of FIG. Start.

First, it is determined whether it is possible to automatically set the image forming mode (minimum fee image forming mode) in which the fee paid by the user is the minimum, and if it is not possible, the previously selected image forming mode is determined. After setting the mode combination and setting the image forming mode determination flag, the image data of a plurality of originals (a plurality of pages) is sequentially read using the ADF 1 and the scanner 50 and stored in the image memory 66. At this time, the image data of one document may be read without using the ADF 1.

Next, the state of the image forming mode decision flag is checked. In this case, since the image forming mode decision flag is set, the image forming process is started immediately, and the read image data stored in the image memory 66 is read. Is sent to the writing unit 57 in the printer 80, and an image is formed on transfer paper in the previously set image forming mode and output.

On the other hand, when the automatic setting of the lowest-charge image forming mode is possible, the image data of a plurality of originals (a plurality of pages) are immediately read in sequence using the ADF 1 and the scanner 50 and stored in the image memory 66. Thereafter, the state of the image formation mode determination flag is checked. In this case, since the image formation mode determination flag is not set (reset), the following processes (1) to (3) are performed. Do.

(1) Selection of Combination of Image Forming Modes (Copy Modes) The combination of the first image forming mode in the image forming mode combination table in the RAM 70 is provisionally set (selected), and shown in (2) and (3). Processing, and the result is
It is stored in M70. After that, the next combination of the image forming modes in the image forming mode combination table is provisionally set, and the same processing as described above is repeated.

(2) Processing for Calculating the Output Number of Transfer Papers A simulation is performed in which the read image data stored in the image memory 66 is sequentially distributed to the transfer paper surface according to the combination of the image forming modes provisionally set in (1). .
At the same time, the number of output sheets of transfer paper is counted for each size of transfer paper, and when the distribution of all the read image data stored in the image memory 66 is completed, the product of the number of repeats and the number of repeats are calculated to calculate all the image formations. The number of output sheets of transfer paper required for processing (necessary for forming a desired image) is calculated for each size of the transfer paper.

In the above-described simulation, the surface of the transfer paper on which no image is placed is also taken into consideration, as in the following example.
It is possible to accurately calculate the number of output sheets of transfer paper in all combinations of image forming modes. For example, when the read image data is 5 pages, front cover (no printing), double-sided copy mode, and staple mode, image formation (printing) as shown in FIG. 8 is performed. In this case, the transfer paper surface is eight,
The output number of transfer papers is four.

(3) Calculation of the cost required for the entire image forming process (the fee borne by the user for performing the desired image forming process) The fee per transfer sheet stored in the RAM 70 and (2) By calculating the sum of the products obtained for each size with the number of output sheets of transfer paper calculated in step (1), the cost required for the entire image forming process is calculated (calculated).

Then, the processing of (1) to (3) is executed for all the patterns of the combinations of the existing image forming modes, and the calculation results of (3) are compared. It is determined whether the combination of the modes is the lowest fee (the lowest value of the fee borne by the user). It is also possible to determine a predetermined number of image forming mode combinations in order from the image forming mode combination in which the fee paid by the user is the lowest.

After deciding the combination of the image forming modes that minimizes the fee paid by the user, after setting the image forming mode deciding flag, the state of the image forming mode deciding flag is checked again. In this case, Since the image forming mode determination flag is set, the image forming process is started, the read image data stored in the image memory 66 is sent to the writing unit 57 in the printer 80, and the previously determined (automatically set) image forming process is performed. In this mode, an image is formed on transfer paper and output.

As described above, the CPU 68 of the digital copying machine
Based on the read image data stored in the image memory 66 and the combination of the image forming modes stored in the RAM 70 in advance, the number of transfer papers required to form a desired image is determined by the transfer paper Is calculated for each size, and based on the calculation result and the fee information stored in the RAM 70 in advance, a fee borne by the user for forming a desired image is calculated. Since the combination of the image forming modes that minimizes the fee to be paid is automatically set, and the read image data stored in the image memory 66 is formed on the transfer paper by the combination of the automatically set image forming modes and output. Even if the user (user) is not proficient in setting the image forming mode, the image forming process can reduce the cost of the user. It can be reliably performed in the barrel copier.

Next, the processing according to the second aspect of the present invention performed by the CPU 68 of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
Here, the CPU 68, the ROM 69, and the R in the main controller 20, the operation unit 30, and the image processing unit 49 are provided.
The AM 70 and the like include various functions (image forming mode setting means, image forming mode combination storing means, image forming medium charge storing means, output sheet number calculating means,
A user-paid charge calculating means and an image forming mode combination automatic setting means).

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of processing by the CPU 68 according to the second aspect of the present invention. CP
When the print key 34 is pressed in a state where the combination of the image forming modes is selected by a key operation by the user on the image forming mode setting screen displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31 of FIG. 3, the process of FIG. 9 is performed. Start.

First, it is determined whether the automatic setting of the lowest-charge image forming mode (the image forming mode in which the fee paid by the user is the lowest) is possible. If the automatic setting is possible, the image forming mode setting is performed. Basic image formation output form (output size of transfer paper, formed image size, single-sided copy mode or double-sided copy mode) which is a part of the combination of image formation modes selected by key operation on the screen by the user Set.

Next, after sequentially reading the image data of a plurality of originals using the ADF 1 and the scanner 50 and storing them in the image memory 66, the state of the image forming mode decision flag is checked. Since the mode determination flag is not set, substantially the same processing as the processing shown in the above (1) to (3) is performed.

However, every time a combination of image forming modes in the image forming mode combination table in the RAM 70 is provisionally set (selected), a basic image forming output selected by the user among the combinations of the image forming modes. Based on a combination of image forming modes that can reflect the form (basic setting), the number of output sheets of transfer paper required for forming a desired image is calculated for each size of the transfer paper. The processing other than the above-described processing is the same as the processing according to the first aspect of the present invention, and a description thereof will not be repeated.

As described above, the CPU 68 of the digital copying machine
Is a combination of image forming modes that can reflect the basic image forming output form selected by the user among the combinations of the read image data stored in the image memory 66 and the respective image forming modes stored in the RAM 70 in advance. The number of output sheets of transfer paper required for forming a desired image is calculated for each size of the transfer paper based on (the combination of each image forming mode is limited), and the calculation result and the RAM 70 are stored in advance in the RAM 70. Based on the fee information that has been set, a fee to be paid by the user to form a desired image is calculated, and from the calculation result, a combination of image forming modes that minimizes the fee to be paid by the user is automatically determined. And the read image data stored in the image memory 66 is formed on the transfer paper in a combination of the automatically set image forming modes. Since the output is performed, even if the user is not skilled in the setting operation of the image forming mode, the image which can reflect the basic image forming output form expected by the user and can reduce the cost of the user can be reduced. The forming process can be reliably performed by the digital copying machine.

Next, the processing according to the third aspect of the present invention performed by the CPU 68 of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the main controller 20, the operation unit 30, the CPU 68 in the image processing unit 49, the ROM 6
9. The RAM 70 and the like are provided with various functions (image forming mode setting means, image forming mode combination storing means, image forming medium charge storing means, output sheet number calculating means, user paid charge calculating means, image (Formation mode combination automatic setting means, mismatch notification means).

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an example of processing according to the third aspect of the present invention performed by the CPU 68. C
When the print key 34 is pressed in a state where the combination of the image forming modes is selected by a key operation by the user on the image forming mode setting screen displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31 of FIG. 3, the PU 68 performs the processing of FIG. Start.

First, the combination of the image forming modes selected by the user is set, and it is checked whether the reading of the image data has been completed. First, the reading of the image data has not been completed. , The image data of a plurality of originals are sequentially read using the ADF 1 and the scanner 50 and stored in the image memory 66.
The same processing as the processing shown in (1) to (3) is performed.

Then, the processes of (1) to (3) are executed for all the patterns of the existing image forming mode combinations, and the calculation results of (3) are compared. After determining whether the combination of the modes is the lowest price, the combination of the image forming mode (set image forming mode) previously set by the user's selection and the previously determined lowest price image forming mode (the lowest price image) Then, it is checked whether or not they match with each other by comparing with the combination of (formation mode).

When the combination of the set image forming mode and the combination of the lowest charge image forming mode match, the image forming process is started, and the read image data stored in the image memory 66 is sent to the writing unit 57 in the printer 80. The image is transmitted, and an image is formed on a transfer sheet in the image forming mode determined (automatically set) before outputting. If the combination of the set image formation mode and the combination of the lowest charge image formation mode do not match, this is true (or that there is a combination of image formation modes that can be cheaper).
Is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31 to notify the user.

Thereafter, it is checked whether or not there is an instruction to change the combination of the set image forming modes. If there is no such instruction, the image forming process is started and the image memory 66 is started.
The read image data stored in the printer 80 is sent to the writing unit 57 in the printer 80, and an image is formed on a transfer sheet in the image forming mode determined (automatically set) and output.

If there is an instruction to change the combination of the set image forming modes, the process returns to the first step, and after the setting of the combination of the image forming modes is changed according to the instruction, the reading of the image data has already been completed. Then, it is checked again whether the combination of the set image forming mode and the combination of the lowest charge image forming mode match, and thereafter the same processing as described above is performed.

As described above, the CPU 68 of the digital copying machine
However, in addition to the processing substantially the same as in claim 1, the combination of the image forming mode set by the user's selection and the determined (automatically set) combination of the image forming mode with the lowest fee are compared, and the two do not match. In such a case, the fact (or the fact that there is a combination of image forming modes at a lower cost) is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31 to notify the user, and the user can select the combination of the image forming modes selected by the user. Before the image forming process is performed by the digital copying machine, if there is a combination of image forming modes that is less expensive than the combination of image forming modes, the user can know that there is a combination of image forming modes. Since an opportunity to reset the combination can be provided, the cost required for the image forming process (cost borne by the user) can be reduced.

Next, the processing according to the fourth aspect of the present invention performed by the CPU 68 of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the main controller 20, the operation unit 30, the CPU 68 in the image processing unit 49, the ROM 6
9. The RAM 70 and the like are provided with various functions (image forming mode setting means, image forming mode combination storing means, image forming medium charge storing means, output sheet number calculating means, user paid charge calculating means, combination Candidate notification means).

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an example of processing by the CPU 68 according to the fourth aspect of the present invention. C
When the print key 34 is pressed in a state where the combination of the image forming modes is selected by a key operation by the user on the image forming mode setting screen displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31 in FIG. 3, the PU 68 performs the processing in FIG. Start.

First, it is determined whether or not there is a display instruction in the low-charge image formation mode (image formation mode in which the charge paid by the user is low). If there is no display instruction, the previously selected image formation mode is selected. Set the combination of
After the image formation mode determination flag is set, the image data of a plurality of originals is sequentially read using the ADF 1 and the scanner 50 and stored in the image memory 66. At this time, the image data of one document may be read without using the ADF 1.

Next, the state of the image formation mode determination flag is checked. In this case, since the image formation mode determination flag is set, the image formation processing is started immediately, and the read image data stored in the image memory 66 is read. Is sent to the writing unit 57 in the printer 80, and an image is formed on transfer paper in the previously set image forming mode and output.

On the other hand, when the low-charge image forming mode display instruction is issued, the image data of a plurality of originals are sequentially read using the ADF 1 and the scanner 50 and stored in the image memory 66 immediately. The state of the mode determination flag is checked. In this case, since the image formation mode determination flag has not been set, substantially the same processing as the above-described processing (1) to (3) is performed.

Then, the processes of (1) to (3) are executed for all the patterns of the combinations of the existing image forming modes, and the calculation results of (3) are compared. It is checked whether the combination of modes is the lowest charge (the lowest value of the charge borne by the user), and a predetermined number (single or plural) is set in order from the combination of the image forming modes having the lowest charge.
The combination of the image forming modes is
Is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31 as a candidate of an image forming mode combination that can be set by selecting a key operation on the image forming mode setting screen, and the user is notified.

Thereafter, when one of the candidates for the combination of the image forming modes is selected by a key operation, the combination is determined as a combination of the image forming modes in which the fee paid by the user is reduced. The mode determination flag is set and the state of the image formation mode determination flag is checked again. In this case, since the image formation mode determination flag has been set, the image forming process is started, and the read image stored in the image memory 66 is read. The data is sent to the writing unit 57 in the printer 80, and an image is formed on transfer paper in the image forming mode determined previously and output.

As described above, the CPU 68 of the digital copying machine
Based on the read image data stored in the image memory 66 and the combination of the image forming modes stored in the RAM 70 in advance, the number of transfer papers required to form a desired image is determined by the transfer paper Is calculated for each size, and based on the calculation result and the charge information stored in the RAM 70 in advance, a charge to be paid by the user for forming a desired image is calculated, and the charge is calculated based on the calculation result. A predetermined number of image forming mode combinations are displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31 as candidates of image forming mode combinations that can be set by selecting key operations in order from the image forming mode combination in which the user bears the lowest fee. To notify the user, even if the user is not skilled in setting the image forming mode, the cost borne by the user It is possible to easily perform the image forming process as much as possible reduced to the digital copier.

Next, the processing according to the fifth aspect of the present invention performed by the CPU 68 of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the main controller 20, the operation unit 30, the CPU 68 in the image processing unit 49, the ROM 6
9, RAM 70 and the like are provided with various functions (image forming mode setting means, image forming mode combination storing means, image forming medium charge storing means, output sheet number calculating means, user paid charge calculating means, combination Candidate notification means).

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing an example of processing by the CPU 68 according to the fifth aspect of the present invention. C
When the print key 34 is pressed in a state where the combination of the image forming modes is selected by a key operation by the user on the image forming mode setting screen displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31 in FIG. 3, the PU 68 performs the processing in FIG. Start.

First, it is determined whether or not there is a display instruction of the low-charge image forming mode. If the display instruction is given, a part of the combination of the image forming modes selected by the user operating the key on the image forming mode setting screen is determined. , The basic image formation output mode (output size of transfer paper, image size to be formed, one-sided copy mode or two-sided copy mode) is set.

Next, after sequentially reading the image data of a plurality of originals using the ADF 1 and the scanner 50 and storing them in the image memory 66, the state of the image forming mode determination flag is checked. Since the mode determination flag is not set, substantially the same processing as the processing shown in the above (1) to (3) is performed.

However, each time a combination of image forming modes in the image forming mode combination table in the RAM 70 is provisionally set (selected), a basic image forming output selected by the user among the combinations of the image forming modes. Based on a combination of image forming modes that can reflect the form (basic setting), the number of output sheets of transfer paper required for forming a desired image is calculated for each size of the transfer paper. Since the processing other than the above-described processing is the same as the processing according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the description will be omitted.

As described above, the CPU 68 of the digital copying machine
Is a combination of image forming modes that can reflect the basic image forming output form selected by the user among the combinations of the read image data stored in the image memory 66 and the respective image forming modes stored in the RAM 70 in advance. The number of output sheets of transfer paper required for forming a desired image is calculated for each size of the transfer paper based on (the combination of each image forming mode is limited), and the calculation result and the RAM 70 are stored in advance in the RAM 70. Based on the fee information that has been set, a fee borne by the user for forming a desired image is calculated, and based on the calculation result, the image forming mode combination in which the fee borne by the user is the lowest is sequentially determined. A preset number of image forming mode combinations are set as candidate image forming mode combinations that can be set by selecting key operations. Since the information is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31 and notified to the user, even if the user is not skilled in setting the image forming mode, the basic image forming output form expected by the user can be reflected, and This digital copying machine can easily perform image forming processing that can reduce the cost of the user as much as possible.

The embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a digital copying machine has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to various image forming apparatuses such as a digital multifunction peripheral and a laser printer.

[0105]

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, even if the user is not skilled in setting the image forming mode, the cost of the user can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to reliably perform an image forming process, which contributes to simplification of operability and reduction of a user's financial burden.

According to the image forming apparatus of the second aspect,
Even if the user is not skilled in setting the image forming mode, the image forming process that can reflect the basic image forming output form expected by the user and can reduce the cost of the user is surely performed. This can contribute to simplifying the operability and reducing the financial burden on the user.

According to the image forming apparatus of the third aspect,
In addition to the same effect as the first aspect of the present invention, since the user can be provided with an opportunity to reset the combination of the image forming modes, it is possible to obtain the image that the user wants to acquire almost certainly, and furthermore to simplify the operability and This can contribute to reducing the financial burden on the user.

According to the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect,
Even if the user is not skilled in setting the image forming mode, it is possible to easily perform the image forming process that can minimize the cost incurred by the user, thereby simplifying the operability and reducing the financial cost of the user. It can contribute to reducing the burden.

According to the image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect,
Even if the user is not proficient in setting the image forming mode, an image forming process that can reflect the basic image forming output form expected by the user and minimize the cost of the user can be performed. This can be easily performed, which contributes to simplification of operability and reduction of the financial burden on the user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image processing unit (IPU) 49 of FIG.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a mechanical section of a digital copying machine embodying the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a layout diagram illustrating a configuration example of an operation unit of the digital copying machine illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a copy mode setting screen displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31 of FIG. 3 when the power is turned on.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system of the digital copying machine illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing an example of image data and control signals for one page in a selector 64 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing according to the invention of claim 1 by the CPU 68 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram used for describing the processing in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of processing according to the invention of claim 2 by the CPU 68 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process according to the invention of claim 3;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a process according to the invention of claim 4;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a process according to the invention of claim 5;

[Explanation of symbols]

 20: Main controller 30: Operation unit 31: Liquid crystal touch panel 32: Numeric keypad 34: Print key 49: Image processing unit 50: Scanner 65: Memory controller 66: Image memory 68: CPU 69: ROM 70: RAM

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C061 AP04 AQ06 AR03 BB10 HH03 HK07 HK11 HK15 HL01 HN02 HN15 2H027 DA42 EJ06 EJ08 FA03 FA40 FB06 FB11 FD08 GB05 ZA07 5C062 AA05 AB20 AB22 AB41 AB42 AF08 AF22

Claims (5)

[Claims] An image forming mode setting unit for setting an image forming mode; an image data storing unit for storing image data of a plurality of pages; and image data stored in the unit being set by the image forming mode setting unit. Forming an image on an image forming medium in an image forming mode in an image forming mode, and outputting the image forming medium. The image forming apparatus stores a combination of various image forming modes that can be set by the image forming mode setting unit. Mode combination storage means, image formation medium charge storage means for storing charges per sheet of various image formation media,
Output of an image forming medium required for forming a desired image based on a combination of the image data stored in the image data storing means and each image forming mode stored in the image forming mode combination storing means. Output number calculating means for calculating the number of sheets for each size of the image forming medium, and used for forming a desired image based on information obtained from the image forming medium charge storage means and the output number calculating means. User-paid charge calculating means for calculating a charge to be paid by a user, and an image-forming-mode-combination-automatic setting means for automatically setting a combination of image-forming modes in which the charge paid by the user is the lowest based on the calculation result by the means The image forming means automatically converts the image data stored in the image data storage means into the image forming mode combination. An image forming apparatus comprising: means for executing image formation in a combination of image forming modes automatically set by setting means. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output sheet number calculating unit is configured to output the image data stored in the image data storing unit and each of the image forming modes stored in the image forming mode combination storing unit. Based on the combination of image forming modes that can reflect the basic image forming output mode selected by the user among the combinations, the number of output sheets of the image forming medium necessary for forming a desired image is determined. An image forming apparatus, which is means for calculating for each size of an image forming medium. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a combination of an image forming mode automatically set by said image forming mode combination automatic setting unit and an image forming mode set by said image forming mode setting unit. Compare the combination and if they do not match,
An image forming apparatus provided with a mismatch notification unit for notifying that fact. 4. An image forming mode setting means for setting an image forming mode; an image data storing means for storing image data of a plurality of pages; and image data stored in the means being set by the image forming mode setting means. Forming an image on an image forming medium in an image forming mode in an image forming mode, and outputting the image forming medium. The image forming apparatus stores a combination of various image forming modes that can be set by the image forming mode setting unit. Mode combination storage means, image formation medium charge storage means for storing charges per sheet of various image formation media,
Output of an image forming medium required for forming a desired image based on a combination of the image data stored in the image data storing means and each image forming mode stored in the image forming mode combination storing means. Output number calculating means for calculating the number of sheets for each size of the image forming medium, and used for forming a desired image based on information obtained from the image forming medium charge storage means and the output number calculating means. A user-set fee calculating means for calculating a charge to be paid by the user, and a predetermined number of image forming modes in order from a combination of image forming modes in which the user bears the lowest charge based on the calculation result by the means. Combination for notifying a combination of modes as a candidate for a combination of image forming modes that can be set by the image forming mode setting unit An image forming apparatus characterized by providing a complement notifying means. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the output sheet number calculating unit is configured to output the image data stored in the image data storing unit and each of the image forming modes stored in the image forming mode combination storing unit. Based on the combination of image forming modes that can reflect the basic image forming output mode selected by the user among the combinations, the number of output sheets of the image forming medium necessary for forming a desired image is determined. An image forming apparatus, which is means for calculating for each size of an image forming medium.