JP2018125758A - Image formation apparatus, image formation system and image formation control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a memory from being added and prevent the image formation timing from being changed even if the sheet remaining number changes due to the change in the setting and configuration when forming an image by storing image data by the sheet remaining number in a memory.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus includes: a compression unit which generates compressed image data by compressing the image data; a sheet feeding unit which feeds the accumulated sheets for image formation; a memory which stores the compressed image data; an extension unit which generates the image data for image formation by extending the compressed image data; an image formation unit which performs image formation by using the image data for image formation on the sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit; and a control unit which controls compression, storage, extension and image formation. The control unit, when the number of sheets existing in the sheet conveyance path from the sheet feeding unit to the image formation unit in image formation is defined as the sheet remaining number, sets the compression rate when generating the compressed image data so as to store the compressed image data by the sheet remaining number in the memory.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a control technique that does not require an additional memory in accordance with a paper feed position and a paper transport path when image forming image data is stored in a memory in accordance with a paper stay in an image forming apparatus.

  In image forming apparatuses and image forming systems having multiple functions, such as scanners, copiers, printers, and facsimile machines, when paper jams (paper jams) occur during image formation, In anticipation of performance degradation and the like, a memory capacity corresponding to the number of sheets staying on the longest path of the paper transport path (paper feeding unit to image forming unit or paper feeding unit to paper discharge unit) is mounted.

  If the image forming apparatus has a relatively low speed, it is possible to stop the sheet in the middle of the conveyance path in response to addition of a sensor to the image forming apparatus. However, when forming images at high speed, the paper moves at high speed, making it difficult to stop the paper in the middle of the transport path, or memory for the number of sheets remaining to prevent performance degradation due to stoppage of image formation. We cope by securing capacity.

  Note that users who use high-speed image forming devices often use a large amount of paper, and there is a need to prepare multiple types of paper in the paper tray. Prepared for mass printing. In such a case, a user who connects a plurality of external sheet feeding apparatuses can be seen. In this way, when the external sheet feeder is connected to the image forming apparatus, the sheet conveyance path becomes longer, and the number of sheets staying increases. And since the number of sheets staying increases, usually when an external paper feeder is additionally connected, memory is added to cover the increase in staying sheets, but the memory capacity also increases, which increases costs for the user. The problem of increasing the burden will arise.

  On the other hand, it can be considered that a memory capacity corresponding to the number of sheets remaining is not necessarily required. Memory capacity: Since the memory is prepared in advance assuming large image data (page data), not all of the memory capacity is used for image data (page data) whose data amount is not so large. In many cases, a sufficient margin can be secured. In addition, if there is no particular problem regardless of the high image quality, it may be assumed that if the image data (page data) is compressed as much as possible, no additional memory is required.

  As related technologies, various improvement proposals have been made in the following Patent Document 1.

Japanese Patent No. 5256121

  In the technique described in Patent Document 1, the memory usage of print data is predicted by the printer controller, and the print timing is determined from the memory capacity of the printer and the expected usage. Then, the print timing information determined to be print data is transmitted to the printer. The print timing information is information representing the number of sheets remaining in the printer.

  This is a technique for changing the number of stays according to the memory capacity / expected memory usage and print timing information so that the number of stays corresponds to the memory capacity. In addition, it is a technique that selects a description language that corresponds to a plurality of page description languages and that is smaller print data, and transmits print timing information and print data to a printer.

In the technique described in Patent Document 1, the number of staying sheets is changed based on the timing information, but the sheet conveyance path is the same (only one), and different sheet conveyance paths are not assumed.
Furthermore, since the number of staying sheets is reduced depending on the print data, there is a problem that productivity is lowered.

Although the problem is to avoid errors due to insufficient memory capacity during duplex printing, it does not assume any increase in the path (increase in required memory capacity) due to a change in the configuration of the paper feeder. Therefore, there is a problem that it is impossible to cope with an image forming system in which a sheet feeding device is added.
Therefore, even if the technique of Patent Document 1 is adopted, it can be understood that an increase in memory cannot be avoided in order to increase the number of paper feeders and not to reduce the productivity.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and in an image forming apparatus or an image forming system that stores image data corresponding to the number of sheets staying in a memory, a change in setting or configuration occurs and the sheet is changed. An object is to realize an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and an image forming control program capable of coping with changes in the number of staying sheets without adding a memory and without changing the image forming timing. And

That is, the present invention for solving the above-described problems is as follows.
(1) An image forming apparatus reflecting one aspect of the present invention includes a compression unit that compresses image data to generate compressed image data, and a paper feeding unit that feeds accumulated paper for image formation. A memory for storing the compressed image data, a decompressing unit for decompressing the compressed image data to generate image forming image data, and the image forming image data on a sheet fed from a paper feeding unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image; and a control unit that controls compression, storage, expansion, and image formation, wherein the control unit forms the image from the paper feeding unit during image formation. When generating the compressed image data so that the compressed image data corresponding to the number of sheets staying in the memory is stored in the memory when the number of sheets existing between the sheet transport paths up to the section is the sheet staying number. Set the compression rate, And wherein the door.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming system including the above-described image forming apparatus and a sheet feeding device including a sheet feeding unit that supplies sheets to the image forming apparatus.
In addition, the image formation control program reflecting one aspect of the present invention generates compressed image data so that the above-described image forming apparatus or image forming system stores in the memory the compressed image data corresponding to the number of remaining sheets. The compression rate is set at the time.

  (2) An image forming apparatus reflecting one aspect of the present invention is generated by compressing image data in a sheet feeding unit that feeds accumulated sheets for image formation and a compression unit outside the image forming apparatus. Supplied with the compressed image data, a memory for storing the compressed image data, a decompression unit for decompressing the compressed image data to generate image forming image data, and a paper fed from a paper feeding unit to the paper An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image using image data for image formation; and a control unit that controls compression, storage, decompression, and image formation. When the number of sheets existing in the sheet conveyance path from the sheet feeding unit to the image forming unit is a sheet retention number, the compressed image data corresponding to the sheet retention number is stored in the memory. Compressed image data It sets the compression ratio in generating the data, and notifies the compression ratio to the compression unit, characterized in that.

  An image forming system in which an aspect of the present invention is reflected includes the above image forming apparatus, a paper feeding device including a paper feeding unit that supplies paper to the image forming apparatus, and a compression unit that compresses image data. An external device that generates compressed image data and supplies the compressed image data to the image forming apparatus, wherein the compression unit is based on a compression rate notified from the image forming apparatus. Thus, the compressed image data is generated by compressing the image data.

In addition, in the image forming apparatus or image forming system described above, the image forming control program that reflects one aspect of the present invention is such that the compression unit of the external device performs image data based on the compression rate notified from the image forming apparatus. Is compressed to generate compressed image data.
(3) In the above (1) to (2), the paper feed unit is configured to feed paper from a plurality of different positions, and the control unit sets a paper feed position in the paper feed unit. The number of sheets staying is calculated from the selected sheet feeding position.

(4) In the above (1) to (3), the paper feeding unit is configured to feed paper from a plurality of different positions, and the control unit is configured to feed the paper in the paper feeding unit. When changed, the number of remaining sheets is calculated according to the changed sheet feeding position.
(5) In the above (1) to (4), the control unit includes the path until the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit is output to the outside of the image forming apparatus. The number of sheets staying is calculated.

  (6) In the above (1) to (4), when a post-processing device is connected to the subsequent stage of the image forming unit, the control unit causes the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit to The sheet staying sheet count is calculated by including a path from the processing apparatus to the output to the outside in the transport path.

  (7) In the above (1) to (6), a notification unit that performs notification is provided, and the control unit sets a compression rate so as to store the compressed image data for the number of sheets staying in the memory. In the setting, when it is predicted that a predetermined image quality cannot be maintained, the notification unit notifies the prediction.

  (8) In the above (1) to (7), the paper feeding unit is configured to feed paper from a plurality of different positions, and the control unit receives compressed image data corresponding to the number of paper staying sheets. When the compression rate is set so as to be stored in the memory, it is expected that the predetermined image quality cannot be maintained, and there are a plurality of paper feeding positions that can be used in the paper feeding unit. If there is a paper feed position that can maintain a predetermined image quality because the transport path is shorter than the set paper feed position, the paper feed position that can maintain the predetermined image quality It is characterized in that a selection as to whether to change to or a compression rate lower than a predetermined image quality is accepted.

  (9) In the above (1) to (8), the paper feeding unit is configured to feed paper from a plurality of different positions, and the control unit is configured to set a usable paper feeding position. When there are a plurality of paper feed units that can be selected, the paper feed unit is set to a paper feed position where the transport path becomes long.

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and an image forming control program in which one aspect of the present invention is reflected, the number of sheets existing in a sheet conveyance path from a sheet feeding unit to an image forming unit during image formation is determined. When the number of sheets staying is set, the compression rate when generating the compressed image data is set so that the compressed image data corresponding to the number of sheets staying is stored in the memory.

  As a result, in an image forming apparatus or image forming system that stores image data for the number of sheets remaining in the memory, even if the setting of the sheet feeding unit or the configuration of the sheet feeding unit is changed, the number of sheets remaining is changed. Therefore, it is possible to cope without adding a memory and without changing the timing of image formation. Further, since the image formation timing is not changed, control of the printer operation can be realized without being complicated. Further, the printing timing for each sheet for each sheet conveyance path operates as normally set, and no change to a special printing timing is performed, so that control of the printer operation is not complicated. Further, since the number of sheets staying for each sheet conveyance path is not changed, productivity can be maintained. For this reason, it is possible to change the configuration such as freely selecting a sheet feeding unit and adding more sheet feeding units.

  (2) In the image forming apparatus, the image forming system, and the image forming control program in which one aspect of the present invention is reflected, the number of sheets existing between the sheet conveying paths from the sheet feeding unit to the image forming unit during image formation is determined. When compressed image data generated by compressing image data in an external compression unit is supplied as the number of remaining sheets, compressed image data is generated so that the compressed image data corresponding to the number of remaining sheets is stored in the memory. The compression rate at the time of performing is set, and the compression rate is notified to the compression unit. The external compression unit compresses the image data according to the notified compression rate, generates compressed image data, and supplies the compressed image data to the memory.

  As a result, in an image forming apparatus or image forming system that stores image data for the number of sheets remaining in the memory, even if the setting of the sheet feeding unit or the configuration of the sheet feeding unit is changed, the number of sheets remaining is changed. Therefore, it is possible to cope without adding a memory and without changing the timing of image formation. Further, since the image formation timing is not changed, control of the printer operation can be realized without being complicated. Further, the printing timing for each sheet for each sheet conveyance path operates as normally set, and no change to a special printing timing is performed, so that control of the printer operation is not complicated. Further, since the number of sheets staying for each sheet conveyance path is not changed, productivity can be maintained. For this reason, it is possible to change the configuration such as freely selecting a sheet feeding unit and adding more sheet feeding units.

  (3) In the above (1) to (2), when the paper feeding unit can feed paper from a plurality of different positions, the paper feeding position in the paper feeding unit is selected, and the selected paper feeding The number of remaining sheets is calculated from the position. As a result, even if the setting of the paper feed unit or the configuration of the paper feed unit is changed and the number of sheets remaining is changed, the memory is not added and the timing of image formation is not changed. It becomes possible. Further, it is possible to change the configuration such as freely selecting a sheet feeding unit and adding a sheet feeding unit.

  (4) In the above (1) to (3), when paper can be fed from a plurality of different positions and the paper feeding position is changed in the paper feeding unit, the changed paper feeding position Accordingly, the number of remaining sheets is calculated, and the compression rate is set from the calculated number of remaining sheets. As a result, even if the setting of the paper feed unit or the configuration of the paper feed unit is changed and the number of sheets remaining is changed, the memory is not added and the timing of image formation is not changed. It becomes possible. Further, it is possible to change the configuration such as freely selecting a sheet feeding unit and adding a sheet feeding unit.

  (5) In the above (1) to (4), in order to calculate the sheet staying number by including the path until the sheet on which the image is formed is output to the outside of the image forming apparatus in the transport path, It is possible to cope with the case where a paper jam occurs at any position from when the paper is fed to when it is output and recovery is performed.

  (6) In the above (1) to (4), the number of sheets staying in the image forming unit is calculated by including the path until the sheet on which the image is formed is output to the outside of the image forming apparatus in the transport path. Even when a post-processing device is connected to the subsequent stage, it is possible to cope with a recovery by causing a paper jam at any position from when the paper during image formation is fed to when it is output.

  (7) In (1) to (6) above, when the compression rate is set so as to store the compressed image data for the number of sheets remaining in the memory, it is expected that the predetermined image quality cannot be maintained. Therefore, the notification unit notifies the user that the change in the image quality when the compression ratio is changed due to a change in the number of sheets remaining due to a change in the setting of the sheet feeding unit or the configuration of the sheet feeding unit. Is possible.

  (8) In the above (1) to (7), the sheet can be fed from a plurality of different positions, and it is expected that the predetermined image quality cannot be maintained. When there is a paper feed position that can maintain a predetermined image quality because the transport path is shorter than the position, the change to a paper feed position that can maintain the predetermined image quality or a predetermined The selection of whether the compression rate is lower than the image quality is accepted.

  As a result, in an image forming apparatus or image forming system that stores image data for the number of sheets remaining in the memory, even if the setting of the sheet feeding unit or the configuration of the sheet feeding unit is changed, the number of sheets remaining is changed. Thus, while making use of the user's selection, it is possible to cope with and maintain the image quality without adding a memory and without changing the timing of image formation.

  (9) In the above (1) to (8), when a plurality of usable paper feed positions exist in the paper feed unit and can be selected, the paper feed position is set so that the transport path becomes longer. Therefore, it is possible to leave a sheet feeding position where the conveyance path is shortened as a spare, and it is possible to continue stable image formation.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process example of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process example of embodiment of this invention.

Embodiments of an image forming apparatus and an image forming system of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The image forming apparatus and the image forming system are controlled according to an image formation control program.
[Configuration of Image Forming System 1]
Here, the configuration of the image forming system 1 including the image forming apparatus 100 as an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Descriptions of general portions that are known as the image forming system 1 and the image forming apparatus 100 and are not directly related to the characteristic operation and control of the present embodiment are omitted.

In the image forming system 1, a paper feeding device 50 (a paper feeding device 50A, a paper feeding device 50B, a paper feeding device 50C,...), An image forming device 100, and a post-processing device 400 are connected in accordance with the paper transport direction ( (See FIG. 2). Note that the image forming system 1 shown in FIG. 2 shows an example of connection of various apparatuses, and the present invention is not limited to this.
Here, the paper feeding device 50 may be one paper feeding device or a cascade connection of a plurality of paper feeding devices. Further, it is assumed that the paper feeding device 50 can be connected in any number of cascade connections. The paper feeding device 50 includes a control unit 51 that performs various types of paper feeding control, a communication unit 52 that communicates with other devices, and a paper feeding unit 55 that feeds accumulated paper. In one sheet feeding device 50, the sheet feeding unit 50 includes one or a plurality of sheet feeding trays (in FIG. 2, sheet feeding trays 55a, 55b, 55c, and 55d) as necessary. Yes.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 as a control unit that controls each unit, a storage control unit 101H that performs storage control to be described later, a communication unit 102 that communicates with other devices, and an operation input by a user. An operation display unit 103 that displays the status of the image forming apparatus 100, a storage unit 104 that stores various settings, a paper feed unit 105 that feeds paper stored in a paper feed tray according to image formation, A transport unit 107 that transports paper in accordance with image formation, a print controller 110 that generates image data for image formation by applying rasterization processing to language-format image data created externally, and reads a document to generate read image data Document reading unit 120, image processing unit 130 for executing various image processing, and image for temporarily storing compressed image data before being stored in HDD A memory 140; a compression / decompression unit 160 that generates compressed image data by compressing the image data, and generates (reproduces) the compressed image data; and an image memory for printing that stores image data for the number of sheets remaining 170, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 180 that stores image data and the like, and an image forming unit 190 that forms an image on a sheet based on the image data.

The print controller 110 may be provided in the image forming apparatus 100 or may exist independently outside the image forming apparatus 100.
Here, the control unit 101 manages the configuration of the paper feeding device 50 (the number of trays of the paper feeding unit 55 in the paper feeding device 50, the number of subordinate connections of the paper feeding device 50), and feeds paper during image formation. It also controls the paper feed unit 55 to be managed and the management of the paper feed tray in the paper feed unit 55.

  In addition, the control unit 101 and the storage control unit 101H may determine that the number of sheets existing in the sheet conveyance path from the sheet feeding unit 50 to the image forming unit 190 (or the sheet discharge unit) is the sheet retention number during image formation. In addition, the compression rate in the compression / decompression unit 160 when generating the compressed image data is set so that the compressed image data for the remaining number of sheets is stored in the print image memory 170.

The compression / decompression unit 160 employs a compression method with a variable compression rate. When the compression rate is low, the image quality is little deteriorated and the image quality is high. On the other hand, when the compression rate is high, the image quality is greatly deteriorated and the image quality is low.
The post-processing unit 400 includes a control unit 401 that controls various post-processing of the image-formed paper, a communication unit 402 that communicates with other apparatuses, a post-processing unit 420 that performs post-processing, and a paper sheet outside the image forming system. A discharge unit 490 for discharging is provided.

[Operation of Image Forming System 1 (1)]
FIG. 3 shows a first example of a series of processing procedures for image formation in the image forming system 1.
In an information processing apparatus such as a PC (not shown), a user generates language format image data as a print job and transmits it to the image forming apparatus 100. This language format image data is input as job data to the image forming apparatus 100 (step S101 in FIG. 3).

  In the image forming apparatus 100 that has received language format image data as a print job from an information processing apparatus (not shown), the print controller 110 extracts information on the paper size and designated paper feed tray from the language format image data, and sends it to the control unit 101. Notification is made (step S102 in FIG. 3). The print controller 110 generates image forming image data by rasterizing the language format image data.

  Here, the control unit 101 refers to the information on the designated paper feed tray, specifies the paper transport path from the designated paper feed tray in the paper feed unit 105 or the paper feed unit 55 to the image forming unit 150, and this paper transport path. The number of sheets (the number of sheets staying) existing inside is calculated (step S103 in FIG. 3). In this case, information such as paper conveyance speed, single-sided image formation / double-sided image formation, and paper spacing (distance or time) is also referred to. Here, since the sheet conveyance speed, the single-sided image formation / double-sided image formation, the sheet interval (distance or time), etc. are fixed values, the number of sheets staying on the sheet is determined by the sheet conveyance path.

Then, when the control unit 101 generates compressed image data by compressing at a predetermined normal compression rate (hereinafter referred to as “first compression rate”), the control unit 101 stores the compressed image data of the number of sheets staying in the print image memory. It is determined whether the data can be stored in 170 (step S104 in FIG. 3).
Assume that the compressed image data of the number of remaining sheets generated by compression at the first compression rate can be stored in the print image memory 170 (YES in step S105 in FIG. 3). Here, the first compression rate is predetermined in consideration of image quality and the like. Note that the first compression rate includes a state in which no compression is performed and no compression is performed.

  In this case, the storage control unit 101H sets the compression rate to the first compression rate and compresses the image forming image data generated by the print controller 110 at the first compression rate to generate compressed image data. The extension unit 160 is controlled (step S106 in FIG. 3). If the print controller 110 generates compressed image data, the control unit 101 controls the print controller 110 to generate compressed image data by compression at the first compression rate (step S106 in FIG. 3). ).

  Then, the storage control unit 101H stores the compressed image data generated by the compression / decompression unit 160 or the print controller 110 in the print image memory 170 (step S108 in FIG. 3). Note that the storage control unit 101H uses compressed image data generated by compression by the compression / decompression unit 160 or the print controller 110 as countermeasures such as occurrence of a paper jam (paper jam) during jam image formation or degradation in performance of rasterization processing. The number of remaining sheets is controlled to be stored in the print image memory 170 (step S109 in FIG. 3).

  Then, the storage control unit 101H controls the compression / decompression unit 160 to decompress the compressed image data, return it to the image forming image data, and supply it to the image forming unit 190 in accordance with the image formation timing of the image forming unit 190. (Step S111 in FIG. 3). Receiving the supply of image forming image data, the image forming unit 190 uses the image forming image data to form and output an image on a sheet that has been fed and conveyed (step S112 in FIG. 3).

  The above-described rasterization process, generation of compressed image data obtained by compressing image formation image data, storage of compressed image data, generation of image formation image data obtained by decompressing compressed image data, execution of image formation, and end of the print job The control unit 101 and the storage control unit 101H control each unit so as to repeatedly execute the process until step (step S113 in FIG. 3).

  On the other hand, a case is assumed where it is determined that the compressed image data of the number of remaining sheets generated by compression at the first compression rate cannot be stored in the print image memory 170 (NO in step S105 in FIG. 3). The print image memory 170 is set in advance to have a capacity capable of storing compressed image data corresponding to the number of staying sheets compressed at the first compression rate, assuming a general sheet transport path. However, when the sheet feeding device 50 is added and a large number of sheet feeding trays are provided and a sheet feeding tray far from the image forming unit 150 is selected, the sheet conveyance path becomes longer than originally planned. Sometimes. In such a case, the number of sheets staying increases in accordance with the length of the sheet transport path, so that the compressed image data of the number of sheets remaining generated by compression at the first compression rate cannot be stored in the print image memory 170. May be.

  In this case, the storage control unit 101H calculates the compression rate at which the compressed image data of the paper staying number can be stored in the printing image memory 170 by calculating backward from the capacity of the printing image memory 170 and the paper staying number. Then, the storage control unit 101H sets to perform compression at the compression rate calculated in this way (hereinafter referred to as “second compression rate”), and performs second compression on the image forming image data generated by the print controller 110. The compression / decompression unit 160 is controlled so as to generate compressed image data by compression at a rate (step S107 in FIG. 3). If the print controller 110 generates compressed image data, the control unit 101 controls the print controller 110 to generate compressed image data by compression at the second compression rate (step S107 in FIG. 3). ). However, since the second compression rate is higher than the first compression rate, the image quality is slightly deteriorated as compared with the case where compression is performed at the first compression rate.

Then, the storage control unit 101H controls to store the number of sheets of the compressed image data generated by the compression by the compression / decompression unit 160 or the print controller 110 in the print image memory 170 (step S108 in FIG. 3). S109).
Then, the storage control unit 101H reads the compressed image data from the print image memory 170 in accordance with the image formation timing of the image forming unit 190 (step S110 in FIG. 3), and the compression / decompression unit 160 decompresses the compressed image data. Then, control is performed so that the image forming image data is returned to the image forming unit 190 and supplied to the image forming unit 190 (step S111 in FIG. 3). Receiving the supply of image forming image data, the image forming unit 190 uses the image forming image data to form and output an image on a sheet that has been fed and conveyed (step S112 in FIG. 3).

  The above-described rasterization process, generation of compressed image data obtained by compressing image formation image data, storage of compressed image data, generation of image formation image data obtained by decompressing compressed image data, execution of image formation, and end of the print job The control unit 101 and the storage control unit 101H control each unit so as to repeatedly execute the process until step (step S113 in FIG. 3).

  Accordingly, when the compressed image data corresponding to the number of remaining sheets is stored in the print image memory 170, the setting of the sheet feeding device 50 or the configuration of the sheet feeding device 50 is changed, so that the number of remaining sheets is changed. However, it is possible to cope without adding the print image memory 170 and without changing the image formation timing. Further, since the image formation timing is not changed, control of the printer operation can be realized without being complicated. Further, the printing timing for each sheet for each sheet conveyance path operates as normally set, and no change to a special printing timing is performed, so that control of the printer operation is not complicated. Further, since the number of sheets staying for each sheet conveyance path is not changed, productivity can be maintained.

  For this reason, it is possible to freely select the paper feeding device 50 and to change the configuration such as adding the paper feeding device 50. Note that when the user selects a paper feed tray of a paper feed unit having a long conveyance path, the image quality is lowered by using compressed image data with a high compression rate. In this case, the control unit 101 may display a message or a graphic on the operation display unit 103 on the compression rate determined by the paper feed tray selected by the user and the influence on the image quality.

Even when the paper on which the image is being formed is jammed at any position, it is possible to cope with recovery by using the compressed compressed image data stored in the print image memory 170.
In the above description, it is possible to provide the image forming unit 190 with an expansion unit that expands the compressed image data to generate image forming image data. When the decompression unit is provided in the image forming unit 190, the compressed image data read from the print image memory 170 is supplied to the image forming unit 190, and the compressed image data is decompressed in the image forming unit 190 for image formation. Image data is generated to form an image (steps S111 to S112 in FIG. 3).

[Operation of Image Forming System 1 (2)]
FIG. 4 shows a second example of a series of processing procedures for image formation in the image forming system 1. In addition, about the same processing content as the 1st example of the processing procedure demonstrated in FIG. 3, the duplicate description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same step number.

Assume that it is determined that the compressed image data of the number of remaining sheets generated by compression at the first compression rate cannot be stored in the print image memory 170 (NO in step S105 in FIG. 4).
In this case, the storage control unit 101H calculates the second compression rate by which the compressed image data of the paper staying number can be stored in the printing image memory 170 by calculating back from the capacity of the printing image memory 170 and the paper staying number. Then, the compression / decompression unit 160 is controlled so as to generate the compressed image data by compressing the image forming image data generated by the print controller 110 at the second compression rate (step S107a in FIG. 4). If the print controller 110 generates compressed image data, the control unit 101 controls the print controller 110 to generate compressed image data by compression at the second compression rate (step S107a in FIG. 4). ).

  The second compression rate is not a fixed compression rate determined in advance, but is calculated as described above, and has a different value depending on the sheet conveyance path. In addition, since the second compression rate is higher than the first compression rate, the image quality is slightly deteriorated as compared with the case where compression is performed at the first compression rate.

  Therefore, the storage control unit 101H determines whether or not a predetermined image quality can be satisfied by the compression at the second compression rate (step S107b in FIG. 4). The predetermined image quality may be a predetermined image quality, an image quality specified in the language format image data for each print job, or an image quality specified for each user or each device. It may be.

  Therefore, if the storage control unit 101H determines that the predetermined image quality can be satisfied by the compression by the second compression rate (YES in step S107b in FIG. 4), no problem occurs by the compression by the second compression rate. Therefore, the compressed image data is stored in the print image memory 170 (steps S108 and S109 in FIG. 4), and the compressed image data is read from the print image memory 170 in accordance with the image formation timing (step S110 in FIG. 4). ), Decompression processing of compressed image data, supply of image forming image data to the image forming unit 190 (step S111 in FIG. 4), and image formation using image forming image data (step S112 in FIG. 4). Control to do.

  On the other hand, if the storage control unit 101H determines that the predetermined image quality cannot be satisfied by the compression at the second compression rate (NO in step S107b in FIG. 4), the sheet of the same size as that specified in the print job is stored. Is stored, and it is determined whether there is a paper feed tray that can be used for image formation on the side close to the image forming unit 150 (step S107c in FIG. 4).

  When the storage control unit 101H determines that there is no paper feed tray that can be used for image formation on a sheet of the same size as that specified in the print job (step in FIG. 4). NO in S107c), since there is no avoidance means other than the image quality that cannot be satisfied by the compression at the second compression rate, the compressed image data is stored in the print image memory 170 (steps S108 and S109 in FIG. 4), and image formation is performed. Reading compressed image data in accordance with timing from the print image memory 170 (step S110 in FIG. 4), decompressing the compressed image data, and supplying the image forming image data to the image forming unit 190 (in FIG. 4) Control is performed to execute step S111) and image formation using image forming image data (step S112 in FIG. 4). Note that the storage control unit 101H may display a warning on the operation display unit 103 through the control unit 101 that the image quality is deteriorated.

  On the other hand, the storage control unit 101H determines that there is a paper feed tray that stores sheets of the same size and can be used for image formation on the side close to the image forming unit 150 (YES in step S107c in FIG. 4). The operation display section shows that the image quality deteriorates when the compression at the second compression rate is performed without changing the paper feed tray, and that the image quality may be deteriorated by changing the setting to another paper feed tray. 103 is displayed as a warning and an option (step S107d in FIG. 4).

  Here, if the user refuses to use a paper feed tray that stores sheets of the same size and can be used for image formation (NO in step S107e in FIG. 4), the storage control unit 101H avoids other cases. Since there is no means, the compressed image data is stored in the print image memory 170 (steps S108 and S109 in FIG. 4), and the compressed image data is read from the print image memory 170 in accordance with the image formation timing (in FIG. 4). Step S110), decompression processing of compressed image data, supply of image forming image data to the image forming unit 190 (Step S111 in FIG. 4), image formation by image forming image data (Step S112 in FIG. 4) , Control to execute. Note that the storage control unit 101H may display a warning on the operation display unit 103 through the control unit 101 that the image quality is deteriorated.

  Here, when the user selects the use of a paper feed tray that stores sheets of the same size and can be used for image formation (YES in step S107e in FIG. 4), the storage control unit 101H selects the designated paper feed. The tray information is changed, the paper transport path is specified according to the changed paper feed tray, and the number of paper sheets (paper staying number) existing in the paper transport path is calculated (step S103 in FIG. 3). .

When the control unit 101 generates compressed image data again by compressing at a predetermined normal compression rate (hereinafter referred to as “first compression rate”), the control unit 101 prints the compressed image data for the number of sheets remaining for printing. It is determined whether it can be stored in the image memory 170 (step S104 in FIG. 3).
Here, whether the compressed image data with the first compression rate can be stored in the print image memory 170 (YES in step S105 in FIG. 4) or if the second compression rate satisfies a predetermined image quality (FIG. 4). The storage control unit 101H stores the compressed image data in the print image memory 170 (steps S108 and S109 in FIG. 4) and the image formation timing because there is no other avoidance means. Reading the combined compressed image data from the print image memory 170 (step S110 in FIG. 4), decompressing the compressed image data, and supplying the image forming image data to the image forming unit 190 (step S111 in FIG. 4) ) And image formation using image forming image data (step S112 in FIG. 4). Note that the storage control unit 101H may display a warning on the operation display unit 103 through the control unit 101 that the image quality is deteriorated.

  The storage control unit 101H does not satisfy the predetermined condition even if the paper feed tray is changed (NO in step S107b in FIG. 4), and if there is no paper feed tray to be changed any more (step in FIG. 4). Since there is no other avoidance means, the compressed image data is stored in the print image memory 170 (steps S108 and S109 in FIG. 4), and the print image memory of the compressed image data in accordance with the image formation timing. Reading from 170 (step S110 in FIG. 4), decompression processing of compressed image data and supply of image forming image data to the image forming unit 190 (step S111 in FIG. 4), image formation by image forming image data (Step S112 in FIG. 4) is controlled to be executed. Note that the storage control unit 101H may display a warning on the operation display unit 103 through the control unit 101 that the image quality is deteriorated.

[Operation of Image Forming System 1 (3)]
Note that in the above operation (2), the storage control unit 101H may be able to avoid deterioration in image quality by changing the setting to another paper feed tray. In this case, it is desirable to present to the user in order from the long paper conveyance path and the largest number of sheets remaining, and to present to the user the paper having the short paper conveyance path and the smallest number of sheets remaining. In this case, since it is repeatedly determined whether it is possible to store the compressed image data with the first compression rate or whether the predetermined image quality can be satisfied with the compression with the second compression rate, it is not wasteful. The paper transport path is used. In other words, it is possible to leave the position of the paper feed tray where the paper transport path is shortened as a spare, and it is possible to continue stable image formation even when the same situation occurs again.

[Operation of Image Forming System 1 (4)]
In the above operation (2), the storage control unit 101H determines that the predetermined image quality cannot be satisfied by the compression with the second compression rate (NO in step S107b in FIG. 4), and there is no usable paper feed tray. If it is determined that the image forming unit 150 is present on the side close to the image forming unit 150 (YES in step S107c in FIG. 4), the image quality deteriorates with the compression by the second compression ratio without changing the paper feed tray, and other paper feed trays The fact that there is a possibility that deterioration in image quality can be avoided by changing the setting is displayed as a warning and an option on the operation display unit 103 (step S107d in FIG. 4), and the selection from the user is displayed on the operation display unit 103. I was trying to accept it.

  In such a case, at the time of creating the print job, the user selects one of the options of accepting the low image quality without changing the paper feed tray or accepting the paper feed tray change to avoid the low image quality. It is also possible to embed in. As described above, if the option is embedded in advance, the storage control unit 101H may extract the option and automatically proceed with the process.

[Operation of Image Forming System 1 (5)]
The storage control unit 101H executes the same processing as described above even when there is no paper in the paper feed tray being used during image formation and the paper is switched to another paper feed tray having the same size paper. The number of remaining sheets is calculated according to the changed position of the paper feed tray, the compression rate is calculated from the calculated number of remaining sheets, and it is determined whether the compressed image data can be stored in the print image memory 170. As a result, even if the paper feed tray setting or the configuration of the paper feed device 50 is changed and the number of sheets remaining is changed, the memory is not added and the timing of image formation is not changed. It becomes possible to do.

[Operation of Image Forming System 1 (6)]
In the above-described embodiment, when the post-processing device 400 is connected to the subsequent stage of the image forming apparatus 100, the path through which the paper on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus 100 is output from the post-processing device 400 to the outside By calculating the number of sheets staying in the transport path, it is possible to cope with the recovery including the path of the post-processing apparatus 400.

[Operation of Image Forming System 1 (7)]
In each of the embodiments described above, it has been described that a warning may be displayed on the operation display unit 103 that the image quality is deteriorated. However, this may be various notifications such as lighting or blinking of a lamp or a buzzer sound. Is also possible. In addition, various notifications such as lighting or blinking of a lamp or a buzzer sound can be used in combination with the warning display on the operation display unit 103.

In addition, regarding the warning display on the operation display unit 103 that the image quality is deteriorated and the option display on the operation display unit 103 of another paper feed tray, the control unit 101 not only the operation display unit 103 but also the communication unit. You may control to display or alert | report to a user's external device via.
[Other Embodiments]
The control unit 101 and the storage control unit 101H in the above description can be configured as a single control unit 101. Alternatively, a control unit related to compression / decompression may be provided separately from the control unit 101 and the storage control unit 101H, and various modifications are possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image forming apparatus 101 Control part 101H Storage control part 102 Communication part 103 Operation display part 104 Storage part 105 Paper feed part 107 Conveyance part 110 Print controller 120 Original reading part 130 Image processing part 140 Image memory 160 Address count part 160 Compression / Expansion part 170 Image memory for printing 180 HDD
190 Image forming unit

Claims (12)

A compression unit that compresses image data to generate compressed image data;
A paper feed unit for feeding the accumulated paper for image formation;
A memory for storing the compressed image data;
An expansion unit that expands the compressed image data to generate image forming image data;
An image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit using the image forming image data;
A controller that controls compression, storage, decompression, and image formation;
An image forming apparatus comprising:
When the number of sheets existing in the sheet conveyance path from the sheet feeding unit to the image forming unit is set as the sheet staying number during image formation, the control unit stores the compressed image data for the sheet staying number. Setting a compression rate when generating the compressed image data so as to be stored in the memory;
An image forming apparatus. A paper feed unit for feeding the accumulated paper for image formation;
A compressed image data generated by compressing image data in a compression unit outside the image forming apparatus, and a memory for storing the compressed image data;
An expansion unit that expands the compressed image data to generate image forming image data;
An image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit using the image forming image data;
A controller that controls compression, storage, decompression, and image formation;
An image forming apparatus comprising:
When the number of sheets existing in the sheet conveyance path from the sheet feeding unit to the image forming unit is set as the sheet staying number during image formation, the control unit stores the compressed image data for the sheet staying number. Setting the compression rate when generating the compressed image data so as to be stored in the memory, and notifying the compression unit of the compression rate;
An image forming apparatus. The paper feeding unit is configured to feed paper from a plurality of different positions,
The control unit selects a paper feeding position in the paper feeding unit, and calculates the number of staying sheets from the selected paper feeding position.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The paper feeding unit is configured to feed paper from a plurality of different positions,
The control unit calculates the number of staying sheets according to the changed sheet feeding position when the sheet feeding position is changed in the sheet feeding unit.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The control unit includes the path until the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit is output to the outside of the image forming apparatus, and calculates the sheet staying number.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. When a post-processing device is connected to the subsequent stage of the image forming unit,
The control unit includes the path until the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit is output to the outside from the post-processing apparatus, and calculates the sheet staying number of sheets.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. It is configured with a notification unit that performs notification,
When it is predicted that the control unit cannot maintain a predetermined image quality when setting the compression rate so as to store the compressed image data corresponding to the number of sheets remaining in the memory, the notification unit Announce the forecast,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The paper feeding unit is configured to feed paper from a plurality of different positions,
The control unit is a case where it is expected that a predetermined image quality cannot be maintained when setting a compression rate so as to store the compressed image data for the number of sheets staying in the memory.
There are multiple paper feed positions that can be used in the paper feed unit, and there is a paper feed position that can maintain a predetermined image quality because the transport path is shorter than the preset paper feed position. In this case, the selection of whether to change to a paper feed position capable of maintaining a predetermined image quality or a compression rate lower than the predetermined image quality is accepted.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The paper feeding unit is configured to feed paper from a plurality of different positions,
The control unit sets a sheet feeding position at which a conveyance path becomes long when a plurality of usable sheet feeding positions exist in the sheet feeding unit and can be selected.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
A paper feed device comprising a paper feed unit for feeding paper to the image forming device;
An image forming system comprising: An image forming apparatus according to claim 2;
A paper feed device comprising a paper feed unit for feeding paper to the image forming device;
An external device that compresses the image data in the compression unit to generate compressed image data, and supplies the compressed image data to the image forming apparatus;
An image forming system comprising:
The compression unit compresses the image data based on the compression rate notified from the image forming apparatus to generate compressed image data.
An image forming system. A compression unit that compresses image data to generate compressed image data;
Paper feed unit that feeds the accumulated paper for image formation,
A memory for storing the compressed image data;
A decompression unit for decompressing the compressed image data to generate image forming image data;
An image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit using the image forming image data;
When controlling the compression, storage, decompression, and image formation, when the number of sheets existing between the sheet conveyance paths from the sheet feeding unit to the image forming unit during image formation is defined as the sheet retention number, A control unit for setting a compression rate when generating the compressed image data so as to store the compressed image data for the number of sheets remaining in the memory;
As an image forming control program for causing a computer of an image forming system to function.

Images