JP3676975B2 - Image forming apparatus and image forming method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copying machine having a color designation in a setting item of a paper feed tray.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, image forming apparatuses such as printers, copiers, and printing apparatuses that can receive image data read by a scanner device or image data created by a terminal device and form an image on a sheet are widely used. Has been. In these image forming apparatuses, it is possible to select and specify which paper tray is to be used among the paper feed trays installed.
Regarding such paper feeding, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-219602 discloses plain paper, high-quality paper, OHP film, regular paper, etc. depending on the difference in printing attributes such as black and white, color, or the use of printed matter. A paper feed control device capable of switching and feeding paper having different paper quality and usage is disclosed.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when colored paper is installed in each paper feed tray, if it is not specified which color paper is installed in which paper feed tray, specifying the desired colored paper becomes complicated, resulting in a printing error. It will also end up.
In addition, if it is not specified which color paper is installed in which paper feed tray, when printing multiple copies with different color paper for each copy and wanting to identify the number of copies, after printing one part Then, it is necessary to reprint the next number of copies by specifying the color again, which is troublesome. In addition, when printing multiple copies, once colored paper is set, even if the color of the output paper is different from the image, the entire number will come out with that colored paper, which may waste paper. Become.
[0004]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of specifying the color of the remaining number of copies of colored paper after confirming the output of the first copy when printing a plurality of copies. Is to provide.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper feed trays, image data receiving means for receiving image data and image data received by the image data receiving means among the plurality of paper feed trays. Color designation means for designating color paper on which paper tray to be printed; paper tray information acquisition means for obtaining color information of color paper installed in the plurality of paper feed trays; and color designation means When the color is designated by the paper feed tray information, the paper feed tray information obtained by the paper feed tray information obtaining unit detects whether there is a paper feed tray corresponding to the color paper designated by the color designation unit. A tray detection unit, and the image data received by the image data reception unit for color on the paper feed tray detected by the paper feed tray detection unit. An image forming unit for forming an image on the paper feed tray on which the remaining image data received by the image data receiving unit by the color designating unit when the image forming unit completes the first image formation. It is possible to specify whether to print on different color paper, thereby achieving the object.
[0006]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, when the image forming unit forms a plurality of copies of the image data received by the image data receiving unit, the plurality of copies of the image data is formed by the color specifying unit. The above object can be achieved by specifying which color paper on which paper feed tray is to be printed for each number of copies.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming method for forming an image in an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper feed trays, the first step of receiving image data, and the image received in the first step. A second step of designating which of the plurality of paper feed trays color paper is to be printed on, and obtaining color information of the color paper set in the plurality of paper feed trays; When the color is designated in the third step and the second step, the paper feed corresponding to the color paper designated in the second step is added to the paper feed tray information acquired in the third step. A fourth step for detecting whether or not there is a tray, and a fifth step for forming an image on the color paper on the paper feed tray detected in the fourth step using the image data received in the first step. And when the first image formation is completed in the fifth step, the remaining image data received in the first step is designated on which paper sheet to be printed on the color paper. The object is achieved by comprising 6 steps.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the invention, when the plurality of copies of the image data received in the first step is formed in the fifth step, the plurality of copies is formed in the second step. It is possible to specify on which paper feed tray the color paper is to be printed for each copy of the image data.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. In this embodiment, as an example of an image forming apparatus, a printer apparatus having a plurality of paper feed trays 1 to 4 in which different colored papers are installed will be described. The image forming apparatus may be used. The printer device is connected to a terminal device such as a workstation or a personal computer (PC) (not shown), and based on image data and designation information received from the terminal device, color paper (color paper) of a designated paper feed tray An image is formed on a sheet.
[0008]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus includes a paper feed tray information holding circuit 10, an information acquisition control circuit 20, a print setting designation circuit 30, and a print control circuit 40.
The paper feed tray information holding circuit 10 holds the set color information of the paper feed trays 1 to 4 installed in the image forming apparatus. The information acquisition control circuit 20 acquires the set color of the designated paper feed tray from the paper feed tray information holding circuit 10 and passes the information to the print control circuit 30. The print setting designation circuit 30 instructs the print control circuit 40 to designate the color of the print data received from the terminal device to which the image forming apparatus is connected. The print control circuit 40 performs printing on the color paper in the corresponding paper feed tray according to the print data and color designation information from the print setting designation circuit 30.
[0009]
Next, the image forming operations of the first to third embodiments in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an image forming process procedure according to the first embodiment. When the color designation information is added to the print data received from another connected terminal device (step 1), the paper feed tray information holding circuit 10 of the image forming apparatus designates the colors in order from the priority paper feed tray. The check of the paper feed tray corresponding to the information is started. Here, the priority paper feed tray refers to a paper feed tray for which the user has previously set a check priority by the paper feed tray information holding circuit 20.
For example, if the priority paper feed tray is the paper feed tray 1 of FIG. 1 and the paper feed tray information holding circuit 20 has not yet been checked (step 2; No), when the paper feed tray 1 is checked, It is determined whether the paper size matches the specified size of the received image data (step 3). If the paper sizes match (step 3; yes), and the paper color in the paper feed tray 1 matches the color specified information color (step 4; yes), printing is performed on the paper fed from the paper feed tray 1 Processing is executed (step 5).
[0010]
If the paper size or color does not match in the paper feed tray that has not been checked (step 3; no, step 4; no), the process proceeds to the next paper feed tray check (search) (step 7).
All the paper feed trays 1 to 4 are checked in order, and if there is no tray that matches the specified size and color anywhere (step 2; yes), a paper out message is output and the printing process is stopped (step 6).
As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the color of the paper feed tray can be directly set and the color can be designated. Therefore, there is no mistake such as a printing mistake or a designation mistake. Processing can be executed.
[0011]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an image forming process procedure according to the second embodiment. When the sheet feeding tray information holding circuit 10 of the image forming apparatus receives color designation information for each number of copies in which a different color is designated for each copy by a plurality of copies from another connected terminal device (step 11), A designated color is set (step 12), and the check of the paper feed trays 1 to 4 is first started with respect to the color designation information of the first copy. If the paper feed tray information holding circuit 20 of the paper feed tray 1 has not been checked yet (step 13; No), the paper size of the tray when the paper feed tray 1 is checked matches the specified size of the received image data. It is determined whether or not to perform (step 14).
If the paper size or color of the paper feed tray 1 that has not been checked does not match (step 14; no, step 15; no), the next paper feed trays 2 to 4 are associated with the color designation information for the first part. (Step 20).
[0012]
If the paper sizes match (step 14; yes), and the color of the paper in the paper feed tray 1 matches the color specified in the color designation information (step 15; yes), 1 is fed to the paper fed from the paper feed tray 1. The printing process for the second copy is executed (step 16).
If the number of scheduled prints (second and subsequent copies) having other color designation information remains (Step 17; No), the process returns to Step 12, and the paper feed tray corresponding to the second color designation information is returned. Is started (step 13 to step 17). Similarly, when the selection and printing of the paper feed tray for each color designation information for a plurality of copies are completed (step 17; Yes), the image forming process for a plurality of copies with color designation is completed (step 18).
On the other hand, all the paper feed trays 1 to 4 are checked in order for the color designation information of the first copy, and if there is no paper feed tray that matches the designated size and designated color in any of the paper feed trays (step 13; Yes), the paper A none message is output and the printing process is stopped (step 19).
As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, when a plurality of copies are to be printed with different colored sheets, it is possible to specify the colors for all the copies in advance. The trouble of doing can be omitted.
[0013]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an image forming process procedure according to the third embodiment.
In the third embodiment, when a color item is selected on the test print instruction screen (see FIG. 6) and the item is changed, information on the designated color for printing is rewritten to check the tray for that color. It is like that.
The paper feed tray information holding circuit 10 of the image forming apparatus receives a trial print instruction to which color designation information is added from another connected terminal device (step 21). When the trial printing instruction with the color designation information is selected on the trial printing instruction screen as shown in FIG. 6 and the setting is changed (step 22; Yes), the changed color is changed to the color designation information. As the designated color (step 23), the process proceeds to a search process for a paper feed tray corresponding to the designated color.
[0014]
Here, the test print instruction screen of FIG. 6 will be described. The test print instruction screen is provided with a column for inputting or selecting an ID (identification number) and a color (color, color) which are identification numbers possessed by individual users. In addition, the time required for printing and the printing start time are displayed in Time (time), and the number of copies, for example, the number of copies of four copies, for example, is set to 5 copies. The number of copies and number of copies are displayed. The user can specify a print file by ID, Time, Count, or the like.
[0015]
When it is desired to change the color of the first specified Color item, the user can select a file by using a hard key, a mouse, a touch panel, etc., and select the Color item therein. In the Color item, a pull-down menu can be scrolled, and a color which can be specified is displayed and can be selected. For example, here, as an example, a case where the user with ID 51123 changes Blue is shown. If a color different from the first color is determined, the information on the designated color is rewritten.
The test print instruction screen may be displayed on a terminal device connected to the image forming apparatus or may be displayed on the display screen of the image forming apparatus.
[0016]
In the search process for the paper feed trays 1 to 4, the check of the paper feed trays 1 to 4 is first started with respect to the color designation information of the designated change test print instruction from the beginning. If the paper feed tray information holding circuit 20 of the paper feed tray 1 has not been checked yet (step 24; No), the paper size of the tray when the paper feed tray 1 is checked matches the specified size of the received image data. It is determined whether or not to perform (step 25).
If the paper size or color of the paper tray 1 that has not been checked does not match (step 25; no, step 26; no), the next paper trays 2 to 4 are checked (searched) for color designation information. (Step 29).
[0017]
If the paper sizes match (step 25; yes) and the paper color in the paper feed tray 1 matches the color specified information color (step 26; yes), the paper fed from this paper feed tray 1 is tested. A printing process is executed (step 27).
On the other hand, all the paper feed trays 1 to 4 are checked in order for the color designation information of the test print instruction, and if there is no paper feed tray that matches the designated size and color in any of the paper feed trays (step 24; yes), the paper A none message is output and the printing process is stopped (step 28).
As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the color designation can be performed even in the test print instruction. Therefore, the color designation can be changed even after confirming the output of the first copy. The printing process using colored paper according to the user's image can be executed.
[0020]
【The invention's effect】
In the present invention, it is possible to make a change after confirming the output of the first copy, and it is possible to prevent printing using colored paper that does not match the image.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an image forming process procedure according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an image forming process procedure according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an image forming process procedure according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a test print instruction screen.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Paper feed tray information holding circuit 20 Information acquisition control circuit 30 Print setting designation circuit 40 Print control circuit

Claims (4)

In an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper feed trays,
Image data receiving means for receiving image data;
Color designating means for designating on which color paper on which of the plurality of paper feed trays the image data received by the image data receiving means is to be printed;
Paper feed tray information obtaining means for obtaining color information of color paper installed in the plurality of paper feed trays;
When the color is designated by the color designation unit, whether or not there is a paper feed tray corresponding to the color paper designated by the color designation unit in the paper feed tray information obtained by the paper feed tray information obtaining unit. Paper tray detection means for detecting,
Image forming means for forming an image on the color paper on the paper feed tray detected by the paper feed tray detecting means, the image data received by the image data receiving means;
With
When the image forming unit finishes forming the first image, the color designating unit designates on which paper tray the remaining image data received by the image data receiving unit is to be printed. An image forming apparatus characterized by that.   When the image forming unit forms a plurality of copies of the image data received by the image data receiving unit, the color designation unit prints the plurality of copies of the image data for each copy on which color paper to be printed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus can be designated. An image forming method for forming an image in an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper feed trays,
A first step of receiving image data;
A second step of designating which of the plurality of paper feed trays the color paper on which the image data received in the first step is to be printed;
A third step of acquiring color information of the color paper set in the plurality of paper feed trays;
If the color is designated in the second step, whether or not there is a paper feed tray corresponding to the color paper designated in the second step in the paper feed tray information acquired in the third step. A fourth step of detecting;
A fifth step of forming an image of the image data received in the first step on the color paper on the paper feed tray detected in the fourth step;
A sixth step of designating on which paper tray the color image on which the remaining image data received in the first step is to be printed when the first image formation is completed in the fifth step; An image forming method comprising:   In the fifth step, when forming a plurality of copies of the image data received in the first step, the plurality of copies of the image data in the second step is printed on which color paper on which paper feed tray. 4. The image forming method according to claim 3, wherein printing can be designated.

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