JP2022003731A - Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that can appropriately print a monochrome image.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus is provided with: a reading unit that reads an image; a determination unit that determines if the image is a color image in a reading period from the start to the end of the reading of the image; a first generation unit that generates, in the reading period, first data for printing for printing the image in color; a second generation unit that generates, in the reading period, second data for printing for printing the image in monochrome; a first control unit that, when the determination unit determines that the image is a color image, prints the image with the use of the first data for printing; a second control unit that, when the determination unit does not determine that the image is a color image, prints the image with the use of the second data for printing; and a printing execution unit that prints the image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

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

Conventionally, an image forming apparatus for printing a scanned image read by a scanning function has been proposed. Further, in the prior art, a technique of automatically determining whether the scanned image is color or monochrome and switching the subsequent processing according to the determination result is adopted (for example, Patent Document 1).

In the prior art, even when printing in monochrome is selected, the image is printed in monochrome by using a part (for example, K plate) of printing data (for example, CMYK data) for color printing. It was sometimes done. However, when monochrome printing is performed using print data for color printing, there may be a problem that some images are not displayed properly. In consideration of the above circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to suppress the inconvenience that a monochrome image is not properly displayed.

In order to solve the above problems, the image forming apparatus of the present invention has a reading unit for reading an image and a determination for determining whether the image is in color during a reading period from the start to the end of reading the image. A unit, a first generation unit that generates first print data for color printing an image during the reading period, and a second generation unit that generates second print data for monochrome printing of an image during the reading period. The unit, the first control unit that prints an image using the first print data when it is determined to be color by the determination unit, and the second print data when it is not determined to be color by the determination unit. It includes a second control unit for printing an image and a print execution unit for printing the image.

In the configuration of the present invention, both the first print data for color printing and the second print data for monochrome printing are generated, and when the image is monochrome, the image is printed using the second print data. Will be done. Therefore, for example, the first printing data originally used for color printing makes it easier to appropriately print a monochrome image as compared with a configuration used for monochrome printing.

According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the inconvenience that a monochrome image is not properly displayed.

It is a figure for demonstrating the schematic structure of the MFP which is an example of an image forming apparatus. It is a hardware block diagram of the MFP. It is a functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating a specific example of operation of an image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart of a specific example of the processing at the time of reading of an image forming apparatus.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral Product Printer) 1 which is an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the MFP 1 includes a manual feed tray 36 and a paper feed tray 34. The printing paper (an example of a recording medium) fed from the manual feed tray 36 is directly conveyed to the resist roller 23 by the paper feed roller 37. On the other hand, the printing paper fed from the paper feed tray 34 is conveyed to the resist roller 23 via the intermediate roller 39 by the paper feed roller 35.

The MFP 1 includes a photoconductor drum 14 (K, C, M, Y). As shown in FIG. 1, the photoconductor drum 14 includes a photoconductor drum 14K on which a black image is imaged, a photoconductor drum 14C on which a cyan image is imaged, and a photoconductor on which a magenta image is imaged. Includes a drum 14M and a photoconductor drum 14Y on which a yellow image is imaged.

The MFP 1 includes a scanner unit 27. The scanner unit 27 reads the image displayed on the document according to the operation of the user. When an image is read by the scanner unit 27, read data (RGB format) indicating the image is generated. Although the details will be described later, the read data is converted into print data (CMYK format, K format). In each of the photoconductor drums 14, the area corresponding to the printing data is irradiated by the writing unit 16, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the printed image is imaged.

The printing paper conveyed to the resist roller 23 is conveyed to the transfer belt 18 (image carrying means) at the timing when the electrostatic latent image imaged on the photoconductor drum 14 coincides with the tip of the printing paper. The printing paper conveyed to the transfer belt 18 passes through the paper suction nip composed of the transfer belt 18 and the paper suction roller 41. Further, when the printing paper passes through the above-mentioned paper suction nip, the printing paper is sucked on the transfer belt 18 by the bias applied to the suction roller 41.

As shown in FIG. 1, the MFP 1 is provided with a plurality of transfer brushes 21 (K, C, M, Y). The transfer brush 21 described above faces the photoconductor drum 14 corresponding to the transfer brush 21 via the transfer belt 18. Further, a transfer bias (plus) opposite to the charge polarity (minus) of the toner is applied to the transfer brush 21.

As shown in FIG. 1, a pressure roller 20 (K, C, M, Y) for holding the transfer belt 18 against the photoconductor drum 14 at a predetermined pressure is provided. The image of the photoconductor drum 14 is transferred to the image-carrying surface M of the transfer belt 18 by the transfer brush 21 corresponding to the photoconductor drum 14. In the present embodiment, the images of each color imaged on each of the photoconductor drums 14 are transferred to the printing paper in the order of yellow, black, cyan, and magenta.

The printing paper on which the images of all the photoconductor drums 14 are transferred is subjected to curvature separation from the transfer belt 18 by the drive roller 19 and conveyed to the fixing portion 24. As shown in FIG. 1, the fixing portion 24 includes a fixing belt 25 and a pressure roller 26. When the printing paper passes through the fixing portion 24, the image transferred to the printing paper is fixed. The printing paper that has passed through the fixing portion 24 is discharged from the paper ejection roller 31 to the FD tray 30.

FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of MFP1. As shown in FIG. 3, the MFP 1 includes a controller 1010, a short-range communication circuit 1020, an engine control unit 1030, an operation panel 1040, and a network I / F 1050.

The controller 1010 has a CPU 1001, a system memory (MEM-P) 1002, a north bridge (NB) 1003, a south bridge (SB) 1004, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 1006, and a local memory which is a storage unit. It has (MEM-C) 1007, HDD controller 1008, and HD1009 as a storage unit, and is configured to connect NB1003 and ASIC1006 by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 1021.

The CPU 1001 is a control unit that controls the entire MFP1. NB1003 is a bridge for connecting CPU1001, MEM-P1002, SB1004, and AGP bus 1021, a memory controller that controls reading and writing to MEM-P1002, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master, and an AGP target. Has.

The MEM-P1002 includes a ROM 1002a which is a memory for storing programs and data that realizes each function of the controller 1010, and a RAM 1002b which is used as a memory for developing programs and data and a memory for drawing at the time of memory printing. The program stored in the RAM 1002b is configured to be recorded and provided as a file in an installable format or an executable format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, or DVD. You may.

The SB1004 is a bridge for connecting the NB1003 to a PCI device and peripheral devices. The ASIC1006 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing applications having hardware elements for image processing, and has a role of a bridge connecting AGP bus 1021, PCI bus 1022, HDD1008, and MEM-C1007, respectively.

The ASIC1006 includes a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of the ASIC1006, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C1007, and a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) that rotate image data by hardware logic. Further, it is composed of a PCI unit that transfers data between the scanner unit 1031 and the printer unit 1032 via the PCI bus 1022. A USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface or an IEEE 1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface may be connected to the ASIC 1006.

The MEM-C1007 is a local memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer. The HD1009 is a storage for accumulating image data, accumulating font data used at the time of printing, and accumulating forms. The HD1009 controls reading or writing of data to the HD1009 according to the control of the CPU 1001. The AGP bus 1021 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed for speeding up graphic processing, and the graphics accelerator card can be speeded up by directly accessing the MEM-P1002 with high throughput. ..

Further, the short-range communication circuit 1020 is provided with the short-range communication circuit 1020a. The short-range communication circuit 1020 is a communication circuit such as NFC and Bluetooth (registered trademark). Further, the engine control unit 1030 is composed of a scanner unit 1031 and a printer unit 1032. Further, the operation panel 1040 displays the current setting value, the selection screen, and the like, and sets the panel display unit 1040a such as a touch panel that accepts the input from the operator, and the setting value of the condition related to image formation such as the density setting condition. It is provided with an operation panel 1040b including a numeric keypad for receiving and a start key for receiving a copy start instruction.

The controller 1010 controls the entire MFP 1, and controls, for example, drawing, communication, input from the operation panel 1040, and the like. The scanner unit 1031 or the printer unit 1032 includes an image processing portion such as error diffusion and gamma conversion.

The MFP 1 can sequentially switch and select the document box function, the copy function, the printer function, and the facsimile function by the application switching key of the operation panel 1040. When the document box function is selected, the document box mode is set, when the copy function is selected, the copy mode is set, when the printer function is selected, the printer mode is set, and when the facsimile mode is selected, the facsimile mode is set.

Further, the network I / F1050 is an interface for performing data communication using a communication network. The short-range communication circuit 1020 and the network I / F 1050 are electrically connected to the ASIC 1006 via the PCI bus 1022.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the image forming apparatus 100 (MFP1). As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a reading unit 101, a determination unit 102, a first generation unit 103, a second generation unit 104, a first control unit 105, a second control unit 106, a switching unit 107, and a first unit. It includes a storage unit 108, a second storage unit 109, and a print execution unit 110. Each function of the image forming apparatus 100 is realized by the CPU 1001 executing the above-mentioned program.

The reading unit 101 is a means for reading an image, and is realized by, for example, a scanner unit 27 (see FIG. 1). Specifically, the reading unit 101 first reads the reading start line extending in the main scanning direction of the image. After that, the reading unit 101 shifts the lines to be read sequentially in the sub-scanning direction. When the reading unit 101 reads an image, reading data indicating the image is generated. The read data is, for example, RGB format data.

The determination unit 102 determines whether or not the image is in color during the reading period from the start to the end of image reading. Specifically, the determination unit 102 determines whether or not each pixel of the image read by the reading unit 101 includes a color pixel. For example, when an image contains pixels having a saturation equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value, the image is determined to be in color.

The determination unit 102 of the present embodiment determines whether or not a color pixel is included in the line each time one line is read. Hereinafter, the determination by the determination unit 102 may be simply referred to as "color determination". The opportunity to execute the color determination is not limited to the above example. For example, the color determination may be executed when a predetermined number of lines are read.

The first generation unit 103 generates first print data for color printing an image during the reading period. Specifically, the first generation unit 103 generates the first print data by converting the read data (RGB format) into the CMYK format. Further, the first generation unit 103 generates the first printing data of the line every time one line of the image is read. That is, the first printing data of the present embodiment is data indicating one line of the image. When the first print data is generated, it is sequentially stored (stored) in the first storage unit 108 or the second storage unit 109 according to the modes (first mode, second mode) described later.

The second generation unit 104 generates the second print data for monochrome printing the image during the reading period. Specifically, the second generation unit 104 generates the second print data by converting the read data (RGB format) into the K format. Further, the second generation unit 104 generates second print data for each line of the image read. That is, the second printing data of the present embodiment is data indicating one line of the image. When the second print data is generated, it is sequentially stored (stored) in the second storage unit 109 or the first storage unit 108 according to the modes (first mode, second mode) described later.

As understood from the above description, in the present embodiment, each time a line of an image is read, color determination for the image, generation of first printing data (color), and second printing data (monochrome) are performed. ) Is generated almost at the same time. In the above configuration, the first print data and the second print data are generated before the color or monochrome conclusion is reached in the color determination. Therefore, for example, after a conclusion of color determination is reached, the period until the image is printed is shortened as compared with the configuration in which the first print data or the second print data is generated according to the conclusion. There is an advantage that

The switching unit 107 switches the image forming apparatus 100 to either the first mode or the second mode. Specifically, when the operation unit is appropriately operated by the user, the mode shifts to either the first mode or the second mode. As will be described in detail later, in the first mode, the time required for printing a color image tends to be shorter than in the second mode. Further, in the second mode as compared with the first mode, the time required for printing a monochrome image tends to be shorter. Therefore, the user shifts to the first mode when printing a lot of color images, and shifts to the second mode when printing a lot of monochrome images.

The first storage unit 108 stores the first print data or the second print data. Specifically, the first storage unit 108 stores the first print data in the first mode and the second print data in the second mode during the reading period. As the first storage unit 108, for example, a memory (RAM 1002b or the like) provided in the controller 1010 (see FIG. 2) can be adopted.

The second storage unit 109 stores the first print data or the second print data in the same manner as the first storage unit 108. Specifically, the second storage unit 109 stores the second print data in the first mode and stores the first print data in the second mode during the reading period. As the second storage unit 109, for example, a memory provided in the engine control unit 1030 (see FIG. 2) can be adopted.

The print execution unit 110 prints an image using the print data (first print data or second print data) stored in the first storage unit 108. Therefore, if it is determined to be monochrome in the first mode, it is necessary to overwrite the first print data of the first storage unit 108 with the second print data of the second storage unit 109. Similarly, when it is determined to be color in the second mode, it is necessary to overwrite the second print data of the first storage unit 108 with the first print data of the second storage unit 109.

The first control unit 105 executes control for printing an image in color. Specifically, when the determination unit 102 determines that the color is color, the first control unit 105 causes the determination unit 102 to print an image using the first print data stored in the first storage unit 108 in the first mode. On the other hand, when the color is determined in the second mode, the first control unit 105 uses the first print data stored in the second storage unit 109 to store the second print data in the first storage unit 108. Is overwritten, and an image is printed using the first printing data stored in the first storage unit 108.

The second control unit 106 executes control for printing the image in monochrome. Specifically, when the determination unit 102 determines that the second control unit 106 is monochrome, in the second mode, the second control unit 106 prints an image using the second print data stored in the first storage unit 108. On the other hand, in the first mode, the second control unit 106 overwrites the first print data stored in the first storage unit 108 with the second print data stored in the second storage unit 109, and first. An image is printed using the second printing data stored in the storage unit 108.

As can be understood from the above description, when printing an image in monochrome, in the second mode, the process of overwriting the print data of the first storage unit 108 with the print data of the second storage unit 109 can be omitted. Therefore, the time required for printing a monochrome image tends to be shorter in the second mode as compared with the first mode. Similarly, when printing an image in color, in the first mode, the process of overwriting the print data of the first storage unit 108 with the print data of the second storage unit 109 can be omitted. Therefore, the time required for printing a color image tends to be shorter in the first mode as compared with the second mode.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 from the time when the image is scanned to the time when the image is printed (plotted). The arrow in FIG. 4 indicates the communication direction of the data (read data, print data). In the specific example of FIG. 4, the operation in the first mode of each mode (first mode, second mode) will be described.

As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a module block 20M and a module block 40M. The module block 20M is configured to include each module (21M to 23M) used until the printing data is stored in the first storage unit 108. The module block 40M is configured to include each module (41M to 43M) used from the storage of printing data to the execution of printing.

The read data generated by reading the image is input to the scanner I / F module 21M. The scanner I / F module 21M performs noise removal and format conversion of read data. After that, the scanner I / F module 21M inputs the read data to the determination unit 102 and the image conversion module 22M. As described above, the determination unit 102 determines whether the image is in color using the read data.

The image conversion module 22M uses the read data (RGB format) to generate both the first print data (CMYK format) and the second print data (K format). The second print data is stored in the second storage unit 109 in the first mode. On the other hand, the first print data is input to the image compression module 24M. The image compression module 24M compresses the first print data to reduce the amount of data. In the second mode, the second print data is stored in the first storage unit 108, and the first print data is stored in the second storage unit 109.

In the first mode, the first print data compressed by the image compression module 24M is stored in the first storage unit 108. The modules constituting the module block 20M can be appropriately changed. For example, a module for changing the magnification of an image, a module for image shifting, a module for performing gamma correction, and the like may be included in the module block 20M.

When the color determination by the determination unit 102 is completed (when it is concluded whether the color is color or monochrome), the print data of the first storage unit 108 is input to the module block 40M. The specific example of FIG. 4 assumes the case of the first mode. In the above case, the first printing data (color) is stored in the first storage unit 108, and the second printing data (monochrome) is stored in the second storage unit 109. Therefore, when it is determined to be color, the first print data of the first storage unit 108 is input to the module block 40M. On the other hand, when it is determined to be monochrome, the second print data of the second storage unit 109 is stored in the first storage unit 108 (the first print data is discarded), and then the second print data is stored in the module block 40M. Entered.

In the second mode, the second print data is stored in the first storage unit 108, and the first print data is stored in the second storage unit 109. Therefore, when it is determined to be monochrome in the second mode, the second print data of the first storage unit 108 is input to the module block 40M. On the other hand, when it is determined to be color, the first print data of the second storage unit 109 is stored in the first storage unit 108 (the second print data is discarded), and then the first print data is stored in the module block 40M. Entered.

When the print data is input to the module block 40M, the print data is expanded by the image expansion module 41M. After that, the print data is input to the resolution conversion module 42M. The resolution conversion module 42M converts the resolution according to printing. After the resolution is converted, the print data is input to the plotter I / F module 43M. The plotter I / F module 43M converts the format of print data according to the printing method (inkjet recording method, electrophotographic recording method) and outputs the print.

As understood from the above description, the first print data (color) and the second print data (monochrome) are separately stored in the first storage unit 108 and the second storage unit 109. If both the first print data and the second print data are stored in the first storage unit 108, it is necessary to have five or more channels from the image conversion module 22M to the first storage unit 108. obtain. In the configuration of this embodiment, the number of channels from the image conversion module 22M to the first storage unit 108 can be reduced to four or less. Therefore, there is an advantage that the inconvenience of increasing the circuit scale of the image forming apparatus 100 can be suppressed.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a specific example of the reading process of the image forming apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus 100 starts the reading process when the reading of the image is started. In the specific example of FIG. 5, the reading process in the first mode of each mode is shown.

When the scanning process is started, the image forming apparatus 100 starts scanning the image (S1). That is, the reading period starts. When the reading period starts, reading data (RGB format) is sequentially generated for each line of the image. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 generates both the first print data (CMYK format) and the second print data (K format) for each read data (for each line of the image) (S2). The image forming apparatus 100 stores the first print data in the first storage unit 108 in the first mode (S3). On the other hand, the second print data is stored in the second storage unit 109.

After that, the image forming apparatus 100 determines whether or not the read data converted into the print data in step S2 includes color pixels (S4). That is, the color determination is executed. When it is determined that the color pixels are included (S4: Yes), the image forming apparatus 100 starts printing using the first printing data stored in the first storage unit 108 and stores it in the second storage unit 109. The second print data that has been created is discarded (S5).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that the color pixels are not included, the image forming apparatus 100 determines whether or not the image reading is completed (S6). That is, it is determined whether or not the read data (RGB format) of all the lines of the image is generated. When it is determined that the image reading is not completed (S6: No), the image forming apparatus 100 returns the process to step S2. That is, if the read data of all the lines of the image has not been generated, the process returns to step S2.

As shown in FIG. 5, steps S2 and S3 are repeatedly executed until it is determined in step S4 that the image is in color or that reading of the image is completed in step S6. Further, when all the lines of the image do not include the color pixels, it is determined as "Yes" in step S6, and the process proceeds to step S7. That is, when the read image is monochrome, the process proceeds to step S7.

In step S7, the second print data (K format) stored in the second storage unit 109 is transferred to the first storage unit 108. Specifically, the second print data stored in the second storage unit 109 overwrites the first print data stored in the first storage unit 108. Further, after the second print data is stored in the first storage unit 108, printing using the second print data is started. After executing step S7, the image forming apparatus 100 ends the reading process.

<Summary of Actions and Effects of Examples of Embodiments>
<First aspect>
The image forming apparatus (100) of this embodiment has a reading unit (101) for reading an image and a determination unit (101) for determining whether the image is in color during a reading period from the start to the end of reading the image. 102), a first generation unit (103) that generates first print data for color printing an image during the reading period, and a second print data for monochrome printing of an image are generated during the reading period. When the second generation unit (104) and the determination unit determine the color, the first control unit (105) for printing the image using the first print data and the determination unit do not determine the color. In this case, it includes a second control unit (106) for printing an image using the second print data, and a print execution unit (110) for printing the image.

In this embodiment, both the first print data for color printing and the second print data for monochrome printing are generated, and when the image is monochrome, the image is printed using the second print data. .. Therefore, for example, the first printing data originally used for color printing makes it easier to appropriately print a monochrome image as compared with a configuration used for monochrome printing.

<Second aspect>
The image forming apparatus of this embodiment includes a first storage unit (108) that stores the first print data during the reading period, and a second storage unit (109) that stores the second print data during the reading period. The print execution unit prints an image using the print data stored in the first storage unit, and the second control unit stores the image in the second storage unit when the determination unit does not determine the color. The stored second print data overwrites the first print data stored in the first storage unit. In this embodiment, for example, there is an advantage that the number of channels can be suppressed as compared with a configuration in which both the first print data and the second print data are stored in a common storage unit.

<Third aspect>
The image forming apparatus of this embodiment includes a switching unit (107) for switching between the first mode and the second mode, and the first storage unit stores the first print data in the first mode during the reading period. Then, in the second mode, the second print data is stored, and in the reading period, the second storage unit stores the second print data in the first mode and stores the first print data in the second mode. When the determination unit determines that the first control unit is in color, in the second mode, the second print data stored in the first storage unit is stored by the first print data stored in the second storage unit. In the first mode, when the second control unit is not determined to be a color by the determination unit, the second control unit is stored in the first storage unit by the second print data stored in the second storage unit. 1 Overwrite the print data. In this embodiment, there is an advantage that the time required for printing can be shortened by appropriately switching the mode according to whether to print a large number of color images or a large number of monochrome images.

<Fourth aspect>
The image forming method of this embodiment includes a step of reading an image (S1), a step of determining whether the image is in color during a reading period from the start to the end of reading the image (S4), and an image. A step (S2) of generating first print data for color printing during the reading period, a step (S2) of generating second print data for monochrome printing of an image during the reading period, and an image. If is determined to be color, the image is printed using the first print data (S5), and if the image is not determined to be color, the image is printed using the second print data. A step (S7) for printing is provided. According to this aspect, the same effect as that of the first aspect can be obtained.

<Fifth aspect>
The program of this aspect causes a computer to execute each step of the fourth aspect. According to this aspect, the same effect as that of the first aspect can be obtained.

101 ... reading unit, 102 ... determination unit, 103 ... first generation unit, 104 ... second generation unit, 105 ... first control unit, 106 ... second control unit, 107 ... switching unit, 108 ... first storage unit, 109 ... second storage unit, 110 ... print execution unit.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-086629

Claims (5)

The reading unit that reads the image and
During the reading period from the start to the end of reading the image, a determination unit for determining whether the image is in color and a determination unit.
A first generation unit that generates first printing data for color printing the image during the reading period, and a first generation unit.
A second generation unit that generates second printing data for monochrome printing of the image during the reading period, and a second generation unit.
When the determination unit determines that the color is color, the first control unit that prints the image using the first printing data, and the first control unit.
When the determination unit does not determine the color, the second control unit that prints the image using the second print data, and the second control unit.
An image forming apparatus including a print execution unit for printing the image. In the reading period, the first storage unit that stores the first print data and
A second storage unit for storing the second print data in the reading period is provided.
The print execution unit prints the image using the print data stored in the first storage unit.
When the determination unit does not determine that the color is color, the second control unit is stored in the first storage unit for the first printing by the second printing data stored in the second storage unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data is overwritten. A switching unit for switching between the first mode and the second mode is provided.
During the reading period, the first storage unit stores the first print data in the first mode, and stores the second print data in the second mode.
During the reading period, the second storage unit stores the second print data in the first mode, and stores the first print data in the second mode.
When the determination unit determines that the first control unit is in color, in the second mode, the first control unit is stored in the first storage unit by the first printing data stored in the second storage unit. Overwrite the second print data,
When the second control unit is not determined to be a color by the determination unit, in the first mode, the second control unit is stored in the first storage unit by the second print data stored in the second storage unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, which overwrites the first print data. Steps to read the image and
During the scanning period from the start to the end of scanning the image, a step of determining whether the image is in color and
A step of generating first printing data for color printing the image during the reading period, and
A step of generating second printing data for monochrome printing of the image during the reading period, and
When it is determined that the image is in color, a step of printing the image using the first printing data and a step of printing the image.
An image forming method for causing a computer to perform a step of printing the image using the second printing data when the image is not determined to be in color. A program that causes a computer to execute each step according to claim 4.

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