JP2009177406A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of omitting selection of an image quality mode when providing two functions simultaneously. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus that can provide two of a plurality of providable functions simultaneously and accepts settings of image quality modes prescribing image quality of image data for the respective functions includes an automatic setting means 502 of setting an image quality mode for a second function to the same image quality mode as the image quality mode for the function selected first when the second function is selected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that can omit selection of an image quality mode when two functions are provided simultaneously.

  Year after year, image forming apparatuses are provided with a plurality of functions that can be provided, and are becoming multi-functional. The functions include a facsimile transmission function, a scan function, a print function, and the like in addition to a copy function, and various types.

  Recently, image data read by an image forming apparatus is converted into image data that can be processed by a personal computer (PC) or the like, and the converted image data is connected to a network by e-mail or the like. And a function for transmitting to a file server, that is, a network scanning function has appeared, which further improves convenience for users.

  When the above-described functions are provided by the image forming apparatus, the image data of the document read by the common image reading unit is converted into image data for providing functions, and then the image data quality is adjusted to provide the functions. Is running.

  For example, in the case of providing a facsimile transmission function, in order to adjust the image quality to be communicable over a telephone line and satisfy a predetermined resolution, the read image data is subjected to black and white binarization processing so that the image data is white. The image quality is expressed only in black and transmitted to the destination via a communication cable.

  Since the processing for adjusting the image quality as described above needs to be performed separately for each function, for example, when the user uses both the facsimile transmission function and the copy function for one document, the same document However, the image data of the original is read separately. Such a reading operation is troublesome and troublesome. Further, since the image reading unit is usually one place, there is a problem that driving the image reading unit often causes damage to the image reading unit.

In order to solve the above problem and prevent the reading operation from being repeatedly executed, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 09-36998 (Patent Document 1) discloses a document reading means for reading a copy document and a facsimile transmission document, a copy function, and a facsimile. Setting means for setting the transmission function at the same time, and when the copy function and the facsimile transmission function are set simultaneously by the setting means, the original reading means performs image data processing for copying and facsimile transmission for the same original. An image forming apparatus including a control unit that performs control so as to perform data processing is disclosed. With the above configuration, it is possible to automatically generate image data for copying and image data for facsimile transmission by performing a single reading operation on the same document, and execute a copy function and a facsimile transmission function. Yes.
JP 09-36998 A

  However, although the technique described in Patent Document 1 eliminates duplicate reading work, it is necessary to separately set image quality adjustments corresponding to the copy function and the facsimile transmission function, and the user must perform extra operations. There was a problem that had to be done.

  In addition, when the user executes the facsimile transmission function, there is a user's desire to store the image data transmitted by facsimile as a backup or to print and store it as a printed matter. In that case, it is necessary to set the monochrome binary mode, which is the image quality mode of the facsimile transmission function, for example, also for the copy function, and there is a problem that the setting operation is troublesome and troublesome.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of omitting selection of an image quality mode when two functions are provided simultaneously. .

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention can simultaneously provide two of a plurality of functions that can be provided, and defines the image quality of the image data. In the image forming apparatus that accepts the set image quality mode for each function, when the second function is selected, the image quality mode for the second function is changed to the image quality mode for the first selected function. Automatic setting means for setting the same image quality mode.

  Examples of the functions include a copy function, a facsimile transmission function, a print function, a scan function, a network scan function, a memory function, and a post-processing function. The network scan function is a function for transmitting image data that can be processed by a PC or the like to a PC or the like connected on the network. The memory function is a function for storing the read image data with a predetermined amount of data, and the post-processing function is a function for performing punching, stapling, bookbinding processing, etc. on a printed sheet. That is.

  The image quality mode includes, for example, a monochrome binary mode in which image data is expressed only in white and black, a gray scale mode in which color information is excluded from color image data and expressed only in light and dark colors of white and black, and three primary colors of light. RGB mode expressed in red (R), green (G), and blue (B), black (K) added to cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), which are the three primary colors for printing 4 Examples include CMYK mode that expresses colors.

  When the automatic setting means selects one of the two functions selected at the same time as the facsimile transmission function, the image quality mode for the other function is set to the monochrome binary which is the image quality mode of the facsimile transmission function. Can be configured to set mode.

  Further, the automatic setting means can be configured to include a changing means for changing the image quality mode for the second function set to another image quality mode by the user's selection.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the second function is selected in the image forming apparatus that can simultaneously provide the two functions, the image quality mode for the second function is first selected. The image quality mode is set to the same image quality mode for the function.

  As a result, when the second function is selected, the image quality mode for the second function is automatically set, so it is possible to omit setting the image quality mode for the second function. The trouble is eliminated. Further, when the user selects the second function and then presses the start key, the image forming process executed by the image forming apparatus is only once, and the provision of the two functions is quickly executed. . As a result, the convenience for the user is improved and the processing of the image forming apparatus can be advanced promptly.

  When the first selected function is a facsimile transmission function, the image quality mode for the second selected function can be set to the monochrome binary mode.

  As a result, if you want to save image data for facsimile transmission as a backup or print and store it as a printed material, select the copy function together with the facsimile transmission function to automatically save the image data for facsimile transmission or It becomes possible to make it the setting which can store printed matter. Therefore, the user can easily and quickly store the image data for facsimile transmission or print it as a printed matter. As a result, user convenience is improved, and troubles occurring between users, such as whether or not facsimile transmission has been executed, can be easily solved by using stored and stored image data for facsimile transmission. It becomes possible.

  Furthermore, the image quality mode for the second function set by the automatic setting means can be configured to include a changing means for changing to another image quality mode by the user's selection.

  As a result, only when the user wants to change the image quality mode for the second function, the user can select the image quality mode suitable for the second function and change the image quality mode for the second function. Become. Therefore, even if you want to set the image quality modes for the two selected functions separately, it is possible to flexibly support the image forming apparatus without sacrificing convenience and provide functions according to the user's request. It becomes.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention. In addition, the following embodiment is an example which actualized this invention, Comprising: The thing of the character which limits the technical scope of this invention is not. In addition, the alphabet “S” added in front of the numbers in the flowcharts means steps.

<Image forming apparatus>
The image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the image forming apparatus 100. However, details of each part not directly related to the present invention are omitted.

  The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present invention corresponds to, for example, a printer, a single scanner, or a multifunction machine including a printer, a copy, a scanner, a fax machine, and the like.

  As an example, the operation of the image forming apparatus when providing a document copy function using a multifunction peripheral will be briefly described.

  When the user prints, for example, a document P using the multifunction device 100, the document P is placed on the document table 101 or the mounting table 102 shown in FIG. 1 and the operation unit 103 provided near the document table 101 is operated. Print instructions. When the instruction is given, printing is performed by operating the following units (drive units).

  That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a main body 104 and a platen cover 105 that is attached above the main body 104. A document table 101 is provided on the upper surface of the main body 104, and the document table 101 is opened and closed by a platen cover 105. The platen cover 105 is provided with an automatic document feeder 106, a placement table 102, and a sheet discharge table 107.

  The automatic document feeder 106 includes a document conveyance path 108 formed in the platen cover 105, a pickup roller 109 and conveyance rollers 110A and 110B provided in the platen cover 105, and the like. The document conveyance path 108 is a document conveyance path that leads from the mounting table 102 to the paper discharge table 107 via a reading position X where reading is performed by the image reading unit 111 provided in the main body 104.

  The automatic document feeder 106 pulls out documents one by one from a plurality of documents placed on the table 102 to the inside of the conveyance path 108 by a pickup roller 109, and passes the document drawn by the conveyance rollers etc. through the reading position X. Then, the paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 107 by the transport roller 110B. When the document passes through the reading position X, the document is read by the image reading unit 111.

  The image reading unit 111 is provided below the document table 101, and its details are shown in FIG. The image reading unit 111 includes a first light source 112 that illuminates the document table 102 in the scanning direction, a slit 113 that selectively allows light from the document table, and a mirror 114 that guides light from the document table. The movable carriage 115, the second movable carriage 117 including mirrors 116A and 116B that reflect the reflected light from the first movable carriage 115 again, and the lens group 118 that optically corrects the light guided by the mirror, An image sensor 119 that receives light corrected by the lens group 118, and an image data generator 120 that converts the light received by the image sensor 119 into an electrical signal and performs correction processing, image quality processing, compression processing, and the like as necessary. It consists of and.

  When reading a document on the automatic document feeder 106, the light source 112 moves to a position where the reading position X can be irradiated and emits light. Light from the light source 112 is reflected by a document that passes through the document table 101 and passes through the reading position X, and is guided to the image sensor 119 by the slit 113, mirrors 114, 116A, and 116B, and the lens group 118. The image sensor 119 converts the received light into an electrical signal and transmits it to the image data generation unit 120. The light received by the image sensor 119 is input to the image data generation unit 120 as analog electrical signals of R (red), G (green), and B (blue), where analog-digital conversion is performed. Digitized. Further, the image data generation unit 120 uses the sequentially converted digital signal as unit data, and generates image data including a plurality of unit data by performing correction processing, image quality processing, compression processing, and the like on the unit data.

  Further, the image reading unit 111 can read not only a document conveyed by the automatic document feeder 106 but also a document placed on the document table 101. When reading the document placed on the document table 101, the first carriage 114 moves in the sub-scanning direction while emitting the light source 112, so that the optical path length from the light source 112 to the image sensor 119 is constant. The second moving carriage 117 moves in the direction of the image sensor 119 at a half speed of the first moving carriage 115.

  The image sensor 119 electrically outputs the light from the document placed on the document table 101 based on the light guided to the mirrors 114, 116 A, and 116 B, as in the case of the document conveyed to the automatic document feeder 106. The signal is converted into a signal, and based on this, the image data generation unit 120 generates image data and stores it in the storage unit 120B.

  An image forming unit 121 that prints image data is provided below the image reading unit 111 of the main body 104. Image data that can be printed by the image forming unit 121 is generated from the image data generating unit 120 as described above, or from a terminal such as a personal computer connected to the image forming apparatus 100 and a network such as a LAN. Received via the interface.

  As a printing method performed by the image forming unit 121, an electrophotographic method is used. That is, the photosensitive drum 122 is uniformly charged by the charger 123, and then a latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 122 by irradiating the photosensitive drum 122 with a laser 124, and toner is attached to the latent image by the developing device 125. In this method, a visual image is formed and the visible image is transferred to a transfer medium by a transfer roller.

  In the image forming apparatus corresponding to the full-color image, the developing device (rotary developing device) 125 is rotated in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis configured in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. A developing unit storing color toner is disposed at a position opposite to the photosensitive drum 122. In this state, the latent image on the photosensitive drum 122 is developed with toner stored in the developing device 125 and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 126A. The developing unit 125 includes four developing units 125 (Y), (C), (M), and yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K), respectively. (K). By repeating the transfer to the intermediate transfer belt 126A for each color, a full color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 126A.

  A transfer medium on which a visible image is printed, that is, a sheet, is placed on a sheet feeding tray such as a sheet feeding cassette 132, 133, or 134.

  When the image forming unit 121 performs printing, one transfer medium is pulled out from any one of the paper feed trays by using the pickup roller 135, and the transferred transfer medium is intermediate transfer belt by the transport roller 136 or the registration roller 137. It is fed between 126A and the transfer roller 126B.

  When the visible image on the intermediate transfer belt 126A is transferred to the transfer medium fed between the intermediate transfer belt 126A and the transfer roller 126B, the image forming unit 121 uses the transport belt 127 to fix the visible image. The transfer medium is sent to the fixing unit 128 (fixing device). The fixing unit 128 includes a heating roller 129 with a built-in heater and a pressure roller 130 pressed against the heating roller 129 with a predetermined pressure. When the transfer medium passes between the heating roller 129 and the pressure roller 130, the visible image is fixed to the transfer medium by heat and a pressing force to the transfer medium. The fixed transfer medium is discharged to a discharge tray 131.

  Through the above procedure, the multifunction peripheral 100 provides the user with a copy function process. An image reading means is a means for executing reading of an image of the original P as image data after irradiating the light source 112 to the original P, and basic correction processing / predetermined image quality processing / compression processing for the read image data. The means for performing image quality processing means, and the means for performing image forming processing on the sheet based on the compressed image data are image forming means (described later).

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of the operation unit 103 provided in the multifunction machine 100. The user uses the operation unit 103 to input setting conditions for image formation as described above, and to confirm the input setting conditions. When the setting condition is input, the touch panel 301 or the operation key 302 provided in the operation unit 103 is used.

  The touch panel 301 has both a function for inputting setting conditions and a function for displaying the setting conditions. That is, by pressing an item in the setting screen displayed on the touch panel 301, a setting condition associated with the item is input. In addition, since the background color of the item is changed from white to gray in conjunction with the input setting condition, the input setting condition is confirmed by the background color of the item.

  On the setting screen, a predetermined number of setting items 303 indicating setting conditions for one function and a predetermined number of function items 304 indicating functions provided in the multifunction peripheral are displayed, and the predetermined number of setting items are pressed. Thus, the setting condition for one function can be input in detail, and by pressing the function item, it is possible to switch to the setting screen corresponding to the pressed function item.

  Further, a simultaneous setting item 305 capable of simultaneously selecting two functions and a keyboard key 306 are displayed in a screen area that does not overlap with the setting item 303 and the function item 304. In the simultaneous setting item 305, two functions that can be provided simultaneously are displayed in parallel. For example, when “facsimile / copy” is pressed, the facsimile transmission function and the copy function are simultaneously selected and set. When the keyboard key 306 is pressed, a keyboard screen simulating a PC keyboard is displayed, and an alphabet can be input.

  Further, an operation key 302 is provided in the vicinity of the touch panel 301. For example, a ten key 307, a start key 308, a clear key 309, a stop key 310, a reset key 311 and a power key 312 are provided. The numeric keypad 306 is used to input specific numbers when setting the number of copies and the magnification.

  Next, the configuration of the control system hardware of the multifunction machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of control system hardware in the multifunction machine. However, details of each part not directly related to the present invention are omitted.

  The control circuit of the MFP 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 401, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 402, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 403, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 404, and a driver 405 corresponding to each drive unit. They are connected by a bus 406. The CPU 401 uses, for example, the RAM 403 as a work area, executes a program stored in the ROM 402, HDD 404, etc., and exchanges data and instructions with the driver 405 based on the execution result. The operation of each of the illustrated driving units is controlled. Further, the respective means (shown in FIGS. 5 to 8) described later other than the driving unit are realized by the CPU 401 executing the program. The ROM 402, the HDD 404, and the like store programs and data that implement each means described below.

<First embodiment>
Next, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, a procedure in which the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the first embodiment omits the selection of the image quality mode will be described. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for illustrating the operation of the MFP 100 according to the first embodiment.

  First, when the user turns on the MFP 100, the setting condition regarding each function received by the receiving unit 501 is set to a state where no instruction is given from the user, that is, a clear state, and the first function selection is performed. It will be in the state which receives (FIG. 6: S101).

  Subsequently, the user places the color original P on the original platen 101, and the function item “FAX” 701 on the initial screen (here, the copy setting screen shown in FIG. 7A) displayed on the touch panel 301 on the operation unit 103. When the facsimile transmission function is selected by pressing, the accepting unit 501 changes the initial screen on the touch panel 301 to the facsimile transmission setting screen (FIG. 6: S102).

  Further, since the image quality mode of the facsimile transmission function is only the monochrome binary mode, when the function item “fax” 701 of the facsimile transmission function is selected, the accepting unit 501 considers that the monochrome binary mode has been selected. The monochrome binary mode is automatically accepted (FIG. 6: S103). At this time, the automatic setting unit 502 receives a signal related to the selected “fax” 701 from the operation unit 103 and temporarily stores that the facsimile transmission function is first selected.

  Subsequently, the user inputs setting conditions regarding the facsimile transmission function while viewing the displayed facsimile transmission setting screen. In the facsimile transmission setting screen, as shown in FIG. 7B, “Destination number” 702 and “Destination name” 703 as setting items 303, “Fax / copy” 704 and “Fax / scan” as simultaneous setting items 305, respectively. ”705,“ Copy / Scan ”706, and“ Detailed Settings ”707 are displayed. When the user presses the “transmission destination number” 702 and inputs, for example, “012345789” which is the transmission destination number using the operation key 302 and the keyboard key 306, the “transmission destination number” 702 is displayed. The background color is changed to gray, and the accepting unit 501 accepts the input destination number. Further, when the user inputs “user A” in “transmission destination name” 703, the accepting unit 501 accepts the inputted “user A”, and the condition setting regarding the facsimile transmission function is completed. Note that the setting condition regarding the facsimile transmission function received at this time is temporarily stored in the receiving unit 501 as the setting condition regarding the function selected first.

  Further, when the user presses “FAX / COPY” 704, the accepting unit 501 changes the background color of the “FAX / COPY” 704 to gray, and accepts selection of the copy function in addition to the facsimile transmission function (FIG. 6). : S104).

  When the copy function is selected in addition to the facsimile transmission function, the automatic setting unit 502 determines that the copy function has been selected for the second time, and refers to the receiving unit 501 and relates to the function selected first. The image quality mode, that is, the monochrome binary mode is acquired, and a signal for setting the monochrome binary mode to the image quality mode of the second selected copy function is transmitted to the receiving unit 501. Then, the accepting unit 501 accepts the image quality mode of the copy function as the monochrome binary mode (FIG. 6: S105). If the accepting unit 501 accepts the selection of “copy” after accepting the selection of “fax” 701, the selection of “copy” is not a simultaneous setting item. Is determined as the first selected function, the temporarily stored facsimile transmission function is erased, and the copy function selection is stored.

  Further, regarding the setting conditions other than the image quality mode in the copy function, when the accepting unit 501 accepts the selection of the copy function, the storage unit 503 that stores the initial setting condition regarding the copy function in advance is referred to, and the copy is performed. Of the initial setting conditions regarding the function (for example, paper “automatic selection”, density “automatic density”, magnification “100%”, image quality mode “color”), other initial setting conditions other than the image quality mode (paper “automatic selection”) , Density “automatic density”, magnification “100%”), and accepts it as a setting condition for the copy function.

  Next, when the user presses the start key 308, the receiving unit 501 sets the image quality processing unit 505 corresponding to the monochrome binary mode to receive the image data from the image reading unit 504.

  The image quality processing means 505 is composed of means (for example, CMYK processing means 506, gray scale processing means 507, monochrome binary processing means 508) for performing image quality processing separately for each image quality mode. Is transmitted to the image quality processing means 505 corresponding to the predetermined image quality mode, the image quality processing means 505 performs basic correction such as shading correction, MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) correction, and γ correction on the image data. Then, image quality processing according to the image quality mode is performed, the image quality is converted into an image quality satisfying a predetermined data amount and resolution, and basic compression processing is performed.

  Further, the accepting unit 501 transmits a signal indicating the start of image reading to the image reading unit 504, and the image reading unit 504 starts reading the image data of the original (FIG. 6: S106).

  The image data read from the document is transmitted by the image reading unit 504 to the black and white binary processing unit 508 corresponding to the black and white binary mode, subjected to correction processing, converted into data of only white and black, and further, predetermined Is converted to an image quality satisfying the data amount and resolution, and compression processing is performed (FIG. 6: S107).

  The compressed image data is sent to the communication unit 509 and also sent to the image forming unit 510. The communication unit 509 transmits the received image data to the input destination “01234456789”, and in parallel with the transmission processing, the image forming unit 510 decompresses and accepts the compressed image data. In accordance with the initial setting conditions relating to the copy function, an image is formed on the sheet and the printed matter is discharged (FIG. 6: S108). Note that the compressed image data is temporarily stored in the image data storage unit 511, and can be read again by the user's selection.

  In this way, in a multi-function peripheral that can provide two functions at the same time, when the second function is selected, the image quality mode for the second function is the same as the image quality mode for the first selected function. The image quality mode is set.

  As a result, when the second function is selected, the image quality mode for the second function is automatically set, so it is possible to omit setting the image quality mode for the second function. The trouble is eliminated. Further, when the user selects the second function and then presses the start key 308 as it is, the image quality processing executed by the multifunction machine is only once, and the provision of the two functions is executed quickly. . As a result, the convenience for the user is improved, and the processing of the multifunction machine can be rapidly advanced.

  If the first selected function is a facsimile transmission function, the image quality mode for the second selected function is set to the monochrome binary mode, so image data to be transmitted by facsimile is printed. If the user presses “Fax / Copy” 704, the image data to be automatically transmitted by facsimile can be set to be able to store the printed matter. Therefore, the user can easily and quickly print image data for facsimile transmission as a printed matter.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, a description will be given of a procedure in which the multi-function device 100 according to the second embodiment changes the automatically set image quality mode by the user's selection. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of the MFP according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an execution procedure in which the multi-function device 100 according to the second embodiment changes the automatically set image quality mode according to the user's selection.

  Compared with the first embodiment, the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the image quality mode for the second function set by the automatic setting means is set to other image quality by the user's selection. It is the point provided with the change means to change into a mode. Since the other points are the same as those of the first embodiment, the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 1 to 7) used in the description of the first embodiment as appropriate. explain.

  When the user turns on the MFP 100, the accepting unit 501 clears the setting conditions for each function accepted so far (FIG. 9: S201).

  Next, when the user places the color document P on the document table 101 and presses the function item “FAX” 701 on the initial screen, the reception unit 501 receives the facsimile transmission function and changes the initial screen to the facsimile transmission setting screen. Then, the monochrome binary mode corresponding to the facsimile transmission function is automatically set (FIG. 9: S202 → S203, FIGS. 7A and 7B). At this time, the automatic setting unit 502 receives a signal related to the selected “fax” 701 from the operation unit 103 and temporarily stores that the facsimile transmission function is first selected.

  Further, the user inputs setting conditions (“transmission destination number” 702, “transmission destination name” 703) regarding the facsimile transmission function, and the input of the setting conditions is completed.

  Subsequently, when the user presses the “fax / copy” 704, the accepting unit 501 changes the background color of the “facsimile / copy” 704 to gray and accepts selection of the copy function in addition to the facsimile transmission function (FIG. 9: S204).

  Then, the automatic setting unit 502 determines that the copy function is selected for the second time, and transmits a signal to the reception unit 501 to set the monochrome binary mode to the image quality mode of the copy function. In step S501, the image quality mode of the copy function is received as a monochrome binary mode (FIG. 9: S205).

  Further, the accepting unit 501 reads the initial setting conditions (paper “automatic selection”, density “automatic density”, magnification “100%”) for the copy function excluding the image quality mode from the storage unit 503, and sets the setting conditions regarding the copy function. And

  Here, when the user presses the “detail setting” 707 on the facsimile transmission setting screen, the accepting unit 501 changes from the facsimile transmission setting screen to the copy setting screen (FIG. 9: S206). In the copy setting screen, as shown in FIG. 10C, a predetermined number of items corresponding to the setting conditions related to the copy function, for example, an item 1001 related to printing paper, an item 1002 related to printing density, an item 1003 related to printing magnification, and an item related to image quality mode. 1004 is displayed. At this time, items corresponding to the setting conditions received by the receiving unit 501, that is, backgrounds of “automatic selection” 1005, “automatic density” 1006, “100%” 1007, and “monochrome” 1008 The color is displayed with the color changed to gray. “Monochrome” 1008 corresponds to the monochrome binary mode.

  The simultaneous setting item 305 is displayed from “Fax / Copy” 704 to “Copy / Fax” 1009, from “Fax / Scan” 705 to “Copy / Scan” 1010, and from “Copy / Scan” 706 to “Facsimile / "Scan" 1011 is changed, and the background color of "Copy / Fax" 1009 is changed to gray.

  Therefore, when the user presses the item “grayscale” 1012 relating to the image quality mode while looking at the copy setting screen, the changing unit 801 changes the image quality mode set by the automatic setting unit 502, that is, the monochrome binary mode to grayscale. The mode is changed (FIG. 9: S207).

  Further, when the user presses the start key 308, the reception unit 501 corresponds to the monochrome binary processing unit 508 corresponding to the image quality mode (monochrome binary mode) of the facsimile transmission function and the image quality mode (grayscale mode) of the copy function. The gray scale processing unit 507 is set to receive the image data, and the image reading unit 504 is started to read the image data of the document (S208 in FIG. 9).

  The read image data is subjected to correction processing / predetermined black and white binary processing / compression processing by the black and white binary processing unit 508, and is transmitted to the communication unit 509. The communication unit 509 converts the received image data into the received image data. , Send to the input destination. In parallel with the transmission process, the read image data is corrected by the gray scale processing unit 507, converted into only white and black light and dark data except for color information, and a predetermined data amount. It is converted into an image quality that satisfies the resolution, and is subjected to compression processing. Further, the compressed image data is transmitted from the gray scale processing means 507 to the image forming means 510, and the printed matter is discharged based on the image data and the setting conditions (FIG. 9: S209).

  As described above, the image forming mode for the copy function set by the automatic setting unit 502 is configured to include a changing unit 801 that changes the image quality mode to another image mode by user selection.

  Thus, only when the user wants to change the image quality mode for the copy function to an image quality mode different from the image quality mode for the facsimile transmission function, the user can select an image quality mode suitable for the copy function and change the image quality mode for the copy function. Is possible. Therefore, even when it is desired to set the image quality modes for the two selected functions separately, it is possible to flexibly support the multifunction device without impairing convenience and to provide functions according to the user's request. Become.

    In the first embodiment to the second embodiment, the facsimile transmission function is selected first, and the black and white binary mode corresponding to the facsimile transmission function is set as the image quality mode for the second selected function. However, other functions may be selected first. For example, when the copy function and the gray scale mode for the copy function are selected first and then the scan function is selected for the second time, the automatic setting unit 502 changes the image quality mode for the scan function to the gray scale mode. It will be. When the second facsimile transmission function is selected, only the monochrome binary mode exists in the image quality mode of the facsimile transmission function. Therefore, regardless of the first image quality mode, the image quality mode of the facsimile transmission function is the same. In this case, the black and white binary mode is set. At this time, the image quality mode for the first selected function may be maintained as the initially set image quality mode or may be changed to the black and white binary mode.

  In the first to second embodiments, the image quality mode for the first selected function is set to the same image quality mode as the image quality mode for the second selected function. The image quality mode for the first function may be changed to the image quality mode for the second function. For example, when the copy function and the gray scale mode for the copy function are first selected, and when “copy / fax” 1009 is pressed and the facsimile transmission function is selected second, the automatic setting unit 502 selects the facsimile function. The same image quality mode as the monochrome mode of the transmission function can be set as the image quality mode for the copy function. With the above configuration, when a user sends a document by facsimile, even if the user first selects the gray scale mode for the copy function by mistake, the image data to be sent by facsimile can be stored or printed easily. Therefore, operations related to facsimile transmission can be performed quickly.

  In the first embodiment to the second embodiment, the image quality processing unit 505 is provided for each image quality mode, but other modes may be adopted. For example, in the case where image data read from a document is advanced in a step-by-step manner from a large amount of image quality data to a small amount of resolution, the steps of the image quality processing are CMYK processing, gray scale processing, monochrome binary processing. You may comprise so that it may carry out in the step called a process. With the above configuration, the corrected image data is subjected to image quality processing in stages from CMYK processing to image quality processing corresponding to a predetermined image quality mode. For example, in the gray scale mode, the corrected image data is subjected to CMYK processing and gray scale processing in stages.

  Further, in the first embodiment to the second embodiment, the present invention is applied when two functions are selected from among a plurality of functions that can be provided. If there is a function that can be provided, it may be applied when the function is selected. For example, when the network scan function is further selected when the copy function and the scan function are selected, the effect of the present invention can be obtained even when the image quality mode for the previous function is applied to the image quality mode of the network scan function.

  In the first embodiment to the second embodiment, when the MFP 100 is turned on, the receiving unit 501 is configured to clear the setting conditions regarding each function received so far. You may comprise so that the reception means 501 may be in a clear state at another time. For example, when a transition is made from a power saving state (also referred to as a sleep state, a sleep state, or a standby state) in which power consumption during standby is reduced to a normal state in which function provision can be performed quickly, the clear key 309 of the operation unit 302 When the function is pressed, when the multifunction device 100 finishes providing the function, when the function is first selected, when the predetermined time elapses without providing the function.

  With the above configuration, the automatic setting unit 502 accurately determines the first selected function and the second selected function. For example, when a plurality of users continuously use the multifunction device 100. Even if the automatic setting unit 502 misidentifies the image quality mode related to the function selected by the first user, the image quality mode related to the function selected by the second user is not set to the image quality mode related to the function selected by the second user. It will be.

  The changing unit 801 of the second embodiment is configured to change the image quality mode set by the automatic setting unit 502, but may be configured to change other setting conditions.

  In the first embodiment to the second embodiment, the MFP 100 is configured to include each unit. However, the program that realizes each unit is stored in a storage medium, and the storage medium is provided. It doesn't matter. In the above-described configuration, the above-described program is read by the multi-function device 100, and the multi-function device 100 implements the above-described units. In that case, the program itself read from the recording medium exhibits the effects of the present invention. Furthermore, it is also possible to provide a storage method for storing the steps executed by each means in a hard disk.

  In the first embodiment to the second embodiment, the facsimile transmission function and the copy function are employed. However, functions that require the image quality mode to be set, such as a print function, a scan function, a network scan function, and a memory. It can also be used for functions such as functions and post-processing functions.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is useful for a copying machine, a printer, a multi-function machine, and the like, and can simultaneously select two image quality modes and can omit selection of an image quality mode. It is effective as

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an overall configuration inside a multifunction peripheral according to the present invention. It is an enlarged view of the image reading part which concerns on this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the whole structure of the operation part which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the control system hardware of the multifunctional device which concerns on this invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a multifunction machine according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart for showing the execution procedure of 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the touch panel of 1st embodiment. FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of a multifunction machine according to a second embodiment. It is a flowchart for showing the execution procedure of 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the touch panel of 2nd embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 MFP 103 Operation part 301 Touch panel 302 Operation key 501 Accepting means 502 Automatic setting means 503 Storage means 504 Image reading means 505 Image quality processing means 506 CMYK processing means 507 Gray scale processing means 508 Black and white binary processing means 509 Communication means 510 Image formation Means 511 Image data storage means 801 Change means

Claims (3)

In an image forming apparatus that can provide two functions among a plurality of functions that can be provided at the same time and that accepts an image quality mode setting that defines the image quality of image data for each function,
When the second function is selected, an automatic setting unit is provided for setting the image quality mode for the second function to the same image quality mode as that for the first selected function. Image forming apparatus.   When the first selected function is a facsimile transmission function, the automatic setting means sets the image quality mode for the second selected function to the monochrome binary mode that is the image quality mode of the facsimile transmission function. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a changing unit that changes an image quality mode for the second function set by the automatic setting unit to another image quality mode according to a user selection. .

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