JP2006311468A - Compound machine system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compound machine system capable of copying an image having continuity without color non-uniformity in a short period of time even if a printer error such as jamming occurs after paper feeding. <P>SOLUTION: If a printing process is interrupted by an error of a printer unit, a copying process is interrupted and a new copying process (re-execution process) is executed for the same document image. Furthermore, each time the copying process is executed for a new medium to be printed, before a reading process of a document due to a scanner unit, a white reference value of a light source is measured and even if the printing process is interrupted, a copy mode is continued. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a multifunction machine system.

  In recent years, scanner-integrated printers (SPC multifunction devices) having a plurality of functions such as a scanner function (Scanner), a printer function (Printer), and a copy function (Copy) are becoming popular in general households.

  The SPC multifunction apparatus (multifunction machine) temporarily stores a scanner unit that performs processing for reading an image from a document, a printer unit that performs processing for printing a print image on a printing medium, and image data read by the scanner unit. And a memory to be stored.

  The scanner unit includes an exposure lamp that is an irradiation light source that irradiates light on a document on a document table, and a sensor (linear image sensor) in which photodiodes that detect reflected light reflected from the document are arranged in a line. Yes. The scanner unit moves the sensor (or document) in a direction (sub-scanning direction) perpendicular to the sensor arrangement direction (main scanning direction), and changes the color (color information) corresponding to the position (position information) to image data. As a memory. The image data stored in the memory is converted into print data. When the printer unit executes the printing process based on the print data, a stand-alone copy function for performing the copying process without using the PC is realized.

  By the way, since the storage capacity of the memory is limited, the memory capacity is insufficient during reading processing of a document image that requires a large memory area (for example, reading of a color document, a photographic document, high resolution (dpi), etc.). There is a case. In order to prevent processing errors due to insufficient memory capacity, read processing and print processing are performed in parallel, and the data acquired in the new read processing is overwritten in the memory area where the data that has already been converted to print data is stored. Allowing is done. As a result, it is possible to perform a copying process in a multifunction machine using a memory having a small memory capacity (for example, a document image for one sheet cannot be read).

  At this time, if the printing process is interrupted due to a transport system error or the like, conversion to print data also stops. For this reason, the data acquired by the reading process cannot be written to the memory, and the reading process is interrupted.

  When the interruption time T of the reading process becomes longer, for example, when using an irradiation light source (for example, a white cold cathode fluorescent lamp) whose light amount changes temporally as shown in FIG. 10, the light amount before and after the reading process is interrupted. The amount of change L may increase. As a result, there is a difference in brightness between the image data obtained before and after the reading process is interrupted, and a copy image with uneven color may be printed, and the continuity of the copy image may be lost.

  In order to solve such a problem, the multi-function peripheral system described in Patent Document 1 starts an image reading process after the paper feeding process is completed. As a result, even when a transport system error such as a jam or out of paper occurs, the reading process starts after the transport system error is cleared, so image data with different light amounts of the irradiation light source It is prevented from being read.

JP 2004-128896 A

  However, there is a possibility that a transport system error occurs even after the paper feeding is successful. For example, a jam during paper feeding for printing. If such a transport system error occurs after printing starts, the reading process will be interrupted to prevent processing errors due to insufficient memory capacity, and the continuity of copied images will be impaired as in the conventional case. May cause problems.

  On the other hand, depending on the purpose of the copying process or the state of the multi-function peripheral, it may be acceptable even if some continuity is lost in the copied image, and processing speed may be given priority. In addition, even when the reading process is interrupted, it may be considered that color unevenness hardly occurs.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional situation, and a first object of the present invention is to produce a copy image having continuity without color unevenness even when an error of a printer unit such as a jam occurs after feeding. An object of the present invention is to provide a multifunction machine system capable of copying.

  A second object of the present invention is to provide a more complex situation in a multi-function machine system capable of copying a copy image having continuity without color unevenness even if an error of a printer unit such as a jam occurs after paper feeding. The purpose is to make it possible to perform appropriate copying.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a light source that irradiates a document with light and a reading process that reads the document based on the light and creates image data based on the reading result are executed. A scanner unit, a memory unit in which the image data is temporarily stored, print data is created based on the image data stored in the memory unit, and printing is performed on a print medium based on the print data A printer unit that performs a copying process on the original, and the printing process is stopped when the printing process is interrupted due to an error of the printer unit during the original reading process, and a new And a re-execution processing means for executing a reading process.

  According to this configuration, a feeding system error such as a paper feed error or a jam occurs during printing (for example, in a device that does not include a page memory that stores data for one original document), and the reading process by the scanner unit reads the original document. Even if it takes a long time to clear the error while being interrupted, the original is read from the beginning after the error is cleared. Therefore, even if the light amount changes before and after an error using a light source whose light amount changes with time, color unevenness can be prevented.

  The above-described multi-function peripheral further includes a copy number setting unit for storing the set number of copies, and the printing process is performed in a multiple copy mode for executing a copy process for the set number of copies for the same document. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which the multi-copy mode is continued even if is interrupted.

  According to this configuration, since the number of copies is stored until the mode is completed, the copy process can be continued without prompting the user to input copy conditions such as the number of copies and the size.

  The above-described multifunction apparatus further includes a white reference value measuring unit that measures a white reference value of the light source, and the white reference value measuring unit is executed every time a copy process to a new printing medium is executed. It is also possible to employ a configuration in which the white reference value of the light source is measured before the document reading process by the scanner unit.

  In order to achieve the above object, a light source for irradiating light on a document, white reference value measuring means for measuring a white reference value of the light source, and reading the document based on the light, an image based on the read result A scanner unit that executes a reading process for creating data; a memory unit that temporarily stores the image data; and print data that is generated based on the image data stored in the memory unit and based on the print data A printer unit that prints on a printing medium and executes a copy process on the document; a copy number setting unit that stores a set number of copies; and a printer unit that prints due to an error during the document reading process. Re-execution processing means for stopping the reading process when the process is interrupted and executing a new reading process for the document after the error is canceled, In the multi-copy mode in which a copy process for the number of copies set for one original is executed, the white reference value measuring unit is executed each time a copy process to a new print medium is executed. A multi-function peripheral system that measures the white reference value of the light source before the reading process of the original by the scanner unit and continues the multi-copy mode even if the printing process is interrupted. You can also.

  According to this configuration, even when a feeding system error such as a paper feed error or a jam occurs during a copying process in which a plurality of copies of the same original image are printed, a plurality of copying processes are performed while taking into account a change in the amount of light from the light source. Can be completed. Therefore, even when a light source whose amount of light changes with time is used, it is possible to prevent color unevenness from occurring in the middle of a printing medium on which continuous document images are copied.

  In addition, the change in the light quantity of the light source for each printing medium is canceled by measuring the white reference value for each printing medium, and the printing process is interrupted for the change in the light quantity of the light source in one printing medium. In this case, the reading process is stopped and a new copying process is executed, which is reduced.

  In the above-described multifunction peripheral, the printing medium may be a photographic paper, and a configuration in which a high-quality print mode for printing on the photographic paper is provided can also be adopted.

  According to this configuration, since the high-quality print mode is selected, a new copy process by the re-execution processing unit is performed on the photographic paper, so that the new copy process by the re-execution processing unit is performed. Print media is limited. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a new copying process by the re-execution processing unit from being performed on a printing sheet such as plain paper on which color unevenness hardly occurs.

  In the above-described multifunction peripheral, a configuration in which the error is caused by a jam of a printing medium being printed can be employed.

  To achieve the above object, according to a second aspect of the present invention, a light source that irradiates light on a document and a reading process that reads the document based on the light and creates image data based on the read result are executed. A scanner unit, a memory unit in which the image data is temporarily stored, print data is created based on the image data stored in the memory unit, and printing is performed on a print medium based on the print data A printer unit that executes a copying process on the original, and the printing process is interrupted when the printing process is interrupted due to an error in the printer unit during the reading process of the original. It is determined whether the resumption condition is satisfied. If the resumption condition is satisfied, the reading process for the original is resumed and the reading is resumed. If not satisfied taken restart condition is a complex machine system according to subject matter that and a reading control means for executing a new read process for the document.

  According to this configuration, even when a feeding error such as a paper feed error or a jam occurs during printing and the reading process by the scanner unit is interrupted in the middle of reading the document, Since the reading process is resumed without re-reading from the beginning, the copying time can be shortened.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a multifunction peripheral according to the present invention, which is embodied in a multifunction peripheral, will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the multifunction machine of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the multifunction machine with the document table cover opened.

  The MFP of this embodiment includes a scan function (Scanner) that executes scan processing in accordance with a scan instruction from a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC), a printer function (Printer) that executes print processing in accordance with a print instruction from the PC, and a composite A multi-function device (hereinafter referred to as an SPC multi-function device) having a plurality of functions such as a copy function (Copy) for performing copy processing by a single machine.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the SPC multifunction apparatus 1 includes a scanner unit 2 that reads an image of an original (original image) and generates image data, and an image based on the image data on a printing medium such as paper. A printer unit 3 for printing and an operation panel unit 4 for user operation are provided. In the SPC multifunction apparatus 1, the image data read by the scanner unit 2 is transmitted to the printer unit 3, converted into print data by an internal processing circuit, and an image based on the print data is printed on a sheet, whereby a stand-alone copy function Is realized.

  The scanner unit 2 is disposed on the printer unit 3, and an A4 document platen glass 5 for placing an original to be read by the scanner unit 2 and an original are read on the scanner unit 2. A document table cover 6 is provided to cover the document table glass 5 at the time or when it is not in use. The document table cover 6 is formed to be openable and closable, and also has a function of pressing a document placed on the document table glass 5 toward the document table glass 5 when the document table cover 6 is closed.

  Further, a paper supply unit 7 for supplying paper to the printer unit 3 is provided on the back side of the SPC multifunction apparatus 1, and the paper supply unit 7 includes a paper feed tray 8 that holds cut paper (not shown). Is provided. In addition, a paper discharge unit 9 that discharges the paper printed by the printer unit 3 is provided at the lower part on the front side of the SPC multifunction apparatus 1, and the paper discharge unit 9 closes the paper discharge port when not in use. Is provided. Further, an operation panel unit 4 is provided above the paper discharge unit 9. In this embodiment, A4 size is described as an example of the maximum sheet size of the cut sheet, but this is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  The operation panel unit 4 is used by a user to directly operate the SPC multifunction apparatus 1, and a liquid crystal display 11 is provided at almost the center thereof. The liquid crystal display 11 can display setting items, setting states, operation states, and the like as characters, and can also display images read by the scanner unit 2. A power button 12, a scan button 13, a setting display button 14, and a clear button 15 are provided on the left side of the liquid crystal display 11 in the state shown in FIG.

  The power button 12 is a button for turning on / off the power of the SPC multifunction apparatus 1. The scan button 13 is a button for starting reading of a document by the scanner unit 2. The setting display button 14 is a button for causing the liquid crystal display 11 to display a setting state for the copy function set by the user. The clear button 15 is a button for clearing the setting for the copy function and changing each setting item to a default value.

  In the state shown in FIG. 1 or 2 of the liquid crystal display 11, a color copy button 16, a monochrome copy button 17, a stop button 18, and a copy number setting button 19 (19a, 19b) are provided on the right side. Yes. The color copy button 16 is a button for starting color copy, and the monochrome copy button 17 is a button for starting monochrome copy. Therefore, these copy buttons 16 and 17 serve as both a copy operation start instruction and a selection means for selecting whether the image to be output is color or monochrome.

  The color copy button 16 is used to notify the SPC multifunction apparatus 1 that the conveyance system error has been canceled when the printing process (copying process) is interrupted due to a paper supply system error such as paper shortage or jam. It also functions as a notification means. The stop button 18 is a button for stopping the copy operation once started. The copy number setting button 19 is composed of two buttons 19a and 19b with “+” or “−” on the front surface. When the “+” button 19a is pressed, the set number is increased, and the “−” button 19b. Press to decrease the set number.

  A menu button 20 for switching setting items displayed on the liquid crystal display 11 is provided on the front side of the liquid crystal display 11. The menu button 20 is composed of two buttons arranged on the left and right, and a left-pointing arrow or a right-pointing arrow is shown respectively. Each time the left or right menu button 20 is pressed, the setting items to be displayed are sequentially switched in the determined order. When the display is completed, the first setting item is displayed. The left and right arrows are for changing the order in which the setting items are displayed, and both buttons 20 display the setting items in the reverse order of the display order when the other buttons are pressed.

  The liquid crystal display 11 also displays a menu screen for setting the copy processing quality (copy quality mode) for each type of printing paper P (for example, glossy or plain paper for photography). The user can select a copy quality mode for obtaining a desired quality copy image by referring to the liquid crystal display 11 and operating the menu button 20.

  Next, the scanner unit 2 will be described in detail with reference to the schematic diagram of the scanner unit 2 shown in FIGS. FIG. 3A is a plan view, and FIG. 3B is a side view.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the scanner unit 2 includes a platen glass 5 on which a document M is placed and a platen glass 5 in the plate thickness direction of the document table glass 5. And a reading carriage 21 disposed in a manner to face the original M with the image 2 interposed therebetween.

  A white reference plate 22 formed in the shape of a rectangular plate is disposed in an inner peripheral edge portion on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the platen glass 5 so as to extend in the width direction of the platen glass 5.

  The reading carriage 21 is accommodated so as to be capable of reciprocating in the longitudinal direction of the document table glass 5, and is moved in parallel to the document table glass 5 by a guide shaft (not shown) disposed in parallel to the document table glass 5. You are guided to do. The reading carriage 21 includes an optical system 23 and a linear image sensor 24. The optical system 23 and the linear image sensor 24 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the reading carriage 21 and are conveyed by the reading carriage 21 in the longitudinal direction of the document table glass 5.

  In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the reading carriage 21 in the scanner unit 2 is the main scanning direction (see FIG. 3A), and the longitudinal direction of the document glass 5 (the direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction) is used. The sub-scanning direction (see FIG. 3B) is assumed.

  The optical system 23 includes a light source 23a, a mirror 23b, a condenser lens 23c, and the like. The light source 23 a is, for example, a white cold cathode fluorescent lamp, and is mounted on the reading carriage 21 with a longitudinal axis extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the linear image sensor 24. Note that the irradiation light emitted from the light source 23a is reflected by the document M and is imaged on the linear image sensor 24 via the mirror 23b and the condenser lens 23c. The linear image sensor 24 optically reads a document image placed on the platen glass 5 and converts it into electric charges and stores them.

  Note that each time the copying process is started, the light source 23a irradiates the white reference plate 22 with irradiation light, and the linear image sensor 24 detects the reflected light reflected by the white reference plate 22, thereby measuring the light amount of the light source 23a. Is done.

  Next, the printer unit 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the printer unit 3.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the printer unit 3 writes a writing carriage 31 that ejects ink onto a printing paper P as a printing medium, a paper feed roller 32 that supplies the printing paper P to the writing carriage 31, and writing the printing paper P. A paper discharge roller 33 for discharging from the carriage 31 is provided. In the present embodiment, the printer unit 3 employs an ink jet system that forms an image by ejecting ink droplets onto a medium such as printing paper.

  The writing carriage 31 is provided on a guide member 31a that is installed in a manner extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the transport direction of the printing paper P by the paper feed roller 32 and the paper feed roller 35 (leftward in the state shown in FIG. 4). It is arrange | positioned so that a reciprocation is possible along. In the printer unit 3, the direction in which the writing carriage 31 reciprocates (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface) is the main scanning direction, and the direction in which the printing paper P is supplied (the direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction) is the sub-scanning direction. The scanning direction.

  The writing carriage 31 has a nozzle (not shown) from which ink droplets are ejected, and includes a recording head 34 disposed below the writing carriage 31 and an ink cartridge K.

  The ink cartridge K is filled with four color inks of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K). When the color ink is ejected from the nozzles of the recording head 34 onto the printing paper, the printer unit 3 outputs a color image. In addition to the above four colors, light cyan (light cyan, LC), light magenta (light magenta, LM), and dark yellow (dark yellow, DY) may be used as the color ink.

  The paper feed roller 32 conveys the printing paper P set on the paper feed tray 8 by the rotation operation one by one to the writing carriage 31 side. On the downstream side in the paper feeding direction of the paper feeding roller 32 (on the left side in the state shown in FIG. 4), the paper feeding roller 35 and the printing paper P disposed between the paper feeding roller 35 and the paper feeding roller 32 are guided. A pair of guides 36a, 36b are arranged.

  The paper feed roller 35 is paired with a driven roller 35 a that follows the rotation of the paper feed roller 35, and sandwiches the print paper P supplied by the paper feed roller 32. The printing paper P is conveyed below the writing carriage 31 by the rotation of the paper feed roller 35 and the driven roller 35a.

  Near the sheet entrance of the guides 36a and 36b, there are provided a lever 37 whose lower end extends so as to reach the sheet path, and a paper detection sensor 38 whose detection target is the upper end of the lever 37. The paper detection sensor 38 is turned on when the printing paper P to be fed presses the lower end of the lever 37 and rotates it, and when the rear end of the printing paper P that presses the lower end of the lever 37 passes, the lever 37 is attached with a spring. Return to the original position (return position) by power and turn off. That is, the paper detection sensor 38 detects a conveyance system error such as a print sheet being out of print.

  The paper discharge roller 33 is provided on the downstream side of the writing carriage 31. The paper discharge roller 33 cooperates with the paper feed roller 35 and conveys the printing paper P by a rotating operation. During paper feeding, the previous printing paper P is discharged by the paper feeding roller 35 and the paper discharging roller 33, and the next printing paper P is fed by the paper feeding roller 32 and the paper feeding roller 35. .

  As the writing carriage 31 reciprocates in the main scanning direction with respect to the printing paper P conveyed in the sub scanning direction by the paper feeding roller 32, paper discharging roller 33, and paper feeding roller 35, the recording head 34 is moved to the printing paper P The position for is set. When ink droplets are ejected from the recording head 34 disposed at a predetermined position at a predetermined timing, dots are formed on the printing paper P and printing is performed. The printed printing paper is conveyed to the downstream side (left side in FIG. 4) of the writing carriage 31 by the rotation of the paper feed roller 35 and the paper discharge roller 33, and discharged from the paper discharge unit 9 (see FIG. 1 or FIG. 2). Is done.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the SPC multifunction apparatus 1. FIG. 5 shows a circuit configuration for realizing the copy function. Interface circuits, processing circuits, and the like necessary for connecting to a personal computer (PC) or the like to function as a printer or a scanner are shown in FIG. Omitted.

  The SPC multifunction apparatus 1 includes a main board (not shown) that performs overall control in the case of the printer unit 3. A CPU embedded ASIC (Application Specific IC) 41, a program ROM 42, a first SDRAM 43, and a second SDRAM 44 are mounted on the main board.

  A program ROM 42, a first SDRAM 43, an operation panel unit 4, and the like are externally attached to the ASIC 41, and these are connected to an internal bus 41 a on the ASIC 41. The ASIC 41 includes a CPU 45, a scanner drive circuit 46, a scanner input circuit 47, an image processing circuit 48, a head control unit 49, and an error detection circuit 50 connected to the internal bus 41a.

  The program ROM 42 stores a control program executed by the CPU 45 and the like. The first SDRAM 43 temporarily stores image data read by the scanner unit 2, print data printed by the printer unit 3, and the like. The second SDRAM 44 is connected to the scanner input circuit 47 and the image processing circuit 48, and functions as a memory unit that temporarily stores image data and print data before and after processing in the circuits 47 and 48. In the memory area of the second SDRAM 44, a line buffer 44a, a microweave buffer 44b, and an image buffer 44c are allocated.

  The CPU 45 is an arithmetic unit and executes a control program stored in the program ROM 42. The CPU 45 controls the scanner unit 2 and the printer unit 3 based on a control program stored in the program ROM 42, thereby executing each process such as a reading process and a printing process.

  The scanner driving circuit 46 is for driving each mechanism of the scanner unit 2, and is connected to a scanner driving unit 46 a such as a motor for driving the reading carriage 21 of the scanner unit 2. The scanner driving unit 46a operates the reading carriage 21 and the light source 23a to read a document image in the direction along the main scanning direction, and moves the reading carriage 21 in the sub scanning direction. The scanner driving unit 46 a operates the reading carriage 21 based on a signal from the scanner driving circuit 46, whereby the two-dimensional image data of the document M placed on the document table glass 5 is read by the scanner unit 2.

  A signal processing unit 47 a of the scanner unit 2 is connected to the scanner input circuit 47. The signal processing unit 47a includes an A / D conversion circuit (not shown), and A / D-converts charges stored in the linear image sensor 24 included in the reading carriage 21. The A / D converted data is subjected to various digital conversion processes such as shading correction, gamma correction, and pixel interpolation, and is input to the scanner input circuit 47 of the ASIC 41.

  The shading correction is to correct shading caused by sensitivity variations among the photoelectric conversion elements of the linear image sensor 24 and the irradiation light amount distribution in the main scanning direction of the light source 23a, and is obtained by reading the white reference plate 22. This is performed using the obtained white reference value. In other words, the white reference plate 22 and the signal processing unit 47a function as white reference value measuring means for measuring the white reference value of light emitted from the light source.

  The scanner input circuit 47 temporarily stores each raster line data (RGB multi-tone image data) input from the scanner unit 2 in the line buffer 44 a of the second SDRAM 44 under the control of the CPU 45. The scanner input circuit 47 sequentially performs inter-line correction processing on the RGB data fetched into the line buffer 44a, and sends the data to the image processing circuit 48 as RGB data for the same line. The inter-line correction process is a process for correcting the deviation of the reading position between the R, G, and B linear sensors that occurs due to the structure of the scanner unit 2.

  The scanner input circuit 47 also performs resolution conversion processing for converting the RGB data reading resolution [dpi] into the printing resolution [dpi] for printing by the printer unit 3 in parallel with the interline correction processing. That is, when the reading resolution of RGB data is lower than the printing resolution, new data is generated between the adjacent data by performing linear interpolation or the like, and conversely when it is higher than the printing resolution, a certain ratio For example, the resolution of RGB data is made equal to the print resolution by thinning out the data. The same applies to enlargement or reduction copying.

  The scanner unit 2 executes a reading process by controlling the scanner driving circuit 46 and the scanner input circuit 47 by the CPU 45.

  The image processing circuit 48 takes in image data that has undergone resolution conversion processing, and performs image processing such as color conversion processing, halftone processing, and microweave processing. The color conversion process is a process of converting RGB multi-tone image data into CMYK four-color multi-tone image data. Halftone processing is processing for converting multi-gradation data into area gradation data. The microweave process is a process of adjusting a dot line forming method in order to prevent stripes (banding) between rows.

  In the image processing circuit 48, the data subjected to the microweave process is stored in the microweave buffer 44b. Further, the image processing circuit 48 reads the data stored in the buffer 44b for each predetermined size, rearranges the data based on various information (for example, the number of nozzles for each color, the number of head scans, etc.), and then the image buffer 44c. Forward to. As a result of this data transfer, the image buffer 44c stores head drive data (print data) for ejecting ink to each nozzle for each scan of a writing carriage (not shown) provided in the printer unit 3. .

  The head drive data (print data) for each scan stored in the image buffer 44 c is read by the CPU 45 and transferred to the head control unit 49. The head control unit 49 prints on the printing paper based on the print data, thereby realizing copy printing for the image read by the scanner unit 2.

  The head control unit 49 is connected to the carriage drive unit 49a and the roller drive unit 49b of the printer unit 3.

  The carriage drive unit 49a includes a motor for sliding the writing carriage 31 along the guide member 31a in the main scanning direction, a mechanism for discharging ink droplets from the nozzles of the recording head 34, and the like.

  The roller drive unit 49b is a mechanism for transporting the printing paper P such as the paper feed roller 32, the paper discharge roller 33, and the paper feed roller 35 in the sub-scanning direction. The head control unit 49 drives the carriage drive unit 49a and the roller drive unit 49b based on the head drive data under the control of the CPU 45, and moves the writing carriage 31 to a predetermined position to determine whether or not ink droplets are ejected and the ink to be ejected. Control the amount of drops.

  The error detection circuit 50 is connected to the paper detection sensor 38 of the printer unit 3. The CPU 45 determines whether the printing paper P is properly supplied to the recording head 34 based on the detection result of the paper detection sensor 38.

  Next, the copying process executed by the CPU 45 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a copy image obtained by the copying process, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a copying process in which image data of a document such as a photograph read by the scanner unit 2 is printed by the printer unit 3. This process is realized by the CPU 45 executing the program stored in the program ROM 42 described above.

  As described above, data read by the reading process of the scanner unit 2 is sequentially accumulated in the microweave buffer 44b via the line buffer 44a, and the data in the microweave buffer 44b is sequentially converted and stored in the image buffer 44c. The The printer unit 3 reads the print data stored in the image buffer 44c, and executes print processing. That is, the reading process and the printing process are executed substantially in parallel.

  Here, for example, when performing color copying at a high resolution in which the size of the image data of the document becomes large, data for one document (continuous document image) may not be stored. In such a case, the data read in the reading process is overwritten on the area of the microweave buffer 44b where the data stored in the image buffer 44c from the microweave buffer 44b existed.

  Note that the method of writing data to the area where the read and transferred data existed is not limited to the method of directly overwriting the data in the memory area. For example, null data may be written in the area and then written in the area. Data overwriting is likely to occur when color copying is performed at a high resolution where the size of the image data of the document is large, and is difficult to occur when performing monochrome copying at a low resolution where the image data is small.

  By the way, if an error in the transport system such as a paper feed error occurs during the copying process and the copying process is interrupted, the data stored in the microweave buffer 44b is not converted into print data, and a new one is added to the microweave buffer 44b. Data writing is not allowed. Therefore, the reading process is interrupted before obtaining image data corresponding to the entire document image. When the transport system error is resolved, the image data acquired before the reading process is interrupted is converted into print data, and the reading process is resumed.

  When a light source whose light amount changes with time is used, if the time from when the reading process is interrupted to when it is restarted becomes longer, the difference in the light amount before and after the reading process is interrupted increases. Therefore, there is a possibility that a difference occurs between the image PP1 based on the data before the interruption of the reading process and the image PP2 based on the data after the reading process is resumed, and an image with uneven color may be printed.

  It should be noted that when multiple copies (for example, two copies) of high-resolution color copying are executed, after the copying process for the first printing paper P1 is completed, there is no printing paper in the paper feed tray 8. First, it is considered that the reading process is executed, and an image with uneven color is easily printed on the second printing paper P2 (see FIG. 6).

  The SPC multifunction apparatus 1 shown in this embodiment stops a reading process that is being executed and executes a new reading process when the printing process is interrupted in order to prevent a copy image with uneven color from being printed in the copying process. Re-execution processing means. The re-execution processing means is realized by the CPU 45 executing the control program stored in the program ROM 42.

  Next, the copying process executed by the SPC multifunction apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the user operates the copy number setting button 19 on the operation panel unit 4 to set the number of copies (for example, 5), and operates the menu button 20 to set the copy quality mode and the like. 7 is started when the color copy button 16 is turned on after the document M is placed on the document glass 5.

  In step 100, the CPU 45 receives information such as the number of copies and the copy quality mode from the operation panel unit 4 and sets it in the SDRAM 43. When the copy quality mode corresponding to the printing paper is set in step 100, for example, when copying to a photographic paper, the CPU 45 recognizes that the copying process is a copying process that requires a high resolution.

  In the following step 101, the CPU 45 outputs a control signal corresponding to the setting to the scanner unit 2 and the printer unit 3 to execute a copying process. More specifically, the CPU 45 first outputs a control signal to the scanner driving circuit 46 and the scanner input circuit 47 to move the reading carriage 21 and store the image data in the microweave buffer 44b. Next, the CPU 45 outputs a control signal corresponding to the settings such as the print size and print resolution to the image processing circuit 48, and performs predetermined image processing (color conversion processing, halftone processing, microweave processing) on the image processing circuit 48. Etc.).

  Then, the CPU 45 transfers the print data to the head control unit 49, generates print data corresponding to the image data generated by driving the recording head 34 based on the transferred data, and generates the print data on the print paper P. Print part of the image.

  During the copying process, the CPU 45 determines whether the printing process is accurately executed by a detection signal from the paper detection sensor 38 or the like (whether a printing system error such as a paper feeding error or a paper feeding error has occurred and the printing process has been interrupted). Judgment is made (step 102).

  When the printing process is not interrupted (when no conveyance system error has occurred), the CPU 45 proceeds to step 103, finishes the printing process for the first print sheet, and adds it to the counter. Here, the counter functions as a copy number setting unit for storing a copy number preset by the user, and an initial value (for example, 1) is set in step 100.

  The CPU 45 refers to the counter to determine whether the set number of copies has been executed. It should be noted that the method for determining whether or not the copying process has been executed for a predetermined number of sheets is not limited to such a mode and can be changed as appropriate. Further, the CPU 45 proceeds to the processing of step 104, and determines whether or not the set number of copies (5 sheets) has been printed with reference to the counter.

  If it is determined in step 104 that printing for the set number of copies has not been executed, the CPU 45 proceeds to step 101 and executes the copying process again. If it is determined in step 104 that printing for the set number of copies has been executed, the CPU 45 ends this processing.

  If it is determined in step 102 that the printing process has been interrupted, the CPU 45 proceeds to step 105 and stops the reading process. Further, the CPU 45 shifts to step 106 to display a screen prompting the user to eliminate the transport system error on the liquid crystal display 11 and waits until the color copy button 16 is pressed by the user.

  The CPU 45 that has detected that the color copy button 16 has been pressed determines in step 107 whether the transport system error has been eliminated by the user. If the CPU 45 determines that the conveyance system error has been eliminated in step 107, the CPU 45 proceeds to step 101 and executes a new copying process (reading process) on the same document image.

  According to this embodiment described above, the following effects are obtained.

  (1) As shown in FIG. 7, when the printing process is interrupted during the copying process, the copying process is interrupted and a new copying process is executed. Therefore, in a device that does not have a page memory that stores data for one original document (continuous original image), a feeding error such as a paper feed error or jam occurs during printing, and the reading process by the scanner unit reads the original. Even if it takes a long time to clear the error while being interrupted, the original is read from the beginning after the error is cleared. Therefore, it is possible to use a light source whose light amount changes with time and to prevent color unevenness caused by a light amount that greatly changes before and after an error.

  (2) Since the copying conditions such as the number of copies are stored until the set number of copying processes are completed, the copying process can be continued without prompting the user to input the copying conditions such as the number of copies and the size. it can.

  (3) Since the white reference value of the light source 23a is measured every time the copying process is executed, the time from when the white reference value is measured until the copying process is completed can be shortened. Therefore, the amount of change in the white reference value of the white cold cathode fluorescent lamp within the time required for the reading process for reading the entire original image is reduced. Further, the change in the light amount of the light source for each printing medium is canceled by measuring the white reference value for each printing medium.

  (4) By setting the copy quality mode to execute the above-described copying process, the printing medium on which a new copying process by the re-execution processing unit is performed is limited. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a new copying process by the re-execution processing unit from being performed on a printing sheet such as plain paper on which color unevenness hardly occurs.

  In the above-described embodiment, a modified example changed to the following mode may be adopted.

  (Modification 1) In the above embodiment, cut paper is used as the printing paper, but the present invention is not limited to this. Roll paper may be used as the printing paper.

  (Modification 2) Although the copying process is shown as the SPC multifunction apparatus 1 including the scanner unit 2 and the printer unit 3, it is not limited to such a mode. For example, it is possible to construct a multi-function system in which a personal computer, a scanner, and a printer are connected, and to realize the above-described processing with the CPU of the personal computer and the printer driver program.

  (Modification 3) In the above embodiment, the CPU 45 executes the control program stored in the program ROM 42. However, the present invention is not limited to such a mode. For example, the above-described processing can be realized by installing a printer driver including a program in a computer connected to the SPC multifunction apparatus. The control program can be downloaded via a network, or can be installed from a recording medium that stores the control program.

  (Modification 4) In the above embodiment, a new copying process is executed by the re-execution processing means when the copy quality mode is set by the user. It is possible to achieve the effects (3) to (3).

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the above-described embodiment, when a transport error such as a paper feed error or a jam occurs during printing, the original is read from the beginning after the error is canceled. As a result, a copy image having continuity with no color unevenness can be obtained. However, since the original is read again from the beginning, the copy time is extra.

  In printing on photographic paper, it is considered important for users to obtain high-quality copy print results even if it takes some time. There are some copying processes where the processing time is shorter. There are also situations in which the reading interruption time is short, the light quantity of the light source is stable, and the light quantity does not change much before and after the error.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment of the present invention, a multi-function machine system that enables copying according to the situation will be described.

  Note that the configuration of the MFP system in the second embodiment of the present invention can be the same as that in the above embodiment. The basic copy processing flow is also common to the above embodiment. For this reason, the following description will focus on differences from the above-described embodiment in the copying process in the multifunction machine system of the second embodiment.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a copying process in which image data of a document such as a photograph read by the scanner unit 2 is printed by the printer unit 3. The same steps as those in the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In the second embodiment, when a normal copying process is performed without occurrence of a conveyance system such as a paper feed error, that is, steps 100 to 104 are the same as those in the above embodiment.

  On the other hand, in step 102, it is determined whether the printing process is properly executed based on a detection signal from the paper detection sensor 38 (whether a printing system error such as a paper feeding error or a paper feeding error has occurred and the printing process has been interrupted). As a result, when it is determined that the printing process is interrupted, the CPU 45 proceeds to step 205 and temporarily interrupts the reading process. In other words, in the present embodiment, when the printing process is interrupted, the reading process is not stopped but stopped. That is, the reading process may be resumed.

  Further, the CPU 45 shifts to step 106 to display a screen prompting the user to eliminate the transport system error on the liquid crystal display 11 and waits until the color copy button 16 is pressed by the user.

  The CPU 45 that has detected that the color copy button 16 has been pressed determines in step 107 whether the transport system error has been eliminated by the user. The CPU 45 that has determined that the transport system error has been eliminated in step 107 proceeds to step 208 and determines whether or not the read restart condition is satisfied.

  Here, the reading resumption condition is a condition that must be satisfied in order to resume the reading process when the reading process is interrupted due to the interruption of the printing process and the error is released thereafter. That is, when the reading resumption condition is satisfied, the reading process is resumed from the reading interrupted place, instead of rereading the original from the beginning. In this case, the processing time for copying can be shortened as compared with the case where the original is read again from the beginning.

  On the other hand, if the reading restart condition is not satisfied, the interrupted reading process is stopped without restarting, and the process returns to step 101 to start the copying process again. That is, the original is read again from the beginning. In this case, although copying time is required, a copying result having continuity without color unevenness is guaranteed.

  Various conditions can be used as the reading restart condition. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of the reading restart condition. In the present embodiment, one or a plurality of conditions among these conditions can be adopted. Further, conditions other than these may be adopted.

  FIG. 9A shows an example in which the reading resume condition is that the set printing paper is not of high quality. The high-quality printing paper can be, for example, photographic paper, high-quality dedicated paper, and other plain paper or the like satisfies the read restart condition.

  That is, when high-quality printing paper is used, it can be generally considered that a high-quality copy result is expected. On the other hand, when it is other than high-quality printing paper, it is considered that some color unevenness is not a problem or color unevenness is often not noticeable. For this reason, when the reading process is interrupted, the copy processing time is shortened by restarting the reading process from the beginning when using high-quality printing paper and restarting the reading process at other times. is there.

  FIG. 9B shows an example in which the set copy mode (copy quality mode) is other than high quality as the read restart condition. The high-quality copy mode can be, for example, a color print mode, a high-resolution print mode, or the like, and other copy modes such as the normal copy mode and the draft print mode satisfy the read restart condition.

  That is, when a high quality copy mode is set, it can be considered that a copy result is expected. On the other hand, in other cases, it is likely that some uneven color is not a problem. For this reason, when the scanning process is interrupted, scanning is restarted from the beginning when the high-quality copying mode is set, and in other cases, the scanning process is restarted to shorten the copying process time. is there.

  FIG. 9C shows an example of the case where the interruption time of the reading process is within the reference time as the reading restart condition. In other words, if the time from error occurrence to error cancellation is short, the difference in the amount of light of the light source before and after the interruption is considered to be not so large. For this reason, a reference time is set in advance, and if the interruption time is within the reference time, it is considered that the influence on the copy result is small and the reading process is resumed. The interruption time can be obtained by measuring the time from the occurrence of a paper feed error (step 102) to the cancellation of the error (step 107).

  FIG. 9D compares the colors of the images actually read before and after the interruption, and determines that the difference is within the reference value as a reading restart condition. Here, the comparison of the colors of the images is desirably the same target. For this reason, for example, a predetermined portion of the document, for example, the top portion of the document or a portion read at the time of interruption is read again after canceling the error, and compared with the data of the same read portion. As a result, if the color difference is less than or equal to a predetermined reference value, it is assumed that color unevenness hardly occurs and the reading process is resumed.

  Note that the reading process may be resumed on the assumption that the read image data after or before the interruption is corrected based on the color difference at the same location. In this case, it is not necessary to read the image again from the beginning even if the color difference before and after the interruption is equal to or greater than the reference value. Further, instead of comparing the read data, the light amount of the light source may be measured to compare the light amounts before and after the interruption.

  Returning to FIG. 8, when the restart condition as illustrated in FIG. 9 is not satisfied, the process returns to step 101 to start the copying process again. That is, the original is read again from the beginning. As a result, although copying time is required, a copying result having continuity without color unevenness is guaranteed.

  On the other hand, if the restart condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step 209 to restart the copy process. That is, the reading process is resumed from the position where the reading process was interrupted, and the processes after step 103 are performed. Thereby, the copy processing time can be shortened.

  The second embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

  The copying process according to the present invention is not limited to a multi-function peripheral system that starts image reading processing after paper feed processing is completed, but also to a multi-function peripheral system that starts image reading processing without waiting for completion of paper feed processing. Can also be applied. In such a multifunction machine system, the time from the start of the copy process to the end of the copy process can be shortened. For this reason, when the second embodiment is applied, even when a transport system error occurs, it can be expected that the throughput of the copying process is further improved as compared with the prior art.

The perspective view which shows a SPC compound apparatus. The perspective view which shows the SPC composite apparatus of the state which opened the cover of the scanner part. (A) (b) The schematic block diagram of a scanner part. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer unit. The block diagram which shows the electrical constitution of a SPC compound apparatus. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating a copy process. 6 is a flowchart of copy processing according to the present embodiment. 10 is a flowchart of copy processing according to the second embodiment. The figure for demonstrating resumption conditions. The conceptual diagram which shows the time-dependent change of the light quantity of a light source.

Explanation of symbols

  M: manuscript, 2: scanner unit, 3: printer unit, 23a: light source, 42: program ROM storing a program executed by the CPU, 45: CPU executing each process, 44: functioning as a memory unit 2 SDRAM 44.

Claims (12)

A light source for illuminating the document;
A scanner unit that performs a reading process of reading the document based on the light and creating image data based on the reading result;
A memory unit for temporarily storing the image data;
A printer unit that creates print data based on the image data stored in the memory unit, performs printing on a print medium based on the print data, and executes a copy process on the document;
Re-execution processing means for stopping the printing process when an error of the printer unit is interrupted during the reading process of the original and executing a new reading process for the original after the error is canceled. A multi-function system characterized by this. The multifunction device system according to claim 1,
A copy number setting unit for storing the set number of copies;
A multi-function system in which the multi-copy mode is continued even when the printing process is interrupted in a multi-copy mode in which a copy process for a set number of copies is performed on the same document. The multifunction device system according to claim 1,
A white reference value measuring means for measuring a white reference value of the light source;
The white reference value measuring unit measures a white reference value of the light source before the original reading process by the scanner unit, which is executed each time a copy process to a new print medium is executed. Multifunction machine system. A light source for illuminating the document;
A white reference value measuring means for measuring a white reference value of the light source;
A scanner unit that performs a reading process of reading the document based on the light and creating image data based on the reading result;
A memory unit for temporarily storing the image data;
A printer unit that creates print data based on the image data stored in the memory unit, performs printing on a print medium based on the print data, and executes a copy process on the document;
A copy number setting section for storing the set number of copies;
Re-execution processing means for stopping the printing process when an error of the printer unit is interrupted during the reading process of the original and executing a new reading process for the original after the error is canceled. ,
In a multi-copy mode in which a copy process for the number of copies set for the same document is executed,
The white reference value measuring means measures the white reference value of the light source before the reading process of the original by the scanner unit, which is executed each time a copying process to a new printing medium is performed,
The multi-function machine system, wherein the multi-copy mode is continued even if the printing process is interrupted. In the multi-function device system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The printing medium is photographic paper,
A multifunction machine system comprising a high-quality printing mode for printing on the photographic paper. In the multi-function device system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The multifunction system is characterized in that the error is caused by a jam of a printing medium being printed. A light source for illuminating the document;
A scanner unit that performs a reading process of reading the document based on the light and creating image data based on the reading result;
A memory unit for temporarily storing the image data;
A printer unit that creates print data based on the image data stored in the memory unit, performs printing on a print medium based on the print data, and executes a copy process on the document;
When the printing process is interrupted due to an error of the printer unit during the original reading process, the reading process is interrupted, and after the error is canceled, it is determined whether a predetermined reading resumption condition is satisfied,
Reading control means for restarting the reading process for the original when the reading restart condition is satisfied, and executing a new reading process for the original when the reading restart condition is not satisfied. A featured multifunction machine system. The multifunction machine system according to claim 7, wherein
The read resume condition is:
A multifunction machine system in which a predetermined type of printing paper is set as a printing medium. The multifunction machine system according to claim 7, wherein
The read resume condition is:
A multi-function system characterized in that a predetermined mode is set as a copy processing mode. The multifunction machine system according to claim 7, wherein
The read resume condition is:
The time from the interruption of the reading process to the cancellation of the error is within a reference time. The multifunction machine system according to claim 7, wherein
The read resume condition is:
A multifunction machine system, wherein a color difference between image data relating to reading when the reading process is interrupted and image data relating to reading after the error is canceled is equal to or less than a reference value. The multifunction machine system according to claim 7, wherein
The read resume condition is:
The difference between the light amount of the light source when the reading process is interrupted and the light amount of the light source after canceling the error is equal to or less than a reference value.

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