JP2005070424A - Image forming device and control program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To take toner saving, an original size, difference of paper quality, designation of a sheet having one side used, setting of image quality of image data, or their combinations as additional image formation conditions, in an image forming device which executes image formation processing for one or more papers on the basis of a desired image formation condition with respect to one document and automatically executes image formation processing for one or more papers on the basis of an additional image formation condition different from the desired image formation condition, following image formation processing based on the desired image formation condition. <P>SOLUTION: Read image data is preserved in a memory (S2), and a print processing for each set is performed on the basis of a print mode and print setting information for respective sets stored in a prescribed storage part (S4, S5, S6, S7, and S8). After the end of print processing, image data is cleared from the memory, and print setting information is cleared from the storage part (S9 and S10). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  According to the present invention, a desired image forming condition and an additional image forming condition different from the desired image forming condition are automatically and continuously applied to the image data of one original by one printing start operation. In particular, the image forming apparatus can achieve image forming using, as an additional image forming condition, toner save, sheet size or paper quality difference, single-sided used sheet designation, image data image quality setting, or a combination thereof. It relates to the device.

  The needs of users for various functions of an image forming apparatus configured as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a complex machine thereof are increasing year by year. In particular, there is a demand for an image forming apparatus capable of flexibly responding to the situation at the time of the work for the purpose of reducing the work burden on the user during the printing work. As an example of a method for reducing the burden on the user at the time of such printing work, a print output with different image forms can be obtained from image data of a single document by simply performing a printing start operation once. Is possible. Such a case is a case where, for example, one original and a plurality of distributions are copied.

  For example, an image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed as an apparatus that can perform color printing and monochrome printing for each necessary number of copies by a single print start operation. Further, the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 also shows an apparatus capable of performing color printing or monochrome printing for a predetermined page as many times as necessary. As a result, when a user presses a print start button or the like provided on a display panel or the like once (that is, when a print start operation is performed once), a color printed material and a monochrome printed material are The system prints as many copies as necessary.

  Here, as an application of the image forming apparatus described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, for example, a case where a document printed in color for customer presentation and a document printed in monochrome for use in a company are considered. As materials for customer presentation, in addition to materials to be printed in color, OHP sheets used for presentations and presentations at academic societies are adopted, as exemplified in Patent Document 2 or Patent Document 3, for example. Cases are also conceivable.

The image forming apparatuses disclosed in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 have been proposed as apparatuses that print an image of the same document on an OHP sheet and paper.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228561 is cited as an image forming apparatus that performs printing on an OHP sheet for presentation material and printing on paper for distribution material by a single printing operation. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-228688 discloses an image forming apparatus that prints an OHP sheet for presentation material and a paper for distribution material, and then discharges the printed OHP sheet and paper to separate trays. Is also disclosed.

In addition, the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 3 is proposed as an apparatus that performs printing on an OHP sheet and printing on a sheet by a single printing operation, as in the case of Patent Document 2. Yes. Further, with respect to the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 3, a setting relating to paper printing can be selected from double-sided printing or Nup layout printing (printing image data of a plurality of documents on one sheet). It has also been proposed as a device.
JP-A-10-240455 JP 2001-310534 A JP 2001-310533 A

  However, in the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the print condition to be set is a condition for color printing or monochrome printing, it is applicable to a model compatible with color printing, but an image dedicated to monochrome printing. Of course, it is not adapted to the forming device. Here, in the case of an image forming apparatus dedicated to monochrome printing, the image printed in color in Patent Document 1 is printed on an OHP sheet as shown in Patent Document 2 or Patent Document 3 described above. Although it is possible to solve the problem, it is not necessarily an appropriate measure.

  Here, with respect to the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2 or Patent Document 3, a case is described in which printing is performed on an OHP sheet and paper in a single print start operation. However, the settings related to printing of OHP sheets, that is, materials used for announcements, etc., are fixed in advance to the specification that the number of copies is 1 in single-sided printing, so they are not as materials for presentation like OHP sheets, When multiple copies are required as presentation materials, there is a possibility that it cannot be handled flexibly.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 3, double-sided printing or Nup layout printing can be selected as a setting relating to printing of paper for distribution materials. For this reason, paper is not wasted, so paper is saved, resulting in cost reduction. However, although the above-mentioned Patent Document 3 mentions paper saving, it does not mention cost reduction for elements other than paper, such as saving of the amount of toner used for printing.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to execute one or more image forming processes on the same document based on desired image forming conditions, and to perform the above desired processing. In the image forming apparatus that automatically executes one or more image forming processes based on the additional image forming conditions different from the desired image forming conditions following the image forming process based on the image forming conditions, the additional It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus in which the image forming conditions are toner save, difference in document size or paper quality, designation of a used sheet on one side, image data image quality setting, or a combination thereof. Further, as another object, the above-mentioned desired image forming conditions can be applied to either the printing conditions for the presentation material as described above or the printing conditions for the record material, and at the same time, the additional image formation is performed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus which can be applied regardless of whether the condition is the printing condition of the presentation material as described above or the printing condition of the record material.
In this case, the image data of the original is the same for the desired image forming conditions and the additional image forming conditions, but there is no relationship between the image forming conditions, so that independent image formation is performed. Conditions can be set. As a result, various image forming conditions and several patterns can be set for each image forming performed by a single printing start operation, so that the user's work efficiency can be further improved.
Another object of the present invention is not only to select a sheet to be used for printing, but also to enable toner saving to reduce the amount of toner used for printing. It is also provided as an image forming apparatus capable of reducing the cost from both sides.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention executes one or more image forming processes on the same document based on a desired image forming condition, and follows the image forming process based on the desired image forming condition. In the image forming apparatus that automatically executes one or more image forming processes based on an additional image forming condition different from the desired image forming condition, the additional image forming condition is the desired image forming condition. The image forming apparatus is configured as an image forming condition in which the amount of toner to be used is saved than the condition.

  Further, the present invention executes one or more image forming processes on the same document based on the desired image forming conditions, and the image forming conditions based on the desired image forming conditions are followed by the desired image forming conditions. In an image forming apparatus that automatically executes one or more image forming processes based on additional image forming conditions different from the above, the additional image forming conditions are used for the size and / or printing of a printed image. The image forming apparatus is configured to have an image forming condition different from the desired image forming condition with respect to the paper quality of the sheet.

  Here, when the paper quality used for printing as the desired image forming condition is plain paper, the paper quality used for printing as the additional image forming condition may be recycled paper.

  Further, the present invention executes one or more image forming processes on the same document based on a desired image forming condition, and the image forming process based on the desired image forming condition is followed by the desired image forming process. In an image forming apparatus that automatically executes one or more image forming processes based on additional image forming conditions different from the above conditions, the additional image forming conditions are image forming conditions that use a single-side printed sheet. Also configured as an image forming apparatus.

  Further, the present invention executes one or more image forming processes on the same document based on the desired image forming conditions, and, following the image forming process based on the desired image forming conditions, the desired image forming conditions. In an image forming apparatus that automatically executes one or more image forming processes based on additional image forming conditions different from the above, the additional image forming conditions are the image quality for the image of the original document as the desired image forming conditions. It can also be configured as an image forming apparatus having different image forming conditions.

  In this case, the image quality of the original image as the desired image forming condition may be higher or lower than the image quality of the original image as the additional image forming condition.

Here, the additional image forming condition is used for the image forming condition in which the amount of toner to be used is saved than the desired image forming condition, the image size of the original as the desired image forming condition, or printing. Using a predetermined combination of image forming conditions different from paper quality, image forming conditions using a single-side printed sheet, and image forming conditions different from the image quality of the original image as the desired image Sugisei conditions Also good.

  In the present invention, one or more image forming processes are executed on the same document based on a desired image forming condition, and the desired image forming process is performed following the image forming process based on the desired image forming condition. A program for controlling an image forming apparatus that automatically executes one or more image forming processes based on an additional image forming condition different from the conditions, wherein the additional image forming condition is the desired image forming condition. It is also configured as a control program for functioning as an image forming condition that saves more toner to be used.

  Further, the present invention executes one or more image forming processes on the same document based on the desired image forming conditions, and the image forming conditions based on the desired image forming conditions are followed by the desired image forming conditions. A program for controlling an image forming apparatus that automatically executes one or more image forming processes based on additional image forming conditions different from the above, wherein the additional image forming conditions include the size of an image to be printed and It is also conceivable that the paper quality of the paper used for printing may be configured as a control program for functioning as an image forming condition different from the desired image forming condition.

  Further, the present invention executes one or more image forming processes on the same document based on the desired image forming conditions, and, following the image forming process based on the desired image forming conditions, the desired image forming conditions. Is a program for controlling an image forming apparatus that automatically executes one or more image forming processes based on additional image forming conditions different from the above, wherein the additional image forming conditions use a sheet printed on one side It can also be configured as a control program for functioning as image forming conditions.

  Further, the present invention executes one or more image forming processes on the same document based on the desired image forming conditions, and, following the image forming process based on the desired image forming conditions, the desired image forming conditions. Is a program for controlling an image forming apparatus that automatically executes one or more image forming processes based on additional image forming conditions different from the above, wherein the additional image forming conditions are set as the desired image forming conditions. There is no problem even if it is configured as a control program for causing it to function as an image forming condition different from the image quality of the original image.

  As described above, according to the present invention, one or more image forming processes are executed on the same document based on a desired image forming condition, and the image forming process based on the desired image forming condition is followed by the above-described image forming process. In an image forming apparatus that automatically executes one or more image forming processes based on an additional image forming condition different from a desired image forming condition, the additional image forming condition includes toner save, sheet size, or paper quality. The image forming apparatus is configured such that the difference, designation of one-sided used sheet, image data image quality setting, or a combination thereof is used as an image forming condition. In other words, according to the present invention, the desired image forming condition can be applied to any of the above-described printing conditions for presentation materials or printing materials for recording materials, and at the same time, the additional image forming conditions can be applied. However, any of the printing conditions for the presentation material as described above or the printing conditions for the record material can be applied. As a result, independent image forming conditions can be set, and various image forming conditions and several patterns can be set for each of the image forming operations performed by one print start operation. It has the effect of further improving efficiency. In addition, since the desired image forming condition and the additional image forming condition enable not only the selection of the sheet but also the setting of the toner usage amount, the cost can be reduced from both the sheet and the toner. .

Hereinafter, embodiments and examples of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the present invention can be understood. It should be noted that the following embodiments and examples are examples embodying the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an image forming apparatus A according to an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as an embodiment), and FIG. 2 is a control system of the image forming apparatus A according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an example of a basic screen of an image forming condition setting screen of the display operation unit 3 in the image forming apparatus A according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is the image forming according to the present embodiment. 5 is an example of a toner save print setting screen of the display operation unit 3 in the apparatus A, FIG. 5 is an example of an image quality setting screen of the display operation unit 3 in the image forming apparatus A according to the present embodiment example, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a chart showing such additional image forming condition patterns, and FIG. 7 is a printing process performed by the control unit 30 included in the image forming apparatus A according to this embodiment based on settings from the image forming condition setting screen. Flowchart representing It is a door.

  First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus A according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The image forming apparatus A mentioned in the present embodiment is related to a monochrome developing apparatus, but may naturally be related to color development. The image forming apparatus A may be an image forming apparatus that performs printing processing alone, or an image forming apparatus that performs printing processing by receiving a data signal from an external terminal or the like via a network. But you can.

  The image forming apparatus A is provided with a paper feeding unit for mounting a plurality of cassettes 5 below. In the plurality of cassettes 5, for example, sheets of various forms displayed in FIG. About the sheet | seat accommodated, size and paper quality differ according to a user's use, respectively. Regarding the sheet quality, plain paper, recycled paper, and single-sided used paper (that is, backing paper) can be accommodated. A duplex unit 6 is disposed above a paper feed unit on which a plurality of cassettes 5 are mounted, and an image forming unit 7 is provided above the duplex unit 6. A fixing device 20 for fixing toner to a sheet such as transfer paper is provided beside the image forming unit 7, and a scanner 8 for reading an image and an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 9 are attached to the upper portion of the fixing device 20. ing.

  A display operation unit 3 such as a liquid crystal touch panel is disposed on the upper surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus A. The display operation unit 3 is provided with a plurality of buttons and switches, as shown in FIG. A display unit for displaying such a screen is provided. When the user operates these buttons and switches, settings are made for various functions of the image forming apparatus A, such as image quality mode selection and which of the plurality of cassettes 5 to use. The In addition to the desired image forming conditions for the image data of one original, an additional image forming condition (hereinafter referred to as an additional image forming condition) different from the desired image forming condition is set in the display operation unit 3. In order to operate the screens (FIGS. 3 to 5), a distribution copy button 50 described later is provided (see FIG. 3).

In this embodiment, the additional image forming condition can be set by pressing the distribution copy button 50. However, this is merely an example of the embodiment, and any member that has a mechanism that enables the setting of a plurality of additional image forming conditions may be used instead of the distribution copy button 50. There is no problem even if it exists. Further, even if a dedicated member such as the distribution copy button 50 is not provided in the display operation unit 3, an operation such as long press or continuous press is performed on a predetermined member originally provided in the display operation unit 3. Further, the control may be performed so that the additional image forming conditions can be set by pressing a specially set button in combination.
A detailed description of the additional image forming condition setting screen shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 will be given later.

  The image forming unit 7 is provided with an image forming unit 15 in which a charging device 12, a developing device 13, and a cleaning device 14 are arranged around the photosensitive drum 11, and is opposed to the photosensitive drum 11 below. A transfer device 16 is arranged. The photosensitive drum 11 has a photosensitive layer formed on the surface of an aluminum cylinder having a diameter of 84 mm, for example, and is driven to rotate clockwise in FIG. The charging device 12 charges the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 11 to several hundred volts by corona discharge. On the downstream side of the charging device 12 on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 in the rotational direction, the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is exposed by an exposure device 18 including an LED array head and a selfoc lens to form an electrostatic latent image. Is done. Image data used for controlling the light emission output of the exposure device 18 is input from the image processing unit 4.

  After the document placed on the document table of the image forming apparatus A is scanned by the scanner 8 as a light source, the reflected light of the document passes through a mirror to the CCD 10 (Charge? Coupled Device; an image signal is converted into an electrical signal. Is input to the image processing unit 4 as digital image data (original image data). The input document image data is subjected to predetermined image processing by the image processing unit 4. After that, when the original image data after image processing is input to the exposure apparatus control means 19, the exposure apparatus control means 19 controls the exposure apparatus 18 so that exposure is performed according to the input original image data. To do.

  In the developing device 13, the developing roller rotates, the magnetic brush formed on the surface of the developing roller comes into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 11, and charged toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image. This toner image is conveyed in the transfer device 16 while the sheet conveyed from one of the cassettes 5 is held between the photosensitive drum 11 and the transfer belt 17 that moves at the same speed as the peripheral speed. While being charged, the toner image is transferred onto the sheet. Further, a cleaning device 14 is disposed on the downstream side of the transfer device 16 to remove toner and other deposits remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. The sheet on which the toner image is transferred by the transfer device 16 is conveyed to a fixing device 20 provided on the downstream side in the conveyance direction. The transfer device 16 included in the image forming apparatus A employs a transfer belt, but it can be replaced with a transfer roller.

  The fixing device 20 includes a fixing roller 1 and a pressure roller 2 having a pressure mechanism facing the fixing roller 1. The toner image adhering to the sheet conveyed from the transfer device 16 by the transfer belt or the transfer roller is caused by the heat of the fixing roller 1 while the sheet passes between the fixing roller 1 and the pressure roller 2. The image is fused and fixed, and the sheet is pressed onto the fixing roller 1 by the pressure roller 2 to be fixed on the sheet. The sheet on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 20 is then sent to the sheet processing apparatus B side, subjected to a predetermined process, and then discharged from a predetermined sheet discharge port.

Next, the configuration of the main part in the control system of the image forming apparatus A according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The entire image forming apparatus A is controlled by a control unit 30 including a CPU 31 that performs various arithmetic processes, and a ROM 32 and a RAM 33 that are semiconductor memories. The control unit 30 performs various controls and arithmetic processes by executing a predetermined program (control program) stored in the ROM 32 or the like. The control unit 30 includes a printer controller 34 that performs print control, an image forming unit 7, a display operation unit 3, an internal storage unit 37 that stores various information related to the image forming apparatus A, an image processing unit 4, and compresses and compresses data. The decompression program or device CODEC 38 is controlled, and each of these devices and the control unit 30 are connected by a predetermined bus.

The main body of the image forming apparatus A, the scanner 8 for reading an image, the external terminal 40 existing on the network, and the sheet processing apparatus B are respectively connected to dedicated interface units (that is, a scanner I / F 36, a network I). / F39 and sheet processing apparatus I / F35). As a result, each data signal can be transmitted and received between the main body of the image forming apparatus A and the scanner 8, the external terminal 40, and the sheet processing apparatus B.
In other words, after the original placed on the image forming apparatus A or the original set on the ADF 9 is read by the scanner 8, the image data of the original is transferred to the main body of the image forming apparatus A via the scanner I / F 36. It is a mechanism to be taken in. At this time, for example, when the printing process is performed using the external terminal 40 existing on the network, the image data transmitted from the external terminal 40 is the main body of the image forming apparatus A via the network I / F 39. Will be taken in.
The captured image data is subjected to predetermined processing by the image processing unit 4 and the like, and then developed with toner by the developing device 13. The visualized toner image is fixed on the sheet by the fixing device 20 and then conveyed to the sheet processing apparatus B side. For example, processing such as sorting and stapling performed by the sheet processing apparatus B is performed by a predetermined data signal transmitted from the main body of the image forming apparatus A via the sheet processing apparatus I / F 35. This is made possible by receiving at B.

Next, a screen for setting the desired image forming condition and the additional image forming condition displayed on the display operation unit 3 (hereinafter referred to as a set setting screen) will be described with reference to FIGS.
Here, in this embodiment, when the user presses the toner save button 51 of FIG. 3 displayed on the display operation unit 3, FIG. 5 is displayed on the display operation unit 3, and buttons other than the toner save button of FIG. When the user presses down, the display on the display operation unit 3 returns to FIG. When the user presses the document image quality button 52 in FIG. 3, FIG. 4 is displayed on the display operation unit 3, and the user selects one of the registration button, the undo button, and the close button in FIG. When pressed, the configuration returns to FIG. 3.

First, the basic operation of the set setting screen will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a basic screen of the set setting screen. A plurality of additional image forming conditions can be set for the first time when the user presses the distribution copy button 50 provided on the basic screen (this state is hereinafter referred to as distribution copy mode).
In the basic screen shown in FIG. 3, cassette selection buttons 55, 56... For selecting a cassette to be used from a plurality of cassettes 5, buttons for changing the print density, and an enlargement / reduction button 57 for setting a magnification such as enlargement or reduction. , Buttons for determining whether the sorting function is valid are provided. Also, a toner save button 51 for switching the display on the display operation unit 3 to the toner save print setting screen (FIG. 5), and an image quality button for the document for switching display on the display operation unit 3 to the document image quality setting screen (FIG. 4). 52, a distribution copy button 50, a previous set button 53 and a next set read button 54 provided for switching to another set setting screen are also provided on the basic screen of the set setting screen. Further, the set setting screen is provided with a color function (not shown). Naturally, in addition to the above-described buttons, generally, a button for setting Nup layout printing, double-sided printing, or the like, which is set when performing printing processing using an image forming apparatus, or the number of copies is set. Buttons are also provided.

  If the distribution copy button 50 described above is not pressed by the user, the distribution copy mode is not entered, and the print mode (hereinafter referred to as the normal copy mode), which is a printing process other than the distribution copy mode, remains. Therefore, in the normal copy mode, the toner save button 51, the original image quality button 52, the return to previous set button 53, and the next set read button 54 are inactivated, that is, cannot be operated by the user. It is not necessary for the user to set additional image forming conditions.

  Here, in the printing process, the control unit 30 needs to determine whether the printing process mode is the distribution copy mode or the normal copy mode. As a method for determining the print mode, for example, a flag or bit dedicated to determination is stored in a predetermined storage area in the ROM 32, RAM 33, or internal storage unit 37, and the determination is made based on the state of the flag or bit dedicated to the determination The method of doing is mentioned.

  In addition, a message or a symbol indicating to the user that the distribution copy mode is set may be directly displayed on the display operation unit 3. Further, the color of the distribution copy button 50 may be changed (the state of the distribution copy button 50 in FIG. 3). As described above, when the print mode is the distribution copy mode, the distribution copy button 50 is used until the normal copy mode is restored from the distribution copy mode by pressing a clear button (not shown), for example. It is also possible to prevent erroneous operation by the user by inactivating.

  In the present invention, the original copy, the basic copy for storage, and the copy to be distributed are created from one manuscript, but the distribution copy also depends on its importance. You may create copies with different grades in multiple stages. In this case, one or a plurality of basic copies are called a first set, and a set of a plurality of copies having different distribution grades is called a second set, a third set,. That is, in the present embodiment, when the distribution copy button 50 is pressed and the print mode in the image forming apparatus A is shifted to the distribution copy mode, the number of sets to be printed out is the same as the number of sets. The user needs to set the additional image forming conditions. For example, when all four sets as shown in the table of FIG. 6 are to be printed out, it is necessary to set the additional image forming conditions for four sets. In this case, the set number currently set may be notified to the user by displaying a set number (for example, “second set” in the upper left in FIG. 3) on the set setting screen.

Hereinafter, a setting screen when the user sets the desired image forming condition and the additional image forming condition from the set setting screen will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 shows a combination example of the additional image forming conditions.
Here, the case where the desired image forming condition is one set and the additional image forming condition is one set will be described. That is, the case where the set No. 1 shown in FIG. 6 is the desired image forming condition and the set No. 4 is the additional image forming condition will be described. Note that the size of the document set on the image forming apparatus A or the document set on the ADF 9 is A4. Further, as a premise of the present embodiment example, it is assumed that the fourth cassette in FIG. 3 contains A4 size single-sided used paper (that is, a back paper). However, this is only an example, and when the user prints on the recycled paper, naturally, one of the plurality of cassettes 5 always contains the recycled paper.

  When the user presses the distribution copy button 50, the print mode is shifted from the normal copy mode to the distribution copy mode, and it is possible to set print information for each necessary set from the screen of FIG. Become. In this embodiment, before the distribution copy button 50 is pressed by the user, the image forming conditions input on the basic screen are the basic image forming conditions as the first set, that is, the desired image in the present invention. The formation conditions. Then, when the user presses the distribution copy button 50, the print setting information after the second set, that is, the additional image forming conditions in the present invention can be input for the first time.

Accordingly, since the first set of conditions are set in the same manner as the normal image forming conditions, the case of setting the additional image forming conditions will be described below. That is, as a premise of this description, it is assumed that the desired image forming conditions are already set.
Here, the desired image forming condition is a first set (printing mode is color, paper size is A4, paper quality is plain paper, image quality is a mixture of photos and characters, and no toner is saved), and is already set by the user. It is assumed that
When the user presses the distribution copy button 50 in a state where the desired image forming conditions as the first set are set as described above, the printing mode controlled by the control unit 30 will be the distribution copy mode thereafter. Therefore, the user operates the reduction / enlargement button 57, the cassette selection buttons 55 to 56, the original image quality button 52, etc. to set any additional image forming conditions, and then presses the next set read button 54. , A second set of image forming conditions can be set. When the user presses the next set read button 54 to set the second set, the screen shifts to the set setting screen for the second set. 4 and 5 illustrate the states in the second set. For example, FIG. 4 shows a case where the image quality is a mixture of characters and photographs as the second set. FIG. 5 shows a case where the toner save mode is set.

  When the setting No. 1 is set as the first set and the setting No. 4 is set as the second set as described above, by pressing a print start button or the like provided on the display operation unit 3, the set No. 1 and the set No. 4 are set. Is printed. Here, when the setting conditions of each set are confirmed or the setting conditions are changed before the print start button is pressed, the button 53 for returning to the previous set or the next set reading button 54 is operated. It is possible to check the setting conditions of each set or change the setting conditions.

  Here, there are two possible timings for the control unit 30 to execute the print setting information confirmation process for the currently displayed set. On the other hand, the process is executed at the timing when the user presses the button 53 for returning to the previous set or the next set reading button 54 as shown in FIG. The other is a case in which a dedicated button or the like for executing the confirmation process is separately provided in the display operation unit 3 and the process is executed at a timing when the user presses the button for executing the confirmation process. As for the print setting information of each set, an arbitrary data array structure is formed in any of the ROM 32, RAM 33, and internal storage unit 37 (hereinafter collectively referred to as a predetermined storage unit). It is memorized in the state.

Hereinafter, a printing process performed by the control unit 30 included in the image forming apparatus A according to the present embodiment based on the setting from the image forming condition setting screen will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
As an example of the present embodiment, this processing is a print setting related to the additional image forming condition (set No. 4) after printing based on the desired image forming condition (set No. 1) is performed by a single print start operation. This is a case where the printing process according to the information is automatically performed. When the user sets one additional image forming condition, the user presses the next set reading button 54 to add a plurality of additional images one after another. Multi-level distributions can be created by setting specific image formation conditions. The print setting information of each set is stored in a state where an arbitrary data array structure is formed in the predetermined storage unit each time it is set, and is used in subsequent copying operations. Further, it is determined whether the print processing mode at the time of print processing is the distribution copy mode or the normal copy mode in a storage area different from the area storing the print setting information in the predetermined storage unit. In order to do this, it is assumed that a flag dedicated to determination is stored (hereinafter, this storage area is referred to as a storage area dedicated to determination). This determination-dedicated flag is stored as 1 in the distribution copy mode and 0 in the normal copy mode.

Next, distribution copy processing performed by the control unit 30 shown in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, S1, S2,... Are processing procedure (step) numbers. This process is set after the first set (the desired image forming condition) by the normal image forming condition setting process and the distribution copy button 50 are pressed based on the procedure shown in FIGS. The second set of image forming conditions (the above additional image forming conditions) is started from a state where one or a plurality of image forming conditions are set.

  In step S <b> 1, the control unit 30 determines whether or not a data signal that instructs the control unit 30 to start the printing process is input by operating a print start button or the like provided in the display operation unit 3. If it has been input, the process proceeds to step S2, and if it has not been input, a press of a print start button is awaited. When the print start button is operated, the ADF 9 provided with the image forming apparatus A or the scanner 8 that reads the image of the document set on the document table is driven to read the image. The read image data is stored in a memory provided in the image processing unit 4 or the like (step S2).

  In the subsequent step S3, all the print setting information (here, the first set (set No. 1) and the second set (set No. 4)) stored in an arbitrary data array structure in the predetermined storage unit is stored. Acquire and go to step S4. In step S4, the control unit 30 determines the flag stored in the determination dedicated storage area. If this flag is 0 (not in the distribution copy mode), the process proceeds to step S5. If the flag is 1 (in the distribution copy mode), the process proceeds to step S6.

  If it is determined in step S4 that the flag is 0, that is, the print mode is the normal copy mode, an arbitrary data array structure is formed in the predetermined storage unit for the image data of the document. After performing the printing process based on the desired image forming conditions stored in the state, the process proceeds to step S9 (step S5). If it is determined in step S4 that the flag is 1, that is, the print mode is the distribution copy mode, it is determined whether or not there is a record of print setting information to be subjected to the print processing. . The print condition setting information record is, for example, the image formation set in FIG. 3 when the distribution copy button 50 is pressed and the next set read button 54 is further pressed in the distribution copy mode. It is stored when the condition is confirmed. If there is a record of this print setting information, the process proceeds to step S7. That is, the printing process based on the set of image forming conditions of set No 1 (the desired image forming conditions) is executed by the control unit 30. (Step S7)

  When the above-described printing process is completed, a search is further performed as to whether there is another separately stored printing condition (step S8), and it is determined whether another print setting condition is stored (step S6). In this embodiment, the set No. 4 as the additional image forming condition is stored in the predetermined storage unit as still another print setting condition. Therefore, the determination is Yes in Step S6, and the subsequent Step S7. Thus, image formation according to the set No. 4 is executed.

  In this embodiment, since there is only one additional image forming condition record (set No. 4), when the image forming process related to set No. 4 is completed, in step S6, further additional image forming is performed. It is determined that the condition record does not exist. After that, the print setting condition erasing process in step S9 and the original image data erasing process in step S10 are performed by the control unit 30, and this process ends.

  If another additional image forming condition is stored, the presence of a record of the additional image forming condition is confirmed in step S6 described above. Then, when the printing process for all the additional image forming condition records is completed, the present process is completed.

  Here, the processing of step S1 to step S10 described above is executed by a program (control program) stored in advance in the internal storage unit 37 or the like. Therefore, it can be said that the series of processes described above is a series of functions executed by this program.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus A according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a configuration block diagram of a main part in the control system of the image forming apparatus A according to the present embodiment. An example of an image formation condition basic screen of the display operation unit 3 in the image forming apparatus A according to the present embodiment. 6 is an example of a toner save print setting screen of the display operation unit 3 in the image forming apparatus A according to the present embodiment. An example of an image quality setting screen of the display operation unit 3 in the image forming apparatus A according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a table showing additional image forming condition patterns implemented by the image forming apparatus A according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a printing process performed based on settings from an image forming condition setting screen, which is executed by the control unit 30 included in the image forming apparatus A according to the present embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Fixing roller 2 ... Pressure roller 3 ... Display operation part 4 ... Image processing part 5 ... Cassette 6 ... Duplex unit 7 ... Image forming part 8 ... Scanner 9 ... Automatic document feeder (ADF)
10 ... CCD
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Photoconductor drum 12 ... Charging device 13 ... Developing device 14 ... Cleaning device 15 ... Image forming unit 16 ... Transfer device 17 ... Transfer belt 18 ... Exposure device 19 ... Exposure device control means 20 ... Fixing device 30 ... Control unit 31 ... CPU
32 ... ROM
33 ... RAM
34 ... Printer controller 35 ... Sheet processing device I / F
36 ... Scanner I / F
37 ... Internal storage unit 38 ... CODEC
39 ... Network I / F
40 ... External terminal (PC)
50 ... Distribution copy button 51 ... Toner save button 52 ... Original image quality button 53 ... Return to previous set button 54 ... Next set read button 55, 56 ... Cassette select button 57 ... Reduce / Enlarge button

Claims (12)

One or more image forming processes are executed for the same document based on the desired image forming conditions, and the image forming process based on the desired image forming conditions is followed by an additional different from the desired image forming conditions. In an image forming apparatus that automatically executes one or more image forming processes based on image forming conditions,
An image forming apparatus in which the additional image forming condition is an image forming condition in which a toner amount to be used is saved than the desired image forming condition. One or more image forming processes are executed for the same document based on the desired image forming conditions, and the image forming process based on the desired image forming conditions is followed by an additional different from the desired image forming conditions. In an image forming apparatus that automatically executes one or more image forming processes based on image forming conditions,
An image forming apparatus in which the additional image forming condition is an image forming condition different from the desired image forming condition with respect to a size of an image to be printed and / or a paper quality of a sheet used for printing.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the paper quality used for printing as the desired image forming condition is plain paper, the paper quality used for printing as the additional image forming condition is recycled paper. One or more image forming processes are executed for the same document based on the desired image forming conditions, and the image forming process based on the desired image forming conditions is followed by an additional different from the desired image forming conditions. In an image forming apparatus that automatically executes one or more image forming processes based on image forming conditions,
An image forming apparatus in which the additional image forming condition is an image forming condition using a sheet printed on one side. One or more image forming processes are executed for the same document based on the desired image forming conditions, and the image forming process based on the desired image forming conditions is followed by an additional different from the desired image forming conditions. In an image forming apparatus that automatically executes one or more image forming processes based on image forming conditions,
An image forming apparatus in which the additional image forming condition is an image forming condition different from an image quality of the original image as the desired image forming condition.   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein an image quality of the original image as the desired image forming condition is higher than an image quality of the original image as the additional image forming condition.   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein an image quality of the original image as the desired image forming condition is lower than an image quality of the original image as the additional image forming condition. One or more image forming processes are executed for the same document based on the desired image forming conditions, and the image forming process based on the desired image forming conditions is followed by an additional different from the desired image forming conditions. In an image forming apparatus that automatically executes one or more image forming processes based on image forming conditions,
The additional image forming condition is different from the image forming condition in which the amount of toner used is saved than the desired image forming condition, the image size of the original as the desired image forming condition, or the paper quality used for printing. Image formation using a predetermined combination of image formation conditions, image formation conditions using a sheet printed on one side, and image quality of the original image as the desired image formation conditions apparatus.   One or more image forming processes are executed for the same document based on the desired image forming conditions, and the image forming process based on the desired image forming conditions is followed by an additional different from the desired image forming conditions. A program for controlling an image forming apparatus that automatically executes one or more image forming processes based on an image forming condition, wherein the additional image forming condition has a toner amount used based on the desired image forming condition. A control program for functioning as saved image forming conditions.   One or more image forming processes are executed for the same document based on the desired image forming conditions, and the image forming process based on the desired image forming conditions is followed by an additional different from the desired image forming conditions. A program log for controlling an image forming apparatus that automatically executes one or more image forming processes based on an image forming condition, wherein the additional image forming condition determines the size and / or printing of an image to be printed. A control program for causing paper quality of a used paper to function as an image forming condition different from the desired image forming condition.   One or more image forming processes are executed for the same document based on the desired image forming conditions, and the image forming process based on the desired image forming conditions is followed by an additional different from the desired image forming conditions. A program for controlling an image forming apparatus that automatically executes one or more image forming processes based on an image forming condition, wherein the additional image forming condition functions as an image forming condition using a sheet printed on one side Control program to let you.   One or more image forming processes are executed for the same document based on the desired image forming conditions, and the image forming process based on the desired image forming conditions is followed by an additional different from the desired image forming conditions. A program for controlling an image forming apparatus that automatically executes one or more image forming processes based on an image forming condition, wherein the additional image forming condition corresponds to an image of the original as the desired image forming condition. A control program for functioning as an image forming condition different from the image quality.

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