JP2002174997A - Image forming device and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device and an image forming method by which the number of times of operation for performing forcible printing is reduced to be as small as possible and operability for a user is enhanced to facilitate handling. SOLUTION: In printing control, image-forming is interrupted when the paper of size fit to an original image does not exist (1-2). In such an interrupted state, forcible printing is performed on the paper of size designated by external operation by a user (1-3) and (1-4). In the case of consecutively inputting the original image of the same size in a state where the forcible printing is required, the forcible printing is automatically continued by using the paper of the size designated by the external operation without interrupting the image-forming every time the original image is inputted (1-5), (1-6) and (1-7).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to image data obtained by reading an original with a scanner unit, or a PC (Pe
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method for forming an image on a sheet by a printer unit based on image data supplied from a rsonal computer or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, a program configuration of an image forming apparatus as described in the head section includes display control of an operation panel,
The control panel includes input control for acquiring input data for printing based on operation information obtained by artificially operating the operation panel, and print control for printing an image on a sheet based on the input data. A system control unit.

In print control of this type of image forming apparatus, input control determines the size of paper to be printed when reading an original, and feeds paper from a paper cassette in which paper of the size determined by the input control is set. By controlling to print on paper and specifying the mixed size artificially from the operation panel or PC, the paper cassette in which the paper of the specified size is set is searched for each page and the paper is fed. There is control for printing (mixed size mode) and control for feeding paper from a designated paper source for each image to be printed and printing (mixed paper source mode).

In this image forming apparatus, if there is no paper of a size suitable for printing in each paper cassette,
Or, if the size of the paper loaded in the specified paper source does not match the size of the paper you want to print, printing is automatically interrupted to replenish the paper or replace the paper cassette. It encourages changes.

In this image forming apparatus, if the user designates another paper cassette on the operation panel and operates the start switch while the printing is interrupted, the image is stored in the designated paper cassette. The control (forced printing) is performed in such a manner that the fed paper is fed and printing is started.

[0006]

In the conventional image forming apparatus as described above, the size of the paper to be printed is set for each page in either the mixed size mode or the mixed paper source mode. Checking or checking the position of the paper cassette.

For this reason, when printing is interrupted on a certain page due to the above-mentioned interrupting factor, even if forced printing is performed, if the same interrupting factor occurs on the next page, printing is interrupted again. Will be.

That is, in either the mixed size mode or the mixed paper source mode, it is sufficiently possible that sheets of the same size or the same sheet cassette are designated over a plurality of continuous pages. is there.

For this reason, in such a case, if printing is interrupted because there is no paper of the designated size or that there is no paper of a required size at the paper source, even if forced printing is performed. Then, printing is interrupted again on the next page.

Therefore, every time printing is interrupted on each page, the user must perform an operation for forced printing every time, which causes a problem that the handling becomes complicated for the user.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and it is possible to reduce the number of operations for performing forced printing as much as possible, thereby improving the operability for the user and facilitating the handling. It is an object to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method.

[0012]

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention interrupts image formation when there is no sheet of a size compatible with a document image during image formation in a mixed size mode or a mixed paper source mode. However, it is intended to be capable of forcibly printing on paper of a size designated by an external operation.

[0013] When a document image of the same size is successively input in a state where the forced printing is requested, the image formation is not interrupted each time the document image is input, and the image formation is not interrupted by an external operation. A control means for automatically continuing forced printing using paper of a designated size is provided.

According to the image forming method of the present invention, when an image is formed in the mixed size mode or the paper source mixed mode, if there is no sheet of a size suitable for the original image, the image formation is interrupted and designated by an external operation. It is intended to be capable of forcibly printing on paper of a specified size.

In the case where document images of the same size are successively input in a state where forced printing has been requested, the image formation is not interrupted each time the document image is input, but is externally operated without interruption. The forced printing is automatically continued using a sheet of a designated size.

According to the above configuration, in the mixed size mode or the mixed paper source mode, the image formation is interrupted due to the absence of a sheet having a size suitable for the original image, and the size specified by the user through an external operation. When forced printing is performed on paper of the same size, as long as a document image of the same size continues as input, forced printing is automatically performed continuously on paper of the size specified by the user. Therefore, the operability for the user can be increased and the handling can be facilitated.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 11 described in this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 11 mainly includes a scanner unit 12 and a printer unit 13 and has an automatic document feeder (ADF) 14 mounted on an upper part thereof.

The scanner unit 12 as a reading unit includes a reading light source (lamp) 12 as a light source.
a, CCD sensor 1 for receiving reflected light from a document
2b and the like, and further includes a drive system (not shown) for changing the position of each unit including the reading light source 12a.

A printer unit 1 as an image forming means
No. 3 combines, for example, a laser optical system and an electrophotographic system capable of forming an image on transfer paper. That is, the printer unit 13 has a photosensitive drum 13a as an image carrier rotatably supported at a substantially central portion in the apparatus, and further includes a registration roller 13b, a transfer belt 13c, a fixing device 13d, an automatic double-sided It comprises an apparatus (ADU) 13e and a reversing unit 13f.

Further, paper cassettes 15a, 15b and 15c are provided detachably from the front side of the image forming apparatus 11 as paper feeding means mounted in a plurality of upper and lower stages. The paper cassettes 15a, 15b, and 15c store copy papers of different sizes. The paper cassettes 15a, 15b, 15
The copy paper accommodated in c is picked up from the uppermost layer by a pickup roller (not shown) and taken out.

On the right side of the image forming apparatus 11, a large capacity paper feeder (LCF) 16 is provided. The copy paper accommodated in the large-capacity paper feeder 16 is picked up from the uppermost layer by a pickup roller (not shown) and taken out. The copy sheet sent to the take-out end of the large-capacity sheet feeding device 16 is conveyed toward the printer unit 13.

Further, on the left side of the image forming apparatus 11, there is provided a finisher 17 for discharging the copy sheet on which an image has been formed by the printer unit 13 to the outside.

FIG. 2 schematically shows a signal flow for electrical connection and control of the image forming apparatus 11.
That is, the image forming apparatus 11 has a system CPU
(SYSTEM-CPU) 18, the scanner CPU (SCANNER-CPU) 19 of the scanner unit 12, and the printer unit 13
And a printer CPU (PRINTER-CPU) 20.

The system CPU 18 controls the operation of the scanner CPU 19 and the printer CPU based on the operation information from the control panel 18a.
20 and so on.

The system CPU 18 is connected to the scanner C
The status is received from the PU 19 and the printer CPU 20 by serial communication, and the status is displayed. Scanner CP
U19 and printer CPU 20 are system CPU 18
The control of each drive device is carried out according to the instruction from.

The system CPU 18 includes a ROM 18b, a RAM 18c,
NV (nonvolatile) RAM 18d, image processing device 18
e, PM (page memory) control unit 18f, PM 18g,
The data compression / expansion circuit 18h and the HDD (hard disk device) 18i are connected.

The system CPU 18 has an external I / F (interface) 18j for connecting to an external device.
And external P, for example, via this external I / F 18j.
Image information from C or the like can also be captured and used for image formation in the printer unit 13.

The system CPU 18 controls the image forming apparatus 11
Is to control the overall operation of. ROM1
8b stores a control program to be executed by the system CPU 18. The RAM 18c temporarily stores data as a work memory of the system CPU 18. The NVRAM 18d is a nonvolatile memory backed up by a battery (not shown),
The stored data is retained even when the power of the apparatus is cut off.

The image processing device 18e performs image processing on image data. The PM control unit 18f
The image data is stored in and read from the PM 18g. The PM 18g has an area in which image data for a plurality of pages can be stored, and is formed so that data obtained by compressing image data can be stored for each page.

The data compression / expansion circuit 18h compresses image data and decompresses compressed image data. The HDD 18i, as a large-capacity storage unit, stores various data such as image data read by the scanner unit 12 and image data input from an external PC or the like.

The scanner CPU 19 has a ROM 19a in which a control program and the like are stored, and a RA for data storage.
M19b, a CCD driver 19c for driving the CCD sensor 12b, a scan motor driver 19d for controlling the rotation of a motor for moving the reading light source 12a, etc., and the automatic document feeder (ADF) 14 are connected.

The printer CPU 20 has a ROM 20a storing a control program and the like, and an RA for data storage.
M20b, NVRAM 20c which is a nonvolatile memory,
A laser driver 20d for turning on / off light emission by a semiconductor laser (not shown), a paper feed control unit 20e for controlling feeding of copy paper, and the automatic double-sided unit (ADU) 13e.
Etc. are connected.

Hereinafter, an example of the characteristic operation of the image forming apparatus 11 configured as described above will be described. FIG. 3 shows a first operation example of the image forming apparatus 11. In the first operation example, it is assumed that the A3 size paper cassette is not mounted, the A3 size and LT size paper cassettes are mounted, and a print request is issued in the mixed size mode. .

Then, for example, from an external PC or the like, as shown in step (1-1), A4, A4, A4, A4,
It is assumed that the image data whose size is specified in the order of A3, A3, A4, and A4 is transmitted. Then, first,
In the print control, the input is A4 size image data,
As shown in step (1-2), printing is interrupted because there is no A4 size paper cassette.

In this interrupted state, when the user operates the control panel 18a and designates the LT size paper cassette and instructs forced printing as shown in step (1-3), the printing control proceeds to step As shown in (1-4), the first A4 size image data is printed on LT size paper.

Thereafter, the printing control is performed in step (1-
5), (1-6) and (1-7),
As long as A4 size image data continues as input, the operation is performed so that printing is automatically and continuously performed on LT size paper.

Then, the print control is performed in step (1-8).
When the input is switched to A3 size image data, the forced print mode is automatically released, paper is fed from an A3 size paper cassette, and printing is performed on A3 size paper as shown in FIG.

Thereafter, printing control is performed in step (1-9).
As shown in (1), as long as A3 size image data continues as input, an operation is performed so as to automatically and continuously print on A3 size paper.

When the input is switched to A4 size image data, the printing control is interrupted again because there is no A4 size paper cassette as shown in step (1-10).

In this interrupted state, when the user operates the control panel 18a and designates the LT size paper cassette and instructs forced printing as shown in step (1-11), the printing control proceeds to step (1). As shown in -12), A4 size image data is printed on LT size paper.

Thereafter, the printing control is performed in step (1-1).
As shown in 3), as long as A4 size image data continues as input, the printer automatically operates continuously to print on LT size paper. When printing of all input image data is completed, step Printing is completed as shown in (1-14). As a print result, as shown in step (1-16), LT, LT, LT, LT, A3, A3, L
T, LT.

According to the above-described first operation example, when the user specifies a paper cassette and performs forced printing in steps (1-3) and (1-11), image data of the same size is input as input. As long as the printing is continued, the printing is automatically performed continuously on the paper in the paper cassette specified by the user, so that the number of operations by the user can be reduced, the operability for the user is improved, and the handling is facilitated. It is possible to do.

FIG. 4 shows a second operation example of the image forming apparatus 11. In the second operation example, the A4 size and A3 size paper cassettes are not mounted, and the LT size and B4 size paper cassettes are mounted.
It is assumed that a print request is made in the mixed size mode.

Then, for example, from an external PC or the like, as shown in step (2-1), A4, A4, A4, A4,
It is assumed that the image data whose size is specified in the order of A3, A3, A4, and A4 is transmitted. Then, first,
In the print control, the input is A4 size image data,
As shown in step (2-2), printing is interrupted because there is no A4 size paper cassette.

In this interrupted state, when the user operates the control panel 18a and designates the LT-size paper cassette to instruct forced printing as shown in step (2-3), the printing control proceeds to step As shown in (2-4), the first A4 size image data is printed on LT size paper.

The print control is performed in step (2-
5), (2-6) and (2-7),
As long as A4 size image data continues as input, the operation is performed so that printing is automatically and continuously performed on LT size paper.

Thereafter, when the input is switched to the A3 size image data, the printing control is interrupted because there is no A3 size paper cassette as shown in step (2-8).

In this interrupted state, when the user operates the control panel 18a and designates a B4 size paper cassette and instructs forced printing as shown in step (2-9), the printing control proceeds to step (2). As shown in -10), the first A3 size image data is printed on B4 size paper.

The print control is performed in step (2-1).
As shown in 1), as long as A3 size image data continues as input, the operation is performed so as to automatically perform continuous printing on B4 size paper.

Thereafter, when the input is switched to the A4 size image data, the printing is interrupted because there is no A4 size paper cassette as shown in step (2-12).

In this interrupted state, when the user operates the control panel 18a and designates the LT-size paper cassette and instructs forced printing as shown in step (2-13), the printing control proceeds to step (2). As shown in -14), A4 size image data is printed on LT size paper.

Thereafter, the printing control is performed in step (2-1).
As shown in 5), as long as A4 size image data continues as input, operation is performed so as to continuously perform printing on LT size paper. When printing of all input image data is completed, step Printing is completed as shown in (2-16). As a print result, as shown in step (2-17), LT, LT, LT, LT, B4, B4, L
T, LT.

FIG. 5 shows a third operation example of the image forming apparatus 11. In the third operation example, it is assumed that the A4 size paper cassette is not mounted, the LT size paper cassette is mounted, and a print request is made in the mixed size mode.

Then, for example, from an external PC or the like, as shown in step (3-1), A4, A4, A4, A4,
It is assumed that image data whose size is specified in the order of A4, A4, A4, and A4 is transmitted. Then, first,
In the print control, the input is A4 size image data,
As shown in step (3-2), the printing is interrupted because there is no A4 size paper cassette.

In this interrupted state, when the user operates the control panel 18a and designates an LT-size paper cassette and instructs forced printing as shown in step (3-3), the printing control proceeds to step (3-3). As shown in (3-4), the first A4 size image data is printed on LT size paper.

Thereafter, the printing control is performed in step (3-
5), (3-6), (3-7), (3-8), (3-
As shown in (9), (3-10), and (3-11), as long as A4 size image data continues as input, an operation is performed so as to automatically perform continuous printing on LT size paper.

When the printing of all the input image data is completed, the printing control is completed as shown in step (3-12). As a print result, step (3-
13), LT, LT, LT, LT, LT,
LT, LT, and LT.

Next, FIG. 6 shows a fourth operation example of the image forming apparatus 11. In the fourth operation example, A4 size paper is not stored in the upper paper cassette, and LT size paper is stored in the lower paper cassette, and a print request is issued in the paper source mixed mode. The case is assumed.

Then, as shown in step (4-1), for example, from an external PC or the like, the paper source cassette positions are designated as upper, PFP1, upper, and PFP2 in the order of A4, A4, A4, and A4, respectively. It is assumed that the transmitted image data has been sent.

Then, the printing control first compares the size A4 of the image data input first with the size of the paper stored in the upper paper cassette which is the paper feed source specified for the image data. In this case, since they do not match, printing is interrupted as shown in step (4-2).

In this interrupted state, when the user operates the control panel 18a to specify the LT size paper cassette at the lower stage and instruct forced printing as shown in step (4-3), the printing control is started. Is the step (4-
As shown in 4), the first A4 size image data is
Print on LT size paper.

Thereafter, the printing control is performed in step (4-
5) As shown in (4-6) and (4-7),
As long as A4 size image data continues as input, the operation is performed so that printing is automatically and continuously performed on LT size paper.

When the printing of all the input image data is completed, the printing control is completed as shown in step (4-8). As the print result, step (4-
As shown in 9), printing is performed on LT-size paper stored in the lower paper cassette.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart summarizing the characteristic operations of this embodiment, including the first to fourth operation examples described above. First, when started, in step S1, the system CPU 18 determines whether or not the mode is the mixed size mode, and if the mode is not the mixed size mode (N
O) In a step S13, it is determined whether or not the printing is the forced printing.

If the printing is the forced printing (YES),
In step S14, the system CPU 18 disables the automatic cassette change function for automatically switching the paper cassette as the paper supply source, and ends the processing. Step S
If it is determined that the printing is not the forced printing (NO), the system C
The PU 18 is terminated as it is.

If the mode is the mixed size mode in step S1, the system CPU 18 determines in step S2
Then, it is determined whether or not the paper sizes are mixed, and if the paper sizes are not mixed (NO), the process proceeds to step S13.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that the paper sizes are mixed (YES), the system C
The PU 18 determines whether or not forced printing is requested in step S3. If it is requested (YES), the PU 18 acquires the paper size in step S4, and in step S5,
Compare with the paper size of all pages.

Then, in step S6, the system CPU 18 determines whether or not there is a change in the sheet size. If there is a change (YES), the system CPU 18 cancels the forced print mode in step S7.

Further, after step S7, when the forced printing is not requested in step S3 (NO), or when the sheet size does not change in step S6 (N
O) In step S8, the system CPU 18 determines whether or not forced printing is requested, and if so (YES), in step S9, acquires the paper source designated for forced printing. Then, the process proceeds to step S13.

On the other hand, if the forced printing is not requested in step S8 (NO), the system CPU 18 searches and acquires the paper source based on the paper size specified for the input image in step S10, and proceeds to step S11. Then, it is determined whether or not the sheet feeding also exists. If the paper source exists (YES), the system CPU 18 proceeds to step S13.
If the paper feed source does not exist (NO),
Interrupt the printing operation.

According to the above-described embodiment, in the mixed size loading mode or the paper feed source mixed loading mode, printing is interrupted because there is no paper of a designated size or that there is no paper of a required size in the paper source. If a user specifies a paper cassette and performs forced printing, as long as image data with the same size or the same paper source is specified as input, printing is automatically performed continuously on paper in the paper cassette specified by the user. Since this operation is performed, the number of operations by the user can be reduced, and the operability for the user can be increased and the handling can be facilitated.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0073]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide an extremely good image forming apparatus and an image forming method that can reduce the number of operations for performing forced printing as much as possible and can improve operability and facilitate handling for a user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an image forming apparatus and an image forming method according to the present invention, and is a view for explaining an outline of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical control system of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram shown to explain a first operation example in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram shown to explain a second operation example in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view shown for explaining a third operation example in the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining a fourth operation example in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart shown to explain characteristic operations in the embodiment collectively;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Image forming apparatus, 12 ... Scanner part, 13 ... Printer part, 14 ... Automatic document feeder, 15a-15c ... Paper cassette, 16 ... Large capacity paper feeder, 17 ... Finisher, 18 ... System CPU, 19 ... Scanner CPU, 20: Printer CPU.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when forming an image in the mixed-size mode or the mixed-feed-source mode, if there is no sheet of a size suitable for the original image, the image forming is interrupted and forced printing is performed on a sheet of a size designated by an external operation. In the image forming apparatus capable of performing the above-mentioned operations, in the case where the same size original images are continuously input in the state where the forced printing is requested, the image formation is interrupted every time the original image is input. An image forming apparatus comprising: control means for automatically continuing forced printing using paper of a size designated by an external operation without performing the operation. 2. A plurality of original images each having a different paper size or a different paper source specified are mixed and input, and based on each input document image, a paper of a specified size or a specified paper source is selected. An image forming unit for forming an image on the taken-out sheet; and
An image formation interrupting unit for interrupting the image forming operation by detecting that a sheet of a specified size does not exist or that a sheet of a required size does not exist at a specified paper source; In the state where the image forming operation is interrupted by the means, when the paper size or the paper source is designated by an external operation and the forced image formation is requested, the paper of the designated size or the designated paper feeding is performed. A forced image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet taken out of the original, and a state in which an image is formed by the forced image forming unit,
If the same paper size or the same paper source as the original image on which the image is to be formed is specified for the next original image, the image is automatically specified by the forced image forming unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls so as to continuously perform forced image formation on a sheet of a specified size or a sheet taken out from a designated sheet supply source. 3. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the input document image is a sheet of a designated size or a sheet of a size required for a designated sheet supply source in a state where forced image formation is continuously performed. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the document image is switched to an existing document image, the forced image forming state is automatically released, and the image forming operation is performed by the image forming unit. 4. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when forming an image in the mixed-size mode or the mixed-feed-source mode, if there is no sheet having a size suitable for the original image, the image forming is interrupted and forced printing is performed on a sheet of a size designated by an external operation. In the image forming method capable of performing the above, in a case where the same size original images are successively input in the state where the forced printing is requested, the image formation is interrupted every time the original image is input. An image forming method characterized in that forced printing is automatically continued using paper of a size designated by an external operation without performing printing. 5. A plurality of original images each having a different paper size or a different paper source are mixed and input, and based on each input original image, a paper of a specified size or a specified paper source is selected. An image forming step of forming an image on the taken-out sheet; and
An image formation interrupting step of interrupting the image forming operation by detecting that the specified size paper does not exist or that the designated size paper source does not have the required size paper; In a state where the image forming operation is interrupted in the process, when a paper size or a paper source is designated by an external operation and forced image formation is requested, the paper of the designated size or the designated paper feeding is performed. A forced image forming step of forming an image on a sheet taken out from the original, and a state in which an image is formed in the forced image forming step,
If the same paper size or the same paper source as the original image on which the image is to be formed next is specified for the original image on which the image is to be formed next, the image is automatically specified in the forced image forming step. A controlling step of continuously performing forced image formation on a sheet of a designated size or a sheet taken out from a designated sheet supply source. 6. In the control step, in a state where forced image formation is continuously performed, an input document image is converted into a sheet of a designated size or a sheet of a size required for a designated paper source. 6. The image forming method according to claim 5, wherein when the document image is switched to a document image in which the image is present, the forced image forming state is automatically released and the image forming operation in the image forming step is performed.