JP2013145413A - Image forming apparatus, image forming method, recording medium, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress a decrease in productivity when two images cannot be temporarily transferred in alignment with each other.SOLUTION: While an intermediate transfer body to which an image of a first page is transferred, is rotated to a transfer position of an image of the second page, an image forming apparatus determines that transfer means cannot transfer the image of the second page in alignment with the image of the first page; and even after the intermediate transfer body is rotated one revolution after the image of the first page has been transferred to the intermediate body, when determining that the transfer means cannot transfer the image of the second page in alignment with the image of the first page, performs a control to transfer the image of the first page that has been transferred to the intermediate transfer body, to a sheet before the image of the second page is transferred to the intermediate transfer body.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, a storage medium, and a program.

  Conventionally, MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals), which are examples of image forming apparatuses that form color images on sheets, include a 1-drum MFP and a 4-drum MFP.

  The 4-drum MFP includes a developing device and a photosensitive drum for each color, such as C (Cyan), M (Magenta), Y (Yellow), and K (black), and forms a color image on the intermediate transfer member by each photosensitive drum. Then, printing is performed by transferring to a sheet.

  On the other hand, a one-drum MFP has one photosensitive drum common to each color developing device, and each toner is transferred to the intermediate transfer member one color through the photosensitive drum, whereby an image is formed on the intermediate transfer member. Form. This one-drum MFP has the advantage that the number of photosensitive drums is smaller than that of a four-drum MFP, but it is necessary to rotate the intermediate transfer member four times to form one page image. There is also a demerit that it takes time.

  Therefore, in a one-drum MFP, image formation called two-sheet pasting is performed, in which two pages of images are transferred side by side with respect to one sheet of pasting that forms an image for one page on the intermediate transfer body per rotation of the intermediate transfer body. Some perform image formation in a mode (see Patent Document 1). In the case of such an MFP, when transferring image data from the controller unit to the printer unit, the controller unit instructs the printer unit to paste two sheets in advance. When the printer unit is designated to paste two sheets, first, the C toner is transferred so that images of two pages are arranged on the intermediate transfer member. When the transfer of the C toner is completed, the printer unit sequentially transfers the M, Y, and K toners to the area of the page on which the C toner has been transferred while rotating the intermediate transfer member. Then, printing is performed by transferring two pages of images formed by transferring C, M, Y, and K toners onto a sheet. When two sheets are pasted in this way, two pages of images are formed while the intermediate transfer member is rotated once, so that productivity can be improved.

  Further, in the case of the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, even if the printer unit is designated to paste two sheets from the controller unit, the transfer of the second page image is not in time after the transfer of the first page image. In this case, the image formation is performed by switching to the single sheet attachment without performing the two sheet attachment. As a result, even when the image transfer from the controller unit is not in time, the printer unit does not need to interrupt image formation.

JP 2004-128911 A

However, in such an image forming apparatus, for example, when there is a reason that two sheets cannot be temporarily pasted due to a delay in the transfer of image data from the controller unit to the printer unit, etc. An image is formed by pasting one sheet without pasting. For this reason, there is a problem that productivity of image formation after that decreases.
This invention is made | formed in view of the said subject, and it aims at suppressing the fall of productivity in the case where there exists a reason which cannot paste two sheets temporarily.

  An image forming apparatus for forming an image by transferring an image to an intermediate transfer member and transferring the image transferred to the intermediate transfer member to a sheet, wherein the image on the first page is transferred to the intermediate transfer member. And a transfer means for transferring the image of the second page following the first page to the intermediate transfer member so as to coexist with the image of the first page transferred to the intermediate transfer member; Determining means for determining whether or not the image of the second page can be transferred so as to coexist with the image of the first page by the transferring means; After the image is transferred to the intermediate transfer member and after the intermediate transfer member has been rotated once, the image on the second page can be transferred so as to coexist with the image on the first page by the transfer means. And the determination means The transfer means controls the transfer of the second page image to the intermediate transfer body so as to coexist with the image of the first page, and the determination means makes a negative determination. Even after the image of the first page is transferred to the intermediate transfer member and then the intermediate transfer member is rotated once, the image of the second page is transferred to the first page by the transfer unit. The first page transferred to the intermediate transfer body before transferring the image of the second page to the intermediate transfer body when it is determined by the determination means that the image cannot be transferred so as to coexist with the first image. Control means for controlling the transfer of the image of the page to the sheet.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress a decrease in productivity when two sheets cannot be pasted temporarily.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram for describing a configuration example of an MFP 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram for describing a configuration example of a printer unit 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the structural example of the controller part 110 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the control procedure at the time of the image formation which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the control procedure at the time of the image formation which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the time required for the image formation which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the control procedure at the time of the image formation which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the control procedure at the time of the image formation which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the control procedure at the time of the image formation which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating control of the controller part 110 which concerns on this embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining control of the printer unit 300 according to the present embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the time required for the image formation which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the control procedure at the time of the image formation which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the time required for the image formation which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the memory map of the storage medium which stores the readable program which concerns on this embodiment.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of MFP 100 as an example of an image forming apparatus showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

  The controller unit 110 is electrically connected to the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300, and receives information from the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300, and transmits various commands to the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300. . The controller unit 110 is connected to personal computers (PCs) 4001 and 4002 via a network 4000 and receives image data and control commands from the PC 4001 and PC 4002 via the network 4000. An example of the network is Ethernet (registered trademark).

  The reader unit 200 optically reads a document image and converts it into image data. The reader unit 200 includes a scanner unit 210 having a function for reading a document and a document feeding unit 250 that transports a document sheet to a position where the scanner unit 210 can read the document sheet.

  The scanner controller 210 </ b> A controls the document feeding unit 250 and the scanner unit 210 based on instructions from the controller unit 110.

  The printer unit 300 includes a paper feed unit 310 that stores a printing sheet, a marking unit 320 that transfers and fixes image data to the sheet, and a paper discharge unit 330 that discharges the printed sheet. Based on an instruction from the controller unit 110, the printer unit 300 feeds a sheet from the paper feed unit 310, prints image data on the fed sheet, and discharges the printed sheet to the paper discharge unit 330.

  The paper feed unit 310 can store a plurality of types of sheets. Further, the paper discharge unit 330 can perform sorting and stapling on the printed sheets.

  The operation unit 250 includes, for example, a hard key, a liquid crystal display unit, and a touch panel unit pasted on the liquid crystal display unit, and receives a user instruction through them. The operation unit 250 transmits a command corresponding to the instruction received from the user to the controller unit 110, and the controller unit 110 performs control according to the received command. In addition, operation unit 250 displays on the liquid crystal display unit a soft key for accepting an operation of MFP 100 and a display showing the function and state of MFP 100.

  A HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 260 stores various settings of the MFP 100 and image data.

  Using these configurations, the MFP 100 executes, for example, a copy function, an image data transmission function, a printer function, and the like. When executing the copy function, the controller unit 110 reads the image data of the original by the reader unit 200 and prints the read image data on a sheet by the printer unit 300. When executing the image data transmission function, the controller unit 110 converts the image data read by the reader unit 200 into code data, and transmits the code data to the PCs 4001 and 4002 via the network 4000. When executing the printer function, the controller unit 110 analyzes and expands the code data received from the PCs 4001 and 4002 via the network 4000, converts the code data into image data, and outputs the image data to the printer unit 300. The printer unit 300 performs printing based on the image data received from the controller unit 110. In other words, it can be said that the controller unit 110 is an image processing unit, and the printer unit 300 is an image forming unit.

  In the present embodiment, the MFP 100 having a plurality of functions will be described as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, a copy machine having only a copy function or an SFP (Single Function Peripheral) having only a printer function may be used. Good.

  FIG. 2 is an external view of MFP 100 shown in FIG. As illustrated, the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment is a one-drum color printer that performs color printing using a single drum.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 801 denotes a document feeding unit for transporting a document to a position where it can be optically read, and corresponds to the document feeding unit 250 in FIG. A scanner unit 802 corresponds to the scanner unit 210 in FIG. Reference numeral 805 denotes a platen glass.

  When the document is fed onto the platen glass 805 by the document feeding unit 801, the scanner unit 802 scans the image of the document using the image reading sensor, and the optical signal obtained by scanning is sent to the controller unit 804 ( (Corresponding to the controller unit 110 in FIG. 1). The controller unit 804 generates an image signal from the transmitted optical signal. A printer unit 803 corresponds to the printer unit 300 in FIG. The printer unit 803 executes printing based on the image signal generated by the controller unit 804.

  Next, the configuration of the printer unit 803 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. Each unit included in the printer unit 803 is controlled by the printer controller 320A.

  Based on an instruction from the controller unit 110, the printer controller 320 </ b> A rotates the photosensitive member 402 counterclockwise in the drawing, and charges the surface of the photosensitive member 402 with the charger 419. The laser driver 401 irradiates the photoconductor 402 with laser light based on the image signal generated by the controller unit 804, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor 402.

  The developing device 403 performs development by placing toner (also referred to as a recording agent) for each color on an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 402 based on an instruction from the printer controller 320A.

  Next, the toner placed on the surface of the photosensitive member 402 is transferred to the intermediate transfer member 405 that rotates clockwise. The developing unit 403 has five colors, yellow toner (hereinafter referred to as Y), magenta toner (hereinafter referred to as M), cyan toner (hereinafter referred to as C), black toner (hereinafter referred to as K), and transparent toner (hereinafter referred to as CL). It consists of a toner developer. When color printing is performed by the one-drum MFP 100 as shown in FIG. 3, the transfer of the toner image to the intermediate transfer body 405 is performed for each color (for each toner).

  More specifically, when transferring an image of one page to the intermediate transfer member 405, after transferring the Y toner, the intermediate transfer member 405 is rotated until the transferred toner image comes into contact with the photosensitive member 402 again. Let When the transferred toner image comes into contact with the photoreceptor 402, the M toner is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 405 so that the M toner overlaps the Y toner image. Then, when the intermediate transfer member 405 is rotated until the transferred Y and M toner images are in contact with the photosensitive member 402, the C toner is transferred so as to overlap the Y and M toner images. After that, when the transferred Y, M, and C toner images are rotated until they reach a position in contact with the photoreceptor 402, the K toner image is transferred so as to overlap the Y, M, and C toner images. Finally, when the intermediate transfer member 405 is rotated until the Y, M, C, and K toner images are in contact with the photosensitive member 402, the CL toner is transferred to overlap the Y, M, C, and K toner images. To do. Note that when the toners of a plurality of colors are superimposed on the intermediate transfer member 405 in this way, the cleaner shown in FIG. For example, the transfer belt 406 is separated from the intermediate transfer member 405. As a result, a plurality of color toners can be normally superimposed on the intermediate transfer member 405. After the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer body 405 is transferred to the sheet, the printer controller 320A removes residual toner using a cleaner.

  By following these procedures, a color image for one page made of Y, M, C, K, and CL toners is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer member 405. As described above, the MFP 100 transfers the image based on the image data input from the reader unit 200 or the PC 4001 to the intermediate transfer body 405 in units of pages.

  In addition, the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment transfers a single-sheet pasting mode in which an image for one page is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 405 or two pages of images coexist while the intermediate transfer body 405 rotates once. It is possible to operate in the two-sheet pasting mode. This operation will be described in detail later. The toner of each color may be transferred as necessary.

  The printer controller 320A transfers the toner to the intermediate transfer member 405 and feeds the sheet from the upper cassette 408 or the lower cassette 409 by the pickup roller 411 or the pickup roller 412. Then, the printer controller 320A conveys the fed sheet to the conveying roller 415 by the sheet feeding roller 413 or the sheet feeding roller 414, and then conveys the sheet conveyed to the conveying roller 415 to the position before the registration by the conveying roller 415. To do.

  Thereafter, the printer controller 320A conveys the sheet between the intermediate transfer member 405 and the transfer belt 406 at the timing when the generation of the image transferred to the intermediate transfer member 405 is completed. Then, the printer controller 320 </ b> A transfers the image for one page formed on the intermediate transfer body 405 onto the sheet using the transfer belt 406.

  When the toner is transferred to the sheet, the printer controller 320A conveys the sheet to the fixing rollers 407a and 408b, and heats and presses the toner on the sheet by the fixing rollers 407a and 407b to fix the toner on the sheet.

  Then, the printer controller 320A conveys the sheet on which the toner is fixed to either the designated face-up discharge port 417 or the face-down discharge port 418 and discharges the sheet.

  When double-sided printing is designated, the printer controller 320A conveys the sheet on which the image is fixed to the reverse path, reverses the front and back through the reverse roller (reverse R2), and then passes through the double-sided path. Then, the sheet is conveyed again by the sheet feeding conveyance roller 415 to before registration. Then, the printer controller 320A forms a second side (back side) image on the sheet in the same manner as the first side (front side) image forming method. Thereafter, the printer controller 320A conveys the sheet on which images are formed on both sides of the sheet to either the designated face-up discharge port 417 or the face-down discharge port 418 and discharges the sheet.

  Through the operation as described above, the printer controller 320A can output a sheet on which an image is formed.

  Next, the configuration of the controller unit 110 will be described using the block diagram shown in FIG.

  The main controller 111 mainly includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 112, a bus controller 113, and various I / F (interface) controller circuits.

  The CPU 112 and the bus controller 113 collectively control the operation of the entire controller unit 110. The CPU 112 executes various operations based on a program read from a ROM (Read only memory) 114 via the ROM I / F 115. For example, the CPU 112 interprets code data (for example, PDL (page description language)) received from the PC 4001 or PC 4002 shown in FIG. 1 based on the read program.

  The bus controller 113 controls data transfer input / output from each I / F, and controls bus arbitration and DMA (Direct Memory Access) data transfer.

  A DRAM (Dynamic Random Access memory) 116 is connected to the main controller 111 by a DRAM I / F 117 and is used as a work area for the CPU 112 to operate and an area for storing image data.

  The Codec 118 compresses the raster image data stored in the DRAM 116 by a method such as MH / MR / MMR / JBIG / JPEG, and conversely expands the code data stored in the compressed state into raster image data. Perform the process.

  The SRAM 119 is used as a temporary work area of the Codec 118. The Codec 118 is connected to the main controller 111 via the I / F 120, and data transfer to and from the DRAM 116 is controlled by the bus controller 113 and is DMA-transferred.

  The graphic processor 135 performs processing such as image rotation, image scaling, color space conversion, and binarization on the raster image data stored in the DRAM 116. The SRAM 136 is used as a temporary work area for the graphic processor 135. The graphic processor 135 is connected to the main controller 111 via the I / F 137, and data transfer to and from the DRAM 116 is controlled by the bus controller 113 and DMA transfer.

  The network controller 121 is connected to the main controller 111 by the I / F 123 and is connected to an external network such as the network 4000 by the connector 122.

  An expansion connector 124 for connecting an expansion board and an I / O control unit 126 are connected to the general-purpose high-speed bus 125. An example of the general-purpose high-speed bus 125 is a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus. The I / O control unit 126 is equipped with two channels of asynchronous serial communication unit controllers 127 for transmitting and receiving control commands to and from the CPUs of the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300. The I / O control unit 126 is connected to the scanner I / F 140 and the printer I / F 145 via the I / O bus 128.

  The panel I / F 132 is an I / F that exchanges data with the operation unit 250 illustrated in FIG. 1, and transfers the image data transferred from the LCD controller 131 to the operation unit 250. Further, the panel I / F 132 transfers a key input signal received through a key such as a hard key or a liquid crystal touch panel key provided in the operation unit 250 to the I / O control unit 126 through the key input I / F 130.

  The real-time clock module 133 is for updating / saving the date and time managed in the MFP 100 and is supplied with power by the backup battery 134.

  An E-IDE (Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics) interface 161 is for connecting the HDD 260. The CPU 112 stores image data in the HDD 260 or reads image data from the HDD 260 via the E-IDEI / F.

  The connector 142 and the connector 147 are connected to the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300, respectively, and are composed of a synchronized step-synchronized serial I / F (143, 148) and a video I / F (144, 149).

  The scanner I / F 140 is connected to the reader unit 200 via the connector 142 and is connected to the main controller 111 via the scanner bus 141. The scanner I / F 140 performs predetermined processing on the image received from the reader unit 200. The scanner I / F 140 outputs a control signal generated based on the video control signal sent from the reader unit 200 to the scanner bus 141. Data transfer from the scanner bus 141 to the DRAM 116 is controlled by the bus controller 113.

  The printer I / F 145 is connected to the printer unit 300 via the connector 147 and is connected to the main controller 111 via the printer bus 146. The printer I / F 145 performs predetermined processing on the image data output from the main controller 111 and outputs the processed image data to the printer unit 300. Transfer of raster image data developed on the DRAM 116 to the printer unit is controlled by the bus controller 113, and the raster image data is DMA transferred to the printer unit 300 via the printer bus 146, printer I / F 145, and video I / F 149. Is done.

  An SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) 151 is a memory capable of holding stored contents even when the power of the entire MFP 100 is shut off by a power supplied from a backup battery. The SRAM 151 is connected to the I / O control unit via the bus 150.

  Similarly, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) 152 is a memory connected to the I / O control unit 126 via the bus 150.

  The MFP 100 having the above-described configuration can perform image formation in a one-sheet pasting mode in which one sheet is pasted or a two-sheet pasting mode in which two sheets are pasted. In the first embodiment, a case where printing is performed using toners of four colors Y, M, C, and K without CL transfer will be described.

  In the one-sheet pasting mode, the printer unit 300 of the MFP 100 transfers toner for one page to the intermediate transfer body 405 while rotating the intermediate transfer body 405 once. When printing using four colors of Y, M, C, and K, in order to transfer each color toner one color at a time, the intermediate transfer member 405 is rotated four times so that a color image for one page is transferred to the intermediate transfer member. Transfer to 405. When the color image for one page is transferred to the intermediate transfer member 405, the color image formed on the intermediate transfer member 405 is transferred to a sheet.

  In the two-sheet pasting mode, the printer unit 300 of the MFP 100 transfers the toner so that two pages of images coexist on the intermediate transfer member 405 while rotating the intermediate transfer member 405 once. When printing using four colors Y, M, C, and K, in order to transfer each color toner one by one, the intermediate transfer body 405 is rotated at least four times so that two pages of color images are intermediated. Transfer to the transfer body 405. When the color image has been transferred to the intermediate transfer body 405, the two pages of transferred images are transferred to the two fed sheets.

  Based on an instruction from the controller unit 110, the printer unit 300 determines whether to operate in the one-sheet pasting mode or the two-sheet pasting mode.

  First, the flow of data between the controller unit 110 and the printer unit 300 when the MFP 100 operates in the one-sheet pasting mode will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the controller unit 110 receives a print instruction from any of the PC 4001, the PC 4002, and the operation unit 250, the controller unit 110 issues a printer start instruction 501 to the printer unit 300. Further, here, the controller unit 110 instructs to form an image in the single-sheet pasting mode.

  Upon receiving the printer start instruction 501, the printer unit 300 starts preparations for shifting the printer unit 300 to a printable state, such as starting a motor for conveying a sheet and rotating a drum. When the preparation is completed, the printer unit 300 notifies the controller unit 110 that the printer unit 300 is ready for printing by a printer start notification 502.

  Receiving this, the controller unit 110 issues a paper feed instruction 503 to the printer unit 300. When the printer unit 300 receives the paper feed instruction 503, the printer unit 300 notifies the controller unit 110 that the paper feed instruction 503 has been received by a paper feed instruction acceptance notification 504.

  Next, the controller unit 110 transmits an image formation instruction 505 to the printer unit 300 when preparation for transmitting the image data to the printer unit 300 is completed and image data can be input to the printer unit 300. Upon receiving the image formation instruction 505, the printer unit 300 transmits an image transfer start request 506 for each color of toner transferred to the intermediate transfer body 405 to the controller unit 110 to request transfer of image data. When transferring in the order of Y, M, C, and K, the printer unit 300 that has received the image formation instruction 505 first issues an image transfer start request 506 for requesting transfer of image data for transferring Y toner. Notification to the unit 110. Similarly, for the M, C, and K toners, the printer unit 300 notifies the controller unit 110 of an image transfer start request 506 at a timing to be transferred to the intermediate transfer body 405.

  Thereafter, the controller unit 110 transfers the image data of the color requested by the image transfer start request 506 to the printer unit 300. The printer unit 300 transfers the color-specific toner to the intermediate transfer body 405 based on the transferred image data, and then transfers the transferred image to a sheet when an image for one page is transferred. The printer unit 300 fixes the toner transferred to the sheet, and then discharges the toner to the outside through the sheet conveyance path. When the discharge is completed, the printer unit 300 notifies the controller unit 110 of the completion of the discharge. Notify by. If this sheet is the last page, a printer stop instruction 508 is issued from the controller unit 110. The printer unit 300 that has received the printer stop instruction 508 stops the operation of the printer unit 300.

  Next, a data flow between the controller unit 110 and the printer unit 300 when the MFP 100 forms a color image in the two-sheet pasting mode will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 shows that when printing a plurality of pages, two sheets of the first and second pages are pasted and two pages of the third and fourth pages are pasted with respect to a four-page color image. It is a sequence diagram which shows the sequence in the case of doing.

  First, when the controller unit 110 receives a print start instruction from any of the PC 4001, the PC 4002, and the operation unit 250, the controller unit 110 issues a printer start instruction to the printer unit 300. In addition, here, the controller unit 110 instructs to perform image formation in the two-sheet pasting mode.

  Upon receiving the printer start instruction, the printer unit 300 starts preparation for shifting the printer unit 300 to a printable state, such as starting a motor for conveying a sheet and rotating a drum. When the preparation is completed, the printer unit 300 notifies the controller unit 110 that the printer unit 300 is ready for printing by a printer start notification.

  In response to this, the controller unit 110 instructs the printer unit 300 to feed sheets. When the printer unit 300 receives a paper feed instruction, the printer unit 300 transmits a paper feed instruction acceptance notification to the controller unit 110.

  Next, if preparation for transmitting image data of the first page to the printer unit 300 is completed, the controller unit 110 transmits an image formation instruction 701 for the image of the first page to the printer unit 300.

  After performing the image formation instruction 701 for the image of the first page, the controller unit 110 determines whether there is a next page. If there is no next page, the two sheets are not pasted, Paste one sheet. On the other hand, if there is a next page, a paper feed instruction 702 is issued to the printer unit 300 so as to feed a sheet for printing the image of the second page. When the printer unit 300 receives a sheet feeding instruction 702 for printing an image of the second page, the printer unit 300 transmits a sheet feeding instruction reception notification indicating that the sheet feeding instruction 702 has been received to the controller unit 110.

  Thereafter, when preparation for transmitting the image data of the second page to the printer unit 300 is completed, the controller unit 110 transmits an image formation instruction 703 for the image data of the second page to the printer unit 300. Whether the image forming operation can be performed in the two-sheet pasting mode is determined depending on whether or not the transmission timing of the image forming instruction 703 transmitted here is within the period indicated by 712. In a period 712, the second page image is changed to the first page image after the printer unit 300 starts transferring the first page image to the intermediate transfer member 405 until the intermediate transfer member 405 makes one rotation. This is a period during which the image can be transferred to the intermediate transfer body 405 so as not to overlap.

  The example shown in FIG. 6 shows the flow of data between the controller unit and the printer unit when the printer unit receives an image formation instruction 703 for the second page within the period 712.

  When the printer unit 300 receives the image formation instruction 703 for the second page within the period 712, the printer unit 300 determines to paste two sheets for the first page image and the second page image.

  Further, the printer unit 300 transmits image transfer start requests 704 to 711 to the controller unit 110 at a timing at which the image of the first page and the image of the second page should be transferred to the intermediate transfer body 405 for each color. The controller unit 110 transmits the image data of the color requested by the image transfer start request from the printer unit 300 to the printer unit 300, and the printer unit 300 prints an image on the intermediate transfer body 405 for each color based on the received image data. Transcript. When two pages of images are transferred to the intermediate transfer member 405, the printer unit 300 transfers the image of the intermediate transfer member 405 to the sheet.

  The printer unit 300 discharges the sheet onto which the image has been transferred to the outside of the apparatus through the sheet conveyance path. When the discharge is completed, the printer unit 300 notifies the controller unit 110 of the fact by a discharge completion notification.

  Similarly, the printer unit 300 forms images in the two-sheet pasting mode for the third page and the fourth and subsequent pages.

  As described above, when an image is formed in the two-sheet pasting mode, the controller unit 110 issues an image formation instruction to the printer unit 300 when preparation of an image to be transmitted to the printer unit 300 is completed for each page. When the printer unit 300 receives an image formation instruction within a period indicated by 712, the printer unit 300 performs an image forming operation in the two-sheet pasting mode.

  On the other hand, if there is no image formation instruction within the period indicated by 712, the printer unit 300 switches the operation to the single-sheet pasting mode and forms an image even when the two-sheet pasting mode has been designated. I do. In this case, it takes longer to print than when the image forming operation is performed in the two-sheet pasting mode.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for comparing the time required when image formation is performed in the two-sheet pasting mode and the one-sheet pasting mode.

  Reference numeral 1001 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image transferred to the intermediate transfer body 405 from each color developer included in the developing unit 403 when image formation is performed in the two-sheet pasting mode. Reference numerals 1003 to 1006 and 1008 to 1015 denote images transferred to the intermediate transfer member 405 while the intermediate transfer member is rotated once. Reference numeral 1002 denotes the length of one circumference of the intermediate transfer member 405.

  As shown in 1001, when image formation is performed in the two-sheet pasting mode, P1 (Page 1) and P2 (Page 2) are transferred to the first rotation (1003) of the intermediate transfer body 405 using Y toner. Next, P1 and P2 are transferred using M toner in the second rotation (1004). P1 and P2 are transferred using the C toner in the third rotation (1005). Finally, P1 and P2 are transferred at the fourth rotation (1006) using K toner. Thus, by rotating the intermediate transfer member 405 four times, a color image for two pages is transferred to the intermediate transfer member 405. Note that images formed with toners of the respective colors Y, M, C, and K are transferred to the intermediate transfer body 405 so as to overlap each other at P1 and P2.

  However, after transferring the Y toner P1 (Page1) indicated by 1002 to the intermediate transfer body 405, the printer unit 300 cannot transfer two pieces of P2 (Page2) image data from the controller unit 110 in time, and cannot paste two sheets. There is a case. In that case, the operation has been conventionally switched to the single-sheet sticking mode as indicated by 1007.

  When image formation is performed in the single-sheet pasting mode, the images formed in the areas 1008 to 1015 are images for one page. When image formation is performed in the one-sheet pasting mode, the time is twice as long as when image formation is performed in the two-sheet pasting mode in which images for two pages are transferred to each area as in 1003 to 1006. It becomes necessary and productivity decreases.

  Note that factors that delay the preparation of the image of the second page in the controller unit 110 include a page printing function that combines and outputs an image indicating the number of pages with the read original image, and an image that indicates the number of copies and outputs it. May be set to execute the number of copies printing function. Further, when executing an image composition function of combining the image data read by the reader unit 200 or the image data transmitted by the PCs 4001 and 4002 with a composite image registered in advance in the HDD 260 and outputting it to the printer unit 300. There is also. When these factors exist, there is a high possibility that the preparation of the second page image by the controller unit 110 is delayed.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the controller unit 110 performs control as shown in FIG. 8 in order to suppress a decrease in productivity when transmission of image data from the controller unit 110 is delayed.

  The controller unit 110 transmits a printer start instruction 1101 to the printer unit 300 and receives a printer start notification 1102 from the printer unit 300. Next, when it is designated to execute the page printing function, the number of copies printing function, or the image composition function, the controller unit 110, together with the paper feed instruction 1103, information indicating that the image forming instruction is delayed (hereinafter, referred to as the image forming instruction). , Delay information) is transmitted to the printer unit 300.

  When the printer unit 300 recognizes that transmission of the image formation instruction 1105 from the controller unit 110 is delayed due to the delay information, the printer unit 300 does not receive the image formation instruction 1105 within the period indicated by 712 in FIG. Is also controlled so as not to immediately change to the single-sheet pasting mode. Specifically, the printer unit 300 has received delay information from the controller unit 110, and if the image formation instruction 1105 does not come within the period indicated by 712, the printer unit 300 rotates the intermediate transfer body 405 one extra time, Whether or not there is an image formation instruction 1105 is monitored. If the image forming instruction 1105 is not transmitted while the intermediate transfer member 405 is rotated one extra turn, the image forming operation is performed in the one-sheet pasting mode, but the image forming instruction 1105 is transmitted. If it is, the image forming operation is performed in the two-sheet pasting mode.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 9, a description will be given of the control for printing up to the first to fourth page images when printing a plurality of pages of images by the control shown in FIG.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, it is assumed that the print setting is set so that two sheets are pasted and the number of pages, the number of copies, or a specific image is designated to be combined with the image to be printed. Note that the print settings are set via, for example, the operation screen of the operation unit 250 or the PC 4001 or 4002.

  Upon receiving a print instruction from the user, the controller unit 110 issues a print start instruction 1501 to the printer unit 300, and receives a print start notification as a response thereto.

  Upon receiving the print start notification, the controller unit 110 issues a paper feed instruction 1502 to the printer unit 300. In addition, the controller unit 110, when designated to execute either the page number printing function, the number of copies printing function, or the image composition function, information indicating that the image formation instruction is delayed (delay information). ) To the printer unit 300.

  The printer unit 300 returns a paper feed operation notification to the controller unit 110 as a response to the paper feed instruction, and stores delay information in a memory included in the printer unit 300.

  When the controller 110 receives the paper feed operation notification from the printer unit 300, the controller 110 determines whether the first page image to be transmitted to the printer unit 300 has been analyzed, developed, and combined, and ready for transmission. To do. When the image data is ready to be transmitted, the controller unit 110 transmits an image formation instruction to the printer unit 300.

  Upon receiving an image formation instruction for the first page image, the printer unit 300 transmits an image transfer request for the first page to the controller unit 110. In accordance with the image transfer request, the controller unit 110 first transmits Y image data to the printer unit 300.

  The printer unit 300 transfers the Y image to the intermediate transfer body 405 based on the transmitted Y image data. Since the printer unit 300 is designated to paste two sheets, the printer unit 300 waits to receive an image formation instruction for the second page from the controller unit 110.

  Conventionally, the system waits for a period indicated by 712, and when there is no instruction for image formation within that period, the operation is switched to the single-sheet pasting mode. However, in this embodiment, the printer unit 300 determines whether or not delay information has been notified. When the printer unit 300 determines that the delay information has been notified, the controller unit 110 performs a period indicated by 1505 (a time required for one extra rotation of the intermediate transfer member in addition to the period indicated by 712). Waits for the reception of the image formation instruction for the second page transmitted from. If the printer unit 300 does not receive an image formation instruction for the second page from the controller unit 110 during the period 1505, the printer unit 300 switches to the single-sheet pasting mode and performs an image forming operation. On the other hand, when the printer unit 300 receives an image formation instruction from the controller unit 110 in the period 1505, the printer unit 300 performs an image forming operation in the two-sheet pasting mode.

  The example shown in FIG. 9 shows a case where the number of pages or the number of copies or a specific image is set to be combined, and the controller unit 110 transmits delay information to the printer unit 300. In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, the printer unit 300 cannot transmit an image formation instruction during the period indicated by 712, but shows a case where the printer unit 300 can receive an image formation instruction during the period indicated by 1505. ing. That is, the printer unit 300 extends the period for determining whether or not to perform image formation in the two-sheet pasting mode from the period 712 to the period 1505 based on the delay information notified from the controller unit 110.

  The printer unit 300 receives an image formation instruction within the extended period 1505 and forms an image in the two-sheet pasting mode. For the third and fourth pages, the same control as that for the first and second pages is performed.

  On the other hand, if no image formation instruction is received from the controller unit 110 even after the period indicated by 1505 has elapsed, image formation is performed in the single-sheet pasting mode. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating control when the printer unit 300 waits for an image formation instruction from the controller unit 110 during a period indicated by 1505, but does not receive an image formation instruction.

  Next, using the schematic diagram of FIG. 13, for each of the operations described above, the time required when images of two pages of the first page and the second page are transferred to the intermediate transfer body 405 is compared.

  Reference numeral 1301 denotes a time required for transferring an image for two pages to the intermediate transfer member in the two-sheet pasting mode. Reference numeral 1302 denotes a time required for transferring an image for two pages to the intermediate transfer member in the one-sheet pasting mode. Reference numeral 1303 denotes a time required for performing the control shown in FIG. 9 to transfer an image of two pages to the intermediate transfer member. Reference numeral 1304 denotes a time required when the image forming instruction is not accepted during the period indicated by the period 1505 in FIG.

  1301 is an ideal time required when the two-sheet pasting mode is designated. However, it takes time to prepare an image in the controller unit 110, and when the mode is switched to the single-sheet pasting mode, it takes twice as long as 1301. In comparison, when the control shown in FIG. 9 is performed, the image for two pages can be transferred to the intermediate transfer body 405 in the time shown in 1303. When the control as shown in FIG. 9 is performed, the time required when the image forming operation is switched to the single-sheet pasting mode can be reduced to about 5/8 of the time required.

  When delay information is notified from the controller unit 110 to the printer unit 300 in advance, the MFP 100 may perform another control in order to paste two sheets as much as possible. For example, the controller unit 110 sends an image forming instruction to the printer unit 300 when the image data for two pages is prepared without transferring the image data to the printer unit 300 until the image data for two pages can be prepared. It is also possible to do so. However, in this case, the controller unit 110 takes a long time to print the first page of image data from the printer unit 300. Further, the controller unit 110 does not take time to prepare image data for the second page, and even when the printer unit 300 can transfer the image data to the printer unit 300 at a timing at which two sheets can be pasted, The transfer of image data is delayed. In that case, the transfer start timing of the first page is delayed although the image can be formed at the ideal timing indicated by 1301 in FIG.

  In this embodiment, the case where toner is transferred to the intermediate transfer member 405 in the order of Y, M, C, and K has been described. However, the order of transferring the toner of each color is not limited to this. The transfer order of the toner of each color varies depending on the characteristics of the printer unit 300 of the MFP 100. In this embodiment, by transferring toner in the order of Y, M, C, and K, the toner can be normally transferred onto the intermediate transfer body 405, and an image can be formed on the sheet. However, due to the characteristics of the printer unit 300, when the toner can be normally printed by transferring the toner to the intermediate transfer body 405 in the order of M, C, K, and Y, such control may be performed. .

  In addition, due to the characteristics of the printer unit 300, any MFP that can normally form an image on the intermediate transfer body 405 and on the sheet regardless of the transfer order of the toner of each color can be used without considering the transfer order of the toner. The toner may be transferred to the intermediate transfer member 405. In such an MFP, after the Y toner image of the first page is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 405, the intermediate transfer body 405 is rotated 1/2 turn without transferring the toner. The M toner image of the first page is transferred so as to overlap the Y toner image. Then, the M toner image of the second page is transferred so as to coexist with the M toner image of the first page. Then, C toner and K toner are transferred to the respective toner transfer positions for the first and second page images, and then Y toner is transferred to the second page image. By controlling in this way, it is possible to shorten the time until the sheet on which the image of the first page is printed is discharged to the discharge unit 330.

  In the example shown in 1303, the printer unit 300 transfers the first color toner of the first page to the intermediate transfer member 405 and then stops the rotation of the intermediate transfer member 405, and the image data from the controller unit 110. It is also conceivable to perform control so as to wait for transfer. However, once the rotation of the intermediate transfer member 405 is stopped, a delay occurs until the rotation speed of the intermediate transfer member 405 reaches a predetermined rotation speed when the intermediate transfer member 405 is rotated again. However, in this embodiment, the printer unit 300 waits for image data to be sent from the controller unit 110 while performing intermediate transfer as compared with the case where such control is performed. Wait with the body 405 rotated. Thereby, a delay in printing due to the stop of the rotation of the intermediate transfer member 405 can be prevented.

  Next, control of the controller unit 110 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. Each process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11 is performed by the CPU 112 of the controller unit 110 executing a program stored in the ROM 114.

  First, in step S1101, the controller unit 110 determines whether there is a job to be processed. For example, it is determined whether a job (code data including a print control command based on a predetermined page description language and print data) is received from the PC 4001 or the PC 4002. The process of S1101 is repeated until the controller unit 110 receives a job. If a job is received, the process proceeds to S1102.

  In step S1102, the controller unit 110 analyzes the received job. Specifically, the controller unit 110 stores the received job in the DRAM 116. Then, the controller unit 110 analyzes the print control command set for the received job, determines whether the number of pages, the number of copies, or a specific image composition process is specified, and the determination result is used as the DRAM 116. Save to.

  In step S <b> 1103, the controller unit 110 determines whether or not to transmit delay information indicating that an image formation instruction to the printer unit 300 is delayed. Specifically, if the controller unit 110 determines that information indicating that the number of pages, the number of copies, or a specific image composition process is specified is stored in the DRAM 116 as a result of analyzing the job in step S1102. The process proceeds to S1104. On the other hand, if the controller unit 110 determines in step S1103 that the number of pages, the number of copies, or a specific image composition process is not specified, the process proceeds to step S1105.

  In step S1104, the controller unit 110 notifies the printer unit 300 of delay information and advances the process to step S1105.

  In step S1105, the controller unit 110 converts print data included in the job into image data in a format that can be interpreted by the printer unit 300 in accordance with a print control command. Here, for example, in the case of a job designated to perform page number, number of copies, and specific image composition, the number of pages, number of copies, and specific image composition are performed on the image data obtained by converting print data.

  In step S <b> 1106, the controller unit 110 determines whether the processing of the image data according to the print control command is finished and the image data can be transmitted to the printer unit 300. If the controller unit 110 determines that the image data can be transmitted to the printer unit 300, the controller unit 110 advances the process to step S1107.

  In step S <b> 1107, an image formation instruction is transmitted to the printer unit 300 in order to notify that the image data can be transmitted to the printer unit 300.

  In step S1108, the controller unit 110 waits to transfer image data until a transfer start request is received from the printer unit 300. When the controller unit 110 receives a transfer start request from the printer unit 300, the controller unit 110 causes the printer unit 300 to store image data for each color. Send data.

  Next, control of the printer unit 300 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Each process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12 is performed by the printer controller 320A executing a program stored in a memory (not shown).

  First, the printer controller 320A determines whether or not a paper feed instruction is received from the controller unit 110 in S1801. Upon receiving a paper feed instruction from the controller unit 110, the printer controller 320A determines whether delay information has been received in S1802. If it is determined in S1802 that the delay information has been received, the printer controller 320A stores the delay information in a memory (not shown) provided in the printer unit 300, and the process proceeds to S1804. On the other hand, if it is determined in S1802 that the delay information has not been received, the process proceeds to S1804 without performing the process in S1803.

  In step S <b> 1804, the printer controller 320 </ b> A causes the sheet of the size specified by the print setting to be fed to the sheet feeding unit 310 and notifies the controller unit 110 of a sheet feeding operation.

  In step S <b> 1805, the printer controller 320 </ b> A notifies the controller unit 110 of an image transfer request for the first color when an image formation instruction for the first page is sent from the controller unit 110. Then, the printer controller 320 </ b> A transfers the first color toner to the intermediate transfer body 405 based on the image data sent from the controller unit 110.

  In step S1806, the printer controller 320A determines whether an image formation instruction for the next page has been received within a predetermined period (period 703 in FIG. 9). The predetermined time is a period in which the Y image on the second page can be transferred so that the Y image on the second page does not overlap the image on the first page. The length of this period varies depending on the rotation speed of the intermediate transfer member.

  In step S1806, when the printer controller 320A determines that an image formation instruction has been received within a predetermined period, the printer controller 320A can execute the image formation operation in the two-sheet pasting mode. Do.

  On the other hand, if the printer controller 320A determines in step S1806 that it has not received an image formation instruction within a predetermined period, the process advances to step S1807.

  In step S1807, the printer controller 320A determines whether the delay information is notified from the controller unit 110 based on whether the delay information notified in step S1803 exists in the memory.

  If the printer controller 320A determines in S1807 that the delay information has been notified, the process proceeds to S1808. If the printer controller 320A determines that the delay information has not been notified, the printer controller 320A advances the process to S1812. In step S1808, the printer controller 320A rotates the intermediate transfer member 405 once without transferring the toner from the developing unit 403. Then, the process proceeds to S1809.

  In step S1809, the printer controller 320A determines whether an image formation instruction for the next page is sent from the controller unit 110 while the intermediate transfer member 405 is rotated once. If the printer controller 320A determines that an image formation instruction for the next page has been sent from the controller unit 110, the printer controller 320A advances the process to S1811. If the printer controller 320A determines that it has not been sent, the printer controller 320A advances the process to S1812.

  In step S1811, the printer controller 320A rotates the intermediate transfer member 405 once, and then intermediately processes the second page image so that the image of the second page sent with a delay is aligned with the first page image. Transfer to the transfer body 405. Then, two images are pasted as shown in 1303 in FIG. Then, the process proceeds to S1813.

  On the other hand, in S1812, the printer controller unit 320A pastes one sheet as indicated by 1304 in FIG.

  As described above, even when the time until the print data can be transmitted from the controller unit 110 to the printer unit 300 is delayed, the printer unit 300 performs control so that two sheets are pasted as much as possible. As a result, when the time until the print data can be transmitted from the controller unit 110 to the printer unit 300 is delayed, a decrease in productivity is suppressed as compared with the case where the operation is switched so that one sheet is pasted. can do.

<Second Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, the operation of forming an image using toners of four colors C, M, Y, and K has been described. In the second embodiment, an operation for forming an image using toners of CL (transparent toner) in addition to toners of four colors of C, M, Y, and K will be described.

  The configuration of the apparatus described in FIGS. 1 to 4 and the data processing in FIGS. 5, 11, and 12 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  FIG. 14 illustrates a data flow of the controller unit 110 and the printer unit 300 in the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment.

  Upon receiving a print instruction from the user, the controller unit 110 issues a print start instruction to the printer unit 300, and receives a print start notification as a response.

  When the controller unit 110 receives the print start notification, the controller unit 110 issues a paper feed instruction to the printer unit 300. Here, the controller unit 110 transmits information (delay information) indicating that the image formation instruction is delayed to the printer unit 300 when it is designated to perform printing using transparent toner. That is, the process proceeds from S1802 to S1803 shown in FIG. As described above, in the second embodiment, the controller unit 110 determines whether or not there is a possibility that the image formation instruction may be delayed based on whether or not the print setting is set to perform the clear toner composition process. Determine. When printing using transparent toner, the controller unit 110 needs to perform generation and synthesis processing of a transparent toner image in addition to processing of generating images of four colors of C, M, Y, and K. This is because it takes time until the data can be transferred to the printer unit 300.

  Thereafter, the controller unit 110 receives a paper feed instruction acceptance notification from the printer unit 300 and transmits an image formation instruction to the printer unit 300 when image data can be transmitted to the printer unit 300.

  FIG. 14 illustrates an operation when the printer unit 300 receives an image formation instruction from the controller unit 110 within a period indicated by 1505. In the period 1505, as in the first embodiment, after the printer unit 300 starts transferring the image of the first page to the intermediate transfer body 405, the intermediate transfer body 405 does not overlap the image of the second page with the image of the first page. In addition to the period during which the intermediate transfer member 405 can be transferred, the intermediate transfer member 405 is rotated once.

  Upon receiving the image formation instruction, the printer unit 300 transmits an image transfer start request to the controller unit 110 and transfers Y, M, C, K, and CL toners to the intermediate transfer body 405. Transfer to the intermediate transfer body 405.

  After the image is formed on the intermediate transfer body 405 with the Y, M, C, K, and CL toners on the intermediate transfer body 405, the image transferred to the intermediate transfer body 405 is transferred to a sheet and fixed. The paper is discharged to the paper discharge unit.

  When the discharge of the sheet is completed, the printer unit 300 notifies the controller unit 110 of the discharge completion.

  In the second embodiment, if the controller unit 110 does not complete image transfer preparation within the period 1505 and the printer unit 300 does not receive an image formation instruction from the controller unit 110, the first page is displayed. Is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 405 by sticking one sheet.

  FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram for explaining the time required when the printer controller 320A forms an image in each mode.

  2001 is a time required to transfer an image of two pages to the intermediate transfer member in the two-sheet pasting mode. 2002 is a time required to transfer an image of two pages to the intermediate transfer member in the one-sheet pasting mode. Reference numeral 2003 denotes a time required for transferring the image for two pages to the intermediate transfer member by performing the control shown in FIG. Reference numeral 2004 denotes a time required when the image forming instruction is not accepted during the period indicated by the period 1505 in FIG.

  2001 is an ideal time required when the two-sheet pasting mode is designated. However, it takes time to prepare an image in the controller unit 110, and as shown in 2002, when switching to the single-sheet pasting mode, it takes twice as long as 2001. In contrast, when the control shown in FIG. 14 is performed, an image for two pages can be transferred to the intermediate transfer body 405 in the time shown in 2003. When the control as shown in FIG. 14 is performed, the time required when the image forming operation is switched to the single-sheet pasting mode can be suppressed to about 3/5 of the time required.

  Even when the time until the print data can be transmitted from the controller unit 110 to the printer unit 300 is delayed by the control as described above, the printer unit 300 performs control so that two sheets are pasted as much as possible. . As a result, when the time until the print data can be transmitted from the controller unit 110 to the printer unit 300 is delayed, a decrease in productivity is suppressed as compared with the case where the operation is switched so that one sheet is pasted. can do.

  When delay information is notified from the controller unit 110 to the printer unit 300 in advance, the MFP 100 may perform the following control in order to paste two sheets as much as possible. For example, the controller unit 110 sends an image forming instruction to the printer unit 300 when the image data for two pages is prepared without transferring the image data to the printer unit 300 until the image data for two pages can be prepared. It is also possible to do so. However, in this case, the controller unit 110 takes a long time to print the first page of image data from the printer unit 300. Even if the controller unit 110 does not take time to prepare image data for the second page and the printer unit 300 can transfer the image data to the printer unit 300 at a timing at which two sheets can be pasted, the printer unit 300 Wait for transfer of image data for the first page. In that case, the transfer start timing of the first page is delayed although the image can be formed at a desired timing as originally indicated by reference numeral 1301.

  Further, in the example shown in 2003, it is also conceivable to perform control so as to wait for transfer of image data from the controller unit 110 while the rotation of the intermediate transfer member 405 is stopped. However, once the rotation of the intermediate transfer member 405 is stopped, a delay occurs until the rotation speed of the intermediate transfer member 405 reaches a predetermined rotation speed when the intermediate transfer member 405 is rotated again. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the printer unit 300 waits in a state where the intermediate transfer member 405 is rotated while waiting for image data to be sent from the controller unit 110. Thereby, a delay in printing due to the stop of the rotation of the intermediate transfer member 405 can be prevented.

  In the above-described embodiment, for example, when the total number of pages of one job is an odd number, there may be no page following the last page. Even in such a case, if the printer unit 300 is controlled to wait for a period indicated by a period 1505 in order to paste two sheets, the productivity is lowered. Therefore, for example, when the page to be pasted two pages is the last page, the controller unit 110 notifies the printer unit 300 that the image data to be transferred is the image data of the last page, and the printer It is preferable to perform a single sheet pasting operation on the part 300. As a result, regarding the last page, the printer unit 300 can wait for a period 1505 for pasting two sheets and wait for one sheet to be pasted based on information notified from the controller unit 110 in advance. it can. Therefore, the time required for printing the last page can be shortened.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the controller unit 110 is not ready for image data to be transferred to the printer unit 300 and cannot transmit an image formation instruction to the printer unit 300 during the period indicated by 712, Was working like that. In the above description, the printer unit 300 makes a negative determination that two sheets cannot be pasted at that timing, and waits for reception of an image forming instruction while rotating the intermediate transfer member once. However, the period of waiting for the reception of the image formation instruction is not limited to this, and the intermediate transfer member may wait for a predetermined number of rotations such as two rotations and three rotations. Note that the user may be able to set the number of rotations waiting for reception of the image formation instruction via the operation unit 250. In the case of page printing and number of copies printing, the intermediate transfer member is set to wait for reception of an image formation instruction during two rotations. When transparent toner is printed, the image formation instruction is performed during three rotations. Alternatively, another rotation speed may be set by print setting so as to wait for the reception of.

  The configuration of a data processing program that can be read by MFP 100 according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by MFP 100 according to the present invention.

  Although not particularly illustrated, information for managing a program group stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons may also be stored.

  Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs in the computer, and a program for decompressing when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

  The functions shown in the flowchart in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Is.

  As described above, a computer-readable storage medium that records a program code of software that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments may be supplied to the system or apparatus. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved when a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, an EEPROM, or the like is used. it can.

  The functions of the above-described embodiments are not limited to being realized by executing the program code read by the computer. For example, an OS (operating system) running on a computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on an instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments may be realized by the processing. Needless to say, it is included.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not.

110 Controller unit 250 Operation unit 300 Printer unit 320A Printer controller

An image forming apparatus for forming an image by transferring an image to an intermediate transfer member and transferring the image transferred to the intermediate transfer member to a sheet, wherein the image on the first page is transferred to the intermediate transfer member. and then, a transfer unit that transfers the subsequent image of the second page to the first page, the intermediate transfer member so as to coexist with the image of the first page has been transferred to the intermediate transfer member, wherein Based on whether or not image data corresponding to the image on the second page can be input while the intermediate transfer body onto which the image on the first page has been transferred is rotated to the transfer position of the image on the second page. the determining means for determining whether transferable to coexist an image of the second page and the first page of the image by the transfer means, the determining means performs a negative determination, the first The middle of the page image If the intermediate transfer member has been rotated once after being transferred to the copy body, the transfer means can transfer the image of the second page so as to coexist with the image of the first page. And the transfer means controls to transfer the image of the second page to the intermediate transfer body so as to coexist with the image of the first page, and the determination means makes a negative determination. Even after the image of the first page is transferred to the intermediate transfer member and then the intermediate transfer member is rotated once, the image of the second page is transferred to the first page by the transfer unit. The first page transferred to the intermediate transfer body before transferring the image of the second page to the intermediate transfer body when it is determined by the determination means that the image cannot be transferred so as to coexist with the first image. Page drawing The a control means for controlling so as to transfer the sheet.

Claims (8)

An image forming apparatus that forms an image by transferring an image to an intermediate transfer member and transferring the image transferred to the intermediate transfer member to a sheet,
After the image of the first page is transferred to the intermediate transfer member, the image of the second page following the first page coexists with the image of the first page transferred to the intermediate transfer member. Transfer means for transferring to the intermediate transfer member,
A determination unit that determines whether the image of the second page can be transferred by the transfer unit so as to coexist with the image of the first page;
If the determination means makes a negative determination and the image of the first page is transferred to the intermediate transfer body and then the intermediate transfer body is rotated once, the image of the second page is transferred by the transfer means. Can be transferred so as to coexist with the image of the first page, the image of the second page is made to coexist with the image of the first page by the transfer unit when it is determined by the determining unit. Control to transfer to the intermediate transfer body,
The determination means makes a negative determination, and after the image of the first page is transferred to the intermediate transfer body and the intermediate transfer body is rotated once, the transfer means transfers the second page. If it is determined by the determining means that the image cannot be transferred so as to coexist with the image on the first page, the image on the second page is transferred to the intermediate transfer member before being transferred to the intermediate transfer member. An image forming apparatus comprising: control means for controlling to transfer the transferred image of the first page onto the sheet. The control means is set so that the determination means makes a negative determination and transfers a transparent recording material onto the sheet, and after the image of the first page is transferred to the intermediate transfer member, the intermediate If it is determined by the determination means that the image of the second page can be transferred by the transfer means so as to coexist with the image of the first page after one rotation of the transfer body, Controlling the transfer means to transfer the image of the second page to the intermediate transfer member so as to coexist with the image of the first page;
The determination means makes a negative determination, and is set to transfer a transparent recording material to the sheet. The image on the first page is transferred to the intermediate transfer member, and then the intermediate transfer member is rotated once. Even if the second page is not transferred by the transfer unit so as to coexist with the image of the first page, the second page is determined by the determination unit. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image of the first page transferred to the intermediate transfer member is controlled to be transferred to a sheet before transferring the image of the first transfer to the intermediate transfer member. The control means is set so that the determination means makes a negative determination and performs page printing or number of copies printing on the sheet, and after the image of the first page is transferred to the intermediate transfer member If it is determined by the determination means that the image of the second page can be transferred by the transfer means so as to coexist with the image of the first page after the intermediate transfer member has been rotated once. And controlling the transfer means to transfer the image of the second page to the intermediate transfer body so as to coexist with the image of the first page,
It is not set to perform page printing or number of copies printing on the sheet, and after the image of the first page is transferred to the intermediate transfer member and then the intermediate transfer member is rotated once. If the determination means determines that the image on the second page cannot be transferred in parallel with the image on the first page by the transfer means, the image on the second page is transferred to the intermediate transfer. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image of the first page transferred to the intermediate transfer body is controlled to be transferred to a sheet before being transferred to the body. A method of controlling an image forming apparatus that forms an image by transferring an image to an intermediate transfer member and transferring the image transferred to the intermediate transfer member to a sheet,
After the image of the first page is transferred to the intermediate transfer member, the image of the second page following the first page coexists with the image of the first page transferred to the intermediate transfer member. A transfer step of transferring to the intermediate transfer member,
A determination step of determining whether the image of the second page can be transferred so as to coexist with the image of the first page by the transfer unit;
If the negative determination is made in the determination step and the image of the first page is transferred to the intermediate transfer member and then the intermediate transfer member is rotated once, the image of the second page is transferred by the transfer means. Can be transferred so as to coexist with the image of the first page, the image of the second page is coexisted with the image of the first page by the transfer means when determined in the determining step. Control to transfer to the intermediate transfer body,
A negative determination is made in the determination step, and even after the intermediate transfer member is rotated once after the image of the first page is transferred to the intermediate transfer member, If it is determined in the determination step that the image cannot be transferred so as to coexist with the image of the first page, the image of the second page is transferred to the intermediate transfer member before being transferred to the intermediate transfer member. And a control unit that controls to transfer the transferred image of the first page onto the sheet. In the control step, a negative determination is made in the determination step, and the transparent recording agent is set to be transferred to the sheet. After the image of the first page is transferred to the intermediate transfer member, the intermediate If it is determined in the determination step that the image of the second page can be transferred by the transfer means so as to coexist with the image of the first page after one rotation of the transfer body, Controlling to transfer the image of the second page to the intermediate transfer member so that it coexists with the image of the first page in the transfer step;
It is set so that a negative determination is made in the determination step and a transparent recording agent is transferred to the sheet, and the intermediate transfer member is rotated once after the image of the first page is transferred to the intermediate transfer member. Even if the second page image is not transferred by the transfer means so as to coexist with the first page image, the second page is determined when it is determined in the determination step. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image of the first page transferred to the intermediate transfer member is controlled to be transferred to a sheet before the image of the first transfer is transferred to the intermediate transfer member. Control method. In the control step, when performing negative determination in said determination step, page numbering before Symbol sheet, or are set to perform the number of copies printed, the image of the first page to said intermediate transfer member It is determined in the determination step that the image of the second page can be transferred so as to coexist with the image of the first page in the transfer step if the intermediate transfer member is rotated once after the transfer. If so, the transfer step controls the image of the second page to be transferred to the intermediate transfer body so as to coexist with the image of the first page,
It is not set to perform page printing or number of copies printing on the sheet, and after the image of the first page is transferred to the intermediate transfer member and then the intermediate transfer member is rotated once. If the determination step determines that the image of the second page cannot be transferred in parallel with the image of the first page in the transfer step, the image of the second page is transferred to the intermediate transfer. 5. The method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image of the first page transferred to the intermediate transfer body is controlled to be transferred to a sheet before being transferred to the body.   A program for causing a computer to execute the method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6.   A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 4.

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