JP2010113451A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus for improving usability and operation efficiency for a user in confirmation output. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming apparatus includes: an image forming part 400 for performing image forming processing for main output and image forming processing for confirmation output; a control part 601 for controlling image forming processing by the image forming part 400 based on job setting information; and a touch panel 502 for instructing the suspension of the image forming processing for confirmation output, and for selecting processing to be executed after the suspension of the image forming processing for confirmation output from among a plurality of preset selectable processing. When the suspension of the image forming processing for confirmation output is instructed by the touch panel 502, the control part 601 suspends the image forming processing for confirmation output by the image formation part 400, and executes the selected processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus having a function of executing a confirmation image forming process prior to execution of an image forming process for main output is known.
For example, when performing a plurality of image forming processes using the confirmation output function in Patent Document 1, the image forming process is stopped before the execution of the second image forming process after the first image forming process is started. The user can check the finish of the image formed on the first sheet of paper and confirm whether the job setting has no error and the desired finish. Then, after confirming that there is no error in the job setting contents, the user inputs a print resumption command to resume the image forming process for the remaining number of copies.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-119365

  However, even when the user sees an image formed by confirmation output and notices an error in job setting, the conventional image forming apparatus such as Patent Document 1 cancels only confirmation output. There was a problem that I could not. Therefore, in the conventional image forming apparatus, after canceling the entire job, it is necessary to newly set the job and start again from the document reading process. In addition, since only the confirmation output cannot be canceled, even if it is desired to shift to the main output during the confirmation output, it is not possible to shift to the main output unless all the confirmation outputs are executed. As described above, in the confirmation output in the conventional image forming apparatus, there are problems that user convenience and work efficiency are poor.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of improving user convenience and work efficiency in confirmation output.

In order to solve the above problem, the invention described in claim 1 is directed to an image forming unit that performs an image forming process for main output and an image forming process for confirmation output, and the image forming unit based on job setting information. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls image forming processing by:
An instruction unit for instructing interruption of the image forming process for confirmation output by a user operation and a process to be executed after the interruption of the image forming process for confirmation output is selected by a user operation from a plurality of preset selectable processes A selection section;
With
The controller is
When interruption of the image forming process for confirmation output is instructed by the instruction unit, the image forming process for confirmation output by the image forming unit is suspended, and then the process selected by the selecting unit is executed. It is characterized by.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the selectable process includes:
Job setting information change processing,
Image formation processing for this output;
Is included.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus includes a second instruction unit that instructs the restart of the image forming process for confirmation output by a user operation,
The controller is
After execution of the job setting information change process based on the selection by the selection unit, when the second instruction unit instructs the restart of the confirmation output image forming process, the confirmation is performed based on the changed job setting information. The image forming process for output is resumed from the interruption point.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the control unit compares the job setting information before the change with the job setting information after the change, and sets the job setting information set in advance. Only when it is determined that only the change has been made, the image forming process for confirmation output is restarted from the point of interruption.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the counting unit that counts the number of output sheets of the paper on which the image is formed by the image forming process by the image forming unit. Prepared,
The count unit is a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming process for confirmation output only when the image forming process for confirmation output is executed based on the same job setting information as the image forming process for main output. Is counted as the number of output copies.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the control unit interrupts an image forming process for confirmation output based on an instruction from the instruction unit. When the document reading process is being performed, the document reading process is continuously performed.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, only the confirmation output image forming process can be interrupted, and the selected process can be executed after the confirmation output image forming process is interrupted. Therefore, user convenience and work efficiency in the confirmation output can be improved.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the effect of the first aspect of the invention can of course be obtained. After the image forming process for confirmation output is interrupted, the job setting information changing process or the main output Therefore, the user-friendliness in the confirmation output can be further improved.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the effect of the second aspect of the invention can of course be obtained. After the interruption of the image forming process for the confirmation output, based on the changed job setting information, Since the image forming process for confirmation output can be resumed from the point of interruption, it is possible to further improve the user-friendliness and work efficiency in confirmation output.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, the effect of the invention described in claim 3 can of course be obtained, and only when the preset job setting information is changed, the image for confirmation output is obtained. Since the formation process is resumed from the interruption point, it is possible to prevent the useless image formation process that is not intended to be resumed from the interruption point.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, it is a matter of course that the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 4 can be obtained, and the image forming process for confirmation output is the image for the main output. When the job is executed based on job setting information different from the forming process, the paper on which the image is formed by the image forming process for confirmation output is not counted as the number of output copies. Only the number of copies of the formed paper can be easily grasped.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, it is a matter of course that the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 5 can be obtained, and whenever the image forming process for confirmation output is interrupted, the document Since it is not necessary to perform the reading process from the beginning, it is possible to prevent a reduction in the operation rate and work efficiency of the image forming apparatus.

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

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a main body unit 10, and a large capacity tray unit 20 and a post-processing unit 30 that are optionally connected thereto. The large capacity tray unit 20 includes a plurality of paper feed trays FT and feeds paper to the main body unit 10. The post-processing unit 30 includes a plurality of paper discharge trays ET, and paper discharged from the main body unit 10 is discharged.

  The main body unit 10 includes a scanner unit 100, an automatic document feeder (ADF) unit 200, an image forming unit 400, an operation display unit 500, and a plurality of paper feed trays FT. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is a so-called digital multi-function peripheral having a scanner function, a copy function, and a printer function.

In the image forming process, for example, a document placed on the document tray T1 of the ADF unit 200 is conveyed to a contact glass that is a reading position of the scanner unit 100, and an image of the document is read by the optical system of the scanner unit 100. Here, the image includes not only image data such as graphics and photographs but also text data such as characters and symbols.
An image (analog image signal) read by the scanner unit 100 is output to a state management unit 600, which will be described later, A / D converted by the state management unit 600, subjected to various image processing, and then input to the image forming unit 400. Is output. In the image forming unit 400, an image based on the digital image data is formed on a sheet fed from any of the sheet feeding trays FT provided in the main body unit 10 or the large capacity tray unit 20.
The paper on which the image has been formed is transported to the post-processing unit 30 by the transport unit 410 in the image forming unit 400, subjected to predetermined post-processing by the post-processing mechanism of the post-processing unit 30, and then any of the paper discharge trays ET. The paper is discharged.
The forms of the paper feed tray FT and the paper discharge tray ET are not limited to those illustrated in FIG. 1, and for example, the number may be more or less than that illustrated.

Further, the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment can perform confirmation output image forming processing. The image forming process for confirmation output is an image forming process for image confirmation that is performed before or during the image forming process for main output. Check whether there are no errors in the job settings on the paper on which the image was formed by the confirmation output image formation process, and whether the image has the desired finish, or whether there is a change in the finish of the image Can be confirmed.
The confirmation output image forming process is executed by the image forming unit 400 based on the job setting information when a confirmation output button (not shown) is operated by the user. After the completion of the confirmation output image forming process, a setting confirmation screen G2 illustrated in FIG. 4 is displayed. Then, when the user operates the “close” button B10 on the setting confirmation screen G2 in FIG. 4 to instruct the transition to the image forming process for main output, the image forming process for main output is executed. .
For example, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when a plurality of copies are set as the set number of jobs, the first copy is formed by the image forming process for confirmation output, and the second and subsequent copies are An image is formed by the image forming process for the main output.

Here, the job refers to a series of operations related to image formation. For example, when forming a plurality of originals, a series of operations related to image formation of a plurality of originals is one job. Further, when performing image formation of a plurality of copies, a series of operations related to image formation for a plurality of copies is one job.
The job setting information is image forming conditions set for each job. For example, the paper size used in the image forming process, the image density, the reduction ratio, the printing surface (both sides or one side), and the paper feed A paper feed tray to be discharged, a paper discharge tray to discharge paper, and the like are designated.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1.
The main body 10 includes a scanner unit 100, an ADF unit 200, a printer controller 300, an image forming unit 400, an operation display unit 500, a state management unit 600, and a plurality of paper feed trays FT. Is done.

  The scanner unit 100 includes, for example, an image sensor such as a CCD 101 and a scanner control unit 102. The scanner control unit 102 drives and controls each unit of the scanner unit 100 based on a control signal from the control unit 601. Specifically, exposure scanning of the document surface placed on the contact glass is executed, and a document reading process is performed in which reflected light is imaged by the CCD 101 and an image is read. Then, the optical signal imaged by the document reading process is photoelectrically converted to generate an analog image signal, which is output to the reading processing unit 605.

  The ADF unit 200 includes an ADF control unit 201 that controls the ADF unit 200 based on a control signal from the control unit 601, and one document placed on the document tray T1 is placed on the contact glass of the scanner unit 100. Automatic feeding one by one.

  The printer controller 300 includes a controller control unit 301, a DRAM control IC 302, an image memory 303, a LANIF 304, and the like. When the image forming apparatus 1 is used as a network printer, the image forming apparatus is connected from an external device connected to the network. Management and control of the job input to 1 is performed.

  The controller control unit 301 comprehensively controls the operation of each unit of the printer controller 300. Further, the controller control unit 301 converts print data input from the external device via the LANIF 304 into image data in a data format that can be printed by the image forming apparatus 1 in a predetermined page description language, and is input from the external device. Output to the DRAM control IC 302 together with the job setting information.

  The DRAM control IC 302 outputs job setting information and print data received by the LANIF 304 to the controller control unit 301, and in accordance with an instruction from the controller control unit 301, job setting information and image data input from the controller control unit 301. Is temporarily stored in the image memory 303. The DRAM control IC 302 is connected to the DRAM control IC 607 of the control unit 601 through a PCI (Peripheral Components Interconnect) bus, and reads job setting information and image data from the image memory 303 in accordance with instructions from the controller control unit 301. Output to the DRAM control IC 607.

  The image memory 303 is composed of, for example, a DRAM, and temporarily stores input data.

  The LANIF 304 is configured by, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card) or the like, and performs data transmission / reception such as job setting information, print data, and FAX image data of a job with an external apparatus connected to the communication network N. The job setting information, print data, and image data received from the external device are output to the DRAM control IC 302.

  The image forming unit 400 includes a conveyance unit 410, an LD (Laser Diode) unit 420, and a printer control unit 430, and forms an image on a sheet based on image data input from the writing processing unit 606.

The transport unit 410 includes, for example, various rollers including a paper feed roller 411, a registration roller 412, and a paper discharge roller 413, a transport path switching plate 414, and a reversing unit 415 for transporting paper according to a transport path in the LD unit 420. Etc. The transport unit 410 feeds paper from the paper feed tray FT provided in the main body unit 10 or the large capacity tray unit 20 based on the control from the printer control unit 430, and transports the fed paper along the transport path. .
A plurality of sensors (not shown) are provided on the conveyance path of the LD unit 420. These sensors generate a detection signal when the paper passes and output it to the printer control unit 430.

The LD unit 420 includes an LD 421, a photosensitive drum 422, a charging unit 423, a developing unit 424, a transfer unit 425, a fixing unit 426, and the like.
The LD unit 420 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 422 of the LD unit 420 with the charging unit 423 based on an instruction from the printer control unit 430, and the photoconductor with the LD 421 based on the PWM signal input from the writing processing unit 606. An electrostatic latent image is formed by irradiating the surface of the drum 422 with laser light. Then, toner is attached to an area including the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 422 in the developing unit 424, and the toner is transferred onto a sheet by the transfer unit 425 to form an image. Then, after the transferred image is fixed by the fixing unit 426, the paper on which the image has been formed is conveyed to the post-processing unit 30 by the paper discharge roller 413.

  The printer control unit 430 receives the control signal from the control unit 601 and controls the operation of each unit of the LD unit 420. Further, the printer control unit 430 counts the number of fed sheets based on a detection signal from a sensor provided on the conveyance path, and outputs the counted number of sheets to the control unit 601.

  The operation display unit 500 includes a display unit 501, a touch panel 502 provided integrally with the display unit 501, an operation display control unit 503, and other operation key groups (not shown).

The display unit 501 is configured by, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays various setting screens, image status displays, operation statuses of functions, and the like on the screen in accordance with display control signals from the operation display control unit 503. Do.
In addition, a pressure-sensitive (resistive film pressure type) touch panel 502 in which transparent electrodes are arranged in a grid pattern is configured on the screen of the display unit 501, and the XY coordinates of a power point operated by a finger or a touch pen are expressed as voltage values. The detected position signal is output to the operation display control unit 503 as an operation signal.

  The operation display control unit 503 performs display control on the display unit 501 based on a control signal from the control unit 601. Specifically, the operation display control unit 503 displays various setting screens, various processing results, and the like on the display unit 501. Further, the operation display control unit 503 outputs an operation signal input from the touch panel 502 or the operation key group on the display unit 501 to the control unit 601.

Specifically, the touch panel 502 is operated by the user as an instruction unit when instructing to interrupt the confirmation output image forming process during execution of the confirmation output image forming process by the image forming unit 400. .
The touch panel 502 is operated by the user as a selection unit when selecting a process to be executed after interruption of the image forming process for confirmation output from among a plurality of preset selectable processes. Here, the plurality of selectable processes include a job setting information change process and a main output image forming process.
The touch panel 502 is operated as a second instruction unit by the user when instructing the restart of the confirmation output image forming process after changing the job setting information after the confirmation output image forming process is interrupted. .

More specifically, the operation display unit 500 is provided with a stop button (not shown), and when the stop button is operated by the user while the image forming process for confirmation output by the image forming unit 400 is being executed. The control unit 601 displays an output interruption screen G1 illustrated in FIG.
The output interruption screen G1 in FIG. 3 includes an “interrupt” button B1 for interrupting the image forming process for confirmation output being executed, a “setting confirmation screen display” button B2 for shifting to the setting confirmation screen G2, and execution. The “main output start” button B3 for canceling the remaining confirmation output image forming process and shifting to the main output image forming process, and the “confirming image forming process being executed” is continued. The “Continue” button B4 is displayed.

  When interrupting the image forming process for confirmation output, the user operates the “suspend” button B1 on the output suspension screen G1 in FIG.

Further, when changing the job setting information after interruption of the confirmation output image forming process, the user operates the “setting confirmation screen display” button B2 on the output interruption screen G1 of FIG. Then, the control unit 601 displays a setting confirmation screen G2 illustrated in FIG.
The setting confirmation screen G2 in FIG. 4 displays the setting contents of the job setting information. For example, a “basic setting” button B5 for changing the basic setting, and an “output setting” button for changing the output setting. B6, an “original setting” button B7 for changing the original setting, an “image quality setting” button B8 for changing the image quality setting, and the like are provided, and when these buttons B5 to B8 are operated by the user, The control unit 601 displays screens (not shown) for changing the operated settings, and the user changes job setting information on these screens.

  In addition, when the image forming process for the confirmation output is interrupted and the process proceeds to the image forming process for the main output, the user operates the “main output start” button B3 on the output interruption screen G1 in FIG.

  Further, when the confirmation output image forming process is resumed from the point of interruption after the job setting information is changed, the user operates the “resumption of confirmation output” button B9 on the setting confirmation screen G2 of FIG.

  When the job setting information is changed and the process proceeds to the image forming process for main output, the user operates the “close” button B10 on the setting confirmation screen G2 in FIG.

  Further, when the image forming process for confirmation output is started from the beginning after the job setting information is changed, the user operates the “confirmation copy” button B11 on the setting confirmation screen G2 of FIG.

  The state management unit 600 includes, for example, a control unit 601, a program memory (ROM: Read Only Memory) 602, a system memory (RAM: Random Access Memory) 603, a nonvolatile memory 604, a reading processing unit 605, a writing processing unit 606, a DRAM ( Dynamic Random Access Memory) control 607, compression / decompression IC 608, and image memory 609 are configured.

  The control unit 601 is configured by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, reads various processing programs such as a system program, an image formation processing program, and a post-processing program stored in the ROM 602, expands them in the RAM 603, and expands them. The operation of each part of the image forming apparatus 1 is centrally controlled according to the program.

  Specifically, when the user instructs execution of image formation processing for confirmation output, the control unit 601 uses the information for confirmation output by the image forming unit 400 based on job setting information of a job to be executed. The image forming process and the image forming process for main output by the image forming unit 400 are controlled.

The control unit 601 operates the stop button (not shown) by the user during the execution of the confirmation output image forming process, and further displays the output interruption screen of FIG. 3 displayed on the display unit 501 based on this operation. When the “interrupt” button B1 is operated on G1 and the user instructs to interrupt the confirmation output image forming process, the confirmation output image forming process by the image forming unit 400 is interrupted. Note that when a stop button (not shown) is operated, the confirmation output image forming process may be interrupted immediately.
In addition, when the scanner unit 100 performs the document reading process when the confirmation output image forming process is interrupted, the control unit 601 continuously executes the document reading process in the scanner unit 100 without being interrupted.

In addition, the control unit 601 determines whether the user can select a job setting information change process and a main output image forming process, which are a plurality of selectable processes set in advance, after the confirmation output image forming process is interrupted. Perform the selected process.
That is, when the user presses the “setting confirmation screen display” button B2 on the output interruption screen G1 in FIG. 3 after interruption of the image forming process for confirmation output, the control unit 601 performs the setting illustrated in FIG. A confirmation screen G2 is displayed on the display unit 501. Then, based on the user operation on the setting confirmation screen G2 in FIG. 4, the job setting information is changed, and the job setting information stored in the nonvolatile memory 604 is updated.
Further, after the confirmation output image forming process is interrupted, the control unit 601 restarts the main output image forming process by operating the “main output start” button B3 on the output interruption screen G1 in FIG. Is instructed, the rest of the confirmation output image forming process is canceled, and the main image forming process by the image forming unit 400 is started.

In addition, after changing the job setting information, the control unit 601 is instructed by the user to restart the confirmation output image forming process by operating the “restart confirmation output” button B9 on the setting confirmation screen G2 in FIG. In this case, based on the changed job setting information, the image forming process for confirmation output by the image forming unit 400 is resumed from the point where it was interrupted.
At this time, the control unit 601 compares the job setting information before the change with the job setting information after the change, and whether or not only the predetermined job setting information that can restart the image change process from the interruption point has been changed. Determine whether. Then, in the job setting information changing process, only when it is determined that only preset job setting information has been changed, the image forming process for confirmation output is resumed from the interruption point based on the user's instruction. On the other hand, in the job setting information change process, if it is determined that the job setting information that cannot be restarted from the interruption point has been changed, the confirmation output image forming process is restarted from the interruption point. Do not do.

Here, the preset job setting information is arbitrary job setting information that the user intends to resume from the point of interruption, and may be set by the user or set as a machine setting value in advance. It may be.
Specifically, for example, the preset job setting information includes a paper size and image density, a paper feed tray for feeding paper, a paper discharge tray for discharging paper, and does not include the presence or absence of stapling. If the image density is changed in the job setting information changing process, the control unit 601 determines that only the preset job setting information has been changed, and confirms the setting shown in FIG. The “restart confirmation output” button B9 is displayed on the screen G2, and the image forming process for confirmation output can be resumed from the interrupted point. On the other hand, when the presence / absence of stapling is changed in the job setting information changing process, the control unit 601 determines that job setting information other than the preset job setting information has been changed, and the setting confirmation screen of FIG. The “restart confirmation output” button B9 on G2 is not displayed, and the restart from the point where the confirmation output image forming process is interrupted is impossible.

  In addition, the control unit 601 changes the job setting information, and when the user operates the “close” button B10 on the setting confirmation screen G2 in FIG. 4 and is instructed to shift to the image forming process for main output. In addition, based on the changed job setting information, the image forming process for main output by the image forming unit 400 is executed.

  The ROM 602 is configured by, for example, a nonvolatile memory such as a semiconductor, and stores a system program corresponding to the image forming apparatus 1 and various processing programs such as an image forming processing program and a post-processing program that can be executed on the system program. . These programs are stored in the form of computer readable program codes, and the control unit 601 sequentially executes operations according to the program codes.

  The RAM 603 forms a work area for temporarily storing various programs executed by the control unit 601 and data related to these programs, and stores setting information and the like of the job being executed.

The nonvolatile memory 604 stores various setting data related to the image forming apparatus 1.
Specifically, the nonvolatile memory 604 stores job setting information for each job.

The reading processing unit 605 performs various processing such as analog signal processing, A / D conversion processing, and shading processing on the analog image signal input from the scanner unit 100, generates digital image data, and outputs the digital image data to the DRAM control IC 607. .
The writing processing unit 606 generates a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal based on the image data input from the compression / decompression IC 608 and outputs the generated signal to the image forming unit 400.

The DRAM control IC 607 controls the compression / decompression processing of the compression / decompression IC 608 based on the control from the control unit 601 and performs input / output control of image data in the image memory 609.
Specifically, digital image data input from the reading processing unit 605 or image data input from the printer controller 300 is compressed by the compression / decompression IC 608, and the compressed image data is stored in the compression memory 609 a of the image memory 609. Write and store temporarily. Also, the image data stored in the image memory 609 is decompressed by the compression / decompression IC 608 and output to the write processing unit 606. At this time, if a control signal indicating that the composition processing is to be performed is output from the control unit 601, the DRAM control IC 607 decompresses the image data by the compression / decompression IC 608 and then the unique image data in the nonvolatile memory 604. Are overwritten and output to the writing processing unit 606.
The DRAM control IC 607 outputs control data input from the printer controller 300 to the control unit 601.

The compression / decompression IC 608 performs image data compression processing and decompression processing under the control of the DRAM control IC 607.
The image memory 609 includes, for example, a compression memory 609a and a page memory 609b configured by DRAM. The compression memory 609a temporarily stores the job file compressed by the compression / decompression IC 608 in accordance with, for example, a control signal input from the DRAM control IC 607. For example, the page memory 609b temporarily stores an uncompressed job file to be printed before printing.

  The post-processing unit 30 detects a plurality of paper discharge trays ET on which the paper transported from the main body unit 10 is discharged, and whether or not the paper has passed, and detects the paper discharged on each paper discharge tray ET. A counting unit 31 that counts the number of sheets and the number of copies, and a post-processing control unit 32 that controls each unit of the post-processing unit 30 based on a control signal input from the control unit 601 are provided.

  The count unit 31 is provided in the vicinity of the paper exit to each paper discharge tray ET, and counts the paper every time the paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray ET, and the count value is controlled by the control unit 601. Output to. For example, when a plurality of copies are set as the set number of copies of the job, the count unit 31 counts the number of output copies and outputs the output copy count value to the control unit 601.

Here, when the image forming process for confirmation output and the image forming process for main output are executed, the count unit 31 performs the same job setting for the image forming process for confirmation output as the image forming process for main output. Only when it is executed based on the information, the paper on which the image is formed by the image forming process for confirmation output is counted as the number of output copies of the job.
That is, when the job setting information is not changed during the execution of the confirmation output image forming process, and the subsequent image forming process is executed based on the same job setting information, the counting unit 31 determines whether the confirmation setting output image forming process is performed. The paper image-formed by the output image forming process is included in the number of output copies, and both the paper image-formed by the image forming process for confirmation output and the paper image-formed by the image forming process for main output are both included. Count as the number of copies.
In addition, when the job setting information is changed during or after execution of the confirmation output image forming process, and then the main image forming process is executed based on the changed job setting information, the counting unit 31 The paper on which the image is formed by the image forming process for confirmation output is not counted in the number of output copies, and only the paper on which the image is formed by the image forming process for main output is counted as the number of output copies.

The post-processing control unit 32 includes a CPU (not shown), a system program corresponding to the post-processing unit 30, a program memory (ROM) that stores various processing programs that can be executed on the system program, and a system memory (RAM). It is configured.
Based on the input control signal, the CPU of the post-processing control unit 32 controls the drive of each unit in cooperation with a program stored in the ROM, thereby discharging the paper discharged from the image forming unit 400. Paper is ejected to the paper tray ET.

  Further, the post-processing unit 30 includes a post-processing mechanism (not shown), and performs various post-processings on the paper conveyed from the main body unit 10. The post-processing mechanism includes, for example, a stapling unit that performs stapling processing of paper conveyed from the main body unit 10, an offset unit that performs offset processing, a sorting unit that performs sorting processing, a group unit that performs group processing, and a punch unit that performs punch processing The post-processing designated by the job setting information is executed.

  Here, the overall flow of processing executed in the confirmation output image forming processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S101, when the user operates a confirmation output button (not shown), the control unit 601 starts document reading processing by the scanner unit 100 in subsequent step S102.
Next, in step S103, the control unit 601 sets N = 1, and in the subsequent step S104, the image forming unit 400 performs image formation processing for the Nth page.
Next, the control unit 601 sets N = N + 1 in Step SS105.
Next, in step S106, the control unit 601 determines whether or not all page output is complete, and if it determines that all page output is complete (step S106; Yes), the process proceeds to step S110. On the other hand, when the control unit 601 determines in step S106 that the all-page output is not completed (step S106; No), the process proceeds to step S107.

Next, in step S107, the control unit 601 determines whether or not a stop button (not shown) has been operated, and determines that the stop button has not been operated (step S107; No), returns to step S104. On the other hand, when determining that the stop button has been operated (step S107; Yes), the control unit 601 executes an interruption process of the confirmation output image forming process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 in step S108.
Next, for example, when the control unit 601 detects the operation of the operation button B on the output interruption screen G1 (see FIG. 3) displayed on the display unit 501, in step S109, the control unit 601 determines which operation button B is operated. To do. When determining in step S109 that the “continue” button B4 has been operated, the control unit 601 returns to step S104. If the control unit 601 determines in step S109 that the “main output start” button B3 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S112. If the control unit 601 determines in step S109 that the “setting confirmation screen display” button B2 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S110.

Next, in step S110, the control unit 601 executes a setting confirmation screen display process shown in the flowchart of FIG.
Next, for example, when the operation of the operation button B is detected on the setting confirmation screen G2 (see FIG. 4) displayed on the display unit 501, the control unit 601 determines which operation button B is operated in step S111. To do. If the controller 601 determines in step S111 that the “restart confirmation output” button B9 has been operated, the process returns to step S104. If the control unit 601 determines in step S111 that the “confirm copy” button B11 has been operated, the process returns to step S103. If the control unit 601 determines in step S111 that the “close” button B10 has been operated, in subsequent step S112, the control unit 601 executes the output copy number management process of the confirmation output image forming process shown in the flowchart of FIG.
Next, in step S113, the control unit 601 executes the image forming process for main output, and ends this process.

  Next, the flow of the interruption process of the confirmation output image forming process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S201, when the user operates a stop button (not shown), in subsequent step S202, the control unit 601 determines whether or not a confirmation output image forming process is being executed. If it is determined that the image forming process is being executed (step S202: Yes), the process proceeds to step S204. On the other hand, when the control unit 601 determines in step S202 that the image forming process for confirmation output is not being executed (step S202; No), it is determined that the image forming process for main output is being executed, and the process proceeds to step 203. .
Next, the control unit 601 interrupts the document reading process in the scanner unit 100 in step S203.
Next, in step S204, the control unit 601 interrupts the image forming process in the image forming unit 400 and ends this process.

  Next, the flow of the setting confirmation screen display process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S301, the control unit 601 determines whether the confirmation output image forming process is interrupted, and determines that the confirmation output image forming process is not interrupted (step S301; No). ), This process is terminated. On the other hand, if the control unit 601 determines in step S301 that the image forming process for confirmation output is being interrupted (step S301; Yes), the process proceeds to step S302.
Next, in step S302, the control unit 601 displays a setting confirmation screen G2 (see FIG. 4) for confirming output interruption on the display unit 501.
Next, in step S303, the control unit 601 determines whether the job setting information has been changed on the setting confirmation screen G2 displayed on the display unit 501, and determines that the job setting information has not been changed (step S303). No), this process is terminated. On the other hand, when the control unit 601 determines in step S303 that the job setting information has been changed (step S303; Yes), the control unit 601 proceeds to step S304.

Next, in step S304, the control unit 601 compares the job setting information before the change with the job setting information after the change, and based on whether only the preset job setting information has been changed or not, Based on the job setting information, it is determined whether or not the image forming process for confirmation output can be resumed from the interruption point. When only the preset job setting information is changed in step S304, the control unit 601 determines that the confirmation output image forming process can be resumed (step S304; Yes), and performs this process. finish. On the other hand, when job setting information other than the preset job setting information is included in step S304, the control unit 601 determines that the image forming process for confirmation output cannot be resumed from the interruption point (step S304). ; No), it progresses to step S305.
Next, in step S305, the control unit 601 hides the “resumption of confirmation output” button B9 on the setting confirmation screen G2 displayed on the display unit 501, and ends this processing.

  Next, the flow of the output number management process of the image forming process for confirmation output will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S401, the control unit 601 determines whether or not confirmation output image formation processing has been executed, and determines that confirmation output image formation processing has not been executed (step S401; No). This process is terminated. On the other hand, when the control unit 601 determines in step S401 that an image forming process for confirmation output has been executed (step S401; Yes), the process proceeds to step S402.
Next, in step S <b> 402, the control unit 601 determines whether all pages have been image-formed by confirmation output image formation processing, and determines that all pages have not been image-formed by confirmation output image formation processing. Then (step S402; No), this process is terminated. On the other hand, when the control unit 601 determines in step S402 that all pages have been image-formed by the confirmation output image forming process (step S402; Yes), the process proceeds to step S403.

Next, in step S403, the control unit 601 determines whether all pages have been imaged based on the same job setting information, and determines that all pages have not been imaged based on the same job setting information. Then (step S403; No), this process ends. On the other hand, when the control unit 601 determines in step S403 that all pages have been formed based on the same job setting information (step S403; Yes), the process proceeds to step S404.
Next, in step S404, the control unit 601 determines whether the job setting information for the image forming process for confirmation output is the same as the job setting information for the image forming process for main output. If it is determined that the job setting information for the image forming process is not the same as the job setting information for the image forming process for the main output (step S404; No), the process is terminated. On the other hand, when the control unit 601 determines that the job setting information for the main image forming process is the same as the job setting information for the main image forming process (step S404; Yes), the process proceeds to step S405.

  Next, in step S405, the control unit 601 increments the number of output copies by “+1” in the counting unit 31, counts the paper on which the image has been formed by the image forming process for confirmation output as the number of output copies, and ends this processing. To do.

  According to the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment to which the present invention described above is applied, only the confirmation output image forming process can be interrupted, and a plurality of selections can be made after the confirmation output image forming process is interrupted. A process selected from the possible processes can be executed. Therefore, user convenience and work efficiency in the confirmation output can be improved.

  The plurality of selectable processes include a job setting information changing process and a main output image forming process. Therefore, after the confirmation output image forming process is interrupted, the job setting information changing process or the main output process is performed. Therefore, the user-friendliness in the confirmation output can be further improved.

  In addition, after the confirmation output image forming process is interrupted, the confirmation output image forming process can be restarted from the interruption point based on the changed job setting information. It is not necessary to perform the confirmation output image forming process from the beginning, and it is possible to further improve user convenience and work efficiency in the confirmation output.

  Further, only when the preset job setting information is changed, the confirmation output image forming process can be restarted from the interrupted point, so that it is not intended to be restarted from the interrupted point. It is possible to prevent the image forming process from being executed.

  In addition, when the image forming process for confirmation output is executed based on job setting information different from the image forming process for main output, the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming process for confirmation output is set as the number of output copies. Since it is not counted, the user can easily grasp only the number of sheets of paper on which the image is formed by the image forming process for main output. Therefore, even when the image forming process for confirmation output and the image forming process for main output are executed based on different job setting information, the user does not need to recount the number of output copies. The burden on the user can be reduced.

  Further, if the document reading process is being performed when the confirmation output image forming process is interrupted, the document reading process is continuously performed. Since it is not necessary to perform the reading process from the beginning, it is possible to prevent the operation rate and work efficiency of the image forming apparatus 1 from being lowered.

The scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various improvements and design changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the output interruption screen G1 (see FIG. 3) is displayed on the display unit 501 when the stop button is operated during execution of the image forming process for confirmation output has been described. During the execution of the image forming process, the output interruption screen G1 may be displayed on the display unit 501 at all times. This makes it possible to immediately interrupt the confirmation output image forming process during execution of the confirmation output image forming process. In this case, when the “setting confirmation screen display” button B2 or the “main output start” button B3 is operated on the output interruption screen G1, the image forming process for confirmation output is immediately performed without operating the interruption button B1. May be interrupted and shifted to a setting confirmation screen display process or an image forming process for main output. Thereby, a user's operation burden can be reduced.
In addition, the plurality of preset selectable processes that are executed after the confirmation output image forming process is interrupted are not limited to the job setting information changing process and the image forming process for the main output, and may be any other process. May be.

1 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. It is an illustration of an output interruption screen. It is an example of a setting confirmation screen. 6 is a flowchart showing the overall flow of processing executed during confirmation output image forming processing. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of interruption processing of image formation processing for confirmation output. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a setting confirmation screen display process. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of output number management processing of image formation processing for confirmation output.

Explanation of symbols

1 Image forming apparatus 31 Count unit 400 Image forming unit 502 Touch panel (instruction unit, selection unit, second instruction unit)
601 Control unit

Claims (6)

An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that performs image forming processing for main output and image forming processing for confirmation output; and a control unit that controls image forming processing by the image forming unit based on job setting information In
An instruction unit for instructing interruption of the image forming process for confirmation output by a user operation and a process to be executed after the interruption of the image forming process for confirmation output is selected by a user operation from a plurality of preset selectable processes A selection section;
With
The controller is
When interruption of the image forming process for confirmation output is instructed by the instruction unit, the image forming process for confirmation output by the image forming unit is suspended, and then the process selected by the selecting unit is executed. An image forming apparatus. The selectable process includes
Job setting information change processing,
Image formation processing for this output;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A second instruction unit for instructing the restart of the image forming process for confirmation output by a user operation;
The controller is
After execution of the job setting information change process based on the selection by the selection unit, when the second instruction unit instructs the restart of the confirmation output image forming process, the confirmation is performed based on the changed job setting information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming process for output is resumed from the interruption point.   The control unit compares the job setting information before the change with the job setting information after the change, and only when it is determined that only the preset job setting information has been changed, the image forming process for confirmation output is interrupted. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is restarted from the start. A counting unit that counts the number of output sheets of the image formed by the image forming process by the image forming unit;
The count unit is a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming process for confirmation output only when the image forming process for confirmation output is executed based on the same job setting information as the image forming process for main output. 5 is counted as the number of output copies. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The control unit continues the document reading process when the document reading process is being performed when the confirmation output image forming process based on the instruction from the instruction unit is interrupted. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1 to 5.

Images