JP2023111472A - Printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a printing device that enables a user to grasp the printable number of sheets.SOLUTION: In a printing device, a control unit executes: an authentication process of authenticating identification information for identifying a user; an image reading process of reading out an image of manuscript; a preview display process of displaying a preview image; and a print process of printing the readout image on a sheet. The control unit, at the preview display process, displays a first printable number of sheets for the user on a display unit together with the preview image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus having an image reading section.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some image forming apparatuses have a preview function for displaying a preview image before executing printing (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-100001). In the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, the upper limit of the number of printed sheets per fixed period is set for each user, and a preview image is forcibly displayed to the user whose number of printed sheets exceeds the set upper limit. ing.

JP 2011-135593 A

However, in the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1, the preview image is not displayed when the number of printed sheets is equal to or less than the upper limit. As a result, printing is executed without the user knowing the number of sheets of paper that can be printed. I have a problem.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the problems described above, and an object thereof is to provide a printing apparatus that allows a user to grasp the number of sheets that can be printed.

In order to solve the above problems, a printing apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes an image reading unit that reads an image of a document, a printing unit that prints an image on a sheet, and is set for each user. It includes a storage unit that stores a first printable number indicating the upper limit of the number of sheets that can be printed by the printing unit, a display unit, an operation unit, and a control unit.

The control unit performs authentication processing for authenticating identification information for identifying the user, image reading processing for reading an image of a document by the image reading unit after the authentication of the user is completed in the authentication processing, and a preview display process of forming a preview image representing a state in which the read image, which is an image read by the image reading unit in the reading process, is printed on a sheet, and displaying the preview image on the display unit; and the preview display. After executing the processing, printing processing for printing the read image on a sheet by the printing unit in response to reception of a print instruction via the operation unit is executed. In the preview display process, the control section displays the first printable number of sheets of the user authenticated in the authentication process on the display section together with the preview image.

According to the printing apparatus configured as described above, in the preview display process, the first printable number set for each user by the administrator is displayed on the display unit together with the preview image. It is possible to grasp the number of

Further, in the printing apparatus according to the aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit controls the number of sheets to be read based on the first printable number of sheets and the number of sheets read by the image reading unit in the image reading process. Then, calculation processing is further executed to calculate a second printable number, which is the number of sheets that can be printed by the printing unit after the user authenticated by the authentication processing is executed. In the preview display process, the control section displays the second printable number calculated in the calculation process on the display section together with the preview image.

According to the printing apparatus configured as described above, in the preview display process, the second printable number of sheets that can be printed after execution of the print process is displayed. can be done. As a result, the user can avoid printing that greatly reduces the second printable number, for example, and can proceed with printing efficiently.

Further, in the printing apparatus according to the aspect of the present disclosure, in the image reading process, the control unit reads the images of the plurality of documents using the image reading part, and in the preview display process, reads the images of the plurality of documents. forming a plurality of the preview images corresponding to each of the read images, displaying the plurality of preview images page by page on the display unit, and determining the number of the plurality of preview images based on the first printable number of sheets; Further executing a first information display process for displaying, on the display unit, first information indicating whether or not each of the read images corresponding to each can be printed by the printing unit, for each of the plurality of preview images. .

According to the printing apparatus configured as described above, when displaying a plurality of preview images page by page, the first information indicating whether or not the preview image can be printed is displayed for each preview image. It is possible to allow the user to confirm, together with the preview image, which pages can be printed and which pages cannot be printed.

Further, in the printing apparatus according to the aspect of the present disclosure, in the image reading process, the control unit reads the images of the plurality of documents using the image reading part, and in the preview display process, reads the images of the plurality of documents. forming a plurality of the preview images corresponding to each of the read images, displaying the plurality of preview images page by page on the display unit, and determining the number of the plurality of preview images based on the first printable number of sheets; Further executing second information display processing for displaying second information indicating whether or not all of the corresponding read images can be printed by the printing unit on the display unit for each of the plurality of preview images. do.

According to the printing apparatus configured as described above, when displaying a plurality of preview images page by page, the second information indicating whether or not all pages can be printed is displayed. It is possible to make the user confirm whether or not, together with the preview image.

Further, in the printing apparatus according to the aspect of the present disclosure, the control section further executes a setting process of receiving a setting as to whether or not to execute the preview display process via the operation section. The control unit executes the preview display process when receiving a setting to execute the preview display process in the setting process, and executes the preview display process when receiving a setting not to execute the preview display process. don't run

According to the printing apparatus configured as described above, since the user can select whether or not to execute the preview display in the setting process, the presence or absence of the preview display can be set according to the user's request.

Further, in the printing apparatus according to the aspect of the present disclosure, in the setting process, the control unit selects an all-page preview setting, a one-page preview setting, and a page-by-page preview setting via the operation unit. Accepts a setting to select one. When receiving the setting to select the all-page preview, the control unit reads images of all pages of a plurality of originals by the image reading unit in the image reading process, and performs preview display processing on all pages. At least preview images for a plurality of pages or all pages of the preview images are displayed on the display unit. When the setting for selecting the one-page preview is received, the control unit reads the image of the document to be printed on one sheet by the image reading unit in the image reading process, and performs the preview display process. The preview image for printing on one sheet is displayed on the display unit. When receiving the setting for selecting the page-by-page preview, the control unit repeatedly executes the image reading process and the preview display process for each document printed on one sheet.

According to the printing apparatus configured as described above, the preview method can be selected from all-page preview, one-page preview, and page-by-page preview according to the user's request.

A printing apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure further includes a document tray on which a document is placed, and a detection unit that detects whether or not there is a document on the document tray. The control section further executes detection processing for detecting whether or not there is a document in the document tray by the detection section. In the image reading process, the control section reads the images of the plurality of documents by the image reading section. When the second printable number is calculated based on the first printable number and the number obtained by adding one to the read number, and it is detected that there is no document in the document tray in the detection process, The second printable number is calculated based on the first printable number and the read number.

According to the printing apparatus described above, by changing the second printable number according to whether or not there is a document in the document tray, it is possible for the user to quickly grasp the more accurate number of printable sheets.

Further, in the printing apparatus according to the aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit repeatedly executes the image reading process and the preview display process for each document printed on one sheet. In the calculation process, each time the image reading section reads an image of a document printed on one sheet in the image reading process, the control section calculates the number of documents read in the image reading process. , the second printable number displayed on the display unit in the preview display process is decreased.

According to the printing apparatus configured as described above, each time the number of pages of a document printed on one sheet is read, the second printable number displayed on the display unit is reduced in accordance with the number of pages of the read document. This allows the user to accurately grasp the number of printable sheets.

Further, in the printing apparatus according to the aspect of the present disclosure, after executing the preview display process, the control unit determines whether or not a cancel instruction to cancel the print process is given via the operation unit. A determination process is further executed. The control unit does not execute the print process when it is determined in the cancel determination process that the cancel instruction has been issued.

According to the printing apparatus configured as described above, when the user confirms the preview image displayed on the display unit and the first printable number of sheets and determines not to execute printing, the user operates the operation unit to cancel the printing process. can do. This allows the user to reset the printing conditions, for example.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to allow the user to grasp the number of printable sheets.

1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the printer section of the MFP according to the embodiment; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the scanner unit of the multifunction machine according to the embodiment; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the multifunction machine according to the embodiment; FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of control during printing by the MFP according to the embodiment; 6 is a flow chart showing the flow of all-page preview processing by the MFP according to the embodiment; 4A and 4B are diagrams showing transitions of display screens on the display unit of the touch panel of the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment; FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of one-page preview processing by the MFP according to the embodiment; 4 is a diagram showing a display example of the display unit of the touch panel of the MFP according to the first embodiment; FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of page-by-page preview processing by the MFP according to the embodiment; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing transition of display screens of the display unit of the touch panel when page-by-page preview is set by the MFP according to the embodiment;

[Schematic configuration of MFP]
The multifunction device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12. FIG. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a multifunction machine 1 of this embodiment. A MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an example of a printing device, and has a printing function, a copying function, a scanning function, a facsimile function, and the like. Note that the printing apparatus is not limited to a multifunction machine having all the functions described above, and may be, for example, a multifunction machine that does not have a facsimile function. Hereinafter, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 1, the up-down direction, front-rear direction, and left-right direction of the MFP 1 are defined.

The MFP 1 includes a printer section 2 and a scanner section 3 . The printer unit 2 has a print function of forming an image on the sheet P. FIG. The scanner unit 3 has a scanning function of reading an image of the document M and generating image data (hereinafter referred to as scan data) of a read image (hereinafter referred to as a scanned image).

The printing method of the printer unit 2 is an electrophotographic method. The printing method of the printer unit 2 is not limited to the electrophotographic method, and may be the inkjet method. Further, the printer unit 2 may be capable of printing color images and monochrome images, or may be capable of printing only monochrome images. The scanner unit 3 may be capable of reading a color image and a monochrome image, or may be capable of reading only a monochrome image.

The MFP 1 has an operation panel 110 on the front side. As shown in FIG. 1, the operation panel 110 is provided with a touch panel 110A. The touch panel 110A is configured by stacking an input section 112 such as a pressure-sensitive or capacitive transparent film switch on a display section 111 such as a liquid crystal display. The display unit 111 displays various information and images such as operation keys.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the display unit 111 has an all-page preview key 112P1, a one-page preview key 112P2, a page-by-page preview key 112P3, a print setting key 112A, a start key 112B, a start key 112C, a Operation keys such as a start key 112D, a return key 112F, and a forward key 112G are displayed. When the user touches the operation key displayed on the display unit 111, the input unit 112 accepts the touch operation of the operation key, and a signal corresponding to the touch operation is input from the input unit 112 to the ASIC 100. be.

In this manner, the input unit 112 serves as an operation unit through which user operations are input to the display unit 111 . Further, the operation panel 110 is provided with a cancel button 113 in addition to the input unit 112 of the touch panel 110A as an operation unit through which user operations are input. The cancel button 113 is a physical key that can be operated by the user. Note that a cancel key may be displayed on touch panel 110A instead of cancel button 113 .

[Composition of the printing unit]
Next, the configuration of the printer section 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer section 2 has a housing 20 . A feed tray 21 is provided at the bottom of the housing 20 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The feed tray 21 is configured to be able to support a plurality of sheets P. As shown in FIG. A discharge tray 22 is provided on the top of the housing 20 . The discharge tray 22 supports the sheet P on which an image is formed. It is assumed that the sheet P is plain paper of A4 size, for example. Also, the number of feeding trays 21 can be changed as appropriate.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the printer section 2 of the MFP 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the printer unit 2 includes a feed roller 23, a transport path R1, a registration roller 24, a printing unit 4, a fixing device 5, transport rollers 25 and 26, and a discharge roller. 27, a re-conveyance path R2, and reversing rollers 28 and 29 are provided.

The feeding roller 23 is provided on the feeding tray 21, and feeds the sheets P contained in the feeding tray 21 one by one to the conveying path R1. The transport path R1 is a path from the feed tray 21 to the discharge tray 22 via the photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K and the fixing device 5, and the discharge port 2A.

The feeding roller 23, the registration rollers 24, the conveying rollers 25 and 26, the discharging roller 27, and the reversing rollers 28 and 29 are roller groups that convey the sheet P in the conveying path R1 or the re-conveying path R2. After aligning the direction of the leading edge of the sheet P, the registration roller 24 conveys the sheet P toward the photosensitive drum 6Y.

The printing section 4 has a transfer unit 40 , four photosensitive drums 6 Y, 6 M, 6 C and 6 K, four developing devices 7 Y, 7 M, 7 C and 7 K, and an exposure device 8 . The four photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K correspond to the respective colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). They are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction. The photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K are rotationally driven by driving force from a drive motor (not shown). Note that the arrangement order of the photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K is not limited to this, and can be changed as appropriate.

The surface of each photosensitive drum 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K is uniformly charged by a charger (not shown). Four developing units 7Y, 7M, 7C and 7K are arranged above the respective photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M and 6C. Each developing device 7Y, 7M, 7C, 7K contains toner corresponding to each color. Developing rollers 71Y, 71M, 71C and 71K are arranged at rear lower end portions of the developing devices 7Y, 7M, 7C and 7K, respectively.

An exposure device 8 is arranged above the four developing devices 7Y, 7M, 7C, and 7K. The exposure unit 8 performs exposure by irradiating the photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K with laser light L based on image data. As a result, electrostatic latent images based on the image data to be formed on the sheet P are formed on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, 6C and 6K.

Four developing rollers 71Y, 71M, 71C and 71K supply toner to the respective photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, 6C and 6K. As a result, the electrostatic latent images formed on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K become developer images.

A transfer unit 40 is arranged along the front-rear direction below the four photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K. The transfer unit 40 has an endless belt 41 and four transfer rollers 42Y, 42M, 42C and 42K. As the belt 41 rotates, the upper surface of the belt 41 moves from front to rear while contacting the four photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K.

The four transfer rollers 42Y, 42M, 42C, and 42K are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction. The transfer rollers 42Y, 42M, 42C and 42K are positioned below the corresponding photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, 6C and 6K and sandwich the belt 41 between them and the photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, 6C and 6K.

The fixing device 5 is positioned behind the transfer unit 40 and has a heating roller 51 including a heater 53 and a pressure roller 52 . The heater 53 is, for example, a halogen heater. The heater 53 heats the sheet P via the heating roller 51 . The fixing device 5 fixes the developer image on the sheet P with a heating roller 51 and a pressure roller 52 .

The transport roller 25 is arranged downstream of the fixing device 5 in the transport path R1, and transports the sheet P to the transport roller 26 side. The conveying roller 26 conveys the sheet P to the discharge roller 27 side. The discharge roller 27 discharges the sheet P onto the discharge tray 22 .

The re-conveying path R2 conveys the sheet P with an image formed on one side through the flap 9 to the side of the passage port 2B, reverses the conveying direction by the reversing rollers 28 and 29, and conveys the sheet downward. , for supplying from the lower side of the feed tray 21 to the transport path R1.

The flap 9 is provided above the rear side of the transport roller 25, and has a discharge position indicated by a solid line in which the transport path R1 is opened and the re-transport path R2 is closed, and a transport path R1 is closed and the re-transport path R2 is opened. It is rotatable between a re-transporting position indicated by a phantom line.

[Structure of Scanner Unit]
Next, the internal configuration of the scanner section 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 as well. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the scanner section 3 of the multifunction machine 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 , the scanner section 3 has a housing 30 , a document conveying section 31 and a document cover 32 .

The document conveying unit 31 is an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) and serves to convey the document placed on the document tray 31A toward the first reading sensor 35 and the second reading sensor 36. is provided integrally with the The document M is placed on the document tray 31A so that the front side of the document M faces upward.

The document cover 32 is rotatably provided with respect to the housing 30 and opens and closes the upper surface of the housing 30 . Note that the scanner unit 3 may be capable of reading color images and monochrome images, or may be capable of reading only monochrome images.

A first contact glass 33 and a second contact glass 34 are provided side by side in the width direction on the upper surface of the housing 30 . A first reading sensor 35 is arranged inside the document cover 32 . Inside the housing 30, a second reading sensor 36 is provided below the first contact glass 33 and the second contact glass 34 so as to be movable in the width direction, that is, in the sub-scanning direction.

The first reading sensor 35 and the second reading sensor 36 are, for example, CISs (Contact Image Sensors). The document M whose images have been read by the first reading sensor 35 and the second reading sensor 36 is conveyed along the conveying path R3 by the document conveying section 31 and discharged to the discharge tray 31B. The transport path R3 extends from the document tray 31A to the left end side of the document cover 32, curves downward from the left end side, and extends to the ejection tray 31B.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that an image on one side of the document M is read by the ADF method. Specifically, the second reading sensor 36 reads the image on the surface of the document M conveyed by the document conveying unit 31 . The second reading sensor 36 is an example of an image reading section for reading an image on the surface of the document M. As shown in FIG. When reading images on both sides of the document M, the first reading sensor 35 and the second reading sensor 36 are used as image reading units.

[Electrical Configuration of Printing Device]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the MFP 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the MFP 1 includes an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 100, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, and an NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) 104. and a communication interface (I/F) 120 .

The ASIC 100 is equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 . The CPU 101 is an example of a control unit, and performs general control over each unit of the multifunction machine 1 . ASIC 100 is electrically connected to ROM 102, RAM 103, NVRAM 104, roller groups 23-29, printing unit 4, touch panel 110A, and communication I/F 120. FIG. Note that the ASIC 100 may be used as the control unit.

The ROM 102 stores various control programs and various settings for controlling the MFP 1 . The RAM 103 is used as a work area from which various control programs are read, and as a storage area for temporarily storing image data, raster data, and the like.

Here, the MFP 1 has a user management function. The user management function manages the number of prints made by the MFP 1 in a predetermined period (for example, one month) for each user in an office or the like. This is a function that limits the printing of minutes. Here, the “first printable number” is set for each user and indicates the upper limit of the number of sheets P that each user can print using the printing unit 4 of the multifunction device 1 .

In the NVRAM 104, various data such as the first printable number are stored in advance. The CPU 101 controls the roller groups 23 to 29, the printing section 4, the document conveying section 31, the display section 111 and the like based on the control program read from the ROM 102. FIG.

The CPU 101 drives the feed roller 23, the registration roller 24, the transport rollers 25 and 26, the discharge roller 27, and the reversing rollers 28 and 29 via motors (not shown). CPU 101 controls display on display unit 111 of touch panel 110A. Further, when the touch panel 110A is operated by the user, the CPU 101 executes various processes according to the operation content of the touch panel 110A.

The communication I/F 120 is connected to a network such as a LAN, and enables connection with an external device in which a driver for the multifunction machine 1 is installed. The MFP 1 can receive a print processing start command via the communication I/F 120 .

[Flow of Control During Printing by CPU]
Next, the flow of control during printing by the CPU 101 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 11. FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of control during printing by the MFP 1. As shown in FIG. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, first, the CPU 101 executes authentication processing (S1).

Specifically, in S1, CPU 101 displays a login screen on display unit 111 of touch panel 110A. A user inputs a user ID and a password by operating the touch panel 110A. A user ID and password are examples of identification information that identifies a user.

CPU 101 determines that the authentication has succeeded if the combination of the input user ID and password is stored in NVRAM 104 . On the other hand, if the combination of the entered user ID and password is not stored in the NVRAM 104, the CPU 101 determines that the authentication has failed, displays an error screen on the display unit 111, and then displays the login screen again. . Note that the authentication process may be performed using an IC card that stores identification information for identifying the user.

After S1, the CPU 101 executes setting processing for receiving various settings related to printing (S2). Here, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the transition of the display screen of the display unit 111 of the touch panel 110A of the MFP 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 7, the user can make various settings related to printing by operating each key on the touch panel 110A.

For example, the user can set the printing conditions for printing on the sheet P by operating the print setting key 112A. The number of copies can be changed by operating the copy number key 112A1 and the copy number key 112A2. The user can set reading conditions for reading the document M by operating the setting change key 112Q.

Further, the user can set whether or not to execute preview display on the display unit 111 by selecting any one of the all-page preview key 112P1, the one-page preview key 112P2, and the one-page preview key 112P3. can be done. Thereby, it is possible to set the presence or absence of the preview display according to the user's request.

Specifically, when all-page preview key 112P1 is selected on touch panel 110A and "all-page preview setting" is accepted, multifunction device 1 reads images of all pages of a plurality of originals M, and The preview image is displayed on the display unit 111 page by page.

Further, when the 1-page preview key 112P2 is selected on the touch panel 110A and "1-page preview setting" is accepted, the multifunction device 1 reads the image of the document M to be printed on one sheet P, It is displayed on the display unit 111 as a page worth of preview images.

Further, when the per-page preview key 112P3 is selected on the touch panel 110A and the "per-page preview setting" is accepted, the multifunction device 1 reads the images of all the pages of the plurality of originals M, and A preview image of one page is displayed on the display unit 111 each time the image is read.

Note that the "preview image" is an arbitrary image corresponding to the scanned image. The preview image is, for example, an image representing a state in which the scanned image is printed on the sheet P, that is, an image in which the scanned image is arranged within the area of the sheet P. FIG.

After S2, CPU 101 accepts a copy execution instruction based on pressing of start key 112B or start key 112C (S3). The user presses the start key 112B when instructing execution of monochrome copying, and presses the start key 112C when instructing execution of color copying. Note that when the user presses the start key 112B or the start key 112C, the display screen of the display unit 111 transitions from the upper diagram in FIG. 7 to the lower diagram in FIG.

After S3, the CPU 101 determines whether the preview setting is ON (S4). CPU 101 selects one of all-page preview key 112P1, one-page preview key 112P2, and one-page preview key 112P3, and if the preview setting is ON (S4: YES), CPU 101 selects which preview method. Determine (S5). There are three "preview methods": full-page preview, one-page preview, and page-by-page preview.

When the CPU 101 determines in S5 that the all-page preview setting is set, it executes the all-page preview process shown in FIG. 6 (S6). If it is determined that the page-by-page preview setting is set, the page-by-page preview process shown in FIG. 10 is executed (S8).

On the other hand, if the preview setting is off (S4: NO), the CPU 101 advances to S12, and while reading the image of the document M with the first reading sensor 35 and the second reading sensor 36, Print an image.

[All Page Preview Settings]
Next, the flow of all-page preview processing (S6) will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the flow of all-page preview processing by the MFP 1. As shown in FIG. In the all-page preview, images of all pages of the document M are read, and all preview images corresponding to the read scanned images are displayed on the display unit 111 one page at a time.

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 101 reads the images of all pages of the document M by the second reading sensor 36 (S21: image reading processing). Subsequently, the CPU 101 acquires the first printable number from the NVRAM 104 (S22). In this case, it is assumed that the first printable number of sheets for the user whose user ID is ABC is set to, for example, 75 sheets (see the lower diagram in FIG. 7).

Next, the CPU 101 calculates the second printable number of sheets (S23: calculation processing). The “second printable number” is the number of sheets that can be printed by the printing unit 4 after the user authenticated in the authentication process (S1) executes the print process (S11). Specifically, the CPU 101 calculates the second printable number by subtracting the number of printed sheets, which is the number of printed sheets multiplied by the number of copies, from the first printable number of sheets. In this case, the second printable number is 75 sheets−10 sheets×1 set=65 sheets.

After S8, the CPU 101 executes determination processing for determining whether or not the scanned image corresponding to each of the plurality of documents M can be printed by the printing unit 4 based on the first printable number and the number of prints. (S24).

Then, the CPU 101 executes preview display processing (S25). Specifically, in S25, the CPU 101 forms a preview image representing a state in which the scanned image read in S21 is printed on the sheet P, and displays the preview image G1 on the display unit 111 as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. to display.

In this embodiment, the third display portion 111C of the display portion 111 displays the first printable number of sheets and the second printable number of sheets of the user authenticated in the authentication processing S1 together with the preview image G1. A user ID is displayed on the first display portion 111A. In addition, the number of printed sheets, which is the number of sheets to be printed, is displayed on the second display portion 111B. Further, the number of pages of the preview image G1 displayed on the display section 111 is displayed on the fourth display section 111D.

Furthermore, the CPU 101 performs first information display processing for displaying the first information I1 on the display unit 111 for each of the plurality of preview images. The first information I1 is information indicating whether or not each scanned image corresponding to each of the plurality of preview images can be printed by the printing unit 4 . In the example shown in FIG. 7, the message "this page can be printed" is displayed on the display unit 111 as the first information I1. Thus, the all-page preview process (S6) is completed, and the process proceeds to S9 in FIG.

[1 page preview setting]
Next, the flow of the one-page preview process (S7) will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the flow of one-page preview processing by the MFP 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of the display unit 111 of the touch panel 110A of the MFP 1. As shown in FIG. In the one-page preview, the image of the document M for only one page is read, and the preview image of the read scanned image is displayed on the display section 111 .

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 101 reads the image on the front side of the document M of one page with the second reading sensor 36 (S31: image reading processing). After S31, the CPU 101 determines whether or not there is a document M in the document tray 31A based on the detection result of the front sensor 37 (S32: detection processing).

When there is no document M in the document tray 31A (S32: NO), the CPU 101 acquires the first printable number from the NVRAM 104 (S33), and calculates the second printable number (S34: calculation processing).

In S34, the CPU 101 calculates the second printable number by subtracting the number of prints, which is the number of copies obtained by multiplying the number of copies (one sheet) by the number of copies, from the first printable number. In this case, the second printable number of sheets is 75 sheets−1 sheet×10 sets=65 sheets.

After S34, the CPU 101 determines whether or not all scanned images corresponding to one page of the document M can be printed by the printing unit 4 based on the first printable number and the number of prints. Processing is executed (S35). In this case, the number of prints is 10, which is less than the first printable number of 75, so printing is possible.

Then, the CPU 101 executes preview display processing (S36). Specifically, in S<b>36 , the CPU 101 forms a preview image corresponding to the scanned image read in S<b>31 and displays the preview image on the display section 111 . At this time, the third display portion 111C of the display portion 111 displays the first printable number and the second printable number of sheets of the user authenticated in the authentication processing S1 together with the preview image.

On the other hand, if there are documents M in the document tray 31A (S32: YES), the CPU 101 acquires the first printable number from the NVRAM 104 (S37), and calculates the second printable number (S38: calculation processing).

In S38, the CPU 101 adds the number of sheets to be read by the second reading sensor 36 (at least one sheet or more) from the first printable number to one, which is the number of sheets of the document M whose image has already been read in S31. The second printable number is calculated by subtracting the number obtained by multiplying the number of copies (two or more) by the number of copies. In this case, the second printable number is 75 sheets−2 or more×10 copies=55 sheets or less.

After S38, the CPU 101 performs determination processing for determining whether all the read images corresponding to the plurality of originals M can be printed by the printing unit 4 based on the first printable number and the number of prints. Execute (S39). However, at this point in time, reading of the images of all the originals M has not been completed, and the number of printed sheets cannot be calculated.

Accordingly, in S40, the CPU 101 forms a preview image corresponding to the scanned image read in S31, and displays the preview image G2 on the display section 111 as shown in FIG.

At this time, the first printable number and the second printable number of the user authenticated in the authentication processing S1 are displayed on the third display portion 111C of the display portion 111 together with the preview image G2. Thus, the one-page preview process (S7) is completed, and the process proceeds to S9 in FIG.

[Each page preview setting]
Next, the flow of page-by-page preview processing will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the flow of page-by-page preview processing by the MFP 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the transition of the display screen of the display unit 111 of the touch panel 110A when the page-by-page preview is set by the MFP 1. As shown in FIG.

In the page-by-page preview, a preview image corresponding to the read scanned image is displayed on the display unit 111 every time the image of the document M of one page is read, and preview images corresponding to the images of the document M of all pages are displayed. Each page is displayed on the display unit 111 .

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 10, first, the CPU 101 sets N=1 as an initial value of N indicating the number of originals M placed on the original tray 31A (S41). After S41, the CPU 101 uses the second reading sensor 36 to read the image of the front side of the one-page document M (S42: image reading processing).

Subsequently, the CPU 101 determines whether or not there is a document M in the document tray 31A (S43: detection processing). If there are documents M in the document tray 31A (S43: YES), the CPU 101 acquires the first printable number from the NVRAM 104 (S48), and calculates the second printable number (S49: calculation processing). In S49, the CPU 101 calculates the second printable number by subtracting the number obtained by multiplying the read number (N+1 or more) by the number of copies from the first printable number.

After S49, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the print unit 4 can print N+1 scanned images obtained by adding 1 to the number of originals N read so far, based on the first printable number and the number of prints. A judgment process for judging whether or not is executed (S50).

Then, the CPU 101 executes preview display processing (S51). In S<b>51 , the CPU 101 forms a preview image corresponding to the scanned image read in S<b>42 and displays the preview image on the display section 111 . At this time, the first printable number of sheets and the second printable number of sheets of the user authenticated in the authentication processing S1 are displayed on the third display portion 111C of the display portion 111 .

After S51, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the start key 112D has been pressed (S52). The user confirms each display on the display unit 111, and if it is determined that there is no problem with printing, presses the start key 112D to issue a print instruction.

If the start key 112D is pressed (S52: YES), the CPU 101 returns to S10 in FIG. On the other hand, if the start key 112D has not been pressed (S52: NO), the CPU 101 determines whether the cancel button 113 has been pressed (S53).

When the cancel button 113 is pressed (S53: YES), the CPU 101 returns to S2 in FIG. As described above, when the user notices an error in the printing conditions, an image reading error, or the like, the user presses the cancel button 113 to cancel the printing process and redo the setting process in S2.

On the other hand, if the cancel button 113 is not pressed (S53: NO), the CPU 101 adds 1 to N (S54), returns to S42, and reads the image of the next document M. After that, S48 to S53 are repeatedly executed until there are no more documents M in the document tray 31A (S43: YES).

The upper diagram of FIG. 11 is an example of the display on the display unit 111 in S51 when the number of sheets to be read (N=6). In this case, the second printable number of sheets is, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 11, 75 sheets−7 sheets or more×10 copies=5 sheets or less. The CPU 101 displays a message "all pages can be printed" on the display unit 111 as the second information I21, indicating that at least the seventh document M can be printed.

The lower diagram of FIG. 11 is an example of the display on the display unit 111 in S51 when the number of sheets to be read is N=7. In this case, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 11, the second printable number of sheets is 75 sheets−8 sheets or more×10 copies=−5 sheets.

The CPU 101 displays the first information I1 and the second information I2 on the display section 111. FIG. In the example shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 11, a message "WARNING: This page cannot be printed." ing. Further, the CPU 101 displays a message "WARNING: Cannot print all pages" on the display unit 111 as the second information I21.

When there is no document M in the document tray 31A (S43: NO), the CPU 101 acquires the first printable number from the NVRAM 104 (S44), and calculates the second printable number (S45: calculation processing).

In S45, the CPU 101 calculates the second printable number by subtracting the number of prints, which is the number of copies obtained by multiplying the number of copies (N=1) by the number of copies, from the first printable number.

After S45, the CPU 101 performs determination processing for determining whether all the read images corresponding to the plurality of originals M can be printed by the printing unit 4 based on the first printable number and the number of prints. Execute (S46).

Then, the CPU 101 executes preview display processing (S47). Specifically, in S<b>47 , the CPU 101 forms a preview image corresponding to the scanned image read in S<b>42 and displays the preview image on the display section 111 . The CPU 101 terminates the processing of the flowchart of FIG.

In S45 and S49, the CPU 101 decreases the second printable number displayed on the display unit 111 in S47 and S51 as the number N of the read manuscripts M increases. Since the contents are updated, the user can grasp the more accurate number of printable sheets.

Returning to FIG. 5, after S6, S7, and S8, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the start key 112D or the cancel button 113 has been pressed (S9: cancel determination processing). When the user presses the start key 112D to accept a print instruction, the CPU 101 determines whether or not there is a document M in the document tray 31A (S10). On the other hand, when the user presses the cancel button 113 to accept a cancel instruction, the CPU 101 returns to S2.

When the CPU 101 determines in S10 that there is no document M in the document tray 31A (S10: NO), the CPU 101 executes print processing for printing the scanned image on the sheet P by the printing section 4 (S11).

Specifically, in S11, the CPU 101 converts the scan data of the scan image read by the second reading sensor 36 into raster data. The CPU 101 also feeds the sheet P to the transport path R<b>1 with the feed rollers 23 and transports the sheet P to the printing unit 4 with the registration rollers 24 . Subsequently, the CPU 101 causes the printing unit 4 to print the raster data on the surface of the sheet P, and then ejects the sheet P printed on one side to the ejection tray 22 .

On the other hand, when the CPU 101 determines that there is a document M in the document tray 31A (S10: YES), it prints the read image on the sheet P by the printing unit 4 while reading the image of the document M (S12). In this manner, the CPU 101 terminates control during printing.

[Effects of Embodiment]
In the MFP 1 of the present embodiment described above, the CPU 101 sets the first printable number set for each user to the preview images G1 to G4 in the preview display processing (S25, S36, S40, S47, S51). Since the information is also displayed on the display unit 111, the user can grasp the number of sheets that the user can print.

In the preview display process (S25, S36, S40, S47, S51), the CPU 101 displays the second printable number of sheets that can be printed after the print process is executed on the display unit 111. The number of sheets P that can be printed can be grasped. As a result, for example, it is possible to avoid printing in which the second printable number of sheets is significantly reduced, and it is possible to proceed with printing efficiently.

Also, according to the user's request, a preview method can be selected from all-page preview setting, one-page preview setting, and page-by-page preview setting. When the user selects the page-by-page preview setting, the CPU 101 prints the preview image G4 for each preview image G4 as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 11 while displaying the plurality of preview images page by page. Since the first information I11 indicating whether or not printing is possible is displayed, it is possible for the user to confirm up to which page printing is possible and from which page printing is not possible together with the preview image G4.

When the user selects the page-by-page preview setting, the CPU 101 displays the second information indicating whether or not all pages can be printed. can be confirmed with

In addition, CPU 101 considers the presence or absence of document M on document tray 31A, and sets the second printable number calculated when there is document M on document tray 31A (S32: YES, S43: YES) to document tray 31A. It is set to be smaller than the second printable number calculated when there is no document M (S32: NO, S43: NO). This allows the user to quickly grasp the more accurate number of printable sheets.

[Other embodiments]
In the MFP 1 of the above embodiment, the case where the image of the document M placed on the document tray 31A is read by the ADF method has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. An image of one document M placed on the upper surface of the first contact glass 33 may be read by moving the second reading sensor 36 in the scanning direction by the FB (Flat Bed) method.

Further, in the MFP 1 of the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the print unit 4 prints the scanned image on one side of the sheet P, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the scanned image may be printed on both sides of the sheet P. . Further, although the image on one side of the document M is read by the second reading sensor 36, the present invention is not limited to this. good.

Further, in the MFP 1 of the above embodiment, the sheet P is plain paper, but the type of the sheet P is not limited to this, and may be, for example, thick paper or thin paper. Further, although the fixing device 5 fixes the developer image on the sheet P with the heating roller 51 that is a roller member, the fixing device 5 is not limited to this. For example, instead of the heating roller 51, a heating belt may be used.

[Example of realization by software]
The control block (particularly the CPU 101) of the multifunction machine 1 may be implemented by a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like, or may be implemented by software.

In the latter case, the multi-function device 1 is provided with a computer that executes program instructions, which are software for realizing each function. This computer includes, for example, one or more processors, and a computer-readable recording medium storing the program. In the computer, the processor reads the program from the recording medium and executes it, thereby achieving the object of the present invention.

As the processor, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) can be used. As the recording medium, a "non-temporary tangible medium" such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit, or the like can be used. In addition, a RAM (Random Access Memory) for developing the above program may be further provided.

Also, the program may be supplied to the computer via any transmission medium (communication network, broadcast wave, etc.) capable of transmitting the program. Note that one aspect of the present invention can also be implemented in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program is embodied by electronic transmission.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims, and can be implemented by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. The form is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

1 MFP 4 Printing Unit 31 Document Feeding Unit 31A Document Tray 32 Document Cover 35 First Reading Sensor 36 Second Reading Sensor 37 Front Sensor 101 CPU
104 NVRAM
111 display unit 112 input unit 113 cancel button G1, G2, G3, G4 preview image P sheet M document S1 authentication processing S11 printing processing S21, S31, S42 image reading processing S23, S34, S38, S45, S49 calculation processing S25, S36 , S40, S47, S51 preview display processing S32, S43 detection processing S53 cancellation determination processing

Claims (9)

an image reading unit for reading an image of a document;
a printing unit for printing an image on a sheet;
a storage unit that stores a first printable number that is set for each user and indicates the upper limit of the number of sheets that can be printed by each user by the printing unit;
a display unit;
an operation unit;
a control unit;
with
The control unit
an authentication process for authenticating identification information that identifies the user;
an image reading process of reading an image of a document by the image reading unit after the authentication of the user is completed in the authentication process;
a preview display process of forming a preview image representing a state in which the read image, which is an image read by the image reading unit in the image reading process, is printed on a sheet, and displaying the preview image on the display unit;
a printing process for printing the read image on a sheet by the printing unit in response to receiving a print instruction via the operation unit after executing the preview display process;
and run
The printing apparatus, wherein in the preview display process, the first number of printable pages of the user authenticated in the authentication process is displayed on the display unit together with the preview image. The control unit
Based on the first printable number of sheets and the read number of sheets, which is the number of originals read by the image reading unit in the image reading process, the user authenticated in the authentication process can further executing a calculation process for calculating a second printable number, which is the number of sheets that can be printed by the printing unit;
2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the preview display process, the second printable number calculated in the calculation process is displayed on the display unit together with the preview image. The control unit
In the image reading process, the image reading unit reads the images of the plurality of documents;
forming a plurality of preview images corresponding to each of the read images of the plurality of originals in the preview display process, displaying the plurality of preview images page by page on the display unit;
first information indicating whether or not each of the read images corresponding to each of the plurality of preview images can be printed by the printing unit based on the first printable number for each of the plurality of preview images; 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further executing a first information display process for displaying on said display unit. The control unit
In the image reading process, the image reading unit reads the images of the plurality of documents;
forming a plurality of preview images corresponding to each of the read images of the plurality of originals in the preview display process, displaying the plurality of preview images page by page on the display unit;
second information indicating whether or not all of the read images corresponding to each of the plurality of preview images can be printed by the printing unit based on the first printable number of sheets for each of the plurality of preview images; 4. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further executing a second information display process for displaying the information on the display section. The control unit
further executing a setting process for receiving a setting as to whether or not to execute the preview display process via the operation unit;
In the setting process, the preview display process is executed when a setting to execute the preview display process is received, and the preview display process is not executed when a setting not to execute the preview display process is received. 5. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The control unit
receiving a setting for selecting one of an all-page preview setting, a one-page preview setting, and a page-by-page preview setting through the operation unit in the setting process;
When the setting for selecting the all-page preview is received, the image reading unit reads images of all pages of a plurality of originals in the image reading process, and the preview image of all pages is read in the preview display process. displaying at least a plurality of pages or all pages of preview images on the display unit;
When the setting for selecting the one-page preview is accepted, the image reading unit reads the image of the document to be printed on one sheet in the image reading process, and prints the image on one sheet in the preview display process. displaying the preview image for the amount to be displayed on the display unit;
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein when the setting for selecting the page-by-page preview is accepted, the image reading process and the preview display process are repeatedly executed for each document printed on one sheet. printer. a document tray on which documents are placed;
a detection unit for detecting whether or not there is a document in the document tray;
further comprising
The control unit
further executing detection processing for detecting whether or not there is a document in the document tray by the detection unit;
In the image reading process, the image reading unit reads the images of the plurality of documents;
In the calculation process,
calculating the second printable number based on the first printable number and the number obtained by adding one to the read number, when it is detected that there is a document in the document tray in the detection process;
3. The second printable number of sheets is calculated based on the first printable number of sheets and the read number of sheets when it is detected in the detection process that there is no document in the document tray. 3. The printing apparatus according to 2. The control unit
repeatedly executing the image reading process and the preview display process for each document printed on one sheet;
In the calculation process,
Each time the image reading unit reads the image of the document printed on one sheet in the image reading process, according to the number of documents read in the image reading process, in the preview display process 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second number of printable sheets displayed on the display unit is reduced. The control unit
After executing the preview display process, further executing a cancel determination process for determining whether or not a cancellation instruction to cancel the print process is given via the operation unit,
9. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the printing process is not executed when it is determined in the cancellation determination process that the cancellation instruction has been issued.

Images