JP2008302554A - Image forming device, method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform sample output of only a paper sheet appropriate for image confirmation when outputting part of printed paper sheets as a sample during continuous printing of a plurality of paper sheets. <P>SOLUTION: Five pages from "a page to be printed next" are set as sample output candidate pages (Step S31). When a page previously output as a sample is included in the set pages (Yes in Step S32), the page is set to be a sample output target (Step S33). When no page previously output as a sample is included (No in Step 32), a sample output target candidate table is prepared (Step 34). When the prepared sample output target candidate table includes the sample output candidate pages (Yes in Step S35), the candidate page nearest to the page to be printed next is set to be a sample output target (Step S36). When the sample output candidate pages are not included (No in Step S35), it is determined that "there is no sample output target". <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a sample output function, an image forming method, and a computer program therefor.

  In an image forming apparatus equipped with a finisher such as a sorter or a container stacker, when a large amount of continuous printing is performed in a mode using these finishers, the density or position of the image printed on the paper is abnormal for some reason. Even if the error occurs, the user does not notice the abnormality during printing, and first notices the abnormality when taking out the paper stored in the finisher after the printing is completed.

  Therefore, when a large amount of continuous printing is performed, a sheet on which an image is printed at an arbitrary timing or every predetermined number of copies is discharged to the sample output tray, so that the printed image can be printed during the continuous printing. There has been proposed an image forming apparatus in which the presence or absence of abnormality can be visually confirmed (see Patent Document 1).

  However, this image forming apparatus has a problem that, when a sheet on which a solid white image or an image close thereto is printed is discharged to the sample output tray, it cannot be confirmed whether there is an abnormality in the printed image. In addition, when printing in different modes such as single-sided printing, double-sided printing, monochrome printing, and color printing is mixed in a single print job, it is convenient if the print image in a specific mode can be confirmed. Such consideration is not made in the forming apparatus.

JP 2007-41505 A

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and its purpose is to use a printed sheet for sample output for image confirmation during execution of a print job for performing continuous printing on a plurality of sheets. That is, only paper suitable for image confirmation is ejected when ejected to the tray.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first paper discharge port through which a plurality of continuously printed sheets are discharged, and a part of the printed sheets is a sample output target for print image confirmation during the continuous printing. A second discharge port that is different from the first discharge port that is discharged as paper, sample output timing determining means for determining the timing for performing the sample output, and sample output for determining the sample output target paper And a sample output target sheet determination unit that sets a specific sheet as a sample output target from a predetermined number of pages printed after the timing determined by the sample output timing determination unit. An image forming apparatus characterized by the above.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the specific sheet is a sheet on which color printing is performed, a sheet whose image ratio is a predetermined value or more, a sheet on which double-sided printing is performed, and a specific sheet feeding port. It is characterized in that it is at least one of paper to be fed and paper on which a sample output page has already been printed within the same print job.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first discharge port through which a plurality of continuously printed sheets are discharged, and a part of the printed sheet is a sample output target for print image confirmation during the continuous printing. A sample output target paper determining means for determining the sample output target paper; and a second output outlet different from the first paper discharge outlet for discharging the paper as a paper. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that, when images of all pages in a print job are determined, a specific sheet is selected as a sample output target from among sheets on which the images of all pages are printed.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the specific sheet is a sheet on which color printing is performed, a sheet having an image ratio of a certain value or more, a sheet on which double-sided printing is performed, and a specific sheet feeding port. It is at least one of the fed sheets.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the sample output target paper determining means includes means for designating a page to be printed on the sample output target paper from among all the pages. To do.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, there are connected output means for executing one print job in a shared manner by a plurality of units, and on one image forming apparatus. It has a connected sample output execution operation means that enables execution of sample output from a plurality of connected image forming apparatuses by operating the operation unit.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the connected sample output execution operation means is a sample from the plurality of connected image forming apparatuses by a single operation of the operation section. It is possible to execute output.
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, whether the connected sample output execution operation means performs a sample output at the same timing or a sample output at each timing. It has the means to set.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, when an error occurs in the sample output means of a certain image forming apparatus, the sample output means of another image forming apparatus performs recovery printing. It is characterized by not performing.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a step of performing continuous printing on a plurality of sheets, a step of discharging the plurality of continuously printed sheets to a first discharge port, and printing during the continuous printing. Discharging a part of the printed paper to a second paper discharge port different from the first paper discharge port as a sample output target paper for print image confirmation, and determining a timing for performing the sample output Determining the sample output target paper, and the step of determining the sample output target paper is specified from a predetermined number of pages printed after the timing determined by the timing determining step. The image forming method is characterized in that the sample paper is a sample output target.
The invention according to claim 11 is a printing process in which continuous printing is performed on a plurality of sheets, a step in which the plurality of continuously printed sheets are discharged to a first discharge port, and the continuous printing is performed. Discharging a part of the printed paper as a sample output target paper for print image confirmation to a second paper discharge port different from the first paper discharge port, and determining the sample output target paper And the step of determining the sample output target paper includes setting a paper on which a specific image is printed from among the images of all the pages as the sample output target when the images of all the pages to be continuously printed are determined. An image forming method characterized by the above.
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a computer of an image forming apparatus to execute each process according to the tenth or eleventh aspect.

(Function)
According to the first and tenth aspects of the present invention, when sample output is performed during continuous printing on a plurality of sheets, a specific sheet is targeted for sample output. Accordingly, it is possible to output a sample of paper suitable for checking the image quality.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, a sheet on which color printing is performed, a sheet on which an image ratio is a predetermined value or more, a sheet on which double-sided printing is performed, or a sheet fed from a specific sheet feeding port is already sampled in the same print job. The paper on which the output page is printed is the sample output target. Therefore, the sample output of the paper that can confirm the color print image, the sample output of the paper that can sufficiently check the image quality, the sample output of the paper that allows the double-sided print image, the sample output on the paper that you want to use for the sample output, It is possible to output a sample that allows confirmation of a quality change of a print image during execution of the same job.
According to the third and eleventh aspects of the present invention, when sample output is performed during continuous printing on a plurality of sheets of paper, when images of all pages in the print job are determined, the images of all pages are specified from the sheets to be printed. This is the sample output target. Therefore, it is possible to output a sample that is optimal for checking the image quality from all the pages in the print job.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when a specific paper is selected as a sample output object from among papers on which images of all pages in a print job are to be sampled, paper whose image ratio is a predetermined value or more, double-sided Either a sheet to be printed or a sheet fed from a specific sheet feeding port is set as a sample output target. Therefore, out of all the pages of a print job, sample output of paper that can confirm color print images, sample output of paper that can sufficiently check image quality, sample output of paper capable of double-sided print images, sample output You can output a sample on the paper you want to use.
According to the invention of claim 5, a page to be printed on the sample output target paper can be designated from all the pages. Therefore, the user can select a page on which sample output is desired.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when one print job is shared and executed by a plurality of connected image forming apparatuses, they are connected by an operation of an operation unit on one image forming apparatus. Sample output from a plurality of existing image forming apparatuses can be executed. Accordingly, when an operator who performs linked printing with a plurality of connected image forming apparatuses performs confirmation of the printed matter of each image forming apparatus, a sample output operation is performed at one place, so that each image forming apparatus can A printed matter for confirmation can be output.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when one print job is shared and executed by a plurality of connected image forming apparatuses, the operation unit on one image forming apparatus performs a single operation, Sample output from a plurality of connected image forming apparatuses can be executed. Therefore, when an operator who performs linked printing with a plurality of connected image forming apparatuses confirms the printed matter of each image forming apparatus, the sample output operation is performed once at one place, so that each image is output. A confirmation printed matter can be output from the forming apparatus.
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, when one print job is shared and executed by a plurality of connected image forming apparatuses, they are connected by operation of an operation unit on one image forming apparatus. It is possible to set whether a plurality of image forming apparatuses perform sample output at the same timing or sample output at individual timing. Accordingly, the operator can select for each case whether the time until sample output is performed in all the connected image forming apparatuses is the shortest or the comparison is easy with the same image. Can select the usage method according to the purpose of use.
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, when one print job is shared and executed by a plurality of connected image forming apparatuses, when an error occurs in a sample output unit of an image forming apparatus, The sample output means of the image forming apparatus does not perform recovery printing. Therefore, waste due to recovery of the sample output can be eliminated.

  According to the present invention, when a sheet printed in the middle of continuous printing on a plurality of sheets is discharged to a sample output tray for image confirmation, only a sheet suitable for image confirmation can be discharged. .

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
The image forming apparatus includes a scanner 118, a printer engine 114, a paper feed unit 220, a reverse paper discharge unit 240, and a face-up paper discharge unit 260.

  The scanner 118 includes a document table 281 on which a document is set, a conveying roller 282 that conveys the document at a predetermined speed, a scanner unit 283 in which elements that optically read and photoelectrically convert the document surface are arranged.

  The printer engine 114 can employ a configuration in which image formation is performed by ink jet or electrophotographic process. Here, the printer engine 114 uses an electrophotographic process, and includes a laser optical system 201, an image forming system 202, a fixing unit 203, and the like. .

  The laser optical system 201 is composed of a box-shaped unit in which a semiconductor laser, a scanner motor, a polygon mirror, a cylindrical lens, an fθ lens, a mirror, etc. (all not shown) are arranged at predetermined positions.

  The image forming system 202 has a photosensitive drum 205 that forms an electrostatic latent image, a registration roller 206 that conveys recording paper in time with an image formed on the photosensitive drum 205, and a uniform surface of the photosensitive drum 205. A charging charger 207 for corona discharge, a developing unit 208 for containing toner for development processing, a transfer charger 209 for performing transfer processing by corona discharge, a separation charger 210 for performing separation processing by corona discharge, and a photosensitive drum 205 A cleaning unit 211 for cleaning the residual toner on the surface is provided.

  The fixing unit 203 has a built-in fixing heater, the surface is made of a heat-resistant and releasable material, and the fixing roller 212 rotates in a state controlled to a predetermined temperature, and the fixing roller 212 is energized with a predetermined pressure. The pressure roller 213 rotates while rotating. Disposed on the left side of the fixing unit 203 is a paper discharge roller 214 for conveying the recording paper after the fixing process.

  The paper feeding unit 220 is provided below the first paper feeding tray 221 and the second paper feeding tray 222 disposed above and below the second paper feeding tray 222, and a large quantity paper feeding tray 223 that accommodates a large amount of paper. And a duplex-mass ejection unit 224 that performs duplex feeding and mass ejection. At the uppermost entrance of the first paper feed tray 221, the second paper feed tray 222, and the mass paper feed tray 223, a paper feed roller for transporting the set paper is provided.

The reverse paper discharge unit 240 is located in the upper part of the main body, and has a plurality of stack trays 241 _{1 to} 241 _n . The reverse paper discharge unit 240 is arranged in the order of pages with the printed papers conveyed in the order of the pages independently on each stack tray by a conveyance switching means (not shown) used in a known sorter or the like. The paper is configured to be discharged. The face-up paper discharge unit 260 has a face-up tray 261 for discharging paper with the printing surface facing upward. The face-up tray 261 is used as a sample output paper output tray.

  In the image forming apparatus having the above-described configuration, when performing image reading, the document set on the document table 281 is sent to the scanner unit 283 by the transport roller 282 and is read by the scanner unit 283 and then discharged from the document. It is discharged to the mouth 284.

  When image formation is performed, a laser beam modulated in accordance with image data is scanned by a rotating polygon mirror and irradiated onto the surface of the photosensitive drum 205. Since the surface of the photosensitive drum 205 is uniformly charged by the charging charger 207 in advance, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to image data is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 205. The electrostatic latent image is visualized (developed) by the toner adhering to the developing unit 208.

  On the other hand, the paper fed from any one of the first paper feed tray 221, the second paper feed tray 222, or the mass paper feed tray 223 is abutted against the registration roller 206 through each conveyance path, and is temporarily stopped. In this way, oblique feed correction (skew correction) is performed. Next, the registration roller 206 is restarted when an electromagnetic clutch (not shown) is turned on at the timing when the registration roller 206 is aligned with the toner image on the photosensitive drum 205, and conveys the sheet to the transfer unit.

  The toner image is transferred onto the sheet by corona discharge of the transfer charger 209 and then separated from the photosensitive drum 205 by the separation charger 210. Further, the sheet onto which the toner image has been transferred is sent to the nip between the fixing roller 212 and the pressure roller 213, and after being fixed, is conveyed to the reverse discharge unit 240 side by the discharge roller 214, and the reverse discharge unit. By 240, the sheets are discharged in page order with the print side facing down. Here, by setting the sample output function, the printed sheet can be discharged to the face-up tray 261 at any timing (details will be described later). In the photosensitive drum 205 after the transfer process, the residual toner is removed and collected by the cleaning unit 211.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic functional block diagram of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image input unit 3, an image output unit 4, an image storage unit 5, an operation unit 6, and a control unit 7.

  The image input unit 3 is a unit for inputting image information to the apparatus, and is configured by a scanner, a network interface, or the like. The input image information is printed by the image output unit 4 or stored in the image storage unit 5. The image output unit 4 is a unit that performs image printing based on the image information sent from the image input unit 3 or the image information read from the image storage unit 5. The image storage unit 5 is a volatile or non-volatile storage device and its driver, and stores image information input from the image input unit 3. A non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk is desirable for reading the stored image information even after the device is turned off.

  The operation means 6 is means for an operator to operate the apparatus. The control means 7 comprises a microcomputer or the like, and controls the image input means 3, the image output means 4 and the image storage means 5 in accordance with the contents instructed by the operation means 6, and the control result and the state of the apparatus are also controlled. It has a function of displaying on the operation means 5. A storage device (not shown) in the control means 7 stores a computer program for realizing these functions.

FIG. 3 is a detailed functional block diagram of the image output means 3 in FIG. 2, and the conveyance of the paper is indicated by white arrows. A sheet is fed from a sheet feeding unit 31 including a plurality of sheet feeding trays (sheet feeding ports) 31 _{1 to} 31 _n and conveyed to the image forming unit 32. The image forming means 32 performs printing on a sheet by a configuration such as an electrophotographic system or an inkjet system. The sheet printed by the image forming unit 32 is conveyed to a sheet discharge unit 33 including a plurality of sheet discharge trays (sheet discharge ports) 33 _{1 to} 33 _n and is discharged to one of the sheet discharge trays. The inserter 34 is a kind of paper feeding means, and the paper fed from here is conveyed to the paper discharging means 33 without going through the image forming means 32. It is used to insert paper into a print job by setting paper or blank paper on which an image is printed in advance.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the operating means 6 includes a sample output key 61 for instructing sample output. FIG. 5 shows a sample output initial setting screen displayed on the operation means 6. This figure is an example of a screen for setting a sample output possible tray. A toggle key (not shown) corresponding to the paper feed tray is arranged, and prohibition / permission can be set for each tray, and a plurality of trays can be set as sample output possible trays. Here, the trays 3 and 4 are set to be outputable. The setting result is written in a non-illustrated non-volatile memory in the control means 7, and the setting contents are retained even when the apparatus is turned off. This setting content is referred to in a sample output process described later.

  The image forming means 32 calculates, based on the dots of the image data, what percentage of the entire paper is made to have the toner each time it prints on one sheet of paper, and controls the value (toner coverage). 7 is notified. This toner coverage is also referred to in the sample output process described later.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of sample output processing in the control means 7 of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment.
First, “determination of sample output timing” processing (step S1) for determining the timing for performing sample output is performed, and then “determination of sample output target” processing (step S2) for determining the sample output target is performed. The contents of these processes will be described in detail later.

  After executing these processes, it is determined whether or not there is a sheet to be output as a sample (step S3). If there is, printing is performed on the sheet, and the sheet is discharged to the sample output discharge tray (step S4). If not, the process ends.

  FIG. 7 is an example of the “determination of sample output timing” process (step S1) in FIG. 6, and samples are output at the timing when the sample output key 61 is manually pressed. That is, the process waits until the sample output key 61 is pressed (ON) (step S11), sets the time point when the sample output key 61 is pressed as the sample output timing, and ends the process.

  FIG. 8 shows another example of the “determination of sample output timing” process (step S1), in which sample output is automatically performed for every fixed number of sheets. A paper feed counter is prepared in the control means 7, and the paper feed counter is incremented each time paper is fed (step S21: YES) (step S22). When the count value of the paper feed counter reaches 500 sheets (step S23: YES), the paper feed counter is reset (step S24), the sample output timing is set, and the process ends.

  Here, the sample output interval is set to 500 sheets. However, the number of sheets may be any other number or may be arbitrarily set by the operator. Further, instead of counting the number of sheets, it is also possible to configure to count the number of image forming surfaces or to count time.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an example of the “sample output target determination” process (step S2) in FIG. Here, a plurality of pages of images are printed by one print job.

  First, five sample output candidate pages are set from “next page to be printed” to “next page to be printed + 4” (step S31). This number may be other than five, or may be arbitrarily set by the operator. Alternatively, the number of pages may be the same as the number of pages of the print job. Further, if the last page of the currently printed copy is reached before reaching “next page to be printed + 4”, the first page and subsequent pages of the next printed copy are included as candidates. Further, if the remaining number of output sheets is less than 5, the number of candidate sheets may be reduced.

  Next, it is determined whether or not there is a page output as a sample when printing the previous copy in the output candidate page (step S32). If there is (page S32: YES), that page is output as a sample output target page. (Step S33). Here, the page on which sample output was performed last time is stored in the internal storage device by the control means 7.

  If there is no page for which sample output was performed during printing of the previous copy (step S32: NO), a sample output target candidate table is created (step S34). Details of this processing will be described later. After creating the sample output candidate table, it is determined whether there is a sample output candidate page in the table (step S35). If there is (step S35: YES), the sample output candidate page closest to the next page to be printed is set as the sample output target (step S36), and if not (step S35: NO), “no sample output target” (Step S37).

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of sample output candidate table creation processing (step S34), and FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams showing examples of sample candidate tables before creation and after creation, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, the sample output candidate table includes a page number column and an attribute information column. In the page number column, the number of the sample output candidate page set in step S31 of FIG. 9 is written. The attribute information consists of four items: “full color”, “coverage 1% or more”, “double-sided”, and “sample output possible”. In the “full color” column, “1” is written when the image of the page written in the page number column is full color, and “0” is written otherwise. In the “coverage 1% or more” column, the page number “1” is written when the toner coverage of the image written in the column is 1% or more, and “0” is written otherwise. In the “double-sided” column, “1” is written when the image of the page written in the page number column is a double-sided printed image, and “0” is written otherwise. In the “sample output possible” column, the image of the page written in the page number column is printed on the paper fed from the tray (tray 3 and 4 in the case of FIG. 5) set to allow sample output. “1” is written in the case of “0”, and “0” is written otherwise. That is, this process is applied when a print page corresponding to these attribute information and a print page not corresponding to the attribute information are mixed in a single print job.

  First, “0” is written in all the attribute information fields by the initial setting, and then the sample output candidate page number set in step S31 is written in the page number field (step S41). Here, as shown in FIG. 11B, the fourteenth to sixteenth pages and the first to second pages are written. That is, the total number of pages of image data printed by the print job is “16”, and the next page to be printed is the 14th page at the sample output timing determined in step S1 of FIG. . Further, the 14th to 16th pages are pages of the currently printing part, and the first and second pages are pages of the part to be printed next.

  Next, from the first page (14th page here) written in the page number column to the last page (2nd page here) in order, is set as a check page (steps S42, S51: NO, S54). It is determined whether or not the corresponding attribute information is satisfied (steps S43, S45, S47, and S49). If applicable (S43: YES, S45: YES, S47: YES, S49: YES), “1” is written in the corresponding attribute information column (steps S44, S46, S48, S50). Thereby, the sample output candidate table shown in FIG. 11B is created.

  Next, with reference to the sample output candidate priority table (FIG. 12) prepared in advance, the page with “0” in the item “high priority” is deleted from the sample output candidate table (step S52). . As shown in FIG. 12, since the item “high priority” is “sample output is possible”, the first page of FIG. 11B is deleted.

  Next, pages other than the page having the largest number of “1” in the item “low priority” are deleted from the sample output candidate table (step S53). Here, pages other than the 15th page are deleted. As a result, the 15th page becomes the sample output candidate target page. Accordingly, in step S36 in FIG. 9, the 15th page is determined as a sample output candidate target, and in step S4 in FIG. 6, the 15th page is printed and discharged to the sample output discharge tray. The discharged paper can be the target of recycling. Further, the progress status of the print job can be confirmed from the page number printed on the discharged paper and the content of the image.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, a specific sheet is determined as a sample output target from a predetermined number of pages printed after the sample output timing. It can be performed.

In addition, since a sheet printed in full color is used as a sample output target, it is possible to perform sample output that enables confirmation of color image quality such as the presence or absence of color misregistration.
Furthermore, since a sheet whose toner coverage (image ratio) is equal to or greater than a certain value is a sample output target, it is possible to perform a sample output that can sufficiently check the image quality.

In addition, since the paper printed on both sides is targeted for sample output, it is possible to perform sample output that allows confirmation of the image quality on both the front and back sides.
Furthermore, since a sheet from a specific paper feed port is a sample output target, it is possible to perform sample output on a sheet (for example, a sheet having a specific thickness and quality) that is desired to be used for sample output.

  In addition, since the paper of the same page as the page that has already been sampled in the same job is the target of sample output, it is easy to check the change in image quality of the sample output.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, determination of sample output timing (step S1 in FIG. 6) and determination of sample output target (step S2 in FIG. 6) are executed when a plurality of pages are continuously printed by a print job. is doing. In the second embodiment, when images of all pages in a print job are determined, a sample output target is determined, sample output timing is determined during continuous printing of a plurality of pages, and the timing is determined in advance at that timing. Output the sample output target page.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the sample output target determination process in this embodiment. The basic configuration, schematic functional block diagram, detailed functional block diagram of the image output means, the operation means, and the initial setting screen of the sample output displayed thereon are shown in the first embodiment (FIG. 1). This is the same as FIG.

  As shown in this figure, when all pages in the print job are confirmed (step S61: YES), sample output target setting by the operator is executed (step S62). Here, all pages in the print job are determined when copying, by setting a plurality of originals in the image input means 3 and pressing the copy key of the operation means 6 to set all the pages. When the input of the image information of the original is completed and printing is performed based on the image information stored in the image storage unit 5, the image storage unit 5 stores the print target image information by operating the operation unit 6. This is when a print target page of image information is selected.

  When the image information of all pages in the print job is confirmed, this is displayed on the operation means 6. Further, a screen for setting a sample output page as shown in FIG. 14 is displayed. Here, a part of the confirmed image information (3 pages in the figure) is displayed as a thumbnail. The operator selects an image displayed as a thumbnail by operating the two radio buttons 71, and sets a sample output page by operating the “setting” key 72. If the operator does not wish to select, the “automatic” key 73 is operated.

  When the operator operates the “setting” key 72 to set a sample output target page (step S63: YES), the page is set as a sample output target (step S64), and the “automatic” key is set without setting the page. When 73 is operated (step S63: NO), a sample output target determination process is performed (step S65). In step S65, sample output candidate pages are subjected to the table creation process shown in FIG. 10 for all pages in the print job, and sample output target pages are determined.

  When the sample output target page is determined in this way and the print job starts, the sample output process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 15 is executed. First, the sample output timing is determined (step S71). In step S71, as in the first embodiment, either FIG. 7 or FIG. 8 is executed.

  At the determined timing, the presence / absence of a sample target is determined (step S72). If there is a sample target, the target sheet is printed and discharged to a sample output discharge tray (step S73). Therefore, the page set by the operator by operating the radio button 71 and the “setting” key 72 or the page determined by the processing of FIG. A sample is output every time (FIG. 4) is pressed or every 500 sheets are fed.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, when the images of all the pages in the print job are determined, a specific sheet is determined as a sample output target from all the pages in the print job. It is possible to output a sample most suitable for checking the image quality among all pages in the print job.

  In addition, when all pages in a print job are finalized, paper that is printed in full color is targeted for sample output, so sample output that allows you to check the color image quality of all pages in the print job It can be performed.

  In addition, when the images of all pages in the print job are confirmed, paper with an image ratio of a certain value or more is targeted for sample output, so it is possible to sufficiently check the image quality of all pages in the print job. Sample output.

  In addition, when images of all pages in a print job are confirmed, paper printed on both sides is targeted for sample output, so both the front and back sides of all pages in the print job It is possible to perform sample output that can confirm the image quality.

  Also, when all the pages in the print job are confirmed, the paper from a specific paper feed slot is the target of sample output, so a sample with the paper you want to use for sample output in all pages in the print job Output can be done.

  Furthermore, since the operator can designate a page as a sample output target, sample output can be performed on a sheet on which a page on which the operator wants to check the image quality is printed.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an image forming system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the same or corresponding elements as those in FIG. 2 (first embodiment) are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

  This image forming system includes an image forming apparatus 1 serving as a master and an image forming apparatus 2 serving as a slave. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image input unit 3, an image output unit 4, an image storage unit 5, an operation unit 6, a control unit 7, and a communication unit 8. The image forming apparatus 2 includes an image output unit 9, an image storage unit 10, a control unit 11, and a communication unit 12. The communication unit 8 of the image forming apparatus 1 and the communication unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 2 are connected by a communication path 13 such as a network. Here, the image forming apparatus 2 is fixed to the slave and does not include the operation unit and the image input unit. However, a system configuration in which the relationship between the master and the slave can be changed may be provided. A system configuration in which three or more image forming apparatuses are connected may be employed.

FIG. 17 shows an operation sequence of the image forming apparatus 1 alone.
The control means 7 receives the contents set by the operator from the operation means 6 (procedure a1), and controls the image forming apparatus 1 based on the contents. The control means 7 instructs the image input means 3 to start input (procedure a2). The image input means 3 inputs an image according to this instruction. The image storage means 5 stores the image information input from the image input means 3 (procedure a3), and notifies the control means 7 when the storage is completed (procedure a4). According to the contents set by the operator, the procedures a2 to a4 are repeated until all the image information is input and accumulated.

  The control means 7 receives the accumulation completion notification and requests the image output means 4 to output (print) an image (procedure a5). The request content is determined from the setting received from the operation means 6. When there is a request for image output from the control means 7, the image output means 4 takes out the image information stored in the image storage means 5 in accordance with the requested content (step a 6), and prints it on the paper based on the image information Later, the paper is discharged. Finally, the printing result is notified from the image output means 7 to the control means 7 (procedure a7). In accordance with the contents set by the operator, steps a5 to a7 are repeated until all image information is read out and output.

  FIG. 18 shows an operation sequence of the image forming apparatus 2 serving as a slave when the image information input by the image forming apparatus 1 is shared and printed by the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2. The operation sequence of the master image forming apparatus 1 is the same as that shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 19, a linked copy key 65 is displayed on the screen of the operation unit 6 of the image forming apparatus 1. When the operator sets the linked output with the linked copy key 65, the control means 7 of the image forming apparatus 1 sends an image transmission request (procedure b1) to the image forming apparatus 2 and an output setting transmission (procedure) to the communication means 8. c1).

  Upon receiving an image transmission request from the control means 7, the communication means 8 reads the image information stored in the image storage means 5 (procedure b2) and transmits it to the communication means 12 of the image forming apparatus 2 (procedure b3). When the output setting is transmitted, it is also transmitted to the communication means 12 (procedure c2).

  The communication unit 12 sends the received image information to the image storage unit 10, and the image storage unit 10 stores the image information (procedure b4). When the storage is completed, the image storage means 10 notifies the control means 11 to that effect (procedure b5). The notification of completion of image storage is sent from the control means 11 to the control means 7 of the image forming apparatus 1 via the communication means 12 and the communication means 8 of the image forming apparatus 1 (procedures b6 to b8).

  The communication unit 12 notifies the control unit 11 of the received output setting (procedure c3). The control unit 11 receives the output setting notification and requests the image output unit 9 to output an image (procedure c4).

  The operation when the image output means 9 receives an image output request from the control means 11 (procedures c5 and c6) is the operation when the image output means 3 receives an image output request from the control means 7 (FIG. This is the same as the procedures a6 and a7) of FIG.

  Next, the control unit 11 notifies the communication unit 12 of the printing result (procedure c7). The result is notified to the control means 7 via the communication means 8 (procedures c8 and c9).

  When performing linked copying in this way, if the printing result notified from the image output means 4 is an error for some reason, the control means 7 is capable of printing by the image forming apparatus 2 and the allocated amount is allocated. If the output is completed, the error image is stored in the image storage means 10 via the communication means 8 and 12, and then the output setting request is notified to the control means 11 via the communication means 8 and 12. Thus, recovery printing is performed by the image forming apparatus 2 by outputting from the image forming unit 9. Further, if the printing result notified from the image forming apparatus 2 is an error for some reason, the control means 7 can print on the image forming apparatus 1 and if the output for the allocation has been completed. Then, recovery printing is performed by the image forming apparatus 1 by outputting from the image output means 4.

  In a state where sample output is possible, sample output keys 62 to 64 are displayed on the operation means 6 as shown in FIG. When the operator presses the “sample output: Master” key 63, the sample output is executed by the master image forming apparatus 1, and when the “sample output: Slave” key 64 is pressed, the sample output is output by the slave image forming apparatus 2. Executed. When the “sample output: All” key 62 is pressed, sample output is executed by both the image forming apparatus 1 as a master and the image forming apparatus 2 as a slave.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an operation sequence when the “sample output: Master” key 63 is pressed.
When the operator depresses the “sample output: Master” key 63, the operation means 6 notifies the control means 7 that the “sample output: Master” key 63 has been depressed (step d1).

  When the control means 7 receives a notification that the “sample output: Master” key 63 is pressed, it requests the image output means 4 to output an image twice. The two requests are the same image and the same setting, and only the paper discharge destination is different. That is, the first time requests paper discharge to a paper discharge destination according to the print settings (step d2), and the second time requests paper discharge to a confirmation tray called a sample tray (step d5). However, when making the second image output request, the control means 7 executes the processing shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 10, or FIG. 13 to determine the sample output target paper.

  When receiving the first image output request, the image output unit 4 reads the image information from the image storage unit 5 (step d3), performs printing based on the image information, and discharges the image information to a discharge destination according to the print settings. After that, the printing result is notified to the control means 7 (step d4). When the second image output request is received, printing is performed based on the previously read image information, and the printing result is notified to the control means 7 after the paper is discharged to the sample tray (step d6).

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an operation sequence when the “sample output: Slave” key 64 is pressed.
When the operator presses the “sample output: Slave” key 64, the operation means 6 notifies the control means 7 that the “sample output: Slave” key has been pressed (procedure e1).

  When the control unit 7 receives a notification of pressing of the “sample output: Slave” key 64, the control unit 7 requests the communication unit 8 to send one image transmission (procedure e2) to the image forming apparatus 2 that is a slave and perform two times. Output setting transmission (procedures e6 and e15) is performed. These two output settings are the same image and the same setting, and only the paper discharge destination is different. That is, the first time requests paper discharge to the paper discharge destination according to the print settings, and the second time requests paper discharge to the sample tray.

  When receiving the image transmission request, the communication unit 8 reads the image information from the image storage unit 5 (procedure e3) and transmits it to the communication unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 2 (procedure e4). The communication unit 12 sends the received image information to the image storage unit 10, and the image storage unit 10 stores the received image information (procedure e5).

  The output setting transmitted from the control unit 7 to the communication unit 8 is sent to the control unit 11 via the communication unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 2 (procedure e7 → e8, e16 → e17). Based on the reception of the output setting, the control means 11 transmits an image output request to the image output means 9 (procedures e9 and e18), and the image output means 9 reads image information from the image storage means 10 (procedures e10 and e19). Based on this, printing (image output) is performed, and the first image output request is discharged to the discharge destination according to the print setting, and the second image output request is discharged to the sample tray. Then, the printing result (image output result) is notified to the control means 11 (procedures e11 and e20). Here, when making the second image output request, the control means 11 executes the processing shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 10, or FIG. 13 to determine the sample output target paper.

  The image output result received by the control unit 11 is sent to the control unit 7 via the communication unit 12 and the communication unit 8 of the image forming apparatus 1 as a master (procedures e12 to e14, e21 to e23).

  When the operator depresses the “sample output: All” key 62, the operation means 6 notifies the control means 7 that the “sample output: All” key 62 has been depressed. When the control means 7 receives a notification that the “sample output: All” key 62 has been pressed, it requests the image output means 7 to output an image twice, and the image forming apparatus 2 that is a slave to the communication means 8. 1 time image transmission request and 2 times output setting transmission. As a result, sample output is executed by both the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 in one operation. That is, the control means 7 executes both procedures of FIGS.

  Here, the timing at which the control means 7 executes the procedures of FIGS. 20 and 21 can be changed by the initial setting. If the setting is made so that the sample output image is not matched between the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2, the control means 7 sends an image output request to the image output means 4 immediately after receiving the “sample output: All” key 62 press notification, and communication means. 8, output setting transmission to the image forming apparatus 2 is performed twice. That is, the procedure of both FIG. 20 and FIG. 21 is executed immediately after receiving the notification of pressing the “sample output: All” key 62.

  On the other hand, in the case of setting to match the sample output image between the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2, the page calculated by the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 22 instead of the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 and FIG. Two requests are made when the corresponding image is output. That is, FIG. 20 is executed when the image forming apparatus 1 outputs an image corresponding to the calculated page, and FIG. 21 is executed when the image forming apparatus 2 outputs the image.

  In the page calculation process shown in FIG. 22, in the case of sort printing (step S51: YES), the page number being printed by the image forming apparatus 1 serving as the master is equal to or greater than the page number being printed by the image forming apparatus 2 serving as the slave. If there is (step S52: YES), both the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 are set as the sample output target candidates after the page being printed by the image forming apparatus 1 (step S53), and otherwise (step S52: NO). Both the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 set the next page after the page being printed by the image forming apparatus 2 as a sample output target candidate (step S54). If the print mode is not sort printing (step S51: NO), the next page of the page currently being printed by each of the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 is set as a sample output target candidate (step S55). ).

  As described above, when a print error occurs in the master image forming apparatus 1 during linked copying, recovery printing can be performed in the slave image forming apparatus 2 and the slave image. When a printing error occurs in the forming apparatus 2, recovery printing can be performed in the image forming apparatus 1 that is a master. However, considering that the purpose of the sample output is to confirm the image of the printed matter, even if the sample output is impossible, the purpose is not achieved even if printing is performed with another machine.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, with respect to the image output requested twice for sample output in the image forming apparatus 1, printing for the normal output in which the discharge destination is the normal discharge destination for the image forming apparatus 2. By notifying only the setting, recovery printing of sample output is not performed in the image forming apparatus 2. As for the image output requested twice for the sample output in the image forming apparatus 2, the image forming apparatus 1 is notified of only the print settings for the normal output whose discharge destination is the normal discharge destination. Thus, recovery printing of sample output is not performed in the image forming apparatus 1.

  In order to realize that the recovery printing of the sample output is not performed in the image forming apparatus 2, when the control unit 7 determines to execute the sample output of the page α in the image forming apparatus 1 that is the master, “Sample output by master” is recorded in the sample output management table shown in FIG. Then, the output operation is determined according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, it is determined whether or not the page α can be output by the image forming apparatus 1 (step S61). If it is possible (step S61: YES), whether or not the image forming apparatus 1 performs sample output of the page α. Is determined (step S62). And when performing (step S62: YES), the control means 7 requests | requires the normal output and sample output of page (alpha) with respect to the image output means 4 (step S63). The image output unit 4 transmits the image output result to the control unit 7 after performing normal output and sample output.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 does not perform the sample output of the page α (step S62: NO), the control unit 7 requests only the normal output of the page α from the image output unit 4 (step S66). The image output unit 4 transmits the image output result to the control unit 7 after performing normal output.

  If the image forming apparatus 1 cannot output the page α (step S61: NO), it is determined whether the page α can be output by the slave image forming apparatus 2 (step S67). If it is possible (step S67: YES), the control means 7 requests the communication means 8 to transmit the image of the page α (step S68). In response to this request, steps b2 to b8 in FIG. 18 are executed. Next, the control means 7 requests the communication means 8 to transmit the output setting of the normal output of page α (step S69). In response to this request, steps c3 to c9 in FIG. 18 are executed.

  If it is determined from the received image output result that the printing has been completed normally (step S64: YES), the control means 7 deletes the record of “performing sample output of page α by the master” in the sample output management table (step S64: YES). Step S65). In other words, any one of “normal output and sample output in the image forming apparatus 1”, “normal output only in the image forming apparatus 1”, and “normal output only in the image forming apparatus 2 (recovery printing)” has been completed normally. At that time, the record of page α in the sample output management table is deleted. If it is impossible to output the page α in both the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 (step S61: NO → step S67: NO), the process waits until either one can be output (step S70). .

  In order to realize that recovery printing of sample output is not performed in the image forming apparatus 1, the control unit 7 determines that the image output of the page β is to be executed by the image forming apparatus 2 that is a slave. “Sample output by slave” is recorded in the sample output management table shown in FIG. Then, the output operation is determined according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, it is determined whether or not the page β can be output by the image forming apparatus 2 (step S71). If it is possible (step S71: YES), the control unit 7 requests the communication unit 8 to transmit the image of the page β. (Step S72). In response to this request, steps b2 to b7 in FIG. 18 are executed.

  Next, the control unit 7 determines whether or not the image forming apparatus 2 performs sample output of page β (step S73). And when performing (step S73: YES), the control means 7 requests | requires the image output of page (beta) and the setting transmission of a sample output to the communication means 8 (step S74). In response to this request, e7 to e14 and e16 to e23 in FIG. 21 are executed.

  On the other hand, when the image forming apparatus 2 does not perform sample output of page β (step S73: NO), the control unit 7 requests the communication unit 8 to transmit the setting of image output of page β (step S77). In response to this request, steps e7 to e14 in FIG. 21 are executed.

  When the page β cannot be output by the image forming apparatus 2 (step S71: NO), it is determined whether or not the page β can be output by the image forming apparatus 1 as a master (step S78). If it is possible (step S78: YES), the control means 7 requests only the normal output of the page β from the image output means 4 (step S79). The image output unit 4 transmits the image output result to the control unit 7 after performing normal output.

  When it is determined from the received image output result that the printing has been normally completed (step S75: YES), the control means 7 deletes the record of “performing sample output of page β as a slave” in the sample output management table (step S75: YES). Step S76). In other words, any one of “normal output and sample output in the image forming apparatus 2”, “normal output only in the image forming apparatus 2”, and “normal output only in the image forming apparatus 1 (recovery printing)” has been completed normally. At that time, the record on page β of the sample output management table is deleted. If it is impossible to output page β by both of the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 (step S71: NO → step S78: NO), the process waits until either one can be output (step S80). .

  As described above, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, an operator who performs linked printing with two connected image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 checks the printed matter of the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2. In this case, it is possible to confirm the printed matter for confirmation output from both the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 after performing the sample output operation at one place. In other words, in the past, it was necessary to walk around two operation units and two paper discharge destinations, but according to the present embodiment, one operation unit and two discharge units are required. Only the paper tip is needed, and the movement burden on the operator is reduced.

  In addition, when an operator who performs linked printing in the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 confirms the print image of the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2, two sample output operations can be performed with one operation. Therefore, the work burden on the operator is reduced.

  Furthermore, by performing sample output at a timing at which each of the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 can output a sample, the time until the image output by the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 is performed can be minimized.

  In addition, when performing sort printing in linked printing, the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 are assigned and printed in units of copies, so it is very important that the finish of the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 for the same image information is the same. It is. In the present embodiment, sample output is performed based on the same image information in the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2, so that it can be easily found when there is a difference.

  Furthermore, since the operator can select for each case whether the time until the sample output is performed by the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 is the shortest or the comparison is easy with the same image, the operator can meet the purpose of use. You can choose how to use.

  Further, since recovery printing is not performed for sample output, it is possible to eliminate paper waste.

1 is a diagram illustrating a basic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a detailed functional block diagram of the image output means in FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation means in FIG. It is a figure which shows the initial setting screen of the sample output displayed on an operation means. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the sample output process in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 7 is a flowchart of an example of “determination of sample output timing” processing in FIG. 6. 7 is a flowchart of another example of the “determination of sample output timing” process in FIG. 6. 7 is a flowchart of an example of a “sample output target determination” process in FIG. 6. 10 is a flowchart of an example of a “create sample output target candidate table” process in FIG. 9. It is a figure which shows the sample output object candidate table in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the sample output candidate priority table in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the sample output object determination process in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the screen for setting the sample output page in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the sample output process in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the image forming system of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation sequence of an image forming apparatus alone in a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation sequence of an image forming apparatus serving as a slave when performing linked copying in the third embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on the operation means of the image forming apparatus of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation sequence when a “sample output: Master” key is pressed in an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation sequence when a “sample output: Slave” key is pressed in an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 14 is a flowchart of page calculation processing when a “sample output: All” key is pressed in the image forming apparatus according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the sample output management table in the image forming apparatus of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a control unit of an image forming apparatus serving as a master when a sample output is not recovered by an image forming apparatus serving as a slave in the third embodiment of the present invention. 14 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a control unit of an image forming apparatus serving as a master when a sample output is not recovered by the image forming apparatus serving as a master in the third embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,2 ... Image forming apparatus 7,11 ... Control means 4,9 ... Image output means, 31 ... Paper feeding means, 32 ... Image forming means, 33 ... Exhaust Paper means.

Claims (12)

  A first discharge port for discharging a plurality of continuously printed sheets, and a portion of the printed sheet is discharged as a sample output target sheet for print image confirmation during the continuous printing; A second paper discharge port different from the first paper discharge port, sample output timing determining means for determining timing for performing the sample output, and sample output target paper determining means for determining the sample output target paper. The sample output target paper determination means sets a specific paper as a sample output target from a predetermined number of pages printed after the timing determined by the sample output timing determination means. apparatus.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific sheet is a sheet to be color-printed, a sheet having an image ratio of a certain value or more, a sheet to be printed on both sides, and a sheet fed from a specific sheet feeding port. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the image forming apparatus is at least one of sheets for printing a page that has already been sampled in a print job.   A first discharge port for discharging a plurality of continuously printed sheets, and a portion of the printed sheet is discharged as a sample output target sheet for print image confirmation during the continuous printing; A second paper discharge port different from the first paper discharge port, and sample output target paper determination means for determining the sample output target paper, wherein the sample output target paper determination means An image forming apparatus characterized in that when a page image is determined, a specific sheet is selected as a sample output object from among sheets on which images of all pages are printed.   4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the specific paper is at least one of paper to be printed in color, paper having an image ratio of a certain value or more, paper to be printed on both sides, and paper fed from a specific paper feed port. An image forming apparatus characterized by being one.   4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the sample output target paper determining means includes means for designating a page to be printed on the sample output target paper from among all the pages.   The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a connection output unit that divides and executes one print job by a plurality of units, and operates an operation unit on one image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus comprising connected sample output execution operation means that enables execution of sample output from a plurality of connected image forming apparatuses.   7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the connected sample output execution operation means enables execution of sample output from the plurality of connected image forming apparatuses by a single operation of the operation unit. An image forming apparatus.   7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the connected sample output execution operation means has means for setting whether a plurality of image forming apparatuses perform sample output at the same timing or sample output at individual timing. An image forming apparatus.   9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when an error occurs in the sample output means of a certain image forming apparatus, the sample output means of another image forming apparatus does not perform recovery printing. Image forming apparatus.   A step of performing continuous printing on a plurality of sheets, a step of discharging the plurality of continuously printed sheets to a first discharge port, and printing a part of the printed sheets during the continuous printing. Discharging a sample output target paper for image confirmation to a second paper discharge port different from the first paper discharge port, determining a timing for performing the sample output, and sample output target paper Determining the sample output target paper, wherein a specific paper is selected as a sample output target from a predetermined number of pages printed after the timing determined by the timing determining step. An image forming method.   A step of performing continuous printing on a plurality of sheets, a step of discharging the plurality of continuously printed sheets to a first discharge port, and printing a part of the printed sheets during the continuous printing. A sample output target paper for image confirmation, a step of discharging the paper to a second paper discharge port different from the first paper discharge port, and a step of determining the sample output target paper; The step of determining a sheet includes, when the images of all pages to be continuously printed are determined, a sheet on which a specific image is printed out of the images of all pages as a sample output target. .   The program for making the computer of an image forming apparatus perform each process of Claim 10 or 11.

Images