JP2004229197A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently perform additional copying without providing a particular configuration in an image forming device. <P>SOLUTION: In the image forming device, when start of a copying operation is instructed, under control of a control part 11, images of an original bundle disposed in an original set position are successively read by a reading part 13 and stored in a memory 14f, and a copy job is generated. After the lapse of a predetermined time from the completion of copying based on the copy job, image data are erased from the memory 14f. Even without the lapse of the predetermined time from the completion of the copy job, when start of a copying operation of the next original bundle is instructed, the image data are erased. Otherwise, the image data are held in the memory, and when additional copying is instructed, copying is carried out again. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copier, a printer, and a multifunction peripheral.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine, if a required number of copies is erroneously input when a plurality of copies are made, the user must set the original again, read the original, and start copying again. It had to be very time-consuming.
[0003]
In order to solve such a problem, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that uses a human body detection sensor and retains image data stored in a memory without erasing as long as a person is near a copying machine. Has been devised.
[0004]
Patent Document 2 discloses an image forming apparatus that retains image information from a storage unit without erasing even after copying of a set number of copies is completed, and overwrites the image information on the storage unit when the next image information is input. Have been. In this image forming apparatus, after the copy of the set number of copies is completed, the image output from the storage unit is prohibited, and when the image re-output mode is set, the image is not transferred to the storage unit until the image re-output mode is released. Prohibit new image input.
[0005]
Further, in Patent Document 3, when a printing operation is interrupted due to a paper jam or the like in the image forming apparatus, the data stored in the storage medium is retained for a predetermined time and stored when the printing operation is not restarted within the predetermined time. Techniques for erasing image data from a medium have been disclosed.
[0006]
Patent Document 4 discloses a technique in which a PDL document to be printed transmitted from a host is stored in a personal box for a predetermined time, and is deleted after a predetermined time has elapsed.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-10-228212
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-7-177323
[Patent Document 3]
JP-A-10-282856
[Patent Document 4]
JP-A-11-225255
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, a special configuration such as a human body detection sensor is required in order to determine the time for holding the image data.
[0009]
Further, in the technique of Patent Document 2, since the image data is retained from the storage means without being erased, the memory may be squeezed by old data, which may affect the next copy. Further, when re-outputting an image stored in the storage means, the user must set the image re-output mode and shift to a special status of prohibiting new image input to the storage means, which is complicated. Was. Furthermore, if re-output is not performed after the re-output mode is set, the re-output mode is not canceled until a predetermined time has elapsed, so that the next copy job cannot be input and the usability is poor. Was.
[0010]
Further, in Patent Documents 3 and 4, since image data is not erased from the memory within the set time, image data that is read one after another within the set time is accumulated in the memory. Similarly, the memory may be squeezed by old data, which may affect a subsequent copy job, and there is a problem that the usability is not good.
[0011]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of efficiently performing an additional copy without having a special configuration.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the invention described in claim 1 is
An operation unit for instructing the start of a copy operation, a reading unit that reads an image of a document, a memory that stores image data of a document image read by the reading unit, and a memory that stores image data stored in the memory. A printer unit for forming and outputting an output image, and performing a copy operation by sequentially reading a document image of a document placed at a document set position in response to an instruction to start a copy operation by the operation unit In the device,
The image data stored in the memory is held until a predetermined set time elapses after the end of the copy operation, or until a start of a copy operation for the original placed at the original set position is instructed next, A control for erasing the image data stored in the memory when the predetermined time has elapsed or when the start of the next copy operation is instructed, whichever is earlier. It is characterized by having a part.
[0013]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the memory is kept until a predetermined set time elapses after the end of the copy operation or until the start of the copy operation for the original placed at the original set position is next instructed. And deletes the image data stored in the memory when a predetermined set time has elapsed or when the start of the next copy operation is instructed. Therefore, even if the required number of copies is set erroneously, since the image data is stored in the memory, there is no need to set and read the original again. Further, after the set time has elapsed or when the start of the next copy operation is instructed, the image data stored in the memory is erased. The memory can be used efficiently without affecting storage of the data.
[0014]
The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1,
The operation unit can set and input a time for holding the image data.
[0015]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to set and input the time for holding the image data. Therefore, the user can set the time during which the image data is held in the memory, and the convenience can be improved.
[0016]
The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2,
The operation unit is capable of instructing and inputting an additional copy for the image data stored in the memory,
The control unit, when the additional copy is instructed, holds the image data stored in the memory without erasing,
The printer unit forms an output image based on the image data stored in the memory and outputs an additional copy.
[0017]
According to the third aspect of the invention, an additional copy can be instructed and input to the image data stored in the memory, and when the additional copy is instructed, the image data stored in the memory is deleted. The data is retained without being erased, and an output image is formed based on the image data stored in the memory to output an additional copy. Therefore, additional copying can be performed efficiently without reading the document image again.
[0018]
The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 3,
During the holding time of the image data in the memory, a display indicating that an additional copy can be received is displayed, and when the holding time of the image data has elapsed, the additional copy cannot be received. And a display unit for performing a display indicating the following.
[0019]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, during the holding time of the image data in the memory, a display indicating that an additional copy can be received is displayed. Displays a message indicating that copying is not acceptable. Therefore, it is possible to make the user recognize whether or not additional copying is possible.
[0020]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the operation unit can input an instruction to forcibly delete image data in the memory.
The controller is configured to, when instructed to forcibly delete image data in the memory, delete the image data stored in the memory.
[0021]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when an instruction to forcibly delete the image data in the memory is issued, the image data stored in the memory is deleted. Therefore, security of the image data can be ensured.
[0022]
The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 5,
An instruction for forcibly deleting image data in the memory from the operation unit can be input before the start of a copy operation,
The controller is configured to erase the image data in the memory when the copy operation is completed when an instruction to forcibly erase the image data in the memory is issued before the start of the copy operation.
[0023]
According to the sixth aspect of the invention, when an instruction to erase image data in the memory is issued before the start of the copy operation, the image data in the memory is erased when the copy operation is completed. Therefore, there is no need for the user to wait for the completion of copying in order to input an erasing instruction, and an easy-to-use image forming apparatus can be provided. Further, it is possible to prevent the user from forgetting the erasure instruction when the copy is completed.
[0024]
The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The control unit keeps the memory in the memory until a predetermined time elapses after the end of the copy operation or until a start of a copy operation for a document placed at the document set position is instructed a predetermined number of times. The stored image data is retained, and when the predetermined set time has elapsed, or when the start of a copy operation for a document placed at the document set position is instructed a predetermined number of times, It is characterized in that control is performed such that the image data stored in the memory is deleted at an earlier time.
[0025]
According to the invention described in claim 7, until a predetermined set time elapses after the end of the copy operation, or until the start of the copy operation for the original placed at the original set position is instructed a predetermined number of times. Holds the image data stored in the memory, and when a predetermined set time has elapsed, or when a start of a copy operation for a document placed at the document set position is instructed a predetermined number of times. The image data stored in the memory is erased at an earlier time. Therefore, as long as the predetermined set time has not elapsed, the image data can be held in the memory until a predetermined number of copy operations are instructed to start.
[0026]
The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 7,
The operation unit is capable of setting and inputting the number of times of the start instruction of the copy operation.
[0027]
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to set the number of times a copy operation start instruction is issued. Therefore, the user can set the maximum number of copy jobs of the image data held in the memory within the predetermined time, so that the timing of erasing the image data can be customized according to the memory capacity.
[0028]
The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A print controller that sends print data and a communication unit that sends and receives data,
The control unit receives the print data transmitted from the print controller by the communication unit, and stores the held image data from the memory even when the print data is stored in the memory. The erasure is not performed.
[0029]
According to the ninth aspect, even when the print data transmitted from the print controller is stored in the memory, the held image data is not deleted from the memory. Therefore, the image data is not erased from the memory against the intention of the user performing the copy operation, and an easy-to-use image forming apparatus can be provided.
[0030]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
First, the configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 shows an example of a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 11, an operation display unit 12, a reading unit 13, a reading driving unit 13a, an image processing unit 14, a printer unit 15, a printer driving unit 15a, a communication unit 16, and the like. The respective components are connected by a bus.
[0031]
The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory) and the like. The CPU of the control unit 11 reads the system program and various processing programs stored in the ROM by operating the operation display unit 12 and expands the program in the RAM, and controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the expanded program. Central control. In addition, various processes including a copy operation process to be described later are executed in accordance with the developed program.
[0032]
The operation display unit 12 is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays various operation buttons, device status display, operation status of each function, and the like on a display screen in accordance with an instruction of a display signal input from the control unit 11. I do. On the display screen of the LCD, a pressure-sensitive (resistive-film pressure) touch panel having transparent electrodes arranged in a grid pattern is configured, and the XY coordinates of the force point pressed by a finger or a touch pen are detected by a voltage value. , And outputs the detected position signal to the control unit 11 as an operation signal. The touch panel is not limited to the pressure-sensitive type, but may be another electrostatic type, optical type, or the like. Further, the operation display unit 12 includes various operation buttons such as a number button and a start button, and outputs an operation signal by a button operation to the control unit 11.
[0033]
The reading unit 13 includes a scanner below a contact glass on which a document is placed, and is driven by a reading drive unit 13a controlled by the control unit 11 to read an image of the document. The scanner is configured by a light source, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and the like. The scanner reads an image of the document by forming reflected light of light scanned by illumination from the light source onto the document and photoelectrically converts the image, and reads the read image into an image processing unit. 14 is output. Here, the image is not limited to image data such as figures and photographs, but also includes text data such as characters and symbols.
[0034]
The image processing unit 14 performs image processing on the image read by the reading unit 13 and outputs the processed image to the printer unit 15.
FIG. 2 shows a detailed configuration example of the image processing unit 14. As shown in FIG. 2, the image processing unit 14 converts an analog image signal input from the reading unit 13 into digital image data by an A / D converter 14a, and converts the image data from the control unit 11 to the digital image data. Based on the control, the shading correction unit 14b corrects unevenness caused by variations in the sensitivity of the CCD between pixels and the non-uniformity of the illuminance of the light source, and the spatial filter / magnification unit 14c performs smoothing, sharpening, scaling, and other images. Processing is performed and output to the memory control unit 14d.
[0035]
The memory control unit 14d controls writing of image data to the memory 14f, reading from the memory 14f, and erasing of image data from the memory 14f based on the control of the control unit 11. That is, the memory control unit 14d compresses the image data processed by the spatial filter / magnification unit 14c by the image compression / decompression unit 14e, and writes the compressed image data to the memory 14f. Further, the print data received from the external print controller is written into the memory 14f. When there is an instruction to output image data from the control unit 11, the memory control unit 14d reads the instructed image data from the memory 14f and causes the image compression / decompression unit 14e to decompress the image data. Further, when there is an instruction to delete image data from the control unit 11, the memory control unit 14d deletes the image data in the memory 14f.
[0036]
The memory 14f is configured by a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or the like, and stores image data according to an instruction from the memory control unit 14d.
[0037]
The PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) conversion unit 14g generates a PWM signal based on the image data read from the memory 14f, and outputs the PWM signal to the printer unit 15.
[0038]
The printer unit 15 shown in FIG. 1 includes a laser light source, a photosensitive drum, toner, a paper feeding unit, a paper discharging unit, and the like. The image processing unit is driven by a printer driving unit 15a controlled by the control unit 11. By irradiating the surface of the photosensitive drum with a laser beam based on the PWM signal inputted from 14, an electrostatic latent image of the read image is formed. Further, the printer unit 15 drives the printer unit 15a to convey the print paper of the size and orientation input and instructed from the operation display unit 12 from the paper feed unit, and transfers the toner to an area including the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum. After the toner is transferred onto the conveyed printing paper and fixed thereon, the paper is discharged from the paper discharge unit.
[0039]
The communication unit 16 is an interface connectable to a transmission medium connected to the network N such as a LAN and a WAN. The communication unit 16 is configured by a communication control card such as a LAN card, and various types of data such as print data are exchanged with an external device such as a print controller connected to the network N via a communication line such as a LAN cable. Send and receive data.
[0040]
Next, the operation will be described.
FIG. 3 shows a copy operation process executed by the control unit 11.
[0041]
When setting information such as the number of copies and the paper size is input from the operation display unit 12 and the start button is pressed to start the copy operation (step S1; YES), the original placed at the original set position The bundle image is sequentially read by the reading unit 13, converted into image data by the image processing unit 14, subjected to image processing, accumulated in the memory 14f, and a copy job is generated (step S2). Then, an output image is formed and output by the printer unit 15 based on the copy job (step S3).
[0042]
After completion of copying the set number of copies for the copy job stored in the memory 14f (step S4; YES), the timer for counting the time from the completion of the copy starts counting a predetermined time (step S5). Although the timer is performed by a timer in the control unit 11, the timer may be measured by a timer provided outside the control unit 11. If the predetermined time has not elapsed after the copy is completed (step S6; NO), when the next document bundle is arranged at the document set position and the operation display unit 12 instructs the start of the copy operation, the copy start is accepted. The instruction is accepted in step S17 as a means (step S7; YES), and the image data stored in the memory 14f is deleted (step S9). Alternatively, if a predetermined time has elapsed after the copy is completed (step S6; YES), the image data stored in the memory 14f is deleted (step S9). Before the predetermined time elapses (step S6; NO), an instruction for additional copying for the original image already read in step S2 is input without an instruction for a copy operation for the next bundle of originals (step S7; NO). Then (step S8; YES), the process returns to step S3, and the processes after step S3 are repeatedly executed. If no additional copy instruction is input in step S8 (step S8; NO), the process returns to step S6, and the processes after step S6 are repeatedly executed.
[0043]
In this process, even when print data is received from an external print controller by the communication unit 16 and the print data is stored in the memory 14f, the image data stored in the memory 14f is not deleted. Since the print controller is generally operated from a place away from the image forming apparatus 1, if the print data is stored in the memory 14f and the image data in the memory 14f is erased, the user who is performing the copy is operated. However, even if you want to make an additional copy, you cannot do so, and the usability is poor.
[0044]
FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating an example of an operation input screen 121 that displays various setting buttons for inputting various settings in the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, an additional copy button 121a is displayed on the operation input screen 121. When the additional copy button 121a is pressed, an additional copy is ready to be received, and the user enters an additional copy button. When the number of copies is set and the copy button is pressed, additional copy is executed. The additional copy button 121a is normally displayed as shown in FIG. 4A when image data is held in the memory 14f and an additional copy can be accepted, and a predetermined time for holding the image data has elapsed. If the image data is deleted from the memory 14f and it becomes impossible to receive an additional copy, it is displayed in a shaded manner as shown in FIG. Thereby, the user can recognize whether or not the additional copy can be accepted. The method of displaying whether or not an additional copy can be accepted is not particularly limited. For example, when the additional copy cannot be accepted as described above, the additional copy button 121a may be displayed with shading. The copy button 121a may be hidden.
[0045]
As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 1, the image of the document bundle arranged at the document set position is sequentially read and converted into image data under the control of the control unit 11, and is stored in the memory 14f. Is generated. The image data is deleted from the memory 14f when a predetermined time elapses after the execution and the completion of the copy based on the copy job. Even if the predetermined time has not elapsed after the completion of the copy, the image data is erased if a copy start instruction for the next bundle of originals is given. Until then, the image data is held in the memory 14f, and when an additional copy is instructed, the copy is executed again based on the stored image data.
[0046]
Therefore, the image data is retained until a predetermined time elapses or until the next copy start is instructed. Therefore, even if the necessary number of copies is set erroneously, the original is copied again. No need to set and read. Further, since there is no need to perform a mode change operation for re-output, the operation is easy, and the next copy operation can be performed without waiting for the re-output mode to be released. As a result, an additional copy can be efficiently made with an easy operation, and a user-friendly image forming apparatus can be provided. After a lapse of a predetermined time or when an instruction to start copying for the next bundle of documents is issued, the image data of the previous job is erased. This has no effect on the storage of data, and the memory can be used efficiently.
[0047]
The description in the above embodiment is a preferred example of the image forming apparatus 1 of the present invention, and is not limited to this.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an ink jet method may be used.
[0048]
Further, by allowing the user to set the time until the image data is deleted from the memory 14f, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that is more convenient for the user. FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating an example of the image data holding time setting screen 122 displayed on the operation display unit 12. The image data holding time setting screen 122 is displayed by pressing the applied function button 121b of the operation input screen 121 in FIG. 4 and selecting “image data holding time setting” on the displayed screen. When the data retention time is input from the image data retention time setting screen 121 and the “OK” button is pressed, the image data is set as a time to be retained without being erased after copying is completed. As the predetermined time, “0” to “∞” can be input. “0” means that the additional copy function is prohibited, and “∞” means that the data is held until the next copy operation is instructed.
[0049]
As shown in FIG. 5B, the image data holding time setting screen 122 may be provided with an area for setting the number of times a copy operation is instructed to start, as a timing for erasing image data from the memory 14f. An arbitrary positive number of 1 or more is input to this area. After the completion of the copy job, until the predetermined time set on the screen elapses from the completion of the copy job by the control unit 11, the image data of the job is stored in the memory 14f until the start of the copy operation input in the area is instructed. Is controlled not to be erased. By setting “1”, the image data can be erased from the memory 14f when the start of the next copy operation is instructed. If the capacity of the memory 14f is large, by increasing the number of inputs, it is possible to lengthen the period in which the erasure additional copy is possible.
[0050]
By setting the image data holding time to “0” on the image data holding time setting screen 122, the image data stored in the memory 14f can be erased when the copy operation is completed, and security for the image data is ensured. You. However, in this case, all additional copying becomes impossible. Therefore, by enabling the user to forcibly delete the image data from the memory by giving an instruction according to the content of the copy, it becomes possible to delete the image data only for the confidential image data, thereby improving usability. be able to.
[0051]
Here, as a modified example of the above-described embodiment, an image forming apparatus 1 that allows a user to instruct forced deletion of image data from a memory will be described. In the modification, the operation display unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 1 displays a display screen shown in FIGS.
[0052]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the copy deletion screen 123 displayed on the operation display unit 12 when the JOB status button 121c of the operation input screen 121 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the status of the copy job that can be additionally copied is displayed as "hold" on the copy job deletion screen 123. When the copy job is selected and the delete button 123a is pressed, the memory 14f is displayed. Can be instructed to delete the image data of the copy job stored in the storage device.
[0053]
Further, in the case of copying highly confidential data, if it is possible to instruct forcibly erasing the image data from the memory 14f before the copy is started, it is possible to prevent forgetting to erase the image data after the copy is completed, Does not need to wait for the completion of copying, and it is possible to provide a more convenient image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a modification of the operation input screen 121. As shown in FIG. 7, a confidential copy button 121d is provided on the operation input screen 121. When the confidential copy button 121d is pressed, the image data is forcibly erased from the memory 14f for the copy operation to be started. Is set. When the confidential copy button 121d is pressed, the additional copy button 121a is shaded (or not displayed).
[0054]
FIG. 8 shows a copy operation process B executed by the control unit 11 in the modification.
[0055]
When setting information such as the number of copies and the paper size is input from the operation display unit 12 and the start button is pressed to start the copy operation (step S11; YES), the original placed at the original setting position The bundle images are sequentially read by the reading unit 13, converted into image data by the image processing unit 14, subjected to image processing, accumulated in the memory 14f, and a copy job is generated (step S12). Then, an output image is formed and output by the printer unit 15 based on the copy job (step S13).
[0056]
When the set number of copies has been completed for the copy job stored in the memory 14f (step S14; YES), the timer for counting the time from the completion of the copy starts counting a predetermined time (step S15). When the forced erasure of the image data is set or instructed (step S16; YES), the image data stored in the memory f is erased (step S20). If the forced deletion of the image data has not been set or instructed (step S16; NO), the process proceeds to the next step, and if the predetermined time has not elapsed after the copy is completed (step S17; NO), the next original When the bundle is placed at the document set position and the start of the copy operation is instructed by the operation display unit 12, the instruction is accepted as a copy start accepting unit (step S18; YES), and the image data stored in the memory 14f is received. Is deleted (step S20). Alternatively, if a predetermined time has elapsed after the copy is completed (step S17; YES), the image data stored in the memory 14f is deleted (step S20). Before the lapse of a predetermined time after the completion of copying (step S17; NO), an instruction for additional copy for the original image already read in step S12 is issued without instructing a copy operation for the next bundle of originals (step S18; NO). Is input (Step S19; YES), the process returns to Step S13, and the processes after Step S13 are repeatedly executed. If no additional copy instruction is input in step S19 (step S19; NO), the process returns to step S16, and the processes after step S16 are repeatedly executed.
[0057]
Also in this modification, even when print data is received from an external print controller by the communication unit 16 and the print data is stored in the memory 14f, the image data stored in the memory 14f is not deleted. . Since the print controller is generally operated from a place away from the image forming apparatus 1, if the print data is stored in the memory 14f and the image data in the memory 14f is erased, the user who is performing the copy is operated. However, even if you want to make an additional copy, you cannot do so, and the usability is poor.
[0058]
As described above, in the above-described modified example, since the user can instruct the forced erasure of the image data from the memory according to the copy content, security can be ensured, and a more convenient image forming apparatus can be provided. Can be provided.
[0059]
In addition, the detailed configuration and detailed operation of each device constituting the image forming apparatus 1 can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0060]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the memory is kept until a predetermined set time elapses after the end of the copy operation or until the start of the copy operation for the original placed at the original set position is next instructed. And deletes the image data stored in the memory when a predetermined set time has elapsed or when the start of the next copy operation is instructed. Therefore, even if the required number of copies is set erroneously, since the image data is stored in the memory, there is no need to set and read the original again. Further, after the set time has elapsed or when the start of the next copy operation is instructed, the image data stored in the memory is erased. The memory can be used efficiently without affecting storage of the data.
[0061]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to set and input the time for holding the image data. Therefore, the user can set the time during which the image data is held in the memory, and the convenience can be improved.
[0062]
According to the third aspect of the invention, an additional copy can be instructed and input to the image data stored in the memory, and when the additional copy is instructed, the image data stored in the memory is deleted. The data is retained without being erased, and an output image is formed based on the image data stored in the memory to output an additional copy. Therefore, additional copying can be performed efficiently without reading the document image again.
[0063]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, during the holding time of the image data in the memory, a display indicating that an additional copy can be received is displayed. Displays a message indicating that copying is not acceptable. Therefore, it is possible to make the user recognize whether or not additional copying is possible.
[0064]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when an instruction to forcibly delete the image data in the memory is issued, the image data stored in the memory is deleted. Therefore, security of the image data can be ensured.
[0065]
According to the sixth aspect of the invention, when an instruction to erase image data in the memory is issued before the start of the copy operation, the image data in the memory is erased when the copy operation is completed. Therefore, there is no need for the user to wait for the completion of copying in order to input an erasing instruction, and an easy-to-use image forming apparatus can be provided. Further, it is possible to prevent the user from forgetting the erasure instruction when the copy is completed.
[0066]
According to the invention described in claim 7, until a predetermined set time elapses after the end of the copy operation, or until the start of the copy operation for the original placed at the original set position is instructed a predetermined number of times. Holds the image data stored in the memory, and when a predetermined set time has elapsed, or when a start of a copy operation for a document placed at the document set position is instructed a predetermined number of times. The image data stored in the memory is erased at an earlier time. Therefore, as long as the predetermined set time elapses, the image data can be held in the memory until a predetermined number of copies start is instructed.
[0067]
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to set the number of times a copy operation start instruction is issued. Therefore, the user can set the maximum number of copy jobs of the image data held in the memory within the predetermined time, so that the erasing time of the image data can be customized according to the memory capacity.
[0068]
According to the ninth aspect, even when the print data transmitted from the print controller is stored in the memory, the held image data is not deleted from the memory. Therefore, the image data is not erased from the memory against the intention of the user performing the copy operation, and an easy-to-use image forming apparatus can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of an image processing unit 14 in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a copy operation process executed by a control unit 11 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation input screen 121 displayed on the operation display unit 12 of FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an image data holding time setting screen 122 displayed on the operation display unit 12 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a copy deletion screen 123 displayed on the operation display unit 12 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a modification of the operation input screen 121 of FIG.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a copy operation process B executed by the control unit 11 of FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Image forming apparatus
11 Control part
12 Operation display section
13 Reading unit
13a Reading drive unit
14 Image processing unit
14a A / D converter
14b Shading correction unit
14c Spatial filter / magnification unit
14d memory control unit
14f memory
14e Image compression / decompression unit
14g PWM converter
15 Printer section
15a Printer driver
16 Communication unit

Claims (9)

An operation unit for instructing the start of a copy operation, a reading unit that reads an image of a document, a memory that stores image data of a document image read by the reading unit, and a memory that stores image data stored in the memory. A printer unit for forming and outputting an output image, and performing a copy operation by sequentially reading a document image of a document placed at a document set position in response to an instruction to start a copy operation by the operation unit In the device,
The image data stored in the memory is held until a predetermined set time elapses after the end of the copy operation, or until a start of a copy operation for the original placed at the original set position is instructed next, A control for erasing the image data stored in the memory when the predetermined time has elapsed or when the start of the next copy operation is instructed, whichever is earlier. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming apparatus; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is capable of setting and inputting a time for holding the image data. The operation unit is capable of instructing and inputting an additional copy for the image data stored in the memory,
The control unit, when the additional copy is instructed, holds the image data stored in the memory without erasing,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printer unit forms an output image based on image data stored in the memory and outputs an additional copy. During the holding time of the image data in the memory, a display indicating that an additional copy can be received is displayed, and when the holding time of the image data has elapsed, the additional copy cannot be received. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a display unit that performs a display indicating the status. The operation unit is capable of inputting an instruction to forcibly delete image data in the memory,
4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit deletes the image data stored in the memory when an instruction to forcibly delete the image data in the memory is issued. Item 10. The image forming apparatus according to item 1. An instruction for forcibly deleting image data in the memory from the operation unit can be input before the start of a copy operation,
The controller may erase the image data in the memory when the copy operation is completed, when an instruction to forcibly erase the image data in the memory is issued before the start of the copy operation. Item 6. The image forming apparatus according to Item 5. The control unit keeps the memory in the memory after the end of the copy operation until a predetermined set time elapses or until the start of the copy operation for the original placed at the original set position is instructed a predetermined number of times. The stored image data is held, and when the predetermined set time has elapsed, or when the start of a copy operation for a document placed at the document set position is instructed a predetermined number of times, The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein control is performed such that the image data stored in the memory is erased at an earlier time. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the operation unit is capable of setting and inputting the number of times of the start instruction of the copy operation. A print controller that sends print data and a communication unit that sends and receives data,
The control unit receives the print data transmitted from the print controller by the communication unit, and stores the held image data from the memory even when the print data is stored in the memory. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein erasing is not performed.

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