JP2009075351A - Image forming apparatus, image forming system, and control method of image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming system capable of shortening delay time of FPOT by switching operation in accordance with a color mode when allowing an image forming apparatus to perform printing processing by using an external device. <P>SOLUTION: A client PC informs the image forming apparatus of the kind of a selected printer driver (S102) before the start of printing is designated. The image forming apparatus determines whether the informed kind of the printer driver is the one for color printing or for monochrome printing (S112), and performs switching operation (S113 and S114) before starting the printing processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and an image forming apparatus control method, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming modes, an image forming system including the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus. Relates to the control method.

  As an image forming apparatus for performing color printing, there are a general color printer, a color MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) which is a color multifunction peripheral, and the like. These image forming apparatuses have a color printing mode and a monochrome printing mode as color modes for printing (color modes).

  These color modes are switched and set according to the print setting of the user. For example, when a printed document is used publicly or used as a distribution material for presentation, printing is often performed in a color printing mode with emphasis on ease of viewing and beauty. On the other hand, when used as personal browsing materials or memos, printing is often performed in a monochrome printing mode with an emphasis on reducing the amount of consumables such as toner and increasing the printing speed.

  Furthermore, such an image forming apparatus may be placed in an environment used by a plurality of users via a network, such as an office environment. In such a case, for the purpose of reducing the amount of consumables used, for example, a specific user such as a manager or a specific external device such as an applied device is used in the color printing mode. It can be used, and other than that, it is forcibly used in the monochrome printing mode.

  In each of these modes, the consumables to be used and the image generation control are different. Therefore, it is necessary to switch control for conveying a sheet, control of an image generation process, and the like depending on the mode. Among the controls that need to be switched, there is a process that needs to be switched before printing is started. That is, the switching operation is started after receiving a setting instruction from the user, and printing is started after the switching operation is completed. For this reason, when the image forming apparatus is in a print standby state and the mode needs to be switched depending on the setting of the next print job, the start of printing is delayed by the time required for the switching operation. As a result, the first printout time (hereinafter referred to as FPOT), which is the time from the printing instruction to the completion of printing the first sheet, is delayed.

  In order to shorten the delay time of FPOT, in an image forming apparatus using a coin vendor as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-147966 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1), depending on the amount of money inserted. A technique has been proposed in which a copy mode that will be set in advance is predicted, and necessary functions in the image forming apparatus are set in a standby state in accordance with the prediction.

Further, the color mode is analyzed by analyzing the contents of a print mode instructed from an external device such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as PC) as disclosed in JP-A-2005-94698 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 2). Has been proposed in advance to determine whether the printing mode is monochrome printing mode or color printing mode, and to start switching processing such as recording material conveyance control and fixing temperature control before the image data generation processing of the document is started. Yes.
JP 2000-147966 A JP 2005-94698 A

  However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 or the like cannot be applied to an image forming apparatus that does not use a coin vendor. That is, this technique cannot be applied when the mode setting of the image forming apparatus is performed by another general external apparatus such as a PC, which is not a coin vendor. Therefore, even if the technique of Patent Document 1 is used, such an image forming apparatus does not solve the problem that the start of printing is delayed.

  Further, in the technique of Patent Document 2, since the process is performed based on information acquired when the user performs mode setting in the user setting in which many setting items exist, the color is set immediately before the user starts printing. When the print mode setting is determined, it takes time for the switching process after the setting is made, and there is still a problem that the start of printing is delayed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and in an image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming modes with different controls, a first printout is a time from a print instruction to printing a first page. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and an image forming apparatus control method capable of increasing the time (FPOT).

  In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes a forming unit that forms printable image data based on an input image signal, and a color mode for printing the image data. An image forming apparatus having a color printing mode and a monochrome printing mode, and further comprising a switching unit that executes a switching operation for switching printing control in accordance with the color mode, wherein the forming unit forms image data. Before that, the first acquisition means for acquiring information indicating the type of the printer driver selected by the other device from another device, and whether the printer driver is for color printing or monochrome based on the type of the printer driver. Judgment means for judging whether it is for printing, and the switching means executes a switching operation in accordance with the judgment result of the judgment means.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes a forming unit that forms printable image data based on an input image signal, and a color print mode and a monochrome print mode are used as color modes for printing the image data. The image forming apparatus further includes a switching unit that executes a switching operation for switching the printing control according to the color mode, and before the image data is formed in the forming unit, the other unit The switching means further includes: a second acquisition unit that acquires the identification information of the instruction source; and a determination unit that determines whether the instruction source is permitted to perform color printing based on the identification information of the instruction source. The switching operation is executed according to the determination result of the determination means.

  Preferably, the second acquisition unit acquires the identification information of the instruction source from header information of data transmitted from another device.

  Preferably, the identification information of the instruction source is an IP address of the other device. Alternatively, preferably, the identification information of the instruction source is identification information of a user who uses the other device.

  Preferably, the image forming apparatus includes, for each identification information of the instruction source, a storage unit that stores information for specifying whether or not to allow color printing, and a print instruction for instructing color printing from the first instruction source. And a registration unit that stores the identification information of the first instruction source in the storage unit so as to permit color printing when the predetermined number of times is reached.

Preferably, the image forming apparatus further includes a rotary developing rack on which a plurality of color toners are mounted, and a control unit that controls a mechanism for rotating the developing rack, and the developing rack has a standby position in the rotation direction. There is a color printing start position and a monochrome printing start position, and the switching operation is controlled by the control means, the development rack position is rotated from the standby position to the color printing start position, and monochrome printing is performed from the standby position. This is an operation of switching between the control to rotate to the start position.

  Preferably, the image forming apparatus transfers an image formed on the image carrier of each image forming unit, and an image forming unit for monochrome printing and an image forming unit for color printing, each including an image carrier. An intermediate transfer body on which paper is conveyed or an image is directly transferred, a pressure contact state in which the intermediate transfer body is pressed against both an image forming unit for monochrome printing and an image forming unit for color printing, and monochrome printing. A press-contact / separation mechanism for switching between the press-contact / separation mechanism and a separation state separated from the image-printing unit for color printing, and a control means for controlling the press-contact / separation mechanism. The control by the means is switched between the control for bringing the intermediate transfer member into a pressure contact state and the control for bringing the intermediate transfer member into a separated state.

  According to still another aspect of the invention, the image forming system is an image forming system including an image forming apparatus and an instruction device connected to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus is a color for printing image data. The mode includes a color printing mode and a monochrome printing mode, and further includes a switching unit that executes a switching operation for switching printing control according to the color mode, and the instruction device includes a receiving unit that receives a selection of a printer driver; A notification unit configured to notify the image forming apparatus of information indicating the type of the selected printer driver; and an instruction unit configured to instruct the image forming apparatus to start printing after the notification. Based on the type of printer driver notified from the apparatus, a determination method for determining whether the printer driver is for color printing or monochrome printing. DOO further comprising a switching means performs a switching operation according to the judgment result of the judgment means.

  According to still another aspect of the invention, the image forming system is an image forming system including an image forming apparatus and an instruction device connected to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus is a color for printing image data. The mode further includes a color printing mode and a monochrome printing mode, and further includes switching means for executing a switching operation for switching the printing control in accordance with the color mode, and the instruction device includes identification information of an instruction source that issues a printing instruction. A transmission unit that transmits information to the image forming apparatus; and an instruction unit that instructs the image forming apparatus to start printing after transmission of the information indicating the identification information. An acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the identification information; and a determination unit that determines whether the instruction source is permitted to perform color printing based on the identification information. For example, the switching means performs the switching operation according to the judgment result of the judgment means.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling an image forming apparatus is a method for controlling an image forming apparatus including a forming unit that forms printable image data based on an input image signal. The forming apparatus has a color printing mode and a monochrome printing mode as color modes for printing image data, and further includes a switching unit that executes a switching operation for switching print control in accordance with the color mode. Before forming data, a step of obtaining information indicating the type of the printer driver selected by the other device from another device, and the printer driver for color printing based on the type of the printer driver. Or for monochrome printing, and a step of executing a switching operation according to the result of the determination.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling an image forming apparatus is a method for controlling an image forming apparatus including a forming unit that forms printable image data based on an input image signal. The forming apparatus has a color printing mode and a monochrome printing mode as color modes for printing image data, and further includes a switching unit that executes a switching operation for switching print control in accordance with the color mode. Before the data is formed, the step of acquiring the identification information of the instruction source that issues the print instruction from another apparatus, and whether or not the instruction source is permitted to perform color printing based on the identification information of the instruction source And a step of executing a switching operation according to the result of the determination.

  According to the present invention, when a print instruction is given to the image forming apparatus using a personal computer or the like as an external apparatus, the first printout time (FPOT) delay time due to the switching operation according to the color mode can be shortened.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts and components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a specific example of the internal configuration of a four-cycle color laser printer (hereinafter abbreviated as a printer) as an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the internal configuration of the printer according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of the configuration of the image forming system according to the present embodiment. 6 and 7 are diagrams for explaining a part of the operation of the printer.

  Referring to FIG. 3, the image forming system according to the present embodiment includes a printer 2 and client computers (hereinafter referred to as client PCs) 201A, 201B, and 201C (represented by client PC 201 connected to each other via a network 200). And so on).

  In the present embodiment, the network 200 is assumed to be a local network (LAN), and the connection form may be wired or wireless. The network 200 may be a wide area network (WAN), or may be one using the Internet, an intranet, or the like.

  Note that the image forming system according to the present embodiment is not limited to the system configuration shown in FIG. 3. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the client PC 201 </ b> A and the printer 2 connected one-to-one with the communication cable 210. The structure which consists of may be sufficient. In this case, the communication form using the communication cable 210 includes serial communication using a bus represented by USB (Universal Serial Bus), parallel communication, and the like.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a printer 2 includes a photosensitive drum 6 that is connected to a drive motor (not shown) and is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow A, as an image carrier, at a substantially central portion inside. Around the photosensitive drum 6, along the rotational direction A, a charging device 8 that uniformly charges the surface of the rotating drum 6 and an electrostatic latent image of each color are sequentially formed on the photosensitive drum 6. And a developing unit 12 for sequentially supplying each color toner to the photosensitive drum 6 to visualize the electrostatic latent image, a primary transfer roller 14, and a cleaner 16. Is done. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the charging device 8 is a corona charger. The drive motor is driven in accordance with a control signal from the CPU 120 (FIG. 2). Accordingly, the rotation of the photosensitive drum 6 is controlled by a control signal from the CPU 120.

The exposure unit 10 selectively irradiates the photosensitive drum 6 with laser light in accordance with a control signal from the CPU 120 (FIG. 2). Specifically, when an image signal is input from an external device such as the client PC 201 to the communication unit 113 (FIG. 2) of the printer 2 via the network 200, or the input key 111b (FIG. 2) of the external device or the printer 2 or the like. 2 is acquired from the storage unit 123 (FIG. 2) or the like of the printer 2, the CPU 120 functions as the image signal processing unit, executes image signal processing, and can print based on the image signal. Image data is formed. Examples of the image signal processing include development of image signals into bitmap data (RIP), color conversion of image signals input as RGB data into CMYK data, and the like. A drive circuit (not shown) included in the CPU 120 outputs a control signal for exposing the photosensitive drum 6 for each color to the exposure unit 10 based on the generated image data. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image is formed for each color on the surface of the photosensitive drum 6 based on the image data.

  The developing unit 12 has a yellow (Y), a magenta (M), a cyan (C), and a black (K) that are sequentially attached to the developing rack 22 while being shifted counterclockwise by 90 degrees in FIG. ) 4 developing devices 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K (representing these as the developing devices 21). Further, each developing device 21 includes a developing roller 26 to which a predetermined bias voltage is appropriately applied from a bias power source (not shown). The developing roller 26 is disposed at a position of each developing device 21 close to or in contact with the photosensitive drum 6. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the developing rack 22. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, the developing rack 22 is connected to a drive motor (not shown), and can rotate in the counterclockwise direction around the shaft 24, which is the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 6. is there. Further, the developing roller 26 is connected to a drive motor (not shown) and can rotate in the counterclockwise direction, which is the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 6, with the center as the rotation shaft. As shown in FIG. 6, the position where the developing roller 26 is disposed is the developing position of each developing device 21. The drive motor is driven in accordance with a control signal from the CPU 120 (FIG. 2). Accordingly, the rotation of the developing rack 22 and the developing roller 26 is controlled by a control signal from the CPU 120.

  Specifically, each time an electrostatic latent image of each color is formed on the photosensitive drum 6 by the control signal from the CPU 120, the developing rack 22 causes the developing roller 26 of the developing unit 21 corresponding to the color to be the photosensitive drum. 6 is rotated to a position close to or in contact with 6. FIGS. 7A to 7D are diagrams for explaining the position of the developing device 21 at the time of developing each color. FIG. 7A shows black (K) and FIG. 7B shows yellow (Y 7C is a diagram for explaining the position of the developing unit 21 when developing a magenta (M) and FIG. 7D developing cyan (C) toner image. When the color mode of the printer 2 is a color printing mode for performing color printing, as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D, the developing position of the developing device 21 corresponding to the color to be developed is The developing rack 22 is rotated and moved to the position facing the photosensitive drum 6 sequentially in the order of the developing units 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K, and stopped at that position. As a result, the toner of each color is sequentially supplied to the photosensitive drum 6, and a four-color toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 6. Here, when development is performed in the order of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), the development position of the developing unit 21Y shown in FIG. A position in the rotation direction of the developing rack 22 that is at a position facing the drum 6 is defined as a “color printing start position”.

  When the color mode of the printer 2 is a monochrome printing mode for performing monochrome printing (for example, only black (K)), as shown in FIG. 7A, the developing rack 22 is set so that the developing device 21K is at the developing position. Will rotate. As a result, black (K) toner is supplied to the photosensitive drum 6, and a black (K) toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 6. Here, when the monochrome printing is monochrome (K) only, the developing rack 22 shown in FIG. 7A has the developing position of the developing device 21K facing the photosensitive drum 6. The position in the rotation direction is defined as “monochrome printing start position”.

In a standby state in which printing is not being performed, the CPU 120 stops the development rack 22 with the position in the rotation direction set to the “standby position”. In the printer 2 according to the present embodiment,
As the switching operation according to the color mode, the CPU 120 controls the rotation of the developing rack 22, the control of rotating the developing rack 22 from the “standby position” to the “color printing start position”, and the “monochrome printing” from the “standby position” The operation of switching the control to rotate to the “start position” is performed.

  Preferably, the “standby position” is the position in the rotation direction of the developing rack 22 reversed by 45 ° from the position where the developing position of the developing unit 21Y is opposed to the photosensitive drum 6 as shown in FIG. This is the position moved in the direction (clockwise direction). By setting the “standby position” to FIG. 7E, when printing is started as the color print mode, the CPU 120 moves the developing rack 22 counterclockwise from the “standby position” to the “color print start position”. When controlling to rotate 45 ° and starting printing as a black (K) monochrome printing mode, control is performed to rotate 45 ° clockwise from the “standby position” to the “monochrome printing start position”. That is, the amount of movement of the developing rack 22 corresponding to the color mode can be minimized.

  Note that the “standby position” is not limited to the position shown in FIG. 7E and may be any position. For example, a specific position may not be set, and a position where the developing position of the developing unit 21 used last in the previous printing is opposed to the photosensitive drum 6 may be set as the “standby position”.

  The primary transfer roller 14 is disposed so as to face the rotating drum 6 with the intermediate transfer belt 18 interposed therebetween. The primary transfer roller 14 presses the intermediate transfer belt 18 against the photosensitive drum 6 to bring the photosensitive drum 6 and the intermediate transfer belt 18 into close contact with each other, and the toner attached as a toner image on the photosensitive drum 6 is applied to the intermediate transfer belt 18. Transcript. This transfer is called primary transfer. A predetermined bias voltage is appropriately applied to the primary transfer roller 14 from a bias power source (not shown). The cleaner 16 includes a blade 20 that contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 6, and scrapes off toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 6 after being transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 18.

  The intermediate transfer belt 18 is an endless belt, and is supported and suspended on the outer peripheral portions of the primary transfer roller 14 and the conveying rollers 28, 30, and 32. The conveyance roller 28 is a tension roller that applies tension to the intermediate transfer belt 18. The transport roller 32 is connected to a drive motor (not shown) and is driven to rotate. As the transport roller 32 rotates, the other rollers 14, 28, 32 are driven to rotate. The intermediate transfer belt 18 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow B by the rotation of these rollers.

  A paper feed cassette 48 is detachably disposed below the printer 2. The sheets S stacked and accommodated in the sheet feeding cassette 48 are conveyed one by one from the uppermost one by the rotation of the sheet feeding roller 50, and are discharged to the sheet discharge unit 60. A conveyance roller pair 54, a timing roller pair 56, a fixing roller pair 57, and a paper discharge roller pair 58 are arranged in this order across the conveyance path 52 from the paper feed cassette 48 to the paper discharge unit 60. The paper feed roller 50, the secondary transfer roller 44, and the transport roller 32 are connected to a drive motor (not shown) and are driven to rotate. Due to the rotation of these rollers, the paper S is transported through the transport path 52 and discharged to the paper discharge unit 60. The drive motor is driven in accordance with a control signal from the CPU 120 (FIG. 2). Accordingly, the rotation of the transport roller pair 54, the timing roller pair 56, the fixing roller pair 57, the paper discharge roller pair 58, the paper feed roller 50, the secondary transfer roller 44, and the transport roller 32 is controlled by a control signal from the CPU 120. .

The secondary transfer roller 44 is disposed so as to face the conveyance roller 32 with the intermediate transfer belt 18 interposed therebetween. A predetermined bias voltage is applied to the secondary transfer roller 44 from a bias power source (not shown), and a secondary transfer region 46 is formed at the nip portion between the transport roller 32 and the intermediate transfer belt 18. The secondary transfer roller 44 can contact and separate from the intermediate transfer belt 18. When the secondary transfer roller 44 is brought into pressure contact with the intermediate transfer belt 18, the sheet S conveyed through the conveyance path 52 and passing through the secondary transfer region 46 is brought into close contact with the intermediate transfer belt 18, and is then placed on the intermediate transfer belt 18. The formed toner image is transferred onto the paper S. This transfer is called secondary transfer. The fixing roller pair 57 fixes the second-transferred toner image on the paper S.

  A blade 47 is disposed at a portion of the intermediate transfer belt 18 supported by the conveyance roller 30 so as to be able to contact and separate from the intermediate transfer belt 18. The blade 47 is brought into pressure contact with the intermediate transfer belt 18 so that the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 18 after the secondary transfer is scraped off.

  Referring to FIG. 2, printer 2 includes an operation panel 111 for inputting operation instructions and for displaying. The operation panel 111 includes a display panel 111a for displaying device status and the like, and an input key 111b for inputting various settings.

  The printer 2 further includes a printing unit (print engine) 112 for printing an image, a communication unit 113 for communicating with the client PC 201 and the like via the network 200, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) for controlling the entire printer 2. 120, and a random access memory (RAM) 121, a read only memory (ROM) 122, and a storage unit 123, which are connected to the bus 114.

  The storage unit 123 includes a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM, and stores and stores various adjustment values in the printer 2 and various setting values by the user. Further, programs executed by the CPU 120 are stored in the RAM 121, the ROM 122, the storage unit 123, and the like.

  The communication unit 113 receives a print instruction or image data from the client PC 201 via the network 200 or the communication cable 210, or transmits a status of the printer 2 to the client PC 201 via the network 200 or the communication cable 210. Etc. As a result, the printer 2 can perform a printing operation through communication from the external device such as the client PC 201 via the network 200 or serial communication via the communication cable 210 such as USB.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of the internal configuration of the client PC 201. Referring to FIG. 5, a client PC 201 includes a CPU 230 for controlling the entire apparatus, a ROM 232, a RAM 233, a display device 234, an input device 235 such as a keyboard and a mouse, a communication device 236 for performing external network communication, USB communication, etc., a program And a hard disk device (HDD) 237 having a hard disk for storing files and the like, and a CD device 238 for accessing the compact disk (CD) 238a, which are connected to the bus 231.

  As a program stored in a hard disk included in the hard disk device 237, a storage medium such as the compact disk 238a, an OS (Operating System) not shown, various applications 241, a printer driver 242, which is a program for creating print job data, And a print job processing program 243 for processing a print job, and stored files include a file 244 created by the application 241, print job information 245 created by the client PC 201 itself, and print job information received from the printer 2. 246 and the like are included. FIG. 5 shows a case where these pieces of information are stored in a hard disk included in the hard disk device 237.

  In the present embodiment, processing when the user designates the printer 2 and executes printing from the client PC 201A in the image forming system will be described as the first embodiment and the second embodiment. .

[First Embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 123 of the printer 2 according to the first embodiment includes information on a printer driver, and the printer driver is a printer driver for performing color printing. Printer driver information 124 which is a printer driver for performing printing or information defining the correspondence between the printer type and the color mode is stored in advance. The printer driver information 124 may be information that is stored in a non-rewritable area of the storage unit 123 and cannot be rewritten by an input operation on the operation panel 111, or is stored in a rewritable area. The update may be performed based on an operation signal based on an input operation on the operation panel 111 or a signal transmitted from the client PC 201 via the network and received by the communication unit 113. The update of the printer driver information 124 may be permitted only to a specific user such as an administrator.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining processing when the printer 2 is designated from the client PC 201 and the printer 2 executes print processing in the image forming system shown in FIG. 3 in the first embodiment. FIG. 8A is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the client PC 201 in the first embodiment. FIG. 8B is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the printer 2. The process shown in FIG. 8A is realized by the CPU 230 of the client PC 201 executing the application 241 stored in, for example, a hard disk included in the hard disk device 237 and controlling each unit shown in FIG. . Further, the process shown in FIG. 8B is realized by the CPU 120 of the printer 2 executing a program stored in the storage unit 123, for example, and controlling each unit shown in FIG.

  When the user operates the client PC 201 to perform printing, for example, the user selects an application for executing a print function from the application 241 in the input device 235 of the client PC 201, and the printer driver of the desired printer 2 An operation for designating 242 is performed.

  Referring to FIG. 8A, in client PC 201, application 241 of client PC 201 outputs an operation signal based on an input operation for selecting printer driver 242 for causing printer 2 to perform print processing from input device 235. Accept (step S100). The CPU 230 activates the printer driver 242 selected in step S100, requests information indicating the state of the apparatus from the printer 2 via the printer driver 242, and acquires information from the printer 2 in response to the request. (Step S101). The state of the printer 2 acquired in step S101 includes, for example, an idling state and a state where an error has occurred.

  Further, when the printer driver 242 selected in step S100 is selected, the CPU 230 transmits information specifying the type of the printer driver 242 from the communication device 236 to the printer 2 via the network 200 (step S102). . Thereafter, normal processing according to the printer driver 242 is executed, and an image signal to be printed or a signal designating image data stored in the printer 2 is transmitted to the printer 2 for printing. The start of processing is instructed.

With reference to FIG. 8B, in the printer 2, the communication unit 113 receives the information specifying the type of the selected printer driver 242 transmitted from the client PC 201 in step S102 via the network 200. (YES in step S111). Then, the CPU 120 refers to the printer driver information 124 stored in the storage unit 123, and the printer driver 242 selected by the client PC 201 from the type of the printer driver 242 specified by the information received in step S111 is It is determined whether the driver is a printer driver for performing color printing or a printer driver for performing monochrome printing (step S112).

  The CPU 120 of the printer 2 performs a switching operation for switching control for rotating the developing rack 22 based on the determination result in step S112, and generates and outputs a control signal. Specifically, when it is determined that the printer driver 242 is a printer driver for performing color printing (YES in step S112), the CPU 120 shows the position of the developing rack 22 in the rotational direction as shown in FIG. Then, the control is switched from the standby position to the color printing start position shown in FIG. 7D, and a control signal for performing the operation is output to the drive motor to which the developing rack 22 is connected. 22 is moved to the color printing start position (step S113).

  If it is determined that the printer driver 242 is a printer driver for performing monochrome printing (NO in step S112), the CPU 120 determines the position of the developing rack 22 in the rotational direction as the standby position shown in FIG. 7A to 7A, the control is switched to the monochrome printing start position shown in FIG. 7A, and a control signal for performing the operation is output to the drive motor to which the developing rack 22 is connected, so that the developing rack 22 is monochrome. Move to the print start position (step S114).

  Thereafter, in the printer 2, an image signal to be printed is specified based on a signal from the client PC 201. When an instruction to start printing is received, image signal processing is executed to form printable image data. Is done.

  The above processing is processing when the image forming system has a configuration in which the client PC 201 and the printer 2 are connected via the network 200 shown in FIG. 3, but as shown in FIG. The same processing may be performed even in an image forming system having a configuration in which the printer 2 and the client PC 201 are connected one-to-one with the communication cable 210.

  By executing the above processing in the image forming system according to the first embodiment, at the timing when the printer driver is selected on the client PC 201, the printer 2 determines whether color printing or monochrome printing is performed based on the type of the printer driver. Thus, the color mode switching operation in the printer 2 can be performed before printable image data is formed. Therefore, in the printer 2, when the start of the printing process is instructed after the printer driver is selected, the printing process can be started quickly, and it is the time from the printing instruction to the printing of the first page. First printout time (FPOT) can be increased.

[Second Embodiment]
The storage unit 123 of the printer 2 according to the second embodiment stores color printing permission information 125, which is identification information of an instruction source that permits color printing, as shown in FIG. The “instruction source” corresponds to, for example, an external device of the printer 2. In this case, the information included in the header information of the data communication corresponds to the identification information on the network 200 of the client PC as the identification information of “instruction source”, and is preferably an IP address. Further, the “instruction source” corresponds to a user who permits color printing, for example. In this case, the identification information on the network 200 of the user as the “instruction source” identification information corresponds to information included in the header information of the data communication, and is preferably a login user name.

  The color printing permission information 125 is input or updated based on an operation signal based on an input operation on the operation panel 111 or a signal transmitted from the client PC 201 via the network and received by the communication unit 113. The input or update of the color printing permission information 125 may be performed by a specific user such as an administrator. Further, as a method for updating the color printing permission information 125, the following method can be cited. Specifically, the CPU 120 counts the number of times (or the number of sheets) of color printing for each client PC based on a signal from a counter (not shown), and stores the number of times (or the number of sheets) of color printing for each client PC in the storage unit 123. Remember information. The information on the number of times (or the number of sheets) of color printing for each client PC corresponds to, for example, the correspondence between the IP address and the number of times (or the number of sheets) of color printing as the identification information of the client PC. The storage unit 123 stores a preset threshold value for the number of times of color printing (or the number of sheets), and the CPU 120 allows the client whose number of times of color printing (or the number of sheets) is equal to or greater than the threshold value. There is a method in which identification information (IP address) of a PC is automatically added to the color printing permission information 125 and updated as a client PC that permits color printing.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining processing when the printer 2 is designated from the client PC 201 and print processing is executed in the printer 2 in the image forming system shown in FIG. 3 in the second embodiment. FIG. 9A is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the client PC 201 in the second embodiment. FIG. 9B is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the printer 2. The processing shown in FIG. 9A is realized by the CPU 230 of the client PC 201 executing the application 241 stored in, for example, a hard disk included in the hard disk device 237 and controlling each unit shown in FIG. . 9B is realized by the CPU 120 of the printer 2 executing a program stored in the storage unit 123, for example, and controlling each unit shown in FIG.

  When the user operates the client PC 201 to perform printing, for example, the user performs an operation of selecting an application for executing a print function from the applications 241 in the input device 235 of the client PC 201.

  Referring to FIG. 9A, in client PC 201, application 241 of client PC 201 receives an operation signal based on an input operation for causing printer 2 to perform print processing from input device 235 (step S200). Similar to the first embodiment, the CPU 230 requests information indicating the state of the apparatus from the printer 2 and acquires information from the printer 2 in response to the request (step S201).

  Subsequently, the CPU 230 transmits information indicating its own IP address as information for specifying the client PC 201 from the communication device 236 to the printer 2 via the network 200 (step S202). Thereafter, normal processing according to the printer driver 242 is executed, and an image signal to be printed or a signal designating image data stored in the printer 2 is transmitted to the printer 2 for printing. The start of processing is instructed.

  Referring to FIG. 9B, in printer 2, information indicating the IP address transmitted in step S202 from client PC 201 is acquired in communication unit 113 via network 200 (YES in step S211). Then, the CPU 120 refers to the color printing permission information 125 stored in the storage unit 123 and determines whether or not the client PC 201 identified by the IP address received in step S211 is a client PC that is permitted to perform color printing. Judgment is made (step S212).

The CPU 120 of the printer 2 performs a switching operation for switching control for rotating the developing rack 22 based on the determination result in step S212, and generates and outputs a control signal. Specifically, when it is determined that the client PC 201 is a client PC that is permitted to perform color printing (YES in step S212), the CPU 120 indicates the position in the rotation direction of the developing rack 22 in FIG. Then, the control is switched from the standby position to the color printing start position shown in FIG. 7D, and a control signal for performing the operation is output to the drive motor to which the developing rack 22 is connected. 22 is moved to the color printing start position (step S213).

  When it is determined that the client PC 201 is not a client PC that is permitted to perform color printing (NO in step S212), the CPU 120 shows the position in the rotation direction of the developing rack 22 as a switching operation in FIG. The control is switched from the standby position set to the monochrome printing start position shown in FIG. 7A, and a control signal for performing the operation is output to the drive motor connected to the development rack 22 for development. The rack 22 is moved to the monochrome printing start position (step S214).

  Thereafter, in the printer 2, an image signal to be printed is specified based on a signal from the client PC 201. When an instruction to start printing is received, image signal processing is executed to form printable image data. Is done.

  9A and 9B, the client PC 201 transmits information indicating its own IP address to the printer 2 in step S202, and the printer 2 in step S211. Obtains the IP address of the client PC 201 from the information, but since the information for identifying itself on the network 200 such as the IP address is included in the header information of the communication data, the printer 2 performs step S211 described above. Thus, the IP address of the client PC 201 may be acquired from the header information of the request made from the client PC 201 to the printer 2 in step S201. In that case, the process of step S202 may not be performed.

  When the above processing is executed in the image forming system according to the second embodiment, the client PC 201 is permitted to perform color printing at the timing when the client PC 201 is selected to perform the printing process by the printer 2. Whether the printer is a PC or not is determined by the printer 2, and the color mode switching operation of the printer 2 can be performed before printable image data is formed. Therefore, the printer 2 can start the printing process quickly when the printer 2 is instructed to start the printing process after the printer 2 is selected to perform the printing process, and the first page is printed from the printing instruction. The first printout time (FPOT), which is the time until printing, can be increased.

[Modification]
In the above example, it is assumed that the printer 2 is a four-cycle color laser printer, and each time an electrostatic latent image of each color is formed on the photosensitive drum 6, the developing roller of the developing unit 21 corresponding to that color. It is assumed that the developing rack 22 rotates and moves to a position where 26 is close to or in contact with the photosensitive drum 6. Therefore, the CPU 120 of the printer 2 rotates the developing rack 22 depending on whether the printer driver 242 selected by the client PC 201 is a printer driver for performing color printing or a printer driver for performing monochrome printing. A switching operation for switching the control to be performed is performed.

  However, the printer as the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is not limited to the 4-cycle color laser printer, and may be a printer of another form. As another type of printer, for example, a tandem color printer may be used. The configuration in that case will be described below.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a specific example of a configuration in the vicinity of an intermediate transfer belt of a tandem color printer as an image forming apparatus according to a modification. Referring to FIG. 10, in the tandem color printer, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images are respectively transferred along the intermediate transfer belt. Image forming units 61Y, 61M, 61C, and 61K including the printing paper conveyed by the transfer belt 18 or the photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 18 are disposed (each image forming unit). In addition to the photosensitive drum, each includes a charging charger, a developing device, a primary transfer roller, and the like (not shown). Here, the intermediate transfer belt 18 is supported and suspended on the outer peripheral portions of the rollers 30 and 32. The rollers 30 and 32 rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 10, and the intermediate transfer belt 18 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow A, that is, counterclockwise in FIG. The roller 30 is arranged on the left side in FIG. 10, and the roller 32 is arranged on the right side in FIG. The roller 32 side is the upstream side, and the roller 30 side is the downstream side.

  The arrangement order of the image forming units 61Y, 61M, and 61C (referred to as color printing image forming units) for forming yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) toner images is not limited. An image forming unit 61K (referred to as an image forming unit for monochrome printing) that forms a black (K) toner image is arranged on the most downstream side among the image forming units 61Y, 61M, 61C, and 61K.

  The rollers 30 and 32 are rotatably supported on the side plate 150 of the swing frame 15. In FIG. 10, for the sake of explanation, the swing frame 15 is shown in a state of being cut at the center in the axial direction of the rollers 30 and 32. The swing frame 15 is held so as to be swingable in the direction of arrow B around the rotation shaft 62K of the photosensitive drum 6K included in the image forming unit 61K. Further, the swing frame 15 is biased upward by a tension spring 17 connected to the upstream end. The peripheral surface of the cam plate 19 is in contact with the upper surface of the bottom plate 151. The cam plate 19 is connected to a motor (not shown) and is rotated according to a control signal from the CPU 120. As the cam plate 19 rotates, the swing frame 15 swings in the direction of arrow B. Accordingly, the intermediate transfer belt 18 is separated from the photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, and 6C (which are referred to as color photosensitive drums) included in the color printing image forming unit according to a control signal from the CPU 120, or pressed. Or The notch 152 is provided so that the drive shaft 191 of the cam plate 19 does not interfere with the swing operation of the swing frame 15. Since the swing frame 15 swings about the rotation shaft 62K of the photosensitive drum 6K, the intermediate transfer belt 18 and the photosensitive drum 6K are not affected by the swing operation of the swing frame 15, and It is always in a pressure contact state.

  Whether the intermediate transfer belt 18 is in pressure contact with or separated from the color photosensitive drum, for example, when the swing frame 15 is in each position, it engages with the swing frame 15 and turns on. It can be determined by arranging two limit switches so that the output signal of the switch is detected by the CPU 120 of the printer.

When the printer as the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is a tandem type color printer having such a configuration, the swing frame 15, the tension spring 17, the cam plate 19, and the motor connected to the cam plate 19 are The intermediate transfer belt 18 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 6K included in the monochrome printing image forming unit and the color photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, and 6C included in the color printing imaging unit, and the photosensitive drum. It functions as a press-separation mechanism that switches to a separated state in which the color photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, and 6C are separated from each other by being pressed against 6K. When the CPU 120 determines that the printer driver 242 selected by the client PC 201 is a printer driver for performing color printing as a switching operation for switching the printing control, the motor to which the cam plate 19 serving as the pressure contact / separation mechanism is connected is described. A control signal is output to swing the swing frame 15 so that the intermediate transfer belt 18 is pressed against the color photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, and 6C. If the printer driver 242 determines that the printer driver is for monochrome printing, the swing frame 15 is swung so that the intermediate transfer belt 18 is separated from the color photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, and 6C. Therefore, even if the printer 2 according to this embodiment is a tandem color printer as described above, the image forming system will be described in the first embodiment and the second embodiment. The same processing as that described above is executed.

  The pressure contact / separation mechanism is not limited to the above-described configuration, and may have another configuration. For example, the primary transfer roller 14 that forms a pair with the color photoconductor drums 6Y, 6M, and 6C, respectively, with the intermediate transfer belt 18 interposed therebetween, and away from the color photoconductor drums 6Y, 6M, and 6C. The intermediate transfer belt 18 is pressed against the color photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, and 6C by moving in the direction toward the color photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, and 6C. , 6M, 6C, the intermediate transfer belt 18 may be separated from the color photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, 6C. The CPU 120 outputs a control signal to a mechanism that moves the primary transfer roller 14 that is a pressure contact / separation mechanism, and controls the movement of the primary transfer roller 14. Also in this case, when the CPU 120 determines that the printer driver 242 selected by the client PC 201 is a printer driver for performing color printing as a switching operation for switching the print control, it sends a control signal to the press-contact / separation mechanism. Then, the primary transfer roller 14 is moved so that the intermediate transfer belt 18 is pressed against the color photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, and 6C. When the printer driver 242 determines that the printer driver is for monochrome printing, the primary transfer roller 14 is moved so that the intermediate transfer belt 18 is separated from the color photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, and 6C.

  Further, it is possible to provide the program for controlling the printer 2 by causing the printer 2 to perform the above processing. Such a program can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, a ROM, a RAM, and a memory card and provided as a program product. Alternatively, the program can be provided by being recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk built in the computer. A program can also be provided by downloading via a network.

  The program according to the present invention is a program module that is provided as a part of a computer operating system (OS) and calls necessary modules in a predetermined arrangement at a predetermined timing to execute processing. Also good. In that case, the program itself does not include the module, and the process is executed in cooperation with the OS. A program that does not include such a module can also be included in the program according to the present invention.

  The program according to the present invention may be provided by being incorporated in a part of another program. Even in this case, the program itself does not include the module included in the other program, and the process is executed in cooperation with the other program. Such a program incorporated in another program can also be included in the program according to the present invention.

  The provided program product is installed in a program storage unit such as a hard disk and executed. The program product includes the program itself and a recording medium on which the program is recorded.

In each of the above embodiments, a printer is exemplified as the image forming apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image forming apparatus may be a facsimile, a copier, a multi-function multifunction peripheral (MFP), or the like.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

2 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of an internal configuration of a printer 2. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of an internal configuration of a printer 2. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a configuration of an image forming system. 1 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a configuration of an image forming system. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of an internal configuration of a client PC 201. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a developing rack 22. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the position of the developing device 21 during each color development. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in the image forming system in the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in the image forming system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a specific example of a configuration in the vicinity of an intermediate transfer belt of a tandem color printer.

Explanation of symbols

  2 printer, 6, 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K photosensitive drum, 8 charging device, 10 exposure unit, 14 primary transfer roller, 15 swing frame, 16 cleaner, 17 tension spring, 18 intermediate transfer belt, 19 cam plate, 20, 47 blades, 21, 21Y, 21M, 21C, 21K developing device, 22 developing rack, 24 shafts, 26 developing rollers, 28, 30, 32 transport rollers, 46 secondary transfer area, 48 paper feeding cassette, 50 paper feeding Roller, 52 transport path, 54 transport roller pair, 56 timing roller pair, 57 fixing roller pair, 58 discharge roller pair, 60 discharge section, 61Y, 61M, 61C, 61K imaging unit, 62K rotation of photosensitive drum 6K Moving axis, 111 operation panel, 111a display panel, 111b input key, 112 printing section, 113 Communication unit, 114 bus, 120, 230 CPU, 121, 233 RAM, 122, 232 ROM, 123 storage unit, 124 printer driver information, 125 color printing permission information, 151 bottom plate, 152 notch, 191 drive shaft, 200 network, 201, 201A, 201B, 201C client PC, 210 communication cable, 234 display device, 235 input device, 237 hard disk device, 238 CD device, 238a compact disc, 241 application, 242 printer driver, 243 print job processing program, 244 file, 245, 246 Print job information.

Claims (12)

Comprising forming means for forming printable image data based on the input image signal;
A color printing mode and a monochrome printing mode as color modes for printing the image data;
An image forming apparatus further comprising switching means for executing a switching operation for switching printing control according to the color mode,
A first acquisition unit configured to acquire information indicating a type of a printer driver selected by the other device from another device before forming the image data in the forming unit;
Determination means for determining whether the printer driver is for color printing or monochrome printing based on the type of the printer driver;
The image forming apparatus, wherein the switching unit executes the switching operation according to a determination result of the determination unit. Comprising forming means for forming printable image data based on the input image signal;
A color printing mode and a monochrome printing mode as color modes for printing the image data;
An image forming apparatus further comprising switching means for executing a switching operation for switching printing control according to the color mode,
Before forming the image data in the forming unit, a second acquisition unit that acquires identification information of an instruction source that issues a print instruction from another device;
Determination means for determining whether the instruction source is permitted to perform color printing based on the identification information of the instruction source;
The image forming apparatus, wherein the switching unit executes the switching operation according to a determination result of the determination unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second acquisition unit acquires the identification information of the instruction source from header information of data transmitted from the other apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the identification information of the instruction source is an IP address of the other apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the identification information of the instruction source is identification information of a user who is using the other apparatus. Storage means for storing, for each identification information of the instruction source, information defining whether color printing is permitted;
Registration means for storing the identification information of the first instruction source in the storage means as permitting color printing when a print instruction for instructing color printing from the first instruction source reaches a predetermined number of times; The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: A rotating developing rack with a plurality of color toners mounted thereon;
Control means for controlling a mechanism for rotating the developing rack,
The developing rack has a standby position, a color printing start position, and a monochrome printing start position in the rotation direction.
The switching operation includes control by the control means, control for rotating the position of the developing rack from the standby position to the color printing start position, and control for rotating the standby rack position from the standby position to the monochrome printing start position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a switching operation. An image forming unit for monochrome printing and an image forming unit for color printing, each including an image carrier;
An intermediate transfer member that conveys a sheet on which an image formed on the image carrier of each image forming unit is transferred, or on which the image is directly transferred;
The intermediate transfer member is in pressure contact with both the monochrome printing image forming unit and the color printing image forming unit, and in pressure contact with the monochrome printing image forming unit, so that the color printing operation is performed. A press-contacting / separating mechanism for switching to a separated state separated from the image unit;
Control means for controlling the press-contact / separation mechanism,
7. The switching operation according to claim 1, wherein the control by the control unit is a control for switching the control of setting the intermediate transfer member in the press-contact state and the control for setting the separation state. 7. Image forming apparatus. An image forming system including an image forming apparatus and an instruction device connected to the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes:
As a color mode for printing image data, it has a color print mode and a monochrome print mode,
Further comprising a switching means for performing a switching operation for switching the printing control in accordance with the color mode,
The pointing device is
Accepting means for accepting selection of a printer driver;
Notification means for notifying the image forming apparatus of information indicating the type of the selected printer driver;
An instruction means for instructing the image forming apparatus to start printing after the notification;
The image forming apparatus includes:
Determination means for determining whether the printer driver is for color printing or monochrome printing based on the type of the printer driver notified from the instruction device;
The image forming system, wherein the switching unit executes the switching operation according to a determination result of the determination unit. An image forming system including an image forming apparatus and an instruction device connected to the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes:
As a color mode for printing image data, it has a color print mode and a monochrome print mode,
Further comprising a switching means for performing a switching operation for switching the printing control in accordance with the color mode,
The pointing device is
Transmitting means for transmitting information indicating identification information of an instruction source that issues a print instruction to the image forming apparatus;
An instruction means for instructing the image forming apparatus to start printing after transmission of the information indicating the identification information;
The image forming apparatus includes:
Obtaining means for obtaining information indicating the identification information from the pointing device;
Determination means for determining whether the instruction source is permitted to perform color printing based on the identification information;
The image forming system, wherein the switching unit executes the switching operation according to a determination result of the determination unit. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus including a forming unit that forms printable image data based on an input image signal,
The image forming apparatus has a color printing mode and a monochrome printing mode as color modes for printing the image data, and further includes a switching unit that executes a switching operation for switching print control according to the color mode,
Before forming the image data in the forming means, obtaining information indicating the type of printer driver selected by the other device from another device;
Determining whether the printer driver is for color printing or monochrome printing based on the type of the printer driver;
And a step of executing the switching operation according to the result of the determination. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus including a forming unit that forms printable image data based on an input image signal,
The image forming apparatus has a color printing mode and a monochrome printing mode as color modes for printing the image data, and further includes a switching unit that executes a switching operation for switching print control according to the color mode,
Before forming the image data in the forming unit, obtaining identification information of an instruction source that issues a print instruction from another device;
Determining whether the instruction source is permitted to perform color printing based on the identification information of the instruction source;
And a step of executing the switching operation according to the result of the determination.

Images