JP2002264457A - Device for information on operating state and imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To securely inform a user of an operating state of equipment, even when such equipment can be used by a plurality of users and furnishing of appropriate information in compliance with the taste of individual users, the state of use and operating condition of the equipment, so that the operating performance of the equipment is enhanced for each of the plural users. SOLUTION: This device for information on an operating state comprises an effective sound output means, connected to the equipment, for furnishing information on the operating state of the equipment by means of the effective sound, an effective sound output control means for outputting the effective sound by controlling the effective sound output means, in the normal state of the equipment, an inhibiting means for inhibiting the output of the effective sound based on specified set conditions. When the output of the effective sound is inhibited by the inhibiting means, inhibiting the output is cancelled by a manual operation or when a specified time elapses.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an operating state notifying device and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to an operating state notifying device and an image forming apparatus.
The present invention relates to an operation state notification device that notifies a user of occurrence of an operation abnormality of a device and confirmation of operation, and an image forming apparatus including the operation state notification device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Normally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile or the like, a display composed of a liquid crystal, an LED, or the like is used as a user operation unit so that a user can fully use the functions possessed by the image forming apparatus. And an input unit called a hard key including a numeric keypad and a key switch. In addition, a graphic that imitates keys, buttons, and the like is displayed in a predetermined area of the display unit, and a so-called touch panel that allows a user to input by touching the graphic is often seen.

[0003] Most of these image forming apparatuses are provided with an operation state notifying device, and when an operation abnormality occurs in the image forming apparatus, a warning sound can be generated to notify the user of the occurrence of the abnormality. When a key is pressed, an operation confirmation sound is generated in response to the pressing of the key, so that it can be confirmed that the user has pressed the key.

[0004] It is possible to select beforehand whether or not to generate the warning sound or the confirmation sound, and to adjust the sound volume in advance.

[0005]

However, in the conventional operating state notifying apparatus and the image forming apparatus provided with this operating state notifying apparatus, it is necessary to select whether or not to generate a warning sound or a confirmation sound and to adjust the volume. Once set, the set state is maintained until a setting change operation is performed. That is, for example, when it is set not to generate the warning sound, the warning sound is not generated even if the operation abnormality occurs until the change operation is performed.

In recent years, the number of cases in which a plurality of host computers are connected to an image forming apparatus via a network interface or the like, and a user is remotely located and transfers image output data to the image forming apparatus for use. are doing. Particularly in an image forming apparatus such as a page printer,
It is used by a plurality of users via a wireless interface, a network interface, or the like, and is usually installed at a location away from these users.

[0007] In the case of such an image forming apparatus installed at a place distant from the user, the setting is made so as not to generate a warning sound, and if the setting is maintained, the operation of the image forming apparatus becomes abnormal. However, the user who is remotely located and transfers the output data cannot recognize the operation abnormality.

On the other hand, the user who operates the image forming apparatus in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus is set to generate a warning sound or a confirmation sound. If the setting is maintained, the warning sound or the confirmation sound is generated. May be uncomfortable as noise.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-61098 describes a technique in which an infrared sensor is provided in an image forming apparatus and suppresses generation of a warning sound when a person is detected near the image forming apparatus. However, it may not be preferable for a user who wants to generate a warning sound. Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-47999 describes a technique that, when a failure that requires the intervention of a user occurs, raises the volume of light flashing and a warning sound, raises the frequency, etc., to call the user's attention. I have. However, this is independent of whether the user is near or remote from the image forming device,
Although a user who is remote from the image forming apparatus can surely recognize the occurrence of the abnormality, a user who is in the vicinity may feel the warning sound uncomfortable as noise.

As described above, in the conventional image forming apparatus, it is not possible to make settings according to the use state of the user and the operation state of the image forming apparatus for the warning sound and the confirmation sound of the operation when an abnormality occurs. In some cases, there has been a problem that the operability is remarkably poor, or there is a feeling of discomfort during use.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problem. Even in an image forming apparatus which can be used by a plurality of users, the user can be surely notified of an operation state such as occurrence of abnormality or operation confirmation. Operating state notifying device that can notify the user according to the preference, use state, and device state of each of the plurality of users, and can improve operability for each of the plurality of users. And an image forming apparatus.

[0012]

To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a sound effect output means which is connected to a device and informs an operation state of the device by a sound effect, and a normal state of the device. In the above, there is a sound effect output control means for controlling the sound effect output means to output the sound effect, and a prohibition means for prohibiting the output of the sound effect based on predetermined setting conditions, When the output of the sound effect is prohibited, the prohibition of the output is released by manual operation or by elapse of a predetermined time.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the sound effect output means is connected to the device and notifies the operating state of the device by the sound effect. The sound effects include, for example, an operation confirmation sound generated when an operation of the device is performed, a warning sound generated when an operation abnormality occurs in the device, and a power supply of the device.
A sound generated at the time of N / OFF can be included, and various sounds such as a buzzer, a chime, and a melody can be selected as the sound effect. Thereby, the user can grasp the operation state of the device by hearing,
Even when the device cannot be viewed, such as when the device is used from a remote location, the state of the device can be reliably grasped.

The output control means controls the sound effect output means to output the sound effect in a normal state of the device. For example, when there is a sound effect generation instruction from the device, the output control means urges the sound effect control means to output an effect sound to the sound effect output means.

The prohibition means prohibits the output of the sound effect based on predetermined setting conditions. That is, in response to a sound effect output instruction from the output control means, an output prohibition is instructed, thereby prohibiting the generation of a sound effect. An example of the predetermined condition is a prohibition instruction by the user. Thus, a user who does not want to generate a sound effect can suppress the sound effect by the prohibition means, and can match each user's preference. The prohibition instruction may be configured to prohibit the output of all the sound effects collectively when there are a plurality of types of sound effects, or may be configured to selectively prohibit the output of any of the sound effects.

When the output of the sound effect is prohibited by the prohibiting means, the prohibition of the output is released by manual operation or by elapse of a predetermined time. This allows
A user who wishes to output a sound effect can release the prohibition by the prohibition means and generate a sound effect, and can match the user's preference. In addition, since the prohibition of output is released after the elapse of the predetermined time, for example, even if the user cancels the operation of releasing the output prohibition of the sound effect, the operation state of the device can be reliably notified to a user who operates later. .
Here, the output of the sound effect is prohibited by the prohibiting means, but a means for appropriately adjusting the volume, sound quality, and the like of the sound effect may be provided.

As described above, even when a device that can be used by a plurality of users is notified of the operation state, the notification is made to the user without fail, and the preference, use state, and device state of each of the plurality of users are checked. It is possible to make a notification in response to this, and it is possible to improve operability for each of a plurality of users.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the operation state notification device according to the first aspect, the sound effect is an operation confirmation sound for confirming the operation of the device when the operation is performed. When an operation abnormality occurs, a warning sound for warning the occurrence of the abnormality is included.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the sound effect is
When the operation of the device is performed, an operation confirmation sound for confirming the operation or a warning sound for warning the occurrence of the abnormality when an operation abnormality occurs in the device is included, so that the user can perform the operation. Since it is possible to confirm that the operation has been performed reliably, the operability is improved. Further, since the occurrence of the operation abnormality can be reliably grasped, for example, there is no possibility that the operation is continued even though the processing of the device is impossible, and the operability is improved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the operating state notifying device according to the second aspect, the prohibiting means selectively prohibits the output of one of the operation confirmation sound and the warning sound. I have.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the prohibiting means selectively prohibits the output of either the operation confirmation sound or the warning sound, thereby providing an operation state more consistent with the user's preference. A notification form can be provided.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, based on image information,
An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a predetermined recording sheet in accordance with the image information after execution of various operations, wherein the image forming apparatus includes the operation state notification device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a predetermined recording sheet in accordance with the image information after executing various operations based on the image information.
With the provision of the operation state notifying device according to the third aspect, the user of the image forming apparatus can grasp the operation state of the molding apparatus and can be used by a plurality of users. However, it is possible to notify the user of the operation state that matches the user's preference, and the operability is improved.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 10 includes an image reading unit 1
8, an output unit 16, a main control unit 14, and an operation unit 12. The image forming apparatus 10 is connected to a host computer (hereinafter, referred to as a host PC) 20 which is an external device via an interface 22.

The image reading section 18 is a so-called scanner, and is connected to the main control section 14 via an interface 22. The image reading unit 18 reads a document image placed on a document placing table (not shown), creates image data including characters and images and control data (command data) for the read image, and stores these data. It is transmitted to the main control unit 14.

The main control unit 14 receives each data transmitted from the image reading unit 18 or the host PC 20, analyzes each received data, and transmits the analyzed data to the output unit 16. Further, the main control unit 14 inputs / outputs various information to / from each unit configuring the image forming apparatus 10 and controls the image forming apparatus 10
And the like are controlled.

The output unit 16 includes a print head composed of optical components such as a laser diode, a polygon mirror, and a lens (not shown), an electrophotographic process device such as a photoconductor, a charger, and a developing device, and a paper feeder. And a paper supply unit for performing the above-mentioned operations, and is connected to the main control unit 14 via the interface 22.

The output unit 16 generates a laser beam from the laser diode of the print head based on each data transmitted from the main control unit 14 and places the laser beam on the photoreceptor uniformly charged by the charger. To form an electrostatic latent image, develop the electrostatic latent image by a developing device, and transfer and record a predetermined character or image on a recording sheet supplied from a sheet feeding unit.

The operation section 12 is for inputting various information to the main control section 14 and is connected to the main control section 14. The operation unit 12 includes an input / output control unit 30 that controls transmission and reception of various types of information between the operation unit 12 and the main control unit 14,
An input / output unit 3 for inputting various information to the input / output control unit 30 and outputting information received from the input / output control unit 30
2 is provided.

The input / output control unit 30 includes a central processing unit (hereinafter, referred to as a CPU) 40 that performs various processes related to input / output, and various programs such as a program for controlling input / output by the input / output unit 32 and input / output. A ROM 41 that stores various data to be output to the CPU 40 and outputs these various programs and various data, a RAM 42 that temporarily stores input data transmitted from the input / output unit 32, and the like.
Further, a timer 43 for measuring a set predetermined time is provided.

The input / output control unit 30 functions as an output control unit, and controls a sound generator 48, which will be described later, in a normal state of the image forming apparatus 10 so that an operation confirmation sound or a warning as a sound effect by the sound generator 48 is provided. Output sound.

The timer 43 counts a predetermined time, according to a predetermined program stored in the ROM 41, by an input operation by the user to the operation unit 12, or by opening and closing a door (not shown) of the main body of the image forming apparatus 10. , Etc., at the same time as the end of some operation, and ends after a predetermined time has elapsed. If there is an input operation by the user to the operation unit 12 or any operation to the main body of the image forming apparatus 10 during the time measurement, the time measurement is stopped and the operation unit 1 by the user is stopped.
The timer is restarted at the same time when the input operation to the image forming apparatus 2 or any operation to the main body of the image forming apparatus 10 is completed.

The input / output unit 32 includes an LCD display unit 45, a touch panel 46, a hard key 47, a sound generator 48, and a mute key 49. The LCD display unit 45 displays each function of the image forming apparatus 10, displays a processing state of the image forming apparatus 10, and displays an error message and the like. The touch panel 46 displays figures such as buttons and keys that can be input by the user's touch finger, and allows the user to select various functions of the image forming apparatus 10 and set execution conditions.

As shown in FIG. 2, the hard key 47 includes
Numeric keypad 50, start key 51, cancel key 5
2. Various buttons and keys such as a power saving mode button 53 are included.

The sound generator 48 functions as sound effect output means, and notifies the operating state of the image forming apparatus 10 by sound effects according to an instruction from the input / output control unit 30 in the normal state of the image forming apparatus 10. In other words, the sound generator 48
Generates a warning sound when the image forming apparatus 10 causes an operation abnormality via a speaker (not shown), or when any button or key on the touch panel 46 is pressed by the user, or when a hard key 47 is pressed. When any of the included keys is pressed, an operation confirmation sound is generated.

The mute key 49 is a button that functions as a prohibiting means and shifts the state of the image forming apparatus 10 from a normal state to a mute state, that is, a state in which generation of a warning sound or operation confirmation sound by the sound generator 48 is prohibited. Therefore, when the user presses the mute key 49, the image forming apparatus 10 shifts from the normal state to the mute state, and the output of the operation confirmation sound or the warning sound is prohibited. Accordingly, even when the user performs some input operation on the image forming apparatus 10 in the mute state, or when an operation abnormality occurs in the image forming apparatus 10,
No operation confirmation sound or warning sound is emitted.

The cancellation of the mute state, that is, the return from the mute state to the normal state can be performed by pressing the cancel key included in the hard key 47. Further, a predetermined time is measured by the timer 43, and after the predetermined time has elapsed, the mute state is automatically returned to the normal state.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of a process performed by the CPU 40 when the image forming apparatus 10 shifts from the normal state to the mute state.

In the normal state, the image forming apparatus 10 performs an input operation on the operation unit 12 by the user, that is, an input to a button or a key displayed on the touch panel 46, any one of the hard keys 47, a press of a key, and the like. When the input operation is performed, an operation confirmation sound is generated by the sound generator 48. Further, when an operation abnormality such as paper jam occurs in the image forming apparatus 10, a warning sound for notifying that the operation abnormality has occurred is generated from the sound generator 48.

In step 100, it is determined whether or not a mute key for inhibiting the generation of the operation confirmation sound and the warning sound has been pressed in the normal state. If this determination is denied, the operation of step 100 is repeated, and the determination as to whether or not the mute key has been pressed is repeated. If this determination is affirmed, the process proceeds to the next step 102.

In the next step 102, a predetermined program is read from the ROM 41, and the process proceeds to step 104. In step 104, the image forming apparatus 10 shifts from the normal state to the mute state. In the next step 106, R
According to the program read from OM41, C
The PU 40 transmits an operation prohibition instruction to the sound generator 48.
The sound generator 48 receives this instruction and prohibits generation of a warning sound or an operation confirmation sound.

In the next step 108, the timer 43 starts measuring the set predetermined time according to the program read from the ROM 41. The timer 43
The user can arbitrarily input and set the predetermined time measured by the operation unit 12, or the predetermined time may be stored in the ROM 41 in advance.

In step 110, while the timer 43 measures the predetermined time, the user performs an input operation on the operation unit 12, that is, a button displayed on the touch panel 46,
It is determined whether an input operation such as an input to a key, pressing of any button of the hard key 47, a key, or any operation such as opening and closing a door (not shown) of the main body of the image forming apparatus 10 is performed. .

If this determination is denied and it is determined that some operation has been performed, the process returns to step 108, and the counting of the predetermined time is started again, starting from the end of the user's operation. If the determination in step 110 is affirmative, that is, if it is determined that no operation has been performed, the timer 43 continues to count a predetermined time, and proceeds to the next step 112.

In step 112, it is determined whether or not the timer 43 has counted a predetermined time. If this determination is denied, the process returns to step 110 to repeat the above-described operation, and if this determination is affirmed, step 1 is performed.
Proceed to 14 to end the time measurement by the timer 43.

When the counting by the timer 43 is completed, in step 116, the CPU 40 sends an instruction to release the operation prohibition to the sound generator 48, and in the next step 118, the image forming apparatus 10 returns from the mute state to the normal state. The routine ends.

FIG. 4 is a time chart showing an example of a case where an operation is performed by a user in the normal state and the mute state of the image forming apparatus 10.

In FIG. 4, the uppermost part is the operation unit 12 by the user.
Input operation, that is, input operation to buttons and keys displayed on the touch panel 46, pressing of any one of the hard keys 47, pressing of a key, and a door (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 10 main body This is a display column for indicating the presence or absence of any operation such as opening and closing of the device, and indicates that an operation has been performed at a location indicated by a black circle.

The second row from the top is a display column indicating whether or not the mute key 49 has been pressed, and similarly indicates that the mute key 49 has been pressed at a location indicated by a black circle.
The third row is a display column for the presence / absence of sounding of operation confirmation sound and warning sound. When the display line is on the upper side, the sound is emitted. When the display line is on the lower side, the sound is not emitted. Show.

Further, the fourth row is a column for displaying whether the tone generation state of the image forming apparatus 10 is a normal state or a mute state. When the display line is on the upper side, the normal state is indicated. Indicates a mute state when is below.
The bottom row is a column for displaying whether the operation state of the image forming apparatus 10 is normal or abnormal, that is, whether or not an operation abnormality has occurred, and indicates a normal state when the display line is on the upper side. , Abnormal condition when the display line is below,
That is, it indicates a state in which an operation abnormality has occurred and the operation abnormality has not been released.

First, the image forming apparatus 10 is in a normal state, and an operation confirmation sound and a warning sound are both generated. Therefore, when there is an input operation to the operation unit 12 as shown at time points A and B in FIG. 4, an operation confirmation sound is emitted. Subsequently, when the mute key 49 is pressed at the time point C, the image forming apparatus 10 is in a mute state, the sound generation by the sound generator 48 is prohibited, and the timer 4 is turned off.
3 is started for a predetermined time. This timer 43
When the user performs any operation on the operation unit 12 or the image forming apparatus 10 at the time points D and E during the time counting by the operation, the operation confirmation sound is not emitted. And
The timing of the predetermined time is restarted again from the last time point of the operation by the user, and after the predetermined time has elapsed, the image forming apparatus 1
0 returns to the normal state. During this time, the image forming apparatus 1
It is assumed that the operation state of 0 is always normal.

FIG. 5 is a time chart showing another example of the case where the user performs an operation in the normal state and the mute state of the image forming apparatus 10.

In FIG. 5, the uppermost row is the interlock or release by the user, that is, opening / closing of the door (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 10 (lock when the door is open, unlock when the door is closed). And a display column for the presence / absence of any operation such as an input operation to the operation unit 12 and indicates that an operation has been performed at a location indicated by a black circle.

Further, the display from the second row to the bottom row from the top is the same as the display in FIG. 4 described above, and the description thereof will be omitted.

First, the image forming apparatus 1 up to the point G in FIG.
0 is in a normal state, in which both the operation confirmation sound and the warning sound are generated. Until the point I in FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 10 is in a state where an operation abnormality such as a paper jam has occurred.

First, in the initial state of FIG. 5, an operation abnormality has occurred in the image forming apparatus
Is in the normal state, so that a warning sound indicating that an operation abnormality has occurred is generated. In this state, at time G in FIG. 5, the mute key 49 is pressed, and the image forming apparatus 10 shifts from the normal state to the mute state. Accordingly, the prohibition of the generation of the warning sound and the operation confirmation sound is instructed to the sound generator 48, and the generation of the warning sound is stopped.

Thereafter, at time H, the user opens and closes the door of the main body of the image forming apparatus 10 in order to release the abnormal operation.
Until the abnormality is removed at the time point I, the image forming apparatus 10 is in an abnormal operation state, and is originally in a state in which a warning sound is generated. However, since the mute key 49 is pressed first, the image forming apparatus 10 is in a mute state.
The generation of the warning sound has been stopped.

When the abnormality is removed at the time I, the state of the image forming apparatus 10 returns to the normal state, and the timer 43 starts counting a predetermined time from this time. The image forming apparatus 10 returns to the normal state at the time point J after a predetermined time has elapsed, and if any operation has been performed at the time points K and J, an operation confirmation sound is generated.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the user is in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus 10, such as when the user is operating the image forming apparatus 10, or when the operation confirmation sound and the warning sound are not generated. By pressing the mute key 49, the user can put the image forming apparatus in a mute state. For example, when an operation abnormality occurs, the generation of a warning sound can be prohibited and the mute can be performed. Conversely, a user who prefers the generation of the operation confirmation sound and the warning sound may use the image forming apparatus 10 in the normal state, and may cancel the sound if it is in the mute state.

The image forming apparatus 10 automatically returns to the normal state after a lapse of a predetermined time even if the mute state is once set. Therefore, an abnormal operation occurs after the user moves to the remote place of the image forming apparatus 10. In such a case, a warning sound is also generated if the normal state is restored. Therefore,
The image forming apparatus 10 reliably notifies the user who uses the apparatus remotely of the operation abnormality, and the user can surely grasp the operation abnormality.

Accordingly, the image forming apparatus 10 can reliably notify the operating state such as the abnormal operation of the apparatus while responding to the use state or preference of the user. In addition, since the user is reliably notified of the operation state, the operability such as interruption of the operation is not reduced because the operation failure cannot be recognized. In other words, even when the image forming apparatus 10 can be used by a plurality of users, when the operating state such as the occurrence of an abnormality or the operation confirmation is notified, the user is reliably notified of the operating state, and the preference and usage state of each of the plurality of users. In addition, it is possible to perform notification in accordance with the state of the image forming apparatus 10, and it is possible to improve operability for each of a plurality of users.

In the above-described embodiment, when the mute key is depressed and the mute state is set, both the operation confirmation sound and the warning sound are inhibited from being generated. A configuration in which only the occurrence can be selectively prohibited may be adopted. In addition, a sound adjusting means for separately adjusting the type, volume, sound quality, etc. of the operation confirmation sound and the warning sound is provided, and the sound adjusting means is used to set the notification mode to match the user's preference, and returns to the normal state after a lapse of a predetermined time. It is good also as composition.

[0063]

As described above, according to the present invention, even if a device can be used by a plurality of users, when the operating state is notified, the user is reliably notified of the operation state, and each of the plurality of users is notified. There is an excellent effect that the notification can be performed according to the preference, the use state, and the state of the device, and the operability can be improved for each of a plurality of users.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view schematically showing an operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process when the image forming apparatus shifts from a normal state to a mute state in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a time chart illustrating an example of a case where a user performs an operation in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a time chart illustrating an example of a case where a user performs an operation in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 12 Operation part 30 Input / output control part (output control means) 32 Input / output part 43 Timer 48 Sounder (sound effect output means) 49 Mute key (prohibition means)

Continued on front page F-term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP04 AQ06 AS02 CQ04 CQ24 CQ32 HJ10 HK11 HK19 HV09 HV10 HV32 2H027 DA38 DC14 FA32 FC08 GA08 GA20 GA23 GA28 GA30 GA48 GA52 GA54 GB05 GB07 5C062 AA05 AB46 AF15

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An effect sound output means connected to a device for notifying an operation state of the device by a sound effect, and an effect of controlling the sound effect output device to output the sound effect in a normal state of the device. A sound output control unit; and a prohibition unit for prohibiting the output of the sound effect based on a predetermined setting condition. When the output of the sound effect is prohibited by the prohibition unit, a manual operation or a predetermined time is provided. Wherein the prohibition of the output is released with the lapse of time. 2. The sound effect according to claim 1, further comprising: an operation confirmation sound for confirming the operation of the device when the operation of the device is performed, or a warning for generating an abnormality when the device has an operation abnormality. The operating state leaving apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a warning sound. 3. The operating state notifying device according to claim 2, wherein the prohibiting means selectively prohibits output of one of the operation confirmation sound and the warning sound. 4. An operation state notifying device according to claim 1, wherein an image forming apparatus forms an image on a predetermined recording sheet in accordance with the image information after performing various operations based on the image information. An image forming apparatus comprising: