JP2004248040A - Image forming apparatus, and control method, and program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus of the ink jet system for ejecting ordinary ink drops and finer ink drops than the ordinary ink drops to carry out printing capable of preventing a print speed from being decreased without degrading print quality when high print quality is set in printing a facsimile received image. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus uses an ordinary ejecting means or a fine ejecting means to print out an image depending on the quality set by a quality setting means in printing the image data read from an original or the image data coming from an externally connected information processing terminal, and inhibits the use of the fine ejecting means and uses only the ordinary ejecting means independently of the quality set by the quality setting means in printing image data transmitted from a destination communication apparatus via a communication channel. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an image forming apparatus equipped with an ink jet type recording unit having a fine discharging unit for discharging ink with finer ink droplets than a normal discharging unit for discharging ink with normal ink droplets. The present invention relates to an apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Recently, there are two types of diameters of nozzles for ejecting ink, and these two types of nozzles are selectively used, that is, an ink jet system capable of ejecting a normal ink droplet and a finer than normal ink droplet. Printers are known.
[0003]
In such a printer, when it is desired to increase the print quality according to the setting of the printer driver, high-quality printing with reduced graininess can be performed by using fine ink droplets, and the printing speed can be improved. When priority is given to, priority is given to using only normal ink droplets, so that print quality is moderate and high-speed printing is performed.
[0004]
Further, it is a reading means which can be connected to an information processing terminal such as a PC, and has a reading means constituted by a contact image sensor (CIS), a CCD or the like, and can execute functions such as copying, PC printing, and facsimile. Multifunction devices are known.
[0005]
Therefore, it is conceivable to mount an inkjet printer capable of ejecting normal ink droplets and ejecting ink droplets finer than usual in the multifunction peripheral.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Normally, when a copy, facsimile reception record, or the like is printed by the main unit, print quality is set via the operation panel of the main unit, and printing is performed with the set quality. Therefore, when the printing quality is set to the highest in a multifunction machine equipped with an inkjet printer that can discharge with normal ink droplets and discharge with finer ink droplets than normal, The printing operation is performed using the droplet.
[0007]
Therefore, when facsimile reception occurs when the print quality is set to the highest, the facsimile reception image is printed with fine ink droplets.
[0008]
However, since the resolution of the facsimile reception image is lower than the resolution of the copy image, even if the facsimile reception image is printed using fine ink droplets, the effect due to the difference in print quality cannot be obtained, In addition, there is a problem that the printing speed is slow.
[0009]
The present invention is directed to an inkjet image forming apparatus that discharges and prints with normal ink droplets and finer ink droplets than normal, and when printing a facsimile received image, the print quality is set to high quality. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing a reduction in printing speed without lowering the print quality, a control method thereof, and a program.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is directed to an ink-jet type image forming apparatus that ejects and prints with normal ink droplets and finer ink droplets than normal, image data read from a document, or from an externally connected information processing terminal. When printing incoming image data, depending on the quality set by the quality setting means, printing is performed using normal discharge means or fine discharge means, and transmitted from the destination communication device via a communication line. In the case of printing image data that has been printed, regardless of the quality set by the quality setting means, the use of the fine discharge means is prohibited, and the image forming apparatus uses only the normal discharge means.
[0011]
Embodiments and Examples of the Invention
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0012]
In the image forming apparatus 100, the CPU 101 is a system control unit, and controls the entire image forming apparatus 100.
[0013]
The ROM 102 stores a control program executed by the CPU 101, an embedded operating system (OS) program, and the like. In the above embodiment, each control program stored in the ROM 102 performs software control such as scheduling and a task switch under the management of the embedded OS stored in the ROM 102.
[0014]
In addition, a control program corresponding to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0015]
The RAM 103 is configured by an SRAM (static RAM) or the like, stores program control variables and the like, stores set values registered by an operator, management data of the image forming apparatus 100, and the like, and is provided with various work buffer areas. Have been.
[0016]
The image memory 104 is composed of a DRAM (dynamic RAM) or the like, and stores image data. The data conversion unit 105 performs conversion of image data, such as analysis of a page description language (PDL) and the like, and expansion of character data into CG (computer graphics).
[0017]
A reading control unit 106 includes a CIS image sensor (contact image sensor) provided in the reading unit 107, which optically reads a document and converts an image signal converted into electrical image data into an image processing control unit (not shown). , Various image processing such as binarization processing and halftone processing are performed, and high-definition image data is output. In the above-described embodiment, the reading control unit 106 supports both a sheet reading control method for reading while conveying a document and a book reading control method for scanning a document on a document table.
[0018]
The operation display unit 108 includes a numerical input key, a character input key, a one-touch telephone number key, a mode setting key, an enter key, a cancel key, and the like, so that the user can determine image transmission destination data and register setting data. , An operation unit, various keys, an LED (light emitting diode), an LCD (liquid crystal display), and the like, and a display unit for performing various input operations by an operator and displaying an operation status and a status status of the image forming apparatus 100. .
[0019]
The communication control unit 109 includes a MODEM (modulator / demodulator), an NCU (network controller), and the like. In the above embodiment, the communication control unit 109 is connected to the analog communication line (PSTN) 131, and performs communication control according to the T30 protocol, and line control such as calling and receiving a call to the communication line.
[0020]
The resolution conversion processing unit 110 performs resolution conversion control such as millimeter-inch resolution conversion of image data. Note that the resolution conversion processing unit 110 can also perform image data enlargement / reduction processing. The encoding / decoding processing unit 111 performs encoding / decoding processing on image data (MH, MR, MMR, JBIG, JPEG, etc.) handled by the image forming apparatus 100, and performs scaling processing.
[0021]
The recording control unit 112 performs various image processing such as smoothing processing, recording density correction processing, and color correction on image data to be printed via an image processing control unit (not shown), and converts the image data into high-definition image data. Output to the USB host control unit 114. In addition, by controlling the USB host control unit 114, the status information data of the recording unit 115 is periodically acquired.
[0022]
The USB function control unit 113 executes communication control of the USB interface, performs protocol control according to the USB communication standard, converts data from the USB control task executed by the CPU 101 into a packet, and sends the packet to an external information processing terminal. A USB packet is transmitted, and conversely, a USB packet from an external information processing terminal is converted into data and transmitted to the CPU 101.
[0023]
The USB host control unit 114 is a control unit for performing communication according to a protocol defined by the USB communication standard. The USB communication standard is a standard that enables high-speed bidirectional data communication, and a plurality of hubs or functions (slaves) can be connected to one host (master). The USB host control unit 114 has a host function in USB communication.
[0024]
The recording unit 115 is a printing device including a laser beam printer, an inkjet printer, or the like, and prints color image data or monochrome image data on a printing member. It communicates with the USB host control unit 114 according to the protocol defined by the USB communication standard. In particular, the recording unit 115 has a function function.
[0025]
In this embodiment, the USB communication of the recording function uses a one-to-one connection mode.
[0026]
The components 101 to 106 and 108 to 114 are interconnected via a CPU bus 121 managed by the CPU 101.
[0027]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the entire image forming apparatus 100, and is a diagram illustrating a state where the recording paper tray 1 and the paper discharge tray 2 are mounted.
[0028]
The recording paper tray 1 is for stacking recording paper, and is generally called ASF. The paper discharge tray 2 receives the recording paper discharged after printing.
[0029]
Next, a recording operation of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described.
[0030]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a recording operation in the image forming apparatus 100.
[0031]
In the image forming apparatus 100, at the time of facsimile reception, copying, PC printing, and the like, the recording unit 115 performs a recording operation of printing image data on paper.
[0032]
First, the operation modes include a PC print mode, a copy mode, and a facsimile reception mode.
[0033]
The PC print mode is a mode for printing image data sent from an external information processing terminal and performing a recording operation by PC print. The copy mode is a mode of a recording operation by copy recording. The facsimile reception mode is a mode of a recording operation by facsimile reception recording.
[0034]
In step S301, it is determined which one of the plurality of operation modes is the recording operation.
[0035]
As a result of determining the operation mode, if the operation mode is the PC print mode (a mode for printing image data sent from the external information processing terminal and performing a recording operation by PC print), the printer driver on the external information processing terminal The print quality parameter according to the print quality set in the above process is received from the external information processing terminal, and the print quality parameter is directly transferred to the recording unit 115 (step S302). The PC print processing (S303) is performed based on the parameters.
[0036]
As a result of the determination of the operation mode, if the operation mode is the copy mode (the mode of the recording operation by copy recording), the print quality registered in advance by the user is determined (step S308), and the print quality is “fast”. If so, a low-quality print quality parameter using the normal size (5 pl) nozzle is transmitted to the recording unit 115 (step S309). If the print quality is "normal", the normal size (5 pl) nozzle is used. The used high-quality print quality parameters are transmitted to the recording unit 115 (step S310). On the other hand, if the print quality is “fine”, the normal-quality print quality parameters using the fine size (2 pl) nozzles are used. Is transmitted to the recording unit 115 (step S311), and the recording process of the copy image is performed (step S312).
[0037]
As a result of the determination of the operation mode, if the operation mode is the facsimile reception mode (mode of recording operation by facsimile reception recording), the print quality registered in advance by the user is determined (step S304), and the print quality is determined to be “normal”. ”, The normal-size (5 pl) nozzle is used, and a normal-quality print quality parameter is transmitted to the recording unit 115 (step S305). If the print quality is“ clean, ”the normal-size (5 pl) nozzle is used. Using the nozzles, high-quality print quality parameters are transmitted to the recording unit 115 (step S305), and facsimile reception image recording processing is performed (step S307).
[0038]
In other words, in the facsimile reception mode, regardless of whether the print quality is “normal” or “fine”, the recording process of the facsimile reception image is performed uniformly using nozzles of a normal size (5 pl). Therefore, in an ink-jet type image forming apparatus that ejects and prints with normal ink droplets and finer ink droplets than normal, when printing a facsimile reception image, even if the print quality is set to high quality, printing is performed. A decrease in speed can be prevented.
[0039]
Note that the above embodiment can be understood as a program invention.
[0040]
In other words, the above-described embodiment is a program that is executed by an inkjet type image forming apparatus that discharges and prints with normal ink droplets and finer ink droplets, and sets print quality from an operation panel. A print quality setting procedure, an image data reading procedure for reading image data from an original, a first image data receiving procedure for receiving image data coming from an externally connected information processing terminal, A second image data receiving procedure for receiving the image data transmitted from the destination communication device, and printing the image data read from the document or the image data received from an externally connected information processing terminal. Depending on the print quality set in the position setting procedure, printing is performed using normal discharge means or fine discharge means, while communication is performed via the communication line. When printing the image data transmitted from the apparatus, regardless of the print quality set in the print quality setting procedure, the control procedure for prohibiting the use of the fine discharge means and controlling to use only the normal discharge means 5 is an example of a program that causes the image forming apparatus to execute the above.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, when printing a facsimile reception image in an ink jet type image forming apparatus that discharges and prints with normal ink droplets and ink droplets finer than normal, the print quality set by the quality setting means is set. Regardless, the use of fine ejection means is prohibited, and only normal ejection means is used, so that when printing a facsimile received image, even if the high quality setting is set, it is possible to prevent the printing speed from decreasing. Since the resolution of the facsimile reception image is not originally higher than that of the copy image, the print quality of the facsimile reception image is not reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the entire image forming apparatus 100, showing a state in which a recording paper tray 1 and a paper discharge tray 2 are mounted.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a recording operation in the image forming apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 image forming apparatus
101 ... CPU,
102 ... ROM,
107: reading unit,
109 ... communication control unit,
112: recording control unit,
113 ... USB function control unit,
114 ... USB host control unit,
115 recording unit.

Claims (3)

In an ink-jet image forming apparatus that ejects and prints with normal ink droplets and finer ink droplets than normal,
Print quality setting means for setting print quality from an operation panel;
Image data reading means for reading image data from a document;
First image data receiving means for receiving image data coming from an information processing terminal connected to the outside;
Second image data receiving means for receiving the image data transmitted from the destination communication device via the communication line;
When printing image data read from a manuscript or image data received from an externally connected information processing terminal, use a normal ejection unit or a fine ejection unit according to the print quality set by the print quality setting unit. When printing image data transmitted from a destination communication device via a communication line, the use of the fine ejection unit is prohibited regardless of the print quality set by the print quality setting unit. And control means for controlling to use only the normal discharge means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: In a method of controlling an image forming apparatus of an ink jet system that discharges and prints normal ink droplets and finer ink droplets than normal,
A print quality setting step of setting print quality from an operation panel;
Reading image data from an original;
A first image data receiving step of receiving image data coming from an information processing terminal connected to the outside;
A second image data receiving step of receiving image data transmitted from the other party's communication device via the communication line;
When printing image data read from a document or image data received from an externally connected information processing terminal, use a normal ejection unit or a fine ejection unit according to the print quality set in the print quality setting step. When printing image data transmitted from a destination communication device via a communication line, the use of the fine ejection unit is prohibited regardless of the print quality set in the print quality setting step. And a control step of controlling to use only the normal discharge means;
A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: A program to be executed by an ink-jet type image forming apparatus that ejects with normal ink droplets and finer ink droplets than normal, and performs printing.
A print quality setting procedure for setting print quality from the operation panel;
An image data reading procedure for reading image data from a document;
A first image data receiving procedure for receiving image data coming from an information processing terminal connected to the outside;
A second image data receiving procedure for receiving image data transmitted from the other party's communication device via the communication line;
When printing image data read from a manuscript or image data coming from an information processing terminal connected to the outside, use the normal ejection unit or the fine ejection unit according to the print quality set in the print quality setting procedure. When printing image data transmitted from a destination communication device via a communication line, the use of the fine ejection unit is prohibited regardless of the print quality set in the print quality setting procedure. A control procedure for controlling to use only the normal discharge means;
For causing an image forming apparatus to execute the program.

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