JP2013007894A - Image-forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure intended printing.SOLUTION: An image-forming device that forms an image on a medium fed from a medium storage part comprises: a special medium storage part that stores a special medium; an operation part that receives an input operation for specifying a storage direction of the special medium; a confirmation image generation part that generates image data when the image is formed on the special medium fed in the storage direction specified by the operation part; and an output part that outputs the image data.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a special medium.

  A conventional image forming apparatus is provided with a detecting means for detecting the leading end of a housing portion of the envelope as a special medium conveyed by the envelope conveying means, and prints at a predetermined position of the envelope even when the flap is opened or closed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP-A-9-109492 (paragraphs “0012” to “0018”, FIGS. 1 and 6)

However, in the above-described conventional technology, when printing is performed on a special medium such as preprinted paper on which a form such as ruled lines has been printed in advance or a medium in which a print direction format such as portrait or landscape is specified, printing is not performed. The problem is that the printing result is different from the format of the special medium after starting, and the desired printing cannot be performed, and even if the printing is interrupted, the printing is already executed and the special medium may be wasted. There is.
An object of the present invention is to solve such a problem and to ensure that desired printing can be performed.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a special medium storage unit that stores a special medium and an operation unit that receives an input operation that specifies a storage direction of the special medium in an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a medium fed from the medium storage unit. And a confirmation image generation unit that generates image data when an image is formed on a special medium fed from the accommodation direction specified by the operation unit, and an output unit that outputs the image data. And

  According to the present invention thus configured, an effect that a desired printing can be surely performed is obtained.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printer in a first embodiment. The flowchart which shows the flow of the printing process in a 1st Example. Explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the print job data in a 1st Example. Explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the medium information table in a 1st Example. Explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the user information table in a 1st Example. The flowchart which shows the flow of the image formation process for confirmation in 1st Example. Explanatory drawing which shows the outline image of the special medium in 1st Example Explanatory drawing which shows the print job image in a 1st Example. Explanatory drawing which shows the printing result image in 1st Example. Explanatory drawing which shows the printing result image in 1st Example. Explanatory drawing which shows the state of the printer in a 1st Example. Explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the operation panel in 1st Example. Explanatory drawing which shows the printing continuation confirmation screen in the first embodiment The flowchart which shows the flow of the special medium information registration process in a 1st Example. Explanatory drawing which shows the medium classification designation | designated screen in 1st Example. Explanatory drawing which shows the medium accommodation direction designation | designated screen in 1st Example. The block diagram which shows the structure of the printer in 2nd Example. Flowchart showing the flow of printing processing in the second embodiment Explanatory drawing which shows the outline image of the special medium in 2nd Example Explanatory drawing which shows the rotation image of the print job in 2nd Example. Explanatory drawing which shows the printing result image in 2nd Example. Explanatory drawing which shows the printing rotation designation | designated screen in 2nd Example. Explanatory drawing which shows the rotation direction designation | designated screen in 2nd Example.

  Embodiments of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer in the first embodiment.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a PC (Personal Computer) as a host device, 100 denotes a printer as an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a medium fed from a medium container, and the printer 100 and the PC 1 have a communication line 2 The PC 1 transmits print job data (print instruction) for instructing printing to the printer 100.

The printer 100 feeds and transports the print medium stored in the medium storage unit according to the received print job data, and performs printing on the print medium. In this embodiment, the print medium stored in the medium storage unit is a normal medium such as plain paper and a special medium such as an envelope or a postcard (hereinafter referred to as “special medium”), and printing is performed on the normal medium and the special medium. It is assumed that
The printer 100 includes a data receiving unit 101, a data editing unit 102, a specifying unit 104, a layout creating unit 105, an image forming unit 106, a control unit 103, an operation panel unit 107, an engine control unit 108, and an engine unit. 109, a first medium storage unit 110, and a second medium storage unit 111.

The data receiving unit 101 receives print job data transmitted from the PC 1, stores the print job data in the reception buffer 120 configured by a memory or the like, and indicates that the print job data has been stored in the reception buffer 120. Notify the editing unit 102.
When the data editing unit 102 receives a notification from the data reception unit 101 that the print job data has been stored in the reception buffer 120, the data editing unit 102 reads the print job data from the reception buffer 120, analyzes the print job data, and analyzes the print job data. User print information is acquired from the header information and notified to the control unit 103.
The control unit 103 includes a designation unit 104, a layout creation unit 105, and an image forming unit 106.

  When printing on a special medium, the designation unit 104 determines whether or not it is necessary to print for confirmation to the user based on the user print information notified from the data editing unit 102, and prints for confirmation If necessary, an instruction for forming a confirmation image is sent to the layout creating unit 105. In addition, the designation unit 104 notifies the operation panel unit 107 of a confirmation instruction in order to make the user confirm whether or not the confirmation print result is a print result desired by the user.

The layout creation unit 105 serving as a confirmation screen generation unit supplies a sample of the print result to the user before printing on the special medium, so that the layout is supplied from the special medium accommodation direction specified by the user on the operation panel unit 107. The image data for confirmation when the paper is formed and the image is formed on the special medium is generated, the generated image data for confirmation is stored in the image image buffer 123, and this is notified to the engine control unit.
The image forming unit 106 forms image data to be printed on the printing medium fed from the medium storage unit, stores the formed image data in the image image buffer 123, and notifies the engine control unit 108 to that effect.

  The operation panel unit 107 includes an operation button as an operation unit that accepts an input operation and a display unit such as a display as an output unit. The print result for confirmation created by the layout creation unit 105 in response to a notification from the designation unit 104 is displayed. The selection input operation by the user regarding whether or not the result is desired by the user is accepted. The operation panel unit 107 accepts a user setting input operation for designating the accommodation direction (direction) of the special medium accommodated in the first medium accommodation unit 110. The input information indicating the accommodation direction (orientation) of the special medium accommodated in the first medium accommodation unit 110 is stored in the special medium information 122.

The engine control unit 108 reads the image data stored in the image image buffer 123 and notifies the engine unit 109 of a print instruction for the read image data.
The engine unit 109 includes a first medium storage unit 110 and a second medium storage unit 111 as medium storage units for storing a medium used for printing, and image data is transmitted to the first medium storage unit according to an instruction from the engine control unit 108. Printing is performed on a print medium that is fed from 110 or the second medium storage unit 111 by a sheet feeding unit such as a sheet feeding roller. Note that the print medium accommodated in the first medium accommodating unit 110 or the second medium accommodating unit 111 is fed from a predetermined direction by a sheet feeding unit, for example, a charging device, an exposure device, an electrostatic latent image carrier, and a development. The image is transferred to an image forming unit including an apparatus, a transfer unit, and the like, and an image is printed based on the image data by the image forming unit.

In this manner, the image forming unit 106 functions as an output unit that forms image data to be printed on a print medium and prints out an image based on the image data via the engine control unit 108 and the engine unit 109.
The first medium storage unit 110 is a special medium storage unit that stores a special medium, and the second medium storage unit 111 is a normal medium storage unit that stores a normal medium used for printing for confirmation.
Here, the special medium refers to a printing medium in which the printing direction of image data is determined, such as an envelope, a postcard, preprinted paper on which a form is printed in advance, and an OHP sheet. The normal medium is a print medium such as plain paper.

  The reception buffer 120, the user information 121, the special medium information 122, and the image image buffer 123 are storage means configured by a memory or the like. The reception buffer 120 stores the print job data received by the data reception unit 101, and the user The information 121 stores information of a user who has used a special medium for each special medium, and the special medium information 122 is the special medium setting information selected and input by the user on the operation panel unit 107, that is, the first medium accommodation unit. Information indicating the type and orientation of the special medium accommodated in 110 is stored as a medium information table to be described later, and the image image buffer 123 stores image (image) data used for printing.

  In the printer 100 configured as described above, the operation of the entire apparatus is controlled by a central processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown) based on a control program (software) stored in the storage unit, and the first medium The image is printed on the print medium fed from the storage unit 110 or the second medium storage unit 111.

The operation of the above configuration will be described.
The printing process performed by the printer will be described with reference to FIG. 1 in accordance with the step represented by S in the flowchart showing the flow of the printing process in the first embodiment of FIG.
S1: The data receiving unit 101 of the printer 100 receives print job data as a print instruction from the PC 1.

S2: The data receiving unit 101 stores the received print job data in the reception buffer 120.
S3: The data receiving unit 101 that stores the received print job data in the reception buffer 120 notifies the data editing unit 102 that the print job data is stored in the reception buffer 120 (data editing notification).
S4: Upon receiving notification from the data receiving unit 101 that the print job data has been stored in the reception buffer 120, the data editing unit 102 reads the print job data from the reception buffer 120 and starts editing and analyzing the print job data. .

S5: The data editing unit 102 extracts user print information from the header information of the print job data, and notifies the control unit 103 of the user print information.
Here, for example, the data editing unit 102 extracts the user name 301, the application name 302, and the file name 303 from the information included in the header information of the print job data shown in FIG. A print medium type 304 representing the type (normal medium or special medium) is extracted as user print information.

  S6: The designation unit 104 of the control unit 103 determines whether or not the print medium type of the notified user print information is a special medium. If the determination is made, the process proceeds to S7. If it is determined that the medium is not a special medium, the process proceeds to S14 in order to perform normal printing on a normal medium. Here, the designation unit 104 compares the notified print medium type with the type 401 selected in the medium information table selection A 402 shown in FIG. 4, and there is a type 401 that matches the notified print medium type. If so, it is determined that printing is on a special medium.

  The medium information table is stored in the special medium information 122, and includes, for example, a type 401, a selection A 402, a storage orientation 403, and a selection B 404 as shown in FIG. The type 401 indicates the type of the print medium stored in the first medium storage unit 110 (for example, envelope 1, postcard 1, etc.), and the selection A 402 indicates the selection state of the type 401 (for example, “*” is selected). ), The storage direction 403 is a direction in which each medium indicated by an arrow A in the figure is fed (a direction in which each medium is accommodated in the first medium accommodating unit 110, for example, inserted (feed) from the upper side, and from the left side. (Indicating insertion (paper feeding), insertion from the right side (paper feeding), insertion from the lower side (paper feeding)), selection B 404 indicates the selection state of the storage direction 403 (eg, “*” is selected) Express). FIG. 4 shows that the type 401 is selected as “envelope 1” and the storage direction 403 is selected as “insert from top”.

  S7: The designating unit 104 that has determined that it is an instruction to print on a special medium is stored in the user information 121 based on the user name 301, application name 302, file name 303, and print medium type 304 extracted from the print job data. Search the user information table.

  Here, the user information table is print history information as a database in which user print information that has been printed on a special medium that can be used by the printer 100 has been accumulated. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the user information table includes a type 501 indicating the type of print medium, a user 502 for identifying the user, an application 503 for identifying the application software, and a file for identifying the file name. 504 are configured as one record, and the user name 301 of the print job data printed in the past is set to the user 502, the application name 302 is set to the application 503, the file name 303 is set to the file 504, and the print medium type 304 is set. Are stored in the type 501 as print history information.

  S8: The designation unit 104 searches the user information table stored in the user information 121 based on the user name 301, the application name 302, the file name 303, and the print medium type 304 extracted from the print job data, and print medium type In the same type 501 as 304, whether or not there is a record in which the user name 301, the application name 302, and the file name 303 all match the user 502, application 503, and file 504 in the user information table is compared.

  If the designating unit 104 determines that there is a matching record, that is, it has been printed in the past, the confirmation printing is not necessary, so the process proceeds to S14, and there is no matching record, that is, the first printing. If it is determined that it is, confirmation printing is necessary, and the process proceeds to S9 where confirmation image formation processing is performed to allow the user to confirm the print finish.

  S9: The layout creation unit 105 sets the type of special medium stored in the first medium storage unit 110 of the printer 100 and the paper feeding direction in the medium information table type 401 and storage direction 403 of the special medium information 122 (FIG. 4) to generate the contour image image data of the special medium.

  Subsequently, the layout creation unit 105 generates image data to be used for printing from the print job data stored in the reception buffer 120, and superimposes the generated image data on the contour image image data of the special medium for printing. The image data is stored in the image image buffer 123 as confirmation image data.

Here, the print confirmation image data forming process will be described with reference to FIG. 1 in accordance with the step S in the flowchart showing the confirmation image forming process in the first embodiment shown in FIG.
S21: The layout creation unit 105 acquires the medium type (type 401 shown in FIG. 4) selected from the medium information table.

S22: The layout creation unit 105 acquires the direction of the medium selected from the medium information table (the storage direction 403 shown in FIG. 4).
S23: The layout creating unit 105 generates the contour image image data of the special medium from the acquired medium type and medium direction information, and stores it in the image image buffer 123. As this contour image image data, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, contour image image data indicating the contour of the special medium 130 is generated.

  S24: Subsequently, the layout creating unit 105 acquires the print job data stored in the reception buffer 120 and generates image data used for printing. As the image data used for the printing, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, image data 131 based on the print job data is generated.

  The layout creating unit 105 superimposes the generated image data on the contour image image data of the special medium and stores it in the image image buffer 123 as image data for print confirmation. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the print confirmation image data is obtained by superimposing the special medium 130 and the image data 131 based on the print job data, and indicates the direction in which the special medium 130 is fed. An arrow 132 and a name 133 (for example, “paper feed tray A”) of a medium storage unit to which paper is fed are also added.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the printer in the first embodiment, in which the “envelope 1” as the special medium 130 is provided on the upper side (flap is provided) on the paper feed tray A as the first medium accommodating portion 110 of the printer 100. In this state, the paper is stored in the direction in which the paper is fed from the side. The user inputs using the operation panel 107 that the special medium 130 is accommodated in the first medium accommodating unit 110 as shown in FIG. 11, and is preset in the medium information table shown in FIG. .

Based on the information set in the medium information table shown in FIG. 4, the layout creating unit 105, for example, feeds the special medium stored in the first medium storage unit 110 as “envelope 1” from the upper side. As shown in FIG. 7, the contour image image data of the special medium indicating that “envelope 1” is housed so as to be fed from the upper side is generated as shown in FIG.
On the other hand, when the user's print job data is, for example, print data created as being fed from the left side of “envelope 1” as a special medium, the image data 131 based on the print job data shown in FIG. Become.

The layout creating unit 105 combines the contour image image data of the special medium and the image data based on the print job data to generate image data for print confirmation shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, an arrow 132 indicating the direction in which the special medium 130 is fed and the name 133 of the medium storage unit to be fed are also added to the print confirmation image data.
In this way, the layout creation unit 105 prints the contour image of the special medium whose accommodation direction is designated by the operation unit 107 and the image generated based on the print job data received from the PC 1 as the host device. Image data for confirmation is generated.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in addition to the direction in which the special medium set in the medium information table is fed, the image data based on the print job data for the direction in which all the special media can be fed. You may make it show how it is printed. Further, the arrow 132 indicating the direction in which the special medium 130 is fed and the name 133 of the medium containing unit to be fed are also added to the image data for print confirmation shown in FIG.

Returning to the description of FIG.
S10: The control unit 103 notifies the engine control unit 108 of an instruction to print image data for print confirmation on the normal medium by combining the contour image image data of the special medium and the image data based on the print job data. The engine control unit 108 that has received the notification from the control unit 103 instructs the engine unit 109 to print the image data for print confirmation on the print medium (ordinary medium) stored in the second medium storage unit 111. (Print instruction 1)
S11: Upon receiving a print instruction from the engine control unit 108, the engine unit 109 feeds the print medium stored in the second medium storage unit 111, and prints an image based on the image data for print confirmation on the print medium. Output.

  S12: The control unit 103 provides guidance to the operation panel unit 107 (print continuation confirmation screen) to prompt the user to confirm whether the print result of the image data for print confirmation is the print result desired by the user. And waits for an input operation as a response from the user.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a print continuation confirmation screen in the first embodiment. The print continuation confirmation screen is, for example, a message to confirm the continuation of printing, “cancel” to stop printing, and “continue printing”. It is composed of “Continue”.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the operation panel in the first embodiment, and the print continuation confirmation screen shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the display unit 1100 of the operation panel unit 107. It is assumed that the user presses the selection buttons 1101 to 1104 on the operation panel unit 107 to focus on either “cancel” or “continue” and presses the enter button 1105.

S13: If “Continue” to continue printing is selected on the operation panel unit 107, the process proceeds to S14 to perform processing for printing the print job data on a special medium. If “Cancel” to cancel printing is selected, printing is performed. This process ends without printing the job data on the special medium.
S <b> 14: The image forming unit 106 acquires the print job data stored in the reception buffer 120, generates image data used for printing, and stores the generated image data in the image image buffer 123.

S15: The control unit 103 notifies the engine control unit 108 of an instruction to print the image data stored in the image image buffer 123 on the special medium stored in the first medium storage unit 110. The engine control unit 108 acquires image data from the image image buffer 123 and notifies the engine unit 109 of an instruction to print the acquired image data on the special medium stored in the first medium storage unit 110. (Print instruction 2)
S16: Receiving the notification of the instruction to print the image data, the engine unit 109 feeds the special medium stored in the first medium storage unit 110, prints the image data on the special medium, and ends the process. .

  Next, the special medium information registration process for registering the special medium information stored in the first medium storage unit in the special medium information 122 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

S31: Upon receiving an operation for starting registration of special medium information on the menu screen displayed on the display unit of the operation panel unit 107, the control unit 103 selects a special medium that can be printed by the printer 100 already registered in the special medium information 122. Get the type.
S32: The control unit 103 displays the acquired type of the special medium on the display unit of the operation panel unit 107, and reversely displays the type of the special medium that is currently selected.

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a medium type designation screen in the first embodiment. In this medium type designation screen, for example, the type of the currently selected special medium is marked with “*” (asterisk 1401). The highlighted display 1402 indicates that the type of the special medium currently selected is “special paper envelope 1 size”.

S33: When the operation panel unit 107 detects that the enter button has been pressed to select the type of the currently selected special medium displayed on the display unit, the operation panel unit 107 proceeds to step S35 and selects other than the enter button. If it is detected that the button has been pressed, the process proceeds to S34.
S34: The operation panel unit 107 updates the type of the special medium newly selected by the selection button, and shifts the processing to S32 in order to reversely display the type of the special medium currently selected.

S35: When the control unit 103 detects that the enter button has been pressed on the operation panel unit 107, the control unit 103 determines the type of the special medium and selects the type corresponding to the selected special medium type 401 in the medium information table shown in FIG. In “A402”, “*” representing the selection is recorded.
S36: Subsequently, the control unit 103 acquires from the special medium information 122 the direction in which the selected special medium is stored in the first medium storage unit 110, that is, the direction in which the special medium is fed. It is assumed that the direction in which the special medium can be accommodated in the first medium accommodating unit 110 is already registered in the special medium information 122.

  S37: The control unit 103 displays a medium accommodation direction designation screen indicating the accommodation direction of the currently selected special medium on the display unit of the operation panel unit 107. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a medium accommodation direction designation screen in the first embodiment. In this medium accommodation direction designation screen, special media is inserted into the first medium accommodation unit 110 so as to be inserted (paper fed) from the upper side. Indicates that it is stored.

S38: When it is detected that the determination button is pressed on the operation panel unit 107 in order to select the storage direction of the currently selected special medium displayed on the display unit of the operation panel unit 107, the process proceeds to S40. If it is detected that a selection button other than the enter button has been pressed, the process proceeds to S39.
S39: The operation panel unit 107 updates the storage direction of the special medium newly selected by the selection button, and shifts the processing to S37 to display the storage direction of the special medium currently selected.

  S40: When the control unit 103 detects that the determination button is pressed on the operation panel unit 107, the control unit 103 determines the storage direction of the special medium, and corresponds to the storage direction 403 of the selected special medium in the medium information table shown in FIG. In the selection B 404 to be selected, “*” representing the selection is recorded, and this processing is terminated.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, image data obtained by combining the contour image image data of the special medium and the image data based on the print job data is printed on the normal medium as a print confirmation image. Although described as (output), the image based on the image data shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is displayed (output) on the display unit (output unit) of the operation panel unit 107 to obtain the user's confirmation input. Also good.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, when a user prints on a special medium for the first time, the format and print direction specified by the print job data are the same as those of the medium stored in the medium storage unit of the printer. In order to check the actual printing method according to the type and orientation of the stored media, print the print results when printing on special media using normal media, and let the user check the print results. By performing printing on the special medium after that, it is possible to prevent the useless misprinting on the special medium from being prevented.

  The configuration of the second embodiment is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment. When rotation of print job data is selected on the operation panel unit, the print job data is rotated in the selected direction, that is, the print job data is changed. It is assumed that a rotation instruction unit that rotates image data generated based on the selected direction is provided.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer in the second embodiment. Note that parts similar to those of the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
17, the printer 100 includes a data receiving unit 101, a data editing unit 102, a specifying unit 104, a layout creating unit 115, a rotation instruction unit 112, a control unit 113 including an image forming unit 106, an operation panel unit 117, and the like. The engine control unit 108, the engine unit 109, the first medium storage unit 110, and the second medium storage unit 111 are provided.

  The layout creation unit 115 serving as a confirmation image generation unit forms confirmation image data and provides the confirmation image data thus formed to provide a user with a sample print result before printing on a special medium. The image is stored in the image buffer 123 and a notification to that effect is sent to the engine control unit 108.

The control unit 113 includes a designation unit 104, a layout creation unit 115, a rotation instruction unit 112, and an image forming unit 106.
When rotation of the print job data is selected on the operation panel unit 117, the rotation instruction unit 112 rotates the print job data in the selected direction, that is, image data generated based on the print job data is selected. Instruction information for rotating the print job data so as to rotate in the direction is added.

  The operation panel unit 117 accepts a selection input operation by the user as to whether or not the confirmation print result created by the layout creation unit 115 based on the notification from the designation unit 104 is a result desired by the user. If the print result is not the result desired by the user, a selection input operation for rotating the print direction of the print job data is accepted. Further, the operation panel unit 117 accepts a setting input operation by the user of the direction of the special medium stored in the first medium storage unit 110. The input information indicating the orientation of the special medium stored in the first medium storage unit 110 is stored in the special medium information 122.

The operation of the above configuration will be described.
The printing process performed by the printer will be described with reference to FIG. 17 in accordance with the step represented by S in the flowchart showing the flow of the printing process in the second embodiment of FIG.
S51 to S58: The processing is the same as S1 to S8 shown in FIG.

  S59: The layout creation unit 115 sets the type of special medium stored in the first medium storage unit 110 of the printer 100 and the paper feeding direction in the medium information table type 401 and storage direction 403 of the special medium information 122 (FIG. 4) to generate the contour image image data of the special medium.

  Here, the layout creation unit 115 acquires the acquired medium type (type 401 shown in FIG. 4) and the selected medium direction (storage direction 403 shown in FIG. 4) from the medium information table. The contour image image data of the special medium is generated from the information on the medium type and the direction of the medium, and stored in the image image buffer 123.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the contour image image data is contour image image data 140a indicating the contour of a special medium used when printing is performed without changing the orientation of the print job data stored in the reception buffer 120. In addition, the contour image image data 140b showing the contour of the special medium used when the print job data is changed to the left direction, and the special medium used when the print job data is printed upside down. The contour image image data 140c indicating the contour, and the contour image image data 140d indicating the contour of the special medium used when printing is performed by changing the print job data to the right.

  Subsequently, the layout creation unit 115 generates image data to be used for printing from the print job data stored in the reception buffer 120, and prints the generated image data and the contour image image data of the special medium superimposed on each other. The image data is stored in the image image buffer 123 as confirmation image data.

  Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 20, the image data used for printing is based on the print job data stored in the reception buffer 120, and in addition to the image data 141a that does not change the direction of the print job data, Image data 141b whose data is changed to the left, image data 141c obtained by inverting the print job data upside down, and image data 141d whose print job data is changed to the right.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 21, the print confirmation image data is obtained by superimposing the contour image image data 140a to 140d of the special medium and the image data 141a to 141d based on the print job data. Similarly to the first embodiment, the image data for print confirmation includes an arrow 132 indicating the direction in which the special medium is fed and the name 133 (for example, “paper feed tray A”) of the medium containing unit to be fed. It has been added.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the printer in the first embodiment, in which “envelope 1” is fed from the upper side (side where the flap is provided) as the special medium 130 to the first medium accommodating portion 110 of the printer 100. It shows the state of being accommodated in the direction to be done. The user inputs using the operation panel 117 that the special medium 130 has been accommodated in the first medium accommodating unit 110 as shown in FIG. 11, and is preset in the medium information table shown in FIG. .

Based on the information set in the medium information table shown in FIG. 4, the layout creation unit 115 is, for example, a special medium stored in the first medium storage unit 110 is “envelope 1” and is fed from the upper side. As shown in FIG. 19, the contour image image data 140a to 140d of the special medium indicating that the “envelope 1” is housed so as to be fed from the upper side is generated as shown in FIG. .
On the other hand, when the user's print job data is, for example, print data created as fed from the left side of “envelope 1” as a special medium, the image data 141a and the print job data are displayed as shown in FIG. The image data 141b to 141d are rotated based on the image data.

The layout creating unit 115 combines the contour image image data 140a to 140d of the special medium and the image data 141a to 141d rotated based on the print job data to generate image data for print confirmation shown in FIG.
In this way, the layout creation unit 115 as the confirmation image generation unit superimposes the contour image of the special medium and the image obtained by rotating the image generated by the rotation instruction unit 112 based on the print job data. Image data is generated.

S60 to S62: The processing is the same as S10 to S12 shown in FIG.
S63: When “Continue” to continue printing is selected on the operation panel unit 117, the process proceeds to S64 to perform processing for changing the print orientation of the print job data. When “Cancel” to cancel printing is selected, printing is performed. This process ends without printing the job data on the special medium.
S64: The control unit 113 displays a guidance (print rotation confirmation screen) on the operation panel unit 117 in order to prompt the user to check whether or not the print orientation of the print job data needs to be changed. Wait for input operation.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing a print rotation confirmation screen in the second embodiment. The print rotation confirmation screen does not require, for example, a statement to confirm whether or not to rotate the print direction of print job data and rotation. "No" to do and "Yes" to rotate.
22 is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel unit 117. The user presses the selection buttons 1101 to 1104 (see FIG. 12) of the operation panel unit 117 to focus on “No” or “Yes”, and presses the decision button 1105 (see FIG. 12). To do.

  When “Yes” for rotating the print orientation of the print job data is selected on the operation panel unit 117, the process proceeds to S65 to perform a process for rotating the print orientation of the print job data, and the print orientation of the print job data is not rotated. If "No" is selected, the process proceeds to S67 in order to print in the current orientation without rotating the print orientation of the print job data.

  S65: In order to prompt the user to select the rotation direction of the print job data, the control unit 113 displays a guidance (rotation direction designation screen) on the operation panel unit 117 and waits for an input operation as a response from the user.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing a rotation direction designation screen in the second embodiment. This rotation direction designation screen shows that the designation for rotating the print job data in the left direction is selected.
When it is detected that the enter button has been pressed on the operation panel unit 107 to select the rotation direction of the currently selected print job data displayed on the display unit of the operation panel unit 117, the process proceeds to S66. When it is detected that a selection button other than the Enter button has been pressed, the rotation direction of the print job data is reversed upside down or updated to the right, and the rotation direction of the currently selected print job data is displayed. Waits for the button to be pressed.

  S66: The rotation instructing unit 112 rotates the print job data stored in the reception buffer 120 based on the rotation direction selected and input by the operation unit 117 in S65, and the image forming unit 106 starts from the rotated print job data. Image data used for printing is generated, and the generated image data is stored in the image image buffer 123.

S67: The control unit 113 notifies the engine control unit 108 of an instruction to print the image data stored in the image image buffer 123 on the special medium stored in the first medium storage unit 110. The engine control unit 108 acquires image data from the image image buffer 123 and notifies the engine unit 109 of an instruction to print the acquired image data on the special medium stored in the first medium storage unit 110. (Print instruction 2)
S68: The engine unit 109 that has received the notification of the instruction to print the image data feeds the special medium stored in the first medium storage unit 110, prints the image data on the special medium, and ends this processing. .

  Note that the special medium information registration process for registering the information of the special medium stored in the first medium storage unit in the special medium information 122 shown in FIG. 17 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, when a user prints on a special medium for the first time, the format and print direction specified in the print job data are the same as those of the medium stored in the medium storage unit of the printer. Print result when printing by rotating print job data up / down / left / right with respect to the orientation of the special media contained in order to check how it is actually printed depending on the type and orientation of the contained media Is printed using a normal medium, and the print result is matched with the direction in which the special medium is accommodated in the medium accommodating portion by allowing the user to confirm the print result and then printing on the special medium. As a result, it is possible to prevent useless misprinting on special media.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the image forming apparatus is described as a printer. However, the image forming apparatus is not limited to this, and the image forming apparatus includes a plurality of medium accommodating units such as a multifunction peripheral (MFP). It is good also as an apparatus.

1 PC
2 communication line 100 printer 101 data receiving unit 102 data editing unit 103, 113 control unit 104 designation unit 105, 115 layout creation unit 106 image forming unit 107, 117 operation panel unit 108 engine control unit 109 engine unit 110 first medium storage unit 111 Second medium storage unit 112 Rotation instruction unit

Claims (6)

In an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a medium fed from a medium container,
A special medium storage unit for storing the special medium;
An operation unit for receiving an input operation for designating the accommodation direction of the special medium;
A confirmation image generation unit that generates image data when an image is formed on a special medium fed from the accommodation direction specified by the operation unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an output unit that outputs the image data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
Having a normal medium accommodating portion for accommodating a normal medium;
The image forming apparatus, wherein the output unit is an image forming unit that forms an image based on the image data on the normal medium. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the output unit is a display unit that displays an image based on the image data. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The confirmation image generation unit generates the image data by superimposing a contour image of a special medium whose accommodation direction is specified by the operation unit and an image generated based on a print instruction received from a host device. An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.
A rotation instruction unit for rotating an image generated based on the print instruction;
The confirmation image generation unit generates the image data by superimposing the contour image and an image obtained by rotating the image generated by the rotation instruction unit based on the print instruction. . The image forming apparatus according to claim 5.
The operation unit receives an input operation for designating a direction in which the rotation instruction unit rotates the image,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the image rotated by the rotation instruction unit according to a rotation direction input from the operation unit is formed on the special medium.

Images