JP2008203602A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To extend the life of a color image forming unit. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming unit is equipped with: a color image forming unit including photoreceptor drums 5Y, 5M, 5C and 5K of an image-formation part 25 for forming a color image based on the image data of an original WP; a monochrome image forming unit including a photoreceptor drum 5K of an image-formation part 25 for forming a monochrome image based on the image data of the original WP; and a control part 21 sorting the image data of the original WP into color page image data and monochrome page image data, and allowing the color image forming unit including the photoreceptor drums 5Y, 5M, 5C and 5K of the image-formation part 25 to form the image of the sorted color page image data and allowing the monochrome image forming unit including the photoreceptor drum 5K of the image-formation part 25 to form the image of the sorted monochrome page image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus that forms an image of monochrome and color image data on a recording medium is known. In the image forming apparatus, color image data is formed by a color image forming unit (color image forming unit), and monochrome image data is formed by a monochrome image forming unit (monochrome image forming unit).

For example, an image forming apparatus that switches an image forming mode from a color mode to a single color mode based on a printing result of single color printing is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).
In addition, it is determined whether the switching operation of the image forming unit during single-color image formation to color image formation falls within the image output interval time, and continuous print jobs with mixed single-color output and color output are processed with high productivity. An image forming apparatus is known (for example, see Patent Document 2).
JP-A-11-167238 JP 2004-157377 A

  However, in the above-described technique, there is a state in which monochrome image data is image-formed in color on a recording medium. In this case, all the photosensitive drums of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), which are color image forming units, are driven in spite of monochrome image data. That is, the photosensitive drums of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) are driven even when there is no image data to be developed. As a result, toner is not adhered to the photosensitive drums of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C), and therefore excessive frictional resistance is generated on the peripheral surface of the drum, and each photosensitive drum is worn. Causes damage. In this case, there is a problem that the life of each photosensitive drum is shortened. There is also a problem that the life of the static elimination lamp and the life of the material (toner and carrier) are shortened.

  An object of the present invention is to improve the life of a color image forming unit.

In order to solve the above-described problem, an image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention provides:
A color image forming unit for forming a color image based on input image data;
A monochrome image forming unit for forming a monochrome image based on input image data;
The input image data is sorted into color page image data and monochrome page image data, the sorted color page image data is imaged in the color image forming unit, and the sorted monochrome page image data is input to the monochrome image forming unit. A control unit for image formation;
It is characterized by providing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect,
A first storage unit for storing the color page image data and the monochrome page image data;
The controller is
The color page image data or monochrome page image data is read from the first storage unit, and the order of image formation using the read image data is set in the order of the color page image data, the monochrome page image data, or the The monochrome page image data and the color page image data are determined in this order, and the color image forming unit or the monochrome image forming unit forms an image in the determined order.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect,
A second storage unit for sorting the input image data into color page image data and monochrome page image data, and storing the color page image data and monochrome page image data in the sorted order;
The controller is
The color page image data or monochrome page image data is read from the second storage unit in the sorted order, and the color image forming unit or the monochrome image forming unit forms an image in the read order.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects,
The controller is
The page information of the sorted image data is acquired, and the output order of recording media on which the images of the sorted image data are formed is adjusted based on the acquired page information.

The invention according to claim 5 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 2 or 3,
The image data read from the first storage unit and the second storage unit includes double-sided color page image data, double-sided monochrome page image data, and color page image data and monochrome page image data on the front and back sides. Color monochrome page mixed image data, a recording medium in which an image of the color monochrome page mixed image data is formed on one side is stored, and a refeeding stack unit that refeeds the recording medium is provided,
The controller is
An image of the color / monochrome page mixed image data is formed on the color image forming unit and the monochrome image forming unit by using the re-feedable stack unit.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fourth or fifth aspect,
Two of the recording medium on which the double-sided color page image data image is formed, the recording medium on which the double-sided monochrome page image data image is formed, and the recording medium on which the color monochrome page mixed image data image is formed Comprising a first stack part and a second stack part for storing a recording medium;
The controller is
A recording medium on which an image is formed by the color image forming unit or the monochrome image forming unit based on the page information, a recording medium stored in the first stack unit, and a recording stored in the second stack unit The output order of the media is adjusted.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the control unit sorts the input image data into color page image data and monochrome page image data, and forms a color image for each of the sorted color page image data or monochrome page image data. Or the monochrome image forming unit can be individually driven. Thus, the color page image data image can be reliably formed on a recording medium in color and the monochrome page image data image can be formed in monochrome, and the life of the color image forming unit can be improved.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the control unit sets the order of image formation using the image data read from the first storage unit in the order of color page image data, monochrome page image data, or monochrome page image. Data and color page image data can be determined in this order.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the control unit reads the color page image data or the monochrome page image data from the second storage unit in the sorted order, and the color image forming unit or the color page image data in the read order. An image can be formed in the monochrome image forming unit. Thus, image formation can be performed in the order in which the image data is read from the second storage unit.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the control unit can adjust the output order of the recording media based on the page information. As a result, the user can obtain a recording medium on which images are formed in the order of the page information.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the control unit can cause the color image forming unit and the monochrome image forming unit to form an image of the color / monochrome page mixed image data using the refeedable stack unit. Thereby, even if the image data is color / monochrome page mixed image data, an image can be formed on the recording medium.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the control unit includes a recording medium on which an image is formed by the color image forming unit or the monochrome image forming unit based on page information, and a recording medium stored in the first stack unit , And the output order of the recording media stored in the second stack unit can be adjusted. Thus, the user can obtain a recording medium on which images are formed in the order of the page information even if the image data is double-sided color page image data, double-sided monochrome image data, and color monochrome page mixed image data.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 shows an internal configuration example of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 3 shows a method for sorting single-sided image data. FIG. 4 shows a method for sorting double-sided image data. 5 and 6 show the flow of the image data sorting process.

First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The image forming apparatus 1 is, for example, a digital multifunction machine. The image forming apparatus 1 reads image data from a read original as an image forming target, and forms a copy image (hereinafter referred to as printing) on a recording medium P such as a sheet of paper, or a personal computer. A printer function or the like is provided that receives image data to be imaged and prints it on the recording medium P based on the received image data.
The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image reading unit 2, a main body unit 3, and a post-processing unit 4.

The image reading unit 2 reads image data of the document WP as input image data.
The main body 3 includes a drum unit 5, an intermediate transfer belt 6, a fixing device 7, a recyclable paper stacking unit 8, a tray unit 9, a gate 10, and a reverse paper discharge unit 11. . The drum unit 5 includes photoreceptor drums 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K. The photosensitive drums 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K form yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) electrostatic latent images, respectively. For example, the photosensitive drum 5Y charged by a charging device (not shown) is irradiated with light according to yellow (Y) image data from an exposure device (not shown) to form an electrostatic latent image. Then, toner is attached to a region including the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum unit 5Y by a developing device (not shown).

  The intermediate transfer belt 6 is a semiconductive endless belt that is suspended and supported rotatably by a plurality of rollers, and is driven to rotate as the rollers rotate. The fixing device 7 heats and fixes the toner image on the recording medium P.

  The re-feedable stack unit 8 is an area for stacking (storing) the recording medium P on which the front surface or the back surface of the color monochrome page mixed image data is printed. The color / monochrome page mixed image data refers to image data in which the types of color page image data and monochrome page image data are different between the front surface and the back surface of the image data of the original WP. That is, the mixed color / monochrome page image data refers to image data of a front color page / back side monochrome page, and a front side monochrome page / back side color page.

  Here, printing of color / monochrome mixed image data will be described. In the present embodiment, color image data and monochrome image data are printed at different timings by image data sorting processing described later. Therefore, when printing color / monochrome page mixed image data on the recording medium P, the refeedable stack unit 8 for temporarily storing the recording medium P is required. For example, it is assumed that the color / monochrome mixed image data is image data of a front color page and a back monochrome page, and only the color page surface is printed by the image forming unit 25. In this case, the re-feedable stack unit 8 stacks the recording medium P on which only the surface that is the color page surface is printed. And when printing the back surface which is the monochrome page surface of the recording medium P, the recording medium P is fed again to the image forming unit 25 described later, and printing of the monochrome page surface is executed.

  The tray unit 9 includes a tray 91, a tray 92, and a tray 93. In the tray 91, the tray 92, and the tray 93, a recording medium P having a standard size identified in advance for each size or paper type is accommodated.

  The gate 10 is provided at a branch point of the conveyance path of the recording medium P and switches the conveyance path of the recording medium P. The reverse paper discharge unit 11 reverses the recording medium P on which one side of the image of the color monochromatic page mixed image data is printed.

  The post-processing unit 4 performs post-processing such as sorting, stapling, and punching on the recording medium P. The post-processing unit 4 includes a gate 10, a first stack unit, a stack unit 12 as a second stack unit, and a stack unit 13.

  The stack unit 12 is an area for stacking the recording medium P on which an image of double-sided color page image data or double-sided monochrome image data is printed. Here, the double-sided color page image data refers to image data in which both sides of the image data of the original WP are color pages. Double-sided monochrome page image data refers to image data in which both sides of the image data of the original WP are monochrome pages. The stack unit 13 is an area in which the recording medium P on which both sides of the image of the color / monochrome page mixed image data are printed is stacked.

  Next, the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 21, an operation display unit 22, an image reading unit 23, an image processing unit 24, an image forming unit 25 as a color image forming unit and a monochrome image forming unit, a fixing unit 26, A communication control unit 27 and a post-processing unit 28 are provided.

  The control unit 21 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory) (not shown) as a storage unit, and instructs each function constituting the image forming apparatus 1. And data communication between the functional units. Specifically, a program designated from the system program and various application programs stored in the ROM is expanded in the RAM, and various processes are executed in cooperation with the program expanded in the RAM and the CPU. The RAM serving as the first storage unit and the second storage unit stores color page image data and monochrome image page data. The ROM stores an image data sorting program described later.

  The control unit 21 sorts the image data of the document WP by the image data sorting program. Here, the sorting means sorting the image data of the document WP into color page image data and monochrome page image data so that switching between the color mode and the monochrome mode of the image forming unit 25 is minimized. Then, the color image forming unit or monochrome image forming unit of the image forming unit 25 is individually driven for each classified color page image data or monochrome page image data.

  The operation display unit 22 is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays various operation buttons, device statuses, operation statuses of functions, and the like on the display screen according to instructions of display signals input from the control unit 21. I do. On the LCD display screen, a pressure-sensitive (resistive film pressure type) touch panel with transparent electrodes arranged in a grid is configured, and the XY coordinates of the force point pressed by a finger or a touch pen are detected by voltage values. The detected position signal is output to the control unit 21 as an operation signal.

  The image reading unit 23 corresponds to the image reading unit 2 in FIG. The image reading unit 23 includes a scanner below the contact glass on which the document WP is placed, and reads image data of the document WP. The scanner is composed of a light source, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and the like. The reflected light of the light scanned from the light source to the document WP is imaged and photoelectrically converted to read the image of the document WP. The digital image data is converted by the / D converter and output to the image processing unit 24. Here, the image data includes not only image data such as graphics and photographs but also text data such as characters and symbols.

  The image processing unit 24 includes a processing unit 241 and an image storage unit 242. The image processing unit 24 performs image processing such as spatial filter processing, enlargement / reduction processing, rotation processing, and gradation correction processing on the image data input from the image reading unit 23 in the processing unit 241. Also, the printer code input from the communication control unit 27 is converted into image data. The image storage unit 242 includes a memory controller, a page memory, a compression / decompression unit (none of which are shown), and compresses image data processed by the processing unit 241 based on control from the control unit 21. Stored in the page memory. Further, based on the image data output instruction from the control unit 21, the output-instructed image data stored in the page memory is expanded and output to the image forming unit 25.

  The image forming unit 25 includes the drum unit 5 and the intermediate transfer belt 6 in FIG. 1 and prints image data of the original WP on the recording medium P according to the print mode. The print mode is a mode in which color image data is printed on the recording medium P when the image data of the document WP is color page image data, and monochrome image data is printed on the recording medium P when the image data of the document WP is monochrome page image data. That means. Hereinafter, the color printing mode is referred to as a color mode, and the monochrome printing mode is referred to as a monochrome mode.

  In addition to the drum unit 5 and the intermediate transfer belt 6, the image forming unit 25 includes a pulse width modulator, a laser light source, a charger, a developing device (all not shown), and the like. Specifically, the image forming unit 25 performs pulse width modulation on the image data input from the image processing unit 24 using a pulse width modulator to emit laser light, and applies laser light to the surface of the drum unit 5 charged by the charger. Irradiation forms an electrostatic latent image. Then, the recording medium P having the size and direction instructed by the operation display unit 22 is transported from the tray unit 9, and toner is attached to the area including the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the drum unit 5 by the developing device. The toner is transferred to the recording medium P and output to the fixing unit 26.

  For example, when the print mode is the color mode, the color image forming unit (color image forming unit) is driven. The color image forming unit means a unit including a charging unit, a developing unit and the like in addition to the photosensitive drums 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K of the drum unit 5. When the color image forming unit is driven, the surface of the photosensitive drums 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K of the drum unit 5 is irradiated with laser light to form an electrostatic latent image. Then, toner is attached to the areas including the electrostatic latent images on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K by a developing device, and the toner is transferred to the conveyed recording medium P. When the print mode is the monochrome mode, the monochrome image forming unit (monochrome image forming unit) is driven. The monochrome image forming unit refers to a unit including a charging unit, a developing unit and the like in addition to the photosensitive optical drum 5K of the drum unit 5. When the monochrome image forming unit is driven, the surface of the photosensitive drum 5K of the drum unit 5 is irradiated with laser light to form an electrostatic latent image. Then, the toner is attached to the region including the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 5K by the developing device, and the toner is transferred to the conveyed recording medium P.

  The fixing unit (fixing unit) 26 corresponds to the fixing unit 7 and heat-fixes the toner image on the recording medium P formed by the image forming unit 25.

  The communication control unit 27 is composed of a communication control card such as a LAN card, for example, and sends control signals and printer codes to and from an external device such as a print controller connected to a communication network via a communication line such as a LAN cable. Send and receive various data including the beginning. The post-processing unit 28 corresponds to the post-processing unit 4 in FIG.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, a sorting method in the case of printing single-sided image data (single-sided image data) of the document WP will be described. FIG. 3A shows the page number of single-sided image data and the types of color and monochrome image data. FIG. 3B shows the single-sided image data sorted. As shown in FIG. 3A, the first page (page 1) is color page image data, the second page (page 2) is monochrome page image data, the third page (page 3) is color page image data, 4 Page (page 4) is color page image data, page 5 (page 5) is monochrome page image data, page 6 (page 6) is monochrome page image data, and page 7 (page 7) is color page image data. And In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 3B, sorting is performed in which the printing order is color page image data first and monochrome page image data after. That is, page 1, page 3, page 4, and page 7 are classified as color page image data, and page 2, page 5, and page 6 are classified as monochrome page image data. Further, printing from single-sided image data to the recording medium P is performed in the order of page 1, page 3, page 4, page 7, page 2, page 5, and page 6. At this time, the mode switching of the print mode of the image forming unit 25 is performed between the page 7 and the page 2. Mode switching refers to switching the print mode from the color mode to the monochrome mode, or from the monochrome mode to the color mode.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a sorting method when printing both-side image data (double-sided image data) of the document WP will be described. FIG. 4A shows the page number and color / monochrome image data of the double-sided image data. FIG. 4B shows the sorted double-sided image data. As shown in FIG. 4A, page 1 is double-sided monochrome page image data, page 2 is front color page / back side monochrome page image data, page 3 is front side monochrome page / back side color page image data, and page 4 is front side color. Page / back color page image data, page 5 is front color page / back side monochrome page image data. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 4B, sorting of color page image data and monochrome page image data is executed. That is, the front side of page 4, the back side of page 4, the front side of page 2, the front side of page 5, the back side of page 3 is the color page image data, the back side of page 2, the back side of page 5, the front side of page 3, the page 1 side The front side and the back side of page 1 are sorted as monochrome page image data. Also, printing from double-sided image data to the recording medium P is performed on the front side of page 4, the back side of page 4, the front side of page 2, the front side of page 5, the back side of page 3, the back side of page 2, the back side of page 5. 3 is performed in the order of the front surface of page 3, the front surface of page 1, and the back surface of page 1. At this time, the print mode switching of the image forming unit 25 is performed between the back surface of the page 3 and the front surface of the page 2.

  Next, image data sorting processing executed by the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. The image data sorting process is a process of sorting the image data of the original WP and printing it on the recording medium P. In this processing, a case where the document WP is double-sided image data will be described.

  For example, in the image forming apparatus 1, an image data sorting program that is read from the ROM and appropriately expanded in the RAM is triggered by the input of an execution instruction of the image data sorting process by the user via the operation display unit 22. The image data sorting process is executed in cooperation with the CPU.

  First, the image reading unit 2 reads a document WP that is an image formation target (step S101). At this time, it is determined whether the image data of the document WP is color page image data or monochrome page image data. Then, the image data and page information of the document WP are stored in the RAM, and the image data of the document WP is sorted (step S102). The page information refers to the page number of the image data of the original WP. Sorting is executed by reading out the color page image data and monochrome image data of the document WP stored in the RAM. Specifically, the sorting described in FIG. 4 is executed. Then, it is determined whether or not the document WP is the last (step S103). When it is determined that the document WP is not the last (step S103; NO), the process proceeds to step S101. When it is determined that the document WP is the last (step S103; YES), it is determined whether or not the sorting of the image data of the document WP is completed (step S104).

  When it is determined that the sorting of the image data of the original WP has not been completed (step S104; NO), the process proceeds to step S102. When it is determined that the sorting of the image data of the document WP has been completed (step S104; YES), an operation for printing double-sided color page image data on the recording medium P is started (step S105). Step S105 corresponds to the operation of printing page 4 in FIG. After the double-sided color page image data printing operation is completed, the recording medium P on which the double-sided color page image data is printed is stacked on the stack unit 12 (step S106).

  After execution of step S106, the color page surface of the color monochrome page mixed image data is printed on the recording medium P (step S107). Step S107 corresponds to the operation of printing the color page surfaces of page 2, page 3, and page 5 in FIG. Then, the recording medium P on which the color page surface of the color monochrome page mixed image data is printed is stacked on the refeedable stack unit 8 (step S108).

  After execution of step S108, mode switching from the color mode to the monochrome mode is executed (step S109). This step corresponds to the mode switching operation of FIG. Then, the monochrome page surface of the recording medium P stacked in the refeedable stack unit 8 is printed (step S110). This step corresponds to the operation of printing the monochrome page surfaces of page 2, page 3 and page 5 in FIG. Then, it is determined whether or not the recording medium P is printed with the front color page / back side monochrome page image data (step S111). This step corresponds to a step of determining whether or not the image data to be printed on the recording medium P is page 2 and page 5 in FIG.

  When it is determined that the recording medium P is not printed with the front color page / back side monochrome page image data (step S111; NO), the process proceeds to step S113. When it is determined that the recording medium P is printed with the front color page / back side monochrome page image data (step S111; YES), the reversal discharge unit 11 performs the reversing operation of the recording medium P (step S112). .

  After execution of step S112, the recording medium P on which the color / monochrome page mixed image data is printed is stacked on the stack unit 13 (step S113). Then, an operation for printing double-sided monochrome page image data on the recording medium P is started (step S114). Step S114 corresponds to the operation of printing page 1 in FIG.

  After execution of step S114, the output (discharge) operation of the recording medium P is started based on the page information stored in the RAM (step S115). Then, it is determined whether or not the paper discharge is executed from the stack unit 12 (step S116). For example, page 4 in FIG. 4 is double-sided color page image data. The recording medium P on which the page 4 is printed is stacked on the stack unit 12. Therefore, when the recording medium P on which page 4 is printed is discharged, step S116 is YES. Further, when the recording medium P on which pages 1 to 3 in FIG. 4 are printed is ejected, step S116 is NO.

  If it is determined in step S116 that paper discharge is to be executed from the stack unit 12 (step S116; YES), the recording medium P is discharged from the stack unit 12 (step S117). That is, this step corresponds to the operation of discharging the recording medium P on which page 4 of FIG.

  If it is determined in step S116 that paper discharge is not executed from the stack unit 12 (step S116; NO), it is determined whether paper discharge is executed from the stack unit 13 (step S118). For example, page 2, page 3, and page 5 in FIG. 4 are color / monochrome page mixed image data. The recording medium P on which both sides of page 2, page 3, and page 5 are printed is stacked on the stack unit 13. Therefore, when discharging the recording medium P on which both sides of page 2, page 3, and page 5 are printed, step S118 is YES. When the recording medium P on which page 1 and page 4 of FIG. 4 are printed is ejected, step S118 is NO.

  In step S118, when it is determined that the paper discharge is executed from the stack unit 13 (step S118; YES), the recording medium P is discharged from the stack unit 13 (step S119). That is, this step corresponds to the operation of discharging the recording medium P on which both sides of page 2, page 3, and page 5 of FIG.

  If it is determined in step S118 that the paper discharge is not executed from the stack unit 13 (step S118; NO), the recording medium P is discharged from the normal normal paper discharge path (step S120). The normal paper discharge path refers to a path where paper is discharged without passing through the stack unit 12 and the stack unit 13. For example, page 1 in FIG. 4 is double-sided monochrome image data. The recording medium P on which the page 1 is printed is not stacked on the stack unit 12 and the stack unit 13. Accordingly, when the recording medium P on which page 1 is printed is discharged, it is discharged through the normal discharge path. Steps S116 to S120 described above are executed based on the order of the page information stored in the RAM. That is, the operations of steps S116 to S120 are executed in the order of page 1, page 2, page 3, page 4, and page 5 in FIG.

  After execution of steps S117, S119, and S120, it is determined whether or not the discharged recording medium P is the final discharged paper (step S121). When it is determined that the discharged recording medium P is not the final discharged sheet (step S121; NO), the process proceeds to step S116. When it is determined that the discharged recording medium P is the final discharged paper (step S121; YES), the image data sorting process ends.

  Next, a case where the image data sorting process is executed on the single-sided image data shown in FIG. 3 will be described. First, sorting of single-sided image data of the document WP shown in FIG. 3 is executed. That is, the image data of the document WP is divided into color page image data and monochrome page image data. Then, color page image data is printed on the recording medium P. That is, the image data is printed on the recording medium P in the order of page 1, page 3, page 4, and page 7 in FIG. The recording medium P on which the color page image data is printed is stacked on the stack unit 12.

  Then, the print mode of the image forming unit 25 is switched from the color mode to the monochrome mode. When the print mode is switched to the monochrome mode, monochrome page image data is printed on the recording medium P. That is, the image data is printed on the recording medium P in the order of page 2, page 5, and page 7 in FIG. At this time, the printing operation of monochrome page image data is performed simultaneously with the discharging operation of the recording medium P. For example, after the recording medium P on which page 1 is printed is discharged from the stack unit 12, the printing operation for page 2 is executed, and the recording medium P on which page 2 is printed is discharged. Thereafter, the same operation is executed in the order of the page numbers of the image data of the original WP.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the control unit 21 sorts the image data of the document WP into color page image data and monochrome page image data, and creates the image data for each sorted color page image data or monochrome page image data. The color image forming unit including the photosensitive drums 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K in the image unit 25 or the monochrome image unit including the photosensitive drum 5K in the image forming unit 25 can be individually driven. As a result, the color page image data image can be reliably formed on the recording medium in color, and the monochrome page image data image can be formed in monochrome. The photosensitive drums 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K as color image forming units can be formed. Lifespan can be improved. Further, the image data of the original WP can be classified into color page image data and monochrome page image data so that the switching between the color mode and the monochrome mode is minimized.

  Further, the control unit 21 can determine the order of image formation (printing) using the image data read from the RAM in the order of color page image data and monochrome page image data.

  Further, the control unit 21 can adjust the output (paper discharge) order of the recording medium P based on the page information. Thereby, the user can obtain the recording medium P printed in the order of the page information of the image data of the document WP.

  Further, the control unit 21 can cause the image forming unit 25 to print an image of color / monochrome page mixed image data using the refeedable stack unit 8. Thereby, even if the image data of the original WP is color / monochrome page mixed image data, it can be printed on the image forming unit 25.

  Further, the control unit 21 determines, based on the page information, a color image forming unit including the photoconductive drums 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K of the image forming unit 25 or a monochrome image including the photoconductive drum 5K of the image forming unit 25. The output order of the recording medium P printed by the forming unit, the recording medium P stored in the stack unit 12, and the recording medium P stored in the stack unit 13 can be adjusted. Thus, the user obtains the recording medium P printed in the order of the page information even if the image data of the document WP is double-sided color page image data, double-sided monochrome image data, and color monochrome page mixed image data. Can do.

  The description in the above embodiment is an example of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the refeedable stack unit 7 is provided in the main body unit 3, but may be provided in a configuration other than the main body unit 3.

  In addition, the stack unit 12 and the stack unit 13 are provided in the post-processing unit 4, but may be provided in the main body unit 3. In this case, the stack 12 and the stack unit 13 need to be configured in a transport path after the reverse sheet discharge unit 11.

  Further, although the document sorting process is executed by the user's operation on the operation display unit 22, if the user does not give an instruction to execute the document sorting process, the color data is applied to the image data of all the documents WP. Alternatively, printing may be performed in monochrome.

  Further, although the order of printing the image data of the original WP is performed in the order of color page image data and monochrome page image data, it may be performed in the order of monochrome page image data and color page image data. Thereby, the order of image formation (printing) using the image data of the document WP can be the order of monochrome page image data and color page image data.

  Also, double-sided image data of the document WP is printed in the order of double-sided color page image data, color page surface of color / monochrome page mixed image data, monochrome page surface of color / monochrome page mixed image data, and double-sided monochrome page image data. (1) order of double-sided monochrome page image data, monochrome page surface of color monochrome page mixed image data, color page surface of color monochrome page mixed image data, double-sided color page image data, (2) color monochrome page Color page surface of mixed image data, double-sided color page image data, double-sided monochrome page image data, order of monochrome page surface of color monochrome page mixed image data, (3) Color page surface of mixed image data of color monochrome page, double-sided color page Image data (4) Monochrome page surface of color monochrome page mixed image data, double-sided monochrome page image data order, (4) Monochrome page surface of color monochrome page mixed image data, double-sided monochrome page image data, double-sided color page image data, mixed color monochrome page image Executes in the order of the color page surface of the image data, (5) monochrome page surface of the mixed monochrome image page data, double-sided monochrome page image data, monochrome page surface of the mixed color monochrome page image data, and double-sided monochrome page image data It is good to do.

  Further, the recording medium P on which the image of the double-sided color page image data is printed is stacked on the stack unit 12, and the recording medium P on which the image of the color monochrome page mixed image data is printed is stacked on the stack unit 13. Two types of recording medium P are printed: a recording medium P on which an image of page image data is printed, a recording medium P on which an image of double-sided monochrome page image data is printed, and a recording medium P on which an image of mixed color monochrome page image data is printed. The medium P may be stacked on the stack unit 12 and the stack unit 13.

  Further, although the image data of the original WP read by the image reading unit 2 is printed, the image data received from the PC may be printed.

In the above embodiment, the image data and page information of the document WP are stored in the RAM, and the color page image data and monochrome page image data of the document WP stored in the RAM are read and sorted. The image data of the original WP may be sorted into color page image data and monochrome page image data, and the color page image data and monochrome page image data may be stored in the RAM in the sorted order. Here, the order of sorting refers to the order of sorting described in FIGS.
In this case, the color page image data or the monochrome page image data is read from the RAM in the sorted order, and the color image forming unit or the monochrome image forming unit forms an image in the read order. Thus, image formation can be performed in the order in which the image data is read from the RAM.

  In addition, the detailed configuration and detailed operation of the image forming apparatus 1 in the above embodiment can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1 is a mechanical configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention. 2 is an internal configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the sorting method of single-sided image data. It is a figure which shows the sorting method of double-sided image data. It is the figure which showed the flow of the image data classification process. It is the figure which showed the flow of the image data classification process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Image reading part 3 Main body part 4,28 Post-processing part 5 Drum unit 6 Intermediate transfer belt 7 Fixing device 8 Refeedable stack part 9 Tray part 10 Gate 11 Reverse paper discharge part 12, 13 Stack part 21 Control Unit 22 operation display unit 23 image reading unit 24 image processing unit 25 image forming unit 26 fixing unit 27 communication control unit 28 post-processing unit 241 processing unit 242 image storage unit P recording medium WP document

Claims (6)

A color image forming unit for forming a color image based on input image data;
A monochrome image forming unit for forming a monochrome image based on input image data;
The input image data is sorted into color page image data and monochrome page image data, the sorted color page image data is imaged in the color image forming unit, and the sorted monochrome page image data is input to the monochrome image forming unit. A control unit for image formation;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A first storage unit for storing the color page image data and the monochrome page image data;
The controller is
The color page image data or monochrome page image data is read from the first storage unit, and the order of image formation using the read image data is set in the order of the color page image data, the monochrome page image data, or the The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein monochrome page image data and color page image data are determined in the order, and the color image forming unit or the monochrome image forming unit forms an image in the determined order. A second storage unit for sorting the input image data into color page image data and monochrome page image data, and storing the color page image data and monochrome page image data in the sorted order;
The controller is
The color page image data or monochrome page image data is read from the second storage unit in an sorted order, and the color image forming unit or the monochrome image forming unit forms an image in the read order. The image forming apparatus according to 1. The controller is
4. The page information of the sorted image data is acquired, and the output order of recording media on which the images of the sorted image data are formed is adjusted based on the acquired page information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The image data read from the first storage unit and the second storage unit includes double-sided color page image data, double-sided monochrome page image data, and color page image data and monochrome page image data on the front and back sides. Color monochrome page mixed image data, a recording medium in which an image of the color monochrome page mixed image data is formed on one side is stored, and a refeeding stack unit that refeeds the recording medium is provided,
The controller is
4. The image formation according to claim 2, wherein an image of the color / monochrome page mixed image data is formed on the color image forming unit and the monochrome image forming unit by using the refeedable stack unit. 5. apparatus. Two of the recording medium on which the double-sided color page image data image is formed, the recording medium on which the double-sided monochrome page image data image is formed, and the recording medium on which the color monochrome page mixed image data image is formed Comprising a first stack part and a second stack part for storing a recording medium;
The controller is
A recording medium on which an image is formed by the color image forming unit or the monochrome image forming unit based on the page information, a recording medium stored in the first stack unit, and a recording stored in the second stack unit 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the output order of the media is adjusted.

Images