JP3619028B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an image forming apparatus having image storage means for storing image data for execution of a copy job or a print job. In place It is related.
[0002]
[Prior art]
By providing an image storage device such as a hard disk, that is, an image server, a plurality of copies can be printed by one image input process for all original images without performing image input processing for the number of copies unlike previous copying machines and printers. There are image forming apparatuses such as copiers and printers that can be used.
[0003]
This type of copier and printer has an image server and a page memory that expands after synthesizing and processing the images stored in the image server, thereby increasing the number of image forming modes provided by analog copiers and the like. Image forming modes can be provided.
[0004]
Providing this more image forming mode, on the other hand, provides a variety of output patterns that make it somewhat difficult for users to imagine the output bundle, and is a means to help users in these situations. As a result, there are an increasing number of copiers and printers that provide a proof print function in which when a plurality of copies are output, only a portion of the output is once confirmed and the finish is confirmed, and then output of the remaining copies is started.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the proof print mode in the conventional image forming apparatus as described above does not function unless actively set by the user, which is convenient for a user who is skilled in operation, but for a user who is not so. However, there is a problem in that there is a possibility that the labor of operation increases or the setting is forgotten, and a plurality of output bundles that are not desired are output.
[0006]
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, Improve the operability of experienced users and improved operability of unfamiliar users Image forming equipment that can Place The purpose is to provide.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Image forming apparatus of the present invention Is The configuration is as follows.
[0008]
(1) Image forming mode setting means for inputting and setting an image forming mode for image data;
Image forming means for forming an image of the image data based on the image forming mode input and set by the image forming mode setting means;
A proof mode for stopping an image forming operation of the image forming unit when at least one image formation is completed when the image forming is performed based on the image forming mode set by the image forming mode setting unit; Proof mode setting means for selectively input setting,
An image forming apparatus comprising a control means for controlling the image forming mode setting means, the image forming means, and the proof mode setting means,
When the predetermined image forming mode is input and set by the image forming mode setting means, the control means automatically sets the proof mode that is selectively input and set by the proof mode setting means. The predetermined image forming mode is: It is a specific image formation mode with complex image finish, An image forming apparatus having at least one of a pamphlet mode in which images are formed in an order suitable for creating a pamphlet, a reduced layout mode, an enlarged layout mode, and a cover slip sheet mode in which a cover sheet or slip sheet is inserted into a sheet.
[0009]
(2) Image formation mode setting means for inputting and setting an image formation mode for image data;
Image forming means for forming an image of the image data based on the image forming mode input and set by the image forming mode setting means;
A proof mode for stopping an image forming operation of the image forming unit when at least one image formation is completed when the image forming is performed based on the image forming mode set by the image forming mode setting unit; Proof mode setting means for selectively input setting,
An image forming apparatus comprising a control means for controlling the image forming mode setting means, the image forming means, and the proof mode setting means,
When the predetermined image forming mode is input and set by the image forming mode setting unit, the control unit automatically sets the proof mode that is selectively input and set by the proof mode setting unit. If the image forming mode is not selected for input, the proof mode of the proof mode setting means can be selectively input and set,
The predetermined image forming mode is: It is a specific image formation mode with complex image finish, An image forming apparatus having at least one of a pamphlet mode in which images are formed in an order suitable for creating a pamphlet, a reduced layout mode, an enlarged layout mode, and a cover slip sheet mode in which a cover sheet or slip sheet is inserted into a sheet.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes an image forming apparatus body, and 180 denotes an automatic document feeder (DF). Reference numeral 101 denotes a platen glass as a document placement table, and 102 denotes a scan, which includes a document illumination lamp 103, a scanning mirror 104, and the like.
[0015]
The scanner 102 is reciprocally scanned in a predetermined direction by a motor (not shown), and the reflected light of the original is transmitted through the lens 108 via the scanning mirrors 104 to 106 to form an image on a CCD sensor (also referred to as an image sensor) 109. An exposure control unit 120 includes a laser, a polygon scanner, and the like. The exposure control unit 120 sensitizes a laser beam 129 that is converted into an electric signal by the image sensor 109 and modulated based on an image signal subjected to predetermined image processing to be described later. The body drum 110 is irradiated. Around the photosensitive drum 110, a primary charger 112, a developing device 121, transfer chargers 118 and 119, a cleaning device 116, and a pre-exposure lamp 114 are provided.
[0016]
In the image forming unit 126, the photosensitive drum 110 is rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 1 by a motor (not shown). After being charged to a desired potential by the primary charger 112, the exposure control unit 120 sends a laser beam. Light 129 is irradiated to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 110 is developed by the developing device 121 and visualized as a toner image.
[0017]
On the other hand, the transfer paper fed from the upper cassette 131 or the lower cassette 132 by the pickup rollers 133 and 134 is sent to the main body by the paper feed rollers 135 and 136 and fed to the transfer belt by the registration rollers 137 to be visualized. The toner image is transferred onto the transfer paper by the transfer charger 118. After the transfer, the photosensitive drum 110 is cleaned of residual toner by the cleaning device 116, and the residual charge is erased by the pre-exposure lamp 114.
[0018]
After the transfer, the transfer paper is separated from the transfer belt 130, and the toner image is recharged by the pre-fixing chargers 139 and 140, sent to the fixing device 141, and fixed by pressurization and heating. Discharged outside. The main body 100 is equipped with a deck 150 that can store, for example, 4000 transfer sheets.
[0019]
The lifter 151 of the deck 150 ascends according to the amount of transfer paper so that the transfer paper always contacts the paper feed roller 152. In addition, a multi-manual feed 153 capable of storing 100 transfer sheets is provided.
[0020]
Further, in FIG. 1, reference numeral 154 denotes a paper discharge flapper, which switches the path between the duplex recording side or the multiple recording side and the paper discharge side. The transfer paper fed from the paper discharge roller 142 is switched from the double-sided recording side to the multiple recording side by this paper discharge flapper 154. Reference numeral 158 denotes a lower conveyance path. The transfer paper is turned over and guided to the refeed tray 156 via the transfer paper fed from the paper discharge roller 142 and the reverse path 155. Reference numeral 157 denotes a multiple flapper that switches between double-sided recording and multiple recording paths. By tilting the multiple flapper to the left, the transfer paper is directly guided to the lower conveyance path 158 without going through the reverse path 155.
[0021]
Reference numeral 159 denotes a paper feed roller that feeds the transfer paper photosensitive drum 110 through the path 160. Reference numeral 161 denotes a discharge roller which is disposed in the vicinity of the paper discharge flapper 154 and discharges the transfer paper switched to the discharge side by the paper discharge flapper 154 to the outside of the apparatus.
[0022]
During double-sided storage (double-sided copying) and multiple recording (multiple copying), the paper output wrapper 154 is raised upward. A plurality of transfer sheets are stored in the refeed tray 156 via the transport paths 155 and 158. At this time, the multiple flapper 157 is tilted to the right for double-sided recording, and the multiple flapper 157 is tilted to the left for multiple recording. The transfer sheets stored in the refeed tray 156 are guided one by one from the bottom to the registration rollers 137 of the main body via the path 160 by the sheet feed roller 159. When the transfer paper is reversed and discharged from the main body, the paper discharge flapper 154 is raised upward, the flapper 157 is tilted to the right, and the copied transfer paper is conveyed to the conveyance path 155 side. After passing through one feed roller 162, it is conveyed to the second feed roller 162 a side by the reverse roller 163, and the transfer paper is turned over by the discharge roller 161 and discharged outside the apparatus.
[0023]
Reference numeral 190 denotes a paper discharge process for aligning and closing the transfer paper discharged from the image forming apparatus main body 100. In a later-described operation unit 172, when a post-bundling post-processing operation such as sorting or stapling is not set, the paper passes through the conveyance path 194 and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 191 one by one without passing through the processing tray 193. . When the sheet bundle post-processing operation is set, the transfer sheets that are discharged one by one through the conveyance path 195 are stacked and arranged on the processing tray 193. When the discharge of part of the image formation is finished, the transfer paper bundle is stapled and discharged to the discharge tray 191 or the discharge tray 192 in a bundle. When the bundled sheet post-processing operation is set, the bundle is basically discharged to the sheet discharge tray 192. However, control for switching to the sheet discharge tray 191 is performed depending on conditions such as a full state. The sheet discharge trays 191 and 192 are controlled to move up and down by a motor (not shown), and move so that the tray to be stacked before the start of the image forming operation becomes the position of the processing tray.
[0024]
FIG. 2 is a control block diagram in the image forming apparatus main body 100. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 171 denotes a CPU that performs basic control of the image forming apparatus main body 100. The ROM 174 stores a control program, a work RAM 175 for processing, an input / output port (I / O) 173, and external and image data. An external interface (I / F) processing unit 4 for performing the exchange is connected by an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 173 is connected to various loads (not shown) such as a motor and a clutch for controlling the image forming apparatus main body 100 and an input (not shown) such as a sensor for detecting the position of the paper.
[0025]
The CPU 171 sequentially performs input / output control via the input / output port 173 in accordance with the contents of the ROM 174 to execute an image forming operation. An operation unit 72 is connected to the CPU 171 and controls display means and key input means of the operation unit 172. The operator instructs the CPU 171 to switch the image forming operation mode and display through the key input means, and the CPU 171 displays the state of the image forming apparatus main body 100 and the operation mode setting by key input. The CPU 171 is connected to an image processing unit 170 that processes a signal converted into an electrical signal by the image sensor unit 109 and an image memory unit (image storage unit) 3 that stores the processed image.
[0026]
Next, details of the image processing unit 170 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the image processing unit. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 109 denotes a CCD sensor. A document image formed on the CCD sensor 109 via the lens 108 is input as black luminance data and is converted into an analog electric signal by the CCD sensor 109. The converted image information is input to an analog signal processing unit (not shown), and an A / D / SH unit 301 performs sample-and-hold (SH), dark level correction, etc., and performs analog / digital conversion (A / D). Conversion) and the digitalized signal is subjected to shading correction (variation of sensors for reading a document and correction of light distribution characteristics of a document illumination lamp).
[0027]
Thereafter, it is sent to the log conversion unit 302. The log conversion unit 302 stores an LUT for converting input luminance data into density data, and converts the luminance data into density data by outputting a table value corresponding to the input data. Thereafter, the image is scaled to a desired magnification by the scaling processing unit 303 and input to the γ correction unit 304. When the density data is output, the γ correction unit 304 performs conversion using an LUT that takes printer characteristics into account, and adjusts the output according to the density value set by the operation unit. Thereafter, it is sent to the binarization unit 305.
[0028]
The binarization unit 305 binarizes the multi-value density data, and the density value becomes “0” or “225”. The 8-bit image data is binarized and converted to 1-bit image data of “0” or “1”, and the amount of image data stored in the memory is reduced. However, when the image is binarized, the number of gradations of the image is changed from 256 gradations to two gradations. Therefore, when image data having a large halftone such as a photographic image is binarized, the image is generally greatly deteriorated. Therefore, there is a case where pseudo halftone expression is performed using binary data. Here, an error diffusion method is used as a method of performing a pseudo intermediate length representation with binary data.
[0029]
In this method, if the density of an image is greater than a certain threshold value, the density data is “225”, and if the density is less than a certain threshold value, the density data is “0” and is binarized. In this method, a difference between actual density data and binarized data is distributed to surrounding pixels as an error signal. The error is distributed by multiplying an error caused by binarization with a weighting factor on a matrix prepared in advance and adding the result to surrounding pixels.
[0030]
As a result, the density average value of the entire image is stored, and the halftone can be expressed in a pseudo binary manner. The binarized image data is sent to the image memory unit 3 and stored in the image. Further, the image data from the computer input via the external I / F processing unit 4 is processed as binary image data by the external I / F processing unit 4, and thus sent to the image memory unit 3 as it is. The image memory unit 3 includes a high-speed page memory and a large-capacity memory (hard disk) capable of storing a plurality of page image data.
[0031]
The plurality of image data stored in the hard disk is output in the order corresponding to the editing mode designated by the operation unit 172 of the image forming apparatus main body 100. For example, in the case of sorting, images of a document bundle read from the DF 180 are sequentially output. The original image data once stored from the hard disk is read, and this is repeated a plurality of times and output. Thereby, it can play the same role as a sorter having a plurality of bins.
[0032]
The image data output from the image memory unit 3 is sent to the smoothing unit 306 in the printer unit 2. The smoothing unit 306 interpolates data so that the line ends of the binarized image are smooth, and outputs the image data to the exposure control unit 120. The exposure control unit 120 forms image data on transfer paper by the above-described processing.
[0033]
Next, details of the image memory unit 3 will be described with reference to FIG. The image memory unit 3 writes a binary image from the external I / F processing unit and the image processing unit 170 to the page memory unit 401 constituted by a memory such as a DRAM via the memory controller unit 402, and sends it to the printer unit 2. Image input / output and image input / output access to a hard disk (HD) 404 which is a large-capacity storage device.
[0034]
The memory controller unit 402 generates a refresh signal for the DRAM 401 and arbitrates access to the page memory 401 from the external I / F processing unit 4, the image processing unit 170, and the hard disk 404. Further, in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 171, the write address to the page memory unit 401, the read address from the page memory unit 401, and the read direction are controlled. As a result, the CPU 171 arranges a plurality of document images in the page memory unit 401 to perform layout, and controls the function of outputting to the printer unit, the function of cutting out and outputting only a part of the image, and the image rotation function.
[0035]
The configuration of the external I / F processing unit 4 will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the external I / F processing unit 4 takes the binary image data of the reader unit 1 into the external I / F processing unit 4 via the image memory unit 3, and also via the image memory unit 3, The binary image data from the external I / F processing unit 4 is output to the printer unit 2 to form an image. The external I / F processing unit 4 includes a core unit 506, a facsimile unit 501, a hard disk 502 for storing communication image data of the facsimile unit, a computer interface unit 503 connected to an external computer (PC / WS) 11, a formatter unit 504, An image memory unit 505 is included.
[0036]
The facsimile unit 501 is connected to a public line via a modem (not shown), and receives facsimile communication data from the public line and transmits facsimile communication data to the public line. The facsimile unit 501 performs processing by storing a fax image on the hard disk 502 such as transmitting a fax at a specified time, which is a facsimile function, or transmitting image data in response to a specified password inquiry from the other party.
[0037]
Thus, once the image is transferred from the reader unit 1 to the facsimile unit 501 and the facsimile hard disk 502 via the image memory unit 3, the reader unit 1 and the image memory unit 3 are not used for the facsimile function. You can send a fax. A computer interface unit 503 is an interface unit that performs data communication with an external computer, such as a local area network (hereinafter referred to as LAN), a serial I / F, an SCSII / F, and a Centro I / F for data input of a printer. Have.
[0038]
The state of the printer unit 2 and the reader unit 1 is notified to the external computer 11 via this I / F, and an image read by the reader unit 1 according to an instruction from the computer 11 is transferred to the external computer 11. Also, print image data is received from the external computer 11.
[0039]
Since the print data notified from the external computer 11 via the computer interface unit 503 is described by a dedicated printer code, the formatter unit 504 forms an image of the code in the printer unit 2 via the image memory unit 3. Convert to raster image data. The formatter unit 504 performs raster image data development on the image memory unit 505.
[0040]
The image memory unit 505 is used as a memory in which the formatter unit 504 develops raster image data as described above, or sends the image of the reader unit 1 to the external computer 11 via the computer interface unit 503 (image scanner function). In addition, the image data sent from the image memory unit 3 is once developed in the image memory unit 3, converted into a data format to be sent to the external computer 11, and sent from the computer interface unit 503.
[0041]
The core unit 506 controls and manages data transfer among the facsimile unit 501, the computer interface unit 503, the formatter unit 504, the image memory unit 505, and the image memory unit 3. As a result, even if there are a plurality of image output units in the external I / F processing unit, even if there is one image transfer path to the image memory unit 3, the exclusive control and priority are managed under the management of the core unit 506. Controlled and image output is performed.
[0042]
Next, the operation unit for setting the copying operation of the image forming apparatus described with reference to FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0043]
In FIG. 6, reference numeral 621 denotes a power lamp indicating that the power is on. With the power switch 613, the power lamp 621 is turned on and off in accordance with the ON / OFF switching of the power source. Reference numeral 622 denotes a numeric keypad which is used for setting the number of formed images and inputting numerical values for mode setting. On the facsimile setting screen, it is used for inputting a telephone number. Reference numeral 623 denotes a clear key, which clears the setting input with the numeric keypad.
[0044]
Reference numeral 616 denotes a reset key for returning the set number of formed images, an operation mode, a selected paper feed stage, and the like to default values. Reference numeral 614 denotes a start key. When the start key 614 is pressed, an image forming operation is started. In the center of the start key 614, there are red and green LEDs (not shown) indicating whether or not the start is possible. When the start is not possible, the red LED is lit, and when the start is possible, the green LED is lit. .
[0045]
A stop key 615 is used to stop the copying operation. . Reference numeral 617 denotes a guide key. When this key is pressed and then another key is pressed, a description of functions that can be set by the key is displayed on the display panel. The guide display is canceled by pressing the guide key 617 again.
[0046]
Reference numeral 618 denotes a user setting key. When this key is pressed, the setting of the image forming apparatus can be changed by the user. The settings that can be changed by the user are, for example, the time until the settings are automatically cleared, the setting of the default value of the mode when the reset key is pressed, and the like. Reference numeral 619 denotes an interrupt key. When this key is pressed during an image forming operation, other image forming operations are stopped and copying can be performed without using the automatic document feeder 180.
[0047]
Reference numeral 620 denotes a display panel (notification means, display means) composed of a liquid crystal or the like, and the display content changes according to the setting mode so as to prepare detailed mode settings. The surface of the display panel is a touch sensor. FIG. 6 shows an example of a copy operation mode setting screen. In FIG. 6, keys 624 to 631 are displayed in the display panel 620. By touching the display positions of the keys 624 to 631, it is determined that the key is pressed, and the mode is set. Reference numeral 627 denotes a paper stage selection key. When this key is pressed, a display for setting which of the cassette, 131, and 132 is to be fed is displayed on the display panel 620. Reference numerals 628 to 631 denote keys for setting the copy magnification of the copy operation.
[0048]
Reference numeral 626 denotes an application mode setting key. When the key 626 is pressed, a brochure mode for performing printing in an order suitable for creating a brochure, a reduced layout mode, a cover for inserting a cover sheet or a slip sheet on a print sheet, A screen for setting an application function mode such as a slip sheet mode is displayed on the display panel, and for example, setting keys for each application mode as shown in FIG. 7 are displayed to enable setting of the application mode.
[0049]
Reference numeral 624 denotes a setting key for duplex operation. For example, “single-both mode” for performing double-sided output from a single-sided document, “both-both mode” for performing double-sided output from a double-sided document, and two-sided output from a double-sided document. Three types of duplex mode, “both-single mode”, are set. Reference numeral 625 denotes a sort key. When this key is pressed, the operation mode of the paper discharge processing apparatus 190 is set, and the output paper sorting mode used for the image memory is set.
[0050]
Reference numeral 632 denotes a proof print mode (hereinafter referred to as “trial copy mode”) setting key (setting means). When selected, the printing operation is temporarily stopped when the output of one copy is completed, and the user is allowed to confirm the finish. If it is OK, a setting is selected so that continuation can be selected.
[0051]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a setting screen when the trial copy mode is set. FIG. 8A shows a state before setting the trial copy mode and starting printing. FIG. 8B shows a state in which the printing operation is stopped in order to allow the user to confirm the finish at the end of outputting one copy and to select whether or not to continue.
[0052]
In addition to the normal display of the keys in the display panel, if the display key mode cannot be set, the display line is changed to a dotted line (shaded) to indicate that the key cannot be operated. It has become.
[0053]
Here, when the pamphlet mode is selected on the application mode screen by the setting key 626, the trial copy mode by the setting key 632 is automatically set, and a partial output can be performed without pressing the trial copy key. When the printing is finished, the printing operation is temporarily stopped, and the user can confirm the finish, and if OK, it is possible to select “Continue” or “NG”.
[0054]
In addition, on the upper side of the display panel 620 shown in FIG. 6, the contents set for the copying operation and the current operation state are displayed. Further, on the upper left of the screen, there is a display indicating which screen in each function mode to be described later, and FIG. 6 shows a copy A setting screen. In addition, in FIG. 6, although it showed with the character, the symbol which shows each may be sufficient. Further, below the display panel 620, operation states of other function modes to be described later are displayed in a range that can be displayed in one line.
[0055]
FIG. 6 shows that the copy B is being output to the printer unit. Next to the application mode setting key 626 in the display panel 620, there is a key that can be changed by the user, and up to two function keys that can be set on the application mode setting screen can be registered. By displaying the application mode setting key 626 at the position shown in FIG. 6, the registered mode can be set more easily.
[0056]
In FIG. 6, reference numerals 601 to 612 denote keys and LED displays for switching the display of the operation unit in order to set each function of copying operation and system operation using the image forming apparatus main body 100. Reference numerals 601, 604, and 610 are keys for switching each function. This key is composed of a translucent key button, and there is a display lamp (not shown) such as an LED inside the key. By pressing these keys, the lamp inside the key is turned on when the operation screen is selected. This lamp inside each key is controlled so that only the lamp inside the key of the selected operation function screen is turned on, and the lamps inside other keys are turned off.
[0057]
In addition, green LEDs 603, 606, 609, and 612 are arranged to the right of the keys 601, 604, 607, and 610, respectively, and these LEDs indicate the operation status of each function by LED lighting control. For example, the LED 606 of the copy B is controlled to be turned off when the copy B is on standby, and is controlled to blink when the copy B is in an output operation as shown in FIG.
[0058]
When the copy B image is stored in the hard disk 304 of the image memory and the copy B print operation is not performed, lighting control is performed. Similarly, for example, the fax LED 609 is controlled to blink during a communication operation, a printing operation, and a reading operation, and is turned on when a facsimile image is stored in the facsimile unit hard disk 402.
[0059]
Red LEDs 602, 605, 608, and 611 are arranged on the left of each of the keys 601, 604, 607, and 610, and this LED indicates that an abnormal state of each function has occurred by LED lighting control. For example, the LED 605 of the copy B is controlled to turn on when the copy B has an abnormality such as a paper out interruption or a JAM. At this time, by pressing the copy B function key 604 and switching the display of the operation unit to copy B, the status of copy B is displayed on the display panel, and the details of the abnormal status can be confirmed.
[0060]
These function switching keys can be pressed at any time regardless of the operation status of each function, and the operation unit can be switched. When the copy A function and the copy B function can be switched as in this embodiment, the keys other than the keys in the display panel such as the stop key, the start key, and the reset key described above are switched by the switching keys 601 and 604. Operates on the selected function.
[0061]
For example, even if the stop key is pressed while the copy A operation screen is displayed in FIG. 6, the copy operation cannot be stopped for the copy B output operation. When stopping the copy operation of copy B, the output of copy B is stopped by pressing the stop key 615 after pressing the copy B function key 604. The data set by the user setting key 618 has data on each of the screens on which the copy A and copy B operation units are selected, and the setting operation can be performed independently on each screen. Reference numeral 633 denotes a setting key for setting the priority order.
[0062]
An embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIG.
[0063]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing operation when the print mode (image formation mode) setting screen is opened by the setting keys 626 and 632 on the operation unit in this embodiment. This operation is executed based on a program stored in advance in the ROM 174 according to an instruction from the CPU 171.
[0064]
First, it is determined whether or not there is a change in the print mode, such as when any key is pressed on the operation unit screen (step S901). If there is a change, whether the set print mode is the pamphlet mode or not. It is determined whether or not (step S902). If the mode set in step S902 is the pamphlet mode, trial copy setting is automatically performed (step S903), it is determined whether or not the copy start key is pressed (step S904), and the copy start key is pressed. If so, the copy starts in the set print mode (step S905).
[0065]
If not pressed in step S905, the process returns to step S901.
[0066]
If the print mode is not changed in step S901, the process goes to step S905 to determine whether or not the copy key has been pressed. If the mode set in step S902 is not the pamphlet mode, it is determined whether or not the trial copy setting key has been pressed (step S906). If the trial copy key is not pressed, it is determined in step S904 that the copy start key is pressed.
[0067]
The above is the flow of the setting processing operation of one embodiment of the present invention.
[0068]
In this embodiment, the proof print mode is automatically set when the pamphlet mode is set (selected), but any one of the reduced layout, the enlarged layout, the cover page, and the slip sheet mode is set. The proof print mode is automatically set, and when the output of one copy is completed, the print operation is temporarily stopped and the user is allowed to confirm the finish, so that the user can select continue if OK or cancel if NG. Also good.
[0069]
As described above, in this embodiment, when an image forming mode is set that makes it slightly difficult to imagine the output bundle finish (it is better to set the proof print mode), it is automatically performed. By setting the proof print mode, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reducing a user's trouble, preventing forgetting the setting, and performing desired output without waste.
[0070]
【The invention's effect】
As explained above, according to the present invention, Improve the operability of experienced users and improved operability of unfamiliar users There is an effect that can be.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration in the image forming apparatus main body.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of an image processing unit.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of an image memory unit
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of an external I / F processing unit.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of an operation unit.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a setting screen for a copy operation application mode according to an embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a setting screen for a trial copy mode according to an embodiment;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation when a print mode is set according to an embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Reader section
2 Printer section
3 Image memory (image storage means)
4 External I / F processor
100 Image forming apparatus main body
170 Image processing unit
171 CPU
172 Operation unit
174 ROM
175 RAM
180 Automatic document feeder
190 Paper Discharge Processing Device
191 Output tray
192 Output tray
620 Display panel (notification means, display means)
632 Proof print mode setting key (setting means)

Claims (2)

Image forming mode setting means for inputting and setting an image forming mode for image data;
Image forming means for forming an image of the image data based on the image forming mode input and set by the image forming mode setting means;
A proof mode for stopping an image forming operation of the image forming unit when at least one image formation is completed when the image forming is performed based on the image forming mode set by the image forming mode setting unit; Proof mode setting means for selectively input setting,
An image forming apparatus comprising a control means for controlling the image forming mode setting means, the image forming means, and the proof mode setting means,
When the predetermined image forming mode is input and set by the image forming mode setting means, the control means automatically sets the proof mode that is selectively input and set by the proof mode setting means. ,
The predetermined image forming mode is a specific image forming mode in which the finish of image formation is complicated, and at least a pamphlet mode for performing image formation in an order suitable for creating a pamphlet, a reduced layout mode, an enlarged layout mode, An image forming apparatus having one of cover sheet interleaf modes for inserting a cover sheet and a slip sheet into a sheet. Image forming mode setting means for inputting and setting an image forming mode for image data;
Image forming means for forming an image of the image data based on the image forming mode input and set by the image forming mode setting means;
A proof mode for stopping an image forming operation of the image forming unit when at least one image formation is completed when the image forming is performed based on the image forming mode set by the image forming mode setting unit; Proof mode setting means for selectively input setting,
An image forming apparatus comprising a control means for controlling the image forming mode setting means, the image forming means, and the proof mode setting means,
When the predetermined image forming mode is input and set by the image forming mode setting unit, the control unit automatically sets the proof mode that is selectively input and set by the proof mode setting unit. If the image forming mode is not selected for input, the proof mode of the proof mode setting means can be selectively input and set,
The predetermined image forming mode is a specific image forming mode in which the finish of image formation is complicated, and at least a pamphlet mode for performing image formation in an order suitable for creating a pamphlet, a reduced layout mode, an enlarged layout mode, An image forming apparatus having one of cover sheet interleaf modes for inserting a cover sheet and a slip sheet into a sheet.

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