JP3662680B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, images from a plurality of originals are stored in a page memory, and the plurality of stored images are sequentially copied onto paper in an electronic sort mode. In particular, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine that performs stapling on the obtained paper for each set and further performs interrupt processing on the stapling.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A digital copying machine having a finisher having a single tray stapler function and capable of executing an interrupt copy during the staple electronic sort mode has been put into practical use.
[0003]
In such a digital copying machine, when an interrupt copy is instructed during the staple electronic sort mode processing, the interrupt copy paper is discharged onto the same tray on the paper in the staple sort mode, and the interrupt copy is output. When you try to continue stapling after returning from the stack, there is a risk that the paper that was interrupted copied will be stapled at the same time. There is a problem of damaging it.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention provides a digital copying machine that executes interrupt processing without causing confusion in sort mode copy processing when an interrupt copy instruction is received during electronic sort mode processing involving stapling processing. With the goal.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a reading unit that sequentially reads image information on a document, a storage unit that stores the image information read by the reading unit, and a recording unit based on the image information stored in the storage unit. An image forming unit that forms and outputs an image on a medium, a stable unit that staples the image-formed recording medium, and a recording medium that is image-formed by electronic sorting using the storage unit. When a staple electronic sort mode for stapling and outputting is designated when an interrupt instruction is received during image formation in this staple electronic sort mode, part of the image formation in the staple electronic sort mode is End Waits until one of the staples on this recording medium ends and image formation is interrupted, and then performs image formation in response to the interrupt instruction. An image forming apparatus comprising: the reading unit, the storage unit, the image forming unit, and a control unit for controlling the staple unit so as to continue image formation in the staple electronic sort mode again after image formation is completed. It is.
[0006]
The present invention realizes electronic sort mode printing without any trouble even if an interruption process is performed during the printing process in the electronic sort mode. In other words, conventionally, if there is an interrupt instruction even during electronic sort mode printing, this interrupt processing is immediately executed, and the interrupt printing paper is printed and the electronic mode printing paper is discharged into the tray. The paper is ejected. Therefore, it is necessary for the operator who interrupted to remove the interrupted paper reliably, and there is a risk of disturbing the arrangement of the paper in electronic sort mode printing when removing it. In some cases, the paper is mixed into the paper or stapled together.
[0007]
However, according to the present invention, a standby mode is performed without executing an interrupt until a point at which one group of sort mode printing (for example, three sheets are printed out in sort mode printing) is printed out. doing. Then, interrupt processing is executed after the output of one group is completed. Therefore, there is no confusion between the paper group for electronic sort mode printing and the paper for interrupt printing, and even when the electronic sort mode printing is also used for stapling processing, one group of stapling processing is completed. Therefore, there is no problem that the electronic sort mode printing paper and the interrupt printing paper are stapled together.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0009]
That is, an embodiment of a composite image forming apparatus having three functions of copy (PPC), facsimile (FAX), and printer (PRT) will be described.
[0010]
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the internal structure of a digital copying machine as an example of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
[0011]
As shown in FIG. 1, the digital copying machine includes an apparatus main body 10 in which a scanner unit 4 that functions as a reading unit, which will be described later, and a printer unit 6 that functions as an image forming unit are provided. Yes.
[0012]
On the upper surface of the apparatus main body 10, a document placing table 12 made of transparent glass on which a reading object, that is, a document D is placed, is provided. Further, an automatic document feeder 7 (hereinafter referred to as ADF) for automatically feeding a document onto the document table 12 is disposed on the upper surface of the apparatus body 10. The ADF 7 is disposed so as to be openable and closable with respect to the document placing table 12, and also functions as a document presser that brings the document D placed on the document placing table 12 into close contact with the document placing table 12.
[0013]
The ADF 7 includes a document tray 8 on which a document D is set, an empty sensor 9 that detects the presence or absence of a document, a pickup roller 14 that picks up a document from the document tray 8 one by one, a paper feed roller 15 that transports the retrieved document, a document Are provided with an aligning roller pair 16 for aligning the leading ends of the paper and a conveying belt 18 disposed so as to cover almost the entire document placing table 12. A plurality of documents set on the document tray 8 are taken out from the bottom page, that is, the last page in order, aligned by the aligning roller pair 16, and then placed on the document by the conveying belt 18. It is transported to a predetermined position on the table 12.
[0014]
In the ADF 7, a reversing roller 20, a non-reversing sensor 21, a flapper 22, and a paper discharge roller 23 are disposed at the end opposite to the aligning roller pair 16 with the conveying belt 18 in between. A document D whose image information has been read by a scanner unit 4 to be described later is sent out from the document placing table 12 by a conveyor belt 18, and the document is discharged on the upper surface of the ADF 7 via a reverse roller 20, a flapper 21, and a discharge roller 22. It is discharged on the part 24. When reading the back side of the document D, the document D transported by the transport belt 18 is reversed by the reversing roller 20 by switching the flapper 22, and then is again moved to a predetermined position on the document placing table 12 by the transport belt 18. Sent.
[0015]
The scanner unit 4 disposed in the apparatus main body 10 includes an exposure lamp 25 serving as a light source for illuminating the document D placed on the document table 12 and a first light that deflects reflected light from the document D in a predetermined direction. The exposure lamp 25 and the first mirror 26 are attached to a first carriage 27 disposed below the document table 12.
[0016]
The first carriage 27 is arranged to be movable in parallel with the document placing table 12 and is reciprocated below the document placing table 12 by a drive motor via a toothed belt (not shown).
[0017]
A second carriage 28 that is movable in parallel with the document table 12 is disposed below the document table 12. Second and third mirrors 30 and 31 for sequentially deflecting the reflected light from the document D deflected by the first mirror 26 are attached to the second carriage 28 at right angles to each other. The second carriage 28 is driven with respect to the first carriage 27 by a toothed belt or the like that drives the first carriage 27, and the document is placed on the first carriage at half the speed. It is moved in parallel along the table 12.
[0018]
Also, below the document table 12, an imaging lens 32 that focuses the reflected light from the third mirror 31 on the second carriage 28, and the reflected light focused by the imaging lens is received and photoelectrically received. A CCD sensor 34 for conversion is provided. The imaging lens 32 is disposed so as to be movable via a drive mechanism in a plane including the optical axis of the light deflected by the third mirror 31, and moves itself to reflect light at a desired magnification. Form an image. The CCD sensor 34 photoelectrically converts the incident reflected light and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the read document D.
[0019]
On the other hand, the printer unit 6 includes a laser exposure device 40 that functions as a latent image forming unit. The laser exposure apparatus 40 rotates a semiconductor laser 41 as a light source, a polygon mirror 36 as a scanning member that continuously deflects the laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser 41, and a polygon mirror 36 at a predetermined rotational speed described later. As a scanning motor for driving, a polygon motor 37 and an optical system 42 for deflecting laser light from the polygon mirror and guiding it to a photosensitive drum 44 described later are provided. The laser exposure apparatus 40 having such a configuration is fixedly supported by a support frame (not shown) of the apparatus main body 10.
[0020]
The semiconductor laser 41 is controlled to be turned on / off according to image information of the document D read by the scanner unit 4 or facsimile transmission / reception document information, and this laser light is passed through the polygon mirror 36 and the optical system 42 to the photosensitive drum. The electrostatic latent image is formed on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 44 by scanning the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 44.
[0021]
Further, the printer unit 6 has a rotatable photosensitive drum 44 as an image carrier disposed almost at the center of the apparatus main body 10, and the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 44 is a laser beam from the laser exposure device 40. To form a desired electrostatic latent image. Around the photosensitive drum 44, a charging charger 45 for charging the drum peripheral surface to a predetermined charge, and toner as a developer is supplied to the electrostatic latent image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 44 to obtain a desired charge. A developing unit 46 that develops at an image density, a transfer material fed from a later-described paper cassette, that is, a peeling charger 47 for separating the copy paper P from the photosensitive drum 44 are integrally provided. A transfer charger 48 for transferring the toner image formed on the paper P to the paper P, a peeling claw 49 for peeling the copy paper P from the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 44, a cleaning device 50 for cleaning the toner remaining on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 44, A static eliminator 51 for neutralizing the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 44 is disposed in order.
[0022]
In the lower part of the apparatus main body 10, an upper cassette 52, a middle cassette 53, and a lower cassette 54 that can be drawn from the apparatus main body are arranged in a stacked state, and copy papers of different sizes are loaded in each cassette. Yes. A large-capacity feeder 55 is provided on the side of these cassettes. The large-capacity feeder 55 accommodates about 3000 sheets of copy paper P having a frequently used size, for example, A4-size copy paper P. . A paper feed cassette 57 that also serves as a manual feed tray 56 is detachably mounted above the large capacity feeder 55.
[0023]
In the apparatus main body 10, a conveyance path 58 extending from each cassette and the large-capacity feeder 55 through a transfer portion located between the photosensitive drum 44 and the transfer charger 48 is formed. A fixing device 60 having a lamp 60a is provided. A discharge port 61 is formed in the side wall of the apparatus main body 10 facing the fixing device 60, and a single tray finisher 150 is attached to the discharge port 61. In the vicinity of the upper cassette 52, the middle cassette 53, the lower cassette 54, the paper feed cassette 57, and in the vicinity of the large-capacity feeder 55, pick-up rollers 63 for taking out the sheets P one by one from the cassette or the large-capacity feeder are provided. . The conveyance path 58 is provided with a plurality of paper feed roller pairs 64 that convey the copy paper P taken out by the pickup roller 63 through the conveyance path 58.
[0024]
A registration roller pair 65 is provided on the upstream side of the photosensitive drum 44 in the conveyance path 58. The registration roller pair 65 corrects the inclination of the taken copy paper P and aligns the front end of the toner image on the photoconductive drum 44 with the front end of the copy paper P so that the moving speed of the peripheral surface of the photoconductive drum 44 The copy paper P is fed to the transfer unit at the same speed. A pre-aligning sensor 66 for detecting the arrival of the copy paper P is provided in front of the registration roller pair 65, that is, on the paper feed roller 64 side.
[0025]
The copy paper P that is picked up one by one from each cassette or large-capacity feeder 55 by the pickup roller 63 is sent to the registration roller pair 65 by the paper feed roller pair 64. The copy paper P is fed to the transfer section after the leading edge is aligned by the registration roller pair 65.
[0026]
In the transfer portion, the developer image formed on the photosensitive drum 44, that is, the toner image is transferred onto the paper P by the transfer charger 48. The copy sheet P to which the toner image has been transferred is peeled off from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 44 by the action of the peeling charger 47 and the peeling claw 49, and is transferred to the fixing device 60 via the conveyance belt 67 constituting a part of the conveyance path 52. Be transported. Then, after the developer image is melted and fixed on the copy paper P by the fixing device 60, the copy paper P is discharged onto the finisher 150 through the discharge port 61 by the paper feed roller pair 68 and the paper discharge roller pair 69.
[0027]
Below the conveyance path 58, there is provided an automatic duplex device 70 that reverses the copy paper P that has passed through the fixing device 60 and sends it again to the registration roller pair 65. The automatic double-side device 70 includes a temporary stacking unit 71 that temporarily stacks the copy paper P, and a reverse path 72 that branches from the conveyance path 58 and reverses the copy paper P that has passed through the fixing device 60 and guides it to the temporary stacking unit 71. A pick-up roller 73 for picking up the copy sheets P collected in the temporary stacking unit one by one; and a paper feed roller 75 for feeding the picked-up sheets to the registration roller pair 65 through the transport path 74. In addition, a branching gate 76 that selectively distributes the copy paper P to the discharge port 61 or the reversing path 72 is provided at a branch portion between the conveyance path 58 and the reversing path 72.
[0028]
When performing double-sided copying, the copy paper P that has passed through the fixing device 60 is guided to the reversing path 72 by the sorting gate 76 and is temporarily accumulated in the temporary accumulating unit 71 in the reversed state, and then the pickup roller 73 and The paper is fed to the registration roller pair 65 through the conveyance path 74 by the paper feed roller pair 75. Then, after the copy paper P is aligned by the registration roller pair 65, it is sent again to the transfer unit, and the toner image is transferred to the back surface of the copy paper P. Thereafter, the copy paper P is discharged to the finisher 150 via the conveyance path 58, the fixing device 60 and the paper discharge roller 69.
[0029]
The finisher 150 staples and stores the discharged partially structured document in units. As shown in FIG. 2, each time the copy paper P to be stapled is discharged from the single sheet discharge port 61, the guide bar 151 moves toward the staple side and aligns. When all the paper has been discharged, the paper presser arm 152 suppresses the partial copy paper P discharged, and the stapler unit 153 performs stapling. After that, the guide bar 151 is lowered to the position indicated by the broken line in FIG. 3, and the copy paper P, which has been stapled, is discharged in its finish unit onto the finisher discharge tray 154 by the finisher discharge roller 155 as shown in FIG. Is done. The lowering amount of the finisher discharge tray 154 is determined to some extent by the number of copy sheets P to be discharged, and decreases step by step every time it is discharged in some units. Further, the guide bar 151 for aligning the discharged copy paper P is at such a height that it does not hit the already stapled copy paper P placed on the finisher discharge tray 154.
[0030]
The finisher discharge tray 154 is connected to a shift mechanism (not shown) that shifts partly (for example, in four directions, front, rear, left, and right) in the sort mode mode.
[0031]
Further, an operation panel 80 for inputting various copy conditions and a copy start signal for starting a copy operation is provided at the upper front of the apparatus main body 10.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 5, the operation panel 80 includes a numeric keypad 81, a copy key 82, a status display section 83, a liquid crystal display section 84, a document size setting key 85, a paper size setting key 86, a density display section 87, and a density setting key 88. , A magnification setting key 89, a clear / stop key 90, a finisher key 91, an interrupt key 92, and an all clear key 93.
[0033]
The numeric keypad 81 is used to set the number of documents and the number of copies.
[0034]
The copy key 82 instructs to start copying.
[0035]
The status display section 83 is for guiding and displaying a paper feed cassette selection status, a document, a paper jam, and the like.
[0036]
The display unit 84 displays the number of originals and the number of copies, as well as displaying the copy magnification and editing, and various operation guidance. The liquid crystal display unit 84 is provided with a touch panel so that various operation instructions can be input. For example, during the electronic sort mode process, an end key and a stop key are displayed and can be input.
[0037]
The document size setting key 85 is used to set the size of the document D.
[0038]
The paper size setting key 86 is used to set the size of the paper P.
[0039]
The density display portion 87 displays the copy density set by the density setting key 88.
[0040]
A magnification setting key 89 is used to set a copy magnification.
[0041]
The clear / stop key 90 is for stopping the operation during operation, and for clearing the setting contents by the ten key 81 when not operating, to return to the standard state.
[0042]
The finisher key 91 is for setting a stipple, sort mode, and group sort mode.
[0043]
The interrupt key 92 is a key for setting an interrupt copy.
[0044]
The all clear key 93 is a key for instructing the return to the default state.
[0045]
Next, a control circuit of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a configuration of an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine control system according to an embodiment, FIG. 7 is a scanner unit, FIG. 8 is a basic unit CPU, and FIG. 9 is a printer unit.
[0046]
The digital copying machine control system is generally composed of two blocks. The image processing means 214 connects the scanner unit 4 and the printer unit 6 to each other, and a basic unit 301 constituting the digital copying machine, The page memory unit 302 implements memory copy (electronic sort mode) by transferring the stored image data to the basic unit 301 again.
[0047]
The basic unit 301 and the page memory unit 302 are connected by a basic unit system interface 316 that exchanges control data and a basic unit image interface 317 that exchanges image data.
[0048]
The basic unit 301 includes an input unit (scanner unit) 4, an output unit (printer unit) 6, an image processing unit 314, and a control unit (basic unit CPU) 311 that controls these units.
[0049]
The main CPU 100 of the control means (basic CPU) 311 includes a ROM 102, a RAM 104, an image memory 106, an internal interface 122, an external interface 123, a facsimile interface 126, a printer interface 128, an auxiliary storage device interface 130, a code conversion circuit 132, and a compression. / An expansion circuit 134 is connected. An operation panel 80 is connected to the internal interface 122, an external device 124 is connected to the external interface 123, a public line 136 is connected to the facsimile interface 126, and an external device 138 is connected to the printer interface 128. The auxiliary storage device interface 130 is connected to an IC card reader / writer 142, a hard disk drive 144, and the like.
[0050]
Here, storage / calling of image information and the like are performed by the main CPU 100. For example, when storing image information, the image information read by the scanner unit 4 under the control of the scanner CPU 160 is stored in the image memory 106 according to an instruction from the main CPU 100. The instruction from the main CPU 100 is performed after the mode is determined by an input (key input) from the operation unit.
[0051]
A parameter table 104 a is set in the RAM 104. In the parameter table 104a, the copy conditions set by the operation panel 80 or the like are stored, and the specified values correspond to the conditions that are not set. The parameters set as the copying conditions are the number of copies, the document size, the paper size, the magnification, the sort mode, and the like.
[0052]
Next, a detailed configuration of the scanner unit 4 will be described with reference to FIG. The scanner CPU 160 of the scanner unit 4 is connected to a lamp control unit 164 that controls the exposure lamp 25, a motor driver 168 that controls the scanning motor 166, sensors, switches, and a drive unit 172 that drives and controls the solenoids 170. Connected to an A / D conversion circuit 176, a resolution conversion circuit 178, a shading correction circuit 176, an image quality improvement circuit 180, and a binarization circuit 182 for controlling and processing image information from the CCD sensor 34, Control these.
[0053]
Next, the printer unit 6 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In the printer unit 6, the printer CPU 190 includes a main motor driver 194 for driving the main motor 192, a drive unit 198 for driving and controlling the sensors, switches and solenoids 196, a fixing lamp control unit 202 for controlling the fixing lamp 60a, and a charging charger. 45, a transfer charger 48, a high voltage output control unit 212 that controls application of high voltage from the high voltage transformers 213, 214, and 215 to the peeling charger 47, a static eliminator control unit 216 that controls the static eliminator 51, a feed roller pair 64,. 68, a registration roller pair 65, a conveyance belt 67, a paper feed control unit 224 for controlling the paper feed motor 222 for the paper discharge roller pair 69, a semiconductor laser 41, and a modulation circuit for controlling the laser drive circuit 230 for the semiconductor laser 41. Connect to H.323 to control them.
[0054]
Next, the page memory unit 302 will be described with reference to FIG. The page memory unit 302 controls access to the page memory 323 from the basic unit 301 and the system control unit 304 incorporating the communication memory 305, and storage unit (page memory) 323 for temporarily storing image data. , An address control unit 306 that generates an address of the page memory 323, an image bus 320 that performs data transfer between devices in the page memory unit 302, and a control between each device in the page memory unit 302 and the system control unit 304. A control bus 321 for transferring signals, a data control means 307 for controlling data transfer when transferring data between the page memory 323 and other devices via the image bus 320, and a basic unit via the basic unit image interface 317 Images that interface image data when transferring image data to 301 Data I / F unit 308 converts image data to the resolution of another device when transmitting the image data to a device with a different resolution, or receives the image data received from a device with a different resolution from the resolution of the printer 315 of the basic unit 301 A resolution conversion / binary rotation means 325 that performs 90 degree rotation processing of binary image data, a device that compresses and transmits image data, such as facsimile transmission and optical disk storage, and the like Therefore, the printer unit 6 is connected to a compression / decompression unit 324 and an image data I / F unit 308 that compress input image data and decompress the image data in a compressed form for visualization via the printer 315. Multi-value rotation memory used when image data is output after being rotated 90 degrees or -90 degrees when image data is output from 09 consists of.
[0055]
Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the page memory 323 is written with a page buffer area M1 in which image data of a document read by the scanner unit 4 is written and data obtained by compressing the image data. The file area is divided into file areas M2 divided into units of one page.
[0056]
The start address of each page of the file area M2 is stored in the data start address storage area M3 for each file area page.
[0057]
Next, the staple electronic sort mode will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0058]
As an example, consider copying two copies of a three-page document.
[0059]
In FIG. 11, in the copy without the sort mode, the document D is sent to the document reading position in the order of ADF7 to D3-D2-D1, and the combination of reading of the document by the scanner unit 4 and printing by the printer unit 6 is 3-3. Images are formed on the copy paper P in the order of 2-2-1-1. The copy paper P on which the image is formed is stacked on the finisher discharge tray 154 in the order of 1-1-2-2-3-3 from the top.
[0060]
In FIG. 12A, in copying in the staple electronic sort mode, the document D is sent from the ADF 7 to the document reading position in the order of D3-D2-D1, and is scanned by the scanner unit 4 in the order of 3-2-1. An image is read into the page memory 323. Subsequently, the data is output from the page memory 323 to the printer unit 6 in the order of 3-2-1, then stapled and discharged to the tray. Similarly, the data is output from 3-2-1 and the page memory to the printer, stapled, and discharged to the finisher discharge tray 154. The copy paper P discharged to the finisher discharge tray 154 is stapled in the order of 1-2-3 from the top, and the operator can obtain a copy of the two copies of the stapled document.
[0061]
Next, the delay interruption process at the time of the electronic sort mode process which is the feature of the present invention will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. (B) is a timing chart showing the relationship between the delay interrupt operation and the electronic sort mode processing, which is a feature of the present invention.
[0062]
In (b), the timing of processing in the case of performing a plurality of staple electronic sort mode processing on three originals D1, D2, and D3 is shown. In other words, the first copy of the originals D1, D2, and D3 is printed 407, and the three printed sheets are stapled 409 by the finisher 150. Next, printing of the second copy 411 and stapling 413 are performed, and during the printing of the third copy, when printing of the document D1 ends and printing of the document D2 starts, a new document D4 is allocated to be printed. The process 401 is instructed.
[0063]
Conventionally, this interrupt process is immediately executed, and the document D4 is printed and discharged onto the tray next to the document D1. As a result, the electronic sort mode printing paper and the interrupt printing paper are stapled together, or the electronic sort mode printing paper is broken by the interrupt printing paper.
[0064]
However, according to the delayed interrupt processing that is a feature of the present invention, interrupt processing is not performed simultaneously with the interrupt generation 401. In other words, the interrupt flag is turned on simultaneously with the occurrence of the interrupt 401 to enter a standby state, printing of one copy in the electronic sort mode is finished (415), the staple of the paper is finished (417), and the electronic sort mode printing is interrupted ( 419) Waits until the interrupt flag is turned on until interrupt processing is performed (405). In this case, the printing of the interrupt original D4 is completed and discharged after stapling of the originals D1, D2, and D3. For this reason, there is no problem of electronic sort mode printing such as stapling of different sheets together.
[0065]
It should be noted that the delay interrupt operation, which is a feature of the present invention, is clarified on the flowchart in the flowchart of the electronic sort mode printing process, which is a subroutine of FIG. 16, and the interrupt process is further illustrated in FIGS. This is realized by not detecting, but other flowcharts described below are almost the same as the conventional one. However, the example of FIG. 16 is only one example for realizing the delay interrupt of FIG. 12B, and the same effect can be obtained by realizing the operation timing of FIG. 16B in various other forms. Needless to say.
[0066]
Next, the overall operation of the digital copying machine including the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
[0067]
First, the main process (S1) will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0068]
That is, when the operator presses a key on the operation panel 80 (S2), if the operation mode is set (S3), the designated copy mode is written in the parameter table 104a (S7). In this way, the number of copies, document size, paper size, magnification, and sort mode are stored. It is assumed that a default value is set in the parameter table 104a when the apparatus is activated, and a copy parameter for which setting is not instructed operates with this default value.
[0069]
When the copy key 82 of the operation panel 80 is turned on (S5), a copying operation process (S11) is performed.
[0070]
The other processing (S9) is processing that does not correspond to either copying operation or copying mode setting, and includes timer setting and preheating.
[0071]
The copying operation process (S11) will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0072]
In the digital copying machine having the page memory 323 and capable of the electronic sort mode as in this embodiment, the electronic sort mode operation in which the image is stored in the page memory 323 and the sort mode is printed, once stored in the memory and printed as it is. The memory copying operation is roughly divided into a normal copying operation in which an original input image is printed as it is without using a memory. It is determined which copy process is set at the beginning of the copy operation process, and each copy process is executed.
[0073]
That is, referring to the parameter table 104a (S13), it is determined whether the electronic sort mode is valid (S15). If the electronic sort mode is valid according to this determination, the electronic sort mode process (S19) is performed.
[0074]
If the electronic sort mode is invalid, it is determined whether the memory copy is valid or invalid (S17). If the memory copy is valid according to this determination, the memory copy process is performed (S23). If the memory copy is invalid, normal copy processing is performed (S21).
[0075]
In the normal copying process, the reading output of the document D by the CCD sensor 34 of the scanner unit 4 is printed out by the printer unit 6 without being stored in the page memory 323. For example, when copying 5 copies, the document D is printed 5 times. Need to scan.
[0076]
The electronic sort mode process (S19) will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0077]
First, referring to the parameter table 104a (S21), if double-sided printing is set, or if reduced concatenation is set and the number of input documents is set to be indefinite (S23, S25, S27), An electronic sort mode completion operation process for starting printing after reading all the documents D is performed (S31). If the setting is other than that, electronic sort mode sequential processing is performed in which the first copy is printed while the original is read (S29).
[0078]
In the electronic sort mode completion operation process (S31), the scanner unit 4 sequentially reads the document D, stores the read image data in the page memory 323, and stores the image data for all the documents D in the page memory 323. The image data stored in the page memory 323 is sequentially read out (by changing the page order or the like) and printed out by the printer unit 6.
[0079]
In the electronic sort mode sequential processing, for the first copy, the scanner unit 4 sequentially reads the original D, stores it in the page memory 323, prints it out with the printer unit 6, and outputs it to the second and subsequent copies. On the other hand, the image data stored in the page memory 323 is sequentially read out and printed out by the printer unit 6.
[0080]
The electronic sort mode completion operation process (S31) will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0081]
First, the operation mode of the finisher 150 is set with reference to the parameter table 104a (S35). The operation mode of the finisher 150 includes a sort mode, a staple, a group, and a non-sort mode. Description of the operations of the group and the non-sort mode is omitted.
[0082]
First, the page memory 323 number for reading and storing an image is initialized (S37). As shown in FIG. 10, the page memory 323 includes a page buffer area M1 in which image data of the original D read by the scanner unit 4 is written, and a file divided in units of one page in which data obtained by compressing the image data is written. It is divided into areas M2, and the data head address for each file area page is referred to in the order of page memory numbers.
[0083]
When starting to read a document, the empty sensor 9 in the ADF 7 is checked (S39), and if there is a document D, a completion operation ADF input process is performed (S41).
[0084]
If there is no document D, the scanner unit 4 scans the document D on the document table 12, stores page data (image data) in the page buffer area M1 (S49), and pages in the page memory buffer area M1. The data is compressed and stored in the file area M2, and the storage address is written in the page memory number (S51, 53).
[0085]
Next, a key input check is performed (S55). If an input start is instructed (S57), image reading is executed again. If an end is instructed, the document input process is terminated and a print process is performed (S45). If cancellation is instructed (S61), the data in the page memory 323 is cleared and the electronic sort mode process is terminated (S47). When an interrupt is instructed here (S63), after performing an interrupt copy process (S65), the process returns to the key input waiting state. For other instructions, the same processing as when the key was not pressed is performed.
[0086]
The completion operation ADF input process (S41) will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0087]
That is, the processing is the same as that shown in FIG. 16 except that the document feed (S67, S69) and the document reading operation (S71, S73) are performed until the document D is removed from the ADF 7 (S66). However, there is no waiting for key input during execution, and operation instructions (S77) (input of copy key 82), interrupt (S79) (input of interrupt key 92), and cancellation (S81) (effective keys during execution) ( When an instruction to input a cancel key displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 84 is given, these processes (S83, S85, S87, S89) are performed.
[0088]
Next, the electronic sort mode printing process (S45) for realizing the delay interrupt, which is a feature of the present invention, will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0089]
The page data stored at the specified address of the page memory number is expanded and expanded in the page buffer area M1 (S91), and the expanded image data is printed by the set number (S99, S101), and then the key input is performed. A check is performed (S105).
[0090]
If an interrupt (S124), cancellation (S125), and operation instruction (S126) that are valid during printing are performed, the respective operations are performed. In the case of an operation instruction or setting other than valid, it is processed as if the key was not pressed.
[0091]
The page memory number is incremented while printing (S103). When printing of the final page is completed (S97), the staple discharge or finisher discharge tray 154 is shifted (S107), and the number of copies is incremented (S109).
[0092]
These operations are performed until the printing of the designated number of copies set in the parameter table 104a is completed (S95) or until cancellation is instructed (S125).
[0093]
However, the process A section in FIG. 18 does not immediately enter an interrupt when an interrupt is instructed during printing, but sets a flag (for example, set in the RAM 104) indicating that an interrupt has been instructed. It is only turned on (S127). Further, in the process B section, it is checked whether an interrupt has been instructed after staple discharge by checking that the flag is turned on (S113). If the flag is turned on, an interrupt copy process is performed. Thereafter, the interrupt flag is turned off and the key input is checked (S119, S121, S123).
In this way, even if an interrupt is instructed, the interrupt operation is not performed immediately, and after stapling and discharging to the finisher discharge tray 154 (S107), entering the interrupt copy (S115), FIG. The delay interrupt which is the feature of the present invention described in (b) is realized. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the copy paper for the interrupt copy from being mixed and stapled together during the staple discharge, or the staple disturbance.
[0094]
Next, the interrupt copy process (S83) will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0095]
Since this interrupt copy process is performed in the middle of the previous copy, the current parameter table 104a parameters are saved (S131), the interrupt copy parameters are set in the parameter table 104a (S133), and the interrupt is processed. When returning from the copy process, the original parameters are returned to the parameter table 104a. Then, after parameter setting (S137, S145) by key input (S137, S145), normal copy processing (S143) is performed in accordance with the key input operation instruction (S141). If there is an interrupt return instruction (S139), the parameter table is returned before the interrupt (S147).
[0096]
Next, the electronic sort mode sequential operation process (S29) will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0097]
In other words, after the image is read, until this image is stored in the memory corresponding to the page memory number (S151, S153, S155, S161, S163, S165), it is the same as the processing of FIG.
[0098]
Subsequently, the page data stored at the designated address of the page memory number is decompressed and expanded in the page buffer area M1 (S167), and the expanded image data is printed (S169), and then waits for key input.
[0099]
When the end (input of the end key displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 84) is instructed in the key input waiting (S171) (S173), the reading of the original and the end of printing of the first copy are completed. If there is, the stapled copy paper P is stapled and discharged to the finisher discharge tray 154 (S177). If in the sort mode, the finisher discharge tray 154 is shifted, and a counter for the number of copies (for example, set in the RAM 104) is set. After the increment (S179), the printing process (S181) is performed and the page memory is cleared (S183).
[0100]
However, it should be noted here that the process of detecting an interrupt instruction at the time of key input is excluded in the processing part C in FIG. No action is taken. Therefore, the interrupt instruction is not accepted when the input of the document D and the staple printing are sequentially performed. In this way, in the electronic sort mode sequential operation process, by not accepting an interrupt instruction, copy paper other than staple sort mode printing is not discharged to the tray, so that electronic sort mode printing is confused. Can be prevented.
[0101]
Next, the sequential operation ADF input process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0102]
That is, the processing is the same as the processing in FIG. 20 except that the document feeding and document reading operations are performed until the document D is no longer in the ADF 7. However, there is no waiting for key input during execution, operation instruction (input of copy key 82) which is a valid key during execution, end (input of end key displayed on liquid crystal display unit 84), stop (liquid crystal display unit 84). If the input of the cancel key displayed on the screen is instructed, those processes are performed.
[0103]
However, paying attention to the processing D section, even if there is an interrupt instruction at the time of key input, it is processed as if the instruction has not been made, and when the input of the document D and staple printing are operated sequentially, the interrupt instruction Is not accepted. By not accepting interrupts in this way, it is possible to prevent paper other than staple sort mode printing from being discharged.
[0104]
As described above, when an interrupt is instructed while only the document input in staple electronic sort mode is in operation, the interrupt copy process is performed as it is, and the interrupt instruction when printing while inputting the original is invalidated and interrupted. The copy process is prohibited, and when an interrupt is instructed when only printing is in operation, the interrupt copy process is performed after stapling and discharging to the finisher discharge tray.
[0105]
That is, when an interrupt copy is instructed during processing in the staple electronic sort mode, an interrupt copy is entered after waiting for the completion of one unit of staple.
[0106]
As a result, even if an interrupt copy is instructed during processing in the staple electronic sort mode, the interrupt copy is not entered until the staple operation is completed, so the interrupt copy is stapled together with the paper before the interrupt, It is possible to prevent the sheet before being stapled from being collapsed by discharging the copy.
[0107]
In other words, by interrupt copy at the time of electronic sort mode stapling, even if interrupt copy is instructed in the middle of part of processing, it does not immediately enter interrupt mode, but enters interrupt operation when processing of some units is completed , Interrupt copy paper can be prevented from being ejected onto paper in the staple sort mode on the same tray, and interrupt copying was performed when trying to continue stapling after returning from interrupt. It is possible to avoid the risk of the sheets being stapled together, and it is also possible to avoid breaking the sheets that have been aligned for stapling when taking the interrupt copy sheet from the tray.
[0108]
Furthermore, the second embodiment to the seventh embodiment, which are modifications of the present invention, will be sequentially described below with reference to the drawings and flowcharts.
[0109]
In the second embodiment, an operator is informed that an interrupt is waiting due to a delay interrupt, which is a feature of the present invention. FIG. 23 is a plan view showing a configuration of an operation panel provided with an interrupt display LED, FIG. 22 is a flowchart for displaying a delay interrupt by blinking the interrupt display LED, and FIG. 24 is a dedicated delay interrupt. FIG. 25 is a plan view showing a configuration of an operation panel provided with a delay interrupt display LED.
[0110]
This second embodiment is divided into three cases. The first is the case where the interrupt LED 95 in FIG. 23 is provided and a delay interrupt is scheduled to be performed by blinking (not lighting), and the operator is informed that the interrupt is waiting.
[0111]
In other words, the interrupt LED is turned on when the interrupt key 92 is pressed and the interrupt process is performed, and even if the delayed interrupt, that is, the interrupt key, which is a feature of the present invention is pressed, When the printer is in a standby state (see FIG. 12B) waiting for the printing of the copies, the operator is notified by blinking the LED 95. As a result, the operator can know that the interrupt is not refused but is waiting for an interrupt operation, and that the interrupt operation will be performed after a certain time.
[0112]
That is, in the flowchart of FIG. 22, when the interrupt flag is turned on (S127), this interrupt LED is blinked (S401), and when the printing of one copy of electronic sort is finished and the interrupt operation is performed, the interrupt LED 95 is turned on. (S403). When the interrupt operation is completed, the interrupt LED 95 is turned off (S405).
[0113]
The second case of the second embodiment is a case of displaying on the liquid crystal display unit 84 of the operation panel 80 that the interrupt standby and interrupt operation are being performed. Thereby, the information regarding delay interruption can be shown without providing LED etc. in particular.
[0114]
In the third case of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 25, a dedicated LED 97 is provided to indicate that it is waiting for a delay interrupt, and this LED is lit when waiting for a delay interrupt. This is a case where the operator is informed, and it can be more clearly impressed that the operator is waiting.
[0115]
In the third embodiment, the number of copies is set again when the delayed interrupt operation is finished and the electronic sort mode process is resumed. FIG. 26 is a flowchart for explaining processing for resetting the number of copies after returning from the interrupt according to the third embodiment.
[0116]
In FIG. 26, after the interrupt copy process (S115), the interrupt flag is turned off (S119), and if the numeric keypad is input (S421), the number of copies is cleared (S423), and the set number of copies is input from the numeric keypad. The quantity is changed (S425).
[0117]
By providing such a process, even if the electronic sort mode process is affected by, for example, an interrupt process, the operator is given an opportunity to set the number of prints again, so a more reliable electronic sort mode process can be performed. Can be realized.
[0118]
The fourth embodiment is a case where the interrupt process of the present invention is executed by performing an interrupt process from a host computer through a telephone line, for example.
[0119]
FIG. 27 is a system diagram showing a network system when an interrupt instruction is issued from a host computer via a telephone line. FIG. 28 is a block diagram of a digital copying machine having a mechanism for receiving an interrupt instruction via a telephone line. It is.
[0120]
28, the digital copying machine 503 includes an image processing unit 601 that mainly performs image data processing, a control panel unit 605 that is operated by an operator, a printer controller unit 607 that is controlled by a personal computer, a scanner motor, and the like. And the like, and these are controlled by the MCPU 609 and the SMCPU 611. Furthermore, a communication unit 603 for transmitting and receiving image data and the like to and from the host computer 501 through a telephone line is received, whereby, for example, image data and interrupt command data are received from the host computer 501 through the telephone line. Depending on the received image data, the digital copying machine of the present invention performs the delayed interrupt as described above during the electronic sort mode processing, and performs reliable electronic sort mode printing and interrupt printing from a remote location. It can be executed reliably.
[0121]
The fifth embodiment is an embodiment in the case where, for example, a horizontal A4 paper cassette is applied to a vertical A4 paper cassette when performing original electronic sort mode printing after delay interruption processing.
[0122]
FIG. 29 is a flowchart for explaining processing when performing rotation processing after interrupt processing, FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a subroutine for interrupt return check, and FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a subroutine for normal printing processing. FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the rotation printing process.
[0123]
That is, in the fifth embodiment, for example, when the B4 interrupt printing is performed during the electronic sort mode printing in the vertical A4, for example, the operator replaces the vertical A4 paper cassette with the B4 paper cassette for the interrupt printing. Used when it has been done. In other words, in this case, when interrupt printing is completed and the original electronic sort mode printing is resumed, the vertical A4 paper cassette has not been replaced, so that the “paper cassette is put on the liquid crystal display screen etc. of the control panel”. A warning such as “Please” appears, and the copying operation ends there. However, in the fifth embodiment, in this case, it is detected whether or not the horizontal A4 paper cassette is mounted on the machine body, and if it is mounted, the image data is rotated and printed on the paper in the horizontal A4 paper cassette. The printing is automatically continued without prompting the operator to replace the cassette. Thereby, it is possible to realize smooth electronic sort mode printing by omitting the operator's cassette replacement work.
[0124]
That is, in FIG. 29, the flowchart of FIG. 18 is further partially changed to realize the automatic change of the paper cassette. That is, when interrupt printing is executed during the electronic sort mode processing, the paper feed position and paper size are stored (S437), and it is determined whether or not interrupt return is possible after completion of interrupt printing (S301). If the paper cassette needs to be changed, the rotation flag is turned on (S313).
[0125]
Thereafter, if the operation is normal (S439), the original electronic sort mode printing is restored and the rotation flag is confirmed (S431). If the rotation flag is off, normal printing is performed (S321). If the rotation flag is on, rotation printing is performed (S331). Further, the rotation flag is turned off (S445). As a result, by rotating the image on the paper whose portrait and landscape are reversed, an image with the portrait and landscape reversed is printed, and the desired electronic sort mode printing is automatically performed without replacement of the paper cassette by the operator.
[0126]
Here, in the interruption return check (S301) in FIG. 30, the sizes of the paper cassettes before and after the interruption are judged (S303, S305), and if they are the same, they are set as normal (S315). If these sizes (and directions) are different, it is determined that the cassette has been exchanged by the operator during interruption, and it is confirmed whether the paper used before interruption exists in another paper cassette (S307). ) If there is, it is judged as normal. If not, the necessary paper can be rotated (S309), and if the rotated paper exists in another cassette (S311), the rotation flag is turned on (S313). If there is no rotatable paper and the paper before and after the interruption is different, it is determined that there is an abnormality (S317).
[0127]
In the normal printing (S321) of FIG. 31, the above-described image data expansion (S323, S325), storage in the page buffer (S327), and printing processing of this image data (S329) are sequentially performed.
[0128]
In the rotational printing (S331) of FIG. 32, the buffer 1 = B2 size (S333), the buffer 2 = B1 size (S335), and the image data (S337) decompressed and stored in the buffer 2 is displayed in the vertical and horizontal directions. The changed image is rotated and copied to the buffer 1 (S339). As a result, the image of the rotated buffer 1 is printed on the paper whose portrait and landscape are opposite, so that desired printing can be realized without exchanging the cassette by the operator.
[0129]
Further, the sixth embodiment is characterized in that, in the case of electronic sort mode printing and performing double-sided stacking, interrupt printing is not performed even if there is an interrupt instruction.
[0130]
FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a case where no delay interrupt is performed in the double-sided stack according to the sixth embodiment. In other words, this flowchart is basically the same as that of the electronic sort mode printing process described above, but even if there is a key input in the middle of printing and an interrupt operation is instructed, double-sided printing is performed and the double-sided device is stuck in the stack. In some cases, the interrupt flag is not turned on (S453, S455, S457), so that when double-sided stacking is performed, the interrupt operation is not executed. This makes it possible to execute electronic sort mode printing that performs reliable double-sided stacking.
[0131]
In the seventh embodiment, when the electronic sort mode printing is performed and the stapling is not performed, the tray for discharging the paper for the electronic sort mode printing is different from the tray for discharging the paper by the interrupt process. This means that the paper is discharged from the tray.
[0132]
By doing this, it is possible to solve the problem that the paper in the electronic sort mode and the paper in the interrupt process are confused without performing the stapling process.
[0133]
In the eighth embodiment, as described above, when an interrupt instruction is issued during electronic sort mode printing, interrupt printing is performed when one copy of the electronic sort mode is completed. The input operation of the document to be printed is immediately performed, the document image is secured in the page memory, and the document image in the page memory is printed when interrupt printing becomes possible. . As a result, it is possible to realize an input operation for a document image to be printed more quickly.
[0134]
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, even if an interrupt copy is instructed during the staple electronic sort mode process, the interrupt printing is not performed until the end of the staple operation of a part of the unit. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing problems such as stapling of paper together with electronic sort mode printing paper, and collapse of paper being stapled due to interruption printing paper discharge.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital copying machine for explaining an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a view for explaining a finisher.
FIG. 3 is a view for explaining a finisher.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a finisher.
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a configuration of an operation panel.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital copying machine control system.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a scanner unit.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a basic unit CPU.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer unit.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a relationship between a page buffer area M1 and a file area M2 of a page memory.
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining copying that does not use the sort mode;
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining copying in the staple electronic sort mode, and a timing chart showing the relationship between the delay interrupt operation and the electronic sort mode processing, which are the features of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining main processing;
FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining copying operation processing;
FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining electronic sort mode processing;
FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining electronic sort mode completion operation processing;
FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining completion operation ADF input processing;
FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining electronic sort mode printing processing showing the characteristics of the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining interrupt copy processing;
FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining electronic sort mode sequential operation processing;
FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining sequential DF input processing;
FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining electronic sort mode printing processing when a delay interrupt according to the second embodiment is displayed by blinking an LED;
FIG. 23 is a plan view showing a configuration of an operation panel provided with an interrupt display LED according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 24 is a flowchart for explaining electronic sort mode printing processing when a delay interrupt according to the second embodiment is displayed by turning on a dedicated LED;
FIG. 25 is a plan view showing a configuration of an operation panel provided with a delay interrupt display LED according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 26 is a flowchart for explaining processing for resetting the number of copies after returning from an interrupt according to the third embodiment;
FIG. 27 is a system diagram showing a network system when an interrupt instruction is issued from a host computer via a telephone line according to the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 28 is a block diagram of a digital copying machine including a mechanism for receiving an interrupt instruction through a telephone line according to a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 29 is a flowchart for explaining processing when performing rotation processing after interrupt processing according to the fifth embodiment;
FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing an interrupt return check subroutine according to the fifth embodiment;
FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of normal printing processing according to the fifth embodiment.
FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of rotational printing processing according to the fifth embodiment.
FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a case where no delay interrupt is performed during the double-sided stack according to the sixth embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
4 ... Scanner section
6 ... Printer section
D ... Original
P ... paper
80 ... Control panel
92 ... Interrupt key
151 ... Finisher
301 ... Basic part
302: Page memory section
311 ... Basic section CPU
314 ... Image processing means
323 ... Page memory
501: Host computer
503 ... Digital copier
507 Modem
509 ... Public telephone line

Claims (8)

A reading unit that sequentially reads image information on a document;
A storage unit for storing the image information read by the reading unit;
An image forming unit configured to form an image on a recording medium based on the image information stored in the storage unit;
A stable unit for stapling the image-formed recording medium;
When a staple electronic sort mode for stapling and outputting a recording medium imaged by electronic sort using the storage unit is output using the staple unit, an image is formed in the staple electronic sort mode. When an interrupt instruction is received, a part of the image formation in the staple electronic sort mode is finished, and one of the staples on the recording medium is waited until the image formation is interrupted. When the image formation is completed, a controller that controls the reading unit, the storage unit, the image forming unit, and the staple unit in order to continue image formation in the staple electronic sort mode again;
An image forming apparatus comprising: While waiting for the interrupt process by the control unit, the standby state is displayed by blinking an LED, and further, the interrupt process is being executed while the interrupt process is being performed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays the LED by turning on the LED. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit configured to display a standby state on a liquid crystal display of a control panel while the control unit is waiting for the interrupt process. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays a standby state by turning on an LED while the control unit waits for the interrupt process. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for resetting the number of image forming copies in the staple electronic sort mode after completing the image forming by the interrupt processing by the control unit. After the image formation by the interrupt processing by the control unit is completed, the recording medium used in the image formation by the staple electronic sort mode is not connected to the image forming apparatus, and the staple electronic sort mode is used. When image information used for image formation can be rotated, and a recording medium having a different direction and the same size as the image information is connected to the image forming apparatus, the image information is rotated and the image information is rotated. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is controlled so as to be formed on a recording medium having a direction different from that of the information and the same size. When the image forming unit performs image formation in the staple electronic sort mode, the image forming unit forms an image on both sides of the recording medium, and the recording medium is temporarily stored in a stack. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein control is performed to prevent the interruption operation even when the interruption instruction is issued. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the reading unit to read image information of a document of the interrupt process while controlling to wait for the interrupt process. .

Images